Scott's Testimony of Jesus Christ

Worshiping with the Saints in India

2011-06-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

Note: Originally posted on the Deseret News and Mormon Times

Business travel has been a significant part of my life for the past three years. This has allowed me the opportunity to visit nearly every state in the continental United States and a few foreign countries. It has also afforded me the opportunity to visit several temples. Many great personal spiritual experiences have ensued when attending temples in places such as Manhattan, Toronto, Orlando and Detroit. However, what has perhaps been the most rewarding experience I have had while traveling occurred recently when I was in New Delhi, India.

There are four branches in the city. I chose to attend the New Delhi 1st Branch because its meetings had the earliest start time. When I arranged the driver with the hotel, I told the concierge I would be going to church. He asked if the place where I was going to say my prayers was close, and I told him it was only about 18 kilometers (11 miles) away. Then he seemed surprised when I told him the four-hour minimum charge for the driver was no problem, likely thinking I would “say my prayers” for a few minutes and then return.

I knew four hours was actually about the right amount of time. But just to be safe, I left the hotel 45 minutes before sacrament meeting began because I already had ample experience in New Delhi traffic.

The drive was a breeze. No one was out at 8:45 a.m. on a gorgeous Sunday morning in this culture that starts its day an hour or two later than we do in the U.S. Fortunately for my blood pressure, my driver did not drive on the shoulder or the wrong side of the road to pass another car even one time that morning!

After my driver got out of the car to ask directions from a local resident in Lajpat Nagar Part 1, I thought we were well on our way to the branch, located at 23 A, Lajpat Nagar, Part 4. Not long after, while waiting at one of the few traffic lights in the city, I looked over at the car next to us. In the back sat a man dressed just as I was — white shirt and a tie. A smile crossed my face. I thought, “At this hour, dressed like that, he has to be going the same place as me.”

Our drivers proceeded to each stop at the same places to ask locals for directions. By the third stop, they realized they were going to the same place, which my driver had not believed when I told him upon first spotting the other passenger.

Eventually the driver of the other car spoke with the right person on the street who knew the way. We finally made the 11 miles to the branch in just under an hour. I told my driver I would either be one hour or three, depending on whether the services were in Hindi or English.

Once inside, I had one of the sweetest experiences of my life. The large branch of about 70 to 80 filled the room. Most of the women wore the traditional 5 meters of unstitched fabric known as a sari. The men were dressed more like Americans. A tall white gentleman sitting on the stand appeared to be the branch president. The first talk was given in Hindi, so I thought I would only be staying for sacrament meeting. Then the next talk was given in a combination of English and Hindi.

I think the speaker was speaking in English and then translating the same words to Hindi, but a couple of times, the English broken by the Hindi did not connect, so he might have been filling in parts of his talk in Hindi. I will never know. The third talk was given by the tall white gentleman, who turned out to be New Delhi India Mission President William Jackson, a doctor by trade from the U.S. and a fantastic teacher of the gospel.

The talks were on the most basic of topics, but never before have I felt such a spirit of strength, true testimony and utter conviction. Although I did not learn any new doctrine from the speakers, my soul felt the true faith of pioneers. I was uplifted in a way I have never before felt. It was a temple-type of experience.

Once sacrament meeting concluded, I think just about every member of the branch came to me and shook my hand, including a kind young brother, Vinjay, who had whispered to me the scriptures being quoted during the talk in Hindi. He excitedly came to speak with me about, of all things, American politics, one of my passions. He was shocked to learn that my positions were the polar opposite of his perception of the majority of Americans.

I spoke with Sylva, a student from Kinshasa, Congo, who came to India to study and is my newest Facebook friend. I also met President Massey, the actual branch president, who is a humble servant of the Lord.

President Jackson taught a combined Sunday School, with at least six investigators visiting, again displaying his heaven-sent teaching ability as he drew an analogy for the plan of salvation. The third hour consisted of a combined meeting, with a discussion based upon Elder L. Tom Perry’s last conference talk led by President Massey.

At the conclusion of the meetings, there was a baptism. Feeling so uplifted, I decided to stay. A sweet baptismal talk preceded the ordinance performed in an outdoor font in the courtyard behind the chapel.

Enjoying Sunday meetings with these pioneers — I was told the New Delhi 1st Branch was the first in India, commissioned only 15 years ago — was such an uplifting experience. To see these faithful members with powerful testimonies of the true gospel of Jesus Christ was an experience that will forever touch my life.

My Easter Talk

2011-04-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, I was given the opportunity to speak to my church congregation. The following are my remarks.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Central to our Father in Heaven’s Plan of Salvation, also known as his Plan of Happiness, he provided for us the Atonement, performed of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Atonement was necessary because our Father in Heaven knew we all would sin. Being in a sinful state creates a separation between us and him. As sinners we cannot be with him, we cannot endure his presence. However, our Father’s greatest desire, his purpose, the reason he is, his “work and [his] glory [is to] bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

In other words, God the Father wants nothing more than for each of us to succeed in this life and be with him again, as beings resurrected just as the Savior was on that original Easter morning.

This is why he has provided the Plan of Salvation for all who ever lived, and an opportunity for every person who has ever lived on this Earth to partake in his plan and be made whole through his atoning sacrifice.

For as we know, physical death did not bring the end of the Savior’s work. Rather, when as a post-moral spirit, he rose to heaven he organized the teaching of those who had not yet known or accepted his gospel in spirit prison so all of Heavenly Father’s children could participate in the Plan of Happiness using the Atonement to fulfill the Law of Justice.

Jesus Christ is indeed our keystone for returning to live with our Father and to become like him. The Savior sees his faithful servants as friends. For the Apostle John (15:14-15) recorded that Christ said:

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

We are told in Exodus 33:11 that “The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.”

In Isaiah 41:8 the Lord called Abraham “my friend”. Even today, Abraham is commonly known in the Middle East as “The Friend of God”.

To the leaders of his restored church, in Doctrine and Covenants section 84, the Savior said: “Ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends” (D&C 84:63).

Later in Section 84, the Lord reiterated: “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends” (D&C 84:77).

Finally, despite rebuking the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Ridgon for their sins, the Savior pauses from his rebuke in Doctrine and Covenants 93:45 saying: “I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me."

As the Savior Jesus Christ is the truest of friends any of us could have, he suffered all possible sufferings so that that he could overcome all and become our advocate to the Father. He understands every sin, pain, heartache, and agony we will ever feel. He knows the depths of depression, loneliness, sickness, and marital strife.

He is there for us. Jesus Christ is always our friend. Take for example the case of Judas Iscariot, the man who pathetically betrayed the Savior of all mankind for the exact price of a slave, as outlined by the Savior himself in the Mosaic law, the amount of 30 pieces of silver, and what did Jesus, the Prince of Peace do?

"[He] said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?" [Matthew 26:50)

Then, as the greatest exemplar of all, he did as he had taught his Apostles, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And Jesus the Christ did exactly that—for us.

But he did not just simply die. He suffered far worse. In his last days his friends turned on him. Others abused him. In the New Testament is it recorded that he was:

Betrayed (Matthew 26:14–16)

Denied (Luke 22:54–62)

Accused (Mark 15:3)

Rejected (Luke 9:22)

Bound (Mark 15:1)

Scourged (John 19:1)

Mocked (Matthew 27:29)

Reviled (Matthew 27:39)

Spit on (Mark 15:19)

Crucified (John 19:17–19)

and

Forsaken (Matt 27:46)

However, despite it all, the Savior:

Was obedient to His Father’s will (Mark 14:36)

He Atoned (Luke 22:41–44)

Healed (Luke 22:50–51)

Held His peace (Mark 14:61)

Forgave (Luke 23:34)

Voluntarily gave His life (John 19:30)

And now he is risen! (Matt 28:6)

Our living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson has said:

“In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”

This is the beauty of the Atonement of Christ, that nothing ended in his death. Rather, and more precisely, everything began as it set in motion the gaining of his body in eternal life and activated the eternal plan for us.

With the bounds of death broken, we will all live again. If we live worthily, living to our potential, the potential that our Father in Heaven has passed on to us as his literal sons and daughters, we will again be reunited with our families. We will live again in love and happiness with our fathers, mothers, children, grandparents, and our brother and friend, Jesus Christ.

In Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s final general conference talk in April 1985, given only days before his death he described the Atonement of Christ quite vividly saying:

“The most important doctrine I can declare, and the most powerful testimony I can bear, is of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

His atonement is the most transcendent event that ever has or ever will occur from Creation’s dawn through all the ages of a never-ending eternity.

It is the supreme act of goodness and grace that only a god could perform. Through it, all of the terms and conditions of the Father’s eternal plan of salvation became operative.

Through it are brought to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Through it, all men are saved from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment.

And through it, all who believe and obey the glorious gospel of God, all who are true and faithful and overcome the world, all who suffer for Christ and his word, all who are chastened and scourged in the Cause of him whose we are—all shall become as their Maker and sit with him on his throne and reign with him forever in everlasting glory. . . .

Two thousand years ago, outside Jerusalem’s walls, there was a pleasant garden spot, Gethsemane by name, where Jesus and his intimate friends were wont to retire for pondering and prayer.

There Jesus taught his disciples the doctrines of the kingdom, and all of them communed with Him who is the Father of us all, in whose ministry they were engaged, and on whose errand they served.

This sacred spot, like Eden where Adam dwelt, like Sinai from whence Jehovah gave his laws, like Calvary where the Son of God gave his life a ransom for many, this holy ground is where the Sinless Son of the Everlasting Father took upon himself the sins of all men on condition of repentance.

We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane.

We know he sweat great drops of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him.

We know he suffered, both body and spirit, more than it is possible for man to suffer, except it be unto death.

We know that in some way, incomprehensible to us, his suffering satisfied the demands of justice, ransomed penitent souls from the pains and penalties of sin, and made mercy available to those who believe in his holy name.

We know that he lay prostrate upon the ground as the pains and agonies of an infinite burden caused him to tremble and would that he might not drink the bitter cup.

We know that an angel came from the courts of glory to strengthen him in his ordeal.

As near as we can judge, these infinite agonies—this suffering beyond compare—continued for some three or four hours.

After this—his body then wrenched and drained of strength—he confronted Judas and the other incarnate devils, some from the very Sanhedrin itself; and he was led away with a rope around his neck, as a common criminal, to be judged by the arch-criminals who as Jews sat in Aaron’s seat and who as Romans wielded Caesar’s power.

They took him to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, and back to Pilate. He was accused, cursed, and smitten. Their foul saliva ran down his face as vicious blows further weakened his pain-engulfed body.

With reeds of wrath they rained blows upon his back. Blood ran down his face as a crown of thorns pierced his trembling brow.

But above it all he was scourged, scourged with forty stripes save one (as was the Jewish custom), scourged with a multithonged whip into whose leather strands sharp bones and cutting metals were woven.

Many died from scourging alone, but he rose from the sufferings of the scourge that he might die an ignominious death upon the cruel cross of Calvary.

Then he carried his own cross until he collapsed from the weight and pain and mounting agony of it all.

Finally, on a hill called Calvary—again, it was outside Jerusalem’s walls—while helpless disciples looked on and felt the agonies of near death in their own bodies, the Roman soldiers laid him upon the cross.

With great mallets they drove spikes of iron through his feet and hands and wrists. Truly he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.

Then the cross was raised that all might see and gape and curse and deride. This they did, with evil venom, for three hours from 9:00 A.M. to noon.

Then the heavens grew black. Darkness covered the land for the space of three hours, as it did among the Nephites. There was a mighty storm, as though the very God of Nature was in agony.

And truly he was, for while he was hanging on the cross for another three hours, from noon to 3:00 P.M., all the infinite agonies and merciless pains of Gethsemane recurred.

And, finally, when the atoning agonies had taken their toll—when the victory had been won, when the Son of God had fulfilled the will of his Father in all things—then he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and he voluntarily gave up the ghost.

After some thirty-eight or forty hours—three days as the Jews measured time—our Blessed Lord came to the Arimathaean’s tomb, where his partially embalmed body had been placed by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea.

Then, in a way incomprehensible to us, he took up that body which had not yet seen corruption and arose in that glorious immortality which made him like his resurrected Father.

He then received all power in heaven and on earth, obtained eternal exaltation, appeared unto Mary Magdalene and many others, and ascended into heaven, there to sit down on the right hand of God the Father Almighty and to reign forever in eternal glory.

His rising from death on the third day crowned the Atonement. Again, in some way incomprehensible to us, the effects of his resurrection pass upon all men so that all shall rise from the grave.

As Adam brought death, so Christ brought life; as Adam is the father of mortality, so Christ is the father of immortality.

And without both, mortality and immortality, man cannot work out his salvation and ascend to those heights beyond the skies where gods and angels dwell forever in eternal glory.

Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths.

Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life.

But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived.

May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement.

We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth.

We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation."

I know the words I have spoken today are true because the Holy Ghost has spoken it in my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Stacey Miles' story

2010-11-08T11:22:00.006-05:00

Here is a little background on Brother Miles.

The gift and power of forgiveness

2010-08-10T11:32:00.002-04:00

Please watch this video and feel the power of the spirit of God testify to your soul of the gift and power of forgiveness through the Savior Jesus Christ.

Inspiration

2010-07-20T06:06:00.003-04:00

I've been contending with many unknowns in my life where I have no control, where I know I must trust in the Lord. This verses in 1 Samuel and Psalms gave me inspiration this morning:

3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
-1 Samuel 30:3-6

I love how this shows that David is human, that he wept as the people did (as a point of clarification, this was before David became the king). Then when the people turned their anger and frustration toward them, David did not continue to feel sorry for himself and he did not turn back to them in anger. Rather, David, trusted or "encouraged himself" in the Lord. It is human to feel sadness for a time when things don't go well. However, it is how we continue on that matters. David continued by trusting in the Lord! In fact, he prayed to God and received an answer as to what he should do.

