tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12057730187998902632024-03-18T21:18:49.623-07:00A Little Peace in ParadiseOur top three priorities are God, Family, and Liberty. We welcome you as you join us on this journey we call life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-54207721534337483912024-03-17T21:44:00.000-07:002024-03-17T21:44:00.130-07:00A Busy Young Man<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Written by Denver Snuffer, Illustrated by Emily Willis</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This illustrated version of a short parable illustrates the tale about discovering God's presence. Until we move off life's busy highway to the quiet and meditative place inside each of us, we may not notice God has been with us all along. Now Available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Young-Man-One-Parables/dp/B0C6W6ZB36/ref=pd_bxgy_img_d_sccl_2/136-8046151-3695113?pd_rd_w=YQLTx&content-id=amzn1.sym.2b132e63-5dcd-4ba1-be9f-9e044543d59f&pf_rd_p=2b132e63-5dcd-4ba1-be9f-9e044543d59f&pf_rd_r=XKNZCGNE1WV9T7VY6ZHZ&pd_rd_wg=wHlO9&pd_rd_r=311ab5e7-105e-4076-a801-c8528eda88e7&pd_rd_i=B0C6W6ZB36&psc=1">Amazon</a>. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR15i8fxl7uXtrxf3VTR4yMM-3eJNdUTiX-B7zVjrRY6GxlkQBibzjUrbjmUWqHdcQQkaPZ4rNsk569T34f6I8q1dKKI3V3ktuAIWBA2ExlTelZerb_E3Utzafo4pXBiq8CL458qY3DkFdquE7ZKgrqhod7qBzt74JSog2BbWzipPpWVGJMA90X6HnCBUM/s1250/The%20Busy%20Young%20Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR15i8fxl7uXtrxf3VTR4yMM-3eJNdUTiX-B7zVjrRY6GxlkQBibzjUrbjmUWqHdcQQkaPZ4rNsk569T34f6I8q1dKKI3V3ktuAIWBA2ExlTelZerb_E3Utzafo4pXBiq8CL458qY3DkFdquE7ZKgrqhod7qBzt74JSog2BbWzipPpWVGJMA90X6HnCBUM/w371-h462/The%20Busy%20Young%20Man.jpg" width="371" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-26148415945167087582024-03-08T07:56:00.000-08:002024-03-08T07:56:00.259-08:00Book of Mormon Stories<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Stories retold by Jennifer Willis, Illustrated by Emily Willis</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We created this resource to help teach the children important lessons taught in the Book of Mormon. Children can understand the simplified language found in Book of Mormon Stories, and 448 colorful pages help hold their attention. We've simplified the 1840 Book of Mormon, and each page is given equal measure . . . prophecies, revelations, stories, and doctrine. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Book of Mormon Stories (hardcover) is now available on </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Mormon-Stories-Jennifer-Willis/dp/1733482210/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YOK126Y4G4MQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLx-HgrbmZ809wcNIUKH06gqIjn8BkWmkSse-ei_VQrf8jxM7c0JEhdD3KPBvMGqf0hqx3woTuZklFkCxue0LzoVEWLApADin1nF9i292zAlmfsxOM1087mqTJhfUD50.QZd4z24kqKmuE4IQr3eHDVt05WX6pk7wAlQn1oZCPs0&dib_tag=se&keywords=book+of+mormon+stories+willis&qid=1709049282&sprefix=book+of+mormon+stories+willis%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1" style="font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Amazon</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. For</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> better pricing, contact the Willis Family directly. [If you don't have our contact information, you can leave a comment with your contact information, so we can contact you. Your comment will not be posted.]</span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Your children can also listen to all the chapters on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1xv-08L0Qs&list=PLyKh-EcgULuYZdsWWRGw4Nl4r4mpupfYW">YouTube</a>. Here's the first chapter.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n1xv-08L0Qs" width="508" youtube-src-id="n1xv-08L0Qs"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWVCtCIYTZn81rK9JUtJt0Xh3tfORmS2oTEoFASTduQhyphenhyphenb42hpq0sPObejAXgkNQotDvqIiDzzEgL-n4UFwWMa4hPdwaVltHZjj2cfcQh48RSDQK3wG7WTmt_dWGm-j1pS33XLTfaaD1EQEknRXtWTPF8ezrf29xqFVUobCRN1LPdkxGALkzfp5q7tl_0/s1500/Book%20of%20Mormon%20Stories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWVCtCIYTZn81rK9JUtJt0Xh3tfORmS2oTEoFASTduQhyphenhyphenb42hpq0sPObejAXgkNQotDvqIiDzzEgL-n4UFwWMa4hPdwaVltHZjj2cfcQh48RSDQK3wG7WTmt_dWGm-j1pS33XLTfaaD1EQEknRXtWTPF8ezrf29xqFVUobCRN1LPdkxGALkzfp5q7tl_0/s1500/Book%20of%20Mormon%20Stories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1158" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWVCtCIYTZn81rK9JUtJt0Xh3tfORmS2oTEoFASTduQhyphenhyphenb42hpq0sPObejAXgkNQotDvqIiDzzEgL-n4UFwWMa4hPdwaVltHZjj2cfcQh48RSDQK3wG7WTmt_dWGm-j1pS33XLTfaaD1EQEknRXtWTPF8ezrf29xqFVUobCRN1LPdkxGALkzfp5q7tl_0/w443-h572/Book%20of%20Mormon%20Stories.jpg" width="443" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-25440026359855925792024-03-03T16:54:00.000-08:002024-03-03T16:54:00.143-08:00 Trouble<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are enjoying watching "The Chosen" with our children.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c6b64369-7fff-bf91-ccaa-1a274caba2d5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“. . . You'd make a little trouble if you understood. You know trouble ain't bad if bad is good . . .” Stir up the waters? Hmmm . . . Trouble</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dkdHt-Gya3s" width="424" youtube-src-id="dkdHt-Gya3s"></iframe></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble</b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Verse 1]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Throw me like a stone in the water</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Watch the mud rise up</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dress me like a lamb for the slaughter</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pour me in your cup</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Should've known that we'd bring trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble gon' find you here</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Chorus]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was one way when you found me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was not the one you see</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And the only thing that happened</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Was this stranger in between</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And you can say your eyes are open</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You might think your hands are clean</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Till the wind blows in and dirt kicks up</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In ways you've never seen</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Verse 2]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Use me till I'm scraping the bottom</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Make my well run dry</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Shake them coins, I know where you got 'em</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kiss me, kiss me bye</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Should've known that we'd bring trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble gon' find you here</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Chorus]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was one way when you found me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was not the one you see</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And the only thing that happened</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Was this stranger in between</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And you can say your eyes are open</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You might think your hands are clean</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Till the wind blows in and dirt kicks up</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In ways you've never seen</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Bridge]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble ain't bad if bad is good</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I said, trouble ain't bad if bad is good</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Oh, you'd make a little trouble if you understood</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You know trouble ain't bad if bad is good</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Refrain]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was one way when you found me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was not the one you see</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Instrumental]</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Outro]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble gonna find me here</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble gonna find me here</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Trouble</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yeah, trouble</span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-20793852624828870942024-03-02T16:33:00.000-08:002024-03-02T23:21:56.991-08:00Terrible People<span id="docs-internal-guid-e1820a8d-7fff-c01b-5407-70b3e8d5a402"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’ve often thought about what kind of people will gather in Zion? . . . TERRIBLE people! Really? Why would peaceful, God fearing people be described as terrible?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . and it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God. And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the terror of the Lord also shall be there</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it. And it shall be called Zion. . . and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, wherefore we cannot stand. . . when they shall know it, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">it may be terrible unto them</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, that fear may seize upon them, and they shall stand afar off and tremble. And all nations shall be afraid because of the </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">terror of the Lord, and the power of his might</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Even so, Amen. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/31.14-15#14">T&C 31:14-15</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . For behold, I say unto you that Zion shall flourish, and the glory of the Lord shall be upon her . . . And the days shall come when the </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">nations of the earth shall tremble</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> because of her, and shall fear </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">because of her terrible ones</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. The Lord has spoken it, Amen. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/51.10#10">T&C 51:9-10</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . in this, the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness — clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">terrible as an army with banners</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/jshistory/12.4#4">JSH Section 1:12:4</a></span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcg6k0m4Mb6b7GJOXvxA1h9bmsHHejSOmb-Y4YD-twc-2TxOE33VwFoKo4R62JqjJ2TYx_HOD6baQl_d1GNxwctHJnugq746GsRVmDC-U4n5xTnu_Bq1f0VQiEWgQVzvgIMF5f3fVdw1omsS0ISix5EL07z8cBiKzKZAIM29Op-5LOraofoRATfxxb4IZ/s600/Surfing%20Wave.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcg6k0m4Mb6b7GJOXvxA1h9bmsHHejSOmb-Y4YD-twc-2TxOE33VwFoKo4R62JqjJ2TYx_HOD6baQl_d1GNxwctHJnugq746GsRVmDC-U4n5xTnu_Bq1f0VQiEWgQVzvgIMF5f3fVdw1omsS0ISix5EL07z8cBiKzKZAIM29Op-5LOraofoRATfxxb4IZ/w400-h266/Surfing%20Wave.webp" width="400" /></a></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-35717669-7fff-cae1-24c7-d64518c0a4dc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">For those unprepared to ride the enormous waves, I imagine Zion will be terrible. I can envision myself surfing with my friend. He’s having the time of his life riding the high waves, while I gasp for air in the undercurrent. Fun for him :) Not so fun for me :(</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwITRPKBXHi3I_ukPTCGsBD8g1BC94vwWF1GIYKottB03WGVSlNJ3hjnczHASIENw0O2NDr8tfR61e1HyjjqR8L0Irkf5hzDJoq-rcVF_arjPCl_0ypG3QpNhP8DIDIweaQoEIoiEPiwgGVKq1EKF_7qJW-aoWsYD81hi9tRuUCA6L6qtGuHwptF8cLP3p/s1250/The%20Horses%20of%20Shiloh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwITRPKBXHi3I_ukPTCGsBD8g1BC94vwWF1GIYKottB03WGVSlNJ3hjnczHASIENw0O2NDr8tfR61e1HyjjqR8L0Irkf5hzDJoq-rcVF_arjPCl_0ypG3QpNhP8DIDIweaQoEIoiEPiwgGVKq1EKF_7qJW-aoWsYD81hi9tRuUCA6L6qtGuHwptF8cLP3p/w256-h320/The%20Horses%20of%20Shiloh.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I don't think living in Zion will be like riding a gentle mare. I imagine it will be more similar to mounting a rearing stallion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-46624002708468351002024-03-01T16:44:00.000-08:002024-03-01T16:54:48.515-08:00 If You're Not Wrong, You Can't Repent<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you can’t see you’re wrong, you’re not going to repent. How is it even possible to repent if you can’t see your problem? Real repentance can only begin when your conscience convicts you. I emphasize BEGIN to repent. The recognition of your dysfunction has to come from deep within you. No human can tell you what you need to do to repent. It is your connection with God that initiates this process. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-021b76ef-7fff-7214-44be-9e1e76713c61"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Repentance doesn’t need to take a long time, but it usually does. Once I’ve recognized my dysfunction, it usually takes me about 5 years of constant effort to repent. There are many examples I could share; I’ll share just two:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Christmas Present for Jesus</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Years ago, I wanted to give Jesus a Christmas present. He’s already paid for my sins, so at least I could give Him those. I might sound stingy, but I decided to give Him just one of my sins. My plan was to make a real change throughout the year in the upward direction. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I started with my most annoying dysfunction. It was something I learned to do as a child, a family dynamic that felt comfortable and natural. . . using pouting, sulking, manipulating, and guilt tripping to maneuver and operate when things didn’t go my way. I really didn’t like it when others used these tactics on me. I remember telling my mother, “You’re sending me on a guilt trip, and I am not going!!!” But I could see I was also using those same tactics on others because they kind of worked some of the time. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So the process of repentance began. Time after time, I failed. What used to be unnoticeable by me stood out like a sore thumb. It was obvious I wasn’t doing too well. It was like cleaning up the cobwebs and cluttered rooms of my soul. It would have been easier to keep the door shut on some of the rooms. I would clean up one mess, just to see another mess that was hidden under the clutter.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I didn’t do it alone. I felt the Lord’s guidance and encouragement, but He didn’t just take away the dysfunction. I was required to learn the lessons. I was given many situations where I would practice. I tripped and fell many times. My dysfunction became so obvious to me, and I saw my weakness and failure glaring back at me. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A year later, I was apologizing to Jesus for giving Him the same boring present I gave Him the previous year. I had made some progress, but there was still a lot to learn. After five years of continued attention, I finally felt I had improved to the point where I could BEGIN to repent of another dysfunction. Yes, I still have hiccups here and there, but I am different than I was. As a bonus, I am now quite good at identifying the manipulator and all that goes along with that package. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I continue to give away my dysfunction to Jesus but am kind of slow. It takes a long time for me to be successful in keeping some of the most simple commandments. The process continues year after year.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Currently Repenting Of . . . </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The summer of 2021, I was in a situation that was super triggering. When I am triggered, it is ALWAYS my problem. I’ve believed this principle for over 35 years and have even published <a href="https://peace-in-paradise.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-beauty-of-mirror-lake.html">a picture book</a> about this guiding principle. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I struggled for months, and I couldn’t figure out my problem. It really looked like the other person’s problem, but I knew that couldn’t be true. So, I laid my case before the Lord and asked, “What is my problem?” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The answer came quickly and clearly, “You are a codependent people pleaser. Do not project your garbage onto others, and when they project their garbage onto you, receive it as meaning nothing.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wow! Jesus was right. None of my friends would have given me that feedback, but it was true. Jesus identified the root of my issue. I was trying to please someone else, and they couldn’t be pleased. When I stopped trying to please them, the problem resolved itself. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the last three years, I’ve been given many opportunities to repent of my codependent people-pleasing tendencies. I've been in this repentance cycle for a little less than three years. I am learning to trust God in all things and stop depending on unstable humans for validation and acceptance. I am happier than I’ve ever been, and am feeling freedom I did not know was possible. It’s been lonely at times, but absolutely worth it! I’m in the middle of a repentance cycle. We’ll see what happens in the next 2 ½ years.</span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-34393552982830498282024-02-29T20:14:00.000-08:002024-02-29T20:29:31.551-08:00Offended???<p> <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And if your brother offend you, you shall take him between him and you alone, and if he confess, you shall be reconciled. And if he confess not, you shall take another with you, and then if he confess not, you shall deliver him up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders. And it shall be done in a meeting and that not before the world. And if your brother offend many, he shall be chastened before many. And if anyone offend openly, he shall be rebuked openly that he may be ashamed. And if he confess not, he shall be delivered up unto the Law. If any shall offend in secret, he shall be rebuked in secret, that he may have opportunity to confess in secret to him whom he has offended and to God, that the brethren may not speak reproachfully of him. And thus shall you conduct in all things. </span><a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/27.5#5" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">T&C 27:5</span></a></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0339e7c5-7fff-eeee-17b6-a7ae737fbb86"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Questions: </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Who is responsible to take the initiative when offense is taken? The offender? Or the offended? </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Reading a verse in context is helpful. Before teaching us how to reconcile an offense, the Lord identifies four offenses. