Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Wise Man, Foolish Man
After having taught The Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus said that you who hear my sayings and do them, I will
liken you unto a wise man. But you who hear my sayings, but fail to
do them, shall be likened unto a foolish man.
Not only did He teach them as one
having authority, unlike the scribes, but the
people were astonished at his doctrine.
“Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken
him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And
every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the
sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall
of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one
having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:24-29)
It may be wise to accurately identify what matters
most and do so as you leave the rest behind.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Choices Matter
- Make good choices today so you don't
have regrets tomorrow.
- Choices are always followed with
consequences.
- Life is the sum of all your choices.
- Integrity is doing the right thing even
when no one is watching.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Repent ... Not Repent
Throughout the scriptures, the Lord
repeatedly commands us to repent and to keep His commandments. Christ
clearly states the associated consequences attached when we either
choose to repent or to not repent. In the following scripture, Christ
specifically addresses us gentiles and lays out a list of our wicked
ways, from which we are commanded to turn, and evil doings of which
to repent.
“Hearken, O ye
Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living
God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you,
for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying: Turn, all
ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings,
of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your
secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and
your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all
your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized
in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be
filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people
who are of the house of Israel.” (3 Nephi 30:1-2)
“Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments
which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.,
in my name; And it is by my almighty power that you have received
them; Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by
the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your
sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know
not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have
suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they
would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as
I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to
tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer
both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter
cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I
partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my
almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these
punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea,
even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my
Spirit.” (D&C 19:13-20)
It seems to me that choosing the option
of not repenting and thereby rejecting Christ's atoning sacrifice in
my behalf would cause me sufferings that far exceed what I presently
understand. Logically, it becomes a “no brainer” … repentance
is by far the better option!
Here's a link on: Repentance
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Courage Counts!
“Be strong and of a good courage,
fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that
doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses
called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be
strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto
the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them;
and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that
doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee,
neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. And he gave
Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good
courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land
which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8,23 emphasis added)
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said
unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from
me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave
me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and
my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.Teach me thy way,
O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false
witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I
had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalms 27:1-14 emphasis added)
“And David said to Solomon his son,
Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed:
for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the
service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)
“And it came to pass that the hearts
of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took
courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word
of God.” (Alma 17:12)
“And
it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by
fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for
fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were
not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were
not burned. And when they saw that they were encircled about with a
pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take
courage. For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands
upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if
they were struck dumb with amazement. And it came to pass that Nephi
and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear
not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous
thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands
on us to slay us. (Helaman 5:23-26 emphasis added)
Friday, February 23, 2018
Sacrifice is Required
“Having the assurance that they were
pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God, they were
enabled to take, not only the spoiling of their goods, and the
wasting of their substance, joyfully, but also to suffer death in its
most horrid forms; knowing, (not merely believing,) that when this
earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building
of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Do you possess
that assurance? If so, how does that feel? How did you obtain it? If
not, do you desire it? Are you willing to pay the price by living the
laws upon which the blessings are predicated?
Such was and always will be the
situation of the saints of God, that unless they have an actual
knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the
will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint; for such
has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of
unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and
unadulterated religion of heaven, (the only thing which ensures
eternal life,) that they will persecute, to the uttermost, all that
worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the
love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his
will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an
actual knowledge of their being the favorites of heaven, and of their
having embraced that order of things which God has established for
the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence
in him necessary for them to overcome the world, and obtain that
crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.
What is the only
thing that ensures eternal life? What is the unadulterated religion
of heaven? What does it mean to “having embraced that order of
things which God has established for the redemption of man?”
Perhaps the account of the Brother of Jared found in Ether 3:12-20
can shed some light on the Lord's order of things and what occurs.
Here and now in mortality, can you be redeemed from the fall without
the Lord showing Himself unto you and you being brought back into my
presence? Is there any other way for anyone to be redeemed without
following the order of things which God has established for the
redemption of man?
