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Alma 58: 41

But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.

I love this verse.  What wonderful examples of righteousness these Ammonite sons were.  This verse gives me great hope that if I follow their examples, I can become like them and be a light to all those around me continually.  We all can.  We can also know that as we rely on the Lord, he will be with us, and protect us through lifes daily battles!

Tags: Sure Steadfast Strict Commandments Liberty Remember Faith

Alma 7: 9-12

 9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.
  10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
  11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
  12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I love these verses.  What a marvelous blessing to know that there is nothing we can go through that Christ, our Redeemer, has not already gone through.  What a marvelous comfort it is to know that we have an eternal friend, ready and waiting to reach out to us in our troubled times that knows how to succor us according to our own personal situation!

I love the Savior!  Through a multitude of personal experiences, I know that these verses are true!  He knows each one of us and what we are going through.  He knows how lift up the hands that hang down and how to strengthen feeble knees.  For anyone out there who may be struggling, humble yourselves and turn to him in mighty prayer, and he will hear, strengthen, and uplift you!

Tags: Christ Suffering Iniquities Pain Succor Son Of God

Helaman 5:12

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

What a wonderful verse!  I love it.  It gives me great hope and encouragement.  If we build on the foundation of Christ, which is a sure foundation, come what may, we'll be ok!

Tags: Rock Redeemer Jesus Foundation Sure

I wrote this article on my blog Write From My Heart in reply to the many response comments generated by my previous article, "Protecting-Marriage". 

Why Gay Marriage Should be Opposed - Part 1

As I am on vacation, I was going to hold off on publishing anything until I’ve returned to England. However, given the level of discussion generated in the comments section of my last article, I feel the need to respond now.

The comments have generated discussion on several issues. I will limit my response to two issues – the issue of gay marriage, and the issue of separation of church and state in relation to gay marriage. My response will be in two parts, each part addressing one of the issues specified.

I want to state up front that I am writing directly from a Latter-Day Saint (LDS) perspective. I will be referring to the LDS cannon of scripture, namely the King James Version of the Bible (KJV), The Book of Mormon (BOM), The Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), and the Perl of Great Price (PGP). For brevity’s sake, I will be including only a few direct quotes here. For the most part, I will simply supply references and leave it to the reader to look up the references on their own.

I have no intention of trying to convince anyone to my view. Indeed, neither I nor any other person alive has the power to convince anyone of anything internally. It is true that men can argue very persuasively for this or that cause, and some may be convinced mentally that one or the other argument is correct. However, there is only one power in the universe that can change a man or women’s heart. That power is the power of the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit as He is often referred too throughout Christianity). I will discuss that more later on in the post.

Additionally, I do not intend to get in a discussion about the facts of men. The concepts and precepts of men are like the sands on the dunes, constantly shifting with every wind that comes along. Instead, I intend to discuss the truths of God which are sure, steadfast, and as solid as granite, never changing, less God cease to be God.

Finally, I intend to invite all men to come to the source of all truth, even God and Christ, to find out for themselves, by the power of the Holy Ghost, whether or not what I have written is true.

Some Groundwork

I said above that I would be speaking from an LDS perspective. To help readers who are not members of the LDS church understand the LDS perspective with regard to “gay marriage,” I need to lay some groundwork.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe the following:

• We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, (Article of Faith 1, PGP, p.61).
• We believe that God and Jesus Christ are perfect, meaning they do not change, (See Matthew 5:48, KJV, p. 1195; 3 Nephi 12:48, BOM, p. 433; Hebrews 13:8, KJV p. 1537; Mormon 9:9, BOM, p. 485)
• We believe that God established a pattern in ancient times (both Old and New Testament) of revealing his word through prophets. In Amos 3:7 we read: Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets, (KJV, p. 1139; See also 1 Corinthians 12:28, KJV, p. 1453; Ephesians 4:11-12, KJV, p. 1484).
• As God is perfect and does not change, we believe that he reveals his word today through prophets. In Numbers 12:6 we read: And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream, (KJV, p. 212). In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith, a boy 14 years of age, went into the woods near his home to pray. He knelt, seeking wisdom from God to know which church to join. He received a remarkable vision of God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. He asked them which church to join and he was told to join none of them. He was told instead, that the true church of Christ, which was lost from the earth, would be restored through him. He was called as a prophet of God. The gospel and the authority to act in God’s name were restored through Joseph Smith. All of his successors have that same authority and speak in God’s name, the same as ancient prophets did.
• We believe that when a prophet speaks today, it is the same as if God himself were speaking. In D&C 1:38 we read: What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (D&C 1:38 , D&C, p. 2)
• We believe that all scripture, and correct interpretation of scripture, is given only through inspiration to prophets of God, (See 2Peter 1:20-21, KJV, p. 1552; 2Timothy 3:16).

