A Mormon's Rant

Enmity and Apathy

2011-12-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

It seems that there is a run of the wicked spirit of the devil that is encouraging enmity (hatred and disdain) and apathy (the feelings of not giving a crap either because it doesn't apply to you or that you do not care). I am not sure why such feelings are running rampant only that world leaders are behind such feelings and are encouraging the behavior. As in the example of King Noah (of the book of Mosiah) The leader starts it and the people wanting to be popular and powerful (and rich I might add) encourage it to trickle down.
The need for a righteous leadership is so prevalent that it is not funny any more. Former Secretary of Agriculture, Spencer Kimble said "The Constitution is hanging from a thread". That was back in the '80's at a time when I was just a lad. The workers of socialism, Marxism, Leninism and communism (and for that matter Nazism) are working hard to undermined the last stand of freedom and are desperate to create enmity and apathy of our country. It shows in the events that have transpired in the last few months (perhaps years). World leaders using their powers to create wealth and amass more power then they have ever done before. Thomas Jefferson said that this country would be bound by slavery and a hundred years ago it started. It is now worse. The tea party was over 3% tax now we have over ten times that and it was brought on our selves all because we didn't care or it wasn't about us.
What will happen next to us? Will we fall because of the binds that we put on lady liberty? The election will not come soon enough for this country.

Confer vs. Ordain

2011-12-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

I just found out that John the Baptist conferred the power of god on Joseph and Oliver. Well I had to find out what that meant. To confer someone gives then the gift and much like the spirit can be taken away without proper ordinance thus the need to ordain each other to the office and impart the priesthood that each person had for a temporary time. I am not sure as to why this needed to happen as the resurrected John could of done this but it seems that the two had to experience the right of passage by ordaining one another. Much of what Joseph and Oliver did kind of points at that, that they would need to experience all things and everything that came with it, the praise and persecution.

Vampires

2011-07-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Todays topic is on immortality and the beings that we know as immortals, namely vampires. Immortals that have no sense or purpose and wonder the world looking for meaning in their undead lives. While their now ability to roam the eath without fear of natural death and decay, the 'What next" feeling comes of them. I would imagine that this is true for the resurrected. After the judgement and meeting God, the "What next" feeling will kick in. For the Celetrial beings, they know what life is all about "to know thee the only true God (John 17:3)". What of the other beings that are now immortal? They may not what to know God. They may want to feed the body for hundreds of years with relationships and trips to where ever, see the sights and hear the sounds but when you have seen the world, what next? Expand the mind? What happens when you have read all the books, poems and scripts? After several centuries, would you want death because life has lost it meaning. There is no end to the riddle, song, story, etc. You become alone with your thoughts.

For those that are religious and say that you will just serve God (not actually become one because you are one; Psalms 82:6 and John 10:34). For those that believe that you become a mindless drone with no identity among the endless masses of angels, I say why would you want that? Here on earth we have identity, purpose and direction we have an end. We know that we will grow old and that drives us to push ourselves before the end. Careers and families become important because we identify with them. I believe that in our immortal state we will mimic our mortality. Become reacquanted with ourselves and others; recreate what once was to the best of our ability. To those that are not Gods though, I think that the most missed element of our immortality will be the lack of children. All of them will have had grown up and become adults and because there are no children in the after life except for Celetrial beings it will be missed terribly; not at first but eventually. See there will always be an empty part of immortality without becomeing as God is. Who can say how much more will be missed because we become similar to vampires without purpose or direction. Or what direction we would take with no temptation from the bound Satan. We will all find out in the end.

40 days

2011-02-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

The Lord does a lot of things in forties, forty years Israel wondered, forty days Moses and Jesus fasted, you catch the drift. Never has the Lord ask me to do something for forty days (or maybe I have not been listening) but He has asked me to write for forty days in a row. I have been attempting to get some book writing done, bloging done and gaming articles done but I have put it off thinking that there is no inspiration here in these hotels. While in prayer, I learned that sometimes it's not where your body is but where your mind is. I have put my mind on things that do not matter and wasted time and energy to do things that suck the living life out of me. I believe that if I take the time to write every day for forty days that something is going to come from it starting today. It should be interesting. Wish me luck.

Israel and Palestine

2010-09-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Like two brothers Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Ruben and Joseph, these two nations are forever going to be haters of each other. Not because they are related but they believe that they are right. But I digress, this discussion is not about the two bickering brothers; I am going to discuss a love story.

