A few years ago Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a talk about the aforementioned topic. I thoroughly enjoyed his talk, it has been a talk that I have read from time to time over and over. I especially enjoy the following, “To all of you who think you are lost or without hope, or who think you have done too much that was too wrong for too long, to every one of you who worry that you are stranded somewhere on the wintry plains of…
According to Islam, Jesus Christ was merely a prophet. He did miracles and prophesied but the basis upon which Christianity is founded they dispute. What it really boils down to is, did Jesus Christ atone for the sins of the world and was he crucified and resurrected? Islam would have you believe that it didn’t happen and that the Koran was sent to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel to correct Christianity. So the question I have is this, which one is correct? Who is right? I mean after all you have two different sacred texts in direct contradiction with each…
I am taking a course during winter break titled “Sacred Texts” now I was lucky enough to take the class when it is talking about the Koran and Islam. I find this very interesting, except the text that they choose title, “The Vision of Islam” by Murata & Chittick is VERY confusing (either that or Islam it’s self is confusing, the jury is still out on this one). Now I have a background in religious studies as I have studied my religion all my life. I have even researched faiths other than my own. I am no expert but I am…
I think I saw this phrase on a bumper sticker but I think it remains true. When Jesus saw his disciples had departed without him he departed the shore and walked toward them. Here is the account: “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the…
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be told that you would be giving birth to the Savior of the world? I wonder what went through Mary’s mind when the realization of her role in the world was made known. What about Joseph? What would he think of being Jesus’ earthly father? I could not fathom the immense feeling of inadequacies that would go through his mind. First and foremost would be the question, who am I to be the father of the Savior of the world, I am just a carpenter. What could he possibly learn…
While on my mission I had a very unique opportunity to meet a woman who although I don’t remember her name taught me a very valuable lesson. I had been serving for a little over a year when my companion and I received a phone call. A woman had been admitted for alcoholism to a rehabilitation facility in the city where I served. While going through rehab she requested that we could come and give her a priesthood blessing. We of course obliged. We went right over to the facility and promptly gave her a blessing. Now for those of…
Of course there are many other ways to improve our relationship with the Savior; however these are in my opinion the most important.
1. Daily Prayer
Just like any good relationship it takes communication to ensure a strong long lasting and enduring. Prayer should be meaningful and not trite. We should avoid our everyday language and properly address Him. We should use the proper terms for God such as Thee and Thou.
2. Daily Scripture Study
It has been said that when we want to communicate with God we should pray and when God wants to communicate to…
I am sure that most American’s have at least one time in this life heard these words uttered by a commercial or other advertisement for the United States Marine Corps. I find these words to bring comfort to me as I enjoy the freedoms that they work so hard to protect. These brave men and women sacrifice willingly of their time and means to bring the United States of America some of the choicest blessings of ANY nation on the earth. I can think of no other nation that has a military that is composed of men and women so…
In one of my previous posts “They Can’t Handle the Truth” I blogged about individuals that feel the need to attack our faith, these individuals feel it is incumbent upon them to correct us of our errors. After reading a few more blogs I realized that I didn’t do some of them justice. Unfortunately the situation goes both ways, we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes come off as judgmental. When someone leaves the church although we may disagree with them for leaving, we should NEVER treat them with the same contempt…
Table of contents for First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel
- Faith
- Repentance
- Baptism
- The Gift of the Holy Ghost
As the final topic in The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel, The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. This perhaps is one of the more delicate topics and should be referred to with the utmost of reverence. The Gift of the Holy means the potential for constant companionship from one of the Godhead. It is only given to those that have fulfilled all of the other principles and ordinances. Through this we can be sanctified by…
My heart goes out to those people who due to the actions of another are experiencing the loss of a loved one. In the news lately there have been a string of heinous crimes. The shooting at Fort Hood, the office rampage in Florida, the boy who was set on fire for $40, the girl who was gang raped in front of the Richmond High School, and so many more than I can’t list them all. I think these events hint at a greater underlying problem and that is that we as a nation are suffering. There is so much…
I remember when I was a child and everything was new and exciting. On the first day of school, I would be so excited that I couldn’t sleep. Occasionally, I would wake up take a shower and get dressed for school and then go back to bed and lie there not being able to go back to sleep. School then was amazing, I couldn’t wait to go. I am still a bit of the same way. I still get excited for school, except now I sleep just fine. I am reminded about what Jesus said, “And again I say unto you,…
While at home today I was attempting to boil some milk for some amazing hot chocolate, I scald it so that it just burns it slightly, it adds just a touch of flavor to it. Well today while I was cleaning the pot I wanted to use, I was attempting to look deeper in the pot to see if I missed a spot. Well I was holding it with my left hand and cleaning it with my right. Well I am right handed so my left isn’t as stable. As I was inspecting the pot I moved it too close and I…
Today I am home alone and sick. My wife went to school and I rested, it was a very boring and uneventful day. I am sitting in bed coughing and sneezing. It is far from enjoyable. I did have a chance to finish my homework for Calculus and I started studying for the test that is next Monday, I have five days to get ready. I am reminded of one of my favorite movies, “You’ve Got Mail”, the scene where Joe Fox visits Kathleen Kelly, the women who he put out of business. She has the sick voice and is…
Often times I will seek out blogs that have a Mormon theme to them or perhaps discuss something about my faith. Quite frequently I find anti-Mormon blogs. I find it interesting how incredibly spiteful most of them are and about how bound and determined they are to prove us wrong. There was one particular blog who said that if the National Geographic Association didn’t know of any archaeological information linking The Book of Mormon to South America that it didn’t exist. I challenged their argument based on the fact that just because they said it doesn’t mean it is the absolute truth.…
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LDS Daily Gems
- The Need for Courage March 11, 2010
- Declaration of Belief in the Godhead March 10, 2010
- Importance of the Father-Son Relationship March 9, 2010
- Feeling the Lord's Love March 8, 2010
- All Mankind Invited to the Fold of Jesus Christ March 7, 2010
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