God’s View of Marriage

With that groundwork laid, there are now several questions to be asked.

• What was God’s view of marriage in ancient times?
• What has God said about marriage in our day?

Ancient Times

In the Bible, in the book of Genesis, which was written by the prophet Moses, we read the following in chapter 1: 27-28: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. . . (KJV, p. 2). In Genesis 2:24 we read: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh, (KJV, p. 4).

This same direction is repeated by Christ as recorded in Matthew 19:4-5, and Mark 10:7. It was also taught by the apostle Paul, as we read in (Ephesians 5:31, KJV, p.1486).

It is clear from these verses that God created men and women in his image, that he commanded those men and women to multiply and replenish the earth, and to leave mother and father, cleaving to each other, and be one flesh as man and wife.

Our Day

In our day the prophets have spoken just as clearly. In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” delivered in 1995, we read as follows:

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . .

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. . .

Again, it is clear from these statements that God’s views regarding marriage have not changed in our day.

God’s View of Homosexual Relations

With God’s view of marriage clearly explained, we can now turn to the following questions:

• What was God’s view of homosexual relations in ancient times?
• What is God’s view of homosexual relations in our times?

Ancient Times

Just as God’s views regarding marriage were revealed anciently, so too were his views regarding homosexual relations revealed anciently In Leviticus 18:22, we read what Moses spoke to the Israelite men: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination, (KJV, p.173). Again in Leviticus 20: 13 we read: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination . . . (KJV, p. 177). This message was repeated by the Apostle Paul in describing the reprobate practices that were prevalent in Rome at that time, (See Romans 1: 24, 26-27, 32, KJV, p. 1417).

Once again, as with his views on marriage, God’s views regarding homosexuality in ancient times are clear. No matter how society may want to get around it, or twist the issue, the scriptures clearly state that homosexual practices are an abomination in the site of God.

Our Day

As stated above, in quoting “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” modern prophets have declared that the powers of procreation (meaning sexual activity) are to be used only between a man and a woman. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, one of the modern apostles, stated as follows:

Every Latter-day Saint knows that God has forbidden all sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage. Most are also aware of the Savior’s teaching that it is sinful for a man to look upon and lust after a woman (see Matt. 5:28; D&C 42:23; D&C 63:16).

Attraction between man and woman was instilled by the Creator to ensure the perpetuation of mortal life and to draw husband and wife together in the family setting he prescribed for the accomplishment of his purposes, including the raising of children. In contrast, deviations from God’s commandments in the use of procreative powers are grave sins. President Joseph F. Smith taught:

“Sexual union is lawful in wedlock, and if participated in with right intent is honorable and sanctifying. But without the bonds of marriage, sexual indulgence is a debasing sin, abominable in the sight of Deity.”

Once more, it is clear that God’s views of homosexuality are the same in our day that they were in ancient times. It is, as stated above, a debasing sin that is abominable in the site of God.

Why Gay Marriage Should Be Opposed

Simply put, gay marriage should be opposed because it is wrong in the site of God. We cannot hope to receive individually, nor collectively as a nation, the blessings of God when we willfully choose to do that which he has declared to be an abomination. If we as a nation openly embrace homosexual practices, or any other practices for that matter, that are not in harmony with the will of God, we will eventually reap the same consequences given to Sodom and Gomorrah as described in Genesis 19, (KJV, p. 19).

A Word of Caution

There are many good people out there, who say, “show me the facts, and I will believe you.” Though I’m sure they don’t intend it this way, they come across exactly the same as the Jews in ancient times when they said to Christ, “show us a sign, and then we will believe.” Christ’s response was “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign,” and they received no sign. So is my response to those who seek a sign today.