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/27.2-4#2">T&C 27:2-4</a></span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Killing</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> . . . Every person who belongs to this church of Christ shall observe all the commandments and covenants of the church. And it shall come to pass that if any person among you shall kill, they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land, for remember that he has no forgiveness, and it shall be proven according to the laws of the land.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Adultery </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. . . But if any man shall commit adultery, he shall be tried before two elders of the church, or more, and every word shall be established against him by two witnesses of the church and not of the world; but if there are more than two witnesses, it is better. But he shall be condemned by the mouth of two witnesses. And the elders shall lay the case before the church and the church shall lift up their hands against them, that they may be dealt with according to the Law. And if it can be, it is necessary that the bishop is present also. And thus you shall do in all cases which shall come before you.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Robbing </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. . . And if a man shall rob, he shall be delivered up unto the Law. And if he shall steal, he shall be delivered up unto the Law.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> Lying </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. . . And if he lie, he shall be delivered up unto the Law. If he do any manner of iniquity, he shall be delivered up unto the Law, even that of God.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">On August 8, 2022, the Lord gave a response to an <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2022/08/answer-on-forgiveness/">inquiry about forgiveness</a>. The original question was about forgiving the adulterer, but the Lord gave additional instructions beyond the scope of the question. It is interesting that the Lord brings attention to these same four offenses. </span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. . . </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You shall not forgive the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">adulterer</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> and welcome him into the community when he has been forgiven and returns again to his sin. You shall not place the community at peril by embracing the willful and unrepentant among you. . . How can you be one if you gather together with another who has been the adulterer again after being forgiven? And how can a man love his wife with all his heart and cleave unto her and none else </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">if he commit adultery </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">again after being forgiven? </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You did not ask, but remember that I have said also that, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You shall not kill</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, and he that kills shall not have forgiveness, neither in this world nor in the world to come. And again, you shall not kill; he that kills shall die. </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You shall not steal</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, and he that steals and will not repent shall be cast out. </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You shall not lie</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">; he that lies and will not repent shall be cast out. How can you be one with he who murders, with the liar who deceives, and with the thief who steals? I say to you that you cannot be one when you are fractured and your little ones threatened by the disobedience of the adulterer, murderer, liar and thief who will not repent.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">People are offended for some of the following reasons:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They have unhealed emotional or psychological issues related to past experiences.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They perceive that their honor, personal or ideological beliefs, or public image are being threatened.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They are self-conscious about something. </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They don’t receive the validation they are seeking from others. </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Being offended makes insecure people feel empowered, and it allows them to make others feel guilty. </span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">People who are easily offended are self-centered and self focused. They are on high alert for anything that threatens their self image.</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But are these reasons to approach the offender with grievances? Or are these internal issues that the offended needs to address? In scriptural language, “first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/6.6#6 ">3 Nephi 6:6</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Being offended is a protective mechanism that guards the offended against facing reality. When they think you’ve offended them, they seem to step into a position of power and have no interest in reasoning with you, and they shut down any conducive conversation. </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What offenses warrant the process the Lord describes in T&C 27:5? Any offense? Or legitimate offenses not based on insecurities or personal issues? The Lord instructs you what to do when you have been offended by your brother.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You shall take him between him and you alone, and if he confesses, you shall be reconciled.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And if he confesses not, you shall take another with you.</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Then if he confess not, you shall deliver him up unto the church, not to the members, but to the elders.*</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And if he confess not, he shall be delivered up unto the Law.</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*[In Joseph Smith’s day, offenses that were not reconciled privately, were brought before the elders. In our day, unreconciled offenses against priesthood holders are brought before a council of 12 women.]</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the value of an open public rebuke? </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> “And if your brother offend many, he shall be chastened before many. And if anyone offend openly, he shall be rebuked openly that he may be ashamed.” </span></p></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the harm in making private offenses public? “</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">If any shall offend in secret, he shall be rebuked in secret, that he may have opportunity to confess in secret to him whom he has offended and to God, that the brethren may not speak reproachfully of him.”</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If we find we are offended, it would be wise to look at the reasons for the offense, and resolve it following the instructions given by the Lord. </span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-40240129658791475322024-02-25T19:48:00.000-08:002024-02-26T18:06:53.738-08:00The Great Competition <p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">Written by Denver Snuffer, Illustrated by Emily Willis</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;">This short tale is a parable about the Judeo-Christian expectation that life has meaning, God is in control, life is important, we are free to choose, and there is a plan unfolding designed by God to let us choose the path we follow. This story focuses on whether we actually trust God or not. Like all parables, meditating and reflecting on the story will let the reader see deeper into the meanings. <b>Now available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Competition-One-Ten-Parables/dp/B0CWD4HKTQ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jhLk2IEDUGg9DktFEDWXHfAB_Ni9qr4CrprC_bP3h4iU2Ntt746MTSZDmxsOFFBt1xNyEtrZV_Z51WrykKEeWP7GrRamLIf67i-nWw4zmwmAD1gK5jb8gzvEQ6mf5M77B91N0Yq1_VA1gTBb7D4h05MWwUiTMXHEW2MBs4igJgL-QmV5mW8pqQIZ8eLscRKD_M_kDMNeXPq5J8qcFe_fnRoWcjGp45okAypww56UjcCR-Xe8RFPVBc55dAkG5DptYRaVbzbsphhuJ9G2W_KN0U-WJ_c5lGNpd69im8ZGMAU.5_yhlHms2AlVTh4lkkL-l-81EEfDcOKF3jAydbRrigk&qid=1708996163&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>.</b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwyCYaAQXxcC4luaq5w8nDblIpFIxf2F6FwnwNNOPTOtODWPFdBGxX6zQF6JJPYNqBJJ78G_titgtR3dhRrAAfOvqFaQkFIbq3_O6puFmZ_KAq0mslNdnwV6FE5XV1B9I3zdKKlHxqu8AS5fQhUX8yjL3SDw3uFqgmil81NCQ9vrTjSRWmjkM5sx2i2jI/s385/The%20Great%20Competition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="308" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwyCYaAQXxcC4luaq5w8nDblIpFIxf2F6FwnwNNOPTOtODWPFdBGxX6zQF6JJPYNqBJJ78G_titgtR3dhRrAAfOvqFaQkFIbq3_O6puFmZ_KAq0mslNdnwV6FE5XV1B9I3zdKKlHxqu8AS5fQhUX8yjL3SDw3uFqgmil81NCQ9vrTjSRWmjkM5sx2i2jI/w378-h472/The%20Great%20Competition.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-68768116167668542572024-02-19T20:44:00.000-08:002024-02-19T20:44:11.128-08:00Shackled . . . Son of a . . .<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-69e5869e-7fff-6062-56a5-794bf19bab2d"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">Committed to marriage? Committed to children? </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="407" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-KGEDdbP2Y" width="490" youtube-src-id="Y-KGEDdbP2Y"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="412" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nl19deJ4014" width="496" youtube-src-id="Nl19deJ4014"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-58664009582349151022024-02-12T21:27:00.000-08:002024-02-12T21:27:14.139-08:00 Apologies<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’ve often wondered why apologies are requested. I’ve heard it said many times in many different circumstances, “You need to apologize!” I’m thinking that requesting apologies might be a learned behavior. A</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">fter a disagreement, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’ve heard some adults say to children, “Now, say you’re sorry.” So, whether the children are sorry or not, they say they are sorry and move on with their day. What is the purpose of these feigned apologies?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-67429aa3-7fff-c683-b625-750e85d76370"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think it is better to model an apology to children rather than demand an apology when adults think children have misbehaved. As a parent, I make enough mistakes to have plenty of opportunities to sincerely apologize to my children for my poor behavior. I have found they also apologize for their poor behavior when they feel they have misbehaved. This is not requested by anyone, but they apologize when their conscience requires it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apology - a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why would someone apologize for something they did on purpose for good reason, and they would do it again under the same circumstances? I can understand why someone would want to apologize for something they regret, but why apologize when there is no regret? If someone chooses to be angry or offended and demands an apology, should the other person apologize to appease them? How would this help?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are many examples of when apologies have been demanded or expected but denied. There are also numerous examples of what true regret and repentance look like. Here are a few . . . </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apology Denied</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Abinadi </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">”And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards should surround Abinadi and take him; and they bound him and cast him into prison. And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him. And he said unto him, Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death. For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men. And now for this cause </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">thou shalt be put to death, unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Abinadi said unto him, I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And that ye may know of their surety, I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands, yea, and I will suffer even until death. And I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me, ye will shed innocent blood; and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.” [emphasis added] <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/9.2-3#2-#3">Mosiah 9:2-3 </a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nephi</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold, they said unto me, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than which we are able to bear.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And it came to pass that I said unto them that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked according to the truth,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the righteous have I justified and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day. Wherefore,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth and say, Thou speakest hard things against us. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness. Now all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/5.1#1">1 Nephi 5:1</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And behold, men brought in a bed a man who was taken with a palsy, and they sought to bring him in and to lay him before Jesus. And when they found that they could not bring him in for the multitude, they went upon the housetop and let him down through the tiling, with his couch, into the midst before Jesus. Now he saw their faith and said unto the man, Your sins are forgiven you. And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who is this that speaks blasphemies?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Who can forgive sins but God alone? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But Jesus perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them, What do you reason in your hearts?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Does it require more power to forgive sins than to make the sick rise up and walk?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> But that you may know that the Son of Man has power upon earth to forgive sins, I said it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And he said unto the man sick of the palsy, I say unto you, Arise, and take up your couch, and go into your house. And immediately he arose up before them, and took up that on which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/luke/4.11#11">Luke 4:11</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Joseph Smith</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers . . . I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior. He treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">it was all of the Devil</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, that there was no such thing as visions or revelations in these days, that all such things had ceased with the apostles and that there never would be any more of them. I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution which continued to increase. . . But strange or not, so it was, and was often cause of great sorrow to myself. However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had had a vision. I have thought since that I felt much like Paul when he made his defense before king Agrippa and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light and heard a voice, but still there were but few who believed him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad, and he was ridiculed and reviled, but all this did not destroy the reality of his vision.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">all the persecution under Heaven could not make it otherwise.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew and would know to his latest breath that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise. So it was with me: I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak unto me, or one of them did. And though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. And while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart, Why persecute for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision, and who am I that I can withstand God? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> For I had seen a vision, I knew it, and I knew that God knew it. And I could not deny it, neither dare I do it, at least</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I knew that by so doing I would offend God and come under condemnation.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/jshistory/2.8-9#8-#9">JSH Section 1, Part 2 (1820-1823):9 </a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Denver Snuffer </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2013/09/compliance-so-far-as-possible/">Compliance (So Far As Possible) </a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The problem with Passing the Heavenly Gift has not been its accuracy. The issue raised in the notice I received from the stake president does not say the book is false, contains errors or makes mistakes in history. Rather, it “contains content which must be withdrawn.” That is not an indictment of the book’s accuracy. It is considered subversive by those who want to control history to perpetuate a view of events that do not follow the pattern described by the Book of Mormon prophets, Joseph Smith’s prophecies, and Christ’s description of the conduct of the latter-day gentiles to whom the Book of Mormon would be given.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The first demand is that I cease publication</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; a task that would involve violation of agreements between me and others. To compensate me for that potential liability and permit me to violate the agreement, I was offered money to cease publication. Offering money to help me violate agreements is not a satisfactory course of conduct. Therefore, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I declined</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; but not before asking those with whom I have contracts if I could be let out of the publishing agreement.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The second demand is that I tell blog readers that the book “contains content that needs to be withdrawn.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” I will say this: The church believes very much the content of the book needs to be withdrawn. . . </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Therefore, to make what concessions I can, I will state for all you blog readers: Passing the Heavenly Gift contains content that will make your appreciation and acceptance of the efforts of the institution now and in the future to bend its teachings to conform to social, political and legal trends much more difficult to achieve. You will be happier if you don’t read the book. You will be more inclined to sleepwalk along with what is progressively distant from the original restoration. You will not detect that these changes mark the downfall predicted in the prophecies of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine & Covenants. While I cannot withdraw the content, you should not read it if it will upset your worldview.