Take a building of unique design. In fact for this discussion let's take the Salt Lake Mormon Temple, most people have seen pictures of it. Before ground was ever broken, before a weed was ever cleared from the site a set of plans were drawn up, blueprints. An architect developed an idea for that building and drew it out on paper to exact scale. He also drew the plans for everything that is part of that building such as plumbing. This building was created so called spiritually long before it was built physically. Now you can take the blueprints for that Temple and try to fit them to any other building in the world and you will not find another single building that will fit those blueprints. Sure there are elements of that building that are found in many other buildings: the stone, pipes, water, carpet, tile, paint, etc. Many of these elements are common and widely used but the Temple in whole is unique.
The Bible is the Lord's blueprint of His Church and Kingdom. It was established spiritually even before the earth was created. The Bible tells us of His Church. It explains how He has operated from the foundations of this earth. It is unique, it is His work. Yes, there are many, many religions which use the Bible and teach many of its doctrines but the blueprint contained in the Bible of the Lord's Church is unique and fits only one religion or Church and that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Other Churches baptize, they offer the Sacrament, they teach faith in Christ. But that is just it, they teach only elements found in the blueprint. The blueprint does not fit them completely.
From the foundation of the world whenever the Lord has communicated with man it has been through a prophet. In other words the Lord calls prophets, authorized servants, to make His will known to man. In the meridian of time Jesus Christ entered this mortal world to not only set for us an example but to establish His Church and Kingdom. This He did first by calling and authorizing leaders; the twelve apostles. In this quorum of twelve apostles He called three to head it; Peter, James and John with Peter as the chief apostle, the president or the prophet of the Church. Later Paul taught that the Church would always be led by apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, etc. These would be led by Him through the Holy Ghost.
His doctrine was His and was not to be altered by man. The truth then is truth today. His commandments are eternal, what was right then is right now and what was wrong then is wrong now. Example: Churches now accept as normal behavior and many even condone sexual relations before marriage. The teachings in the Lord's blueprint strictly forbid this. Intimacy is allowed only between legally married man and wife. Joseph Smith was told of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself that the churches of today teach forms of His gospel; the precepts of man mingled with scriptures, but their hearts are far from Me.
Jesus told the ancient people in the Americas that what He speaks to one He speaks to all. That by the witness of two or three (minimum) will the truth be taught. The Bible tells us to take the stick of Judah (the Bible) and put it with the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) and these two shall become one in your hand to establish the truths of God.
God continues to lead His work on earth today through a Prophet and 12 apostles. Jesus Christ is the head of this Church and His teachings and doctrines are the same today as when He taught them some 2000 years ago.
It's all there in the blueprint.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Are Catholics Christian?
A lot of fuss has been made as to whether or not Mormons are Christians. I'd like to turn the question back to what is considered the base Christian Church, the Catholic Church. I want to mention just a few doctorines. Now before I begin I recognize that many members of the Catholic Church and other Christian Churchs believe the Biblical accounts of what I will mention, the Church's stand on these points however may be surprising.
Let's begin at the beginning. The Catholic Church has amended is stand on the account of the creation of man as recorded in the Bible to follow more closely Darwin's "Theory" of evolution. I was listening to Paul Harvey a few years ago when he announced on his show that the Catholic Church professed belief that man evolved from a lower life form---an ape--- and denounced the Biblical account that man was created as an intellegent man in the very image of God Himself. It was evident that this disturbed Paul Harvey and the next day after making inquiries he clarified the statement by saying that since God created the ape that it was still valid that God created man, just not as man. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stands firmly by the Biblical account that man was created in the image of God, that God is our Heavenly Father in every sense of the word and as such has great interest in us His children, that this world was created for us as a proving ground.