Regardless of what the world may say, homosexual practices are a spiritual malady and those people who follow that life style choose to do so. Matters that are spiritual cannot be, and never will be, understood nor proven by men’s logic (See 1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV, p. 1441). It is true we may be born with physical tendencies toward homosexuality. It is also true that we may be born with violent tendencies. However, just because we are born with those tendencies doesn’t mean we have to, or should act on them. The Lord states, as we read in Ether 12:27 (BOM p. 510): And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. The Lord gives us weakness to help us be humble before him. The great promise is, however, despite the tendencies, or weaknesses, we may have, if we are willing to humble ourselves before him, and seek his help, he will make our weaknesses become strengths. In other words, we will be the masters over our unrighteous tendencies and weaknesses, through the enabling power of grace, rather than allowing our tendencies and weaknesses to master us. We also read in 1 Corinthians 10:13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God loves us, as his children, and will never suffer us to be tempted without making a way for our escape. I invite those who are asking for hard facts, to humble themselves before God and ask for his guidance in these matters, rather than tempting God, or God’s servants, by asking for a sign.

Additionally, there are some churches and individuals that claim to be Christian, even as they openly embrace those practices that are completely at odds with Christ’s teachings. In support of their adoption of these practices, they have wrested (meaning twisted or perverted) the scriptures. The apostle Peter teaches, in 2 Peter 3:16 that those who wrest the scriptures, do it “unto their own destruction”, (KJV, p. 1555). Alma, a Book of Mormon Prophet, teaches the same in Alma 13:20 when he says “Behold, the scriptures are before you. If you wrest them it shall be to your own destruction”, (BOM p. 243).

It is clear, from these verses, that perverting the scriptures to support wickedness will lead to the destruction of those who do so, unless they repent and turn away from their wicked practices. God has prepared the Way, even Christ, that all men, who will, can repent and change. Christ’s invitation to come unto him is still valid today. I invite those who have wrested the scriptures to support wicked practices to repent and seek the Lord’s help and the help of his servants to get back to the correct path.

To Know the Truth

As I stated in the beginning of this post, it is not my intent to convince anyone of the truth of what I’ve written. Instead, I invite you to find out for yourselves whether or not what I’ve stated is true. How? A Book of Mormon prophet named Moroni explains very clearly: And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things, (Moroni 10:4-5, BOM, p. 529).

In the verses, Moroni is speaking of the Book of Mormon. However, the same method applies to all truths. Those who ask God sincerely, in the name of Christ, having faith in Christ  will have the truth revealed by the power of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit. What are the fruits of the spirit, in other words, what will you feel when the Holy Ghost is speaking to your soul? In Galatians 5:22-23 we read: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. You can know when you feel these things, especially peace, that the Holy Ghost is speaking to your soul.

Conclusion

I invite all who read this article to use the method above to find out for themselves if what I’ve said is true. I declare with boldness that everything discussed here is true and is in line with God’s teachings. I do so without fear of what man can do, knowing that I am right before God in what I have written. I also invite everyone who knows the truth of what I’ve written, or who comes to know the truth of what I’ve written, to take a stance for the right. Stand up and be counted. Speak out against openly embracing any practice individually or as a nation that will lead to personal and national destruction.

To be continued. . .

Tags: Marriage Homosexual Gay Faith Invite Holy Ghost Repentence

I was reading in Preach My Gospel (PMG) the other morning and learned something new.  Maybe I shouldn’t say I learned something new.  A better way to put it would be to say I thought of something I already knew in a new and different way.

I was reading chapter 6 entitled “How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?”  The first paragraph in the chapter mentions Christ calling to Peter and Andrew and stating “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” (Matthew 4:19; see also Mark 1:17).    I’ve heard and read that phrase dozens of times.  In thinking of it, I always thought of it in association with Christ selecting those men that would later become apostles.  However, this time, the import of that phrase took on a much broader meaning for me. 

In a narrow sense, Christ was talking specifically to Peter and Andrew and calling them to his service.  In a broader sense, however, He was talking to everyone of us.  As members of the church, we are asked to follow Christ in the same way Peter and Andrew were.  Indeed, when we were baptized and then each week when we partake of the sacrament, we make a commitment to take upon us the name of Christ and keep his commandments—in essence, we make a commitment to follow him every time we take those sacred sacramental emblems. 