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">True Regret, Confession, and Repentance</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Alma and Sons of Mosiah</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma after his father. Nevertheless,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; and he was a man of many words and did speak much flattery to the people. . . while he was going about to destroy the church of God . . the angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and he descended as it were in a cloud. And he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood . . . Alma, arise and stand forth! For why persecuteth thou the church of God? . . . Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant Alma, who is thy father. . . I come, to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. . . Therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father. . . And it came to pass, after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength. And he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort. For, said he, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have repented of my sins and have been redeemed of the Lord. Behold, I am born of the spirit</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . And now it came to pass that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Alma began from this time forward to teach the people</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them: traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them. But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of God. . . they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them. And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer. And how blessed are they, for they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good, and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/11.25-29#25">Mosiah 11:25-29 </a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">People of Ammon</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren . . . I thank my great God . . . we have been convinced of our sins and of the many murders which we have committed. And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of these our many sins and murders which we have committed</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and took away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son . . . for</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> that he would take away our stains . . . let us retain our swords, that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren . . . And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">swords and all the weapons</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">bury them up deep in the earth. And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And this they did vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren, they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother. . . the Lamanites made preparations for war and came up to the land of Nephi for the purpose of . . . destroying the people . . .</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> when the people saw that they were coming against them, they went out to meet them and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them and began to slay them with the sword.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> . . <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/alma/14">Alma 14</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Saul/Paul</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And it came to pass that as I made my journey, and had come near unto Damascus about noon, suddenly </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">there shone from Heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute. And they that were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And I said, What shall I do, Lord?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And the Lord said unto me, Arise and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/acts/12.15#15">Act 12:15</a> </span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. . . But watch yourself in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry; for</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I am now about to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day — and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/2timothy/1.10#10">2 Timothy 1:10</a> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-38263175459592013682024-02-10T20:04:00.000-08:002024-02-12T05:52:24.855-08:00 A Nefarious Demon aka Paco<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Last year, we watched Nefarious as a family. It was a great way to teach our teenagers and young adults what they are up against [parental discretion advised].</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c2066d99-7fff-e9bf-9475-5767fead313b"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l2pBvEfdDm0" width="423" youtube-src-id="l2pBvEfdDm0"></iframe></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are surrounded by demons and devils that seek to destroy us. Much of what Jesus did and does is to cast out devils. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Naming the Devil</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Several years ago, my niece and I were talking about the devil and how he takes himself way too seriously. Good natured humor is good medicine. Learning to laugh at ourselves can be very healing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Names are important in giving power, and so we decided to give the devil a new name. We had fun naming this humorless fellow. . . We ended up naming him Paco. He hates the name. I think he was listening to our fun and play because I soon heard in my mind, “My name is NOT PACO!!! It's SATAN!!!” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I responded, “Okay Paco;)” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I had the distinct impression Paco was disgusted with us. But he doesn’t have a choice about that, does he? Ya know, come to think of it, I don’t like what he does either. He doesn’t seem too eager to benefit and bless me, so why should I be eager to respond favorably to his demands and complaints? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Conversations with Paco</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yes, I have conversations with Paco. Not because I particularly like those conversations, but because he just shows up and starts yapping. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the point to all this chaos and commotion? I don’t know. Nothing intelligent ever comes out of Paco’s screaming, yelling, and criticizing. It is just a bunch of noise. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In contrast, when the Lord calls me to repentance, His chastisement is always intelligent. I know exactly what I did wrong, and what I need to do differently. It makes sense. I think about the Brother of Jared being chastised by the Lord for three hours. He knew exactly what he needed to change and immediately got to work. The Lord corrects and redirects. His message is informative and enlightening even when it cuts me to the center. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So when I hear noise noise noise . . . name calling, screaming, yelling, fear mongering, scolding, temper tantrums . . . I turn to that voice and say, “Do you have anything intelligent to say? Or are you just going to yap and yell and throw a fit?” When Paco stutters and stammers, I nod my head and say, “That’s what I thought. Nothing intelligent, so be on your way!” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’m really not interested in giving heed to the rebukes of Paco. He doesn’t have my best interest in mind. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anger, a TellTale Sign</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I find myself angry, triggered, and in turmoil, I see it as a sign that I must repent of something even if I don’t know what it is. When I ask Jesus to show me my error, I have 100% confidence He will reveal my sin in a way I can understand. He doesn't want me to mourn, but wants me to understand my error, so I can repent. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those who become angry at the truth have “the spirit of the devil” in them. That is, they are under the devil’s influence and are deceived. Nephi understood this principle because of his older brothers’ reactions (see 1 Nephi 5:1). When someone becomes angry at the truth, they are in darkness. Christ gave this as one of the signs of the deceived. They argue against the truth and become angry (see 3 Nephi 5:8). Those who are Christ’s, however, join with Nephi in glorying in plainness, even if it cuts or requires repentance. They appreciate the plain direction which allows them to follow in the true path. They appreciate truth, even when it condemns their acts and requires them to change. They glory in Christ, preferring Him over unbelief, traditions of men, or the arm of flesh. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/anger">Anger - Glossary of Terms</a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Repentance sets me free.</span></p><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-78257430054389904792024-02-08T12:44:00.000-08:002024-02-08T12:48:55.613-08:00A Monster, A Dangerous Man<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #131313; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The Hero Has to Be a Monster </span></b></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); color: #131313; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); color: #131313; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Part of spiritual development is to recognize the Satanic tendencies that characterize you and to fully wrestle with them and to integrate them. That's the thing. It's not so much to cast them away. It's to transmute them. And you can see the difference between people who've done that and people who haven't, at least to some degree, because people who haven't integrated the shadow at all are naive. . . [See Video Below]</span></span><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-gYpCIbZjUQ" width="465" youtube-src-id="-gYpCIbZjUQ"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: large;">A Good Man is a Dangerous Man</b></div></span><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a very very dangerous man, who has that voluntarily under control . . . [See Video Below]</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JivafUCakbA" width="472" youtube-src-id="JivafUCakbA"></iframe></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-27556016812337175412024-02-07T19:04:00.000-08:002024-02-09T05:08:07.200-08:00 Governing Ourselves, Part 2.5 [Anonymous Bishop Blog]<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On January 26, 2024, I began a private conversation with my friend Aaron Bishop about his involvement in a recent women’s council. It appears he would rather discuss his issues with me in public on his Anonymous Bishop blog, so I will answer his concerns in public. As Aaron advocates, I hope this post will help hold my friends accountable. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d1bff3bf-7fff-324d-8d37-b2c6849003e5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When witnesses (friends, brothers, sisters, spouses, children) try to sustain us by making us aware of a personal failure that may be disrupting the peace of the community, thus causing harm and contention, it would be a shame if we disregarded the courage of those witnesses and refused to be humble enough to repent. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The result of that unwillingness to repent, and the result of not agreeing upon “first principles” and the law of witnesses, to hold each other accountable, will obviously be a source for jarrings and contentions and strifes and violence. <a href="https://anonymousbishop.com/governing-ourselves-part-1/">Anonymous Bishop Governing Ourselves Part 1</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I will give context to the situation according to my understanding. In January 2024 a women’s council was called because women had concerns about a man’s behavior. If you are not already familiar with the women’s role and responsibilities in the priesthood as revealed by the Lord, refer to our <a href="https://peace-in-paradise.blogspot.com/2024/02/womens-role-and-responsibilities-in.html">February 2, 2024 post</a>. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I do not have an issue with women calling a conference when a man’s worthiness to function in the priesthood is called into question. Here are the concerns I have with this January 2024 conference:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The women voted (majority rule) to keep their names hidden from the man being called into question.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The man requested to come to the conference that was called on his behalf, but was not allowed. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The names and testimonies of witnesses were kept hidden from the man. At this point, he still does not know what was witnessed against him.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of the women on the council were acquainted with the man, but the conference was not held in the man’s home fellowship or in private at a general conference.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The man was not allowed to call witnesses to speak on his behalf.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The man was not allowed to speak at the conference but only to respond in writing to questions posed by the organizers. Because the man was not present, the rest of the women on the council were not allowed to ask the man additional questions.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">It is unclear whether the man’s response to the accusations were read during the conference.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">During the conference, additional accusations were made against the man, and he was given no opportunity to respond to these additional charges. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Women on the council, who spoke in opposition to the process being used by the organizers, were kicked off the women’s council until they profusely apologized for speaking against the organizers’ process. Once the women have been called to participate, I do not believe it is appropriate to remove women from the council because they have a different opinion than the organizers. There is a reason the vote is to be unanimous.</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the comment below, I believe Aaron is speaking about me not being respectful of the process of this council. Yet his comments seem to be directed toward the man who was on trial.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://anonymousbishop.com/governing-ourselves-part-2/">Anonymous Bishop Blog - Governing Ourselves, Part 2</a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> . . . Apparently Cowdery was presented with the final charges against him 3 days before the council convened and was only able to write a letter in response that was read by Edward Partridge. His letter is very interesting and although the charges led to his excommunication, in this letter he too is seemingly respectful of the council process. At least in this letter he doesn’t make threatening and slanderous statements, calling witnesses cowards and mocking and taunting the members of the Council. One of the charges however is that he had in fact wrote an insulting letter to council member Thomas Marsh previously in response to the court being held for him. The letter included insults to the whole council and became evidence against Cowdery and one of the grounds for his excommunication. Here’s Cowdery’s non-insulting letter and his defense for charges against him. . .</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was concerned when I became aware of how the organizers of this conference were disregarding the instructions of the Lord. Three days prior to the conference, I contacted the conference organizers. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Organizer #1” was not willing to take a call from me until the conference was over. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I talked to “Organizer #2” on the phone, and she was persuaded by my comments. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aaron seems to be saying that Cowdery is more virtuous than the man on trial (January 2024) because the 2024 man sent, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“threatening and slanderous statements, calling witnesses cowards and mocking and taunting the members of the Council.” </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I think Aaron is giving credit to the man for the message I sent to three women on the council. Here’s the message:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[Organizer #1], since you have no time to talk to me until after the women's council is over, I will text you the same message I gave to [Organizer #2]. I will also text [woman on council] this message. If there are other women on the council, in addition to the three of you, please share this message with them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You cannot have a women's council of 3 women [three women mentioned above]. You have to have 12 women. There is no legitimacy to Phantom women. And if you decide to revoke [the man’s] certificate, all of the women on the council will need to sign some type of certificate representing the outcome of the council. There is no reason to meet unless the women are willing to make their identities known.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It takes courage to be on one of these councils. I realize it is a difficult assignment. That doesn't excuse you and give you permission to remain anonymous.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I do not have an issue with you, calling a council for [the man]. But we do not have secret councils, and hide our identities from the man who is being called into question. You have an obligation to tell him who is on the council. If I were [the man], I would not respond until a council of 12 women with real names comes forth with questions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aaron, if you are willing, it might be wise to talk about our differences in private. I agree with you. We are no different than those who also sought to follow God but failed. It looks like we have chosen to put our own foolishness on display.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">***When making comments, please use your real name. We get to own our words. Anonymous comments from unknown people will not be posted.***</span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-77008588388741914542024-02-06T12:44:00.002-08:002024-02-06T12:44:00.343-08:00A Time to be Known, A Time to be Anonymous<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From whom do we seek our rewards?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-da4bfd97-7fff-4115-d6ae-cf08aedcecfa"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Time to Be Known</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Having a name is important. Witnesses' names are known. Those who are willing to develop the faith necessary for salvation are those willing to lay it all on the altar. The kingdom of Heaven can only be obtained through sacrifice. This includes sacrificing your reputation, honor, recognition, and the esteem of men. You cannot pretend to witness and hide under an anonymous pseudonym. No one slips through the pearly gates incognito. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The kind of persecution which produces the “kingdom of Heaven” is martyrdom. Originally the word “martyr” meant “witness”. . . but so many of the early Christian witnesses were killed that it came to have the modern meaning of “one who dies for their faith.” Martyrs were seen in John’s vision below the altar of God. . . This means they were holy because of their sacrifice, the Heavenly altar being a symbol of them having shed their blood as witnesses. . . Blessed are those who are willing to endure persecution for His name’s sake. For they are those who are willing to develop faith which cannot be obtained in any other way. It is through the sacrifice of all things that faith necessary for salvation is developed.