Next, the birth of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church holds that man is born in sin. NO WHERE in the Bible is there any indication of that as a doctorine of Christ. The first commandment given Adam and Eve was to bear children and begin the family of man. This is an elementary doctorine and sheds light on the sacredness of life to God. Why else would he make such strict commandments prohibiting intimacy outside of marriage. The creation of life is sacred. The commandment to marry and have families has never been rescinded. Mary indeed was a special woman. She lived her life in accordanance with the commandments and remained virtuous. Because of her great faith and valiance in living the laws of God she was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. She remained pure until after the birth of Jesus in order that there be no speculation as to who the Father of Jesus was. The Catholic Church claims Joseph as Jesus's father and that he was chosen of God to be the annointed one. The fact is that Jesus was the first born of all of God's children in the spirit and because of His perfect obedience even from the spirit world he stood next to his Father as God. The Father created all things through His son, Jesus Christ. John teaches this very clearly. Jehovah of the Old Testament is in fact Jesus Christ. Jesus has been the mediator through whom all things have been done since the world was created and before. It was His voice Moses heard and spoke to from the burning bush. It was His voice that called Samuel as he slept in the Temple. The Father has only made Himself known at times when introducing or proclaiming His son, such as at the baptism of Jesus when a voice was heard from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
When Jesus was crucified He had the power to take up His life again. He resurrected His body in a perfected glorified form never to be seperated from His body again. This is another point where the Catholic Church departs from the Bible. The Catholic Church says that Jesus took up His body temporarily and can do so when needed but otherwise became the great spirit of the Holy Ghost. Again, no where in the Bible is this doctrine supported. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints declares that Jesus is a resurrected being with a body of flesh and bones in a state of perfect glory. He dwells with His Father in the heavens overseeing the affairs of man. We declare that He is the head of this Church and that He leads it through a living prophet and twelve apostles which head this Church.
There are many, many more doctrines that could be mentioned but I've chosen just these few to show that the Catholic Church takes divinity away from Christ and strives to make Him just a man while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints declares His divinity and that He has a purpose for this life and is striving to guide us through it.
As I have studied doctrines of the Catholic Church it is my conclusion that they try to create mass confusion as to what faith is in this way maintaining control of its members. The Catholic Church denies any modern day revelation. The Popes official job is to be the Church's interpreter of the scriptures. Paul, himself, and the other Apostles taught that the Church would be led by Apostles, prophets, evangelists and so forth until all came to a unity in faith. That does not mean that the Church has been on the earth since the days of Jesus. Jesus and His apostles taught that there would come a falling away of sound doctorine, that vicious wolves would enter the church taking over authority. They taught that man would walk the earth seeking the truth and not be able to find it. Is that not a perfect description of the days of Martin Luther. He and others gave their lives to let us know that there was much departure from the true doctrines of Christ in the Catholic Church.
I don't hate Catholics or anyone of any religion. I wish to help others be aware of what their churchs teach and that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We send missionaries all over the world not to destroy people's faith but to build it. Jesus sent out missionaries to teach the gospel. The people in His day could have said, "Why send missionaries to us we are the house of Isreal, the chosen people of God", but they had departed from the true faith and Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it and to bring the higher law. All prophets from Adam to Jesus testified of Jesus the Messiah. If we could get hold of and translate all that they wrote it would fill libraries, we have only a fraction of what they wrote. Our goal in sending out missionaries to day is to glorify Jesus Christ and declare that He lives and still calls to His children to come to Him, that all His true doctrines and ordinances have been restored to the earth for all to enjoy. He still beckons....."Come follow Me."
Let's begin at the beginning. The Catholic Church has amended is stand on the account of the creation of man as recorded in the Bible to follow more closely Darwin's "Theory" of evolution. I was listening to Paul Harvey a few years ago when he announced on his show that the Catholic Church professed belief that man evolved from a lower life form---an ape--- and denounced the Biblical account that man was created as an intellegent man in the very image of God Himself. It was evident that this disturbed Paul Harvey and the next day after making inquiries he clarified the statement by saying that since God created the ape that it was still valid that God created man, just not as man. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints stands firmly by the Biblical account that man was created in the image of God, that God is our Heavenly Father in every sense of the word and as such has great interest in us His children, that this world was created for us as a proving ground.