The story of Hosea and Gomer is a weird one. See the story goes Hosea is told by the Lord that he is to marry a hooker to make his personal life a similitude to what is going to happen to Israel. All the time that the story goes on we learn that the woman goes back to her old ways and old lovers and says that everything that Hosea has given her (or the world has given her) was always from the lovers and not from the Prophet or God who married her in the first place.

Over time the man has to leave is wife to her own devices and for the longest time she feels abandoned. Then when she is at her lowest, mind you she is still married, he pulls her out.

Now this is a reflection of what is going to happen to God's children, but it seems to me that this story has happened over and over and we have been left to a physical wilderness over and over. Each time we repented and returned to god. Now to tie this all back to the first paragraph. We have wondered from God in a lot of ways, I speak for Christians and Americans. Where is the wilderness now that we need it the most.

I read the story over and over. The prophet who represented God left his wife to her own devices. Our country has been turning to their false gods and strange lovers, claiming that they have given our wealth and power. The god of Israel is no longer part of our main stream but a secret underground movement. I just hope that we can turn around in time. Perhaps we need to lose the very thing that we love before we truly turn back. Time will tel if we will be like Gomer and lose everything or will turn back before becoming naked slaves embarrassed and ashamed like a dirty rotten whore before God.

Lesson 3: Melchizedek and Benjamin

2010-07-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Today I just wanted to take some time to talk about the righteous prophet kings of Israel. For most the most part, being a prophet king has got to be taxing. Even Alma who came later then Benjamin, sure he was not a king but he was a government leader (a chief judge) and he had troubles leading the people and the church because of wickedness. Now I do not know of the condition of the Israelites during Melchizedek's reign but I have read Benjamin's account and you watch as he asks the people to step up and be men and women who love and embrace Christ.
If Benjamin's story was similar to Melchizedek's then to be known as the Prince of Peace meant that he had to really work on the peoples righteousness. There had to be meeting with the people on a daily basis and like Benjamin a lot of public speaking. It is no wonder that someone like Abraham and Mosiah came out of such kingdoms with the spirit burning in their souls and a strong desire to follow Christ that lasted for many generations.
I know that there has been other kings mentioned in the scriptures but they were not prophets (as far as my memory serves) and because of that may of got in some trouble because they were not the mouth piece of God. They had the prophet close but like the Holy Ghost drew close or away based on personal decisions. I know that you are all thinking about David and Salomon but I want to remind you that there were other kings and princes that are not mentioned or briefly mentioned in the scriptures that had access to the prophet and didn't take it.
There has been conquering governments that had Israel in it and they have succeeded because of the righteousness of the king, for example Egypt and Babylon had success because of a righteous people living in the land. The moment that the people left or more importantly righteousness left the government failed. The same is true in the Book of Mormon where people just fell from grace and turn their faces away from the Lord and war, pestilence and famine destroyed a once delight-some people.
Though we do not have a prophet king in our mist, let us look to the example of the children of Israel and be a righteous and delight-some people by doing the basics; praying, reading the scriptures, repenting and partaking of the sacrament. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Lesson 4: Abraham

2010-07-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Abraham was a convert to the church or at least came from a partly active family. Really? Sure. Just look at the facts, his father worshiped other gods (nothing about mother) but some how his family was able to keep the faith. Others in his family were church members (Lot for example) so it goes to say that the link of the religion of Noah had kept something. I wonder how the church survived in that length of time. Certainly during that time there were prophets and possibly apostles, high priests, priests, teachers and deacons, but I believe that it was a hard time. King Melchizedek was lord of the land at the time and was known as the prince of peace and Abraham served him as a military leader and had money and power. So how does a man who has it all and could of followed in his father steps followed the lord. I am reminded of kings in the Book of Mormon who also had power and money followed the Lord as well. King Melchizedek followed possibly the example of Enoch who was king of a city also and that city went to heaven so to follow that example would be as awesome. What a legacy.
Now getting back to Abraham. Here was a man who followed the Lord and honored his king and obeyed the laws of God. Who married his wife (one of three wives that he would have in his life) and hoped for more children only to have one from his first and perhaps his most beloved wife Sarai (later called Sarah by the Lord for her righteousness). What a memorable man who would do anything to be obedient even risk the life of his only son Isaac for the Lord. The man went on some long journeys, married his wife's handmaiden and bore a son who also would become the father of many nations like Isaac, Ishmael.
The one thing that I want to know is what the prophet Abraham did as the prophet of God and what he taught the Hebrew people. Surely he was not a righteous man unto himself but had to teach and uplift the Hebrews to be the people of God. There are so many things that I would like to learn about him.