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1205773018799890263/5173899353097868866#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Glossary Martyr</span></a></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. And blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, for ye shall have great joy and be exceeding glad, for great shall be your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1205773018799890263/5173899353097868866#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Nephi 5:19</span></a></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Time to be Anonymous</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do alms in secret. Anonymous good deeds bring the Father’s reward.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And it came to pass as Jesus taught his disciples, he said unto them, Take heed that you do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise, you have no reward of your Father who is in Heaven. Therefore, when you do alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, let it be unto you as your left hand not knowing what your right hand does, that your alms may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1205773018799890263/5173899353097868866#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Matthew 3:27</span></a></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-37423442158904132432024-02-05T14:19:00.000-08:002024-02-05T14:21:06.897-08:00Remaining Anonymous Makes Sense<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-183c1ce7-7fff-0d31-d816-d9ccb6781f8b"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Why would you want to be a disciple of Jesus, openly bare record of truth, and be willing </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to receive the consequences when . . .</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-23ec5df6-7fff-a7e7-b2d7-4515582fe484"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You could stand in the fire as Abinadi attested. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/9.5#5">Mosiah 9:5 </a></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Your head might be on the chopping block as John the Baptist affirmed. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/mark/3.11#11">Mark 3:11</a> </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You could lose the association of friends and family as Amulek proved. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/alma/10.16#16 ">Alma 10:16</a> </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You might be stoned to death as Stephen verified <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/acts/4.10#10">Acts 4:10</a> </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You will ultimately hang on a cross as Jesus demonstrated <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/john/10.12-15#12-#15">John 10:12-15</a> </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/hebrews/1.49#49">Hebrews 1:49 </a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yup! Remaining anonymous makes sense! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-55778491841562795762024-02-04T13:44:00.000-08:002024-02-10T12:50:38.357-08:00 Questions on Sustaining and Signing Priesthood Certificates<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God invites all of us to be curious, ask questions, and study our questions out in our mind before coming to Him for answers. I don’t believe He just lays it all out without me also putting forth effort to figure out the answers. After I have pondered a question and struggled to understand, I am very grateful for God’s answers.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2343f6cf-7fff-6e9c-19cd-df96ca317f7a"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. . . </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ask of God.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ask and it shall be given you</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. [emphasis added] <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/nt/matthew/3.42#42">Matthew 3:42</a> </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But behold,</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I say unto you that you must study it out in your mind</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right, you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong. Therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me. [emphasis added] <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/jshistory/13.26#26">JSH 3:26</a> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">After working with women’s councils for the last seven years, I have questions about the rights and responsibilities associated with signing a man’s priesthood certificate. The Lord has given us instructions on how to vote to sustain a man and sign his certificate. He has also revealed how to remove a man’s certificate when his priesthood is called into question. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For any who would like to qualify to minister outside his family, he must meet in a community and obtain a sustaining vote of a minimum of seven women. When that is done, all seven who vote to sustain should sign a certificate. . . If the man is married, his wife must be among the seven women. If his wife will not sustain him, he is unworthy to provide priesthood service for the fellowship. . .</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If a man’s worthiness to function is called into question, then a conference can be convened to deal with the question. . . Removal should be by unanimous vote of the women present, with at least 12 votes against a man to end his authority to act in the fellowship community. . .</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” Preserving the Restoration, pg. 510-511</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> If a woman wants to remove her signature from a man’s priesthood certificate after she has signed it, how is this to be done?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’ve talked to men and women about this question, and most believe the only way a woman can remove her signature from a man’s priesthood certificate is to remove the man’s certificate. This does not make sense to me. A woman might want to remove her signature from a certificate, and it has nothing to do with the man’s worthiness to hold priesthood. Here are just a few reasons a woman might want to remove her signature without removing the man’s certificate.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">She hasn’t seen the man in a long time no longer associates with him</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">She is no longer part of this covenant body of believers and does not want to associate herself or her name with us</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The man has left this covenant body of believers</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">She is dead and can no longer openly signify support and approval</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">She doesn’t feel comfortable with the man, but does not have physical evidence and/or desire to call a council to remove his certificate</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">She just doesn’t want to continue openly signifying support and approval for this man</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The man does not want to be accountable to one or more of the women on his certificate</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If I sustain a man and sign my name on his priesthood certificate, I believe this means “I openly signify support and approval.” Sustain suggests something ongoing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sustain: To openly signify support and approval by vote or affirmation . . . to support as true, legal, or just; or to allow or admit a proposal as valid. . . <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/sustain">glossary of terms</a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If women are only authenticating a man’s priesthood certificate and do not need to continue sustaining the man, then I see no reason to remove a woman’s signature. It is a one time deal and lasts a lifetime. The woman does not need to stay in contact with, vouch for, or continue sustaining the man. Having a daily walk with the man is not implied or expected. But signing a priesthood certificate might mean more than authenticating a document (as when documents are notarized by a notary public). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> What are women signifying when they sign a priesthood certificate?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Is there an ongoing responsibility women have to the man or community after signing a priesthood certificate? If so, what are the responsibilities of the woman? What is to be done if the responsibilities can no longer be fulfilled by the woman?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> What is the purpose and significance of obtaining a priesthood certificate?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If men are not held accountable in the community by requiring them to manifest their priesthood certificate prior to doing priesthood ordinances in the community, what are the reasons for having a certificate?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the LDS church, we are given the opportunity every year to vote to sustain, oppose, or refrain from voting for our priesthood leaders. We can request our names be removed from the records of the LDS church. We can request to be released from an LDS calling, etc. Giving our sustaining vote is asked for and given on a regular basis.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Without removing a man’s certificate, a woman from this covenant body of believers currently has no release from signifying her sustaining vote for a man once she has signed his priesthood certificate. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If a woman were to remove her name from a priesthood certificate, I do not believe it would invalidate the man’s certificate, assuming a minimum of seven women on his certificate are still intact. If he no longer has a minimum of seven women on his certificate, it seems reasonable that another woman’s signature could replace the one that was removed. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Only if the wife were to remove her name from a man’s certificate, would it invalidate his certificate. I think a wife should have this prerogative. She knows her husband’s daily walk and knows his heart and struggles. If she withdraws her sustaining support, he should cease using his priesthood until that support has returned. I do not think it wise to drag personal and private marital problems before a council of 12 women. The wife should be allowed to privately withdraw support and return that support without drawing public attention to their problems. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In discussing this idea with others, I have heard it said, “But what if the man has a crazy wife who manipulates him by sustaining and revoking just because they had an argument, etc.?” My answer to them is . . . Sounds like the man has marital problems he needs to work out. It might be better for him to spend his time and attention at home working on his marriage than to go out and perform priesthood ordinances for others. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I do not want to commit to sustaining any man in the priesthood for a lifetime. My husband is not opposed to my views. His is the only priesthood certificate I could invalidate by removing my sustaining vote. I do not impose these views on other women, and they are free to reason these issues out in their own mind. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Possible Solutions:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">All priesthood certificates are renewed on a regular basis. This would cover situations where people flow out of each other’s lives, leave this covenant body of believers, or die. </span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A woman can request her signature be removed from a man’s certificate allowing his wife time to get another woman to take her place. Records of these requests should be kept in personal journals. This would cover situations where a woman just doesn’t feel comfortable sustaining a man. </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Question:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> If a man wants to be ordained to the priesthood but does not want to obtain a priesthood certificate so he can perform ordinances outside his family, does he need the sustaining vote of seven women?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“There</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">are people coming from different faiths to associate</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">with fellowships… [they] will need to be sustained and ordained. They should understand something about priesthood before being sustained. Once sustained, when ordaining someone to serve in these fellowships ordain no one to an office, only confer priesthood. Let everyone be equal. Keep lines of authority. It will reckon through the one who confers the priesthood. But power can only come from Christ. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First time ordinations (after April 2014) should be done within a fellowship.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> All who are ordained in these communities should keep a record of the line of authority and pass it down. Be prepared to defend those lines of authority using the records kept. All of the women who vote to sustain should not only sign the certificate, but also record it in diaries or journals. Let records be kept so if anyone questions, there will be abundant witnesses and documentation.” Preserving the Restoration 512-513</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Lord has not yet revealed His mind and will on these questions. There are many different perspectives and opinions. If we pray together in humility and together meekly present our dispute to the Lord, and if we are contrite before Him, He will tell us His part. I am praying for an answer and would like to invite any who are willing to join with me in petitioning the Lord.</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Study to learn how to respect your brothers and sisters and to come together by precept, reason, and persuasion, rather than sharply disputing and wrongly condemning each other, causing anger. Take care how you invoke my name. Mankind has been controlled by the adversary through anger and jealousy, which has led to bloodshed and the misery of many souls. Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger, nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute. Pray together in humility and together meekly present your dispute to me, and if you are contrite before me, I will tell you my part.</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Share your perspective and opinions in the comments and let us come together by precept, reason, and persuasion. </span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-33017919256036424702024-02-02T21:14:00.000-08:002024-02-03T08:04:41.917-08:00Women's Role and Responsibilities in the Priesthood<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Women’s role and responsibilities in the priesthood was revealed by the Lord through Denver Snuffer in September 2014 in Lecture 10 of the Forty Years in Mormonism series. Additional instruction was given in July 2017 in The Answer to Prayer for Covenant. In response to prayers about forgiveness, the Lord gave further instruction in August 2022.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-94691f12-7fff-357b-a0cc-0b4be833e929"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">September 2014 <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/10-Phoenix-Transcript-Preserving-the-Restoration.pdf">Preserving The Restoration Lecture Series</a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> (2015 Preserving The Restoration book by Denver Snuffer Jr.)</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">July 2017 <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/157">The Answer to Prayer for Covenant</a></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">August 2022 <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2022/08/answer-on-forgiveness/">Answer on Forgiveness</a> </span></p></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It is our prayer that the Lord will continue to reveal and unfold the role and responsibilities of women in sustaining the priesthood. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Who May Hold Priesthood</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">T&C 167:1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“I asked the Lord that priesthood get extended beyond the confines of the men who have continually abused and neglected it. I was told that priesthood is confined to men because of the Fall and the conditions ordained by God at that time. Until we reverse things in the Millennium, that is the way it is going to remain, as to the ordinances thus far given in public. I asked the Lord to change that order. It is not going to change. I then asked the Lord that if only men were to hold priesthood for our public ordinances, then could only women vote to sustain them. The saying pleased the Lord, for it was already in His heart. But He said to me, There shall be a minimum of seven women to sustain the man in any vote, and if the man is married, his wife shall be one of them.” (originally given in Lecture 10 of Forty Years in Mormonism series, by Denver Snuffer, Phoenix AZ, Sept 2014.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">T&C 157:57</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“And, again, the husband is to hold priesthood to baptize and bless the sacrament of </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">bread and wine in the home, and the husband and wife are to bless their children </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">together. For the husband to use authority to administer outward ordinances outside his </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">own family, his wife must sustain him.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Obtaining a Priesthood Certificate - Sustaining Vote of 7 Women</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preserving the Restoration, pg. 510-511</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“For any who would like to qualify to minister outside his family, he must meet in a </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">community and obtain a sustaining vote of a minimum of seven women. When that is </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">done, all seven who vote to sustain should sign a certificate. The JS papers show copies </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">of the certificates given in the early church. These were handwritten certificates to </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">function as authorization. Among your own fellowships, do as they did in the early </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Church.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">If the man is married, his wife must be among the seven women. If his wife will not sustain him, he is unworthy to provide priesthood service for the fellowship. There is nothing implied in the word [unworthy] regarding a man’s standing before God. Within the community of fellowship, until his wife is prepared to support him in acting outside the family, his effort should be within his family. Husbands and wives are one flesh. The struggle to live that kind of oneness is godly, noble and elevating. The word “unworthy”is not a statement of condemnation, but only of qualification. It was the word the Lord used and therefore I do not feel at liberty to change it.