Perhaps this is Satan's way of distracting many people. It's a way to divide us; to segregate us so we talk more about our differences as opposed to the Truth. The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.
What religion am I? I don't want to make my answer complicated. So spend just a few more minutes with me and allow me to complete my thought. Light is discernible. Darkness does not exist where Light exists. If you hear me out, I believe you will be able to discern Truth.
We are literal Children of God. He is our Father and we are heirs to His Kingdom. If you are a parent, you know that everything you enjoy...you would like your children to enjoy. As parents we are willing to share everything we have. Such is the case with God. He is our Father. We are not mere mortals, as C.S. Lewis so eloquently wrote.
We are one family. Adam and Eve, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Peter, James, and John, you and I are members of this noble family. We lived with our family prior to clothing our spirits in these mortal bodies. We were taught by our Father and we learned of His Plan: the purpose of coming to earth; the gift of Agency; the Savior's role for each of us; and our eternal potential as children of God.
Since the days of Adam and Eve, God has given commandments. The Children of Israel were commanded to perform ordinances, or sacred rites and ceremonies, and were blessed according to their obedience. The people were organized...for organization brings order. For example, Melchizedek was the priest of the most high God (Genesis 14:18). God has always called upon men to lead His people. Prophets taught of the coming of the Son of God, our Savior, who would take upon Himself our sins and teach us a higher law. When He came to the earth, he organized His church...the Kingdom of God on earth. He sent his disciples out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite all to follow Him. Jesus was baptized. And taught us that we must be baptized, as He was, to enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave the authority to perform this ordinance by the laying on of hands to his Apostles (Acts 6:6), who would continue His Work.
Christ was ultimately rejected by His own. He was crucified. His Apostles were eventually martyred and God took His authority away from man for a season. His children had rejected His Son, the Church, and it's teachings. There was a falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3), much like the Children of Israel who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, only to a more serious degree.
Men certainly continued to believe in God. But they had no direction. The authority to perform essential ordinances such as baptism had been taken away. Men, such as John Wickliffe, Jan Hus, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and John Calvin, among others, recognized this. They were inspired of God and began a movement known as the Reformation. These men are of the Kingdom of God.
The New World was "discovered." Religious freedom was among one of the great liberties fought for my our forefathers. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, just to name a few, were inspired of God to author inspired declarations to the world. These men are of the Kingdom of God.
Shortly after the Independence of the United States of America, a young man was born in Vermont. Religious freedom brought about many searching for Truth. The bible taught this young man that if he had questions, he could turn to God...who would answer him (James 1:5).
In 1820, the faith of a young farm boy, preceded by honorable men who had prepared the way, caused the Heavens to open once again. The Kingdom of God was reestablished on the earth 10 years later after much preparation. Angels brought the good word of God back. Messengers of God, men we are familiar with...resurrected men such as Peter, James, and John, Moses, John the Baptist, Elijah, and many others restored the authority on the earth through the laying on of hands. Miracles have not ceased. A Prophet lives on the earth today.
We are children of God and, as such, heirs to His Kingdom. His teachings have not changed since the time of Adam and Eve. We are one family. And we worship God as our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
Whether you're a Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Jew, Muslim, Lutheran, Hindu, Mormon...it doesn't change the fact that we are children of God and heirs to His Kingdom. Religion is man-made. It is a distraction. Christ said, "In my Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). There is one way to God. He has set the standards. He has provided the way. In His Kingdom, Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Lutherans, Hindus...and yes, even Mormons, won't exist as such. We will continue to be His children and worship Him.
You're choice is which path you will take. Who has the authority to act in the name of God here on earth? Who has the authority to baptize you as Jesus commanded? God didn't create the religions of the world. But His Kingdom has been reestablished as prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments (Daniel 2:44-45; Acts 3:20-21).
The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36-37). I invite you to seek out light and truth. If you are sincere, God will make the truth known unto you. He knows how to speak to you. Listen.
I do not belong to a religion. I am a son of God and I belong to His Kingdom. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I invite you to join us.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
How does God manage?
