Active Mormon

Isn't it true that "Mormon" in Chinese means "Gates of Hell?"

2011-07-25T10:04:00.000-07:00

This gross misrepresentation can be heard in The God Makers movie and from anti-Mormons parroting the falsehood which it foisted upon them.

Robert W. Blair, professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, is one of several scholars who have answered that charge. He explained that in the Chinese language foreign words are converted into characters which, when read aloud, more or less approximate the sound of the foreign word. In the case of "Mormon," it is represented by two characters that closely approximate the English pronunciation of "Mormon."

The second symbol used for "Mormon" would mean "gate," "door," or "way" in the pure Chinese. Professor Blair said the same symbol would be used to represent the second syllable of the names Simon, Truman, Naumann, Gohrmun, or Siemen. The first syllable of "Mormon" could have been written with one or two syllables, depending on the emphasis desired for the "R" sound. The two-syllable choice would have placed more of an accent on the R: "Mo(are)Men." Instead, the Church selected a symbol that reflects an "r-less accent" or "Mo-Men" sound.

In selecting a Chinese character to represent the first syllable of Mo-Men, almost any one of about 30 Chinese characters that are read as "Mo" could have been chosen. Let us quote from Professor Blair's research:

The symbol that was actually selected is the character specifically used to represent a like sounding syllable in foreign words. When not used to render a meaningless syllable of a foreign word, this character suggests "smoothing something with the hand." (If one were to take this literal rendering seriously, one could explain Mo-Men as meaning "hand-smoothed Gateway," or "way smoothed by hands." Further, interpolation might suggest that it was the bleeding hands of Jesus Christ that smoothed the way to salvation!)

What the crafty enemies of the Restored Church have done is to pervert the facts in such a way that only those knowing Chinese can see their fraud. From the thirty characters which have the reading Mo, they substituted one which means "devil" (and which is not the character used by the Church) and then propagated the lie that in Chinese the word "Mormon" means "Devil's gate," or "Gateway to Hell." (Stephen R. Gibson)

The Journal of Discourses

2011-07-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

A favorite source of material frequently cited by anti-Mormons is the Journal of Discourses. This twenty-six-volume collection of writings of early General Authorities was first published in England between 1853 and 1886 for the intent of providing an income for George D. Watt, the stenographer and publisher for the collection. (Watt, 55.)

The First Presidency approved the publication and the collected volumes filled the need of getting published conference reports into the hands of members in England. Gerald Jones notes however,

In considering the reliability of the Journal of Discourses, we should remember certain circumstances.

Though the First Presidency endorsed the publication of the Journal, there was no endorsement as to the accuracy or reliability of the contents. There were occasions when the accuracy was questionable. The accounts were not always cleared by the speakers because of problems of time and distance. This was especially true during the persecution of the 1880s, which finally forced the cessation of the publication.

Doctrinally, members of the Church were growing and learning. Most adults were converts who had to unlearn and relearn many doctrines. They were learning things that our children learn in Primary and Sunday School. Remarks were frequently impromptu. Close, friendly audiences frequently invited formal discussion of varied topics. There was occasional speculation about doctrines that have since been determined unimportant or even misleading. (Jones, 200-01.)

The Journal of Discourses contains many interesting and insightful teachings by early church leaders and well as intriguing and speculative assumptions and hypothesis of these same leaders. The Journal of Discourses is not, and never has, carried the same weight as scripture (for a definition of scripture-- or “official” scripture-- see my forthcoming article “Journal of Discourses/As Good as Scripture”). It is also important to note that Latter-day Saints do not believe that their leaders (including the Prophet) is infallible. Prophets are entitled to their own opinions, prejudices, and errors, just like everybody else (this topic will be discussed in greater detail in my forthcoming “Doctrinal/Prophets Fallible”).

Anti-Mormon arguments which rely on quotations from the Journal of Discourses are often straw-man arguments, attempting to claim Mormon doctrine from speculative remarks by early leaders. As Stephen Robinson has expressed,

"...time and time again the Latter-day Saints are denied ...[the] basic privilege of defining and interpreting their own doctrines. Quite frequently a Latter-day Saint attempting to explain the tenets of his or her faith to non-Mormons will be interrupted by some self-styled expert who says, “No, that’s not what you believe; this is what you believe!” There generally follows a recital of some hocus-pocus that is certainly not taught by the LDS Church. Ponder the absurdity of it-- “You don’t know what you believe, but I know what you believe; I know your thoughts better than you do!”

When non-Mormons attempt to impose doctrines on the Latter-day Saints or interpret them for us, the resulting fictions generally fall into one of three categories: outright fabrications, distortions of genuine LDS doctrines into unrecognizable forms, or the representation of anomalies within LDS tradition as mainline or official LDS teaching. (Robinson, 1991, 9-10.) Michael R. Ash

Do Latter-day Saints Tear Down the Bible?

2011-06-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

Latter-day Saints don't tear down the Bible--they hold it in high esteem and regard it as the recorded word of God. However, a few well-meaning members, in an effort to help people sense the importance of the Book of Mormon, have a tendency to elaborate on the books that are missing in the Bible, the Biblical doctrines that are not clear, or they focus on erroneous translations in parts of the Bible, to the exdusion of what is so priceless about the Bible. Detractors, building on that tendency and trying to bolster their erroneous notion that Latter-day Saints aren't Christian, often attempt to give the impression that Latter-day Saints are anti-Bible.

This just isn't true. We believe the Bible is the word of God, and we study it, cherish it, and use it so we may better understand God's will. Joseph Fielding Smith said that the Bible "has had a greater influence on the world for good than any other book ever published." Regardless, some try to extract the idea that we don't value the Bible from the eighth Article of Faith, which states, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly." When detractors take this to mean that we feel the Bible is of little worth, the conclusion they draw just isn't true, and it is diametrically opposed to the central message of the Article of Faith they are attempting to explain away. We don't have a problem with the Bible only with occasional mistranslated passages found in various Bible translations.

Latter-day Saints do not believe that any one translation of the Bible is without error, but detractors twist this to mean that Mormons do not accept the Bible as the word of God. However, from this author's experience with numerous Christians, Latter-day Saints seem to accept the Bible more literally than all other denominations!

Fundamentalists or Evangelical Christians, which make up the majority of our most vocal detractors, generally believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, which means that they believe it is without error of any kind. The Book of Mormon, while testifying to the truthfulness of the Bible, does inform us that many plain and precious things were purposely taken out of the Bible centuries ago (1 Nephi 13:26-27). Even in the last decade, clerics of some of the more liberal Christian groups have continued to remove precious truths from the Bible. In one of the more recent translations, for instance, some have gone so far as to change the gender of God.

Latter-day Saints generally would agree with Elder Bruce R. McConkie and others who have stated that the Bible is the foremost of the Standard Works of the Church; that it is the first of the accepted, approved, canonized volumes of scripture used by the Saints as a standard by which all doctrine and procedures are judged (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.390).

The LDS Church unwaveringly testifies of the divine nature of the Bible. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches, through a revelation from the Lord found in the 20th Section, that one of the reasons for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is to prove to the world that "the holy scriptures are true" (D & C 20:11). Obviously the Lord was speaking of the Bible as the holy scriptures, as it was the only Judeo-Christian scriptures that the world had prior to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

While critics sometimes focus on 1 Nephi 13 and its declaration that the plain and precious truths were taken from the Bible, they fail to cite the hundreds of Biblical truths which are testified to by Book of Mormon prophets. These prophets provide a second witness to the truthfulness of such Biblical occurrences as the fall of Adam, the building of the Tower of Babel, and the dividing of the Red Sea incidents which some Bible scholars doubt. Bible renditions of miracles, parables, and even the greatest of events--the resurrection of our Savior--are further born witness to in the Book of Mormon. Clearly the Book of Mormon strengthens the witness of the Bible rather than weakening it.

When critics do mention any Biblical reference found in the Book of Mormon, it is usually accompanied by the accusation that Joseph Smith copied from the Bible. But what could make more sense than the Lord inspiring additional prophets in later dispensations to testify to his words given to prophets in earlier dispensations? Surely the Book of Mormon is a second witness, not only to Jesus Christ, but to the truth of the Bible itself. (Stephen R. Gibson)

Why do Latter-day Saints have secret oaths and covenants?

2011-04-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

While Jesus Christ did very few things in secret, there were times when what occurred was so sacred that he didn't want it discussed openly with others—in at least one case, even with other apostles. This is also true today among the Latter-day Saints concerning the temple.

