Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
False Gods...........
The first commandment of the Ten Commandments is: "Thou shalt have no other God's before me." I have read this passage many, many, times and each time I thought that it referred to the many god's being created out of man's own hands. God's of stone or wood; god's like our TV's, automobiles, homes....anything that we possessed that we loved almost to the point of worship
In Deuteronomy 4:28 we read "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." It is easy to see where I came about believing this to mean gods created by man's hand, of wood or stone.
But......I overlooked the last part of that verse "....which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." I believe that the above verse is referring to the gods being worshipped this day by the various churches of today. The various churches today do not believe that our Father and His Begotten Son have a body.
The Catholic Church, for example, teaches that God is a supreme intelligence with neither body nor figure, and cannot be seen. See the definition of the Catholic God here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06612a.htm
Just reading about the Catholic God makes my head spin with confusion.
The Methodist Church is not much different than the Catholic Church in trying to define who God is. Though the Methodist Church's definition doesn't make my head spin quite as much as the Catholics definitions simply because they, the Methodists, have trouble even giving a definition of God's nature! As evidenced here: http://www.ammethch.org/frstlssn.html
And finally, one last church of today and their beliefs about God - the Presbyterian Church.
This is what they believe: http://www.pcanet.org/general/cof_chapi-v.htm#chapii
"There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; "
The above paragraph is taken from the Presbyterian web site above, but it is in context pretty much what the Catholic Church and the Methodist Church believe in also, just stated in a different way. Notice that the God of other religions are without body parts or passions? Notice then that the God of other religions cannot hear, nor see, nor smell, nor eat? How could a God without body parts or passions be expected to hear, see, smell, or eat? How could a child of God, created in His own image, be expected to comprehend an incomprehensible God? Again, my head spins just reading what other religions say when they try to explain God. My God IS NOT "invisible, without body, parts, or passions......incomprehensible." I was created in God's own image. (See Genesis 1:26-27.)
If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, then turn to Exodus 33:11: And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.... I think that verse is pretty clear and no explanation is necessary. Moses spoke to God face to face.
In Hebrews 1:3, we read about Christ sitting down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. How could that be if He had no form to have a right hand?
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about John the Baptist and what a great man he was. We read in Matthew 3:16 - 17: "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". From this I glean a couple of things. First, my God must have a mouth for He spoke, and second, this is evidence of three separate and distinct Beings; The voice of the Father, the Son being baptized, and the Holy Ghost descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Now could someone explain how these three can be one (other than in purpose) and be without body parts or form? I find other religions definitions of God incomprehensible.
I have one other question for those of another religion: If God and Jesus don't have bodies, what did Jesus do with his body after He was resurrected from the dead? After He was crucified and sealed in a tomb, He was resurrected and He showed Himself to many, including His apostles. He even ate with His apostles. His apostles witnessed him ascending into heaven. So again the question, what did Jesus do with His body if He is now suppose to be without body or form?
Joseph Smith as a boy was as confused in his day as many are confused in this day. Which church is correct? Which church was he to join? Joseph Smith read in the Bible in James 1:5 : If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph then went as suggested and asked of God. Joseph was then privileged to see both the Father and the Son, and had the honor of being the first prophet of this last dispensation and to restore the original church once again on earth. Joseph, then, is another testifier that both the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a body, and that we are truly created in Their image.
The strange Gods of the other Christian religions are indeed incomprehensible to me. Again in Deuteronomy 4:28 we read "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." So, the question remains; are the other religions worshipping false Gods? Think about it. IMHO
In Deuteronomy 4:28 we read "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." It is easy to see where I came about believing this to mean gods created by man's hand, of wood or stone.
But......I overlooked the last part of that verse "....which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." I believe that the above verse is referring to the gods being worshipped this day by the various churches of today. The various churches today do not believe that our Father and His Begotten Son have a body.
The Catholic Church, for example, teaches that God is a supreme intelligence with neither body nor figure, and cannot be seen. See the definition of the Catholic God here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06612a.htm
Just reading about the Catholic God makes my head spin with confusion.