I read two articles in the newspaper this morning. And they both made me furious! How does God manage to still love us and have patience with us? I know he's an eternity older than all of us and has experienced infintely more than any of us. But does that give us an excuse to be obnoxiously ridiculous?!?!?
There is a woman on a crusade to have all highway/construction signs changed. She claims that "Men Working" or "Men at Work" are biased. So Atlanta is spending $1000 to change all of their signs to read "Workers." And it will cost an additional $144 per sign in the future. I can't express how much this bothers me. Perhaps I might feel differently if I were a woman.
Since the beginning of mankind, God Himself has used the term "men" to be universal...meaning all of His children...men and women alike. Obviously, I don't know all the reasoning behind it. But perhaps God wanted to use the word men in two senses. One being what I already shared. And the other to remind males that we will be held accountable to a higher law. As Patriarchs, we are responsible for the women and children in our lives. Men are the protectors...the providers. Perhaps God has called men out because we will have to answer to a higher law. And by higher I don't mean more important.
Gender is essential in God's creations. And there are those who are trying to neutralize everyone.
The other article I read noted some guy in Texas who has his "panties in a bunch." He's demanding an apology from a caucasian who used the term black hole. He says phrases like that, as well as angel food cake, devil food cake, black sheep, etc. are all racial slurs and derogatory.
Talk about a nation filled with pride! This is the epitomy of "pride comes before the fall." I think political correctness and pride go hand-in-hand. The more politically correct we become, the more pride increases and vice versa.
Those who are filled with pride say "Men at Work" is biased and "black hole" is a racial slur.
God certainly is an example of patience. These people drive me crazy! I would have destroyed them long ago. That's just one of a million reasons why my spirit is still housed in a mortal body. I have much to learn.
There is a woman on a crusade to have all highway/construction signs changed. She claims that "Men Working" or "Men at Work" are biased. So Atlanta is spending $1000 to change all of their signs to read "Workers." And it will cost an additional $144 per sign in the future. I can't express how much this bothers me. Perhaps I might feel differently if I were a woman.
Since the beginning of mankind, God Himself has used the term "men" to be universal...meaning all of His children...men and women alike. Obviously, I don't know all the reasoning behind it. But perhaps God wanted to use the word men in two senses. One being what I already shared. And the other to remind males that we will be held accountable to a higher law. As Patriarchs, we are responsible for the women and children in our lives. Men are the protectors...the providers. Perhaps God has called men out because we will have to answer to a higher law. And by higher I don't mean more important.
Gender is essential in God's creations. And there are those who are trying to neutralize everyone.
The other article I read noted some guy in Texas who has his "panties in a bunch." He's demanding an apology from a caucasian who used the term black hole. He says phrases like that, as well as angel food cake, devil food cake, black sheep, etc. are all racial slurs and derogatory.
Talk about a nation filled with pride! This is the epitomy of "pride comes before the fall." I think political correctness and pride go hand-in-hand. The more politically correct we become, the more pride increases and vice versa.
Those who are filled with pride say "Men at Work" is biased and "black hole" is a racial slur.
God certainly is an example of patience. These people drive me crazy! I would have destroyed them long ago. That's just one of a million reasons why my spirit is still housed in a mortal body. I have much to learn.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Strategem
I love strategy games. On occassion, I play Risk by myself...using 4-6 different armies. I distinguish each as aggressive or conservative, or unpredictable, or one who wants to maintain a continent and nothing more, etc. It's a lot of fun. And I never know who will win.
Helaman, a soldier in the Nephite army and Prophet of God, recounts taking an entire city without the shedding of blood. They were pursuing a Lamanite army towards a city the Lamanites had previously vacated. On the final night, Helaman ordered his men not to sleep and instead passed the Lamanite camp and entered the city. In Alma 58:28-29 it reads:
And thus it came to pass, that by this strategem we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood. And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
Did you read/hear/see the hostages freed in Columbia? No blood was shed and 15 hostages were given freedom...some after as long as a decade.
Can you imagine?
A group of Colombian military intelligence agents mimicked a typical hostage release with the allusion that they were transporting the hostages to another rebel camp. Some of the agents had t-shirts with the infamous depiction of the Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The FARC were fooled. It was an incredible strategem.
