Mormon Bloggers

Particular doctrines, specific beliefs, and sacred rites of passages of most religions set forth, in what James Talmage refers to as, “formulated creeds” (Talmage, 1976). One of the very first of these creeds ever to have established did not come out of the First Century of the Common Era but came out of the third [...]  Read More →

Enjoy a talk from Brigham Young University Campus Education Week on daily receiving the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, to face the weight of challenges, weakness, and weariness that are part of the mortal experience.  Read More →

As Mormons, we often quote that verse from 2 Nephi 25: “…it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do” (v. 23). I understand why we quote it, and what we mean by it. We do not believe that we are saved by grace alone, but also by works, as signs of our faith. So taught James that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). But in our zeal to do works, let us not lose sight of the gift of grace. Yes, we need ordinances (see D&C 84:19-22). Yes, we need to keep the commandments as we covenant to do (see D&C 20:77). But let us also remember that “salvation is free” (2 Nephi 2:4) and that it comes “through the atoning blood of Christ” (Mosiah 3:18). In our desire to highlight our own responsibility for our own choices in this life, let us not forget that the opportunity to choose, the ability to repent, and the hope to return home to our Father in Heaven is all through the grace, the sacrifice and the enduring love of our Lord and Savior... Read the rest of this entry »

On my way down to Phoenix, I listed to Robert Millet’s book on CD, Grace Works.  I wish I had the book so I could look up some quotes.  What struck me were two things: 1) that to successfully put on the character of Christ, I need to yield and submit and surrender.  In our culture a male surrendering is usually not considered admirable- rather, independent master of a difficult skill or directing his own destiny is more approved.  However, I must “yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,” surrender to Christ, submit to His laws, receive His atonement, and give my burdens to Him.  None of these actions denote mastery or control, but rather its relinquishment.  2) It is by submitting and yielding that I can have my nature changed so that I have “no more disposition to do evil.”  I often focus overmuch on the behavioral aspect of gospel living- and while I believe it is better to perform in compliance with God’s command... Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine you’ve walked in a desert for several days. Your supplies are depleted. You’ve been without water for nearly 24 hours. You walk in the direction you believe is right, but you are lost, disoriented and dehydrated. You fall in the sand and close your eyes for a rest. When you open them, you see [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent.In Need of Water  Read More →

Easter is a month away and my thoughts are turning to one of the most sacred events in the history of humanity. While our culture and society today has created a more commercialized version of Easter as that of easter egg hunts, the easter bunny, and an excuse to munch on chocolate (as well as [...]  Read More →

In the category of torts, we have shown how it might be that Christ can and does offer to us mercy: to the transgressor and the transgressed against, because of what He suffered and took upon himself. The application of mercy can restore us to our initial state- one of neutrality, with neither injuries scarring our souls nor sin staining them. However, a merely innocent condition (like that of Adam and Eve in the garden, or of each of us individually when we are born on this earth), is quite different from a condition of exaltation. Does the atonement help us bridge the gap? We came to this earth with a primary purpose: to progress toward exaltation. The two-fold means of this progress can be generally categorized by learning through experience and choice-making away from God’s presence on the one hand, and gaining a body on the other. In that choice-making prong we all sin and fall, as did Adam: yet the Atonement can restore us, as we’ve shown, to a guiltless and uninjured condition.... Read the rest of this entry »

Responding to an Ex-Mormon’s Letter of Urgency posted on Truth in Love Ministries Website “Letter of Urgency The following letter is written to all Christians by an ex-Mormon member of the Truth in Love Ministry team.” INTRODUCTION Dear Christian; If you saw a house on fire with someone trapped inside, what would you do? Would you drive by without doing [...]  Read More →

Jerry Paul Hirst June 13, 1943 – January 11, 2010 I still can’t believe he’s gone. I know he is, but when I see photographs, like this one I took of him at our last visit, I imagine that Paul’s dad, my children’s pappa, and my father-in-law still sits at his desk writing, putters around his kitchen, or [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent.Choose To Be Changed  Read More →

The following dialogue is occurring over at TILM’s blog. 6 Responses to this post. Posted by Timothy Berman on January 12, 2010 at 7:40 pm So, would you agree that if someone posted the following Billboard message, that it is okay and correct? Christians celebrate and worship Human Sacrifice as an appeasement to a better life. Reply This first comment [...]  Read More →

The words, “inspired by a true story,” often mark a movie or novel. When my manuscript is published, the cover could read, “inspired by a real plant.” I received a hibiscus plant at Christmastime several years ago from a woman receiving hospice care for cancer. I met Lily through my husband when we visited her home [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent. The Plant That Inspired My Novel  Read More →

This years General Conference was held on October 3-4, 2009. These talks appear in the Ensign Magazine (Known as the General Conference Issue). These talks are very inspirational, thought provoking, revelatory, and provide sound advice in living a healthy, stable life. Many times, many different people find particular answers to specific doctrinal questions, or receive [...]  Read More →