Lesson 2: Noah and the Ark

2010-04-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

There was a day in the past were my wife once made mention of a theory of multiple Arks. "After all", she said, "how else could there be so many animals in so many unique locations€. Why would people be of different ethnicity across the world in different locations unless they were placed there." Now she didn't have an explanation of Australia but she made sense. Then again Noah had no other children and if there were 4 arks (Noah and three sons) so he could of done Australia.
Noah was asked to do a hard thing. When we look at the the city of Enoch and the people who left the earth leaving one man and his family behind. I am certain that there was moments where Noah was jealous of his cousin that got to take a city to heaven while he was left with the responsibility to save the world. He, who knew Christ, recognized that he was being a Messiah of the world by saving the creation of the Almighty. Noah understood the roll of the Savior when he fulfilled the roll and saved his sons and their wives. He also learned what it was like to be a Shepard of the creation of God and understood the roll that Adam of whom he had never seen.
I do not know if Noah had seen all the Earth or that the Arks were conjoined but I am certain that it was quite an adventure for such a man.
Now in Noah's moments of history he had a moment of weakness and got wasted with what the scriptures say was strong drink, got naked and who knows what he did. None the less his boys were looking out for their dad and got him to sober up and finish the task that God had asked him to do. I am certain that the roll of prophet is a tough one and that each man who as been asked to take the mantle of such a roll has had to find comfort in the Lord in one form or another. Countless stories in the scriptures show the persecution of the prophets such as Nephi and Jonah. Pore old Noah had to face the world teaching repentance while building a boat in your front yard. Now like I said if Noah made more then one boat then there would be 4 boats in his yard. Such a guy would not get much respect and perhaps would be mocked and attacked for teaching repentance. Who knows. At any rate, I wanted to honor Noah to day the earthy messiah.

Lesson 1 - The Beginning

2010-03-13T17:37:00.001-08:00

Ok I have had some time to think this through. I originally wanted to make fun of the crazy questions that are asked but I realize that this is divine and that making fun of the holy is well asinine. So I am going to play it easy on the lesson questions but we are going to discuss the question of the creation.

First lets look at Adam. Perfect guy with everything going on for him. Except God can't be his constant companion. He has other things to do. So God in is infinite wisdom creates a woman. Some speculate that there was another woman other then Eve. Now is it true? I really don't know but the Apocrypha says that her name was Lilith. Now if she existed why is she erased from history? The rule was don't eat the fruit and if she did then she did the same thing that Adam and Eve did. Perhaps she didn't convince Adam to split. Some play her as a seductress but apparently she could not convince Adam, she she sucked? Maybe she was too carnal and sensuous and Adam could not handle it so he was glad for her exit.

Well it interesting also to note that she is not mentioned for when they left the garden. I mean, wouldn't that be brought up. They skip immediately to Cain and Able and the history continues.

Now there are, in LDS scripture, three accounts of the creation once in the Old Testament and twice in the Pear of Great Price, yet no Lilith. Now some would say to get off that woman and point out the discrepancies and inconsistencies of the scriptures but lets give the men who under inspiration wrote the scriptures. I mean hey God could say the same story over and over but who wants to see the story printed word for word three times. I like that the Lord allowed the prophets to use their own words. I am certain that they used the stories to make their own individual points. I mean just look at the account of the Savior; four accounts and none of them match but each of them have a great account and could easily cover the three years of his ministry.

At any rate, here is the first lesson. For those that were expecting this lesson in February I apologize I will attempt to be more consistent. Next week, the Flood and why there is mosquitoes.

The new manual

2010-01-31T11:33:00.000-08:00

This year we have acquired a new manual that veers in a different direction then that of the prophets. The book is basically back to the basics; faith, repentance, baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost; simple things that were taught in the missionary discussions. My wife and I read through the book and when we read the questions we came across questions that my favorite LDS author once called questions that should be answered with an answer that throws off the teacher. For example:

Did Lehi love his family?

No, he wanted them to starve!

Really is that the question? Come on, now that was one of the most asinine questions I have heard in a while. I thought that when I read his article that that would never happen in Gospel Doctrine. I was wrong. This new book is asking questions that I suppose Gentiles ask themselves every day but us LDS people know the answers to those questions. The new members have a separate class to answer their questions; Gospel Essentials.