A Biblical case in point is what occurred on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-9). There, God the Father's voice was heard testifying that Jesus was His Beloved Son. Moses and Elias also appeared to the three apostles and Jesus on that occasion. Later, Christ admonished Peter, James and John to "tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead" (Matt. 17:9). Clearly he was telling them that the truths they had been taught in this glorious experience shouldn't be discussed with others.

On other occasions the Lord told his disciples "that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ," (Matt 16:20, Mark 7:36, Luke 9:21). Sometimes, after he performed miraculous healings, Christ required that the event be kept secret. For instance, after healing a leper (Matt. 8:2-4), he said, "see thou tell no man," (Mark 5:43, Mark 7:36). The Lord counseled us in the Sermon on the Mount to pray and fast in secret, promising that "thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly" (Matt. 6:18).

In John 7:10 we have Christ going somewhere in secret, not openly. He made a clandestine journey from Galilee to Jerusalem to attend the feast of tabernacles. John's account tells us that "when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret."

Not all of us are at the same point in our spiritual maturity. That is why Christ said, regarding his parables, that some are ready to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to others "it is not given" (Matt 13:11). The Bible clearly teaches that people need to be prepared for knowledge of greater truth before it is revealed.

As the author of Hebrews wrote, some are still babes in Christ and are ready only for milk are not yet ready for meat (Heb. 5:12-14). How are they to receive the "meat"? In sacred places, such as the temple!

Paul, himself, when he was caught up into paradise, heard unspeakable words, which were "not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Cor. 12:4).

Nephi beheld "great things, yea, even too great for man," and he recorded that "I was bidden that I should not write them" (2 Ne. 4:25).

Surely in God's timetable there is a time that all shall be revealed. But for now our spiritual learning still comes to us line upon line, as we are ready.

When people aren't ready for the more sacred things that God has for them, they are instructed to ponder the things which they have already received before being given more (3 Ne. 17:2, 3).

This was true in Old and New Testament times, in Book of Mormon times, and is still true today. After we read and study the Book of Mormon, then we will have the sealed portion, not before.

Christ reveals his word to one when he is ready—not before. Once revealed, it is no longer secret to the one who has received the new knowledge—only to the one not ready.

The sacred instructions Latter-day Saints receive in their temples are given as a preparation for their entry into the heavenly realms of glory, after their death and resurrection. Brigham Young gave this explanation of the purpose of the covenants which Latter-day Saints make in their holy temples:

Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell. (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 2, p. 31.) Source:(Stephen R. Gibson)

He Is Not Here, But Is Risen.

2011-04-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today only ruins remain of Capernaum, that city by the lakeshore, heart of the Savior’s Galilean ministry. Here He preached in the synagogue, taught by the seaside, and healed in the homes.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus took a text from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1; see also Luke 4:18)—a clear pronouncement of a divine plan to rescue the sons and daughters of God.

But Jesus’s preaching in Galilee had been merely prelude. The Son of Man had always had a dread rendezvous to keep on a hill called Golgotha.

Arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper, deserted by His disciples, spat upon, tried, and humiliated, Jesus staggered under His great cross toward Calvary. He progressed from triumph to betrayal, torture, and death on the cross.

In the words of the song “The Holy City”:

The scene was changed. …
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

For us our Heavenly Father gave His Son. For us our Elder Brother gave His life.

At the last moment the Master could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things: the human race, the earth, and all the life that ever inhabited it.

No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5–6).

With this pronouncement, those who have lived and died, those who now live and one day will die, and those yet to be born and yet to die had just been rescued.

As the result of Christ’s victory over the grave, we shall all be resurrected. This is the redemption of the soul. Paul wrote:

“There are … 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.

“So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:40–42).

It is the celestial glory that we seek. It is in the presence of God that we desire to dwell. It is a forever family in which we want membership.

Of Him who delivered each of us from endless death, I testify He is a teacher of truth—but He is more than a teacher. He is the exemplar of the perfect life—but He is more than an exemplar. He is the great physician—but He is more than a physician. He is the literal Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of Israel, even the risen Lord, who declared, “I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:4).

“Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”

Of this I testify. (President Thomas S. Monson)

"Racist Mormons"

2011-03-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

Does Mormonism really teach that there is no salvation outside the LDS Church?

2011-02-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

This question takes many forms. Sometimes the individual will ask, "Do I have to be a Mormon to go to heaven?" One person asked Joseph Smith, "Will everyone be damned but Mormons?" His answer was direct: "Yes, and a great portion of them unless they repent, and work righteousness" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

As can be seen from his answer, not all Latter-day Saints are going to be saved—only those who comply with the teachings of the Savior.

Mormonism has long recognized that there is truth to be found in other religions. Joseph Smith declared:

Have the Presbyterians any truth? Yes. Have the Baptists, Methodists, etc., any truth? Yes. They all have a little truth mixed with error. We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316).

When Latter-day Saints speak of the "Church" being the only true Church, they mean that it is the only religious organization today which is authorized by God to administer the ordinances he deems necessary for salvation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is synonymous with "Christ's church," hence the declaration that if one is not a member of Christ's church, there is no salvation.

Even the most militant anti-Mormon Christian agrees that there is no salvation outside of Christ. Since Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it that it should be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:25- 27), the real question is not just where salvation is found, but which is the Church the Savior established and died for?

The point critics seem to be making is, "Wouldn't it be unjust of God to save only those belonging to this small, unpopular church?" But while we declare that salvation is a narrow path, the scope of this work is broad, encompassing all who will ever live on earth. An official statement from the First Presidency regarding the salvation of those who did not belong to Christ's Church, reads in part:

We also declare that the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day, provides the only way to a mortal life of happiness and a fullness of joy forever. For those who have not received the gospel, the opportunity will come to them in the life hereafter if not in this life (Ensign, Jan. 1988, p. 48).

It may be that there are members of our Church that give the impression they are members of an exclusive religious society. This is not representative of the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We soberly testify that the church Jesus established in the meridian of time fell away, and that he has re-established it in preparation for his Second Coming. He commands all mankind to believe in him and extends membership in his earthly kingdom to all people willing to take upon themselves his name and be baptized by those who have authority from him.

No one will be denied the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ and receive his ordinances through those he has authorized. We invite all to partake of the blessings of salvation and become members of God's earthly kingdom.

(Author Stephen R. Gibson)

He Lives

2011-01-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

Does "Mormon" Mean "Gates of Hell"?

2011-01-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

This gross misrepresentation can be heard in The God Makers movie and from anti-Mormons parroting the falsehood which it foisted upon them. Robert W. Blair, professor of linguistics at Brigham Young University, is one of several scholars who have answered that charge. He explained that in the Chinese language foreign words are converted into characters which, when read aloud, more or less approximate the sound of the foreign word.

In the case of "Mormon," it is represented by two characters that closely approximate the English pronunciation of "Mormon."

The second symbol used for "Mormon" would mean "gate," "door," or "way" in the pure Chinese. Professor Blair said the same symbol would be used to represent the second syllable of the names Simon, Truman, Naumann, Gohrmun, or Siemen.

The first syllable of "Mormon" could have been written with one or two syllables, depending on the emphasis desired for the "R" sound. The two-syllable choice would have placed more of an accent on the R: "Mo(are)Men." Instead, the Church selected a symbol that reflects an "r-less accent" or "Mo-Men" sound.

In selecting a Chinese character to represent the first syllable of Mo-Men, almost any one of about 30 Chinese characters that are read as "Mo" could have been chosen. Let us quote from Professor Blair's research:

The symbol that was actually selected is the character specifically used to represent a like sounding syllable in foreign words. When not used to render a meaningless syllable of a foreign word, this character suggests "smoothing something with the hand." (If one were to take this literal rendering seriously, one could explain Mo-Men as meaning "hand-smoothed Gateway," or "way smoothed by hands." Further, interpolation might suggest that it was the bleeding hands of Jesus Christ that smoothed the way to salvation!)

What the crafty enemies of the Restored Church have done is to pervert the facts in such a way that only those knowing Chinese can see their fraud. From the thirty characters which have the reading Mo, they substituted one which means "devil" (and which is not the character used by the Church) and then propagated the lie that in Chinese the word "Mormon" means "Devil's gate," or "Gateway to Hell." (Stephen R. Gibson)

CHRIST is the reason for the season.

2010-12-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving

2010-11-12T11:26:00.000-08:00

How thankful I am for my Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ. My life has truly been blessed in all aspects. I have been blessed with wonderful loving parents who have taught me the Gospel and who provided me with a loving home to grow up in. I was also blessed to have a Sister and a few Brothers who I love.