The Methodist Church is not much different than the Catholic Church in trying to define who God is. Though the Methodist Church's definition doesn't make my head spin quite as much as the Catholics definitions simply because they, the Methodists, have trouble even giving a definition of God's nature! As evidenced here: http://www.ammethch.org/frstlssn.html
And finally, one last church of today and their beliefs about God - the Presbyterian Church.
This is what they believe: http://www.pcanet.org/general/cof_chapi-v.htm#chapii
"There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; "
The above paragraph is taken from the Presbyterian web site above, but it is in context pretty much what the Catholic Church and the Methodist Church believe in also, just stated in a different way. Notice that the God of other religions are without body parts or passions? Notice then that the God of other religions cannot hear, nor see, nor smell, nor eat? How could a God without body parts or passions be expected to hear, see, smell, or eat? How could a child of God, created in His own image, be expected to comprehend an incomprehensible God? Again, my head spins just reading what other religions say when they try to explain God. My God IS NOT "invisible, without body, parts, or passions......incomprehensible." I was created in God's own image. (See Genesis 1:26-27.)
If you believe that the Bible is the word of God, then turn to Exodus 33:11: And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.... I think that verse is pretty clear and no explanation is necessary. Moses spoke to God face to face.
In Hebrews 1:3, we read about Christ sitting down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. How could that be if He had no form to have a right hand?
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about John the Baptist and what a great man he was. We read in Matthew 3:16 - 17: "And Jesus, when He was baptized, went straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". From this I glean a couple of things. First, my God must have a mouth for He spoke, and second, this is evidence of three separate and distinct Beings; The voice of the Father, the Son being baptized, and the Holy Ghost descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Now could someone explain how these three can be one (other than in purpose) and be without body parts or form? I find other religions definitions of God incomprehensible.
I have one other question for those of another religion: If God and Jesus don't have bodies, what did Jesus do with his body after He was resurrected from the dead? After He was crucified and sealed in a tomb, He was resurrected and He showed Himself to many, including His apostles. He even ate with His apostles. His apostles witnessed him ascending into heaven. So again the question, what did Jesus do with His body if He is now suppose to be without body or form?
Joseph Smith as a boy was as confused in his day as many are confused in this day. Which church is correct? Which church was he to join? Joseph Smith read in the Bible in James 1:5 : If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph then went as suggested and asked of God. Joseph was then privileged to see both the Father and the Son, and had the honor of being the first prophet of this last dispensation and to restore the original church once again on earth. Joseph, then, is another testifier that both the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, have a body, and that we are truly created in Their image.
The strange Gods of the other Christian religions are indeed incomprehensible to me. Again in Deuteronomy 4:28 we read "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." So, the question remains; are the other religions worshipping false Gods? Think about it. IMHO
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Christ-like...........
Why, if we are Christian, can't we all get along? I see a ton of anti-Mormon blogs and web sites on the internet (but it is difficult to find one about Mormons putting down another religion, isn't it? ;-) ). One can hardly pick up a newspaper today and not see an article about how some church leaders have absconded money from the congregation, or how some church leader has been having improper sex with someone in the congregation, or how two pastors from different churches are involved in a fist-fight. All of these I have recently read in local papers, by the way. But you don't see the LDS Church or Mormons using this in a negative way against any church. Why? .......because the Mormon people don't believe that would be Christ-like, and we do strive to become like Him.
Why can't we all get along, and instead of channeling all of our energies and money toward finding fault with one religion or another, use that time and money more wisely in helping the poor and sick. I believe that is what Christ would want us to do.
Every religion has their thieves. This is no different today than in the days of Christ. But let's quit bickering about which church is Christian and which is not and get about doing what Christ would have us to do.
One of my favorite quotes is " I once read about a Man who went about doing good. It is most disconcerting to me to be just going about". Let's not just be going about, but let's go about doing some good.