8 And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
-1 Samuel 30:8

Then David did his part, he did as instructed. He pursued Amalekites, overtook them, and recovered everything they had taken.

This story in 1 Samuel also led me to a Psalm of David that encapsulates his trust in God.

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
-Psalms 56:3-4

It pleases my soul to know and to be continually reminded that when I put my trust in the Lord, he will fight my battles.

How to secure blessings and answers to prayer

2010-07-08T06:52:00.000-04:00

The Lord will bring us his blessings to that extent that we have diligence in keeping his commandments. Each of you, in other words, must stand on your own feet if you will receive the great blessings which the Almighty has in store for you. . . .

Stand upon your own feet, so the Lord can speak to you. In humility be prepared to say with Paul, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me do?’ And with dauntless courage say with the boy Samuel ‘Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.’ Be humble, be prayerful and the Lord will take you by the hand, as it were, and give you answer to your prayers.

-Harold B. Lee, “But Arise and Stand upon Thy Feet”—and I Will Speak with Thee, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, Provo, 7 Feb. 1956, pp. 7, 11

On courage and looking at the bright side

2010-06-21T06:46:00.000-04:00

I came upon this from Joseph F. Smith yesterday and found it to be inspiring:

One of the highest qualities of all true leadership is a high standard of courage. When we speak of courage and leadership we are using terms that stand for the quality of life by which men determine consciously the proper course to pursue and stand with fidelity to their convictions. There has never been a time in the Church when its leaders were not required to be courageous men; not alone courageous in the sense that they were able to meet physical dangers, but also in the sense that they were steadfast and true to a clear and upright conviction.

Leaders of the Church, then, should be men not easily discouraged, not without hope, and not given to forebodings of all sorts of evils to come. Above all things the leaders of the people should never disseminate a spirit of gloom in the hearts of the people. If men standing in high places sometimes feel the weight and anxiety of momentous times, they should be all the firmer and all the more resolute in those convictions which come from a God-fearing conscience and pure lives. Men in their private lives should feel the necessity of extending encouragement to the people by their own hopeful and cheerful intercourse with them, as they do by their utterances in public places. It is a matter of the greatest importance that the people be educated to appreciate and cultivate the bright side of life rather than to permit its darkness and shadows to hover over them.

In order to successfully overcome anxieties in reference to questions that require time for their solution, an absolute faith and confidence in God and in the triumph of his work are essential.

The most momentous questions and the greatest dangers to personal happiness are not always met and solved within oneself, and if men cannot courageously meet the difficulties, and obstacles of their own individual lives and natures, how are they to meet successfully those public questions in which the welfare and happiness of the public are concerned?

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?

2010-06-17T22:10:00.002-04:00

Today while search the scriptures for answers to questions I have in life I came across this powerful verse:

Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll? -Mormon 5:23

What a fantastic lesson and reminder! Sometimes situations in life that seem so dire are truly of little consequence when we look at them through the scope of the grand plan of salvation. Even still, we are in the hands of an all-knowing, all-loving God who understands how we feel no matter how significant the issue in our lives may be!

The Lord also helps us in the small things. Recently my home teacher told a story in elder's quorum about the spirit telling him to not pay out of his own pocket to upgrade to first class (he's a very big guy, coach much be exceptionally uncomfortable for him). Unfortunately, this elicited muffled laughs from some in the quorum, but the spirit witnessed to me the truth of his story. Further, I knew it to be true because I know his character and I know that God is truly aware of and concerned with the smallest things in our lives.

Often patience is the key because the Lord always keeps his promises. Our Heavenly Father repeated a particular promise through his prophets at least 17 times in the Book of Mormon. One example is this:

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you. -Mosiah 2:22

I know that I am most definitely "in the hands of God"! I have seen and felt him lift me up so many times. I know that with patience that if I do my part--keeping the commandments--God knows what is best of me, and will proper my family and I. Of course patients is the most difficult part, but I know this principle to be true.

I KNOW the Book of Mormon is True

2010-05-03T22:30:00.003-04:00

I do not just believe, I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a companion to the Bible, given to us by our creator to bless our lives! The study of this inspired book has changed my life eternally. Though I have a long way to go, it has helped me become more kind, more loving, more charitable, and more grateful for all I am blessed with. The Book of Mormon has help me draw closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book because I read it myself, asked God myself, and received an answer from God for myself that it is true.

I also KNOW that God calls prophets and apostles today, just as he has throughout the history of his church recorded in the Bible. I invite you to watch this video where one of the living apostles of Jesus Christ shares his witness of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

The Testimony of an Apostle of Jesus Christ

2009-10-14T12:00:00.002-04:00

This is one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard.

I add to my testimony wholeheartedly to Elder Holland's. I know the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is the word of God because the Holy Ghost has borne witness to me over and over again of its truth and authenticity. I invite you to study the words of this book and discover for yourself whether it is true (the full text is also available online). For, "by their fruits ye shall know them".

The Constitution and Right Freedom Originate from God

2009-09-14T07:30:00.004-04:00

I believe, as do my fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that God has blessed us with prophets today, just as he did in the Old Testament days before Christ, during Christ’s ministry with the 12 apostles, and briefly after Christ’s ministry as the apostles continued the work until they were killed by the people.

As we learn in the book of Amos:

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Our Father in Heaven has blessed us again today with prophets and apostles. In revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ explained how the Constitution of the United States of America was written according to his will, based upon “just and holy principles” by “wise men” that Christ himself put in place to create the Constitution. These were the same men intricately involved in leading the redemption of this land from English tyranny in the Revolutionary War. The exact words of the Savior:

According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles . . . And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

The prophet Joseph Smith also brought forth convincing evidence that he is a prophet of God, called to restore his true church on the land. This evidence is the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We learn more in the Book of Mormon about God’s influence on America as an ancient military general and prophet named Moroni once blessed this land while praying to God that “the blessings of liberty [will] rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land”.

We are all blessed to live in this land, which has been ordained by God as a land of freedom. The Constitution was inspired by and is ordained by God. Our founding fathers were led by his spirit to create this blessed document that is the standard and foundation of our laws. May we all stand up to defend our Constitution that God himself has blessed us with.

Today's Attempts to Take Away Our Freedom Are Not New

2009-09-04T11:25:00.001-04:00

"Jared rebelled against his father, and came and dwelt in the land of Heth. And it came to pass that he did flatter many people, because of his cunning words, until he had gained the half of the kingdom

And when he had gained the half of the kingdom he gave battle unto his father, and he did carry away his father into captivity, and did make him serve in captivity;

And now, in the days of the reign of Omer he was in captivity the half of his days. And it came to pass that he begat sons and daughters, among whom were Esrom and Coriantumr;

And they were exceedingly angry because of the doings of Jared their brother, insomuch that they did raise an army and gave battle unto Jared. And it came to pass that they did give battle unto him by night.

And it came to pass that when they had slain the army of Jared they were about to slay him also; and he plead with them that they would not slay him, and he would give up the kingdom unto his father. And it came to pass that they did grant unto him his life.

And now Jared became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom and upon the glory of the world.

Now the daughter of Jared being exceedingly expert, and seeing the sorrows of her father, thought to devise a plan whereby she could redeem the kingdom unto her father.

Now the daughter of Jared was exceedingly fair. And it came to pass that she did talk with her father, and said unto him: Whereby hath my father so much sorrow? Hath he not read the record which our fathers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory?

And now, therefore, let my father send for Akish, the son of Kimnor; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before him, and I will please him, that he will desire me to wife; wherefore if he shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto him me to wife, then shall ye say: I will give her if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.

And now Omer was a friend to Akish; wherefore, when Jared had sent for Akish, the daughter of Jared danced before him that she pleased him, insomuch that he desired her to wife. And it came to pass that he said unto Jared: Give her unto me to wife.

And Jared said unto him: I will give her unto you, if ye will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.

And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house of Jared all his kinsfolk, and said unto them: Will ye swear unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I shall desire of you?

And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, and also by the heavens, and also by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.

And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.

And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.

And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired.

And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;

For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.

And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.

And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.

Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.

Source: Ether 8

General Conference Highlight Video

2009-04-17T10:40:00.003-04:00

This is an exceptional summary of the words of today's living Apostles and Prophets, spoken at the most recent conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"May We Declare Ourselves to be More Fully Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ"

2009-04-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

Please enjoy this powerful message.

"May we stand by Jesus Christ "at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death" (Mosiah 18:9) for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."

Honoring Good Friday: A Powerful Testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ

2009-04-10T07:59:00.000-04:00

I love this sermon and testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Are Mormons Christians?

2009-04-06T06:35:00.003-04:00

Are Mormon Christians? Judge for yourself by this statement from a modern-day prophet:

"The fundamental principle of our religion is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it expedient that we center our confidence, our hope, and our trust in one solitary figure? Why is faith in Him so necessary to peace of mind in this life and hope in the world to come?

"Our answers to these questions determine whether we face the future with courage, hope, and optimism or with apprehension, anxiety, and pessimism.

"My message and testimony is this: Only Jesus Christ is uniquely qualified to provide that hope, that confidence, and that strength we need to overcome the world and rise above our human failings. To do so, we must place our faith in Him and live by His laws and teachings."

Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ: Our Savior and Redeemer," Ensign, June 1990, 2

Family Time is Awesome

2009-03-17T08:24:00.001-04:00

The Mormon Church's Response to 'Big Love'

2009-03-15T18:43:00.001-04:00

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as The Mormon Church or the Mormons. Tonight the HBO series Big Love will portray a scene meant to imitate some parts of the ceremony members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participate in while attending the sacred temple. I do not know what exactly Big Love intends to portray nor do I know anything regarding its accuracy. What I do know of and can speak authoritatively on are my own personal experiences in the temple.

I know the temple is the house of God. I can feel the Lord's presence nearer whenever I am in a temple stronger than anywhere else I have ever been in this world. When I attend I feel a peace in my soul, unlike any other experience I have had, regardless of if the temple is in Atlanta, New York City, or Stockholm. This peace is the true happiness God intended for each of us to have. It is the feeling of the world and this life making sense. There is a direct correlation between my temple attendance and my ability to live a Christlike life. The more people that are able to prepare themselves to enter the temple and consistently worship there, the better place this world will be. I know this is true from the bottom of my heart and depths of my soul through my own personal experience.

The Church has published an official response to the 'Big Love' episode. More importantly, it has released the following video, Why Mormons Build Temples.

I hope your Sabbath day has been one spiritual one and I hope we can all love one another a little bit more.

Scott

Why We Should Pay Our Tithes

2009-01-27T07:29:00.001-05:00

"As we faithfully pay our tithes, the Lord will indeed open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. I want each of you to know, and especially my children and grandchildren, that I know, as my grandfather did, that if you always pay an honest tithing, the Lord will bless you. It will be the best investment you will ever make."

--Sheldon F. Child, "The Best Investment," Ensign, May 2008, 81

I testify to you that the Lord has "open the windows of heaved" and poured a blessing out upon my family and I many, many times because we have paid our tithes. I know this is a true principal, and I testify of if in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Gift of Life

2009-01-26T12:29:00.001-05:00

Adoption is about love. There are so many willing parents who are unable to have children or add to their families that would love to raise a baby. Yet millions are murdered through abortion each and every year. Please watch this touching story.

Read Tamra's story here.

Why We Need Prophets

2009-01-19T10:29:00.002-05:00

Prophets are a clarifying voice needed now more than ever with a constant stream of messages reaching us in all directions from a combination of the old and new medias. Prophets bring us God's word. God did not stop revealing his word to men at the end of the New Testament. He is a living God! Man cannot shut his mouth, for God loves us too much to let us go without his teachings and loving influence!

The Holy Bible says: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). By God working through his prophets, we know which of the many messages in this world are from him. Please enjoy this video by Seth Adam Smith highlighting the prophets of this dispensation.

Personal Attributes of Jesus Christ

2009-01-14T05:47:00.005-05:00

While reading in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, a book of modern revelations given to God's prophets for mankind beginning in 1823, I have read many attributes of the Savior Jesus Christ that feel very personal. What makes many of these seem so personal is that many of them are Christ speaking of and describing himself. These passages help me draw nearer to him.

I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not (6:20-21).

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;

Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer (29:1-2).

Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;

The same which knoweth all things, for ball things are present before mine eyes;

I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me (38-1-3).

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life (45:3-5).

And the Father and I are one. I am bin the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall (50:43-44).

Words of the Savior

2009-01-12T05:33:00.004-05:00

I love to read the words of the Savior Jesus Christ. It causes my heart to be so uplifted when I read the collection of modern revelations received over the past 200 years found in the Doctrine and Covenants. For I know that man and man's philosophies cannot stop God from speaking to his children on this Earth. God loves us too much to cut us off, to leave us without prophets, revelation, and doctrine.

These are some of the words of Jesus Christ found in the Doctrine and Covenants that move me deeply:

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 (19:16-19).

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him (18:11).

Hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;

The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;

Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God (34:1-3).

I love reading about the Savior's sacrifice for us in the first person. He is a perfect example of a servant. He took upon himself a burden so great that even he almost could not bare it! Then he gave himself no credit. No, the Savior gave all glory for this insurmountable task he completed to his father, our Heavenly Father.

If we could all serve others that completely, in pure, unconstrained humility, as the Savior did in his great example, this world would be an amazing place, where the Holy Ghost would dwell unconstrained, hearts would be softened, and love would abound.