Heavenly Father has always been mindful of my needs. Everything I have and enjoy I owe to him and my Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the great evils of our time is ingratitude. The late President James E Faust said, "One of the evils of our time is taking for granted so many of the things we enjoy. This was spoken of by the Lord: 'For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?' (D&C 88:33). The Apostle Paul described our day to Timothy when he wrote that in the last days 'men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy' (2 Tim. 3:2). These sins are fellow travelers, and ingratitude makes one susceptible to all of them."

When I think of ingratitude I am reminded of the story of the lepers who were healed by Our Master.

In the book of Luke, chapter 17, we read:

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

“And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:11–19.)

Through divine intervention, those who were lepers were spared from a cruel, lingering death and given a new lease on life. The expressed gratitude by one merited the Master’s blessing, the ingratitude shown by the nine, His disappointment.

I do not want to disappoint my Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ. One thing that has helped me express more gratitude for blessings that I have have been given is this, I say a couple of prayers a day usually morning, afternoon and night. Out of the three prayers I usually have one devoted to gratitude and thankfulness. It has truly helped me to recognize the little things that I have taken for granted.

I love my Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ. I know they live and love us more than we can comprehend. Pray to them! They will hear, They will answer.

How can Latter-day Saints follow a man who boasts to have done a greater work than Jesus Christ?

2010-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

The detractors are referring to a statement Joseph Smith delivered in Nauvoo, Illinois, in May, 1844, shortly before his death. It is true that he was boasting, having patterned his address after a talk by Paul recorded in 2 Corinthians chapter 11. In that sermon, Paul the Apostle was doing some boasting of his own to the Gentiles. Joseph Smith picked up on Paul's theme when he said,

I have more to boast of than any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such work as I (History of the Church, Vol.6, pp. 408-09).

While we aren't sure this is a completely accurate quote, let us assume that it is. Detractors read into this statement that the Prophet was saying he did a greater work than Jesus Christ. Considering the entire text and the circumstance of the time, he seems to be saying only that he was able to keep the Church together better than others did, including Jesus Christ. Surely Joseph Smith would be the first to agree that keeping a church together is not a greater or a more significant work than what was done by Jesus.

There is nothing as significant as being the God of Israel, taking upon oneself the sins of the world, dying for all mankind that they might live, nor being resurrected. Surely, everlasting life is the greatest gift anyone could give.

Nevertheless, the Lord himself said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12). To what greater work could the Savior be referring? Perhaps the Lord means a larger work, but certainly not more significant. For example, John the Baptist presumably baptized more people than Jesus, Paul may have converted more as a missionary, Moses led more Israelites out of bondage, Noah built a bigger ship, and Joseph Smith kept the Church together longer.

The point should be clear: if greater means quantity, there are many who fulfilled the Savior's promise that his followers would do "greater works," and this includes Joseph Smith. (Stephen R. Gibson)

Elder Boyd K. Packer

2010-10-14T21:08:00.000-07:00

During this past General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elder Boyd K Packer gave a great talk. He once again reaffirmed The LDS Churches stance on Marriage and Family. He stated, "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.”

He then adds, "We teach a standard of moral conduct that will protect us from Satan’s many substitutes or counterfeits for marriage. We must understand that any persuasion to enter into any relationship that is not in harmony with the principles of the gospel must be wrong. From the Book of Mormon we learn that “wickedness never was happiness.”

Elder Packer also warned against Pornography saying, "In our day the dreadful influence of pornography is like unto a plague sweeping across the world, infecting one here and one there, relentlessly trying to invade every home, most frequently through the husband and father. The effect of this plague can be, unfortunately often is, spiritually fatal. Lucifer seeks to disrupt “the great plan of redemption,” “the great plan of happiness.”

Now some have chosen to take offense at Elder Packers remarks. Some have protested asking him to recant his statements. Some organizations have marched and some are coming to Utah to deliver letters. One leader of a organization says that Packers talk was hurtful and that gays are second class citizens. This leader even accuses the LDS Church leadership of telling their members to ostracise their gay children. First, The LDS Church has never taught their members to ostracise their gay children. Some members may ostracise their gay children and if they do they are wrong. Second, nowhere in Elder Packers talk does he say that gays are second class citizens.

The late Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had this to offer, ‎"People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are."

I have many Friends and Loved ones who are gay. I love them and respect them and they are always welcome at my home. I do not condone their behavior just like they might not condone some of the things I do. Just because someone is gay doesn't make them a horrible person. Many of my gay Friends and Loved ones are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They know my position. I stand with The First Presidency and The Quorum of The Twelve Apostles on moral issues.

Does the Temple Display Pentagrams?

2010-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is viewed by some extremists among its critics to be a satanic cult. Those who view the Church in this light think they have discovered pentagrams on the Salt Lake Temple's exterior which they conclude are of the occult, and therefore, satanic in origin.

Pentagrams are, by definition, any five-pointed, star-shaped figure. It is no secret that there are five-pointed stars on the outside walls of the Salt Lake Temple; they are there for all to see and admire. However, only those with a jaundiced eye to Mormonism would declare such symbols to be pagan and occult upon viewing them in person. James E. Talmage gives this description of these star stones:

There are in the walls several series of stones of emblematical design and significance, such as those representing the earth, moon, sun, and stars, and in addition are cloud stones, and stones bearing inscriptions ....

Star-Stones are numerous; each bears in relief the figure of a five-pointed star. On the east center-tower immediately below the battlements are sixteen of these, four on each face, and on each of the east comer towers are twelve such stones, making forty on these towers alone. The Keystones of the doorways and those of the window arches belong to this class, each bearing a single star.

Star-Stones of another kind appear on the face of the center tower at the west.

Here, above the highest window and extending to the base of the battlement course, are seen the seven stars of the northern constellation Ursa Major or Great Bear, otherwise known as the Dipper. The group is so placed that the two stars called Pointers are practically in line with the North Star itself (The House of the Lord, pp. 148-50).

Five-sided stars have occasionally been used by Church members in various artistic expressions since the time of Joseph Smith. Some have noted their connection with Church newspapers, Nauvoo legion uniforms, with the concept of deseret, and with the genealogical society of the Church. These stars, for the most part, have been pentagrams only in the sense that they are five-sided stars.

Extremist critics, however, lead unwitting readers to untrue assumptions. They first explain that inverted stars are known as "goat heads" and depict a goat's head within a star that has two points facing up, and then say that the stars on the temple also have two points facing up. What they do not mention is that the five-sided stars can be found placed at various angles, only occasionally having two points up. There are no goat's heads carved on these temple stars. Mormonism is vehemently opposed to anything satanic, and critics' allegations are therefore a distortion of the Church's position.

No one argues that a certain type of pentagram is significant to members of the occult. But to imply that any use of any five-sided star constitutes allegiance to Satan flies in the face of reason. Numerous secular organizations, not least among them the Boy Scouts of America and the U.S. Government, have utilized five-pointed stars as part of their symbolism. Does that make them satanic as well? Are Americans who salute the flag and its fifty pentagrams unwittingly pledging their allegiance to Satan? Of course not.

For most of today's Church members, the stars on the Salt Lake Temple are mainly decorative nuances around the windows and cornices of the temple. That some of them happen to be pointing downward has no significance other than to add variety to the arrangement.

Among today's Church members there are those who interpret the stars as representing light and knowledge. Others see them as referring to the Telestial Kingdom. No other temple is similarly decorated.

In his own time, Jesus also had to contend with those who allege his ministry was inspired and directed by Satan: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (Matt. 12:24).

Perhaps Jesus' response to this allegation is applicable for today's critics of his temple:

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (Matt. 12:25-26)
It is no secret that the LDS Church is opposed to Satan and his plan to enslave mankind. Why then, on the exterior of their temple, would they place symbols promoting this enslavement? The clear answer is that they did not do so. This allegation by extremist anti-Mormon critics is clearly without factual basis, and it typifies their penchant for maliciously attempting to portray the Church in an improper light by making absurd assumptions and comparisons.

There critics would do well to heed the advice of the Savior as he continued addressing his critics: "But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12:36).

Why Believe In the Bible Only "As It Is Translated Correctly"?

2010-09-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

What is the alternative? Would it be more correct to say, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God whether or not it is translated correctly," or "We believe the Bible to be the word of God even if it is translated incorrectly"? It has never failed to amaze the author that someone could take issue with the eighth LDS Article of Faith, which states in part that "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly."