In Ephesians 4:31-32 we read: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
In Philippians 2:14 we read: Do all things without murmurings and disputings;
In Matthew 22:37-40 we read: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
And last, but not least, we read in John:14:15 : "If ye love me, keep my commandments".
So the next time I read an anti-Mormon blog I am going to do two things: 1, Feel for the person who wrote the article and be Christ-like and say, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do" and 2, remember to love my neighbor as myself.
C.S. Lewis is a favorite author of mine, (and he is NOT a Mormon), and I like this quote by him: There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours..........Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses.
Also by him: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
Why can't we all get along, and instead of channeling all of our energies and money toward finding fault with one religion or another, use that time and money more wisely in helping the poor and sick. I believe that is what Christ would want us to do.
Every religion has their thieves. This is no different today than in the days of Christ. But let's quit bickering about which church is Christian and which is not and get about doing what Christ would have us to do.
One of my favorite quotes is " I once read about a Man who went about doing good. It is most disconcerting to me to be just going about". Let's not just be going about, but let's go about doing some good.
In Ephesians 4:31-32 we read: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
In Philippians 2:14 we read: Do all things without murmurings and disputings;
In Matthew 22:37-40 we read: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
And last, but not least, we read in John:14:15 : "If ye love me, keep my commandments".
So the next time I read an anti-Mormon blog I am going to do two things: 1, Feel for the person who wrote the article and be Christ-like and say, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do" and 2, remember to love my neighbor as myself.
C.S. Lewis is a favorite author of mine, (and he is NOT a Mormon), and I like this quote by him: There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours..........Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses.
Also by him: You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
So,let's remember to love one another and not find fault with each other. Let's go about doing good and help others than are in need. Then, and only then, can we call ourselves Christians. IMHO
Friday, November 23, 2007
Which church should I join?
In the previous blog, I discussed how some great men broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation and started their own churches that were more in line to the way they interpreted the Bible.
But these men, in spite of their good intentions, lacked two things: revelation and authority. They lacked the revelation and authority from our Heavenly Father to start their own religion.
In 1820, a 14 year old boy faced a dilemma - which church should he join? There were so many different denominations out there vying for every one's attention. Some members of his family joined one church, others joined another church. What was a boy to do?
The young Joseph Smith did what all of us need to do on a daily basis: turn to the scriptures and get on your knees. Joseph read in the Bible that if anyone lacked wisdom, to ask of God. And that is what Joseph did. He got down on his knees and asked God which of these many churches he should join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and Joseph was surprised by the answer he received: he was told to join none of them, for they were all wrong. How can that be? All wrong? Why? How?
The true church as organized by Jesus Christ fell into apostasy, and there were many years of darkness upon the earth. No one on earth had the authority to perform baptisms, to heal the sick, to bless the Sacrament, or to lead the Church of Jesus Christ. Thus Joseph was told to join none of them.
During the next few years, Joseph receive the necessary authority and keys of the priesthood. In 1830 the fullness of Christ's gospel was restored to the earth as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized containing all of the doctrines and ordinances necessary for eternal salvation. The period of darkness on the earth had ended, and many important truths had been restored once again.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not worship Joseph Smith, but they do honor him as the first prophet of these latter days. Joseph Smith was persecuted all his life for having seen a vision of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet he never denied having seen the vision, having said "I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it." He was eventually murdered for his beliefs. Which always amazes me. In this country that was founded on the belief of freedom of religion, it still amazes me that someone could be murdered simply for his belief in God, and the murderer never brought to trial. The Mormons, as far as I know, is the only religion in America that had an extermination degree signed by the Governor of the state of Missouri. Think about that for a minute. A Governor signed an order to exterminate an entire people simply for the religious beliefs. What other religion in America has this happened to? There is no doubt in my mind that Satan also knows that the Gospel has been restored on the earth, and is doing everything in his power to destroy it.