I know that Jesus Christ lives! I feel is presence dwelling within my heart now as I study and contemplate his words and write what they mean to me. I know that Jesus Christ loves each and every one of us individually with a love so great we cannot comprehend. If nothing else brings you self-esteem when you are down, knowing the Savior can and will! I have personal experience with this when I suffered from the pains of depression. Jesus Christ truly knows how it feels. He can and with sympathize with you and share all the love he has to offer with you. I testify of this truth from the knowledge gained by my own personal experience that I continue to appreciate more as I think back upon it. I share this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Book of Mormon Parallels to American Society

2009-01-08T05:52:00.002-05:00

This morning I was reading Alma chapter 9. In this chapter Alma is calling the predominantly wicked people of the land of Ammonihah to repent. As part of his sermon, Alma said:

Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God.

Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness?

And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?

Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.

I found this passage interesting because I find myself thinking just about the same thing about society in America today.

Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God.

It seems that this nation is becoming more wicked every day. Our fathers, the founding fathers of this great nation, were God-fearing people. It was never their intent that the name of God should not be spoken in public places nor that prayers to the almighty should be banned. The intent of the founding fathers was that a religion should not run the government, which would effectually take away the freedom of the people to follow the religion (or the religion of no religion) of their choice. Our founding fathers wrote the constitution and laid the framework of this nation based upon the commandments of God. Yet we enact laws countering the commandments of God.

Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness?

It was not just dumb luck that led to what at the time was Christopher Columbus' vision of a new world. No, Columbus was led by the hand of God to America, and no one in this nation seems to remember, acknowledge, or believe this (see also 1 Nephi 13:12). For example "Columbus Day" is rarely honored or observed, yet many want to create a holiday for Barack Obama because of his position and race.

And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?

Without the hand of God, there would be no United States of America. We had no business winning the American Revolution. The only reason we won was through the will and power of God and our founding fathers' faith in God and God has continued to preserve this nation.

Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.

We have fought wars, we were attacked by by terrorists in 2001, Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, yet the United States of America has stood strong. Our people have never been taken into bondage. We have not ceased to exist. There is only one reason why, the power of God.

God is real, he lives! I love that I can see his influence in my life every single day if I will but simply look. God's creations are all around us. He shows us his love through his spirit and through the love, kindness, and service of others. It is my hope that the people of this nation will not forget our creator and his daily influence on our lives, that through him we are free to choose most things in this great and promised land of freedom. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Prophet's Sense of Humor

2009-01-05T08:04:00.002-05:00

For me it is comforting to see the wonderful sense of humor of the Prophet and President of God's church on this Earth.

Testimony On The True Meaning of Christmas

2008-12-18T22:06:00.001-05:00

Christian Courage

2008-12-11T07:23:00.001-05:00

"Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage."

-Robert D. Hales, Ensign November 2008

Honoring Mary the Mother of the Savior

2008-12-08T07:57:00.000-05:00

The Last Public Address of an Apostle of Jesus Christ

2008-12-04T12:31:00.003-05:00

This is a clip from Elder Joseph B. Wirthin's final public address, and final public testimony. Elder Wirthin passed away on Monday, December 1. He has long been one of my favorite speakers because of his ability to mix his sense of humor and deliver powerful, spiritual messages from God. He was an amazing man.

Seth Adam Smith is the author of this video. I have used his powerful videos many times on this blog. Thanks for your work too Seth.

Where Those Who Seek To Take Away Our Freedom Will Lead Us

2008-12-01T07:58:00.002-05:00

"And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.

Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.

For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning."

-Ether 8:22-25

Why We Need Religion

2008-11-25T07:46:00.005-05:00

Woe Unto Them That Call Evil Good and Good Evil

2008-11-24T23:13:00.003-05:00

Isaiah 5:20 is a scripture that has significantly stood out in my mind of late.

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

When a "woe" (or a "wo") is pronounced in the scriptures, it is usually a warning. To me, these statements really stand out. A "woe" says to me, "Hey Scott, stop for a second and pay attention. You probably should read this again and maybe a few more times still, because this is really important".

I never thought homosexuality would become so widely accepted and such a divisive issue that this evil would be called good. To me, this is a very clear issue. Homosexual acts are wrong (see Leviticus 18:22) People, and frankly the adversary, disguise this evil as good calling it "love". Even more, those who do good are being called evil. Members of my religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormons, and many other Christian religions doing good and standing up for what is right have had this good reclassified by many as feelings of "hate", "intolerance", "bigotry", and a slew of other names towards those people with the opposite opinion. In general, as Christians, we do not "hate" people, or we are in fact guilty of sin. Rather, we hate the sinful action.

Just because many people commit a sin, even to the point of it gaining popularity, this does not make the sin change to being right or good.

Am I intolerant for my believe that homosexuality is wrong and sinful? By definition, I am. I am absolutely intolerant of this sin. However, this does not mean I hate or even dislike those who act on homosexual desires. I believe they are wrong in their actions, but I do not dislike them and I certainly do not hate them. I believe many people are what some call "born gay", just as every person on this Earth is born with weaknesses. There is nothing wrong with having weaknesses. The sin is acting on the weakness.

A large number of people act on their weaknesses and are open about it, so much so that 48% of voting Californians voted to change the definition of marriage. This still does not make evil good. Sin is and always will be evil, even if many call it by other names. (For a matter of clarity, no one has ever been trying to take away the rights of California citizens. They all have the right to marry one person of the opposite sex. What those opposing Proposition 8 were and are seeking is a special right to change the definition of marriage.)

And thus we see that the end of days is nearing, as wickedness is becoming more predominant in our society.

I know that God lives. I know that all goodness and morality originates from him at the teachings of his holy prophets and apostles. Many of these words are given to us in the holy scriptures. I know that Jesus Christ lived, suffered for our sins so that we can be forgiven and made whole, died, and rose again on the third day that we might also rise again. I know, as I am not perfect, from personal experience in succumbing to my weaknesses that what the great prophet, and he himself once one of the vilest of sinners, Alma taught "wickedness never was happiness" is true. This is my testimony that I share with you from the depths of my heart. In the name of the Redeemer, Prophet, Priest, and King, even Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Amen.

A View of Our Day 1,600 Years Ago

2008-11-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

Moroni, the son of Mormon, who the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is named after, had a vision of our world in this present time approximately 1600 years ago. Speaking of when the Book of Mormon should come forth to many on the Earth, he wrote:

It shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.

And it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness.

Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches.

Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands;

And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.

Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

Mormon 8:26-31

It amazes and touches me reading these words that ancient prophets so clearly saw our day. I know the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is true scripture from God, that it is a companion to the Bible. I know the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored on the Earth in these the latter days and that this church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that my Redeemer lives and that he directs his church through his living prophets and apostles, just as he did in prior ages. This is my testimony that I share with you in the name of the Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Joseph Smith's True Vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son

2008-11-14T21:04:00.003-05:00

November Ward Temple Night

2008-11-10T06:58:00.000-05:00

Friday I had the opportunity to worship at my local temple, the Atlanta Temple, with my wife and her parents during our ward temple night. It was a visit we had planned more than a week earlier. Which, it turned out based upon the week's earlier events in the west, was an opportune time to attend the House of the Lord.

Once inside the temple, I felt throughout my soul what many call "the spirit of the temple". I think people use this phrase because withtin the temple, I am able to feel the Holy Ghost in strength and consistency as I can feel it no where else.

When in the temple, the best way I can describe the Holy Ghost is by one of its other names in the scriptures--the comforter. I felt this very strongly on Friday. It was exceptionally peaceful and comforting to me. I was filled with the Holy Ghost while I was within the temple walls, further strengthening my testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that he truly did live, suffer and die for my sins, set the ultimate example in all things in life and death, and that he does live again!

Attending the temple with my wife and her parents also further strengthened my bonds with each of them. Worshiping together seems to have that effect.

Once we had concluded our worship and we had exited the temple, I felt a significant difference in outside the temple compared to inside of it. There has always been a different feeling inside and out, but this time was (it is most easy to compare and contrast the immediate differences) and is (it still feels different, based upon my memory of how I felt within the temple) especially different. Over time, the world in general has been moving toward a more wicked state. However, based solely on my feelings, the gap between the House of the Lord and the outside world seems to have grown significantly since the last time I felt that contrast, only a month ago. This feeling was and is very clear to me. Things are rapidly changing in this world.

Fortunately, I know that my Savior lives. I know that he lifts me up, that he supports me when I am weak. I know that truth will prevail and that those who seek the truth will find it. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God, our Heavenly Father, speaks to us through his Holy Spirit. I know that I can, and every single person can, feel the Holy Spirit each and every day. I once had a bishop that counseled us to "have a spiritual experience every day, that if we had not had one all day long, to stay on our knees praying until we had one". I know that by striving to follow this counsel, I have become more receptive the promptings of the Holy Ghost, by which our Father in Heaven leads us. This is my sure testimony that I share with you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

How to Vote

2008-11-03T07:05:00.002-05:00

I posted this over the summer, when I came across the quote. I believe the words of this quote are true because I believe in modern revelation and I believe in additional witnesses of Jesus Christ. I would also like to share my testimony that this is a nation under God. That God has established this land as a free land, where we have the right to choose good or evil, freedom or bondage. It is my hope on this eve of the election we as a people will choose freedom. This is my testimony and my hope, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

President Harold B. Lee gave this counsel on how to vote:

"I'll tell you how to vote. You read the 134th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and the 29th chapter of Mosiah, and then pray about it and you'll know exactly whom you should vote for at the election. That's how to vote" (Address to Seminary and Institute Personnel, Brigham Young University, July 8, 1966).

To make it easy for you, here are the references President Lee sited:

Doctrine and Covenants 134:

1 We believe that ^agovernments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men ^baccountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.

2 We believe that no government can exist in ^apeace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the ^bfree exercise of ^cconscience, the right and control of property, and the ^dprotection of life.

3 We believe that all governments necessarily require ^acivil ^bofficers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.

4 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of ^aworship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish ^bguilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.

5 We believe that all men are bound to ^asustain and uphold the respective ^bgovernments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and ^crebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.

6 We believe that every man should be ^ahonored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the ^blaws all men show ^crespect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.

7 We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all ^acitizens in the free exercise of their religious ^bbelief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.

8 We believe that the commission of crime should be ^apunished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public ^bpeace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing ^coffenders against good laws to punishment.

9 We do not believe it just to ^amingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.

10 We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, ^aaccording to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has ^bauthority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world’s goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship.

11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all ^awrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in ^bdefending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.

12 We believe it just to ^apreach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with ^bbond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in ^cservitude.

Mosiah 29:

1 Now when Mosiah had done this he sent out throughout all the land, among all the people, desiring to know their will concerning who should be their king.

2 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: We are desirous that Aaron thy son should be our king and our ruler.

3 Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the king could not confer the kingdom upon him; ^aneither would Aaron take upon him the kingdom; neither were any of the ^bsons of Mosiah ^cwilling to take upon them the kingdom.

4 Therefore king Mosiah sent again among the people; yea, even a written word sent he among the people. And these were the words that were written, saying:

5 Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren, for I esteem you as such, I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to ^aconsider—for ye are desirous to have a king.

6 Now I declare unto you that he to whom the kingdom doth rightly belong has declined, and will not take upon him the kingdom.

7 And now if there should be another appointed in his stead, behold I fear there would rise ^acontentions among you. And who knoweth but what my son, to whom the kingdom doth belong, should turn to be angry and ^bdraw away a part of this people after him, which would cause wars and contentions among you, which would be the cause of shedding much blood and perverting the way of the Lord, yea, and destroy the souls of many people.

8 Now I say unto you let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have any right to destroy another if he should be appointed in his stead.

9 And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things he would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right to the kingdom, which would cause him and also this people to commit much sin.

10 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people.

11 Therefore I will be your king the remainder of my days; nevertheless, let ^aus appoint ^bjudges, to judge this people according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of God.

12 Now it is better that a man should be ^ajudged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just.

13 Therefore, ^aif it were possible that you could have ^bjust men to be your kings, who would establish the ^claws of God, and judge this people according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have men for your kings who would do even as my father ^dBenjamin did for this people—I say unto you, if this could always be the case then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you.

14 And even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of God, and to establish peace throughout the land, that there should be no wars nor contentions, no stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering, nor any manner of iniquity;

15 And whosoever has committed iniquity, him have I ^apunished according to the crime which he has committed, according to the law which has been given to us by our fathers.

16 Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a ^aking or kings to rule over you.

17 For behold, how much ^ainiquity doth one ^bwicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!

18 Yea, remember king Noah, his ^awickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into ^bbondage.

19 And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now.

20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did ^ahumble themselves before him; and because they ^bcried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of ^cmercy towards them that put their ^dtrust in him.

21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous ^aking save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.

22 For behold, he has his ^afriends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God;

23 And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his laws he ^acauseth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and thus an unrighteous ^bking doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.

24 And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such abominations should come upon you.

25 Therefore, choose you by the ^avoice of this people, judges, that ye may be ^bjudged according to the ^claws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.

26 Now it is not common that the ^avoice of the people desireth anything ^bcontrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the ^cpeople to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

27 And ^aif the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

28 And now if ye have judges, and they do not ^ajudge you according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a higher judge.

29 If your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments, ye shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should be gathered together, and they shall judge your higher judges, according to the voice of the people.

30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lord; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no king; that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads.

31 For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been ^acaused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings.

32 And now I desire that this ^ainequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of ^bliberty, and ^cevery man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.

33 And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding unto them all the trials and ^atroubles of a righteous king, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings of the people to their king; and he explained it all unto them.

34 And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every man might ^abear his part.

35 And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they labored under, by having an unrighteous ^aking to rule over them;

36 Yea, all ^ahis iniquities and abominations, and all the wars, and contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities which cannot be enumerated—telling them that these things ought not to be, that they were expressly repugnant to the commandments of God.