Is there any other
way than to know the Anointed Redeemer Himself, embrace Him, and
enter into His presence? Can you accomplish this by attending a two
hour temple session that teaches FIGURATIVELY the way back to His
presence, passing by sentinels along the way? Or ... is this talking
about the real thing, recognizing and adhering to the words of angels
here and now, sacrificing all that the Lord instructs, repenting and
facing God, parting the veil, and LITERALLY embracing Him, entering
His presence, being redeemed, and laying hold on eternal life?
For a man to lay down his all, his
character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among
men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and
children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth
and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ,
requires more than mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the
will of God, but actual knowledge: realizing, that when these
sufferings are ended he will enter into eternal rest; and be a
partaker of the glory of God.
For unless a person does know that he
is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an
insult to the dignity of the Creator, were he to say that he would be
a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of
this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows
that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally
strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.
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.
To obtain a
promise of surety or covenant of eternal life and salvation from
Christ, what is required? What does it take to have power sufficient
to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation? Must you be
willing to make a sacrifice of all earthly things?
Would you suppose
the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not
God would challenge the faith of the believers and those that know
God. Would the opposition be against the order of things which God
has established? Would the adversary oppose the redemption of man?
Would you suspect that the unbelievers, who know not God and belong
to the church of the devil, would tend to and likely cause
opposition?
If so, what would
be potential sacrifices required from the believers, who are “wise
and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their
guide, and have not been deceived”? (D&C 45:57) Potential
sacrifices may include some of the following: Sacrifice her character
and reputation? His honor and applause? A good name among men? Your
social status? Houses? Lands? Material possessions? Investments?
Jobs? Business? Occupation? Income? Brothers and sisters? Spouse?
Children? Relatives? Neighbors? “Friends”? And even his own
life? Everyone's sacrifice seems to be unique and perfectly situated
in such a fashion to test and stretch each individual perfectly.
Whenever 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, what has always happened? Time and
time again? Generation after generation? What are the results,
blessings, and outcomes that repeatedly emerge and occur by applying
the same patterns, truths, and “order of things” under the hand
of God, who changes not?!
After you have
offered through the medium sacrifice all that you have been required
of God, for the truth's sake, not even withholding your life, and
believing before God that you have been called to make this
sacrifice, what will surely happen? To YOU, intimately and
personally?
It is in vain for persons to fancy
to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with
them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means
obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal
life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice,
and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted
of him.” (Lectures on Faith 6:3-8)
Assuming you have not sacrificed what God requires of you and have failed to obtain His
promise of eternal life, is there any fairness, logical reason, or
justifiable expectation or anticipation for you to simply stroll into
the Zion, Heaven, or Christ's presence with others, who have offered
their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and
favor with him so as to obtain eternal life?
As you observe and
experience first hand sacrifices, perhaps you will better appreciate how
profoundly and perfectly God really does know you.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Seven Social Sins
Seven sins (cardinal crimes) of modern society:
Wealth Without Work
Pleasure Without Conscience
Knowledge Without Character
Commerce (Business) Without Morality (Ethics)
Science Without Humanity
Religion Without Sacrifice
Politics Without Principle
Pleasure Without Conscience
Knowledge Without Character
Commerce (Business) Without Morality (Ethics)
Science Without Humanity
Religion Without Sacrifice
Politics Without Principle
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Converse with God ... Yourself!
Here is a scriptural example of this
very issue:
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and
the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the
people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto
Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak
with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for
God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces,
that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near
unto the thick darkness where God was. And the Lord said unto Moses,
Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I
have talked with you from heaven.” (Exodus 20:18-22)
I believe the people of Moses were each
instructed, invited and expected to individually enter God's
presence, to know Him one by one, and to witness for themselves, like is recorded in (3 Nephi 11:13-17) concerning the Nephites.
They literally had the opportunity to talk with God face to face and
be redeemed, but instead, they were too fearful and basically said to
Moses, “You be the middle man; You be our messenger; You talk to
God; You get the answers; And you, Moses, speak to us His answers and we will hear, but we are NOT willing to approach God
personally, converse with Him, and see eye to eye … even though He is
proving us right here and now!