Which leads me to blog briefly on the current presidential election. Honestly - is the world going to fall apart if the President is LDS? Why all this talk about Romney being a Mormon? All the talk about whether or not Mormons are Christian amaze me...........really. I am surprised at how many people are bigots in this day an age. If memory serves me correctly, wasn't here someone by the name of Lieberman running for president in the last election? A Jew I believe..... and the Jews crucified Jesus Christ. They don't even believe that Jesus is the Christ! Yet I never saw the bigotry against Lieberman as I do against Romney. Obama is running for president this year, and I have no idea what religion he is! Sometimes he claims to have been raised a Muslim, and sometimes he's some kind of Christian. Where are the bigots now? This is just more justification to me that Satan also knows which church has restored the gospel in these latter days, and he will do whatever it takes to destroy it. Even if it means bringing out the bigots in full force. If you don't vote for someone simply based on their religious beliefs, how different is that from not voting for someone due to the color of their skin or their gender? Bigotry is bigotry. Period.
Ok........ I'll get off my band wagon now. ; -) I watched football most of the day, and I am in a good mood since LSU lost today. Unfortunately, Boise is losing to Hawaii as I write this. I will be in a better mood if my Buckeyes get into the BCS Championship game again this year. Go Buckeyes!!! IMHO.
But these men, in spite of their good intentions, lacked two things: revelation and authority. They lacked the revelation and authority from our Heavenly Father to start their own religion.
In 1820, a 14 year old boy faced a dilemma - which church should he join? There were so many different denominations out there vying for every one's attention. Some members of his family joined one church, others joined another church. What was a boy to do?
The young Joseph Smith did what all of us need to do on a daily basis: turn to the scriptures and get on your knees. Joseph read in the Bible that if anyone lacked wisdom, to ask of God. And that is what Joseph did. He got down on his knees and asked God which of these many churches he should join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph and Joseph was surprised by the answer he received: he was told to join none of them, for they were all wrong. How can that be? All wrong? Why? How?
The true church as organized by Jesus Christ fell into apostasy, and there were many years of darkness upon the earth. No one on earth had the authority to perform baptisms, to heal the sick, to bless the Sacrament, or to lead the Church of Jesus Christ. Thus Joseph was told to join none of them.
During the next few years, Joseph receive the necessary authority and keys of the priesthood. In 1830 the fullness of Christ's gospel was restored to the earth as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized containing all of the doctrines and ordinances necessary for eternal salvation. The period of darkness on the earth had ended, and many important truths had been restored once again.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not worship Joseph Smith, but they do honor him as the first prophet of these latter days. Joseph Smith was persecuted all his life for having seen a vision of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet he never denied having seen the vision, having said "I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it." He was eventually murdered for his beliefs. Which always amazes me. In this country that was founded on the belief of freedom of religion, it still amazes me that someone could be murdered simply for his belief in God, and the murderer never brought to trial. The Mormons, as far as I know, is the only religion in America that had an extermination degree signed by the Governor of the state of Missouri. Think about that for a minute. A Governor signed an order to exterminate an entire people simply for the religious beliefs. What other religion in America has this happened to? There is no doubt in my mind that Satan also knows that the Gospel has been restored on the earth, and is doing everything in his power to destroy it.
Which leads me to blog briefly on the current presidential election. Honestly - is the world going to fall apart if the President is LDS? Why all this talk about Romney being a Mormon? All the talk about whether or not Mormons are Christian amaze me...........really. I am surprised at how many people are bigots in this day an age. If memory serves me correctly, wasn't here someone by the name of Lieberman running for president in the last election? A Jew I believe..... and the Jews crucified Jesus Christ. They don't even believe that Jesus is the Christ! Yet I never saw the bigotry against Lieberman as I do against Romney. Obama is running for president this year, and I have no idea what religion he is! Sometimes he claims to have been raised a Muslim, and sometimes he's some kind of Christian. Where are the bigots now? This is just more justification to me that Satan also knows which church has restored the gospel in these latter days, and he will do whatever it takes to destroy it. Even if it means bringing out the bigots in full force. If you don't vote for someone simply based on their religious beliefs, how different is that from not voting for someone due to the color of their skin or their gender? Bigotry is bigotry. Period.