So I plan to rectify the situation by going through the questions that I feel need answering. My aim is to answer the questions and make fun of ourselves in the process. I know that I need a good laugh every once in a while and taking myself too serious I would go crazy so look for the new question/answer for lesson one some time this week.

Happy to be damned?

2009-11-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Some have asked themselves (inside and outside the church) ,'why should I care about what faith I belong to'? To those that have this question in mind I would ask about your favorite place to take your car, why care? Aren't they all the same? Of course you would tell me about the product and service that they provide and the extension on the life of your vehicle, maybe even talk up a technician or two. The same principal applies to religion. The fact that we are called to dig deep into our souls for the purpose of life and meaning there of means that we have an innate desire to know the unknown, to see beyond ourselves and discover what is out there and what is next. Such stretches have allowed us to create science, math and other things but has also rooted us in who or what is god and what does he have for us next.
Now the Mormons (LDS faith) is unique in that they dare say that there is a place for everyone and that this place is a place of happiness. To some this is hard to believe, a Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu (or any other religion other then Christian) would find happiness, but its true. Why not? God who is the creator of all things wants all his creation to be happy as he his. To some, they want to be as he is, a God. Reasonable request from a child of God. Doesn't every parent want their child to have it all. Just look around you children are given more and more then what their parents had as children all the time. These children grow up to be as their parents, mature full grown adults with all the privileges and powers of being an adult. Mom and Pop look at their offspring and show pride that they got the child to where they where and allowed them to progress from there on their own.
Now comes the part where this title comes from. There are those that want to play house, pretend to be adults and frankly rely on the merits, money and abilities of their parents. Some ask themselves, 'why would God want that kid around; all they do is mooch of their parents?' God wants happy children, period. Many a parent has watched as their child play the play-boy (girl) all their growing up and when they are pushed out of the nest, lets face it they almost kill themselves. God knows that some of his children will want to worship a attribute/ideal of God or even God himself but they do not want the responsibility of being a God because they feel either inadequate or unworthy or better yet satisfied where they got in life. All of that is fine (sad but...). The God of Israel has a place for someone of that caliber, HELL!! Just kidding. It would not seem right for God to damn that kid to be with Satin and his angels who are murderers and deny the Holy Ghost. No God would have to find (create) a place where those kids can be in their own little piece of heaven. Why you ask? Why not be with God and those that want to be Gods. I believe that its best described like this. Imagine you were a silver winner of a race. Now there had been several contests though out the day and many metals given out. Those that had won a Gold gravitated together, those that had won Silver gravitated together and so on. Not necessarily because of their achievement but because of comfort. If you were to be rewarded to hang our with the Gold winners for all eternity knowing that you were only Silver you would begin to feel uncomfortable, weather or not you were treated differently. To know your place in life would be discouraging.
That is why Mormons believe what they do. We know that God wants to put us in our own winning circle where there is pleasure in what we have accomplished and where we feel great. God does love us. Sometimes looking around yourself you may not realize it but he put you here for a reason. Be happy and when you are not be comforted in knowing your creator.

J Dubs

2009-10-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Jehovah's Witnesses. Man that brings the memories. I never confronted a... what do they call themselves... a witness? At any rate I was going on, I never met one on my mission. When I was living in Virginia they came to our door I had no idea that they were going to keep coming back. So then I went to work cross state lines and those guys kept talking to my wife who kept telling them I wasn't there (witch was true). I thought it was a bit funny (tell you the truth she would of agreed except that they would not get the hint so it wasn't quite so funny for her). At any rate I could never see what was the point of their visit or their material. One thing is for certain I will not invite them back. Sorry J Dubs.

I have been slacking

2009-09-26T23:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry to those that read this (and I get the feeling that that's no one). Lately I have been caught up in reading some great Mormon blogs that talk about such odd topics as Celestial sex to Mormon mysticism. I have loved the subjects because it brings up questions that those that want to question their faith a chance to read what they have thought all along. At any rate I apologize.

Today's topic is...

Is it a crime to add to the scriptures. I have seen all too much stories of Mormons that tightened the rules on their own families (sometimes to the point of madness). For example, those that take the word of wisdom to the next level by saying that if moderate meat is good then no meat, is better or this one, if dating at 16 is good then dating at 21 is better. Its a madness that getting out of hand.