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“As to single men, there is no impediment to following the pattern and being ordained </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">in the absence of having a wife. But he should marry a woman willing to sustain him if </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">he intends to use priesthood in a community of believers.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preserving the Restoration, pg. 513</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“There can be conferences that can be called by anyone, but must include seven women </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">if the business includes priesthood ordination. There is no need for any building to be </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">purchased or built. Meetings can be anywhere.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Removing a Priesthood Certificate - Unanimous Vote of 12 Women</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preserving the Restoration, pg. 510-511</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“Sustaining is by women, and removing authority to act within a community or fellowship is likewise to be done by the vote of women. If a man’s worthiness to function is called into question, then a conference can be convened to deal with the question. In removing authority, at least two witnesses should speak against the accused, and he should be allowed to speak on his behalf and call upon such witnesses as he chooses. Men can be witnesses, but only women are allowed to vote. Removal should be by unanimous vote* of the women present, with at least 12 votes against a man to end his authority to act in the fellowship community. As for his family, he is free to do as he chooses, but he cannot act in the community until restored by the vote of a conference of that community. [*If a woman is present and cannot judge the matter she may abstain, and the vote of the remaining women, if unanimous and there are 12 votes, will be sufficient.” Footnote 1391]</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">T&C 157:57</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“...I have told you that to remove authority to use priesthood outside a man’s family </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">requires a unanimous decision by twelve women. A council of twelve women must be </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">convened, either in the man’s home fellowship among those who are acquainted with his </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">daily walk, or in private at a general conference, also including among the twelve </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">women from the conference those who are acquainted with his daily walk, so that no </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">injustice results.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Reinstatement of Priesthood Certificate</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">T&C 157:57</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“...Reinstatement of the man’s authority must be considered by the same council of </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">twelve women when the man petitions for the decision to be rescinded, and requires </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">seven of the twelve to agree upon his reinstatement, which can occur at any time. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">During the period of suspension, nothing affects the man’s duties and responsibility in his</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">own family.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Answer on Forgiveness August 8, 2022</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In response to prayers over the last several months I received the following Answer to an Inquiry About Forgiveness:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You have inquired of me concerning the questions raised by the scriptures which state, Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, until seven times, but, until seventy times seven; on the one hand, and the scripture which states, You shall love your wife with all your heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else, and he that looks upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the spirit, and if he repent not he shall be cast out. You shall not commit adultery, and he that commits adultery and repents not shall be cast out; and he that commits adultery and repents with all his heart, and forsakes and does it no more, you shall forgive him; but if he does it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out; on the other hand. I answer your inquiry as follows:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">In the Answer to Prayer for Covenant you were told to, Be like me. You have all been wounded, your hearts pierced through with sorrows because of how the world has treated you. But you have also scarred one another by your unkind treatment of each other, and you do not notice your misconduct toward others because you think yourself justified in this. You bear the scars on your countenances, from the soles of your feet to the head, and every heart is faint. Your visages have been so marred that your hardness, mistrust, suspicions, resentments, fear, jealousies, and anger toward your fellow man bear outward witness of your inner self; you cannot hide it. When I appear to you, instead of confidence, you feel shame. You fear and withdraw from me because you bear the blood and sins of your treatment of brothers and sisters. Come to me and I will make sins as scarlet become white as snow, and I will make you stand boldly before me, confident of my love. I descended below it all, and know the sorrows of you all, and have borne the grief of it all, and I say to you, Forgive one another. Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Be one. How can you be one if you gather together with another who has been the adulterer again after being forgiven? And how can a man love his wife with all his heart and cleave unto her and none else if he commit adultery again after being forgiven?</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You did not ask, but remember that I have said also that, You shall not kill, and he that kills shall not have forgiveness, neither in this world nor in the world to come. And again, you shall not kill; he that kills shall die. You shall not steal, and he that steals and will not repent shall be cast out. You shall not lie; he that lies and will not repent shall be cast out. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">How can you be one with he who murders, with the liar who deceives, and with the thief who steals? I say to you that you cannot be one when you are fractured and your little ones threatened by the disobedience of the adulterer, murderer, liar and thief who will not repent.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You did not ask me, but I say that your question arises from the instructions I gave you: I have told you that to remove authority to use priesthood outside a man’s family requires a unanimous decision by twelve women. A council of twelve women must be convened, either in the man’s home fellowship among those who are acquainted with his daily walk, or in private at a general conference, also including among the twelve women from the conference those who are acquainted with his daily walk, so that no injustice results. Reinstatement of the man’s authority must be considered by the same council of twelve women when the man petitions for the decision to be rescinded, and requires seven of the twelve to agree upon his reinstatement, which can occur at any time. During the period of suspension, nothing affects the man’s duties and responsibility in his own family. I say to you, if a man has been suspended for adultery, and then been reinstated, and return again to adultery, he shall not be reinstated again, for to do so places my community at peril. These words were to guard so that no injustice results. I ask, is there injustice if my people cannot become one because of disobedience? Even a single disobedient soul who breaks the hearts of others by his sinful disobedience can destroy the peace of all my people. I say again, Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. You shall not show mercy to the disobedient when to do so results in injustice to the people who seek to become one. You shall not forgive the adulterer and welcome him into the community when he has been forgiven and returns again to his sin. You shall not place the community at peril by embracing the willful and unrepentant among you, to leave your little ones at peril of injury, harm, and destruction. Study the words given in the Answer to Prayer for Covenant, and you will see how to regard one another, how to succor one another, how to protect one another, and how to live in peace with one another. I have given what I have given to be followed, neither to be added to nor taken from, but to be your counsel and guide. Do as you are bidden and you will have peace in this troubled world, which will be your first reward.</span></p><br /><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-63566564516593260442023-09-23T08:37:00.002-07:002024-02-03T08:21:37.672-08:00 Is the Entertainment Worth the Price?<p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4a3a5679-7fff-44dc-4006-3e91807d7774"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Gossip is one of those destructive forces where no one wins. Yet, it is everywhere and one of our society's main sources of entertainment. It's in the news, at the office, between neghbors, and the list goes on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I feel qualified to speak about this topic because I have gossiped, I have listened to gossip, and I have been gossiped about by others. For a long time, I have believed it is not good to gossip, but new insight has given me self-serving reasons to abandon the practice altogether. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is an energy exchange that happens with every thought, word, and action. Some see this energy, and others feel this energy. Many are unconscious of the energy flow. We don’t realize how what we do depletes our energy or gives us energy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, here is how it works: We are all in need of energy. When we are full of energy, life is great. Without it, we struggle to make it through the day. So what does gossip have to do with energy? It’s like eating sugar. We get a momentary high when we feed off others' energy through gossiping, but it is followed by a low once the “gossip high” wears off. Then we go back to get another high just to come crashing down again. It feels good for a brief moment and gives us a surge of energy. If left unchecked, the desire for the “gossip high” will make us sick and create chaos in our life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, where do we get our healthy balanced “energy meals” that give us sustained energy to thrive, not merely survive? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">#1 Connect to a Higher Power: </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those who gossip are competing for other humans’ energy. Remember there is infinite energy available to all. Some call this higher power God, Jesus Christ, the Universe, Mother Nature, Source, Buddha, etc. The name isn’t as important as recognizing there is a power greater than us, a power that’s infinite, the power of love. Taking time each day to connect, fill up, and keep light energy flowing is key to receiving an endless supply of energy all day long. If you don’t know how to do this, start by observing the unique beauty around you. Notice the details, the colors, the shapes and then go into appreciation for this beautiful thing. As you give it your appreciation, you shift into love and it shares energy back with you. When you have arrived to this state- then take 3 deep breaths and picture an energy balloon filling up around you. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Start living in gratitude and appreciation for everything knowing life is perfect for you. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">#2 Connect to Self:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Those who gossip are depleted of energy and are insecure. So, be your own best friend and be good to yourself. What we observe in the outside world is a reflection of what is going on inside. Get really good at observing you. The whole world changes when you change. Life is always serving you the perfect experiences to teach you and help you grow. Instead of resisting the flow, learn every lesson placed in front of you. Love the learning process. Learn to love you!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A few tips for recovering gossipers:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have a habit and are addicted to talking about others, don’t expect immediate reform. Start by noticing yourself when you gossip. Are you depleted of energy? What energy high are you getting from this conversation? How do you feel after the conversation? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The weakness you see in others, is a reflection of the weakness in yourself. If you need to gossip, gossip about how you do the very things you see in others. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Fill your tank everyday and throughout the day. When you’re nourished by the Infinite energy source, your gossip addiction will shrivel and die. </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A few tips for those listening to gossip:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t believe what you hear. Use this time to learn more about the heart of the one speaking than the one being spoken about. And remember there are always two sides to every story. If you care about the person and have a relationship with them, you will care about what the other side of the story is. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Bring light and consciousness to the conversation. Bring it back to what’s going on with us instead of what’s going on with them.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Pay attention to the energy inside of you. Focus on filling up with light, so you can listen without being depleted of energy.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Shift the conversation to another subject and help everyone out by stopping the gossip. </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A few tips for those who are being gossiped about by others:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Forgive, forgive, forgive. Look with compassion upon those who are depleted of energy. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Gossip about you has nothing to do with you. Do not receive others' projections as meaning anything.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay full of light, and all things will turn to your good.</span></p></li></ul></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-45203039775235427062022-05-16T12:59:00.001-07:002022-05-16T13:00:32.129-07:00Garbage, Fences, and Crickets<p>Nine year old Belinda pointed out that I’m always talking about
garbage, fences, and crickets. She’s right. These are my guiding
principles and have everything to do with my happiness, so why not
talk about them? Everyone wants to be happy, right? So let’s talk
about garbage, fences, and crickets!</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#1 Everyone Takes Out Their Own Garbage!</b></span></p>
<p>Our garbage is the emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and
psychological muck we carry around day after day, month after month,
and year after year. Like the garbage sitting in our kitchen, the
longer this trash sits in our heart and mind, the stinkier it
becomes. This junk makes us angry, worried, fearful, jealous,
agitated, and the list goes on. In short, our garbage makes us
miserable. </p>
<p>And even though this garbage is not pleasant, we jealously guard
it while we also don’t want to look at it. What would motivate us
to clean our house and take out our garbage? What’s the reward? I
am finding that when the garbage is gone, all that remains is love,
joy, and peace. Don’t you think that’s worth a little bit of
housework?</p>
<p>So where do we start? The first step is being willing to look at
our own garbage. How can we take out the garbage if we don’t know
what it is? Years ago, I found a verse that really helps me identify
my garbage.</p><p style="margin-left: 0.49in;">“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O
man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest
another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest does the same
things.” Romans 2:1</p><p>
</p><p>It is easy for me to judge others. I can see their flaws and
mistakes easier than I can see my own. So, here’s the deal . . .
First step, whenever I judge another person, I write it down. Second
step, I look at what I just wrote and ask myself, “How do I do
these same things?” If I get stumped, I ask God to show me how the
things I judged in another are actually being done by me. The answers
always come. Many times it is not what I expected. It’s genius.</p>
<p>For example, last year I was really triggered by some situations
in my life. My problem really looked like someone else’s problem,
but I knew better. It was mine. I couldn’t see my issues, so I
asked God. He told me I was codependent and a people pleaser. Anyone
who knows me wouldn’t have given me that feedback, but they don’t
know me like God knows me. As it always is with God, along with the
correction, I was given the solution to my problem, “Stop
projecting your garbage onto others, and when they project their
garbage on to you, don’t receive it.” That little piece of advice
is making all the difference. It is clearing up so many problems.</p>
<p>Following this simple advice, I find it is much easier to keep my
peace when my spouse, child, friend, or enemy is having a hard time.
I remember it has nothing to do with me. Instead of getting caught up
in their drama, I help where I can, but know it is about them not me.
If there is something I can learn, then I learn. But an angry,
frustrated, irritated person is dealing with their issues not with my
issues. When I am the object of someone's frustrations, I can keep my
peace. There's no reason to be offended at something that has nothing
to do with me. A lot of my issues and triggers are disappearing as I
stop feeling responsible for everything others are projecting. I
didn’t realize what a burden it is to be a codependent people
pleaser.</p>
<p>It also improves my relationships with others, when I don’t tell
them they are responsible for my garbage. I still get triggered, and
sometimes I need to talk it out, but I know my issues have nothing to
do with others. They belong to me, and I am the only one who can take
out my own garbage.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#2 Build and Maintain Our Fences</b></span></p>
<p>Building and maintaining fences is a big deal when working with
others. We all need to set and maintain healthy boundaries because it
provides clarity and safety. </p>
<p>We get to choose how to build our fences and what they look like.
Fences are made of all sorts of materials and are different shapes
and sizes. It doesn’t really matter what our fences look like, as
long we like them. We might be ignorant of our non-existant or broken
fences. So if we feel taken advantage of or walked upon, we need to
repair and build up our fences. </p>
<p>It is also important to stay out of other people’s fenced areas
unless invited. We are more likely to be respectful of the boundaries
set by others, when we have set healthy boundaries for ourselves. </p>
<p>Every individual and family is unique in the way they do life.