37 And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these things forth among the people they were ^aconvinced of the truth of his words.

38 Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal ^achance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins.

39 Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their ^avoices concerning who should be their ^bjudges, to judge them according to the ^claw which had been given them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the ^dliberty which had been granted unto them.

40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they did esteem him more than any other man; for they did not look upon him as a ^atyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that ^blucre which doth ^ccorrupt the soul; for he had not exacted riches of them, neither had he delighted in the shedding of blood; but he had established ^dpeace in the land, and he had granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage; therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.

41 And it came to pass that they did ^aappoint ^bjudges to rule over them, or to judge them according to the law; and this they did throughout all the land.

42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first ^achief judge, he being also the ^bhigh priest, his father having conferred the office upon him, and having given him the charge concerning all the affairs of the church.

43 And now it came to pass that Alma did ^awalk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land.

44 And thus *commenced the ^areign of the judges throughout all the land of Zarahemla, among all the people who were called the Nephites; and Alma was the first and chief judge.

45 And now it came to pass that his father died, being eighty and two years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of God.

46 And it came to pass that Mosiah ^adied also, in the thirty and third year of his reign, being ^bsixty and three years old; making in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem.

47 And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.

The Lord Can Always Be With You

2008-10-05T11:46:00.000-04:00

Jesus taught: "For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angles round about you, to bear you up" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88).

How to Be Born Again in Christ

2008-10-04T07:07:00.000-04:00

"AND now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them.

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.

And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.

And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.

And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.

And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his neighbor, and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him away, and cast him out. I say unto you, that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called.

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen" (Mosiah 5:1-15).

Receiving a Remission of Sins

2008-10-01T06:28:00.002-04:00

"And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.

And I said: Lord, how is it done?

And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole" (Enos 1:2-8).

I know that we can all be forgiven of our sins in the same way Enos was. I know because I have been forgiven of my sins and the power of the Atonement of Christ has taken hold in my life making me whole again. We won't necessarily hear the voice of God, though that is possible, but God will certainly speak to us through the feelings and thoughts given to us by the Holy Ghost.

I know that God live and he answers prayers, including granting forgiveness to anyone who has sinned. It is never too late to repent and return to God. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

In the Depths of Humility

2008-09-29T06:29:00.001-04:00

"Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen" (2 Nephi 4:16-35).

These beautiful words were written by the prophet Nephi a little less than 600 years before Christ. Some call it the Psalm of Nephi. I love the introspection written in such wonderful poetic fashion because I have often felt much the same way as Nephi, and I believe many of us have. It is not often we can have such a personal view into the heart of a prophet of God. I am very grateful that Nephi included this passage in his writings in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

I know that Jesus Christ lives! He truly lives! I know that he suffered and died for my sins and that through him and him alone I can be saved from my sins. I know that I can live again with my Savior in his kingdom. I know that all who seek the Christ can and will know him because he know us! This is my sure testimony that I have been blessed with through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

He That Endureth to the End Shall Be Saved

2008-09-22T05:37:00.005-04:00

Matthew recorded the Savior Jesus Christ's words on enduring to the end being necessary for salvation:

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ adds more testimonies of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ's words to Matthews writings:

"And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father"(3 Nephi 27:16-17).

"14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" (2 Nephi 31:12-20).

Foolish and Blind Guides

2008-09-15T05:49:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we read the following scripture in Sunday School:

"But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?" (Helaman 13:27-29).

This description really blows me away. An amoral character telling us to do whatever we want, telling us that our pride, or doing only what is best for ourselves, not others, such as fighting for their freedom, is all that matters. Then this amoral character is treated like a special being, even a prophet. Then by many people he is held in higher esteem that the general public, where people give him money, even thousands of dollars. Meanwhile these same people find no faults in him, especially the media, only singing his praises because he tells us flattering things like guaranteeing certain things to everyone, even though anyone who actually thinks about it realizes it would be impossible to pay for everyone to have health care and higher education without severely restricting our freedom in how we use our money and handing it over him as our new leader. This truly is a foolish and blind guide, filled with darkness that many have chosen to follow.

Wickedness in the Government

2008-09-12T08:03:00.003-04:00

It has been said that "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

In 23 BC the conditions of the government of one land were in many ways like they are today. The similarities are striking. Here is the record:

"And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those [wicked men] filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men; Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills" (Helaman 7:4-5).

That's something to think about.

The True Keys to Accomplishment

2008-09-12T06:58:00.001-04:00

Lately I have been considering the future quite a frequently. This quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley posted on the LDS Gems site yesterday gave me comfort and a reminder that "sacrifice and faith" are the true keys to accomplishment.

"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences.
"Someone has said, 'It may make a difference to all eternity whether we do right or wrong today' (James Freeman Clarke, in Elbert Hubbard's Scrap Book [1923], 95).

"You have the potential to become anything to which you set your mind. You have a mind and a body and a spirit. With these three working together, you can walk the high road that leads to achievement and happiness. But this will require effort and sacrifice and faith." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-13)

How to Have a Peaceful Country

2008-09-09T05:51:00.003-04:00

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people" (4 Nephi 1:15).

When people love God, they want to be like God, "for God is love" (1 John 4:8). To be like God, people, or society, loves one another. Society chooses to be charitable, helpful, kind, and forgiving. When a society moves away from loving God, greed, murder, and immorality run rampant, which leads to the eventual destruction of that society.

This nation was founded in name of freedom, given to us by God. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" (The Declaration of Independence).

However, with this freedom God has given us comes responsibility. We must strive to love God in our hearts. Our love for him is shown through following his commandments, especially loving our fellow men, as taught in the scriptures. However, as our society uses the liberty God has blessed us with to drift away from him, contentions will surely continue to decrease.

Let's all do a little more to seek God out. Let's do a little more to show love to our neighbors and our friends. I testify to you that when we showing loving-kindness, everybody wins, that society becomes a happier and peaceful place. If we can love others as much as our Heavenly Father loves us, sending his only begotten Son to suffer and die for all of our sins, surely we can show a little more kindness today and make a difference in this world. I share this testimony with you, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Communicating With God

2008-09-04T07:33:00.000-04:00

"When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline" (Robert D. Hales, Ensign, "Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation", Nov. 2006, pp.24-27)

An Apostle's Words on Our Purpose of Life

2008-09-02T05:28:00.000-04:00

"Many people wonder, 'Where did we come from?' 'Why are we here?' 'Where are we going?' Our Eternal Father did not send us to earth on an aimless, meaningless journey. He provided for us a plan to follow. He is the author of that plan. It is designed for man’s progress and ultimate salvation and exaltation. . . ."

God is the Father of our spirits. We are literally His children, and He loves us. We lived as spirit children of our Father in Heaven before we were born on this earth. We were not, however, like our Heavenly Father, nor could we ever become like Him and enjoy all the blessings that He enjoys without the experience of living in mortality with a physical body.
God’s whole purpose—His work and His glory—is to enable each of us to enjoy all His blessings. He has provided a perfect plan to accomplish His purpose. We understood and accepted this plan before we came to the earth (Preach My Gospel, 2004, p. 48).

"Let us be no more tossed to and fro by every worldly wind and doctrine of man (see Ephesians 4:14). We declare to the world that the heavens are open and the truth of God’s eternal plan has again been made known to mankind. We live in the dispensation of the fullness of times. We live in a day when we have the witness through the scriptures of the great plan the Lord has given to His children from the beginning of time down to this present and last dispensation. The evidence is well documented; we are not left alone to wander through mortality without knowing of the master plan which the Lord has designed for His children. He has bound Himself by solemn covenant to give us the blessings of heaven according to our obedience to His law. Oh, remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God has revealed these eternal truths unto us" (L. Tom Perry, Ensign, The Plan of Salvation, Nov. 2006 pp. 69-72).

Where Do We Go When We Die?

2008-08-31T23:37:00.001-04:00

Over the past few days, I have written about where we came from and why we are here. Today's topic is centered on what happen after we die or what to expect after this life.

Death, or the literal separation of our body and our spirit, is unavoidable. However, death is not the end. Death is merely a step on the path. After death, our spirit enters the spirit world (Ecclesiastes 12:7), which is divided with two commonly-known distinctions: heaven and hell. In the scriptures, heaven and hell are also referred to in many ways including as paradise and prison. Essentially, all those who accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ while on this Earth go to paradise and everyone else goes to prison. The prophet Alma wrote:

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil" (Alma 40:11-13).

However, a residence in heaven or hell is not the end. Because God is a merciful God, he still has provided a way that those in hell might be saved. After Christ was crucified, he visited hell, or spirit prison, and began to preach his gospel (1 Peter 3:18-20). This preaching goes on today (Doctrine and Covenants 138). Christ began this teaching in spirit prison so everyone who has ever lived will have an opportunity to choose to accept or reject his gospel, so that they might be judged according to the laws God has given us upon this Earth (1 Peter 4:6).

We will live in the spirit world until the resurrection when, just as Jesus Christ did, our physical body of flesh and bones will be reunited with our spirit in an immortal, perfect state (1 Corinthians 15). This is only possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, because Christ exercised power over death. Resurrection is a free gift given to us by our Savior that all people receive, whether they are righteous or wicked.

Once we are resurrected, we are judged as to our works and the intentions of our hearts at the great and final judgment. In the Apostle John's words:

"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works" (Revelation 20:12-13).

This judgment results in our reward for our performance in mortality where we made many choices. It determines where we will reside as immortals. There are three kingdoms of glory where we have the opportunity to reside called: celestial, terrestrial, and telestial. Paul taught the Corinthians about these kingdoms, "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:40-41). In other words, the greatest glory, reserved for those that fully accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and his Atonement, strove to keeps his commandments, and received all of the saving ordinances, is in the celestial kingdom, or the glory of the sun. Those who lived honorable lives, but did not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ go to the glory of the moon or the terrestrial kingdom. Those who continued to sin unrepentantly receive the telestial kingdom, compared in glory to the stars, relative to the sun and the moon.

Paul also implies that there are multiple degrees of glory within each kingdom "for one star differeth from another star in glory". This statement makes so much sense to me. The idea of a clear-cut heaven and hell in the end does not make a whole lot of sense, in my opinion. Where would that line be drawn? Rather, our merciful Heavenly Father has given us the Plan of Happiness where we will be rewarded according to our faith and our works (James 2:17-26). We are blessed in the life after this based on our individual performance, we are not simply lumped into one of two groups.

I know that the Plan of Salvation is true doctrine. I feel assured that when I die or when those I know and love die, all is well. If you have even been to a Mormon funeral, you would see a total difference in the minds and moods of the attendees for this very reason--we know what happens after death! I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have prepared three distinct kingdoms for us. I know these things because I have asked God in prayer and he has brought peace to my soul, he has given me an assurance of the truth of the Plan of Salvation. I share this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why Are We Here?

2008-08-27T23:34:00.001-04:00

Previously I wrote about "Where Did We Come From". Today I continue our eternal journey with "Why Are We Here?"

We are here to find happiness. The prophet Nephi taught that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).

We are here to gain a physical body, just as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have. As we are human, caused by the fall of Adam, we have an imperfect body that is subject to death. However, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can also break the bands of death, just as he did, and be resurrected with a perfect body of flesh and bones.

We are also here to learn. In our human condition, again created by the fall of Adam, we are in a state of spiritual death, or separation from our Father in Heaven. However, we have the opportunity through faith and our actions to draw close again to our Father in Heaven. Of course the adversary, Satan, is trying to keep us distant from our Father in Heaven, so much of our learning comes from growing strong in faith and resisting temptation by overcoming our natural state. "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless 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 3:19).

The last line of this scripture "willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him" almost seems to conflict with the first purpose I wrote of our being here on this Earth, "to have joy". However, I would submit to you, how would you know joy without sorrow? How would you know how sweet tastes without tasting bitter? God gives us trials and hardships while we are on this Earth so that we might learn, so that we can appreciate what we are blessed with and have joy. Then, once we have found the true gospel of Jesus Christ, we will know the joy it entails!

However, we will make mistakes. We will sin. Heavenly Father, being a merciful God knew this, which is why he provided a Savior for us. Jesus Christ truly suffered and died for our sins. He completed the Atonement where he becomes our mediator, and offers us his grace. He offers us the opportunity to rise again from spiritual death by forgiving us of our sins, allowing us to be near Heavenly Father, piercing our minds and our hearts through the Holy Ghost.

The true gospel provides joy, gained through our opportunities to learn on this Earth, is part of a grander path. This path is where we go after this life. However, without Jesus Christ and his central role in the Plan of Salvation, none of this would be possible. But through Christ's Atonement, we can be made pure again and through his resurrection we can live again, because there truly is life after this life.

Our place in the life after Earth will be determined by what we do while on this Earth for the Apostle James declared "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20-26).

To summarize, we are here to have joy, receive a body, learn, and overcome our natural wickedness so that we might return to our Heavenly Father to the estate we have earned. This is why we are here. I know this is true doctrine. I share it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Also, please watch Jennifer's testimony about what movtivated her to learn more about why we are here.

Next: Where Do We Go When We Die?

Where Did We Come From?

2008-08-26T06:28:00.006-04:00

A basic question that we should all have an answer to is "Where did I come from?" There is an answer. We are quite literally the children of our Heavenly Father. In Acts 17:29 we are taught that "we are the offspring of God".

We existed in a world of spirits with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and all mankind. However, once we reach this Earth, we forget where we came from so that we can learn by finding our way, through faith, study, and prayer. Jesus Christ taught the prophet Jeremiah that "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee" (Jeremiah 1:5). The same applies to all of us, the Lord knew us before we came here.

"Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:56). We learned all that we could learn in the world of spirits, so Heavenly Father created a perfect plan to accomplish his purpose. commissioned the creation of the Earth so that we might continue our learning.

We are here because we chose to follow that plan. In the scriptures this plan is referred to by several names such as the Plan of Salvation, the Plan of Happiness, the Plan of Redemption, and a Merciful Plan. Jesus Christ is central to the plan. Through the Atonement of Christ, we can all be forgiven of our sins and be made pure again, so that we will be able to once again live with our Father in Heaven.

I know that we did live together in the spirit world before this life. I know that I am a child of God and that he sent me here with a purpose and a plan so that I might learn his gospel and return to him. I know that this is only possible through the plan, which centers around Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I know that Jesus Christ took upon himself all sins, so he might serve as my mediator, that I can be made whole again. I know that a merciful Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ live! I know that they know me personally and I know them personally! I know that I love them deeply and they love me deeply! I know that I, like the Prodigal son, can repent of all of my sins, and God will welcome me back into his presence with open arms. I know that these wonderful blessing are available to everyone. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please also watch Isaiah's testimony about where we came from.

Also, please watch Debbie's testimony about the pre-existence.

Next: Why Are We Here?

All Good Comes From God, All Evil Comes From the Devil

2008-08-26T05:37:00.001-04:00

12 Wherefore, all things which are ^agood cometh of God; and that which is ^bevil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to ^csin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is ^aevil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to ^ajudge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the ^aSpirit of Christ is given to every ^bman, that he may ^cknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do ^aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the ^alight by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same ^bjudgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the ^alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a ^bchild of Christ.

Moroni 7:12-19

Freedom is One of the Greatest Gifts Given by God

2008-08-18T23:58:00.003-04:00

In The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a great military leader, Captain Moroni (depicted here to the left), had become frustrated with the people (see Alma 46). There was an uprising in the land. Many people were supporting politicians, if you will, that were in favor of limiting the freedoms of the general public. These politicians came from different backgrounds, ranging from what seemed to be unelected new-comers to elected judges with lesser power than other judges in the land.

The politicians gained the favor of the people by saying what the people wanted to hear. This flattery had garnered the politicians much favor in many parts of the land and a growing number of supporters, even though when the general public scrutinized the politicians closely, they would know that the politicians were only interested in limiting the people's freedom.

The purpose, of course, of limiting freedom is the acquisition of power. The more people rely on their leaders or their government, the more power the general public willingly cedes to their rulers. Generally, arguments are made about how much the politician cares for us and our well-being, when in reality, the politician desires us to need them, thus giving him power.

In this political climate, Captain Moroni, it seemed, became incensed, in my opinion, because of the large number of people willing to follow that which sounded good, without critically thinking about the consequences of the flattering words. So Moroni tore his coat and wrote on it: "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" (Alma 46:12).

Then Captain Moroni took this flag, fastened it onto a pole, put on his full battle armor, and prayed for everyone around him. After that Captain Moroni stood and he stood for something. Captain Moroni stood for one of the greatest gifts God has given us, the freedom to choose. He went about in the land proclaiming freedom, which in some parts of the land was probably not popular, though those who were against freedom certainly had created new names for their causes (because who is really going to proclaim to be anti-freedom), they still likely despised Captain Moroni's heroic efforts.

I love the freedom that living in the United States of America gives me. I know that God appointed this land to be a free nation from its birth so that his church could be restored. I also know that there are those who take advantage of this freedom and use flattering words to attempt to gain power on both sides of the aisle, with the intent to whittle away at our freedom little by little. However, I know that righteousness will prevail, that in the last days God will preserve his people.

In the up coming elections, I will ask God in my prayers who will do the best at upholding our freedom. This is who I will vote for. I will not vote strategically or vote against someone. I will stand for something and vote for someone. I hope you are willing to do the same.

Why I Choose Mormonism

2008-08-18T22:03:00.002-04:00

The purpose of this blog is to show why I choose to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormonism, and to share these feelings and bits and pieces of our complex yet simple doctrine. Today I found another faithful member's blog titled "Why I Choose Mormonism". It's awesome. Check it out.

The Divine Institution of Marriage

2008-08-13T22:01:00.000-04:00

Originally located here at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints newsroom, this paper is the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on marriage.

The Divine Institution of Marriage

SALT LAKE CITY 13 August 2008

Introduction

The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at http://www.protectmarriage.com/).

On June 20, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church distributed a letter about “Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families,” announcing the Church’s participation with the coalition. The letter, which was read in Latter-day Saints’ church services in California, asked that Church members “do all [they] can to support the proposed constitutional amendment.”

Members of the Church in Arizona and Florida will also be voting on constitutional amendments regarding marriage in their states, where coalitions similar to California’s are now being formed.

The focus of the Church’s involvement is specifically same-sex marriage and its consequences. The Church does not object to rights (already established in California) regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference.

The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.

The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.

As Church members decide their own appropriate level of involvement in protecting marriage between a man and a woman, they should approach this issue with respect for others, understanding, honesty, and civility.

Intending to reduce misunderstanding and ill will, the Church has produced the following document, “The Divine Institution of Marriage,” and provided the accompanying links to other materials, to explain its reasons for defending marriage between a man and a woman as an issue of moral imperative.

The Divine Institution of Marriage

Marriage is sacred, ordained of God from before the foundation of the world. After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” ^[1] Jesus Christ cited Adam’s declaration when he affirmed the divine origins of the marriage covenant: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.” ^[2]

In 1995, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declared the following unchanging truths regarding marriage:

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children . . . The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

The Proclamation also teaches, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” The account in Genesis of Adam and Eve being created and placed on earth emphasizes the creation of two distinct genders: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” ^[3]

Marriage between a man and a woman is central to the plan of salvation. The sacred nature of marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. Only a man and a woman together have the natural biological capacity to conceive children. This power of procreation – to create life and bring God’s spirit children into the world – is sacred and precious. Misuse of this power undermines the institution of the family and thereby weakens the social fabric. ^[4] Strong families serve as the fundamental institution for transmitting to future generations the moral strengths, traditions, and values that sustain civilization. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.” ^[5]

Marriage is not primarily a contract between individuals to ratify their affections and provide for mutual obligations. Rather, marriage and family are vital instruments for rearing children and teaching them to become responsible adults. While governments did not invent marriage, throughout the ages governments of all types have recognized and affirmed marriage as an essential institution in preserving social stability and perpetuating life itself. Hence, regardless of whether marriages were performed as a religious rite or a civil ceremony, married couples in almost every culture have been granted special benefits aimed primarily at sustaining their relationship and promoting the environment in which children are reared. A husband and a wife do not receive these benefits to elevate them above any other two people who may share a residence or social tie, but rather in order to preserve, protect, and defend the all-important institutions of marriage and family.

It is true that some couples who marry will not have children, either by choice or because of infertility, but the special status of marriage is nonetheless closely linked to the inherent powers and responsibilities of procreation, and to the inherent differences between the genders. Co-habitation under any guise or title is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.

High rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births have resulted in an exceptionally large number of single parents in American society. Many of these single parents have raised exemplary children; nevertheless, extensive studies have shown that in general a husband and wife united in a loving, committed marriage provide the optimal environment for children to be protected, nurtured, and raised. ^[6] This is not only because of the substantial personal resources that two parents can bring to bear on raising a child, but because of the differing strengths that a father and a mother, by virtue of their gender, bring to the task. As the prominent sociologist David Popenoe has said:

The burden of social science evidence supports the idea that gender differentiated parenting is important for human development and that the contribution of fathers to childrearing is unique and irreplaceable. ^[7]

Popenoe explained that:

. . . The complementarity of male and female parenting styles is striking and of enormous importance to a child’s overall development. It is sometimes said that fathers express more concern for the child’s longer-term development, while mothers focus on the child’s immediate well-being (which, of course, in its own way has everything to do with a child’s long-term well-being). What is clear is that children have dual needs that must be met: one for independence and the other for relatedness, one for challenge and the other for support. ^[8]

Social historian David Blankenhorn makes a similar argument in his book Fatherless America. ^[9] In an ideal society, every child would be raised by both a father and a mother.

Challenges to Marriage and Family

Our modern era has seen traditional marriage and family – defined as a husband and wife with children in an intact marriage – come increasingly under assault. Sexual morality has declined and infidelity has increased. Since 1960, the proportion of children born out of wedlock has soared from 5.3 percent to 38.5 percent (2006). ^[10] Divorce has become much more common and accepted, with the United States having one of the highest divorce rates in the world. Since 1973, abortion has taken the lives of over 45 million innocents. ^[11] At the same time, entertainment standards continue to plummet, and pornography has become a scourge afflicting and addicting many victims. Gender differences increasingly are dismissed as trivial, irrelevant, or transient, thus undermining God’s purpose in creating both men and women.

In recent years in the United States and other countries, a movement has emerged to promote same-sex marriage as an inherent or constitutional right. This is not a small step, but a radical change: instead of society tolerating or accepting private, consensual sexual behavior between adults, advocates of same-sex marriage seek its official endorsement and recognition.

Court decisions in Massachusetts (2004) and California (2008) have allowed same-sex marriages. This trend constitutes a serious threat to marriage and family. The institution of marriage will be weakened, resulting in negative consequences for both adults and children.

In November 2008, California voters will decide whether to amend their state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined in a broad coalition of other denominations, organizations, and individuals to encourage voter approval of this amendment.

The people of the United States – acting either directly or through their elected representatives – have recognized the crucial role that traditional marriage has played and must continue to play in American society if children and families are to be protected and moral values propagated.

Forty-four states have passed legislation making clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. More than half of those states, twenty-seven in all, have done so by constitutional amendments like the ones pending in California, Arizona, and Florida. ^[12]

In contrast, those who would impose same-sex marriage on American society have chosen a different course. Advocates have taken their case to the state courts, asking judges to remake the institution of marriage that society has accepted and depended upon for millennia. Yet, even in this context, a broad majority of courts – six out of eight state supreme courts – have upheld traditional marriage laws. Only two, Massachusetts and now California, have gone in the other direction, and then, only by the slimmest of margins – 4 to 3 in both cases.

In sum, there is very strong agreement across America on what marriage is. As the people of California themselves recognized when they voted on this issue just eight years ago, traditional marriage is essential to society as a whole, and especially to its children. Because this question strikes at the very heart of the family, because it is one of the great moral issues of our time, and because it has the potential for great impact upon the family, the Church is speaking out on this issue, and asking members to get involved.

Tolerance, Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom

Those who favor homosexual marriage contend that “tolerance” demands that they be given the same right to marry as heterosexual couples. But this appeal for “tolerance” advocates a very different meaning and outcome than that word has meant throughout most of American history and a different meaning than is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior taught a much higher concept, that of love. “Love thy neighbor,” He admonished. ^[13] Jesus loved the sinner even while decrying the sin, as evidenced in the case of the woman taken in adultery: treating her kindly, but exhorting her to “sin no more.” ^[14] Tolerance as a gospel principle means love and forgiveness of one another, not “tolerating” transgression.

In today’s secular world, the idea of tolerance has come to mean something entirely different. Instead of love, it has come to mean condone – acceptance of wrongful behavior as the price of friendship. Jesus taught that we love and care for one another without condoning transgression. But today’s politically palatable definition insists that unless one accepts the sin he does not tolerate the sinner.

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained,

Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination. ^[15]

The Church does not condone abusive treatment of others and encourages its members to treat all people with respect. However, speaking out against practices with which the Church disagrees on moral grounds – including same-sex marriage – does not constitute abuse or the frequently misused term “hate speech.” We can express genuine love and friendship for the homosexual family member or friend without accepting the practice of homosexuality or any re-definition of marriage.

Legalizing same-sex marriage will affect a wide spectrum of government activities and policies. Once a state government declares that same-sex unions are a civil right, those governments almost certainly will enforce a wide variety of other policies intended to ensure that there is no discrimination against same-sex couples. This may well place “church and state on a collision course.” ^[16]

The prospect of same-sex marriage has already spawned legal collisions with the rights of free speech and of action based on religious beliefs. For example, advocates and government officials in certain states already are challenging the long-held right of religious adoption agencies to follow their religious beliefs and only place children in homes with both a mother and a father. As a result, Catholic Charities in Boston has stopped offering adoption services.

Other advocates of same-sex marriage are suggesting that tax exemptions and benefits be withdrawn from any religious organization that does not embrace same-sex unions. ^[17] Public accommodation laws are already being used as leverage in an attempt to force religious organizations to allow marriage celebrations or receptions in religious facilities that are otherwise open to the public. Accrediting organizations in some instances are asserting pressure on religious schools and universities to provide married housing for same-sex couples. Student religious organizations are being told by some universities that they may lose their campus recognition and benefits if they exclude same-sex couples from club membership. ^[18]

Many of these examples have already become the legal reality in several nations of the European Union, and the European Parliament has recommended that laws guaranteeing and protecting the rights of same-sex couples be made uniform across the EU. ^[19] Thus, if same-sex marriage becomes a recognized civil right, there will be substantial conflicts with religious freedom. And in some important areas, religious freedom may be diminished.

How Would Same-Sex Marriage Affect Society?

Possible restrictions on religious freedom are not the only societal implications of legalizing same-sex marriage. Perhaps the most common argument that proponents of same-sex marriage make is that it is essentially harmless and will not affect the institution of traditional heterosexual marriage in any way. “It won’t affect you, so why should you care?’ is the common refrain. While it may be true that allowing single-sex unions will not immediately and directly affect all existing marriages, the real question is how it will affect society as a whole over time, including the rising generation and future generations. The experience of the few European countries that already have legalized same-sex marriage suggests that any dilution of the traditional definition of marriage will further erode the already weakened stability of marriages and family generally. Adopting same-sex marriage compromises the traditional concept of marriage, with harmful consequences for society.

