Worshiping with the Saints in India

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

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

Here is a little background on Brother Miles.

The gift and power of forgiveness

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

"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

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"

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

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

Are Mormons Christians?

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

The Mormon Church's Response to 'Big Love'

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

"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

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.