Mormon Bloggers

Today, I have a couple of gifts for you and a favor to ask. You might know my friend, Larry Barkdull, a well-known, award-winning LDS writer. Over the last decade, he has researched and written possibly the most extensive doctrinal work ever published on the subject of Zion. Larry has given me permission to give you a complimentary PDF copy of Book 1 of this 8-book series. It is called Zion — Our Origin and Our Destiny. This first book contains a comparison between the Zion account in 3rd Nephi and latter-day Zion, a look back at ancient Zion societies, how we were prepared to become Zion people, and a vivid description of Babylon. This ground-breaking Zion series contains one of the most vital messages for our day. The series is extensively documented with over 5,000 references and in excess of 350 works cited. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about Zion, this is the place! Just click here to download your free copy: www.PillarsofZion.com/FreeBook. When you download the book,... Read the rest of this entry »

I have been searching for days for the words to summarize my feelings about what just happened last week with President Obama and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I have been reviewing the political backlash over the events, and I’m still reeling in a state of semi-shocked revulsion. I‘ve written in the past about the history of the Jews, the state of Israel, and the tragic history of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It seems the more things change the more they remain the same. In the establishment of Zion in the last days it is to be expected there might be some surprises along the way, but the events of the last few days have been a stunner even for me as I’ve thought more about it. Charles Krauthammer weighed in yesterday in the Washington Post. Not surprisingly, he believes President Obama is either a rank amateur or a provocateur. Most disappointing, once again, was the way Obama ambushed Netanyahu. The Obama speech was delivered... Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, I was in a conversation with someone (don’t even recall who it was), who expressed surprise when I stated in answer to his question that the ordinances associated with exaltation were to be received only by a husband and wife simultaneously, not separately. His assumption had always been that our ultimate salvation was strictly an individual matter. On this Mothers’ Day weekend, it seems appropriate to underscore the role of women in our lives as men. We simply have no hope of eternal life without being sealed to a woman of our choosing. Period. No exceptions. No other way. The happiness and fulfillment of the mother of your children must always be your highest and most urgent need. You may not always succeed. My experience has been how patient my wife has always been with my blundered attempts, but because she is rarely content with even my best effort I am always reaching higher than I would otherwise. I have written extensively about these core doctrines... Read the rest of this entry »

I continue to get questions from people I know well about the end of the world. It seems the political upheavals we are witnessing continue to trouble even the most grounded saints. These concerns arise as a natural consequence of the bad news we hear every day. The budget and deficit spending in America is out of control. The prophets of doom and gloom continue to spread fear and uncertainty all around. Conspiracy theories abound. Few are escaping the effects of the 2008 financial market meltdown. Widespread doubts about the future are escalating. Inflation is eroding purchasing power. Gas prices are averaging $4 per gallon in five states, and continue rising in more. The price of basic food is rising at the grocery store. It is a troubling time for most. In the aftermath of General Conference two weeks ago, I’ve had a chance to review the content, topics and themes we heard expressed by the living prophets. Patsy and I were asked to speak about the prophets in a recent sacrament... Read the rest of this entry »

A writer in The Salt Lake Tribune the other day asserted a link between The Book of Mormon and socialism. His premise — at their very worst the people portrayed in the record were greedy capitalists, and at their best they were socialists. I suspect there are few things that get my blood boiling more than someone who asserts the law of consecration resembles socialism in any way imaginable. President Marion G. Romney I have written extensively in the past about the law of consecration. This is one example. Here’s another, where I wrote the definitive book about the establishment of Zion in the latter-days based upon the scriptures and the statements of the living prophets who succeeded Joseph Smith. I even cited President Marion G. Romney (a registered Democrat) who has written and spoken persuasively against this misinformed position. Harry Reid (D-NV), a Mormon and the Senate majority leader, embodies this flawed and misguided political philosophy better... Read the rest of this entry »

There have been many, many metaphors put forward for the atonement.  To date, however, no one I know has ever suggested how the atonement can be like a broken cell phone.  I will explain. I have a wonderful “caboose.”  Merilee is the youngest living member of our clan.  I love her with all my heart.  There is little I would not do for her as her father.  I don’t know how we knew, but when we named her as an infant it was the perfect moniker for her — she makes everyone around her instantly “merrier” for having known her.  She rows along through life “merrily,” leaving everyone in her wake better for the experience of having known her. She has what can only be described — her words — as “bad cell phone luck.”  I just plan on replacing at least two cell phones a year.  The chronicles of her adventures with her cell phones need not be enumerated here.  She would not be... Read the rest of this entry »