To take another view would imply that incorrect Bible translations are acceptable or that no translation has ever had an error in it. Both of these are naive positions. Joseph Smith discussed this concern when he said:

I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writers. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors (History of the Church, Vol.6, p.57).

The concern, as can be seen by such statements, is not only that there be a faithful translation, but that there also be a faithful transmission of the original Biblical text. Non-LDS scholars are in agreement that the Biblical texts have undergone a variety of modifications:

The early manuscripts were all copied by hand, and in the copying, changes and errors crept in. It has been calculated that in the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament there are 150,000 places in which there are variant readings (Introducing the Bible, pp.133- 34).

While many of these variants are minor (spelling, word order etc.), they nevertheless pose difficulties for translators who try to deterrnine the original text of the New Testament. Complicating the problem of translation is the fact that there are no known original manuscripts of the Old or New Testament which exist today. Translators are therefore unable to compare later manuscripts with originals.

Some changes in the Biblical text were not just copying errors, but intentional alterations. Noted textual experts such as Bruce Metzger have observed:
Many of the alterations which may be classified as intentional were no doubt introduced in good faith by copyists who believed that they were correcting an error or infelicity of language which had previously crept into the sacred text and needed to be rectified. A later scribe might even reintroduce an erroneous reading that had been previously corrected (The Text of the New Testament, p.195).

Metzger further added:

The number of deliberate alterations made in the interests of doctrine is difficult to assess. Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and many other Church Fathers accused the heretics of corrupting the scriptures in order to have support for their special views (Ibid., p.201).

Perhaps the best-known example of this is the statement in 1 John 5:7- 8:
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

This is a spurious text appearing nowhere in earlier New Testament manuscripts. This fact is attested to by numerous scholars who declare that it was apparently a marginal note included as part of the manuscript text

Latter-day Saints recognize the Bible as the word of God and accept it as their foremost book of scripture. They also recognize that it has undergone a series of changes, and therefore reserve the right to believe it to be God's word as far as it has been translated and transmitted correctly. (Stephen Gibson)

Service

2010-08-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

One of The Book of Mormon Prophets, Mosiah taught his people about service. He said, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

Members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints perform numerous hours of service each month. They do it out of Love for their Savior Jesus Christ and for their fellowman.

The Savior Jesus Christ was the perfect example of service. He went about doing good to all. He truly showed us the way to act towards one another. The Savior said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another. . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34–35)

I love performing service for others. We can perform acts of service for everyone around us. Ways we can do this could be, holding a door open, smiling, taking a shopping cart back for someone, helping our neighbors with yard work or shoveling snow. The opportunities are endless.

This video shows several of our Brothers and Sisters in different parts of the world. Members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints donated funds so that these people could receive wheelchairs. This act of service warms my heart and gives me a greater understanding of Love.

The Journal of Discourses

2010-08-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

The Journal of Discourses is a collection of sermons and discourses delivered by Mormon prophets and apostles in the 19th century. There are 26 volumes, which contain 1,438 sermons given by 55 church leaders.

Throughout the history of the Mormon Church, it has been common practice to keep accurate records. Therefore, when a Mormon leader gave a discourse, notes were commonly taken and then it would often be published in the local newspaper. However, these sermons were typically not written out before they were given so the only notes available would be those taken by a reporter or stenographer which were often written in short-hand. These short-hand notes would then be reviewed and the text of the original discourse would be pieced together.

You can imagine, then, that the text of the discourses is not perfect. In fact, there could be some significant mistakes. I’d encourage you to do a test for yourself. Have a friend get a piece of paper and then read out of any book for about 10 minutes at normal speed. Don’t slow down, don’t repeat yourself–just talk as if you were delivering a sermon in front of hundreds of people. It’s likely that your friend will struggle significantly to accurately transcribe your words–compare it against the book and notice the discrepancies. Even those who were trained in short-hand to take notes from oral dictation could not get it perfect. Nonetheless, it was the best method available at the time.

In addition, as I mentioned when explaining what is not Mormon doctrine–not everything said by a Mormon leader is considered to be doctrine. Though they are inspired men and women of God, they still have their own opinions and interpretations.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has offered this official position on the Journal of Discourses:

“The Journal of Discourses is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a compilation of sermons and other materials from the early years of the Church, which were transcribed and then published. It includes practical advice as well as doctrinal discussion, some of which is speculative in nature and some of which is only of historical interest. … Questions have been raised about the accuracy of some transcriptions. Modern technology and processes were not available for verifying the accuracy of transcriptions, and some significant mistakes have been documented. The Journal of Discourses includes interesting and insightful teachings by early Church leaders; however, by itself it is not an authoritative source of Church doctrine.”

You might wonder why I even mention the Journal of Discourses. The reason is because critics like to “cherry-pick” quotes from it. In other words, they will take 2-3 sentences from one sermon and declare that it is Mormon doctrine! Now that you understand what is considered Mormon doctrine and what is not, and also the background of the Journal of Discourses, you won’t be easily fooled by these deceptive tactics. (truemormondoctrine.com)

Outlast Every Critic

2010-07-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

"Those who mock Joseph Smith fulfill the prophecy of the Lord Himself. In the misery of Liberty Jail in March of 1839, Joseph cried out, 'O God, where art thou?' Among the words that came in answer are these: 'The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;

" 'While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.

" 'And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.' (D&C 122:1–3.)

". . . I can promise that if you will make your decisions according to the standards of the gospel and the teachings of the Church, and if you will keep the faith, your lives will bear fruit of great good and you will know much of happiness and accomplishment.

"This Church is true. It will weather every storm that beats against it. It will outlast every critic who rises to mock it. It was established by God our Eternal Father for the blessing of His sons and daughters of all generations. It carries the name of Him who stands as its head, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. It is governed and moves by the power of the priesthood. It sends forth to the world another witness of the divinity of the Lord. Be faithful, my friends. Be true. Be loyal to the great things of God which have been revealed in this dispensation."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Keep the Faith," Ensign, Sept. 1985, 6

How grateful I am to be a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints.

Isn't it anti-Christian to have rituals like Latter-day Saints do in their temples?

2010-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Rituals, by definition, are acts that are performed repeatedly with an expectation of some type of results. In the case of religion, the results involve God's intervention. For example, in Old Testament times, under the direction of the prophets, the people sacrificed animals in similitude of the sacrifice which Jesus Christ was going to make in their behalf. Rituals regarding the Passover were especially evident.

In the time of Christ, doves and other animals were sacrificed by the hundreds of thousands yearly in the temple. Yet today, these same God-introduced actions would seem strange, almost cultic. Nevertheless, they were commanded of God through Moses.

In New Testament times, other rituals were initiated. The Lord's supper, baptisms, and symbolic washing of feet are examples of these rituals.

It is easy for others to label something they do not understand as non-Christian or Satanic. Consider the Muslim tradition of facing Mecca five times a day when one prays: it isn't something Christians do, but it isn't satanic either.

Because non-LDS Christians don't understand the LDS temple and what goes on there, some have relentlessly dreamed up bizarre stories that mark this sacred worship. Lately, a small group of anti-Mormons, while professing great love of Mormons, claim a worship of the devil occurs in the temple, which just isn't true.

The rituals we perform in the temple seem different to them, but different doesn't make them evil. Picture a non-Christian hearing Jesus speak these words: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (John 6:56). Some of Christ's own disciples were so confused about the introduction of this "ritual" they quit following Jesus (John 6:66).

The Old Testament, especially Exodus and Numbers, is replete with temple rituals that today seem strange and very different to us. These are God's words to Moses from the Good News Bible, Exodus
29:4-9:

Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of my presence, and have them take a ritual bath. Then dress Aaron in the priestly garments—the shirt, the ephod, the robe that goes over the ephod, the breastpiece, and the belt. Put the turban on him, and tie on it the sacred sign of dedication engrave, dedicated to the Lord, then take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him. Bring his sons and put shirts on them; put sashes around their waists and tie caps on their heads . . .

They and their descendants are to serve me as priests forever.
Later in the same 29th chapter of Exodus, we read:

Take the other ram—the ram used for dedication—and tell Aaron and his sons to put their hands on its head. Kill it, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Throw the rest of the blood against all four sides of the altar (Exodus 29:19-20).

Obviously these rituals are no longer performed. However, those who believe the Bible to be the word of God accept these rituals as being from God and of God, strange as they sound to us today.

True followers of Jesus Christ during the meridian of time would not have tried to get Peter to talk about what transpired on the Mount of Transfiguration after the Lord had told him and two other apostles not to tell anyone else, as long as the Lord was living. Those rituals which are performed in the temples today consist of making sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven. No one in good taste makes fun of things sacred to another, nor tries to bait them into talking publicly about things they have promised not to divulge.