Aside from the very serious consequence of undermining and diluting the sacred nature of marriage between a man and a woman, there are many practical implications in the sphere of public policy that will be of deep concern to parents and society as a whole. These are critical to understanding the seriousness of the overall issue of same-sex marriage.

When a man and a woman marry with the intention of forming a new family, their success in that endeavor depends on their willingness to renounce the single-minded pursuit of self-fulfillment and to sacrifice their time and means to the nurturing and rearing of their children. Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act: legally protected because only a male and female together can create new life, and because the rearing of children requires a life-long commitment, which marriage is intended to provide. Societal recognition of same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment. By definition, all same-sex unions are infertile, and two individuals of the same gender, whatever their affections, can never form a marriage devoted to raising their own mutual offspring.

It is true that some same-sex couples will obtain guardianship over children –through prior heterosexual relationships, through adoption in the states where this is permitted, or by artificial insemination. Despite that, the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? Traditional marriage provides a solid and well-established social identity to children. It increases the likelihood that they will be able to form a clear gender identity, with sexuality closely linked to both love and procreation. By contrast, the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. Is it really wise for society to pursue such a radical experiment without taking into account its long-term consequences for children?

As just one example of how children will be adversely affected, the establishment of same-sex marriage as a civil right will inevitably require mandatory changes in school curricula. When the state says that same-sex unions are equivalent to heterosexual marriages, the curriculum of public schools will have to support this claim. Beginning with elementary school, children will be taught that marriage can be defined as a relation between any two adults and that consensual sexual relations are morally neutral. Classroom instruction on sex education in secondary schools can be expected to equate homosexual intimacy with heterosexual relations. These developments will create serious clashes between the agenda of the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children traditional standards of morality.

Finally, throughout history the family has served as an essential bulwark of individual liberty. The walls of a home provide a defense against detrimental social influences and the sometimes overreaching powers of government. In the absence of abuse or neglect, government does not have the right to intervene in the rearing and moral education of children in the home. Strong families are thus vital for political freedom. But when governments presume to redefine the nature of marriage, issuing regulations to ensure public acceptance of non-traditional unions, they have moved a step closer to intervening in the sacred sphere of domestic life. The consequences of crossing this line are many and unpredictable, but likely would include an increase in the power and reach of the state toward whatever ends it seeks to pursue.

The Sanctity of Marriage

Strong, stable families, headed by a father and mother, are the anchor of civilized society. When marriage is undermined by gender confusion and by distortions of its God-given meaning, the rising generation of children and youth will find it increasingly difficult to develop their natural identity as a man or a woman. Some will find it more difficult to engage in wholesome courtships, form stable marriages, and raise yet another generation imbued with moral strength and purpose.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to become involved, along with many other churches, organizations, and individuals, in defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because it is a compelling moral issue of profound importance to our religion and to the future of our society.

The final line in the Proclamation on the Family is an admonition to the world from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” This is the course charted by Church leaders, and it is the only course of safety for the Church and for the nation.

________________________________________________

[1] Genesis 2:24.

[2] Matthew 19:4-6.

[3] Genesis 1:27.

[4] M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest,” Ensign, November 2005, p. 41.

[5] United Nations, “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III), 10 December 1948.

[6] David Blankenhorn, Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem (New York: Basic Books, 1995); Barbara Schneider, Allison Atteberry, and Ann Owens, Family Matters: Family Structure and Child Outcomes (Birmingham AL: Alabama Policy Institute: June 2005); David Popenoe, Life Without Father (New York: Martin Kessler Books, 1996); David Popenoe and Barbara Defoe Whitehead, The State of Our Unions 2007: The Social Health of Marriage in America (Piscataway, NJ (Rutgers University): The National Marriage Project, July 2007 ) pp. 21-25; and Maggie Gallagher and Joshua K. Baker, “Do Moms and Dads Matter? Evidence from the Social Sciences on Family Structure and the Best Interests of the Child,” Margins Law Journal 4:161 (2004).

[7] David Popenoe, Life Without Father (New York: The Free Press, 1996) p. 146.

[8] Ibid., p. 145. See also Spencer W. Kimball, “The Role of Righteous Women,” Ensign, November 1979, pp. 102-104.

[9] David Blankenhorn, Fatherless America, pp. 219-220.

[10] Stephanie J. Ventura and Christine A. Bachrach, “Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States, 1940-99,” National Vital Statistics Reports 48:16 (18 October 2000); and Brady E. Hamilton, Joyce A. Martin, and Stephanie J. Ventura, “Births: Preliminary Data for 2006,” National Vital Statistics Reports 56:7 (5 December 2007).

[11] Alan Guttmacher Institute, “Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States,” In Brief, July 2008.

[12] Christine Vestal, “California Gay Marriage Ruling Sparks New Debate,” stateline.org, 16 May 2008, updated 12 June 2008. Stateline.org is funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

[13] Matt. 19:19.

[14] John 8:11.

[15] Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Weightier Matters,” BYU Devotional speech, 9 February 1999.

[16] Maggie Gallagher, “Banned in Boston: The Coming Conflict Between Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty,” The Weekly Standard, 15 May 2006.

[17] Jonathan Turley, “An Unholy Union: Same-Sex Marriage and the Use of Governmental Programs to Penalize Religious Groups with Unpopular Practices,” in Douglas Laycock, Jr., et al., eds., Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2008, forthcoming).

[18] Marc D. Stern, “Gay Marriage and the Churches, paper delivered at the Scholar’s Conference on Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty, sponsored by the The Beckett Fund, 4 May 2006.

[19] “European Parliament Resolution on homophobia in Europe,” adopted 18 January 2006.

The Pathway of Discipleship

2008-08-13T08:10:00.002-04:00

"Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life.

For me, the Prophet Joseph Smith has always exemplified the pure love of Christ. Many asked why he gained so many followers and retained them. His answer: 'It is because I possess the principle of love' (Mark L. McConkie, Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith [2003], 57)."

(Joseph B. Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment", Ensign, Nov. 2007)

How Can Justice and Mercy Be Fulfilled?

2008-08-10T12:16:00.001-04:00

"22 But there is a law given, and a ^apunishment affixed, and a ^brepentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the ^claw, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.

23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and ^amercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the ^batonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the ^cresurrection of the dead; and the ^dresurrection of the dead bringeth ^eback men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be ^fjudged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also ^amercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

25 What, do ye suppose that ^amercy can rob ^bjustice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God" (Alma 42:22-25).

How to Worship God

2008-08-08T09:01:00.002-04:00

From one of Christ's disciples:

"To worship the Lord is to follow after him, to seek his face, to believe his doctrine, and to think his thoughts.

It is to walk in his paths, to be baptized as Christ was, to preach that gospel of the kingdom which fell from his lips, and to heal the sick and raise the dead as he did.

To worship the Lord is to put first in our lives the things of his kingdom, to live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, to center our whole hearts upon Christ and that salvation which comes because of him.

It is to walk in the light as he is in the light, to do the things that he wants done, to do what he would do under similar circumstances, to be as he is.

To worship the Lord is to walk in the Spirit, to rise above carnal things, to bridle our passions, and to overcome the world.

It is to pay our tithes and offerings, to act as wise stewards in caring for those things which have been entrusted to our care, and to use our talents and means for the spreading of truth and the building up of his kingdom.

To worship the Lord is to be married in the temple, to have children, to teach them the gospel, and to bring them up in light and truth.

It is to perfect the family unit, to honor our father and our mother; it is for a man to love his wife with all his heart and to cleave unto her and none else.

To worship the Lord is to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

It is to work on a welfare project, to administer to the sick, to go on a mission, to go home teaching, and to hold family home evening.

To worship the Lord is to study the gospel, to treasure up light and truth, to ponder in our hearts the things of his kingdom, and to make them part of our lives.

It is to pray with all the energy of our souls, to preach by the power of the Spirit, to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.

To worship is to work, to be actively engaged in a good cause, to be about our Father’s business, to love and serve our fellowmen.

It is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to comfort those that mourn, and to hold up the hands that hang down and to strengthen the feeble knees.

To worship the Lord is to stand valiantly in the cause of truth and righteousness, to let our influence for good be felt in civic, cultural, educational, and governmental fields, and to support those laws and principles which further the Lord’s interests on earth.

To worship the Lord is to be of good cheer, to be courageous, to be valiant, to have the courage of our God-given convictions, and to keep the faith.

It is ten thousand times ten thousand things. It is keeping the commandments of God. It is living the whole law of the whole gospel.

To worship the Lord is to be like Christ until we receive from him the blessed assurance: “Ye shall be even as I am” (3 Nephi 28:10).

These are sound principles. As we ponder them in our hearts, I am sure we shall know increasingly of their verity.

True and perfect worship is in fact the supreme labor and purpose of man. God grant that we may write in our souls with a pen of fire the command of the Lord Jesus: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Luke 4:8); and may we in fact and with living reality worship the Father in spirit and in truth, thereby gaining peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come" (Bruce R. McConkie, “How to Worship,” Ensign, Dec 1971, 129).

The Blogging Bishop

2008-08-07T14:21:00.001-04:00

TD, the "Blogging Bishop" has plenty of good stuff. Go check it out.

A Hope in Christ

2008-08-07T08:20:00.003-04:00

Today I was comforted by God through reading this passage:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5)

Testimony Meeting

2008-08-04T05:58:00.002-04:00

At my church the first Sunday of each month is set aside for the members of the congregation to bear testimony of their beliefs. Yesterday was such a day. From the start of the meeting, I felt the Holy Ghost compelling me to stand in front of our congregation and bear witness of the things I know to be true. After the hymn preceding the sacrament and the administration of the sacrament, the bearing of testimonies began. The spirit only compelled me further rise and speak from my heart. I had several thought in my mind of the things most precious to me, such as my family, that I am so grateful for, that I know I can be united with forever through God's great Plan of Salvation.

Yet when I rose to speak and began to walk to the pulpit, which, let me tell you, usually feels like a long walk, but in this particular case it was a near-excruciatingly long walk, as we had been a little late and were sitting on the back row. I felt all eyes in the congregation on me. I should have felt like I needed something overwhelming and powerful to say. The build up almost demanded it. However, my mind was clear. I knew I was walking to the pulpit guided by the Holy Ghost. I would say what he would have me say. For God knows I have a deep and sincere testimony of his gospel. As I walked, I looked over at our gentle, kind bishop who is always smiling, cracked a giant grin of my own, and felt peace and comfort of his love.

As I reached the pulpit, I began to bear witness about how dearly I love the scriptures starting my day in their pages, with my heart and mind opened to the Holy Ghost, allowing the Holy Ghost to remain with me throughout my day. I also spoke about the stark contrast of days that I do not start in the scriptures, which I unfortunately have had many of in the past few weeks. This still amazes me that it has happened because I have been in the habit of scripture study every morning for quite awhile. But as I spoke about the extreme differences, I felt my testimony of the scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit only increase further and I felt forgiveness for slipping from my study commitment. I know that God has given us the Holy Ghost to teach us in all things, to discern between good and evil, to delineate between light and darkness. I know that the Holy Ghost will be our companion in all aspects of life, spiritual and temporal. I am a better employee because of the influence of the Holy Ghost. I am a better father because of the influence of the Holy Ghost. And I am nearer to God because of the influence of the Holy Ghost.

After speaking about this subject, which I had intended to speak on, I spoke about other subjects, including the Prophet, President Monson, that though I have a testimony of, I had taken no thought to before the minute I spoke the words. Clearly, our Father in Heaven had some things he wanted me to say, with which he influenced my mind through the Holy Ghost.

Following the meeting, several people thanked me for my testimony. I always feel very strange when this happens, because I do not share my testimony, my deepest beliefs, the things in my set of beliefs that the Holy Ghost centers my mind around, to be acclaimed of men. I share by beliefs because they are in the deepest recesses of my heart, often having left to realm of faith to becoming actual knowledge. So I am almost embarrassed in this situation. I expressed this feeling to my amazing wife. She reminded me that when people comment on my testimony it is more to say that something I said touched their heart. She, of course, was correct, which really brought it all together.

By sharing my testimony and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me, I grew a little more spiritually. At the same time, whatever I said, or however my words were organized, influenced others who were prepared through the Holy Spirit, allowing them to grow a little more spiritually. So, through my testimony and the testimony of everyone else who also felt compelled to rise and share their beliefs at the pulpit, all who were seeking in the congregation drew a little closer to God, and that is the purpose to true worship.

What is The Book of Mormon?

2008-07-31T09:05:00.003-04:00

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

After Mormon completed his writings, he delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added a few words of his own and hid up the plates in the hill Cumorah. On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language.

In due course the plates were delivered to Joseph Smith, who translated them by the gift and power of God. The record is now published in many languages as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that all who will come unto him and obey the laws and ordinances of his gospel may be saved

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

In addition to Joseph Smith, the Lord provided for eleven others to see the gold plates for themselves and to be special witnesses of the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon. Their written testimonies are included herewith as “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” and “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses.”

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10: 3-5.)

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah.

From The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Introduction.

The Power of Faith

2008-07-28T07:56:00.003-04:00

I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.

Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.

Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?

And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?

I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?

Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.

And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?

Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every man according to his work.

And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned.

And now, my beloved brethren, as ye have desired to know of me what ye shall do because ye are afflicted and cast out—now I do not desire that ye should suppose that I mean to judge you only according to that which is true—

For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.

Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.

And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you (Alma 32:8-43).

“Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase in faith” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1987).

“Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it hey are upheld, by it they are hanged, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God. Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation nor existence” (Joseph Smith Lectures on Faith, 1:24).

“Could faith be the answer? We all know that more faith won’t make our problems disappear. But I believe as our faith increases, we become more able to not only survive the hard times but become better because of them. . . . faith means that I really believe that:

• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, and they are in charge of this world.
• They know me.
• They love me.
• They have a plan for my future.
• I will obey the commandments, work hard, and trust in their plan. Sooner or later, everything will be okay” (Virginia H. Pearce, Ensign, May 1994).

I know that by faith we can know all things. I know it is a true principle that as I exercise faith in a concept for long enough, it becomes a perfect knowledge. I see this change in my life with many principles. Faith is the first building block of everything spiritual. I know this is true and I share it with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God Continues to Speak to Us and His Church

2008-07-24T22:22:00.001-04:00

Find the full text of this sermon here.

A Testimony Brings a Fullness of Joy

2008-07-22T07:54:00.002-04:00

I know the spiritual things I know because God has taught them to me. I have seen his influence in my life as I "counsel with the Lord in all [my] doings" and continually "he will direct [me] for good" (Alma 37:37). God truly shows his love for me by guiding and directing me in ways where I could have never foreseen the outcome, in ways that are far better that my intended path. God has blessed me in this manner so many times, I cannot count them.

I am not a blind follower. I truly know that I know! For "it is a grand thing to know—and to know that you know and that the light has not been borrowed from another" (Douglas L. Callister, Ensign, Nov. 2007). I have been blessed with my own light of truth and knowledge, given to me by God the Father through the Holy Ghost. As I act on this knowledge, it continues to grow and I draw nearer to Jesus Christ.

It is a nearly indescribable feeling to have a testimony independent of any other person that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one true church on this Earth, that God lives, that he is concerned with all things in my life, that Jesus Christ lives again, as a resurrected being after he took my sins upon himself, and died for me that I might have the opportunity to repent, and live with him and God the Father again in their kingdom! I know it is true because I have done as Jesus Christ taught, recorded in the Book of John, I have asked the father in Jesus' name, received an answer that the LDS Church is true, that all these principles I have mentioned and many others are true, and my joy is full (John 16:23-24)!

Blind Obedience?

2008-07-22T07:51:00.001-04:00

"We all act upon or give obedience to knowledge. Whether in science or religion, our obedience is not blind when we act upon knowledge suited to the subject of our action. A scientist receives and acts upon a trusted certification of the content or conditions of a particular experiment. In matters of religion, a believer’s source of knowledge is spiritual, but the principle is the same. In the case of Latter-day Saints, when the Holy Ghost gives our souls a witness of the truth of the restored gospel and the calling of a modern prophet, our choice to follow those teachings is not blind obedience" (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, May 2008).

There is Nothing Wrong With an Honest Mistake. . . .

2008-07-16T22:20:00.003-04:00

"There is a big difference between an honest mistake made in a moment of spiritual weakness and a willful decision to disobey persistently the commandments of God. Those who deliberately choose to violate god's commandments or ignore the standards of the Church, even when promising themselves and others that someday they will be strong enough to repent, are stepping onto a dangerously slippery slope upon which many have lost their spiritual footing" (M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, November 1997).

See also 3 Nephi 6:18.

Modern Day Scripture's Relation to the Bible

2008-07-15T08:12:00.003-04:00

From a talk given by Apostle Russell M. Nelson:

Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible.

Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was “written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also” (Mormon 7:9). Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets (D&C 5:10).

Love for the Book of Mormon expands one’s love for the Bible and vice versa. Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible. We are indebted to martyrs who gave their lives so that we could have the Bible. It establishes the everlasting nature of the gospel and of the plan of happiness. The Book of Mormon restores and underscores biblical doctrines such as tithing (Alma 13:15; 3 Nephi 24:8–10), the temple (2 Nephi 5:16; Jacob 1:17; Jacob 2:2, 11; Mosiah 2:5–7), the Sabbath day (Mosiah 13:16–19; 18:23), and the priesthood (2 Nephi 6:2; Mosiah 18:18; Alma 6:1; Alma 13:1–3, 6–11; 3 Nephi 18:5; Moroni 3:1–4).

The Greatest Nation--The United States of America

2008-07-14T07:45:00.000-04:00

The only event that can bring down the United States of America is the people of the United States of America. This truly is the greatest nation on this Earth, set apart as a free country for the righteous. If we continually repent of our sins and serve Jesus Christ, God will prosper us. If we continue to become more wicked, we will be removed from this great land. As the prophet Mormon prophesied over 1,600 years ago:

[The Lord] would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.

And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.

And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.

For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written (Book of Mormon | Ether 2:7 - 12).

Why We Should Pray

2008-07-13T22:21:00.000-04:00

Luke, among others, recorded Jesus’ commandment “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (New Testament | Luke 18:1).

Amulek taught even more specifically about prayer in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ:

Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.
Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.
Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.
Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:18 - 27).

As we keep the commandments, including this one to pray always, we are taught by Amulek’s companion Alma that “inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land” (Book of Mormon | Alma 36:30).

I have seen and felt many times in my life when keeping the commandments, especially the commandment to pray always, which brings me closer to God, which softens my heart, and makes it easier to obey God’s commandments, that my station in life has improved. At times, I have been prospered spiritually, at other times I have been prospered temporally, and at times in both ways!

I know that God keeps his promises and that he loves us. I know that God lives! I have seen and felt his presence many, many times in my life. His Holy Spirit is my constant companion, if I choose to allow it to enter my heart and mind. He does make my bosom burn inside of me the same way that Christ’s Apostles during his time ministering on the Earth did burn (Luke 24:32). I know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his son, and that through the Holy Ghost he does testify to us of all things, if we will but pray always. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

View Tour of the Twin Falls LDS Temple

2008-07-12T01:51:00.000-04:00

Government Indifference to Freedom

2008-07-11T08:17:00.005-04:00

"And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.

Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites [their enemies] over them.

And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country" (Book of Mormon | Alma 59:11-13).

Within the current political landscape, one where politicians tell us we "deserve" things, one where many people feel "entitled" to things, all of which carry a price, that price being a lack of freedom, be it in choosing heath care providers or how to spend the money we earn, doesn't this scripture written approximately 1600 years ago ring true today?

Christ Took Upon Himself Our Infirmities

2008-07-01T22:24:00.002-04:00

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Book of Mormon | Alma 7:11 - 12).

Commentary on the above passage:

"[Christ] showed condescension when he chose to suffer, not only for our sins, but for the infirmities, sicknesses, and illnesses of mankind. But the agonies of the Atonement were infinite and first-hand! Since not all human sorrow and pain is connected to sin, the full intensiveness of the Atonement involved bearing our pains, infirmities, and sicknesses, as well as our sins" (Neal A. Maxwell, Doctrines of the Book of Mormon, 1991 Sperry Synposium, p. 87).

"The Savior knows what it's like to die from cancer" (Neal A. Maxwell, Even As I Am, pp. 116-117).

"Whatever the source of pain, Jesus understands and can heal the spirit as well as teh body. The Savior, as a member of the Godhead, knows each of us personally. . . . In the garden and on the cross, Jesus saw each of us and not only bore our sins, but also experienced our deepest feelings so that he would know how to comfort and strengthen us" (Merrill J. Bateman, "The Power to Heal From Within," Ensign, May 1995).

"Jesus knows and understands when we are stressed and perplexed? The complete consecration which effected the Atonement ensured Jesus’ perfect empathy; He felt our very pains and afflictions before we did and knows how to succor us" (Neal A. Maxwell, "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father," Ensign, Nov. 1995).

"To succor means to 'run to.' I testify that in my fears and in my infirmities the Savior has surely run to me. I will never be able to thank Him enough for such personal kindness and such loving care" (Jeffrey R. Holland, "He Hath Filled the Hungry With Good Things," Ensign, Nov. 1997).

God Will Sustain Us

2008-07-01T00:08:00.003-04:00

I have a heavy heart as of late. Some of my friends are struggling, and though they may not know it, I struggle with them. I am temporarily separated from my wife and children, which pains me to no end. I am frustrated with my own weaknesses. Our alleged leadership in Congress drives me absolutely crazy with their complete disdain for what is best for America, their disdain for economic levers, and their actions that seem to imply only a concern for person gain in either wealth or power as they play party politics.

However, it is my faith that sustains me. My faith allows me to realize that this is a promised land, a land ordained by God. I know that there will be trials, that you and I each have our own individual mountains to climb. But I also know that God gives us these trials to strengthen us. I know, yes, I KNOW, I have absolutely no doubt that in the end, all will be well.

I have a testimony that God, the Father and his son, Jesus Christ, that together they appeared to Joseph Smith. I know Jesus and he knows me perfectly. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan and a purpose for me. And I know that whatever mistake is made it can be overcome, resolved, and is forgotten by God through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Saturday I had a wonderful day. I spent most of the day reading and listening to the Holy Ghost. He spoke comfort to my soul. He brought peace into my heart. He directed me to attend the temple, though I still am unsure why. I am left to assume it was for someone else, perhaps the person whose work I performed or perhaps the people who recognized me in the temple. Regardless, I know I was supposed to be there. I went, didn’t miss a beat, returned home, and finished my book. It was like I had been carried to the temple at the specific time I needed to go and carried back, like it did not take any time out of my day.

Then as I finished by book, I finished it overcome in tears because the Holy Ghost testified to me of the power of the Priesthood. The Holy Ghost testified to me to not fear in these, the last days, where calamity and strife will sure surely increase, because God is with us. Our ancestors are with us. They are cheering us along, hoping and praying we make the right choices, hoping for an opportunity to help us.

I feel that things are going to get worse before they get better in this world. But I know that God not only is there, willing to help, but he is there desiring to comfort us. There will certainly be trials. It takes resistance to build strength. But when we look back, when I look back specifically at my life, I can see the hands of God impacting all that I have done. I can see where the trials I have faced have led me to where I am today. I can see how those trials have built my faith and my testimony.

I am a son of God. I wish only to share with you the light and knowledge he has blessed me with because I feel like one of the gifts God has granted me is to express the thoughts of my heart with words. I know that My Redeemer Lives! I know that there is a prophet on this Earth today. I know that there are two scriptural witnesses of Jesus Christ, a stick of Judah and a stick of Joseph. I share with you my testimony and these thoughts from my heart, in Jesus’ sacred name. Amen.

Prophets

2008-06-30T22:07:00.002-04:00

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Old Testament | Amos 3:7).

Becoming a Spiritual Person

2008-06-29T23:10:00.003-04:00

The only perfect person to walk on this Earth was the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the rest of us, me, you, the prophet of God, and literally everyone else on this Earth is fallible.

“Men have become carnal. They have become enemies to God. They are seeking for their own advancement and not for the advancement of the kingdom of God” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, Apr. 1952)

In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ the Prophet and King Benjamin taught:

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless 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” (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19).

First, let’s define what “the natural” man is. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “The ‘natural man’ is the ‘earthy man’ who has allowed rude animal passions to overshadow his spiritual inclinations” (Ocean Currents and Family Influcences, Ensign, Jan. 1984).

Now that we know that the natural man is what allows temptations of the world to override our God-given, God-like spiritual qualities, how does someone put off the natural man and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit?

Robert L. Millet answered when he wrote: “One does not put off the natural man by living longer. Nor does one change his nature simply by attending meetings. The transformation is accomplished only as one chooses to be changed through the mediation of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, by means of gospel ordinances” (Putting off the Natural Man: “An Enemy to God”, Ensign, Jun. 1992).

President Ezra Taft Benson put it this way: “The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature” (Born of God, Ensign, Nov. 1985).

Establishing what this “natural man” is, then understanding how to put off this natural man through the atonement of Jesus Christ, leads us to the final step, of how we are to be, going back to the verse spoke by Benjamin again: “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”.

In this world filled with ambition, it is very difficult to train ourselves to become “submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love”. Yet this is exactly what the Savior taught about 150 years after King Benjamin when he said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (New Testament | Matthew 22:37 - 39) and when the Savior taught the Beatitudes.

As I examine these words, I am struck with how they actually turn away from ourselves and turn to others. Putting off the natural man is all about loving and being kind to others, “as a child”. Children are not only kind and submissive, but they love unconditionally. There is nothing I treasure more when I have arrived home from work than the looks my children’s faces as them come running to the door and upon reaching me, they wrap their arms around me. We would all be much, much better people living in much, much better society if we had that kind of love for each other, or in the words of Jesus, our “neighbour”. I share this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Best Way to Parent is by Example

2008-06-29T21:43:00.003-04:00

"If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate" (Journal of Discourses, 14:192).

These are the words of a prophet, Brigham Young.

Descendants of Polygamy

2008-06-26T20:03:00.016-04:00

My wife and I are descendants of polygamists and we are proud to be! We will also be the first to tell you that today polygamy is wrong, it is a sin. But more on that subject later. Let's look at some of my family's heritage.

My wife descends from George Reynolds and his second wife Mary Ann Tuddenham. In total, Reynolds had three wives. He is somewhat historic in nature, as he agreed to be offered up by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the test case for religious freedom concerning polygamy in a case taken to the United States Supreme Court. Reynolds lost and ended up spending one year and seven months in prison, being released in 1881. In 1890 he was called to the Quorum of the Seventy by church President Wilford Woodruff. He died in 1909.

I descend from Wilford Woodruff and either his third or forth wife Sarah Brown. I'm not really sure which because he married both of them on the same day! Woodruff had five total wives. He was President of the LDS Church from 1887 until his death in 1898. Much of the church's history throughout the 1800s is written due to his meticulous journal writing. On May 17, 1888 Woodruff dedicated the Manti, Utah temple. You may also notice on my side bar that this is where my wife and I were married and sealed for time and all eternity. On September 24, 1890 President Woodruff received a revelation for the church commonly referred to as "The Manifesto", officially ending the practice of continued plural marriages.