Variety and diversity are beautiful. It feels good when we have the
freedom to explore new paths and discover the perplexities of life.
People make a lot of mistakes as they learn and grow, but this is
part of the process. We learn from our pain and blunders, and we
don’t have to save people from their mistakes.</p>
<p>We all do better when we respect each other’s boundaries.
Instead of going around telling others how to run their life, it
works better when we focus on attending to the business of our life. </p>
<p>We are responsible for maintaining our fence and taking care of
what is inside of our fence. Our first responsibility is to take care
of our needs and the needs of our family. Although others may choose
to help us, we should not expect anyone else to handle our
responsibilities. We also don’t have to feel obligated to take care
of other people’s responsibilities . . . unless the Cricket tells
us to do so. </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#3 Listen to the Cricket</b></span></p>
<p>In the story of Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket represents Pinocchio's
conscience. We had a major paradigm shift this last year when John
figured out how he can live without sin. He discovered that he simply
needs to always follow his conscience. Sometimes we want big
revelations from God or for an angel in shining garb to show up in
the middle of the night. But when we examine what our conscience is
doing for us, we realize that we are all receiving revelation all day
long.</p>
<p>Everyone has a conscience and we know when it speaks to us.
Sometimes, like Pinocchio, we don’t listen to the Cricket. But if
we did, we would benefit from the constant direction flowing to
us day after day. Instead of running after trouble, what would happen
if we chose to respond with alacrity to our conscience? </p>
<p>Our conscience is our personal trainer. It tells us: where to get
involved and when to hold back; how we have made a mistake and what
we can do to set things right again; what’s the next step in our
progression and how we can best help others, etc. </p>
<p>Learning these three principles has changed my life. As far as I
can see, it encompasses everything I need to do to live a happy,
peaceful, love filled life.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-72229933577631564632022-03-04T17:46:00.000-08:002022-03-04T17:46:00.163-08:00My Conscience Brings Repentance<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For some time now, I have been thinking
about my conscience, repentance, God, and myself. Below are some of the
questions and thoughts that I have received, though not polished,
without much order, and just words that have come to me. At first
this was for me … Now I am sharing with my family and whoever wants
to participate.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if repentance is a needed and an
important practice for all people, me included?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does repentance include total
submission to God?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if “to repent” means to fully
reconcile my ideas, desires, and actions to my sincere current
understanding of what is best?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could what is best be defined as
righteousness?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could deviation from what is best be
called sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if sin (for me) is simply the act
of knowingly doing less than my current understanding of what is
best?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if righteousness is the act of
actually doing what I currently understand is the best?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if my allegiance to God is
measured by my outward alignment with what I currently believe is
right?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On the other hand, what if my loyalty
to God is measured by my outward alignment with traditions, rites,
rituals, ceremonies, peers, leaders, organized religions,
authorities, policies, rules, government, society, mandates, or men
who neither know nor follow Jesus Christ? If so, what would my
consequences be?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is a disciple of Jesus Christ known by
his vernacular and social status or is a disciple of Christ one who
acts, desires, and thinks like Jesus?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is there a difference? Why or why not?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if righteousness is the opposite
of sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if repentance is the process by
which anyone, even I can become righteous?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does repentance mean making the changes
necessary to bring my thoughts, desires, and actions into complete
alignment with my sincere, present understanding of what God would do
in my place?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When someone is already living in a
state where they constantly think, desire, and do what they sincerely
understand to be best, is there any sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Therefore, is there any need for
repentance in this case?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if sinlessness could be my state
of being reconciled to what I presently understand to be best?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does sinlessness require me to do
things that are beyond my capacity? Or does it simply mean that I do
not excuse myself when I am capable of not sinning but choose to sin
anyway?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Can I ever justifiably use the argument of “no one is perfect” to cover my willful choice to do less
than my actual best?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if the rewards of righteousness
are only available to those who are actually righteous and without
sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What are the rewards to the righteous,
who consistently keep His commandments given to them?</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">What is the meaning of, “And no man
receives a fullness unless he keeps his commandments. He that keeps
his commandments receives truth and light until he is glorified in
truth and knows all things.” (T&C 93:9)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is that a reward worth seeking? Am I
willing to pay the price required?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Would
it be wise for me to always obey all of the commandments from God
that I currently know?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I have God's promise in scripture that
I can obey any commandment that I receive from Him because He shall
prepare a way to accomplish it. It doesn't appear to me that I can
ever justifiably say to God, “This one is too hard. I can't do it.”</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“And it came to pass
that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of
my father. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying, Behold,
I have dreamed a dream in the which the Lord hath commanded me that
thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem. For behold, Laban
hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of thy forefathers,
and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore, the Lord hath
commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of
Laban and seek the records and bring them down hither into the
wilderness. And now behold, thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard
thing which I have required of them; but behold, I have not required
it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Therefore go, my
son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord because thou hast not
murmured. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I
will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know
that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he
shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which
he commandeth them. And it came to pass that when my father had heard
these words he was exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been
blessed of the Lord.” (1 Nephi 1:10)</p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“...Yea, come unto Christ, and be
perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness. And if ye
shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your
might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that
by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ. And if, by the grace of
God, ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of
God. And again if ye, by the grace of God, are perfect in Christ, and
deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of
God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the
covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye
become holy, without spot. “ (Moroni 10:6)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could being “perfect in Christ”
refer to the concept of complete reconciliation to my present
understanding of God in thought and action?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the meaning of my conscience is
informed by my knowledge?</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“Therefore, to him that knows to do
good and does it not, to him it is sin.” (Ep Jacob 1:18)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In my view, what qualifies as sin? In
your view, what qualifies as sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is sin different for various people? In
other words, could an act committed by one individual be considered a
sin, and the very same act committed by another be not a sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At any given point in the future, is
it possible to know more than I do presently?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Would it be possible to gain an
improved and developed understanding of good and evil, based on new
or different knowledge than I had before?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Should I expect that my perception of
who Jesus was and is will change over time as I learn more about Him
and who He really is, His character, and His attributes?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could this change my conscience along
the way?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Could my value of things also change?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What about my considerations of what is
good and what is evil? Could that change as well?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If these things are not changing within
me, at least in some fashion, would it be reasonable to conclude that
either I am not learning more about God and myself or I already know
it all?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As I learn more and different
commandments from God, does my conscience become altered? Does it
expand to broader applications or progress to better accuracy?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When I acquire new instructions from
God or learn things that change my previous understanding of His
commandments, does my conscience become more accurate and comprehends
a greater increment of reality?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Should it surprise me if I were to
receive a commandment from God today, of which I was not aware
yesterday?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If, today, I become aware of something
new, receive additional light and knowledge from God, or obtain truth
that I did not know yesterday AND LIVE EXACTLY THE SAME both days,
would it be possible to have NOT SINNED yesterday and to have SINNED
today due to the fact that my perspective, light, and current
understanding of what is best increased?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What rings true to my conscience?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is my conscience a guidance system that
will show me the way towards God, as far as I presently understand
him, as often as I am willing to “look” at it?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is it through my conscience that God
shows me what he would do in my place, given my degree of
understanding of His character, attributes and person?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is my path to becoming like God
comprised of consistent emulation of how I presently understand Him
to be, coupled to a successively more accurate understanding of how
He is?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What limits the growth of my
conscience, my relationship with God, and my greater understanding of
Him? Could it be the degree of my willingness to obey what I already
have and my diligence and effort to obtain more?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What is the price to have a clear
conscience with peace of mind, contentment, and freedom from guilt?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is it possible for me to have a clear
conscience all the time, at least by repenting and moving forward
from here? It is possible for me to be completely and permanently
free from guilt and becoming “a just man made perfect”?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Imagine the peace of having a clear
conscience.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What happens to my conscience if I
choose to disobey and defile it?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What happens to my conscience as I obey
and honor it?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does my conscience incrementally grow?
Does every choice I make in accordance with my conscience naturally
make the next right choice more plain and unmistakable?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As I do what I know now, does it seem
reasonable that I will know more in the future than I know now?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is it sensible and wise for me to continually obey all
the commandments of God given to me, never violating my own
conscience day after day, week after week, month after month, year
after year, and enduring consistently and faithfully until my last
breathe?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What are the pros and cons for me when
I choose to obey? When I choose disobedience, what are the
consequences I experience?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Is
this life before death the time for repentance, being true to my
conscience, heeding all the commandments of God given to me,
reconciling myself with God, and preparing myself to meet Him?</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“And now, my
brethren, I would that after ye have received so many witnesses,
seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, come forth
and bring fruit unto repentance. Yea, I would that ye would come
forth and harden not your hearts any longer. For behold, now is the
time and the day of your salvation. And therefore, if ye will repent
and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of
redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the
time for men to prepare to meet God. Yea, behold, the day of this
life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said
unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore I
beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your
repentance until the end. For after this day of life, which is given
us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time
while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there
can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say when ye are brought to that
awful crisis that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay,
ye cannot say this, for the same spirit you hearken to obey while
living in the flesh shall, upon your death, have the same power to
influence you to hearken unto that spirit in the next life. For
behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance, even
until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the
Devil and he doth seal you his. Therefore, the spirit of the Lord
hath withdrawn from you and hath no place in you, and the Devil hath
all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. And
this I know because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy
temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell. Yea, and
he has also said that the righteous should sit down in his kingdom to
go no more out, but their garments should be made white through the
blood of the Lamb.” (Alma 16:37)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If I have not reconciled my life to the
commandments that God has provided to me and have violated my
conscience, will I be reconciled to God when I die and remain in my
sins?</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“… But O my people, beware lest
there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil
spirit which was spoken of by my father, Mosiah. For behold, there is
a woe pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he
listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same
drinketh damnation to his own soul, for he receiveth for his wages an
Everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary
to his own knowledge...” (Mosiah 1:10)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">After a sufficient period of time of
sincere knocking, consistent seeking, faithful asking, determined
obedience, becoming more like Christ, and having been found true and
faithful, would it be natural to have the veil parted, receive Him
and His ministry, and be made clean?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Would it be sensible to fully expect
myself being made perfect through Christ? Becoming a just man made
perfect? At least have perfect intent in this life? A perfect heart?
Becoming perfect before God?</p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">“That which is of God is light, and
he that receives light and continues in God receives more light, and
that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (T&C
36:4)</p></blockquote>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does God’s sacrifice make it possible
for bad people to become good people? For sinners to become saints?
For mortals to become more like God?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is my acceptance or rejection of the
sacrifice of Christ and his offering to me regulated by my choices?