How are you taking that same challenge
today? Do you desire precisely the same thing as the people of Moses
did and rely on a prophet/teacher, who indeed speaks with God, to act as a
middle man between you and God? Are you removed from God or stand afar off?
Are you too fearful to draw near unto the thick darkness to find God and speak with Him, as a man speaketh to another. Do you lack sufficient faith to boldly come before God yourself? Are you
missing the fullness of the gospel, the testimony of Jesus, what true
messengers are declaring, and the everlasting covenant? (D&C 76:98-106) Are you satisfied with merely the telestial world and the associated glory …
again, worlds without end?!
Each chooses between fear and faith, between good and evil, and between man and God Himself. You can't have both at the same time.
"No man can serve two masters: for
either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Identifying a Prophet Today
A common thread, among prophets of God,
is restoring truths that were lost before. The gospel, which was
originally preached to Adam, keeps getting lost among the children of
men, who fall into some level of apostasy. Lost truths, which were
taught before, were restored through Abraham, a Father through whom we should connect.
King Noah and his priests were the
religious leaders of the day and did not approve of the message of
repentance nor consider even the remote possibility that they were in
ERROR and leading the people astray. So frustrated with this absurd
and core-cutting message delivered through this unauthorized man who
did not possess bonafide credentials (at least from their point of
view), they chose to cast Abinadi out of their presence and have him
killed. Nevertheless, Alma and a few others, who received the
message, took hold of the restored truth, repented, and lived the
gospel.
After the death of Christ and His
disciples, the great apostasy occurred and continued for centuries
until a restoration in the early 1800's, through the prophet Joseph
Smith. A few received the message of God delivered through Joseph,
but most did not and fell into apostasy. On June 27, 1844, both Hyrum
Smith and Joseph Smith, through whom much had been restored, were
rejected and killed by their own people. From there, almost
everything went “south”. Revelations, visions, and restoration
went “downhill” fast and apostasy was in full motion!
After three and four generations of LDS
church apostasy and general apostasy throughout gentile nations, the
Lord (through His servant/teacher) again sends forth a call of
repentance, a core-cutting message that religious leaders and priests
are in ERROR and leading the people astray, and an invitation of
correction for everyone everywhere to come unto him TODAY and be
baptized (or re-baptized).
This message of God, presently before
us and delivered by His messenger, may be frustrating to some and
seem absolutely absurd:
Religious leaders
and priests are in ERROR and leading the people astray??? …
laughable! How could latter-day saints, who “follow the prophet”
and brethren, are active members, pass leadership interviews, keep
current temple recommends, and view themselves as the most favored
and royal generation of God, possibly need to repent? How could
anyone ever be so bold or dare suggest such a thing? We are a
righteous people. This is crazy! “Away with this fellow, and slay
him; for what have we to do with him, for he is mad.”(Mosiah 13:1-4)
I have been struck by how this pattern
occurs over and over again, generation after generation, even in our
very own generation right now! Men keep losing truths and prophets
keep bringing them back. So, how can you tell that there is a prophet
on earth today? Would it seem reasonable that restorations of truth
begin? Visions? Angels? Prophecies? Come from the presence of God with a message? Revelations? Would truths, which
have fallen into disuse, disregard, or neglect, come to light and
appear again? Would correction and a call to repentance be expected?
Profile of a Prophet
Joseph the Prophet
Monday, February 19, 2018
Giving Heed, Receiving More
The most important of all the commandments of God revealed and given to you is perhaps the one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today, the one that is always on your mind, the one that keeps "popping up". Talk to the Lord about it. Seek His help, forgiveness and comfort. He offers what no one else can.
It seems to me that receiving commandments or instructions from the Lord is a great advantage and blessing.
Giving heed to the Lord's voice can be a "key" to
receiving more. As you obey the revelations, directions, and guidance
received from Him previously, the Lord reveals your next step to take, which is often accompanied with further light and
knowledge.
"By doing the truth which we
already know, let us make progress towards the truth which as yet we
are ignorant of." (CS Lewis)
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Joseph Smith ... Modern "Prophets"
How
can multiple “prophets”, all claiming to speak for God,
contradict one another? Does God change from moment to moment? Or do
some or perhaps almost all of the “prophets” deceive or lie?
