Month: November 2012

Where is your focus? | My Utmost for his Highest – Oswald Chambers

... except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ... Galatians 6:14 The feebleness of the church is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the feebleness is that there has not been this focus on the true center of spiritual power. We have not dwelt enough on the tragedy … Continue reading Where is your focus? | My Utmost for his Highest – Oswald Chambers →

Morning devotion: A labor of love

And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. – John 4:21  Missionary Work is a work of love and trust, and it has to be done on that basis  – Gordon B. Hinkley, Stand a Little Taller The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Missionary … Continue reading Morning devotion: A labor of love →

The Evolution of Thanksgiving

Far from being a crystalized set observance, Thanksgiving in America has been a holiday that has changed considerably from how it was initially celebrated. There have been obvious minor changes: sports events on TV rather than game hunting, turkey as the main course rather than venison, and the manifestation of the major parade sponsored by … Continue reading The Evolution of Thanksgiving →

Morning Devotion: Hunger for the word of God

Hunger for the Word of God   Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after  righteousness: for they shall be filled.   ~ Matthew 5:6 ~ There is a hunger in the land, and a genuine thirst – a great hunger for the word of the Lord and an unsatisfied thirst for things of … Continue reading Morning Devotion: Hunger for the word of God →

LDS Living – Why Am I Always Tired?

Dr. Thomas J. Boud, MD published a recent article in the most recent issue - LDS Living - Why Am I Always Tired?. Dr. Boud writes: Many people feel exhaustion creeping up on them during the holiday season, but it is possible to overcome the tide and find energy again.  Fatigue can tax just about every … Continue reading LDS Living – Why Am I Always Tired? →

Crossing the bridge into immortality and eternal life

There is an old railway bridge outside of Shelton, Washington called the Vance Creek Viaduct. It is the highest railway bridge structure in North America. Built in 1929, it served as part of the rail system for the Simpson Timber Company. The bridge is about 450 feet in height and approximately 800 feet in length. … Continue reading Crossing the bridge into immortality and eternal life →

Apostasy | A personal and social epidemic

One of the very fundamental teachings of the LDS Faith is that of a Universal Apostasy. Meaning the original authority of the Church of Jesus Christ, the priesthood authority, became corrupt due to heresy and man's own philosophy and understanding. Unfortunately, this post is not about the understanding of the universal apostasy of First Century … Continue reading Apostasy | A personal and social epidemic →

Galatians 1:6-9 | Paul’s “Other Gospel”

The Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Galatia defending his apostolic authority. One of the most perverted forms of Biblical interpretation is that of Galatians 1:8-9. This passage is commonly used by Christian Apologists in their attempt to prove that Mormonism is "another Gospel". Therefore, the purpose of this post is to provide understanding … Continue reading Galatians 1:6-9 | Paul’s “Other Gospel” →

A Logical Proof that Mormonism is True

A Logical Proof that Mormonism is True What Makes God Just, Merciful, and Powerful The gospel of the Jesus Christ found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not complicated.  It is straightforward, concise, and available to everyone.  The gospel stems from a Heavenly Father who is just, merciful, and powerful.  These … Continue reading A Logical Proof that Mormonism is True →

Rethinking the Apostle Peter’s Role in the Early Church | Interpreter

Noel B. Reynolds writes up this wonderful review via Rethinking the Apostle Peter’s Role in the Early Church | Interpreter. This review is based on the work of Martin Hengel's work, Saint Peter: The Underestimated Apostle.  Latter-day Saints who have an interest in First Century Christianity ought to consider this review and the influential work of such scholars as … Continue reading Rethinking the Apostle Peter’s Role in the Early Church | Interpreter →

Recently, I watched the 182nd Semi Annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I watch conference, I am always filled with the spirit and a desire to be a better person and draw closer to the Savior. I love to take notes. When I first started being a note taker for learning in church settings, I would write everything I possibly could down. Including what the speakers said, as well as the little lessons the spirit would teach me during the talks. Once that became a habit, I learned that I should really be focused on writing down the things that I am personally taught by the spirit. So, with that as my focus for note taking, I found myself writing down questions that I should be able to answer. The thought then came to me that these are questions that I could attempt to study on this blog. To view other questions in this series, go here: Conference Questions

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke in the Saturday afternoon session, about the honeybees from his father’s peach orchard. He talked of how so many of them worked together to make the honey. What Elder Ballard said was that each honeybee only contributed about one-twelth of a teaspoon of honey to its hive. It seems insignificant alone, but put together with the contributions of from all the bees in a hive, it amounted to much more. He related the work of each individual bee and the outcome of the work of the entire hive, to our work as saints in the church of God. My third question in this series, is am I doing my part in the beehive-like community of the church? (See “Be Anxiously Engaged”.)

My Scripture Study Buddy

Recently, I watched the 182nd Semi Annual General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I watch conference, I am always filled with the spirit and a desire to be a better person and draw closer to the Savior. I love to take notes. When I first started being a note taker for learning in church settings, I would write everything I possibly could down. Including what the speakers said, as well as the little lessons the spirit would teach me during the talks. Once that became a habit, I learned that I should really be focused on writing down the things that I am personally taught by the spirit. So, with that as my focus for note taking, I found myself writing down questions that I should be able to answer. The thought then came to me that these are questions that I could attempt…

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Liberated from bondage

Are you in spiritual bondage? The Gospel of Jesus Christ frees us to walk in obedience as we turn to him and serve him. Through the atonement, we are brought out of our state of bondage and into a state of liberation where we can put off the sinful desires.

