The Book of Mormon

After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, the Apostles were also killed and truly what followed were dark times.  There were many people seeking for pure truth, but it couldn't be found.

God knew that certain truths about Christianity would be changed over time, so He directed men to keep another record that contained the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ called the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Joseph Smith was shown where he could find the book, written on gold plates and hidden since about 421 A.D.  This record contained writings from prophets who inhabited ancient America.

Joseph Smith was given the power by God to translate the record.  It tells about the resurrected Christ appearing to the people in America.  He taught and blessed them.  He established His Church.  The Book of Mormon shows that God knows all His children and provides guidance in all generations.

In order to know the Book of Mormon is true, you must do more than just learn the facts; you must actually read it and ponder on it's teachings, and ask God if it is true.  If you are honestly seeking to know the truth, you will find it and know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."
Moroni 7:13

An Apostle's Introduction

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Be Still

Just close your eyes and sit and think for five minutes...see if you can actually do it.

No...no texting.  Actually, just turn your phone off completely.

Why is this so difficult?

What do you think about?
Let me guess:
1) Something you know you shouldn't do, and try really hard not to think about, is beginning to nag at you if you sit still long enough.
2) Something you know you should do, but don't want to think about, and hence the need to distract yourself constantly.

If you can calm your mind and focus on worthy thoughts some great things can happen.  I am starting to learn that if I actually allow myself to sit quietly for a few minutes I have thoughts come to me and I really don't feel like they originated from me.  I believe that I am learning how God speaks to me.

He's always there trying to tell us something, but He will not shout at us.  He waits.  When we are quiet and calm in mind He can whisper good and helpful thoughts to our mind and hearts.

Like the saying goes: "If God feels far away, guess who moved?"

Anyways, that is all for today.  Have a wonderful weekend.

The Great Apostasy

While Jesus was on the earth He called twelve men to be His apostles.  He ordained his apostles by laying His hands upon their heads with the power of God, or the priesthood, so they could act in His name for the salvation of men.

After Jesus was crucified and and resurrected He ascended into heaven.  His apostles were left to give their all to preaching the gospel.  I can imagine how they must have felt.  They were used to having Jesus in their midst and relying on Him.  Now they were alone to face the people who had just killed their friend, the Savior. They must have wondered if they were next, and sadly they were.  This must have been their final test to see if they truly loved the Lord and would die for their belief.  After their deaths and over time the truths of the gospel in their purity were diluted and distorted and the priesthood was no longer on the earth.

So...did Christ and His apostles fail?  It does appear that way if you don't know the whole story, but God knows all.  The apostles foretold that the gospel would be restored once more upon the earth.

After centuries of spiritual darkness, seekers of truth protested against the current religious practices.  They recognized that many doctrines and practices had been changed or lost over time.  Many spoke of a need for a restoration of truth.  They did not claim to be prophets but did try to reform religion.  Because of their efforts many Protestant churches were organized which emphasized religious freedom.  This beautifully set the stage for the final Restoration. (Preach My Gospel, 35)

1 Nephi 13

Matthew 24: 9-11

Acts 3: 19-21

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Amos 8:11-12

Hymn: Joseph Smith's First Prayer

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in response to his plea to know which church to join.  He was told to join none of them because of incorrect doctrines.  Over time, and as he proved worthy,  Joseph Smith organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints through divine instruction.

John the Baptist, as a resurrected being, conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery giving them the authority to baptise.

Peter, James and John conferred the Melchizedek priesthood, for the power to guide the church and direct the preaching of the Gospel, upon  Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

The priesthood power has been passed on from one prophet to the next til today. The First Presidency...Presidents Thomas S. Monson,  Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchdorf

And the Twelve Apostles of our day (Front row):  Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard. (Back row): Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales,  Jeffery R. Holland, David A. Bednar,Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Anderson.

These men are the leaders of our church today and hold the priesthood to be able to give direction for the church and for all the children of God.  They receive revelation for our day.  They are like watch guards who are up on a tower and can see dangers.  They warn us of these dangers and teach us how to fortify and protect our families.  To learn about what they have taught recently look here. 

Justice & Mercy

When Christ established His church on earth, He brought light and truth back into the world, where there had previously been apostasy and darkness.

Heavenly Father sent His willing, obedient and perfect Son to earth to atone for the sins of all mankind and overcome death.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).  I cannot imagine feeling the burden of all my own pains and sins at one time, let alone those of all mankind, but He did through pure love for us.

Why did Jesus have to suffer for us?

No matter how hard each of us tries, we are all unworthy to be able to return to live with Heavenly Father, who cannot allow any degree of unrighteousness to be in His presence.  But He does love us and wants us to come home to Him.  So Jesus offered to come to earth and pay the price of sin, that we may become perfect if we would repent.

Justice and Mercy This video helps clarify.

I recently heard a good analogy that compared our lives, and the grace of God, to a man in the desert who was tired and thirsty.  Off in the distance he could see some palm trees, which of course meant there must be water.  With all the effort he could muster, he crawled until he reached the oasis (the grace of God), and he was saved from death.  Grace is given to us through Jesus Christ and His atonement, but that does not mean we can just sit there and wait for God to save us.  We must humble ourselves to our knees, repent of our sins (again and again), and do our very best to come unto Christ and endure the trials of life; and when our earthly journey is over we can be at peace and know that we did our best.  Even then we are not perfect, but Christ will make up the difference.  We are then ready to live in the presence of God.

O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown A song I love the words and music to this hymn of praise to Christ.

Before Christ died He called twelve men to be His apostles, and laid His hands upon their heads to give them priesthood authority to teach His gospel, perform the ordinances of salvation, and establish His Church in the world. He accomplished all He set out to do.  I am truly grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and the chance it gives me to repent of my sins and feel peace in my heart.

Scripture Study

Article of Faith 1:5

Matthew 10:1-10

Luke 6:13

John 15:16

Hebrews 5:4