Critics and The Apostasy.

2010-06-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Critics of the LDS belief in an apostasy after the death and resurrection of Christ often cite Jude 1:3 as proof that no such apostasy took place. This passage speaks of the faith which was "once for all" delivered to the saints. Those critics believe that "once for all" (Jude 1:3, NIV) means that there will never be a need to restore the gospel… that it will never be taken from the earth or lost.

The word "once" as used in Jude 1:3 should be translated as "before" or "previously" to be more accurate. As proof of this, note that the same Greek word was used in verse 5 and was also translated in the KJV as "once." The context used in verse 5 makes it clear that to interpret the use in verse two as "one time" is not correct. The KJV translates the Greek as "ye once knew this" (i.e. He knew it in the past but may have forgotten it). The New International Version confirms this by translating this same Greek word (once--verse 5) as "already," meaning formerly.

Other scriptures confirm that many general apostasies have taken place, and that the gospel had been formerly delivered to ancient Israel following these apostasies… (Deuteronomy 9:7,25; 29:25; 30:15- 19; Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 11:2; 14:22; 2 Kings 17:7; 21:2; Psalms 106:36; Isaiah 2:8; 39; 24:5; 29:13-14; 59:2; Jerimiah 2:17; 7:11; 35:15; Ezekiel 2:3; 11:12; 22:26; Hosiah. 4:6, 17; Amos 8:11; Micah 3:11; Matthew 13:15; 15:9).

Paul taught the Galatians that "God… preached before the gospel unto Abraham" (Galatians 3:8) and in Hebrews 4:2 he declared that, "unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them [Israel in the days of Moses.. 1 Corinthians 10:4, Hebrews 3:16-17]: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2). If the gospel was preached to Abraham in 2000 BC, to the people of Israel during the Exodus in 1350 BC, and then to Israel of Christ's day, it was delivered more than one time. (See also Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 61:1; Moses 5:58-59; 6:51-68; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 59-61; Seaich, Mormonism, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Nag Hammadi Texts, pp. 54-55).

It is clear that an apostasy was predicted by Jesus Christ and his apostles. Jesus taught that, "many shall come in my name, saying 'I am Christ', and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:5). Paul declared, "Be not soon shaken in mind, or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, not by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by many means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first." (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3).

We should note that the Greek word apostasia was translated as "falling away" in the KJV. Thus Paul is saying that the early Christians should not be fooled by false Christs since there would be an unmistakable apostasy before Christ's return. Consider also the following: Matthew 24:4, 9-13, 24; John 16:2-3; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 1:6-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 12-13; 4:3-4; Titus 1:10-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:3; 1 John 2:18-19; Jude 3-4; Revelation 13:4-8.

Other Biblical verses such as Matthew 17:11; Acts 1:6-7; 3:19-21; Ephesians 1:10; and Revelation 14:6 confirm the LDS belief that a restoration of the gospel was prophesied to occur in these latter days.

Some may be tempted to cite the Protestant reformation as the fulfillment of these prophecies, but it is clear that the promised restoration was to be accomplished not through man's effort but in spite of it (Daniel 2:44-45; Matthew 5:13; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:3-4; Hebrews 6:4-8). Such a renewal came at the time of the Savior's mortal ministry. Jesus Christ made no attempt to reform the doctrines and institutions of His day; He simply restored the true gospel to the Earth. It was taught not as reformed Judaism but rather as a new alternative to it. As Jesus taught, new wine cannot be put in old bottles or both the wine and the bottles will be lost (Matthew 9:16-17). The multitudes of Protestant churches existing today are proof of the fact that a reformation cannot succeed in restoring absolute truth. God has always accomplished this end through new revelation to his chosen prophets and not through self-appointed reformers. ( Author: Michael Hickenbotham)

It's also interesting that some of the early reformer recognized the Apostasy.

Roger Williams, pastor of the oldest Baptist Church in America at Providence, Rhode Island, refused to continue as pastor on the grounds that, "There is no regularly-constituted church on earth, nor any person authorized to administer any Church ordinance: nor can there be, until new apostles are sent by the great Head of the Church, for whose coming I am seeking." (Picturesque America, or the Land We Live In, ed. William Cullen Bryant, New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1872, vol. 1, p. 502.)

Williams also said, "The apostasy... hath so far corrupted all, that there can be no recovery out of that apostasy until Christ shall send forth new apostles to plant churches anew." (Underhill, Edward, "Struggles and Triumphs of Religious Liberty", cited in William F. Anderson, "Apostasy or Succession, Which?", pp. 238-39)

In a work prepared by seventy-three noted theologians and Bible students, we read: "...we must not expect to see the Church of Holy Scripture actually existing in its perfection on the earth. It is not to be found, thus perfect, either in the collected fragments of Christendom, or still less in any one of these fragments. . . ." (Dr. William Smith, Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1896.)

Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, prominent American Baptist clergyman and author, described the decadent condition of the Christian churches of the first half of the twentieth century in these words:

"A religious reformation is afoot, and at heart it is the endeavor to recover for our modern life the religion of Jesus as against the vast, intricate, largely inadequate and often positively false religion about Jesus. Christianity today has largely left the religion which he preached, taught and lived, and has substituted another kind of religion altogether. If Jesus should come back to now, hear the mythologies built up around hint, see the creedalism, denominationalism, sacramentalism, carried on in his name, he would certainly say, 'If this is Christianity, I am not a Christian.'"

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, lamented that the Christian had apostatized from the gospel that Christ and the apostles had taught, had lost the spiritual gifts that they once enjoyed, and had turned heathen again with only a dead form left:

"It does not appear that these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were common in the church for more than two or three centuries. We seldom hear of them after that fatal period when the emperor Constantine called himself a Christian, and from a vain imagination of promoting the Christian cause thereby, heaped riches and power and honor upon Christians in general, but in particular upon the Christian clergy. From this time they almost totally ceased; very few instances of the kind were found. The cause of this was not as has been supposed because there was no more occasion for them because all the world was become Christians. This is a miserable mistake; not a twentieth part of it was then nominally Christian. The real cause of it was the love of many, almost all Christians, so called, was waxed cold. The Christians had no more of the Spirit of Christ than the other heathens. The Son of Man, when he came to examine His Church, could hardly find faith upon the earth. This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian Church because the Christians were turned heathens again, and only had earth a dead form left." (Wesley's Works, vol. 7, 89:26, 27)

In the Church of England Homily Against Peril of Idolatry we read: "So that laity and clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sects, and degrees of men, women, and children of whole Christendom -- an horrible and most dreadful thing to think -- have been at once drowned in abominable idolatry; of all other vices most detested by God, and most damnable to man; and that by the space of eight hundred years and more." The Book of Homilies dates from about the middle of the sixteenth century; and in it is thus officially affirmed that the so-called Church and the whole religious world had been utterly apostate for eight centuries or more prior to the establishment of the Church of England.

In the words of one eminent historian, "Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. The Greek mind, dying, came to a transmigrated [new] life in the theology and liturgy of the Church." (Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, 3:595.)

Thomas Jefferson, though not a cleric in the usual sense, was a great student of Christianity. Even he acknowledged the loss of the original gospel and said that he looked forward to "the prospect of a restoration of primitive Christianity."

Opening another Blog...

2010-05-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

Greetings to you! I have started another blog that will be dedicated to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The link is on the rightside of this blog. Feel free to check it out.

The Book of Mormon

2010-05-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

I love The Book of Mormon. I know it is true. The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon stands with the Bible testifying that Jesus is the Christ the very Son of God. Enjoy this video of a modern day Apostle sharing his witness that The Book of Mormon is TRUE!!

Do Latter-Day Saints teach another Gospel?

2010-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Anti-Mormon detractors sometimes assert that since LDS beliefs regarding salvation, the Godhead, the exaltation of man, and the accuracy of the Bible, differ from Protestant or Catholic beliefs, Mormons must believe "another gospel" than that found in the Bible (Gal. 1:6).

Though others do have a portion of the gospel as found in the Bible, they lack the fullness of the everlasting gospel spoken of in Revelation 14:6; 3 Nephi 27:13-21; D & C 14:10; and 20:9. The fullness of the gospel is defined in Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine (p. 333) as "those laws, doctrines, ordinances, powers. and authorities needed to enable men to gain the fullness of salvation" (i.e. exaltation in the celestial kingdom).