As Latter-day Saints, we believe that through the process of Repentance, exercising our faith in Jesus Christ, and then participating in the Baptism for the Remission of Sins, to thereafter receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by one who possesses the divine priesthood authority, we are renewed to walk in obedience.

The Apostle Paul teaches, in Romans 6, that through baptism, we are identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That we are no longer servants to Sin, but servants for righteousness. How we choose to serve God is our moral obligation and responsibility.

 

daily meditation

Exodus 9:13: Then the LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.

The Lord did not demand that his people serve him without ensuring they are free from other kinds of services first. In this piece I will analyse two things we are to become free from, which are obtainable in spiritual Egypt (house of bondage [Exodus 13:3]), to serve God.

Sin

One thing that humanity serves is sin and the bible said that the reason Jesus Christ came as the ultimate deliverer is so that we will no longer serve sin (Romans 6:1-11 [6]).

Sin starts as desire that is unaligned with God (James 1:13-15) and though the law was given to the nation of Israel to…

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1870s Mormon Baptistry Uncovered on Provo City Center Temple Site

NEWS RELEASE —  14 NOVEMBER 2012 via 1870s Mormon Baptistry Uncovered on Provo City Center Temple Site. 1870s Mormon Baptistry Uncovered on Provo City Center Temple Site SALT LAKE CITY — The earliest known baptistry of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah County, located 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, was discovered recently on … Continue reading 1870s Mormon Baptistry Uncovered on Provo City Center Temple Site →

LDS Living – Book of Mormon Lesson 42: “This Is My Gospel”

LDS Living - Book of Mormon Lesson 42: "This Is My Gospel". This week's study through the Book of Mormon is 3 Nephi Chapters 27 - 30 and 4 Nephi where we learn about the meaning of the Gospel and the significance of the Church. Ted L. Gibbons starts off with a quote from a General … Continue reading LDS Living – Book of Mormon Lesson 42: “This Is My Gospel” →

Baptist Press – Mormonism’s cultural rise likely to continue – News with a Christian Perspective

According to Aaron Earls article, found here Baptist Press - Mormonism's cultural rise likely to continue - News with a Christian Perspective, one cannot escape the flawed statements made. At first, one reads and finds some congruence with what Earls is saying, and the informational statements made by Tal Davis and Ant Greenham, about Mitt Romney … Continue reading Baptist Press – Mormonism’s cultural rise likely to continue – News with a Christian Perspective →

Inerrancy: I think someone forgot to tell the Bible

Starting to love some of the material on various blogs over at Patheos - especially when they deal with Religion, Religious philosophy, the Bible, and Religious History. This particular gem comes from Peter Enns via Inerrancy: I think someone forgot to tell the Bible. Enns discusses the danger's of holding to the false idealism of Biblical inerrancy. As … Continue reading Inerrancy: I think someone forgot to tell the Bible →

Variants in the Stories of the First Vision of Joseph Smith and the Apostle Paul | Interpreter

Abstract: Some critics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have noted that the different accounts of Joseph Smith’s first vision, though written by the prophet himself, vary in some details. They see this as evidence that the event did not take place and was merely invented to establish divine authority for his … Continue reading Variants in the Stories of the First Vision of Joseph Smith and the Apostle Paul | Interpreter →

Polytheism in Genesis

Polytheism in Genesis Questions About Biblical Inerrancy The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Three distinct beings, united in ways that are contested amongst those who read the Bible, and yet each possessing qualities of the divine.  What is contested is just how these divine qualities are manifested in each and what they mean … Continue reading Polytheism in Genesis →

How to properly handle critics and criticism against the Church

In light of recent conversations about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a question needs to be addressed. How do we, as Latter-day Saint Christians respond to those individuals that are antagonistic against the LDS Church, doctrines, history, and belief system? Mormon Apologia would like to provide this simple “how-to” guide for those who may … Continue reading How to properly handle critics and criticism against the Church →

The Resurrection and Baptisms for the Dead

The Resurrection and Baptisms for the Dead How Paul Taught I've often heard many people criticize the LDS Church for doing proxy baptisms for our deceased ancestors and claim that there's no Biblical basis to do so.  Using the resurrection and 1 Corinthians 15, however, Paul strongly alluded to the fact that there is a … Continue reading The Resurrection and Baptisms for the Dead →

Every Evangelical/Mormon Argument Goes Something Like This . . .

David French, over at Patheos via Every Evangelical/Mormon Argument Goes Something Like This . . .., writes a very interesting article about the commonalities of Evangelical and Mormon discussions. Specifically, how such discussions turn into a kind of "Well my intellectual reasoning is better than your intellectual reasoning" schoolyard commentary. He brings up the following six points … Continue reading Every Evangelical/Mormon Argument Goes Something Like This . . . →

Avoid wrestling with pigs

George Bernard Shaw adequately stated the following: I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it. As we engage in the conversations about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are going to come across individuals with a pernicious tenacity to engage us … Continue reading Avoid wrestling with pigs →