What
is required to become a servant of God who speaks His word, which
“shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine
own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same?” (D&C 1:38)
Is
there a difference between a “holy man”, who is guided by the
Holy Spirit and speaks the word of God, and a “natural man”, who
simply relies on the “arm of flesh”? If so, what?
Is
it necessary for a servant of God to first be redeemed from the fall,
become a holy man, be brought back into His presence, literally know
Him face to face, become His witness, and deliver a message, for
which God vouches?
If
this is true, who, among the latter day “prophets”, do you
believe and trust? Can the words and teachings of a man, who claims
to be a modern or current prophet today, supersede or contradict the
words and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith or any other previous
prophet or the scriptures, for which God vouches?
Is there someone today, who has come from the presence of God with an authorized message, calling repentance, seeking to preserve what was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, declaring that the heavens are open for business, revealing a covenant from God, and seeking to prepare some few for Zion.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
“Mormonism” For Sale
The
LDS Church has a product they call “Mormonism” and is trying to
sell it to the world. The target market of non-members or those who
have not yet been converted are becoming ever more disinterested in
it. As saving doctrines, ordinances, and the “living” church
fades away, sincere interest declines and genuine wonder and
involvement progressively perishes.
Currently,
LDS members, who are “active” and represent the key customers
that produce cash-flow for the corporation, are experiencing drastic
doctrinal changes. Some of these radical moves include altering
temple rites, twisting the doctrine of polygamy 180 degrees, and
changing and removing scriptures. Here's a few quick details:
Major
changes, including penalty removal, were made in 1990 to the temple ordinances and additional significantly important alterations in 2005 and 2016. In addition to the revised temple
ordinances, the sacrament ordinance has been changed and contradicts
Christ’s instructions and example given in three books of
scripture.
During
Brigham's presidency and into the 1900's, practicing polygamy was
taught as a hinge upon which salvation was connected. Today, on the
other hand, the church teaches that those who practice polygamy are
living in apostasy and may likely face excommunication. Interesting change?!
The
1835 Doctrine and Covenants included the Lectures on Faith, which
represented the “doctrine” portion, and were accepted as
scripture by common consent of church members. In 1921, a committee
of six apostles chose to remove the Lectures on Faith from the
Doctrine and Covenants WITHOUT common consent of the members. These
six men, on their own accord, left the covenants to remain, but took
away the entire doctrine portion, which teaches a man how to attain
sufficient faith to claim eternal life, literally know the Lord, and
see His face.
Other
changes include revamping the doctrine of Christ and the
qualifications for baptism (Children of same-sex couples are
currently being denied baptism by the Mormon church until they are 18
years old and meet church requirements.) and using tithes and sacred
funds to finance Babylon in all its glory, including the City Creek
Mall adjacent to temple square, high end developments, real estate,
investments, high rise condominiums, universities, ranches, and a
290,000 acre self contained city in Florida planned to house 500,000
people, which is in process.
Some
members are disturbed by these jarring moves and measures executed by
the “Brethren” and feel somewhat discouraged and lost. Some are angry, feel betrayed, lied to, and rejected. Others have noticed very
little, if anything. Despite all the major adjustments to LDS doctrine
and the troubling history that clearly shows the LDS church is
riddled with contradictions, many true-blue “Mormons” are still
“hanging on” and remain loyal customers to the corporation.
Although
damaged by mistakes, errors, and foolishness, while trying to hide
and cover the real but often embarrassing history, the LDS
institution has maintained some control and order and has managed to
convince many of their loyal followers to stay, pay, and obey.
Perhaps
this is accomplished as the church cuts back to very basic tenets,
drastically dilutes its teachings, changes ordinances, and
“guarantees” the loyal tithe payer that the radical changes were
inspired by God and the church cannot lead its faithful customers
astray.