There is great evil in the world. But there is also opposition in all things according to the Lord. If you believe Him, then that means that there is also great righteousness in the world. As the world becomes more evil, the world also becomes more righteous. A great divide is taking place.
Whose side will you be on?
Helaman, a soldier in the Nephite army and Prophet of God, recounts taking an entire city without the shedding of blood. They were pursuing a Lamanite army towards a city the Lamanites had previously vacated. On the final night, Helaman ordered his men not to sleep and instead passed the Lamanite camp and entered the city. In Alma 58:28-29 it reads:
And thus it came to pass, that by this strategem we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood. And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
Did you read/hear/see the hostages freed in Columbia? No blood was shed and 15 hostages were given freedom...some after as long as a decade.
Can you imagine?
A group of Colombian military intelligence agents mimicked a typical hostage release with the allusion that they were transporting the hostages to another rebel camp. Some of the agents had t-shirts with the infamous depiction of the Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The FARC were fooled. It was an incredible strategem.
There is great evil in the world. But there is also opposition in all things according to the Lord. If you believe Him, then that means that there is also great righteousness in the world. As the world becomes more evil, the world also becomes more righteous. A great divide is taking place.
Whose side will you be on?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Lesson Learned
The citizens of Charlottesville surprised me this morning.
1000 tickets were gone within 22 minutes. There were a few who showed up at 9pm last night and camped out. Most showed up by 5am this morning. Tickets were handed out beginning at 7am. I showed up at 6:45...but I wasn't the last person in line...although very close!
There were no protests. It was very orderly.
Now I need to figure out if he's flying in on Air Force One or using a helicopter.
Oh ya...no ticket. Not even close. Next time I'll get up before the sun and secure my place in history.
1000 tickets were gone within 22 minutes. There were a few who showed up at 9pm last night and camped out. Most showed up by 5am this morning. Tickets were handed out beginning at 7am. I showed up at 6:45...but I wasn't the last person in line...although very close!
There were no protests. It was very orderly.
Now I need to figure out if he's flying in on Air Force One or using a helicopter.
Oh ya...no ticket. Not even close. Next time I'll get up before the sun and secure my place in history.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Obama - a work in progress
Nevermind the title...I'll get to that later. All I will say right now is that States will lose ALL their power if he is elected. I'm not a fan of McCain either...so this will not be a politically divisive post when I get to it. I will share facts regarding a good thing Bill Clinton did while in office (surprised?) and how Obama plans to destroy our Republic. There will no longer be representation by the people.
THE PEOPLE have yet to approve same-gender marriages. It's only been a handful of judges...I can count them on two hands. THE PEOPLE still choose right over wrong and are God-fearing. As long as that continues, we'll be ok. But if Obama is elected, he will silence our voices. Both he and his wife have confirmed that this past week and I'll share more detailed info later.
But here's some fun news--President Bush is visiting the
Monticello this Friday. I haven't agreed with all of his policies and he has made mistakes...but he's a good man for whom I have deep respect and this is an historic event. This will be his first visit to the home of Thomas Jefferson. And he will be the featured speaker for the 4th of July at the home of the man who drafted the Declaration of Independence. 1000 tickets are available to the public tomorrow morning. I'm getting up bright and early. Wish me luck!
THE PEOPLE have yet to approve same-gender marriages. It's only been a handful of judges...I can count them on two hands. THE PEOPLE still choose right over wrong and are God-fearing. As long as that continues, we'll be ok. But if Obama is elected, he will silence our voices. Both he and his wife have confirmed that this past week and I'll share more detailed info later.
But here's some fun news--President Bush is visiting the
Monticello this Friday. I haven't agreed with all of his policies and he has made mistakes...but he's a good man for whom I have deep respect and this is an historic event. This will be his first visit to the home of Thomas Jefferson. And he will be the featured speaker for the 4th of July at the home of the man who drafted the Declaration of Independence. 1000 tickets are available to the public tomorrow morning. I'm getting up bright and early. Wish me luck!
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