My children therefore descend from the person who was the Supreme Court test case to defend polygamy on religious grounds and they descend from the person who acting as the mouthpiece of God ended polygamy! On top of that, they descend from polygamous wives of each of these men!

You can tell that I am very proud of my heritage. I think it's rather entertaining.

However, earlier I wrote that "polygamy is wrong, it is a sin". I stand by this statement. Today polygamy is a sin. For the people of the Book of Mormon it was a sin. For Abraham it was not (plus further clarification here). But how could this be true if "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever"? (New Testament | Hebrews 13:8). It is true because although Jesus Christ is always the same a completely perfect being with a resurrected body, at times his laws to mankind have changed. For example Jesus said that the Law of Moses was fulfilled in him:

17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (New Testament | Matthew 5:17 - 18)
4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.
5 Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
6 Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled.
7 And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come.
8 For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me (emphasis added).
9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 15:4 - 9)

Christ had begun to teach mankind the higher law, beginning with the Beatitudes. Certainly they questioned the contradiction in their hearts. It was no longer "an eye for an eye". Rather Jesus taught: "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" (New Testament | Matthew 5:39).

During Christ's time his gospel was originally only taught to the Jews. That changed too. Peter was given the revelation through a dream, as described in Acts 10, to teach the gospel to the gentiles as well as the Jews.

Jesus had earlier taught Peter about the concept of his church being led by revelation when he said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (New Testament | Matthew 16:17 - 18). In answering the question in reference to this verse "What rock?", the prophet Joseph Smith taught: "Revelation" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 274, qtd. in Mormon Doctrine, 2nd Ed. p. 646)

It was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that plural wives were an acceptable practice, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 132. I will not deny this nor will I call if by any false name. It was the will and mind of God, just as it was his will to rescind the law in 1890 through the Prophet Wilford Woodruff.

I testify unto that the heavens are opened! Not only are we able to receive our own personal revelations pertaining to only ourselves, but the true church of Jesus Christ, his kingdom on Earth, is truly led by a Prophet who is authorized to and does receive revelation for and in behalf of all people on this Earth. These things I know and I share in Jesus' name. Amen.

What is a Christian?

2008-06-25T20:51:00.006-04:00

What is a Christian?

Let's do what every teenager does while speaking to the congregation for the first time. We'll explore the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster says: "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ"

Dictionary.com says: "of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith"

Merriam-Webster, or as it was formally known, Webster's Dictionary, the American classic, defining our language in most of our homes, right now, in 2008, says a Christian is "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ". Dictionary.com says virtually the same thing.

However, it seems to me that the issue of some is based on the "teachings" part of these definitions, attempting to determine who truly follows the "teachings" of Jesus Christ and who does not, such as Pat Robertson, who is a very good man, one who I believe does his very best to follow Christ, but has determined that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are members of a cult.

It seems that some have desired to more restrictively define the term "Christian" to people who believe in Jesus' words in the Bible in their particular way, preferring to ignore scriptural evidence concerning "works", to accompany faith and grace, as if "works" somehow devalues the importance of the grace of Jesus Christ.

Many of my Evangelical friends point to scriptures such as, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (New Testament | Ephesians 2:8 - 9) and "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (New Testament | John 3:16).

Those of us members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might then counter in the Bible with scriptures such as: "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (New Testament | James 2:20, 26), or the story of the man in Matthew 19:16-19 who asked the Savior what to do to gain eternal life and Christ instructed him to do many things (or "works").

Finally, we would likely quote the prophet Nephi who wrote in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:23).

This scripture really brings it all together for me. And quite frankly it just makes sense. We should spend our days on this Earth doing good works. However, in the end, we are fallible, mortal human beings that ARE NOT capable of receiving salvation on our own. We are not capable of overcoming death on our own or paying the full price for our sins. Only one person was. Fortunately, in the end, we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of his atoning sacrifice where "all men are saved from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment" (The Purifying Power of Gethsemane, Bruce R. McConkie). There truly is no other way!

Of course, this begs the question, "If we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, then why do works matter, where do they get me?" This is yet another discussion. Suffice it to say, this is why there must be degrees of salvation, or "levels" of heaven, not simply a black and white heaven and hell. In fact, at the risk of completely invalidating everything I've written here due to this source, I believe that Yoda was speaking truth when he said: "Only the Sith speak in absolutes". (Hey I'm good with that quote because: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things".) Concerning 'degrees of salvation, or "levels" of heaven', see 1 Corinthians 15:40, followed by Doctrine and Covenants 76, then Doctrine and Covenants 131:1-4.

But in the end, who is it that is truly authorized to determine what are the true teachings, or rather, how to interpret the doctrine of Jesus Christ found in the Bible? Who has the authority to speak for Jesus Christ on this Earth? Just as in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ have given us true and living prophets to interpret and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to us, his children that he loves so much!

Now, returning to the original question, "What is a Christian?" How do I define a Christian? Do I believe that people not of my denomination, that non-Mormons are all not Christians? No way! One of the finest, truest Christians I know is not a Mormon. Ron McKenzie is the best father and one of the kindest servants of his fellow man that I have ever met. He has probably never read this scripture, but he is a true practitoner of it: "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:17).

I believe a true Christian is a believer in Jesus Christ who does everything in his or her power to following the teachings of Jesus Christ as far as that person understands those teachings. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon, I believe I am a Christian and I am very humbled and thankful for my other Christian brethren and sisters in this world.

It is my testimony that through Christ, after all that I can do, I will be saved by his grace, but that how I choose to use my time, or my "works" serving God rather than mammon, will determine my final estate, for I know that God is a just God. I share these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Another Testimony of Jesus Christ

2008-06-19T21:15:00.003-04:00

I beheld round the throne holy angels and hosts,
And sanctified beings from worlds that have been,
In holiness worshiping God and the Lamb,
Forever and ever. Amen and amen.

And now after all of the proofs made of him,
By witnesses truly, by whom he was known,
This is mine, last of all, that he lives; yea, he lives!
And sits on the right hand of God on his throne.

And I heard a great voice bearing record from heav'n,
He's the Saviour and Only begotten of God;
By him, of him, and through him, the worlds were all made,
Even all that careen in the heavens so broad.

Whose inhabitants, too, from the first to the last,
Are sav'd by the very same Saviour of ours;
And, of course, are begotten God's daughters and sons
By the very same truths and the very same powers."

(Joseph Smith Jr., Millennial Star, vol. 4 pp. 49-55, qtd. in Mormon Doctrine, Second Edition pp. 65-66)

How to Vote: The Words of a Prophet

2008-06-15T23:54:00.002-04:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not endorse or support candidate for political office. However, President Harold B. Lee offered this counsel on voting:

I'll tell you how to vote. You read the 134th section of the Doctrine and Covenants and the 29th chapter of Mosiah, and then pray about it and you'll know exactly whom you should vote for at the election. That's how to vote" (Address to Seminary and Institute Personnel, Brigham Young University, July 8, 1966).

God's Commandments

2008-06-15T21:17:00.007-04:00

I recently read a story about a controversy where homosexual woman who were kissing in the stands of a Major League Baseball game were asked to stop by an usher who had received a complaint from another woman in the stands. The debate in this article was really about whose rights are being infringed upon, or what is more important, the homosexuals being free to do as they wish in a public setting or those who prefer to not be exposed to homosexual behavior in a public setting.

As this is not a political blog, I am not going to get into the controversy here of whose rights trump whose. Rather, I am going to talk about the more fundamental issue—homosexuality.

Homosexuality is wrong.

The statement that stuck out most to me in the aforementioned article was this:

"Certain individuals have not yet caught up. Those people see a gay or lesbian couple and they stare or say something.”

Do not get me wrong, I do not hate homosexuals. I love them, as I do my best to love all of Heavenly Father’s children. However, there is no “catching up” to do. Simply because some people have chosen some morals are now okay does not mean the rest of us need to “catch up”. God makes it clear through his prophets in the Bible where he stands on homosexuality three distinct times:

Moses taught: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:22).
Paul taught the Colossians: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (emphasis added), (New Testament | Colossians 3:5).

Paul taught Timothy: “THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good” (emphasis added), (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:1-3).

Now if you are a believer and believe this commandment has changed, you must believe one having authority through Jesus Christ—meaning a prophet or an apostle (which is a prophet)—has spoken for God and changed it, making homosexuality acceptable. If you do not believe God speaks to men on Earth any more, then you must believe that this commandment—homosexuality is wrong—is still in force.

I will tell you what I believe. God does continue to speak to men on this Earth. There is a true and living prophet. However, since God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness on this Earth, none of his prophets have rescinded the doctrine that homosexuality is wrong. They have only reinforced it.

There is no “catching up” to do. Homosexuality is against God’s commandments. It is a weakness no doubt many have. However, we were put on this Earth with weaknesses so we could gain strength, knowledge, and power by overcoming those weaknesses. All of our weakness, or rather the combinations of our weakness, are unique to each of us, as we are unique children of God. Concerning this mortal state where we have weaknesses, King Benjamin taught:

”For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless 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. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19)”

I testify that as we seek to “yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” and “putteth off the natural man” we will become more saintly “through the atonement of Christ the Lord”. I know that however difficult challenges and temptations are, even when the world says “it’s alright, everyone is doing it”, through Jesus Christ we can overcome those challenges, gaining greater control over our natural selves. I testify that this will only bring us closer to our Father in Heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ. This is my testimony, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Mormon Church is Either True or it is a Fraud: Blacks and the Priesthood

2008-06-11T22:23:00.005-04:00

"Each of us has to face the matter—either the Church is true, or it is a fraud. There is no middle ground. It is the Church and kingdom of God, or it is nothing"

That is what Gordon B. Hinckley, a living prophet said in 2003. Either the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one true church on this Earth or it is not. It is really that simple. Why? Well that answer is biblical.

Jesus taught in the sermon on the mount, as recorded by Luke in chapter 16 verse 13: "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."

Gordon B. Hinckely was teaching exactly what Jesus Christ taught roughly 2,000 years earlier. There is no half way, no in between. If the church is all true, you are serving God. If one part of the church's doctrine is false the entire church is false, because it would then be a fraud, answering only to the devil or mammon. Let us make one point clear, however, this is not the people of the church, this is the official doctrine, people are entirely fallible, as all humans can, will, and do error, even prophets.

This statement by President Hinckley came to my mind as I was thinking about the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the blessings of the Priesthood being extended to Blacks through revelation to the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball. It is true that many church leaders prior to 1978 said some harsh things towards blacks concerning their banishment from the Priesthood. Some of these statements sound even more harsh when read today because some of the common vernacular of that day is seen today as exceptionally inflammatory.

One Apostle in particular that I quote often, Bruce R. McConkie, was well-known to have made many harsh-sounding statements, and is where the church either being true or not true becomes part of this discussion. In 1978 Elder McConkie said:

"There are statements in our literature by the early Brethren that we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, "You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?" All I can say is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or George Q. Cannon or whoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.

It doesn't make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June 1978. It is a new day and a new arrangement, and the Lord has now given the revelation that sheds light out into the world on this subject. As to any slivers of light or any particles of darkness of the past, we forget about them. We now do what meridian Israel did when the Lord said the gospel should go to the Gentiles. We forget all the statements that limited the gospel to the house of Israel, and we start going to the Gentiles (qtd. from http://www.blacklds.org/Reynolds#en5 "All Are Alike unto God," an address to a Book of Mormon Symposium for Seminary and Institute teachers, Brigham Young University, 18 August 1978, as quoted in Jessie L. Embry, Black Saints in a White Church (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994), 34. [New Mormon Studies CD-ROM (Smith Research Associates, 1999)]."

I do not believe it can be said any more directly than this. Either you believe the church is completely true, led by Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, who continuously receive revelation for the church from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ or you reject living Prophets and believe this church is completely false. If you believe some revelations are true and others are not, then you believe the church is completely false, for God would not allow his Prophets to lead the church astray. As Elder McConkie described how the policy changed and the gospel was no longer only taught to the Israelites, but also to the Gentiles in ancient days, God does at times changes things within his church. But again, it comes down to do you believe in modern revelation or do you not? Then you can easily accepted the Lord's will when he presents changes to the membership through his leadership.

If you are not sure and would like to find out, Jesus taught us how, as recorded in John 16:23-24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

I testify that when you do ask with a sincere heart, will real intent, the Lord will make the truth known unto you through the Holy Ghost. If you will allow it to penetrate your soul, you will feel the truth in your heart and know it in you mind. I share my testimony of this with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

How to Understand Prophecy

2008-06-08T22:19:00.001-04:00

I am currently reading The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, was sustained as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. He held this office from October 1972 until his death on April 19, 1985.

Elder McConkie outlines what it takes to understand prophecy on page 44:

But in the final analysis, there is no way—absolutely none (and this cannot be stated too strongly!)—to understand any Messianic prophecy, or any other scripture, except to have the same spirit of prophecy that rested upon the one who uttered the truth in its original form. Scripture comes from God by the power of the Holy Ghost. It does not originate with man. It means only what the Holy Ghost thinks it means. To interpret it, we must be enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Peter said, “No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Truly, it takes a prophet to understand a prophet, and every faithful member of the Church should have “the testimony of Jesus” which “is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelations 19:10). Thus as Nephi says, “The words of Isaiah”—and the principle applies to all scripture, all inspired writing, all Messianic Prophecies—“are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4). This is the sum and substance of the whole matter and an end to all controversy where discovering the mind and will of the Lord is concerned.