Ok........ I'll get off my band wagon now. ; -) I watched football most of the day, and I am in a good mood since LSU lost today. Unfortunately, Boise is losing to Hawaii as I write this. I will be in a better mood if my Buckeyes get into the BCS Championship game again this year. Go Buckeyes!!! IMHO.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Restored Church of Jesus Christ
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have, nor has ever had, any connection or relationship with any other church or religious group. This position among the Christian denominations of the world is unique. The Mormons are neither Protestant nor Catholic.
I think that this is what irks the other Christian religions, i.e.,the Baptist, Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, etc. more so than the issue of whether the Mormons are Christian or not. The other religions simply do not know how to attack the LDS church on the "restored" issue.....so they go after the "Mormons are not really Christians" issue. It is simply easier for the others to deal with.
And for good reason. When Christ organized his ministry in Palestine, did He not call twelve men to be Apostles? Were they not called to help Him in His ministry, and especially for the purpose of carrying on the work after He left? The New Testament gives much evidence of men called and ordained for this very purpose.
The Apostle Paul speaks of a "falling away" or apostasy of the members of the church, or "saints", as he called them.
Also, the church at the time of Jesus Christ was known as The Church of Jesus Christ, not the "Church of the Daybreak", or "Church of the Cross", ( I just now made these names up ;-) ), but it was known as His church. It was not called The Church of John, or Paul, or Peter, or Church of the Apostles. As it should be. I imagine that it is difficult for the other religions in the world to explain the name of their church, especially if it is named after a common man. (Notice that the restored church is not called The Church of Joseph Smith.) If a church is truly His church, then it should bear His name.
The church as established by Christ was taken from the earth because of the continued persecution and apostasy. The Roman Empire that ruled the civilized world at this time was a pagan government who worshiped pagan deities. The Christians were forced to meet in secret, and many were persecuted for their beliefs. Long story short, within the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic church became the all powerful church of Rome, primarily through Constantine and The Nicene Creed. (Google Nicene Creed as it makes for interesting reading.) Soon, favorites of the Emperor were installed as bishops of the church without the proper divine authority that had come down through the Apostles. The dark period of apostasy of the Church of Jesus Christ was beginning.
The dark ages rolled on for centuries until there rose a few men to challenge Rome's authority in the church. Men like Calvin, Knox, Luther, and others tried to reform the powerful and corrupt Roman church, but were not able to do so. Thus the great Protestant Reformation took form. Out of the protesting movements have come the hundreds of different churches of Christianity found today in the world. What is amazing is that each of these different churches believe that the new one has improved the old one.
So the big question is, which of these different religions and denominations are correct? They can't all be correct. God is not the author of confusion.
I guess that we can really rule out all of the various religions that broke away from the Catholic church during the great Protestant Reformation as the true church on earth as established by Jesus Christ. After all, these were started by men who literally, in many cases, had the church named after them! They claimed no divine intervention - they simply didn't agree with the Catholic church - so they started there own.
I guess that we can also rule out the Catholic church, since it was started by Constantine and his hand-picked bishops during the Nicene Creed.
So which church is right? Which church should I go to and believe in it's teachings? Which church do I give my complete support to?
The answer to that age old question will be forth coming in the next posting of this blog. IMHO
I think that this is what irks the other Christian religions, i.e.,the Baptist, Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, etc. more so than the issue of whether the Mormons are Christian or not. The other religions simply do not know how to attack the LDS church on the "restored" issue.....so they go after the "Mormons are not really Christians" issue. It is simply easier for the others to deal with.
And for good reason. When Christ organized his ministry in Palestine, did He not call twelve men to be Apostles? Were they not called to help Him in His ministry, and especially for the purpose of carrying on the work after He left? The New Testament gives much evidence of men called and ordained for this very purpose.