Next, the birth of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church holds that man is born in sin. NO WHERE in the Bible is there any indication of that as a doctorine of Christ. The first commandment given Adam and Eve was to bear children and begin the family of man. This is an elementary doctorine and sheds light on the sacredness of life to God. Why else would he make such strict commandments prohibiting intimacy outside of marriage. The creation of life is sacred. The commandment to marry and have families has never been rescinded. Mary indeed was a special woman. She lived her life in accordanance with the commandments and remained virtuous. Because of her great faith and valiance in living the laws of God she was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world. She remained pure until after the birth of Jesus in order that there be no speculation as to who the Father of Jesus was. The Catholic Church claims Joseph as Jesus's father and that he was chosen of God to be the annointed one. The fact is that Jesus was the first born of all of God's children in the spirit and because of His perfect obedience even from the spirit world he stood next to his Father as God. The Father created all things through His son, Jesus Christ. John teaches this very clearly. Jehovah of the Old Testament is in fact Jesus Christ. Jesus has been the mediator through whom all things have been done since the world was created and before. It was His voice Moses heard and spoke to from the burning bush. It was His voice that called Samuel as he slept in the Temple. The Father has only made Himself known at times when introducing or proclaiming His son, such as at the baptism of Jesus when a voice was heard from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
When Jesus was crucified He had the power to take up His life again. He resurrected His body in a perfected glorified form never to be seperated from His body again. This is another point where the Catholic Church departs from the Bible. The Catholic Church says that Jesus took up His body temporarily and can do so when needed but otherwise became the great spirit of the Holy Ghost. Again, no where in the Bible is this doctrine supported. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints declares that Jesus is a resurrected being with a body of flesh and bones in a state of perfect glory. He dwells with His Father in the heavens overseeing the affairs of man. We declare that He is the head of this Church and that He leads it through a living prophet and twelve apostles which head this Church.
There are many, many more doctrines that could be mentioned but I've chosen just these few to show that the Catholic Church takes divinity away from Christ and strives to make Him just a man while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints declares His divinity and that He has a purpose for this life and is striving to guide us through it.
As I have studied doctrines of the Catholic Church it is my conclusion that they try to create mass confusion as to what faith is in this way maintaining control of its members. The Catholic Church denies any modern day revelation. The Popes official job is to be the Church's interpreter of the scriptures. Paul, himself, and the other Apostles taught that the Church would be led by Apostles, prophets, evangelists and so forth until all came to a unity in faith. That does not mean that the Church has been on the earth since the days of Jesus. Jesus and His apostles taught that there would come a falling away of sound doctorine, that vicious wolves would enter the church taking over authority. They taught that man would walk the earth seeking the truth and not be able to find it. Is that not a perfect description of the days of Martin Luther. He and others gave their lives to let us know that there was much departure from the true doctrines of Christ in the Catholic Church.
I don't hate Catholics or anyone of any religion. I wish to help others be aware of what their churchs teach and that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We send missionaries all over the world not to destroy people's faith but to build it. Jesus sent out missionaries to teach the gospel. The people in His day could have said, "Why send missionaries to us we are the house of Isreal, the chosen people of God", but they had departed from the true faith and Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it and to bring the higher law. All prophets from Adam to Jesus testified of Jesus the Messiah. If we could get hold of and translate all that they wrote it would fill libraries, we have only a fraction of what they wrote. Our goal in sending out missionaries to day is to glorify Jesus Christ and declare that He lives and still calls to His children to come to Him, that all His true doctrines and ordinances have been restored to the earth for all to enjoy. He still beckons....."Come follow Me."
Friday, September 10, 2010
Athiest?
Athiests are idiots! Why would I make such a statement? Look around and think, I mean think intelligently. Look at the universe and how it functions under complete order. Look at our world and all the magnificent creations: trees, flowers, animals, land formations and weather. Look at man: how complex, unique and self healing our bodies are. Any of these by themselves could not come from chaos (big bang) and have such variety and order. A big bang might produces something like the moon but our world with all its variety.....no way.