I love the saints but the at the same note I am worried that if we don't cut back and loosen up that we are going to crack from the tension that this is creating. It goes back to my post about missionaries; if we cut out human error and repentance out of the equation then we will be creating the greater sin that we cannot turn back from.

At any rate, God bless us all because we will need it. By the way I have taken a liking to a website called sinfest.com that depicts the eternal struggle of good and evil and makes quite a bit of fun of it. Enjoy the clip.

Mormon Mysticism

2009-09-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

I wanted to bring up mystical or holy items that are mentioned in the scriptures and their significance. There are not that many holy physical items (or there are many and we have not seen them) mentioned in the scriptures; the ark of the covenant, the rod of Moses, the liahona, the sword of Laban, the breastplate of the urim and thurman to name a few, but what is the point of creating all these holy relics? Why did the Lord have these things created and used a few times and then stored away for no eye to see again? Is it to encourage the faith that they once were used to lead the people? Is it to show that there is an will always be an outward manifestation of God? Is it a crutch for those that need a little faith? After all for example, when people were not righteous the liahona failed the children of Lehi and they were tossed too and fro to be sifted like shafts in the wind. I am not sure but one thing is for certain that the miracles of God have a physical form that for now is removed from our eyes and I suspect that is because more people are Israelites than before and such things can only be viewed by a righteous people and because we are not to such calibre such things have been taken away and we are to lean on our own understanding, our faith and the scriptures to make speculation as to why those things are not available.

I am writing a story

2009-08-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Normally I would be writing on my other blog but I felt that this place was the place for it.

I am writing the story of Abinadi. I know its a simple story of a prophet but the more I write the harder it becomes. The characters take on a life of their own and attempting to keep it in the context of the history that it was based on is tough. Its like wrestling horses with little or no experience.

I originally want it to be a piece of fiction but the more I worked on it the more the inspiration told me to make it as close to the real story as possible. So I am reading the story of the prophet almost every night to look for hint of details that some might pass over to get through the scriptures.

At any rate, wish me luck.

I am a member of blogged

2009-08-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Lord wants me in the Temple

2009-07-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

I have been all throughout this country from New York to California and I have seen the following temples:

Nauvoo, IL
Washington DC
Los Angeles CA
Oakland CA
Salt Lake City UT
Portland OR
Atlanta GA
Raleigh NC

And that's to name a few. Coincidence? I don't think so. Got to renew my temple recommend, not to mention take my wife to the temple (haven't taken her there for, well, since we were married, man I am in trouble).

The point I am trying to make is I love my faith but excuse myself from getting involved. Man I suck. At any rate as soon as I get back to Utah (that's right I am out of town) I am going to get an interview (and my luck leave for another two weeks before seeing the President; man I am busy).

I am sure that I will see Seattle's temple as I am here. That will be one more sign to get moving.

I love being a Mormon.

On Blogged.com

2009-07-28T21:14:00.001-07:00

Back in the "Holy Land"

2009-06-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

I just moved back to Utah Monday and man do I love it. I do have a rant however about what has become of the once Mormon dominate state. When my friends said that the state had changed they were not kidding. Apparently the state has become a haven for gentiles to roost and it has affected the locals. Now they slip because it is more acceptable or overlooked. It would seem that being the peculiar people has slipped and Satan has got his grip like water and ice in the cracks of the cement of the our culture and foundation. Strange.

I am not sure if I should get involved in the politics (religious or otherwise) as Utah may be too far gone. Most of my fiends and family know that I am Libertarian and strongly believe that if Utah is to survive this degeneration we must go back to what we did 100 years ago. But that's a different story. Again I love Utah and its citizens. I hope that I am a good example of being a saint here.

God bless.

A mormons story

2009-05-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would break away from my rant and give a joke to those that understand the no-mos (a Jack Kerby term) and lighten your day. My grandmother gave me this in the form of an email.

Quote....

This is a true story.

I work part-time as a teacher of family doctors. The program provides training on psychiatric disorders and emphasizes the importance of emotional support. The new doctors are given plenty of time in clinic to visit with their patients and learn about their challenges.

One of our interns who has never lived in Utah and knew nothing about Mormons is still struggling to understand the cultural climate here. Last week he was interviewing a new patient and stumbled on what he thought was a raging psychosis.

Doctor: "Well, Mrs. Olsen, we've talked about your high blood pressure and your medications. Are you experiencing any particular stress in your life?"