The
remote possibility of the LDS church being in apostasy, at least from
the institution's point of view, is out of question, not possible,
and should never even be considered. That would not only be
“blasphemy”, but it could be devastating to our clever plan and
confiscate our “sacred income”. If the majority of church members
were to wake up and began to actually believe and see that the LDS
church is presently under condemnation (D&C 84:54-58) and is
currently experiencing an increasing state of apostasy, then the
church population and loyalty to the institution could essentially
evaporate over night. Church leadership is well aware of the potential near approaching "tipping point" and concerned
that if too many members begin to fully comprehend the fact that the
LDS church and Christ are not the same thing, but instead are rapidly
becoming complete polar opposites, it would prove to interrupt and
sever cash-flow and to threaten and possibly destroy the entire
conglomeration; investments, profits, and “prophets” alike!
That
being the case, there are two key LDS tenets that have and, from the
church leadership's point of view, must continue to supersede all
others: 1) the church is led by a “living prophet” and 2) the
“Upper Hierarchy” of church leaders have a standard of infallibility
and “cannot lead you astray.” During the past century, these
particular LDS beliefs have overgrown excessively and turned into
traditions of men, which has taken away light and truth from the
children of men. These false traditions, which have been embraced for
an entire lifetime by some individuals, appear to be right and good rather than
incorrect and in error. Therefore, these untrue traditions are
certainly difficult to overcome because they are “set in concrete”
and run deep and cold. They are seldom challenged, but if someone
begins to question or “rock the boat”, shunning and discipline
surely follows!
To
show a real life “shifting of sand under our feet” example of
several “prophets” declaring doctrine on a specific subject at
different periods of time, I have gathered various official
statements concerning “racism” and “priesthood” from the LDS
church leaders in three different time frames, including the early
days 1800's, semi recent past 1900's, and current statements found on
the church website. Coupled with the statements below are a few questions
that you may want to consider and ponder:
"We
condemn racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both
inside and outside the Church." (Official Church Statement)
In
2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no
man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race
can consider himself a true disciple of Christ."
"Shall
I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white
man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of
Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This
will always be so." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,Volume 10, page 110)
"And
if any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain the only way he
could get rid of it or have Salvation would be to come forward and
have his head cut off and spill his blood upon the ground- it would
also take the life of his children." (Wilford Woodruff Journal)
"Not
only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he
became the father of an inferior race. A curse placed upon him and
that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so
while time endures. Millions of souls have come into this world
cursed with a black skin and have been denied the privilege of
Priesthood and the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. These are
the descendants of Cain. Moreover, they have been made to feel their
inferiority and have been separated from the rest of mankind from the
beginning.... we will also hope that blessings may eventually be
given to our negro brethren, for they are our brethren-children of
God-not withstanding their black covering emblematical of eternal
darkness. " (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, pages 101-102)
"Negroes
in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can
they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Abra.
1:20-27.) The gospel message of salvation is not carried
affirmatively to them... negroes are not equal with other races where
the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned,
particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow there
from, but this inequality is not of man's origin. It is the Lord's
doing, is based on his eternal laws of justice, and grows out of the
lack of Spiritual valiance of those concerned in their first estate."
(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, pp. 527-528)
Considering
these disparaging remarks made by Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff,
Joseph Fielding Smith, and Bruce R. McConkie (and many others not
quoted here) concerning those of another race (blacks), should these
men be considered true disciples of Christ? Are these men considered
to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Did they even know
what they were talking about or just going with the flow of their
day? Or, on the other hand, are they correct and therefore, those who
claim to be and speak as prophets today are actually wrong, mistaken,
and thereby suffer in latter day apostasy?
This may be something to seriously
consider since they definitely contradict each other while claiming
it all came from God. Some of these “prophets” must necessarily
be in error, therefore this belief that they CANNOT lead you astray obviously
is bogus indeed. So, among the latter day “prophets”, who do you
believe and trust? How do you find out?
We'll
pick up here in the next post :)
Friday, February 16, 2018
Progress Adds Up
A little progress each day adds up to
BIG results!
Moment by moment, day in and day out,
month after month, and year following year, choosing, working,
seeking, correcting, repenting and progressing in the right
direction, under the tutelage of God, makes a tremendous difference
in a lifetime, at least it does for me.