As I pondered about being a follower of Christ, another thought occurred to me. President David O. McKay, in April 1959, issued the now famous phrase, “every member a missionary.”  Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 states “ . . . whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”  In light of that scripture, we can extrapolate and say that just as we have been called by Christ to follow him, so to have we been called by Christ to be “fishers of men.”

Again I pondered this new thought, as I had the previous one, my mind was filled with wonder, and an almost overwhelming self-doubt as I contemplated the great responsibility the Lord has given us.  How can I, a weak, and far to often foolish, man ever help in so great a task.  What do I have to offer?  My self-doubt was short lived, however, as I read the following statement, a couple of paragraphs further into the chapter and was reminded of the Lord’s tender mercies.

“The restored gospel enables you to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior has shown the way. He has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). Learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your life. Through the power of His Atonement, you can achieve this goal and lead others to achieve it also,” (PMG, p. 115)

Reading this paragraph fills me with hope because of the promises it contains.  First, we are promised that we can reach a personal goal to incorporate the Christlike attributes we need to have in our lives to be successful member missionaries.  This correlates with 1 Nephi 3:7 in which Nephi teaches us that the Lord doesn’t give any commandments without preparing a way for us to fulfill them.  We’ve been commanded to become like God and Christ.  Through the Atonement of Christ we can become like them.  The grace of Christ is an enabling power and as we humbly seek for His guidance and exercise faith in Him, He, through His grace, can make “weak things become strong,” (Ether 12:27).  

Second, the above statement fills me with hope because of the promise that not only can we reach our own personal goal of acquiring Christlike attributes; we can also help others to attain the same goal in their lives.  What a wonderful promise.  We can be instruments in the Lord’s hands in helping others draw nearer to him. 

As I contemplated the thought of helping others, another wonderful Book of Mormon scripture found in Alma 26:22 came to mind.  It reads:

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

The bolded words indicate the things we must do in our lives if we would be powerful missionaries.   The bolded, italicized words indicate the wonderful promises about what we can do if we will implement the counsel given.  What wonderful blessings we can receive and help others to receive.  Then we can rejoice with them, even with that joy which surpasseth all understanding, which only God can give.

I have a firm testimony that these things are true.  I know Christ lives and that He loves us.  I know that the cleansing power of the Atonement is real.  I know that through Christ’s grace we can do all things that He has commanded, even as He turns our weaknesses in to strengths.  I know that we can become the great missionaries He expects us to be, if we will.

Tags: Missionary Faith Grace Weak Strong Enable

I was utterly astonished at the California Supreme Courts ruling to overturn the will of the people with regard to same-sex marriage. I still cannot understand how a judge can legislate from the bench. Still all is not lost. We have the opportunity to act to help reverse that poor decision.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sent out the following letter to church leaders in California on 30 June, 2008:

Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families

In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly approved a state law providing that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people. On November 4, 2 008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will now restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters.

The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage.

A broad-based coalition of churches and other organizations placed the proposed amendment on the ballot. The Church will participate with this coalition in seeking its passage. Local Church leaders will provide information about how you may become involved in this important cause.

We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.

I do not live in California, but I wanted to do my part to help in this great cause so I went to the following link which was listed on the church newsroom website:

http://www.protectmarriage.com/

I made the donation I could afford. You too can make an online donation through the link above to support the campaign to protect and preserve traditional marriage and the family in California. I invite you, and urge you to do so. If this overturning of the law supported so overwhelmingly by the people is allowed to stand in California, it is only a matter of time before the same thing happens in other states whether the people have voted against same-sex marriage or not. We cannot sit idly by and let this happen. Only by the efforts of enough good people who are willing to take a firm stand for what is right can this battle be won. We must be "up and doing" as Captain Moroni urged the Nephites when they were fighting a fierce war against the Lamanites. Much like the Nephites of that time, we are fighting for our wives, our children, our families--our very way of life. Again I urge you to stand up and be heard, if not vocally, through your wallets.

Tags: Marriage California Ammendment Family

Tags: Alma Missionary Work Fasting Prayer