Patient: "Oh, yes! It's the Sunbeams. They're driving me crazy."

Doctor: (very surprised) "The Sunbeams?"

Patient: "Yes, I've never had trouble with them before, but this group of Sunbeams won't settle down. They bounce all over the room, and run out the door and up and down the hallway.

Doctor: (reaching for a pen) "Have you told anyone about this?

Patient: "Of course, I told the president."

Doctor: Really! And, what did the president tell you?"

Patient: "The president said Sunbeams are like that. I'm just going to have to learn to deal with them."

Doctor: (concerned that he may be missing something) "I know people who are sensitive to sunbeams. Do they cause you a rash or anything?"

Patient: (confused) "A rash? No."

Doctor: "What's the problem they're creating?"

Patient: "It's the noise. They just won't quit talking."

Doctor: (astonished) "The sunbeams are talking to you?"

Patient: "Well, yes. But mostly they talk to each other."

Doctor: (scribbling furiously in the chart) "I see. Can anyone else hear them talking?"

Patient: (after a moment of stunned silence) "You're not LDS, are you

Missionaries with Tattoos

2009-03-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been a decree that every eligible male and female righteous and worthy, serve a mission, with conditions... First they must be among the unrepentant, pure unadulterated humans without sin. Ok, you can see where I am going with this.

I have had a problem with the atonement damning the youth who wish to serve, while unrepentant and unworthy to serve the Lord because they hide their transgressions from a younger and more inexperienced age. I served before that rule was in effect and served with many righteous men and women who, although never told me of their past, shined in their imperfection and taught with the spirit of the Holy Ghost. I also served with those that were 'perfect' who carried no scars of mortal or moral transgression and were so dark-hearten that they truly were wolves in sheep's' clothing.

I then thought what was the reason why the Lord called for his chosen to make the rules as they are currently today and how does it apply to the newly converted to the Lord.

First, the reason for the change of the Lords rules is to make the path narrower and straighter then its ever been before. While before men and women could waltz into their Bishop and Stake President and repent, (don't get me wrong repentance is vitally important and forgive me for using 'waltz'), it failed to emphasis that the Lord wanted pure vessels to begin with. That cut down the number of candidates eligible for the call. This left the more pure in heart and the grossly unrepentant as candidates. So how does the Lords anointed sift out the righteous from the wicked like the wheat from the tares? I can only say that the Lords servants are inspired and can see through the wicked like a silk cloth. Nothing is hidden from the Lord or his anointed.

We must remember the sons of Mosiah were quite a wicked group and in their repentance converted thousands and they lead away those that would be great members of the church. So the question remains again let the wicked with out outward scar preach the gospel or teach repentance to our young and send those that repent out into the white field?

Second, what of those that learn of the gospel late and embrace it with all their outward scars of moral depravity and sin? I have not heard any new rules for those that have embraced the Father and wanted to serve a mission. I would hope that the example of Amulek's conversion would stand in ones mind when they realize that this man lived with the sinners and new of the gospel of Jesus Christ and by inspiration of the spirit joined the church and became the missionary that he was as told by the scriptures. His conversion story and example brought hundreds to the gospel as Alma did who was a ruffian brought to God through the spirit.

I would encourage each of you to listen to the prophets closely in this matter as it will have to be addressed and the Lord will inspire his servants to speak with the power of the Priesthood and Holy Ghost in this matter. To say the least it should be interesting.

Book Clubs

2009-03-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

Its odd that there is a growing number of book clubs among the Mormon faith. It is unusual however that there has been a glowing decline in extracurricular activities among the saints. Thus the development of book clubs.

Now it would not bother me that there has been an increase growth in social circles except that now the church has grown to a global scale and has (it would seem) a continual disconnection with the individual to keep up with the whole. This has lead to the saints creating new outlets that now even the church leaders are attempting to control what the members read and discuss in their little groups.

I appreciate a good book but let the spirit guide what material the saints read. Most of the saints have kept it to LDS authors but some have followed the prophets (and I would agree that this is important) but I also think that following the scriptures and spirit are a bit more important. After all the scriptures say that that if we rely on the "arm of the flesh" to make our decision we are good as dross.