The Apostle Paul speaks of a "falling away" or apostasy of the members of the church, or "saints", as he called them.
Also, the church at the time of Jesus Christ was known as The Church of Jesus Christ, not the "Church of the Daybreak", or "Church of the Cross", ( I just now made these names up ;-) ), but it was known as His church. It was not called The Church of John, or Paul, or Peter, or Church of the Apostles. As it should be. I imagine that it is difficult for the other religions in the world to explain the name of their church, especially if it is named after a common man. (Notice that the restored church is not called The Church of Joseph Smith.) If a church is truly His church, then it should bear His name.
The church as established by Christ was taken from the earth because of the continued persecution and apostasy. The Roman Empire that ruled the civilized world at this time was a pagan government who worshiped pagan deities. The Christians were forced to meet in secret, and many were persecuted for their beliefs. Long story short, within the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic church became the all powerful church of Rome, primarily through Constantine and The Nicene Creed. (Google Nicene Creed as it makes for interesting reading.) Soon, favorites of the Emperor were installed as bishops of the church without the proper divine authority that had come down through the Apostles. The dark period of apostasy of the Church of Jesus Christ was beginning.
The dark ages rolled on for centuries until there rose a few men to challenge Rome's authority in the church. Men like Calvin, Knox, Luther, and others tried to reform the powerful and corrupt Roman church, but were not able to do so. Thus the great Protestant Reformation took form. Out of the protesting movements have come the hundreds of different churches of Christianity found today in the world. What is amazing is that each of these different churches believe that the new one has improved the old one.
So the big question is, which of these different religions and denominations are correct? They can't all be correct. God is not the author of confusion.
I guess that we can really rule out all of the various religions that broke away from the Catholic church during the great Protestant Reformation as the true church on earth as established by Jesus Christ. After all, these were started by men who literally, in many cases, had the church named after them! They claimed no divine intervention - they simply didn't agree with the Catholic church - so they started there own.
I guess that we can also rule out the Catholic church, since it was started by Constantine and his hand-picked bishops during the Nicene Creed.
So which church is right? Which church should I go to and believe in it's teachings? Which church do I give my complete support to?
The answer to that age old question will be forth coming in the next posting of this blog. IMHO
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Covenant Making People.............
God's people throughout the history of the world have been a covenant making people, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also a covenant making people. What is a covenant? In the gospel sense, a covenant is a binding compact, agreement, or promise between man and God. Both the old and the new testaments of the Bible reveal many such covenants. The Lord covenanted with Noah that He would never flood the earth again. Abraham was given the covenant of circumcision that was to remain in force until it was fulfilled in Christ. And there are many more examples in the Bible.
Today, the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make many covenants with our Maker. At our baptism, we make a covenant to come into the fold of God and be called his people. He must be willing to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places, even until death. Mosiah 18:8-10 states " Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" As a Latter-day Saint, this is perhaps the first covenant we make with God.
When we as Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament each Sunday, we are renewing those baptismal covenants that we made at our baptism. By taking the sacrament, we once again covenant to remember and rely upon the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, to take his name upon us, to keep his commandments, and to remember Him always. In turn, He promises that we will always have His Spirit to be with us.
Tithing is a covenant that we make with the Lord to assure us of temporal and spiritual blessing. As of old, at least one tenth of all we have goes to the Lord to the building up of His kingdom upon this earth.
Sabbath observance is also a covenant that was first observed in the old testament and that the LDS follow today.
The Word of Wisdom is yet another covenant that we make with the Lord. We covenant to abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, and conformity to this covenant assures both strength of body and mind, and also spiritual blessings will follow. In the House of The Lord, the holy temples, several covenants are made. They include the covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant, and pure. We covenant to devote both talent and material means to the spreading of truth and uplifting of the human race.We also covenant to keep these covenants sacred and to "trifle not with sacred things."
"And this shall be our covenant - that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord." D&C 136:2-4
Covenants make members of the Church, individually and collectively, distinct.