Let's say a big bang did create our world and a plant grew, where did all other variety of plants with different DNA come from, at the same time. Even if it started out as one plant, how could it not just evolve but change its molecular structure? Things like that don't just happen but let's say it did...once. Once could be believable but when it happened again and again not only with nature but with animal life that is a proof of order, not chaos, that there is a higher force guiding it.
The world is a beautiful creation functioning in complete order. Our seasons come and go. Our planet rotates regularly creating night and day and it does so without speeding up or slowing down. The misery in this world is ALL manmade. I think this is where people choose not to believe in God....Who would create man and let him be so cruel? Unless there were a plan which demanded that man have his own agency and then be held accountable at some point for it. Wow....that sounds like religion. Religion is life and life is religion, they can't be seperated although the majority is sure trying to live like they can. Funny thing is they think they are pursuing something that they never can grasp living like that....happiness. Happiness is a state of being that comes from obeying laws; not only physical or mortal laws but eternal laws. God is God because He knows ALL things and chooses to obey ALL laws. He gives us the choice to do the same promising that if we do we can enjoy the same life He enjoys.
So what is harder to believe: Order or Chaos? Think about it.
Let's say a big bang did create our world and a plant grew, where did all other variety of plants with different DNA come from, at the same time. Even if it started out as one plant, how could it not just evolve but change its molecular structure? Things like that don't just happen but let's say it did...once. Once could be believable but when it happened again and again not only with nature but with animal life that is a proof of order, not chaos, that there is a higher force guiding it.
The world is a beautiful creation functioning in complete order. Our seasons come and go. Our planet rotates regularly creating night and day and it does so without speeding up or slowing down. The misery in this world is ALL manmade. I think this is where people choose not to believe in God....Who would create man and let him be so cruel? Unless there were a plan which demanded that man have his own agency and then be held accountable at some point for it. Wow....that sounds like religion. Religion is life and life is religion, they can't be seperated although the majority is sure trying to live like they can. Funny thing is they think they are pursuing something that they never can grasp living like that....happiness. Happiness is a state of being that comes from obeying laws; not only physical or mortal laws but eternal laws. God is God because He knows ALL things and chooses to obey ALL laws. He gives us the choice to do the same promising that if we do we can enjoy the same life He enjoys.
So what is harder to believe: Order or Chaos? Think about it.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I Believe in Christ
I believe in Christ. I believe that He is the very literal Son of God, that He dwelt with God in the spirit, as did we all, before being born into this life and that by Him and through Him were all things created. He is Jehova of the Old Testament, He was crucified for the sins of mankind and rose again the third day gaining victory over death. I believe He still lives with a glorified body of flesh and bone in the Heavens and continues to oversee the affairs of this world.
I believe the Bible to be the word of God and the Book of Mormon to be a second witness that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who sincerely believes the Bible would welcome the Book of Mormon if they would but read it for it is the words of Christ that comes to us as the Stick of Joseph. God created all people and what He has spoken to one group of people He also speaks to another for His words and truth are eternal, never changing.
I find it interesting that the scriptures teach us that as we believe and exercise our faith in Christ we will be given more and more of His word until we know all things. Those who do not believe His words and believe in Him from them will be taken what they have, their minds will be clouded that they do not recognize truth condemning themselves. We are taught that if we believe and live His commandments and teachings that by the power of the Holy Ghost we will KNOW the truth of things.
Those who refuse to believe in Christ or even God suggest it is impossible to KNOW that God lives. They prove themselves hypocrites for the only way they could know that is if it were revealed to them by some higher power which they cannot receive for they do not believe in it. Jesus taught that each one of us may know for certain whether He be the Son of God or not if we sincerely seek to the answer for it will come to us by the power of the Holy Ghost and when we receive that witness if we will be faithful to it we can never be shaken in our faith. We need not to accept it because someone tells us, we may learn truths from others who have gained this knowledge for themselves, and then as we get on our knees and pray, asking the Father in the name of Christ, He, by power of the Holy Ghost, will bear that witness to us. This is what Christ told Peter, "man has not revealed this to you but the Holy Ghost."
It is my witness that the search for this witness is worth every effort and there is no greater happiness than having that knowledge and then living the teachings of Christ. This is my witness and testimony.