“For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
A man is certainly the product of his
thoughts. What he thinks, he indeed becomes. Start thinking more like
God and your life may never be the same!
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Challenge ... Difficult Indeed!
The great pleasure in life for a genius
is doing what people think and say you cannot do. But according to
higher law, it seems wiser doing things "in secret",
without claiming credit or broadcasting the status of being a
genius.
Few, myself included, fully comprehend
how little we know and many fear being open to consider something
new. Therefore, truth, which is usually unpopular here in this world
in which we now reside, is tossed aside, discarded, ignored, or
outright rejected, but is rarely embraced. Further light or knowledge
is seldom gathered when it is offered and additional truth goes
unnoticed or is judged to be of little value and goes unheeded.
Here's a few quotes to consider (Mark
Twain and others):
The
less you know, the more you think you know, because you don't know
that you don't know.
The
more you know, the more you know you don't know.
The
less you know, the more you believe.
The
more you know, the less you need to say.
The
more you talk, the more others know how little you know. The less you
talk, the less others know how much you know.
It
ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you
know for sure that just ain't so!
You may
have noticed that the less I know about a subject, the more
confidence I have and the more new light I throw on it.
Whenever
you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause
and reflect.
It's
easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been
fooled.
Therefore, many continue on the same
path, around and around, thinking they know something for sure, not
budging, not considering, not listening, not even using common sense
or critical thinking in the process. Not only that, but the source or
messenger or deliverer of truth is too often condemned, cast out,
ostracized, shunned, persecuted, and sometimes killed.
Perhaps the difficult challenge for
many is to realize that you (with the rest of us) really are "stupid"
in the sense that you know such a small fraction of the fullness ...
until, of course, you receive the fullness. The following scriptures
may throw some light on the subject of fullness: (D&C 39:4-6) and
(D&C 76:13-14)
Would it seem worthwhile or valuable
for you to be more open to new or further possibilities and
diligently seek truth and gather light? What do you want? Do you have
questions? If so, who could and would give you the most accurate
answers, know and reveal to you your next step, and upon whose word
you could always trust? God? "Stupid" men? Others? Would
your answer remain the same even when the "stupid" majority
of men think you are more "stupid" than before and
frequently remind you of it?
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day !
I am thinking of my wife, who is my
friend, my joy, and my love. Although I am away from home today and
working, I dedicate this special day to her.
She and I did not meet 27 years ago by
accident, but rather by heavenly purpose and reason that I call a
miracle.
I knew she was the one for me very
shortly after first meeting her, but initially, she did not see much
of "her husband" in me. She was (and still is) my choice.
With some persuasion and as time passed, something greater and
certainly more satisfying occurred, but yet it seemed almost
astonishing to me ... she chose me too!
Sweetheart, I am grateful for who you
are, your faithful counseling, and your love. I cherish our
experiences in life together, the highs and lows, the successes and
failures, learning and precious time together. Perhaps, the highlight
of our course together it is that we have made choices that carried
significant consequences together, not alone. That way we have either
sailed or sunk together without praising or blaming one another
because we have enjoyed both the sun and the rain together :)
I quite like the idea of growing older
“younger” together (you with me) and acknowledging that best is
yet to come as we grow closer day by day and choice by choice and
gather further light. I think there is much more truth to "the best is yet to come" than
we fully realize or understand presently.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Teachers, Preachers ... Almost Everywhere!
Recently, someone brought up an
important point and said something like: there are so many teachers
out there to chose from and they all seem to be claiming to speak the
word of God!
As I pondered, I recognized there are,
in fact, a few true messengers authorized by God but, on the other
hand, there are many false teachers in the world, who teach for
doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but
they deny the power thereof.