Since the power and authority to administer the saving ordinances resides solely in Christ's church, only that church has the fullness of his gospel. The fullness of the gospel as taught by the LDS Church is in agreement with Bible teachings. Latter-day Saints generally list five principles and ordinances as essential to salvation. These are:

1. Faith m the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer (Mark 16:1518: John 3:16-18: 8:24: Acts 16:31; Rom. 1:16-17~ 10:8: Hob. 3:17-19: 10:38-39~ I Peter 1:9: I John 5:5).

2. Repentance of personal sin (Isa. 55:6-7: Ezek. 33:14-15: Matt. 21:28-32: Luke 13:3: Acts 2:38: 3:19:11:18: Hob. 6:l-2; l John 1:8-9).

3. Baptism by immersion by those having authority (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 7:28-30; John 3:5; Acts 2:37-38; 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21).

4. Receipt of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:37-38; 11:16; 1 Cot. 2:11-14; 12:3; 2Thes. 2:13).

5. Enduring to the end through obedience to gospel teachings (Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; Heb. 6:15; James 1:12, 22, 27; 3 John 11; Rev. 2:26; 3:21; 21:7).

These principles are taught clearly in the Book of Mormon: "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 no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness to the end.

Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day" (3 Nephi 27:16, 19-20).

In contrast, fundamentalist Christians believe that in order to be saved one must (1) accept Jesus Christ as his Savior and (2) accept certain "orthodox Christian beliefs" which they define as:

1. Accepting the deity of Christ.

2. Accepting the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

3. Believing in salvation solely by the grace of God, through faith alone, since Christ's atonement pays for all sin.

4. Believing in the trinity.

5. Believing in the virgin birth of Christ.

The first question that must be asked is: are these tenets propounded by fundamentalist Christians in agreement with Bible scripture? Members of the LDS Church would agree that the first two stated "basic Christian beliefs" are true and are in accordance with the Bible. They are also basic Mormon beliefs; but only the first, as it pertains to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is defined in the scriptures as essential to salvation.

Evangelicals also perceive the deity of Christ as meaning that the one "triune" God the Father came to earth and manifested himself as the Son, a distinctly different understanding of Christ's divine nature than that held by Latter-day Saints.

Although a belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is an important part of understanding his mission on earth and having faith in him, it is not listed in the Bible as a requirement for salvation.

The third tenet is accurate if one understands the conditional nature of Christ's atonement for personal sin. He died for all mankind on condition that we accept his sacrifice and follow him (Heb. 5:9; I Peter 2:21 and other references found in chapter 6 of this text). Eternal life is gained through knowing God (John 17:3) and keeping his commandments (1 John 2:3-5). It thus becomes part of enduring.

The fourth tenet would be true (per John 17:3) if the doctrine of the trinity were true. The word trinity is not found in the Bible and the concept of biblical oneness implies only unity of purpose and action. An unbiased reading of John 17:11, 21-22; Romans 12:5, 16; 15:6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 6:17; 8:6; 10:17; 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 1:10; and Hebrews 2:11 demonstrates this conclusively.

Last, belief in the virgin birth, as taught by fundamentalist Christians, is in no way a biblical requirement for salvation. Although the LDS Church acknowledges that the Savior was born of a virgin, many other Christians assert that both Christ's conception and birth were miraculous and that Mary remained a virgin for the remainder of her life. This teaching, like those of the trinity, transubstantiation, indulgences, limbo, and others, was introduced during the apostasy following the death of the apostles and has no basis in scripture.

In summary, the gospel as taught in the LDS church, especially in the critical area of salvation, is in harmony with the Bible, while "fundamentalist" doctrines generally ignore references to principles other than faith. Any additional requirements for salvation which are found in the scriptures, such as baptism or obedience to commandments, are often rationalized or dismissed as optional. To this the Lord has said: "Woe to the rebellious ... that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin" (Isa. 30:1).

Latter-day Saints do not ignore Bible passages which refer to repentance, baptism, or the gift of the Holy Ghost, nor do they think that through their works they can somehow be saved without Jesus Christ. Latter-day Saints cannot be accused of professing to know God but in works deny him (Titus 1:16), but instead are by patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Author: Michael W. Hickenbotham

Latter-day Saints wear a special garment they receive in the temple which is seldom removed. Isn't this a non-Christian practice?

2010-04-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

The idea of having special clothing that is to be considered sacred and dedicated is not foreign to the Bible, for both the Old and New Testaments contain references to garments of special significance. The Old Testament specifies, "Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment" (Eccl. 9:8). The New Testament declares, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Rev. 16:15).

The garment worn by Latter-day Saints that is given them in the temple is a symbol of covenants, purity and faithfulness to Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that, as Adam and Eve were clothed by the Lord ["unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21)] so we too are clothed as a reminder of our promises to the Lord. It should not be surprising that clothing which represents promises to the Lord should be regarded as holy, especially to those who understand the role of the temple in ancient Israel.

The Lord commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and others in the making and wearing of clothing that was to be regarded as holy. Speaking of Aaron the Lord told Moses, "Bring his sons and put shirts on them; put sashes around their waists and tie caps on their heads" (Exodus 29:8-9, Good News Bible). These garments were designated by God and considered sacred (Exodus 28, 39:41).

Elder Boyd K. Packer, a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, had some interesting comments about the undergarment received in the Temple. In one address to the non-member faculty and staff of the Navy Chaplain's Training School, he reminded them that as chaplains, they too wear articles of clothing that set them apart from everyone else. He added that their religious clothing meant a great deal to them and that likewise we draw something of the same benefits from our special clothing "as you would draw from your clerical vestments. The difference is that we wear ours under our clothing instead of outside. For we are employed in various occupations in addition to our service in the Church" (The Holy Temple, p. 76).

The wearing of the garment, although seen by some non-members as a peculiar practice, is for the devoted Latter-day Saints an activity which symbolizes a life devoted to Christ-centered activity. "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment" (Revelation 3:4-5). Certainly it is a practice for which there are several significant Biblical precedents. (Stephen R. Gibson)

Anti-Mormon Critics...

2010-04-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

"Why do the Elders of the Church hold their peace, instead of contradicting the various falsehoods, which are published concerning them and their principles? The answer is, it would require a standing army of writers and printers in constant employ; for no sooner are our enemies detected in one falsehood, than a thousand more are put in circulation by them: and there are many who love a lie so much more than the truth,that we are quite willing they should enjoy their strong delusion." (Parley P. Pratt, Mormonism Unveiled, 1838)

From its beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members have been targets of persecution and criticism.

Though sometimes well intended, anti-Mormon publications have often taken the form of invective, falsehood, demeaning caricature, prejudice, and legal harassment, leading to both verbal and physical assault. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism)

In other words, our critics are not very truthful or nice people. This persecution is not unexpected, for the Savior told us:

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luke 6:22-23)

However, like the Apostle Paul,none of these things move [us], neither count [we our lives] dear unto [ourselves], so that [we] might finish [our] course with joy, and the ministry, which [we] have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

The scriptures teach:

... the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The validity of Latter-day Saint claims is a question of faith and is a personal issue between an individual and God. However, that does not mean that an appropriate response cannot be given to anti-Mormon propaganda.

Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish. (Austin Farrer on C. S. Lewis.)

The truthfulness of the claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fall into the realm of faith, and can neither be proven true nor false by human means. One must seek the answer directly from God.

Therefore, visitors are encouraged to follow the following admonition of the Savior:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Matthew 7:15-18)

If you have been troubled by anti-Mormon propaganda and cannot find the answer ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is the critics' presentation of Latter-day Saints reflective of who we are and how we live our lives? As you ponder LDS beliefs on family, morality, and service, do these things taste good to you? Don't these things make you feel happy and closer to God? Is this not good fruit?

2) What techniques do the critics use? Do they lie, distort, or sensationalize? Is this the type of behavior you would expect from true servants of Jesus Christ? Do these things taste good to you? Don't these things leave you with bad ugly feelings? Is this not evil fruit?

Ask yourself -- who brings forth the good fruit and who does not?

(Russell Y Anderson)

Here's a lovely video of some anti-mormon critics.

These same "preachers" were also spitting on newley weds at the Salt Lake Temple.

The Living Christ and the Resurrection.

2010-04-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

How I love this time of the year when spring is arriving and living things start to bloom and have new life. I love Easter and the privilege we have to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his glorious resurrection. I love reading Matthew chapter 28 each year Easter morning. What a wonderful gift we have in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Because of the Atonement everyone can be forgiven of their sins and everyone regardless of whether they have done good or evil will be resurrected. At the resurrection "All will be brought before God to be judged according to their works."