What choices?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does it matter if I am true to my
conscience or not? How about yeilding to the enticings of the holy
spirit? Does being meek, humble, patient, full of love, or submissive
to God actually matter?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“For the natural man is an enemy to
God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be for ever and
ever but if he yields to the enticings of the holy spirit, and
putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the
atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child: submissive,
meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things
which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth
submit to his father.” (Mosiah 1:16)</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What if God’s sacrifice doesn’t
make me free to sin without consequence, but rather it is meant to
make me free from sin?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Is just “trying” not to sin, good
enough for me? Is it good enough for God? Is that true repentance?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Does God require my obedience even unto
death? How about my willingness to submit to everything that He
finds necessary to inflict upon me?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Am I expected to obey Him at all
inconvenience, pain, and suffering? Even when it is out of my comfort
zone, causes trouble and difficulty, and requires a sacrifice and
offering? I suppose He knows much better about suffering, sacrifice and inconvenience than do I, and certainly understands the necessity of it all to a much larger and magnified order.</p>
<ol><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Let us here observe
that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things
never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life
and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith
necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be
obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through
this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should
enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of
all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the
things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has
offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not
even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been
called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he
does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice
and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in
vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith
necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.” (Lectures on Faith
6:7)</p>
</ol>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Would it be helpful for me to have a
good attitude about this whole situation of mine?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-28066929275047622112021-04-02T10:51:00.002-07:002024-02-03T08:15:01.404-08:00The Beauty of Mirror Lake<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Redaela is not happy. She thinks her misery is the result of living among so many, ugly, warty frogs. The more she tries to change her fellow frogs, the bigger her problem becomes. One day she decides to visit a beautiful lake at the top of a mountain. As she looks into the lake, she can see herself clearly for the first time in her life. She learns a precious truth that changes her life and everyone else around her. </span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qtqlIDGI0g/YGdYl9pRNyI/AAAAAAAAFuY/cjdQ7sS3DBER_Ued6ACOkvApD2P2sFdawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1703/The-Beauty-of-Mirror-Lake-Image-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1703" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qtqlIDGI0g/YGdYl9pRNyI/AAAAAAAAFuY/cjdQ7sS3DBER_Ued6ACOkvApD2P2sFdawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/The-Beauty-of-Mirror-Lake-Image-2.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Oftentimes we think that we need to change the people around us in order to be happy. People have bad habits and make unwise decisions, and sometimes we think it's up to us to save them or get them to stop for us to have peace. However, what we see around us is really a reflection of what is inside ourselves. Once we change and improve ourselves on the inside, our perspective of the world will change. Then we will be at peace and will better understand how to help those around us.</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">This is one of many fable books. The lessons we learn from fables can change our lives if we let them. Children enjoy reading stories over and over again, and these fables are sure to give them guidance throughout their lives. These fable books are not just for kids. Parents will see solutions to big problems revealed in simple fables. </span></p><p style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; margin: 1em 0px 0.5em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px;">The Beauty of Mirror Lake can be ordered on </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3eVcoiM" style="color: #3dd3e4; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px;">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px;">.<br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="378" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8E75Hw9qNR4" width="455" youtube-src-id="8E75Hw9qNR4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-8997738921703818112021-02-22T20:16:00.011-08:002021-02-22T21:08:22.245-08:00May the Gates of Hell be Shut Continually<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is hell?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e63d470b-7fff-c5f2-86da-1cc6690e7243"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Prophet Joseph Smith described the true nature of hell: “A man is his own [tormentor] and his own [condemner]. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone.” </span><a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/hell#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #23527c; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TPJS</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 357; </span><a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/glossary/hell#" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #337ab7; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WJS</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 353.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can I do to shut the gates of hell? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nephi says, “. . . May the gates of hell be shut continually before me because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite . . .”<a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/2nephi/3.8#8" target="_blank"> 2 Nephi 3:8</a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what does that mean? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I read the beginning of verse eight, I see there are things Nephi needs to repent of, so the gates of hell are CONTINUALLY shut before him. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#1 Why should my heart weep? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#2 Why should my soul linger in the valley of sorrow? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#3 Why should my flesh waste away </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#4 Why should my strength slacken </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In other words, why am I having a pity party? Why am I discouraged? Why am I feeling sorry for myself? Because of mine afflictions? Is that a good reason to open the gates of hell? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And why should I yield to sin because of my flesh? Why should I give way to temptations? What am I tempted to do when life gets hard? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What exactly is the evil one doing in my heart? Who opened the gate? How is my peace being destroyed? Why do I want to invite the evil one to afflict my soul? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why am I angry because of my enemy? Well Nephi might say, my brothers hate me and are trying to kill me. Is that a good enough reason for Nephi to open the gates of hell?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do I even want to even open the gates of hell in the first place? Because it feels so good? I love being depressed? I enjoy feeling sorry for myself? What’s the pay off? Am I justified in getting angry? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what’s the alternative to hell? What is the key to shutting the gates of hell? Nephi says . . . a broken heart and contrite spirit. What does it look like to have a broken heart and contrite spirit? Nephi is clear that it is not being depressed, discouraged, and sorrowful.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why do I need a broken heart and contrite spirit? So I can learn. I am here to learn my lessons and learn them well. I am in school. Nothing happens except it is designed to teach me important and essential lessons that I need to experience peace and joy. It does not matter that most of my teachers are ugly and cruel. Most of the time I will want to fire my teachers because my lessons are painful. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So What! I can learn with joy or learn with sorrow. I choose joy when I recognize I am blessed everyday with an opportunity to learn. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I learn through suffering. Why would I want to stop the learning process? Because it hurts? “. . . though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him . . .” Heb. 1:12-13</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lord has given His word with an immutable </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-db429b9c-7fff-f4af-1e6e-6418659d9302"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> [</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unchanging over time or unable to be changed]</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> covenant that all things work together for my good. Do I believe Him?</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted, yea, rejoice evermore and in everything give thanks, waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth and are recorded with this seal and testament: The Lord has sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore, he gives this promise unto you with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled, and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, says the Lord God. T&C 98:1</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is my part? Do I give thanks in all things not just the pleasant things? Do I wait patiently? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My prayers have become more effective since I stopped asking for this cup to be removed and instead ask, “What can I learn from this experience? Help me learn my lessons well. Show me my error, so I can repent.” School became a little easier when I realized I am here to learn. I am not on a vacation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does having a broken heart and a contrite spirit mean I “become as a child: submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [me], even as a child doth submit to his father.” Mosiah 1:16</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It doesn’t matter what pains I bear, what troubles I experience, what challenges I face. I have complete confidence it is good for me, and I trust Father 100% a hundred percent of the time. Everything that happens in life works together for my good and God’s glory. After all, I am God’s work, </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For behold, this is My work and My glory: to bring to pass the immortality and the eternal life of man.” Genesis 1:7</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nephi gives us the key to shutting up the gates of hell.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Awake</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> my soul! . . . </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rejoice</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul . . . </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rejoice</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord and say, O Lord, I will </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">praise</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thee for ever . . . O Lord, I have trusted in thee and I will </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">trust in thee</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for ever . . . </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray to learn my lessons and learn them well. I pray to be a good student and rejoice in the opportunity I have to learn and grow. I pray to be strict in the plain road. I pray to walk in the path of the low valley and love every minute of it!!!</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. . . You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm, in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. T&C 139:16</span></p></li></ul></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-23320487157729958622020-12-01T15:03:00.003-08:002020-12-01T15:09:17.773-08:00Obey the Law of the Land<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What
does it mean to obey the law of the land? </b></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Let's
look at the words of the Lord to get our directions and set our
compass straight.</span><br />
<ol start="0"><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
now verily I [the Lord] say unto you concerning the laws of the
land, it is my will that my people should observe to </span><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>do
all things whatever I [the Lord] command them,</b></u></span><span style="font-size: medium;">
and that law of the land which is constitutional,</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">supporting
the principles of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges</span></u><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">belonging to all mankind, is justifiable
before me; therefore, I, the Lord, justify you and your brethren of
my church in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of
the land. And as pertaining to </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><u><b>law of man</b></u></span>,</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> whatever is more or less
than this </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><u><b>comes of
evil</b></u></span>.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>I,
the Lord your God, make you free; therefore, you are free indeed,
and the law also makes you free.</span> . .</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">nd
I give unto you </span><span style="font-size: large;">a <b>commandment that you shall
forsake all evil</b> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">and cleave unto all good,
that you shall live by every word that proceeds forth out of the
mouth of God. - </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>D&C 98</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p>
<ol>
<li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do
all things the Lord commands </span></span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Befriend
the law which is constitutional and supports freedom</span></span></p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laws
of man that do not support principles of freedom are evil</span></span></p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Lord commands us to forsake evil laws</span></span></p></li></ol></ol>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did
you get that? </span>The Lord commands us to </span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>forsake evil laws </u></span><span style="font-size: medium;">that
do not support the principles of freedom. God has made us free and
the law that governs the universe makes us free.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
are the rights and privilege belong to all mankind?</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
hold from God the gift which includes all others. This gift is life –
physical, intellectual, and moral life.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
life cannot maintain itself alone. The Creator of life has entrusted
us with the responsibility of preserving, developing, and perfecting
it. In order that we may accomplish this, He has provided us with a
collection of marvelous faculties. And He has put us in the midst of
a variety of natural resources. By the application of our faculties
to these natural resources we convert them into products, and use
them. This process is necessary in order that life may run its
appointed course.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life,
faculties, production – in other words, individuality, liberty,
property – this is man. And in spite of cunning and artful
political leaders, these three gifts from God precede all human
legislation, and are superior to it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life,
liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the
contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed
beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place. [The Law
by Fredric Bastiat (1801-1850), pages 1-2]</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do
we trust God or man?</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do
we trust a benevolent, loving, all-powerful God or do we trust
corrupt, perverse, political leaders?</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do
we obey God; or do we obey arbitrary, harmful mandates and laws?</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do
we conform to the image of God, or do we conform to social pressure?</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There
is no need to fear, for the Lord has given a promise with an
immutable covenant.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verily
I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted,
yea, rejoice evermore and in everything give thanks, waiting
patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of
the Lord of Sabaoth and are recorded with this seal and testament:
<b><u>The Lord has sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Therefore,
he gives this promise unto you with an immutable covenant that they
shall be fulfilled,</u></b> and all things wherewith you have been afflicted
shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, says the
Lord God. </span></span><i style="font-size: large;"> </i></p><p align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;"><i style="font-size: large;">- D&C 98</i></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. . . To be continued . . . What
does the Lord command? What are the Lord's expectations? What does it
mean to proclaim peace?</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-24116561151372435802020-04-10T16:03:00.000-07:002020-04-10T16:03:24.409-07:00An Amalickiah Virus<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I’ve watched what’s been happening in our country during this
last month, I see an Amalickiah at work. His plan was subtle, and he
started a war that lasted for years. Many people died including
Amalickiah and his brother. We can expect similar results if we
refuse to see what is happening today.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
story of Amalickiah can be found in <a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/alma/21">Alma
21</a>. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I’ve
included a brief synopsis at the end of this post. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What
are some of the lessons that we can learn from this story?</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#1
POWER</b> Amalickiah wanted power over all of the people and was
willing deceive and murder to obtain that power. He flattered the
lower judges and said they could also have power if they would help
him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is
there a world organization that is currently seeking to control the
world? What is their agenda? What means will be employed to obtain
their goal? Is the World Health Organization controlled by those who
seek a one world government? Are they using the corona-virus to
promote their agenda? If they accomplish their goal, will it
destroy the freedom of all nations?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#2
ALLIANCE </b> To accomplish his design, Amalickiah needed
to unite the Lamanite army. He needed their cooperation and
unification. He couldn’t accomplish his plan with his own strength.