Elder Harold B. Lee, 1941 The following is a statement written inside the back cover of President Harold B. Lee’s personal copy of Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith in his own handwriting.  The date of the entry places the statement in time to within six months after his call to serve as an Apostle.  (He was called April 6, 1941).  At the time of his call, he was twenty years younger than the next oldest member of the Twelve. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1941 9/21/41 Zion is to be prepared as a bride for the coming of the bridegroom and that preparation is in rapid progress. The days of trial and greater tribulation are rapidly approaching, and the time to test the fidelity of the Latter-day Saints has come as foretold by our leaders. Of this I am sure that any man or woman who cannot follow the leadership and abide the counsel of those who are set by the Lord to preside, though they counsel in the matters of business, politics, private... Read the rest of this entry »

This has been a week filled with hate speech directed primarily at Muslims, but also at other religious groups. It began, of course, with a Florida preacher with a small congregation grabbing more than his share of headlines when he announced several weeks ago he intended to observe the ninth anniversary of 9/11 by burning copies of the Quran.  I can’t even dignify that man by mentioning his name. This past week even more evidence surfaced that hate speech is alive and well in America.  There is at least one Mormon, McKay Coppins, who writes for Newsweek Magazine.  He was on assignment in New York to cover the first meeting of something called the 9/11 Christian Center at Ground Zero, a group seeking to offer itself as a “counter-balance” to the proposed Park 51 Mosque to be built near Ground Zero. What Coppins was surprised to learn was this group seems to have little to do with Christianity.  Instead, he... Read the rest of this entry »

I saw this picture early this morning on a website as the sun was peeking out behind the clouds over the mountains in Pine Valley.  It inspired a thought. We are living in a dark world in the darkest part of the night right now.  The wickedness of the world about us is so obvious it needs little more publicity.  There is no need to broadcast the depravity and the lengths to which our Father’s children have gone in these last days.  He certainly is weeping now as He did in the days of Noah.  The population inside the great and spacious building continues to grow to a point where one wonders if it is surely not overcrowded.  It reminded me of the C.S. Lewis-like snippet from one of Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s books, Deposition of a Disciple (see page 63):  “Individually we need to be more different. Collectively, the wheat and tares are to grow side by side until the end comes. Wheat and tares in their early stages are not... Read the rest of this entry »

This was my Earth Hour. Well, not exactly, but I thought about responsibility and loving-kindness. And denounce force and extortion. Decided not to categorize this “Politics” because this is not “politics”, although it is.  Read More →

Brothas and Sistas, Nelly is a rapper not the Prophet! When he wrote the song: IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE – SO TAKE OFF ALL YOUR CLOTHES, that was not a revelation and he was not taking to us. Really I should just say sistas cause the brothas are keeping their clothes on (even the pre and post mission clothes from 5 years ago… Shout out to brotha Stephen L , I kinda got your back, I said KINDA) . Now this is something that ya’ll won’t hear at General Conference. Why you ask, cause the General Relief Society President is more like Aunt Bea and less like Madea. However, there’s a few members of the church that are like **Madea and if you ever have the opportunity to meet them you will gain an immediate testimony of modesty, or want to leave the church. I know you’re wondering how I know all this, and if I’ve had the opportunity to meet such refreshingly honest women… Well, let’s just say I have a testimony of modesty! Yes, it was... Read the rest of this entry »

The old saying “hindsight is 20/20” becomes particularly poignant when it comes to the early saints, and the Lord’s request given to them concerning their job in the establishment of the city of Zion. In July 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith and several other elders of the church had traveled to Jackson County, Missouri, with the purpose in mind of learning the Lords will concerning the location He had chosen to establish His city. In Section 57 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord reveals just exactly where the city of Zion was to be. Doctrine and Covenants 57:1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land, which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints. 2 Wherefore, this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. 3 And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom.... Read the rest of this entry »