Mormon Bloggers

I’ll apologize in advance that this post will be somewhat doom and gloom. But read on, and you’ll know why. My journey through the Old Testament is winding down. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but for one problem: I read books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and my teeth are set on edge. I read about ancient Israel, and their state of apostasy, and the dire warnings of the Lord if they didn’t change their ways (they didn’t, BTW) and the high price they paid. And, knowing the equally dire warnings about the state of affairs in the Latter days, I kind of shudder. I underline verse after verse, and make myself notes, looking for patterns. I know that even though the Law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ, Christ continues to govern His people according to the same principles as always. As always, there is no substitute for obedience to commandments, even though it is by Grace we are saved. My notes go something like this: “The... Read the rest of this entry »

We (talking about us collectively, from the beginning of time) have shown a tendency to reject prophets. It is the repeating pattern. At the start of history, they rejected Adam’s teachings about God. In the meridian of time, they rejected the Savior of the world. And the scriptures tell us most of the prophets in between those two either suffered death or had very limited influence. Sometimes we like to tell ourselves the WE wouldn’t have rejected Christ had we been there. Can you be so sure? Even Peter pretended he didn’t know Him when the peer pressure was on. Our natures our skeptical. We tend to be egocentric and don’t readily embrace the spiritual experiences of others. Subconsciously we think “It hasn’t happened to me, therefore it couldn’t have happened to you…” As if any one of us is the end-all of experiences and the gateway for the spiritual manifestations that come to pass. The story in Mark 6 (KJV) is case in point. 2... Read the rest of this entry »

A comment at another blog a week or so ago got me to thinking. The discussion was about modern interpretation of the Word of Wisdom and the present (lack of) focus on the counsel to eat meat sparingly. The commenter observed that the general authorities today don’t seem to be too worried about that particular item (based on her observation of their behavior). She said, “If they start emphasizing it, I’ll worry about it. Until then, I’ve got plenty to worry about.” That’s a practical approach for many things. It does not say (in the specific example) that the meat issue is not important, but it doesn’t seem top-of-mind for the brethren today. It suggests instead that there are other matters that seem more urgent. I hear a speaker recently talk about going through the general conference talks and finding direct counsel he felt he should consider. He said as he read with that thought in mind, he quickly developed a list of things that were important for him to focus on... Read the rest of this entry »

On 5 November 1937 at the New York Times Book Fair, author and editor Henry A. Wallace (who later went on to be Vice-president of the United States) stated the following while speaking on the subject “Good books of the Nineteenth Century”: “Of all the American religious books of the nineteenth century it seems probable that ‘The Book of Mormon’ was the most powerful.  it reached perhaps only one percent of the people of the United States, but it affected this one percent so powerfully and lastingly that all the people of the United States have been affected.”      The Book of Mormon is “others’ words“ in the greatest sense.  First of all, it is a compilation of the words of numerous prophets.  More important, however, is the fact (and millions upon millions have now testified to its truth) that it is the word of God.  His words should have the utmost presidence when discussing “others’... Read the rest of this entry »

This piece of history is from a Primary Lesson: Soon after the Church was organized, some of the members began to apostatize, or leave the Church. They quit attending Church meetings, opposed the Prophet, and persecuted the Saints. People apostatized for various reasons. For example, one man left the Church because his horse died while he was traveling to join the Saints in Missouri. Another man apostatized after he saw Joseph Smith playing with children. He thought a prophet should be too serious to play with children. One man saw that his name was misspelled on a Church document and thought that meant Joseph Smith was not inspired by God. Other people left the Church because they did not receive the help they expected with their financial problems. Some members left the Church because they could not forgive other members for actions that had offended them. After leaving the Church, these offended people often became the Church’s worst enemies. Ezra Booth joined the Church in 1831 after... Read the rest of this entry »