Covenants bind a person to God and to one another.
Covenants build unity.
Covenants provide stability.
Covenants set standards of behavior.
Covenants bind believers to the past, present, and future.
The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a covenant making people, and we, though imperfect, try diligently to keep these holy covenants.IMHO.
(The information from this blog was taken from various sources.)
Today, the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make many covenants with our Maker. At our baptism, we make a covenant to come into the fold of God and be called his people. He must be willing to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places, even until death. Mosiah 18:8-10 states " Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" As a Latter-day Saint, this is perhaps the first covenant we make with God.
When we as Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament each Sunday, we are renewing those baptismal covenants that we made at our baptism. By taking the sacrament, we once again covenant to remember and rely upon the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, to take his name upon us, to keep his commandments, and to remember Him always. In turn, He promises that we will always have His Spirit to be with us.
Tithing is a covenant that we make with the Lord to assure us of temporal and spiritual blessing. As of old, at least one tenth of all we have goes to the Lord to the building up of His kingdom upon this earth.
Sabbath observance is also a covenant that was first observed in the old testament and that the LDS follow today.
The Word of Wisdom is yet another covenant that we make with the Lord. We covenant to abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, and conformity to this covenant assures both strength of body and mind, and also spiritual blessings will follow. In the House of The Lord, the holy temples, several covenants are made. They include the covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant, and pure. We covenant to devote both talent and material means to the spreading of truth and uplifting of the human race.We also covenant to keep these covenants sacred and to "trifle not with sacred things."
"And this shall be our covenant - that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord." D&C 136:2-4
Covenants make members of the Church, individually and collectively, distinct.
Covenants bind a person to God and to one another.
Covenants build unity.
Covenants provide stability.
Covenants set standards of behavior.
Covenants bind believers to the past, present, and future.
The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a covenant making people, and we, though imperfect, try diligently to keep these holy covenants.IMHO.
(The information from this blog was taken from various sources.)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The House of The Lord.............
There are 134 temples throughout the world either in operation, under construction or announced. The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a temple building people.
Temples serve as the only place where ceremonies such as baptism and eternal marriage can be performed in behalf of those who have died —a practice that Latter-day Saints believe was followed in New Testament times but that later was lost.
Baptism is a sacred covenant that we make with our Heavenly Father, and is essential to our salvation. In Luke 7:29-30 we are taught.....Those who refuse baptism, reject the counsel of God. In John 3:3-7 we learn that "Except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".
This brings us to one of the ordinances perform only in the temples - baptism for the dead. As far as I know, this practice of baptizing for the dead is only perform in the sacred temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that this was a common practice in the old and new testaments of the Bible, for we read in 1-Corinthians 15:29 " Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" There is a very provoking thought about those who died without baptism. What about them? What will happen to those who died without baptism? We know that baptism is essential, so what happens to these who died without baptism? Non - Christian religions outnumber all the Christian religions put together, so what happens to all of these people who never heard the word baptism? I cannot believe the God would simply write off the majority of the people who ever lived on this earth simply because they didn't know about baptism. Yes, we of the LDS faith do baptisms for the dead. We search for our dead ancestors and are then baptized in proxy for them. The dead then have the option of accepting or rejecting the baptism in the spirit world where they reside.
As mentioned in an earlier posting, the Latter day Saints believe that marriage can be an eternal blessing, and not one of until death do you part. In the sacred temples of the Lord, husband and wife can be sealed together and with their families for time and all eternity. This is most comforting, because Heaven would be Hell without my lovely wife beside me. Let's face it honestly.........I depend on her so much here on earth that I just know that I will need her in the next life! ;-)
Other ordinances performed in the holy temple are endowments, sealing ordinances, and ordinations. But not all who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter into The House of The Lord.