I was encouraged in my Patriarchal Blessing to see good things out of every good book, but there is nothing there that says that the prophets will make a call on those books. Many Gentiles have written great books and have even been quoted in Conference but I wonder if those books are on their list? No book clubs are a social activity and it supposed to be fun and build friendships that will last a life time no matter the book. The saints in the early 19th century used social activities to build friendship (brotherhood), charity and give the saints a means of keeping in touch.

It is my opinion that we have become so separated from one another that in some cases we only have religion and nothing else. That's sad real sad. I have watched social networks in other faiths attempt to build on things as watching each others children, social car washes, to simple coffee after service. I know that we too have our own programs but it has been duly noted that we fail to do home teaching and visiting teaching. Disturbing. We don't want to get to know the inactive, less active or assume that the active are doing great that we do nothing to see truly how they are doing. I have been around this great country and in one such ward that I visited the Elders Quorum President got up and when announcing the visiting noted that no one had visited anyone. How sad.

Now the saints are attempting to rectify the situation by creating clubs that invite the inactive, less active, active and even non-members to group together and talk about books that uplift, edify and sometimes entertain us. I hope that the saints will not loose this great avenue that could temporarily if not permanently build brotherhood and friendships that will last a lifetime and build the church as it was intended to grow.

Check this out... Mormon Bloggers!

2009-02-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

I just wish that I knew HTML better to embed it into my website.

There is tons of great stuff. Enjoy!

The Common Denominator

2009-02-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

I was recently (ok it was a long time ago) looking at Mythica and got curious as to how many religions had 'THE' common ancestor (a.k.a. our first parents) and the tree of life. That of course lead to the legend of the boat of Noah and other such stories as I am an avid admire of legends and folklore.
The big kick I get is watching Discovery Channel or the Travel Channel and watch as they attempt to decipher ancient pictographs or hieroglyphics only to notice symbols that are common to our religion.
The Hebrew religion (or life style, as I think of it) is more common and in plain view then I originally believed. There are hidden remnants through all theology. I know that implies that there is really only one religion but I think that there is one true religion and the copies that have similar true points or a theological point that is pointed out that previously was not thought of.

(You like the bumper stickers?)
So now I am attempting to find out the meaning of the symbols of religion and their ties to my faith (cool huh!).

2009-02-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

I recently was listening to a Protestant radio show and they made an analogy of the statue that was in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. In the discussion they compared the statue to the progression of government built on a foundation of clay (people). In it they showed that initially government is built with a gold ideal and a golden viewpoint. Given time that golden viewpoint turns to a stronger and denser government that abandons its gold and settles with a stronger government that controls the clay but is still valuable and desirable (silver). Time passes again and the silver is now not strong enough or the clay surrenders their freedom for a stronger government and then something as strong as bronze comes along. The golden viewpoint is now distant and the less then imposing government of silver is shrouded by the skirt that is bronze. Given the weight of the golden ideal, the strength of silver and the overpowering power of bronze the clay eventually shatters bringing down the government that was once very desirable.
As I contemplated that, it occurred to me that we have been through that change. At first we were a golden government envied by everyone around us and even some wanted to destroy our golden government. Then along came our silver age where the country began to splinter and war with itself. We the clay called for a stronger government to control the pieces that were splintering. That did well for us but special interest groups and minority groups wanted more than the general public and demanded that the government take away freedoms that capitalism offered us all in the name of segregation and racism. The powers that were the government become hungry and greedy for power and money and watered down the control that the states shared equally and voluntarily surrendered. And now... Well were are destine to collapse under the weight that was once a golden government because of our departure from our golden government. Will it stop? As soon as the clay steps out from under the weight and reorganizes again or war again breaks out in this country. I just pray to God that we will survive this change.

Deep Doctorine of the Kingdom

2009-01-23T11:07:00.001-08:00

Now I know that I have been know to rant about the lack of doctrine because of the strong emphasis of the basics but that has left a hole in my life that has no longer been filled until two days ago when I came across a new website that brought to light new and more profound thoughts and images that reaffirm my conviction and faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that magazine is here. I read some very interesting articles that make the Ensign and New Era look week and wet down. Its not to say that they are not good magazines or that they give the talks of great men. Its that they seem vague and floaty not grasping what I want to know about the scriptures that I could not otherwise find myself. God bless the Prophet and his counselors, I only ask that you would give us more to think about.