If you are interested in listening to or watching the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this weekend, there are several ways to do so. [List has been updated.] Note: There are four sessions total that will be broadcast live today (April 2, 2011) and tomorrow (April 3, 2011). Live broadcasts are at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., MDT. Each session lasts two hours. The priesthood session (for young men ages 12 and up and adult men) is not broadcast live, but will be made available later online. -The General Conference page on lds.org has live video feeds in English, Spanish (Español), Portuguese (Português), French (Français), and American Sign Language. Live audio feeds of conference are provided in about 70 different languages -You can go to this website to find out how to find general conference on cable, Dish / DirecTV / Satellite, or radio. Find detailed schedules as well as information on whether translations are available. - You can watch the iPad... Read the rest of this entry »

About a thousand other people and I enjoyed an evening with Richard Bushman last night. He spoke about Joseph and Emma for about 40 minutes and then entertained questions from the audience for another 40 minutes. While his insights on Joseph and Emma were interesting, I found the questions more fascinating, because they reflected a lot of the issues I blog about. For those who don’t know, Richard Bushman is the author of Rough Stone Rolling, the 2005 biography of Joseph Smith that has become the definitive account of the prophet’s life as told from the viewpoint of a faithful historian. I took advantage of the opportunity to have him autograph my copy and was not the only one in the audience who waited in line to do so. Open and honest discussion It was wonderful to see so many people interested in learning more about this great man and the beginnings of the Mormon Church. Every time he finished answering a question a dozen more hands shot up. We could have been there for several more... Read the rest of this entry »

To understand what Mormons believe and why, it’s important to understand who Joseph Smith was (a prophet of God, like Moses or Abraham) and why his life and role are important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (because through him the gospel and Church of Jesus Christ were restored). Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith, but we honor him as someone who was called of God to do an essential work for the salvation of God’s children. It started with what we call his First Vision at age 14. He was deeply concerned about the salvation of his soul and was searching for a church to join. Verses in the Bible in James 1:5-6 inspired him to pray and ask God what he should do. On a spring morning in 1820, he went to a grove of trees near his home and sought God in prayer. In answer to his prayer, the world was changed forever. Joseph was visited by God the Father and by Jesus Christ. In his own words, Joseph Smith describes the experience: “I saw a pillar of... Read the rest of this entry »

[Edited for some glaring grammatical mistakes, and begging for your understanding regarding the remaining ones.] I’ve been thinking–and of course reading–about the so-called shaken faith thing. What I’m about to say, is given without documentation, just some personal observation. Look forward to my presentation of some of the “hidden” Mormon history (usually “hidden” in the [...]  Read More →

Awesome Website Here’s the website we’re talking about in the show: Scriptures Citation Index  Read More →

We cannot decide on our own what the Lord is thinking or what he desires of us.  When left to ourselves we scatter in so many different directions, like sheep without a shepherd.  If there is anything the Bible teaches, it is that the Lord does have a singular and specific mind.  We are always in great need of a prophet, some one to guide us among so many opinions and interpretations We’ve gone from one official state religion established in the Old Testament in ancient times with a single anointed prophet to hundreds of variations of Christ’s original church from the New Testament as well as numerous self-proclaimed religious leaders in modern times. Christian Religion has also become a convenient, watered-down thing for many in the world.  In fact, so many times it appears casual at best.  There are also different sects and creeds militantly centered on one passage of scripture, selectively ignoring other scriptures and doctrines.  And today... Read the rest of this entry »

Children and youth participate in this video to tell the Christmas story. They talk of prophecies of Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah and Micah, as well as Book of Mormon prophets such as Nephi (who was a prophet about 600 years before Christ’s birth), Samuel the Lamanite (who prophesied of Christ’s birth and the signs that appeared on the American continent at the time of Christ’s birth), and Alma (who was one of the many Book of Mormon prophets who spoke of the Savior’s coming and His atoning sacrifice). It’s beautiful to hear the children and youth in this video share the nativity story, as well as their faith in Jesus Christ and His mission — and what that means for us. The video ends with these words from one of the youth: “As you picture Christmas this year, remember that Christ’s life and atonement are the greatest gifts we could ever have, and the best gift we can give to Christ is to try to live like Him.” Video: “Picture... Read the rest of this entry »