Rev. 20:12-13

12 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.

13 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.

"The Savior's atonement in the garden and on the cross is intimate as well as infinite. Infinite in that it spans the eternities. Intimate in that the Savior felt each person's pains, sufferings, and sicknesses. Consequently, he knows how to carry our sorrows and relieve our burdens that we might be healed from within, made whole persons, and receive everlasting joy in his kingdom. May our faith in the Father and the Son help each of us to become whole."

Merrill J. Bateman, "The Power to Heal from Within," Ensign, May 1995, 14

How I love my Savior Jesus Christ. He has changed me forever and I have overome alot with his help. I know that with him and through him all things can and will be overcome, even death.

“In all the history of the world there have been many great and wise souls, many of whom claimed special knowledge of God. But when the Savior rose from the tomb, He did something no one had ever done. He did something no one else could do. He broke the bonds of death, not only for Himself but for all who have ever lived—the just and the unjust (see John 5:28–29).”

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Dark Friday, Bright Sunday," New Era, Mar. 2008, 4

God be thanked for the matchless gift of his Living Son Jesus Christ.

Prayer

2010-02-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

While serving a mission for The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints in the city of Chicago and the out lying areas I was extremely blessed by the power of prayer and had many wonderful and sacred things happen. I will share one experience that happened to me while serving the people of Sandwich, Il.

My companion and myself were getting ready for the day and headed out to the car to begin our day teaching people about the Restoration of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. We had a map of our area and each time we worked a certain street we would highlight it so we would know that that street had been worked.

Before we looked over the map we said a prayer asking for Heavenly Fathers help to find people who were honest in heart and willing to hear the message we had for them. We pled with Heavenly Father that he would guide us to these people. We then ended our prayer and began to look over the map. We picked three streets that we felt good about and returned to Heavenly Father again in prayer. We told Heavenly Father that we had picked three streets and needed his help to know which one he would have us work on.

We again ended our prayer and looked over the three streets again and my companion and myself were blessed with a revelation to work (Vine St.) We headed to the street that was chosen and got out of the car and began to knock on the houses of this street.

The first house we knocked on a lady by the name of Lora Rogers answered the door. She had the telephone up to her ear and had a really suprised look on her face. She said, "Can you guys come back tomarrow?" We said sure and scheduled a appointment with her and began to knock on more doors. Lora was the only nice person on that street. Evereyone else swore at us and told us that we were evil and that us poor boys belonged to a cult.

The next day we came back to talk with Lora. We knocked on her door and she quickly invited us inside. She told us that she had something incredible happen to her and she knew that God had sent us to her. She began to explain to us what happened. She told us that the day we knocked on her door she was putting wallpaper up in her bathroom. She said she had on the t.v. and saw a commercial talking about The Book of Mormon. She told us that she felt prompted to call the number that was being advertised so she did. She continued to tell us that as she was talking on the phone ordering The Book of Mormon we knocked on the door.

Lora was excited and could not believe how everything came together. She told us that she knew she needed to listen to our message. We taught Lora and at the end of the lesson she told us that this is what she had been looking for. She then desired to be baptized into The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. What a wonderful way to know that our Heavenly Father listens to our prayers.

I invite all who read this blog to sincerely listen to the missionaries and to ponder the message they present. This message has brought me much joy and happiness beyond description. I am a happier person because of it and rejoice in knowing that my Heavenly Fathers lives and that his Son Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he lives. I Love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the privilege I had to serve a full-time mission to the city of Chicago. I have a deep love for the people of Chicago and the out lying areas and remember them everyday in my prayers God be thanked for the gift of Prayer!

Are All Statements By LDS Authorities Doctrine?

2010-01-31T20:13:00.000-08:00

The following in quotations was taken from my Friend Stephen R. Gibsons book titled One minute answers to anti-mormon questions.

Are All Statements By LDS Authorities Doctrine?

"Anti-Mormon critics often rummage through hundreds of pages of Church history or lectures by General Authorities of the last 160 years to find some statement they regard as doctrinally unsound or emotionally inflammatory, hoping to embarrass the Church by what was said then. These critics then try to use these "tidbits" as leverage against Latter-day Saints who might, in error, believe that everything said by General Authorities is Church doctrine and therefore binding on the Church and its members.

It is, of course, unfair to hold the Church responsible for every statement, true or false, made by any one of its members. The member who made the statement in question must be the one held responsible for the statement.

A double standard is used by these anti-Mormon critics. They would never dream of holding the Lutheran Church responsible for every statement made by Martin Luther, or the Methodist Church responsible for all of John Wesley's remarks. Yet many try to hold the LDS Church responsible for all of its early leaders' remarks, as well as any statement by present leaders. The double standard is compounded because their churches have no apostles nor prophets. They have no one who is recognized as authorized to speak for them. Televangelists, pastors, authors and other individuals express a wide spectrum of personal views. But does anyone expect them to be "authorized spokesmen" for "orthodox Christianity"? Of course not. But the double standard detractors attempt to impose on Latter-day Saints tries to make any members or leader an "official spokesman" of the Church's doctrine, practices and beliefs.

Those doctrines for which the LDS Church is responsible and which are binding upon its members are (1) those which are found in its Standard Works—that is the reason we refer to them as our "Standard Works"; and (2) the official statements approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, issued to the Church as doctrine.

Church President Harold B. Lee gave some timeless council in 1972:

I say that we need to teach our people to find their answers in the scriptures. If only each of us would be wise enough to say that we aren't able to answer any question unless we can find a doctrinal answer in the scriptures! And if we hear someone teaching something that is contrary to what is in the scriptures, each of us may know whether the things spoken are false—it is as simple as that. But the unfortunate thing is that so many of us are not reading the scriptures. We do not know what is in them, and therefore we speculate about the things that we ought to have found in the scriptures themselves. I think that therein is one of our biggest dangers of today (Ensign, Dec. 1972, p. 3).

While President Lee was specifically speaking about members using commentaries and other books in place of the scriptures, his advice is equally applicable to sermons, talks, and general responses to issues of the day, no matter where, when, or by whom spoken.

When judging whether something said is reliable or not, we must first view it in light of our Standard Works. We believe in the doctrine of infallibility as it pertains to God, not as it pertains to man. There is only one exception to the rule that everything that is taught should be rooted in the scriptures, and that exception is the prophet. He has the right and responsibility to receive new revelation beyond what has already been revealed in the scriptures.

If a historical tidbit seems inflammatory, we should read it in context with the time, setting, and conditions under which it was said. For example, comments of the brethren regarding the clergy shortly after the death of Joseph Smith at Carthage obviously do not represent the feelings of the Church leadership in the less-emotional times of today. Brigham Young's comments about the government of the United States, while U.S. troops were on the way to Salt Lake City to put down what they thought was the "Mormon Rebellion," must be read in that context. Responses of the leading authorities regarding the political platform of a party that called "Mormon polygamy and slavery" twin barbarisms, cannot be considered the prevalent feelings one hundred years later.

Many of Jesus's own statements could appear inflammatory when taken out of their cultural and historical setting. Examples are when Jesus is preaching to "resist not evil" (Matt. 5:39), or when Jesus is being led by Satan (Matt. 4:5), or advising others to eat flesh or drink blood (Matt. 26:26-28). If the perfect master's teachings can be made to appear preposterous when taken out of context, how much easier would it be to ridicule his imperfect servants' statements?

Joseph Smith once said: "This morning I visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that a prophet is always a prophet; but I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such" (History of the Church, Vol. 5, p. 265).

Prophets, express personal and private views on many topics, including doctrine. These comments, if they are out of harmony with revealed scripture, can be rejected. Certainly, they are not doctrinally binding comments."

Mormons and Prop 8

2010-01-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight while watching the news I heard that a "Former Mormon" Reed Cowan made a documentary about the Mormon Church's involvement in Prop 8. I have viewed the documentary and have found most of it to be one sided and of course pro-gay marriage. Reed was married at one point to a woman then a divorce happened and now he has chosen the homosexual lifestyle to live. Reed says that he is trying to reach out to the youth of the Church so that they will see that the Church is a bully.

Reed, Brother The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints will always stand for traditional marriage. Sure I disagree with pro-gay marriage supporters. I have many gay friends and some family members who live that lifestyle. I do not hate them! I have been taught by LDS church leaders to love them. Just because I don't condone their behavior doesn't mean I'm a hater and people have labeled the Mormon Church as such which just isn't true.