The secrets of the Kingdom

2008-11-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Personally there I believe that there are tons of secrets of the kingdom and I personally wanted to seek the new gems that make up the deep dark secrets of the kingdom or at least some new revelation to the saints. In hindsight I realize that there are dozens of secrets that always in plain view.
For instance what I have learned is to look at our Jewish cousins and see how we parallel each other in our religious views and beliefs. My wife, before she was mine, dated (man I hope so, gesh) other men. One such fellow was a Rabbi's son. At first she just saw a different religion but in hindsight she began to realize that we had the same sacred rituals and I thought to myself, "What? I though that they had separated themselves from God because they wanted to know the deeper points of the gospel of Jesus Christ and because they veared farther from the root that they 'fell' from grace".
Now I realize that they hadn't forgotten the core elements of the gospel but had changed their viewpoint of the gospel and thus had missed the mark when Jesus came.
So do they know the secrets of the kingdom? Well to some extent, yes. Will they tell anyone? No, not in a million years because of the sacred oaths and covenants that they made to learn those sacred secrets.

We too make those same sacred covenents to keep those sacred secrets of the kingdom and turely they are the root secrets and all others are just babble (don't kid yourself about Adam's belly button. We don't need to know).

At any rate thats the rant for now. Still haven't found about the decenters but I am looking. I did find out that there are desenters from the desenters so that's just odd. That would make a different post.

God bless all the Saints and Angels. You know who you are!

One more thing remember to keep your covenents no matter what your faith is. God will reward your faithfulness.

FLDS

2008-11-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

I know that we are not affiliated with the decanters who call themselves the FLDS but I feel that I need to address their loss and the rights that they had violated. Its wrong to go after a religion but its right to go after law breakers.

So where is the line?

In my personal opinion in time they will change their name as the other dissenters have (i.e. RLDS) and this change will do as it has done with other dissenters cause a rift and bring others to the LDS faith (perhaps begrudgingly but none the less). Persecution is the true testimonial of endurance of the faith.

I plan on doing more research as to who as also been dissenters of the faith. It should be interesting what I come up with.

The church off the record

2008-11-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

I have had questions about revelations that have occurred when the Prophet and his Apostles are not behind the pulpit. I have noticed that when they are off the record that it seems that there is more revelation and more insight and I know that they are addressing smaller groups and that it might apply to the group more then the world but I then look at the Bible and see where the Apostles addressed the smaller groups and that was published but not the "General Conferences" of their time.
Oh I know that they were in a different time and that travel sucked and the prosecution was great but time is now repeating itself. The people are being persecuted for their political/social/moral view in parts of this country and that needs to stop but will not as long as morality declines and the secret combination's are running rampant, but I digress.
The point that I am driving at is I would like to see more 'off the record' talks that really talk to the people and convey the spirit that I have seen in these talks that are in fact off the record and put those talks in the Church magazine. Personally I think that this would get the Mormons back on track.

Devils Advocate

2008-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

I don't always do this but occasionally I like to play the devils advocate for one of my favorite
websites. Here I purpose a question that I honestly am looking for an answer to. Sometimes I look for questions issued by the gentiles so I can add my comment. Now mind you lately I have been busy with things that have not posted lately but I do from time to time post what I think is a valid point and watch the Nazi Mormons and the Liberal Mormons debate the issue that has been presented on the board. Its quite amusing. I would recommend checking it out some time.

Temperal Beings in a Spiritual World

2008-08-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

There has been now roughly 6000 years of waiting for the incredible world of ours to change and in that time the gospel of Jesus Christ has conme and gone. Now its at risk of leaving because once again the children of god are a temporal bunch of biggits bent of flexing their spritual muscles at each other and at the Gentiles.
Now I am no better as I am just a big of a biggit as the rest of them and my constant nagging on the fact that its become less about be accountable of our behavior and more about what we must be told to read, write and believe.
For instance, the church magazine is run by the General Relief Society and several of their helpers. It has be come less and less of a resource of spirituality's and more of a regurgitation of what once was a inspiration to both men and women.
Anther thing that has got my goat is the spreading of spiritual insight that has pushed into things like the book clubs that have snuck into society of the Mormons and again thats just an other example of the power of the Church stepping in where they have neglected or changed because (I feel) politics that were roosting in the church attempting to make their own echo and toot their own horn. Has it been forgotten that God runs his church and that no man should stand in the way of its structure. Don't get me wrong I love the church and sustain the leadership but I think that the unhappiness has become as thick as the times of Jacob when he had to deal with polygamy and harlots. The church may be feeling a strain that could break it and cause desertion at a new maganatude.

God help us all.