I believe the Bible to be the word of God and the Book of Mormon to be a second witness that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who sincerely believes the Bible would welcome the Book of Mormon if they would but read it for it is the words of Christ that comes to us as the Stick of Joseph. God created all people and what He has spoken to one group of people He also speaks to another for His words and truth are eternal, never changing.
I find it interesting that the scriptures teach us that as we believe and exercise our faith in Christ we will be given more and more of His word until we know all things. Those who do not believe His words and believe in Him from them will be taken what they have, their minds will be clouded that they do not recognize truth condemning themselves. We are taught that if we believe and live His commandments and teachings that by the power of the Holy Ghost we will KNOW the truth of things.
Those who refuse to believe in Christ or even God suggest it is impossible to KNOW that God lives. They prove themselves hypocrites for the only way they could know that is if it were revealed to them by some higher power which they cannot receive for they do not believe in it. Jesus taught that each one of us may know for certain whether He be the Son of God or not if we sincerely seek to the answer for it will come to us by the power of the Holy Ghost and when we receive that witness if we will be faithful to it we can never be shaken in our faith. We need not to accept it because someone tells us, we may learn truths from others who have gained this knowledge for themselves, and then as we get on our knees and pray, asking the Father in the name of Christ, He, by power of the Holy Ghost, will bear that witness to us. This is what Christ told Peter, "man has not revealed this to you but the Holy Ghost."
It is my witness that the search for this witness is worth every effort and there is no greater happiness than having that knowledge and then living the teachings of Christ. This is my witness and testimony.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Evolution
It seems that there has been much talk of evolution in our society of late, even Oprah is narrating a special about it. As I think about it I think how absurd! How can people be so gullable to swallow such load of hog wash?
The Big Bang theory: so let me ask some questions: as I understand it our planet was here and a giant meteor hit the earth causing evolution to begin. Did our earth have plant life prior to this meteor? Was there water on the earth prior to that event? Did our earth have gravity prior to this bang? Did ALL life...man and animal evolve out of this bang? Were we already part of this solar system?
If our earth were already part of the Solar System that would suggest that there was already order in the Universe...who established that order? A meteor to start such chain of event would have had to be enormous...where did it hit and why do we not see some type of crater? Actually a meteor that large would have destroyed much of the earth, evoparated any water source. If there were plant life prior to this bang that would suggest that there was already life here as plants are living organisms. If they were not here did the thousands of varietys of plants all come out of one micro-organism..the same one that all other life is suppose to have come from? If evolution is how we came to be why did it stop? Why are not all species still evolving into some greater form?
It is all absurd to me. There is no evidence to support this theory...that is why it is a theory. One scientist said that to put faith in a theory is absurd because there is no or very little data to sustain the theory.
I think it is much easier to believe in God and that He created things as He outlined in the Bible. ALL life shows the hand of a creator for in all life there is order. Order can not come from chaos. In the heavens all things have order and move in order. Some force keeps galaxies, solar systems and worlds together instead of their moving around randomly. Now if there is a God and if He created all things did He do it out of boredom like getting a new toy or would He have had a purpose in creating it?
I believe in God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus taught that all people may know the truth of this IF they will in all sincerity of heart ponder and pray, asking God if it is not true. But part of wanting to know means that you are willing to live and abide by His counsels and commandments. The answer to prayer comes as personal revelation. One person cannot convince another person it is true only lead that person to discover for themselves the truth of it. Each person must learn it by the power of God which is the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter when He asked Peter who he thought Jesus was and Peter responded, The Son of God, that Peter knew this not by any person but by the power of the Holy Ghost which bore that witness to him. When a person receives this witness they know it and it becomes a source of power and commitment in their life.
I bear my witness that God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, created the heavens and the earth ande that there is a divine plan for doing so. We are literally His spirit sons and daughters and He had this earth created for us as a proving ground to see if we would believe in Him and obey Him when no longer in His presence. Another key reason was for us to come and receive physical bodies, bodies that we will have eternally.