The Savior Jesus Christ does not condone sin. In the New Testament we read of a woman who was taken in adultery. When brought before the Savior the woman cried at his feet. The Savior told her to go and SIN NO MORE. He didn't say "Hey it's okay I love you, you can continue with that behavior." Was Jesus a hater?

The late President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married" (“Why We Do Some of the Things We Do,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 54).

Why doesn't Reed mention this if he is making a documentary about truth?

In closing I love gay people but I do not condone their behavior. Am I a hater?

Here is a short video that was prodcast to LDS church members in California.

The Living Christ

2010-01-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

The following is the Testimony of the Living Christ given by The First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

"He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it.

His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

I love my Savior Jesus Christ and know that he lives. He has changed my life for the better and has helped me overcome many things. How grateful I am to know that he and his Father are two seperate individuals who have bodies of flesh and bone. I look forward to the moment that I will bow at his feet and bathe them with my tears exclaiming "My Lord and My God."

I am grateful as well to be lead by Prophets and Apostles in our day and to know that they are special witnesses of the Savior Jesus Christ

Many other Christians say that we Latter-Day Saints aren't Christian and that's okay because that's their opinion. I take comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is my final judge and not them.

Jesus Christ lives and will return!

If Latter-day Saints are Christians, why don't they have crosses on their churches or wear them as jewelry?

2009-12-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

(Taken from One minute answers to anti-mormon questions by Stephen Gibson)

Latter-day Saints are among several Christian groups who do not have the cross as part of their regular service or on their buildings. This doesn't mean that their theology is not Christ-centered—it just isn't cross-centered. Latter-day Saints remember the blood shed for us on Calvary each Sunday as we partake of the Sacrament.

To us, the message of Christ far exceeds the idea that he was tortured and died in one of the most brutal, painful ways known to man—by hanging on a cross for hours. Our central message is that after Christ died on the cross, he was physically resurrected and overcame death, and that he lives today with a resurrected body of flesh and bones. Through his resurrection all mankind will be resurrected.

The cross, as a piece of jewelry has been heavily commercialized. In the Christian merchandising industry it's frequently referred to as "holy hardware." Wearing a cross is simply a custom that has never appealed to Latter-day Saints, who tend towards simplicity in dress and a lack of ostentation. To us the cross is merely the vehicle upon which our Lord and Savior died. If he had been hung, stoned, or stabbed, would his true followers venerate a noose, rock, or knife? We think not.

There is no scriptural evidence that the twelve Apostles or Christ put any emphasis on wearing the cross. Surely, we can't for a minute think that they weren't Christians, can we? Consider Mary, the mother of the son of God, or Mary Magdalene, both of whom witnessed the agony of the one they loved as he died on the cross. They were Christians, yet to them and other Christians and Jews, the cross was a highly distasteful symbol of the crucifixions that took literally thousands of lives. Does any thinking Christian suppose for a moment that Mary would wish to adorn herself with a cross? Yet surely she shouldn't be excluded from the ranks of Christians. When Christ comes again, will he be wearing a cross? We would think not. Would Our Father in Heaven likely have a special place in his heart for the cross, the instrument of torture for his Only Begotten son?

The cross is not the mediator between God and man. Christ Jesus is the mediator, our advocate with the Father. Some well-meaning Christians have illustrations that show the gap between man's sinful ways and God bridged by the cross. The symbolism would be more accurate if Christ himself were shown bridging the gap, not the weapon that took his life.

We also do not emphasize the cross in our worship because we teach that a large part of the Atonement of Christ occurred prior to Calvary. When in the Garden of Gethsemane, Our Savior bled from every pore as he bore the weight of the sins, grief and pain of all mankind (see Luke 22:44 and D & C 19:18).

A related accusation is that Latter-day Saints worship the Angel Moroni, since his likeness is found on temples and elsewhere. Logic breaks down in that argument, since those making those statements would not say they worship the cross, even though it is used the same way—as a symbol. The statue of Angel Moroni is "heralding" the everlasting gospel to every nation, tongue, and people (Rev. 14:6). Moroni was a man, then an angel, neither of which should be worshiped.

Organizations often seek symbols or logos which differentiate them from similar organizations. Latter-day Saint architecture has long utilized a single spire as a distinctive symbol on its chapels, which are clearly recognizable because of their design. To some Latter-day Saints, this spire represents the glory of Christ's rising from the dead and the hope it brings to all mankind. It also represents man's upward reach toward God. This is a fitting contrast to many other demoninational buildings with crosses, which focus on what Latter-day Saints regard as the sorrow and grief of our Saviour's death.

Christmas Message

2009-12-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

At this sacred season, I reaffirm the reality of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I testify that He was the only perfect man ever to walk the earth. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and beckons to all, "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22).

It is His holy influence that stirs mankind to acts of mercy and kindness. He who has "borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4) inspires each of us to reach out with love to the poor, the lonely, and the downtrodden.

May Christmastime remind us that the Prince of Peace, who stilled the tempest on the Sea of Galilee, has the power to calm the storms in our personal lives. May His peace fill our hearts and homes throughout the coming year as we strive to walk in His ways.

How grateful I am for the Living Son of God even Jesus Christ!

Mormon Temples....

2009-11-22T17:45:00.000-08:00

As a Temple going Mormon I can say that the things that happen in the Temple are wonderful. Everything that happens in the Temple revolves around Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.

The ceremonies that happen the Temple are SACRED not secret! Covenants are made in the Temple. It is true that we wear relgious clothing in the Temple! Many do not understand therefore they criticize. Former members like to mock and make things up just for the pure "shock factor." I was asked by a person on my mission..."Is it true that you keep women locked in the Salt Lake Temple and the only way they can escape is to jump from the top of the Temple to the Great Salt Lake? I laughed then I said, Heavens no! We do not keep Women locked in the Temple!

Besides if we did have women that could jump from the top of The Salt Lake Temple to the Great Salt Lake I would place them on Team USA in the Olympics for the long jump category! (WE DO NOT LOCK WOMEN IN THE TEMPLES) Here's a little video that explains why we build Temples. It is taken from a DVD called "Between Heaven and Earth."

Also here is another video about The Mormon Temples.

Rumors.....

2009-11-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

While serving a mission for The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (aka The Mormons) I was asked atleast once a day...."Do you have horns?" My response was first laughter then I would let them feel my head and ask them..."Do you feel any horns?" Their answer was "No!" That's right folks us Mormons DO NOT HAVE HORNS!!!

Another rumor that I heard from a friend at work is that the Mormon Church owns Coca-Cola. Once again that is false! The Mormon Church DOESN'T OWN COCA-COLA!! Funny rumors huh?

Here is a little video talking about more rumors about us Mormons! Notice the guy on the video is Steve Young....yep he's a Mormon and that's a FACT!

Who are the Mormons?

2009-11-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings to all,

The reason for this blog is to help share the message of the Restored Gospel of JESUS CHRIST and to help clear up false teachings and misconceptions of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (aka) The Mormon Church.

Members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints are given the nickname Mormon because of their belief in The Book of Mormon. Many false and misleading things are said about "The Mormons."

Just a few of the critics are Ed Decker, Dick Baer and Shawn McCraney. Ed Decker was excommunicated from the "Mormon Church" for committing adultery several times while married to his first wife. Ed blamed all of his problems on the "Mormon Church" Now he has dedicated his life to smear the image of the "Mormon Church" while declaring he is a born-again christian.

Dick Baer was also excommunicated for adultery even though he likes to call it fornication. He appeared with Ed Decker on a anti-mormon movie which has been shared with many christian denominations through out the world.

Shawn McCraney claims he asked to be excommunicated from the "Mormon Church" when in reality one is excommunicated because he is being disciplined by the Church court. Now you can ask to have your name removed but that is totally diffrent than being excommunicated. Shawn was excommunicated from the "Mormon Church" because he to committed adultery and has a problem with drug abuse.

I have no ill will towards these 3 men, I really hope they change for the better and stop spreading false and misleading ideas about the "Mormon Church."

Other former members who choose to leave also turn and attack the "Mormon Church" and say false things. These members who leave are often ones that have been excommunicated from the "Mormon Church" for violating covenants that they made inside the Mormon Temple. I will blog in the future about the Mormon Temple. Other former members leave because they were offended. I personally have been offended at Church but I always keep in mind that the people attending Church are not perfect.

In closing if you have any questions regarding "The Mormon Church" please e-mail me at returnwithhonor02@hotmail.com

If you've heard rumors about "The Mormon Church" let me know and I will confirm or correct those rumors. Please continue to check back for future postings on this blog.

Take care, Chad