He hoodwinked the Lamanite king, Lehonti, and the Lamanite army. Many
lost their lives because of their misplaced trust. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Has
this corona-virus united the liberals and conservatives? People who
used to say “Over my dead body!” are now willingly and obediently
submitting to martial law. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#3
BAND WAGON</b> The Lamanites’ love and affection for their
king was used against them. Amalickiah blinded them when he rallied
them together to chase after the king’s guards who had witnessed
the murder. The gullible Lamanites were willing to chase after the
king’s guards just because they were told that those guards were
the murderers. Everyone else was doing it, so they followed the crowd
without thinking.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are
we following the crowd? Are we looking at the evidence? Are we
thinking for ourselves?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#4
IGNORING COMMON SENSE</b> If the king’s guards wanted to kill
the king, do you think they would do it right in front of the
commander of the Lamanite army? If any one of the Lamanites would
have looked at the situation with common sense, they could have
easily guessed that the king’s guards did not kill the king. Also,
did they think it was a little strange that Lehonti died shortly
after becoming commander over the whole army? Did it raise suspicion
when Amalickiah just happened to be second in command? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
does your common sense tell you about the common flu and the
coronavirus?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">34,157
</span></span></span><span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">deaths
in the United States due to </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2018-2019.html">2018-2019</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">61,099 deaths in the United States due to</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2017-2018.htm">2017-2018</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">38,230
deaths in the United States due to</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2016-2017.html">2016-2017</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">22,705
deaths in the United States due to </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2015-2016.html">2015-2016</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">51,376
deaths in the United States due to </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2014-2015.html">
2014-2015</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">37,930
deaths in the United States due to</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2013-2014.html">2013-2014</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212529;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="background: #ffffff;">42,570
deaths in the United States due to</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Influenza
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2012-2013.html">2012-2013</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 138%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">17,995
deaths in the United States due to Corona Virus 2020 <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries">(worldometers
as of April10, 2020)</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Most
of the people dying from influenza every year are old. Coronavirus is
following the same pattern.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#5
FEAR and FORCE</b> Amalickiah put the obedient part of the
Lamanite army in a situation where they feared for their lives. He
counted on the fact that they would be willing to surrender to
Lehonti because of their fear. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many
people are motivated by fear. This corona-virus pandemic is
propagated by people’s fears. People are willing to trade away
their freedom because they are afraid. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here
are the facts. . .</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We’ve
had over 16,205,600 deaths this year (<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/">as
of April 10, 2020 worldometers</a>). Only 100,450 of
them are the <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries">result of corona-virus</a>. For every 160 deaths in the
world, one death is the result of the coronavirus. People die every
day. There is no reason to be alarmed. Yet, people are paranoid and
afraid. In their fear, they have easily submitted to martial law. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#6
MEDIA and PROPAGANDA</b> Forcing the Lamanites to go to war
didn’t work, so Amalickiah built towers where he had men speak to
them until they wanted to go to war. If you lie to someone long
enough, they will start believe it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do
you believe what you are hearing from the media? Are you allowing
yourself to be sucked in by the propaganda? Why? Where is your
evidence?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#7
FALSE COVER STORIES</b> The Lamanite king trusted Amalickiah
with the army and ended up dead. Lehonti trusted Amalickiah to be
second in command and ended up dead. The queen believed the witness
of those who had murdered the king and ended up marrying the
murderer. The Lamanites believed Amalickiah’s words and many lives
were lost in the war. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
are the stories being told? Are they true? What’s really going on?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>#8
DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE</b> In his quest for power, Amalickiah
did not care how many died. He was a murderer, but he pretended to
care about the life of the one he had murdered.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is
this lockdown really about saving lives? Or is it about promoting an
agenda? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
of today there have been over </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">11,714,000</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="https://www.worldometers.info/" style="font-size: large;">abortions in 2020</a><span style="font-size: medium;">. It doesn’t look like our world values human
life.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Over </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">3,579,144</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="https://www.worldometers.info/" style="font-size: large;">people have died of communicable diseases</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> this year in the
world. There have only been 100,450 coronavirus deaths. I don’t
think this coronavirus “pandemic” warrants the attention it
is receiving.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Synopsis
of the Story of Amalickiah:</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amalickiah
wanted to be king, so he told the lower judges he would make them
rulers over the people if they would help him be king.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
Captain Moroni heard what Amalickiah was doing, he tore off a piece
of his coat and wrote on it, “In memory of our God, our religion,
and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” He prayed
to God for help. Then he carried this title of liberty throughout the
land calling for the people to come and help protect their liberty.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
people came together and promised to obey God or be destroyed by
their enemies. When Amalickiah saw Moroni's large army, he snuck away
with those who would go with him. Moroni did not want them to go
because they might convince the Lamanites to fight against the
Nephites. Moroni’s armies were able to stop most of them, but
Amalickiah escaped with a few of his men.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amalickiah
stirred the Lamanites up to anger until their king wanted to go to
war with the Nephites. Most of the Lamanites refused to go to war and
fled to the hill Onidah. They chose a man named Lehonti to be their
leader. The Lamanite king told Amalickiah to lead the obedient part
of his army and force Lehonti and his men to go to war.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead
of obeying the king, Amalickiah made a deal with Lehonti. He said
Lehonti's men could surround the king's army during the night. The
king’s army would surrender, if afterward Lehonti would make
Amalickiah second in command. Lehonti became commander over the whole
army. Then Amalickiah had his servant slowly poison Lehonti. When
Lehonti died, Amalickiah became commander of the entire army.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amalickiah
returned with the army. The king thought Amalickiah had done what he
had asked him to do, so the king and his servants went out to meet
them. Amalickiah's servants went and bowed before the king. When the
king put out his hand to raise them, one of Amalickiah's servants
stabbed the king to the heart, and he died. The king’s servants who
saw the murder were frightened and ran away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amalickiah
pretended to be angry. He lied to the army and said the king had been
killed by his own servants. He encouraged those who loved the king to
chase and kill the king’s servants. Amalickiah then went with those
who had killed the king to speak with the queen. They lied to her
about her husband's death, and Amalickiah married the queen. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
Amalickiah became king of the Lamanites, he had men speak from their
towers against the Nephites. He did this until he had hardened the
Lamanites’ hearts and blinded their minds. This continued until
they were angry and wanted to go to war. Amalickiah’s desire was to
be king over all the land.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While
this was happening among the Lamanites, Captain Moroni was preparing
the minds of the Nephites to be faithful to God. The Nephite army
built forts to protect themselves. They did not want to fight the
Lamanites. But when the Lamanites would come to destroy their
families, they would be prepared to defend themselves.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
time the Lamanites wore thick clothing and armor. They thought their
large army could easily beat the Nephites. But they were afraid to
fight the Nephites when they saw a high ridge of dirt around their
city. The leaders of the Lamanites swore with an oath they would
destroy the next Nephite city they came to.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Lamanites were disappointed to find the next city was even stronger.
Because of their oath, they had to attack. When they tried to go
through the entrance or dig away the dirt, they were slain. After all
their chief captains were dead, they went home. Amalickiah was angry
with his people because he had not gotten what he wanted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br />
</div>
<br /><br /><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-48930169251168919932020-03-21T14:35:00.000-07:002020-03-21T14:35:09.415-07:00Isaiah's Message of Peace in Troubling Times<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the first fifteen years of our
marriage, we were concerned about food storage and physical
preparation. We could see what was coming down the pipeline and
wanted to be able take care of our family when the economy collapsed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 2007, we became very interested in
the words of Isaiah. <a href="http://www.isaiahexplained.com/" target="_blank">Avraham Gileadi's work</a> really helped us
understand what Isaiah was saying. Isaiah was my favorite choice of
scriptures in those days. I read the words of Isaiah over and over. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My heart was comforted, and I was at
peace. Isaiah speaks of the sickness, famine, wars, natural
disasters, and the tyrant that are headed our way. But amid all this,
there is a message of hope. There is a group of people who will be
gathered, and they will be protected by God.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I saw this, I was motivated. I
had a choice. I could experience total devastation, or I could come
to the Lord for protection and peace. It was then that I told the
Lord that I would do anything to be part of that group of people.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Isaiah's message is important. When
Jesus comes to the Nephites, he talks about the words of Isaiah three
separate times. Jesus tells us to search the words of Isaiah. He
wants us to understand what is happening today. Jesus does not want
us to be afraid. His arms are open, and we can come to Him and
experience peace and joy in these troubling times. (see scripture
references below)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It takes great effort and much prayer
to understand what Isaiah is saying. But once Isaiah's message
becomes clear to you, it could change your life. Nephi shared the
words of Isaiah, so people would want believe in the Lord their
Redeemer.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
But that I might
more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, I did
read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I
did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and
learning. <a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/6.1#1" target="_blank">1 Nephi 6:1</a> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have just completed <a href="https://www.picturebooksforchildren.com/book-of-mormon-stories.html" target="_blank">Book of MormonStories</a>. It is a simplified, illustrated version of The Book of
Mormon. If you find the words of Isaiah confusing, this simplified
version of The Book of Mormon can help you understand Isaiah's
message.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are uploading one video chapter of <a href="https://www.picturebooksforchildren.com/book-of-mormon-stories.html" target="_blank">Bookof Mormon Stories</a> each day. There are 90 chapters in all. We just
posted the first Isaiah chapter today. These Isaiah chapters are at
the end of First Nephi. If <a href="https://www.picturebooksforchildren.com/book-of-mormon-videos.html#book-of-mormon-videos" target="_blank">we post one video each day,</a> we will start
posting the Second Nephi Isaiah chapters on Friday.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Covenant of Peace - First Nephi 6 (1840 edition) - Isaiah 48-49</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6W-bVczWnnU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6W-bVczWnnU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Scripture References noted above of Jesus talking to the Nephites about Isaiah:</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;">Verily, verily I say unto you, thus has the Father commanded me, that I should give unto this people this land for their inheritance, and when the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled, which say: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God. </span></span><a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/9.7#7" style="text-indent: 31.68px;" target="_blank">3 Nephi 7:7</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;">And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them, Behold, now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Israel. Ye remember that I spake unto you and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled — behold, they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them — and verily, verily I say unto you that when they shall be fulfilled, then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel. Then shall the remnants which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth be gathered in from the east, and from the west, and from the south, and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God who hath redeemed them. And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land for your inheritance. And I say unto you that if the gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive after they have scattered my people, then shall ye who are a remnant of the house of Jacob go forth among them. And ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many, and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through, both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor, for I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron and I will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people. And I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it. And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent, it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the gentiles.</span></span> <a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/9.7#7" target="_blank">3 Nephi 9:7</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.05in; margin-left: 0.49in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/6/null" name="2"></a><span style="color: #333333;"> . . . <span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/6/null" name="3"></a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;">O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together against thee, not by me; whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work, and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. </span></span>This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/6/null" name="4"></a>And now behold, I say unto you that ye had ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel. Therefore, it must needs be that he must speak also to the gentiles. And all things that he spake hath been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore, give heed to my words. Write the things which I have told you, and, according to the time and the will of the Father, they shall go forth unto the gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words, and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. <a href="http://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/10.2-4#2-4" target="_blank">3 Nephi 10:2-4</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1205773018799890263.post-59171597067977536322020-03-18T17:19:00.000-07:002020-03-19T17:56:40.090-07:00What is the Message?<br />
On Sunday,
May 22, 2016, at 2:12 p.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Bountiful Utah Temple, was struck by lightning.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F65GZzbb_Ew/XnKy-5lArvI/AAAAAAAAFow/Joi54NmsWywYWRIBKkHOWAE36ABf3i8VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Moroni%2BStuck%2BBy%2BLighting%2BBountiful%2BTemple%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F65GZzbb_Ew/XnKy-5lArvI/AAAAAAAAFow/Joi54NmsWywYWRIBKkHOWAE36ABf3i8VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Moroni%2BStuck%2BBy%2BLighting%2BBountiful%2BTemple%2B2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, a little
after 7:00 a.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Salt Lake
Temple, lost his
trumpet after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are these two events arbitrary, or were
they sent to give us a clear message? If there is a message, what is
it?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 2016, the Bountiful Moroni was hit
in the back. It looks like he was stabbed in the
back. What could that mean? What kind of duplicity might have been going on?<br />
<br />
The right side of Moroni's face was blown off, and so you could say Moroni did not "save face". Could this be a sign of humiliation? Was a
messenger of God being rejected and disgraced when the lighting struck? Did God take notice of this rejection?</div>
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In 2020, the Salt Lake City Moroni lost his trumpet. What does the trumpet symbolize? Is today a significant day
in history? Has the LDS church stopped proclaiming the message of the Book of Mormon?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 2em;">Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their borders and set him for their watchman, if, when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and takes not warning, if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 2em;">But if the watchman sees the sword come and blows not the trumpet, and the people are not warned, if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 2em;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 16px; text-indent: 2em;">So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, you shall hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die — if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> Ezekiel 16:1-3</span></div>
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Could it also mean that the time of warning with words is coming to a close, and the warning with earthquakes, natural disasters, pestilence (pandemic), wars, famine, economic crisis will continue to send out a voice of warning? Maybe some will awake and repent.</div>
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I am reminded of these words:</div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Abide
in the liberty wherewith you are made free. Entangle not yourselves
in sin, but let your hands be clean until the Lord come, for not many
days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a
drunken man, and the sun shall hide his face and shall refuse to give
light, and the moon shall be bathed in blood, and the stars shall
become exceeding angry and shall cast themselves down as a fig that
falls from off a fig tree.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">And
after your testimony comes wrath and indignation upon the people, for
after your testimony comes the testimony of earthquakes that shall
cause groanings in the midst of her: and men shall fall upon the
ground and shall not be able to stand, and also comes the testimony
of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the
voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving
themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion,
and surely men’s hearts shall fail them, for fear shall come upon
all people.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">And
angels shall fly through the midst of Heaven, crying with a loud
voice, sounding the trump of God, saying, Prepare yourselves,
prepare, O inhabitants of the earth, for the judgment of our God is
come! Behold and lo, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet him. And
immediately, there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all
people shall see it together. T&C 86:17-19</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">This
is a time of joy</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">and
dread.</span></span></span></span></div>
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On the 13th of
February 2003 I saw the Lord coming in His glory. At first a sign
appeared in the heavens, a light emanating from a single point and
turning first this way and that. All the world saw it, and men
debated over its meaning. At length the light turned upon us and
within it was the Lord, showing His glory, with concourses of angels
and the hosts of Heaven following in His wake.</div>
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And when we saw
that it was the Lord we rejoiced and were filled with joy. I turned
to my wife and said, Look, it is Christ!, and she said, Yes, it is!
And we were filled with joy and peace of mind, for the long awaited
day of the Lord had come.</div>
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But others were
filled with dread. They feared and lamented and wanted the mountains
to cover them and hide them from His presence, for he was clothed in
red and came in judgment. And Christian ministers knew they had
taught falsely and that their faith could not save — and they
begged for relief from the Saints.</div>
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This caused me to
marvel at how this could be. It was given unto me to understand that
without the ordinances of salvation through the authorized ministers
of the gospel it was not possible for men to shed their sins. And
they could not look upon a just and holy Being without being racked
with torment and guilt for their sins. And they pled with the Saints
to minister to them, but we could not, for we were constrained by the
spirit and were forbidden to do so. For this was the day of judgment
which the Lord had in His heart, and he was now come to preach His
own sermon, clothed in red, and to deliver those who waited on Him
and to convict and condemn those who had not.</div>
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I write this in my
own hand and bear solemn testimony that it is true. Amen. . . T&C
160</div>
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This is a wonderful time to live. There
is no need to fear. It is a time of peace and safety for all those
who treasure the word of the Lord and come to Him.</div>
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. . . Wherefore,
be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the
heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro
as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the
mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth,
and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.</div>
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But before the
great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the
wilderness and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall
flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be
assembled together unto the place which I have appointed. Behold, I
say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you, repent of all your
sins, ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto
you. Behold, I will go before you and be your rearguard, and I will
be in your midst and you shall not be confounded. Behold, I am Jesus
Christ, and I come quickly. Even so, Amen. T&C 35.7-9</div>
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