The life God lives is family life and therefore He commanded Adam and Eve to bear children. That is why the relationship between man and woman is so sacred and why He forbids sexual relations outside of marriage. To God all life is sacred. We will be held accountable for how we treat it.
When we pass on from this life we return to the presence of God to be jugded according to our works. Those who have been faithful and kept His commandments will dwell with Him in His family eternally. Those who have not been faithful will be given somewhere else to dwell. All mankind will be resurrected with perfect bodies. We will retain our individuality and gender. There is also purpose for the life beyond this although that has not been revealed as this point. Our task is to master this life. It is interesting...Happiness is an eternal principle based on the keeping of God's commandments. True and lasting happiness comes in no other way. People may experience temporary happiness but without eternal purpose and an understanding of who we are and why we are here it cannot endure.
It seems that there has been much talk of evolution in our society of late, even Oprah is narrating a special about it. As I think about it I think how absurd! How can people be so gullable to swallow such load of hog wash?
The Big Bang theory: so let me ask some questions: as I understand it our planet was here and a giant meteor hit the earth causing evolution to begin. Did our earth have plant life prior to this meteor? Was there water on the earth prior to that event? Did our earth have gravity prior to this bang? Did ALL life...man and animal evolve out of this bang? Were we already part of this solar system?
If our earth were already part of the Solar System that would suggest that there was already order in the Universe...who established that order? A meteor to start such chain of event would have had to be enormous...where did it hit and why do we not see some type of crater? Actually a meteor that large would have destroyed much of the earth, evoparated any water source. If there were plant life prior to this bang that would suggest that there was already life here as plants are living organisms. If they were not here did the thousands of varietys of plants all come out of one micro-organism..the same one that all other life is suppose to have come from? If evolution is how we came to be why did it stop? Why are not all species still evolving into some greater form?
It is all absurd to me. There is no evidence to support this theory...that is why it is a theory. One scientist said that to put faith in a theory is absurd because there is no or very little data to sustain the theory.
I think it is much easier to believe in God and that He created things as He outlined in the Bible. ALL life shows the hand of a creator for in all life there is order. Order can not come from chaos. In the heavens all things have order and move in order. Some force keeps galaxies, solar systems and worlds together instead of their moving around randomly. Now if there is a God and if He created all things did He do it out of boredom like getting a new toy or would He have had a purpose in creating it?
I believe in God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus taught that all people may know the truth of this IF they will in all sincerity of heart ponder and pray, asking God if it is not true. But part of wanting to know means that you are willing to live and abide by His counsels and commandments. The answer to prayer comes as personal revelation. One person cannot convince another person it is true only lead that person to discover for themselves the truth of it. Each person must learn it by the power of God which is the Holy Ghost. Jesus told Peter when He asked Peter who he thought Jesus was and Peter responded, The Son of God, that Peter knew this not by any person but by the power of the Holy Ghost which bore that witness to him. When a person receives this witness they know it and it becomes a source of power and commitment in their life.
I bear my witness that God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, created the heavens and the earth ande that there is a divine plan for doing so. We are literally His spirit sons and daughters and He had this earth created for us as a proving ground to see if we would believe in Him and obey Him when no longer in His presence. Another key reason was for us to come and receive physical bodies, bodies that we will have eternally.
The life God lives is family life and therefore He commanded Adam and Eve to bear children. That is why the relationship between man and woman is so sacred and why He forbids sexual relations outside of marriage. To God all life is sacred. We will be held accountable for how we treat it.
When we pass on from this life we return to the presence of God to be jugded according to our works. Those who have been faithful and kept His commandments will dwell with Him in His family eternally. Those who have not been faithful will be given somewhere else to dwell. All mankind will be resurrected with perfect bodies. We will retain our individuality and gender. There is also purpose for the life beyond this although that has not been revealed as this point. Our task is to master this life. It is interesting...Happiness is an eternal principle based on the keeping of God's commandments. True and lasting happiness comes in no other way. People may experience temporary happiness but without eternal purpose and an understanding of who we are and why we are here it cannot endure.
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