Only a member in good standing holding a temple recommend can enter in The House of The Lord. First, a member must meet with a Bishop and will be asked several standard questions . The answers to the questions are not only being heard by the Bishop, but by the Lord also. Then you must sign the recommend yourself. By signing the recommend you make a commitment to the Lord that you are worthy of the privileges granted to those who hold such a recommend. We must be morally clean, paying a full tithing, keeping the Word of Wisdom, living in harmony with the teachings of the Church, and not have any affiliation or sympathy with apostate groups. Once given a temple recommend, you need not apply for another for two years.
The temples are beautiful and peaceful on the inside. When a new temple is finished being constructed, and before it is dedicated, the general public may enter and view a temple. Many people have been converted simply by having been through a temple before its dedication. Once the temple is dedicated unto the Lord, only those members holding a valid temple recommend may enter the Holy Temple.
The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most sacred edifices on the face of the earth today. Revelations are being received in them. The dead are being baptized in them. Marriages are sealed for time and all eternity in them. Holy covenants are made in them.
Much of this posting has been taken from one of my favorite books entitled " The Holy Temple" by Boyd K. Packer. This is an excellent book for believer or unbeliever. IMHO.
Temples serve as the only place where ceremonies such as baptism and eternal marriage can be performed in behalf of those who have died —a practice that Latter-day Saints believe was followed in New Testament times but that later was lost.
Baptism is a sacred covenant that we make with our Heavenly Father, and is essential to our salvation. In Luke 7:29-30 we are taught.....Those who refuse baptism, reject the counsel of God. In John 3:3-7 we learn that "Except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".
This brings us to one of the ordinances perform only in the temples - baptism for the dead. As far as I know, this practice of baptizing for the dead is only perform in the sacred temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I believe that this was a common practice in the old and new testaments of the Bible, for we read in 1-Corinthians 15:29 " Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" There is a very provoking thought about those who died without baptism. What about them? What will happen to those who died without baptism? We know that baptism is essential, so what happens to these who died without baptism? Non - Christian religions outnumber all the Christian religions put together, so what happens to all of these people who never heard the word baptism? I cannot believe the God would simply write off the majority of the people who ever lived on this earth simply because they didn't know about baptism. Yes, we of the LDS faith do baptisms for the dead. We search for our dead ancestors and are then baptized in proxy for them. The dead then have the option of accepting or rejecting the baptism in the spirit world where they reside.
As mentioned in an earlier posting, the Latter day Saints believe that marriage can be an eternal blessing, and not one of until death do you part. In the sacred temples of the Lord, husband and wife can be sealed together and with their families for time and all eternity. This is most comforting, because Heaven would be Hell without my lovely wife beside me. Let's face it honestly.........I depend on her so much here on earth that I just know that I will need her in the next life! ;-)
Other ordinances performed in the holy temple are endowments, sealing ordinances, and ordinations. But not all who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter into The House of The Lord.
Only a member in good standing holding a temple recommend can enter in The House of The Lord. First, a member must meet with a Bishop and will be asked several standard questions . The answers to the questions are not only being heard by the Bishop, but by the Lord also. Then you must sign the recommend yourself. By signing the recommend you make a commitment to the Lord that you are worthy of the privileges granted to those who hold such a recommend. We must be morally clean, paying a full tithing, keeping the Word of Wisdom, living in harmony with the teachings of the Church, and not have any affiliation or sympathy with apostate groups. Once given a temple recommend, you need not apply for another for two years.
The temples are beautiful and peaceful on the inside. When a new temple is finished being constructed, and before it is dedicated, the general public may enter and view a temple. Many people have been converted simply by having been through a temple before its dedication. Once the temple is dedicated unto the Lord, only those members holding a valid temple recommend may enter the Holy Temple.
The temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are the most sacred edifices on the face of the earth today. Revelations are being received in them. The dead are being baptized in them. Marriages are sealed for time and all eternity in them. Holy covenants are made in them.
Much of this posting has been taken from one of my favorite books entitled " The Holy Temple" by Boyd K. Packer. This is an excellent book for believer or unbeliever. IMHO.
For more information on temples, visit this link: LDS.org and click on Family history and temples.
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