When Nephi saw our day, he expressed
the same idea saying, “And it came to pass that I looked and beheld
the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had
dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues,
and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb
of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and
abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I
beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were
also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the
face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great
whore whom I saw. (1 Nephi 14:11-12)
Money, honor, and power are common
desires among the misled and corrupt teachers, who spread
confusion and error. Untrue messengers usually imitate and resemble
the “real things” of God in some fashion or another and practice
priestcrafts where they “preach and set themselves up for a light
unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but
they seek not the welfare of Zion.” (2 Nephi 26:29)
This being the case here and now, today, each individual becomes responsible to identify those
through whom God speaks and the words for which God vouches. The test
is certainly underway and hopefully correct choices will be made.
Therefore, choose your teachers carefully and avoid drinking
downstream from those who are uninspired, inadequate, or have NOT
taken the Holy Spirit for their guide.
O ye wicked and
perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches
unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy
word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls?
Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time
cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.
Behold, the Lord
hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which
must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth
among you.
Behold, I speak
unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus
Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
And I know that ye
do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a
few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts,
unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and
strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities;
and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted
because of the pride of your hearts.
For behold, ye
do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the
adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy,
the sick and the afflicted.
O ye pollutions,
ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will
canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are
ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not
think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that
misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?
Why do ye adorn
yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the
hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted
to pass by you, and notice them not?
Yea, why do ye
build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that
widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before
the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to
cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?
Behold, the
sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he
avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer
their cries any longer. (Mormon 8:32-41 emphasis is mine)
Monday, February 12, 2018
Faith in God ... In Nothing Else!
"I
suppose that the rising generation knows little about the Lectures on
Faith. In my own judgment, these Lectures are of great value and
should be studied. I consider them to be of extreme value in the
study of the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Joseph Fielding Smith,
"Seek Ye Earnestly")
The
1835 Doctrine and Covenants included the Lectures on Faith, which
represented the “doctrine” portion, and were accepted as
scripture by common consent of church members. In 1921, a committee
of six apostles chose to remove the Lectures on Faith from the
Doctrine and Covenants WITHOUT common consent of the members. These
six men, on their own accord, left the covenants to remain, but took
away the entire doctrine portion, which teaches a man how to attain
sufficient faith to claim eternal life, literally know the Lord, and
see His face.
Bruce R. McConkie evaluated the
lectures as "some of the best lesson material ever prepared on
the Godhead; on the character, perfections, and attributes of God; on
faith, miracles, and sacrifice. They can be studied with great profit
by all gospel scholars." (Mormon Doctrine, Page 439)
"In my judgment, it is the most comprehensive, intelligent, inspired utterance that now exists in the English language-that exists in one place defining, interpreting, expounding, announcing, and testifying what kind of being God is. It is written by the power of the Holy Ghost, by the spirit of inspiration. It is, in effect, eternal scripture; it is true. I will only read part of it, and even then, because of the deep content that is involved in the words, we cannot measure or fathom their full intent. We need to study and ponder and analyze the expressions that are made." (Bruce R. McConkie, lecture at Brigham Young University, Jan. 4, 1972)
Here is a podcast link that may further our view on Faith
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Love God and Love One Another
“A new commandment
I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that
ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
What is the Lord communicating to you
here? What is required for you to be a disciple of Christ? What does
it look like to love one another?
What kind of love does God bestow on
you? What is the process to become and be called a son of God? What
is required of you to survive His imminent coming? His presence?
Being like Him and seeing Him as He is? Purified, even as he is
pure?
Is sacrifice needed? Compassion?
Serving our fellowmen and sharing with those in need? Is there a
difference between talking about it and doing it?
“For they that are wise and have
received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide,
and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be
hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C
45:57)
Is it important to receive revelations?
To identify correct inspirations and revelations from God? To take
the Holy Spirit as your guide? To receive and keep His commandments
given to you? To heed and obey His word?
I read and marked in bold some parts of
John 4:1-21 as follows:
1 Beloved, believe
not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the
Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit
that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have
heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God,
little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.
6 We are of God: he
that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let
us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
9 In this was
manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his
only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be
the propitiation for our sins.
12 No man hath seen
God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his
love is perfected in us.
16 And we have known
and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he
that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love
made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:
because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear
in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath
torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
20 If a man say, I
love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth
not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath
not seen?
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