LDS Doctrine

Legalization of Marijuana

2012-01-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

I have never felt so humiliated in my life over anything as that the State of Utah voted for the repeal of Prohibition.
- President Heber J. Grant, Conference, Oct. 1934

From this very stand he pleaded with us not to repeal the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. He didn't speak as Heber J. Grant, the man, he spoke as the President of the Church and the representative of our Heavenly Father. And yet in a state where we could have retained what we had, there were enough Latter-day Saints . . . who paid no attention to what the Lord wanted . . .and what is the result? Such delinquency as we have never known. . . .
- George Albert Smith, Conference, Oct 1943

One of the saddest days in all of Utah's history was when the people, including the Latter-day Saints (for it could not have been done without them), rejected the counsel and urging of the Lord's prophet, Heber J. Grant, and repealed Prohibition long years ago--yet many of those voters had sung numerous times, "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet."
- The Teachings of Spencer. W. Kimball

I believe there is a clear relationship between the historical issue of repealing prohibition and the current issue surrounding marijuana legalization. If you cannot see a relationship then I am not sure you can be helped. Therefore, because these issues are so similar, I believe the prophets have spoken and we should be careful whose side we are on.

The LDS Church does not prohibit the use of alcohol as a disinfectant or to wash the body. I am sure the LDS Church has no problem with using Hemp for rope, or marinol for nausea as prescribed by a doctor. The problem with Cannabis, is when it is smoked, or ingested or taken in any other way for the purposes of getting "High"

There is nothing Satan wants more than to see Cannabis use for the purposes of getting "High" legalized in America. And he will use any means and any argument to achieve that goal. Whose side are you going to be on in this issue?

The LORD admonishes in His "Word of Wisdom" "All seedbearing herbs for theuseof man to be used with prudence and understanding." (D&C89). Yes, with prudence and understanding, This doesn mean that every plant or herb or weed is meant to be smoked.
if alkaloids in this plant help wtih appetite, then isolate those specific alkaloids, and leave out the psychogenic ones. Smoking jimsom weed or fox glove will kill you.

Many proponents of legalizing marijuana argue that there are so many unappreciated medical and health benefits to marijuana. They feel like keeping marijuana illegal is "throwing out the baby with the bathwater". Many physicians I know are open to alternative, natural treatments. However, most physicians haven't seen benefits for marijuana over other current remedies. There are several FDA approved alternatives for appetite. Furthermore, if a patient wants to try Cannabis, Marinol is FDA approved, and you don't have to smoke it. No one is throwing out any babies. But I think some people want to keep their dirty bath water.

If we want to end the war on drugs, then bring our soldier home and put them on our borders to stop the illegal import of drugs. and we need to root out the corruption in our government and stop electing Bohemian Grove, and Skull and Bones members as POTUS. These secret organizations have been in operation behind the scenes infiltrating our government and institutuons and subverting our freedoms. The POTUS has been a member of Bohemian Grove or a Bildiberg all the way back to Taft. So, it's no surprise when CIA and Special Forces get caught time and again shipping cocaine into the US, or the ATF gets caught shipping guns to Mexican drug cartels, or US Banks are caught laundering Mexican drug cartel money, or to know that Heroin production in Afganistan is up 400 percent pre-Taliban levels(the Taliban actually prohibited Poppy growing and Pedophilia "Bacha Bazi" in about 1999).

Mos 29: 25-26 "Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord. 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people."

Many claim that legalizing marijuana is about liberty and freedom and agency. This group claims that our laws should never coerce others to do the right. This argument is totally misunderstanding the principle of agency. Agency is choosing freedom by following Gods law. All law is morality, and we should use our agency as a people to make laws that reflect and defend Gods laws. Only by doing this can we be free.

God has commanded us that we must carefullly regulate and manage our appetites and passions less these passions control us and lead to destructive behaviors. Animals act on instinct. If they feel to do something, they do it. Being Human is about being able to feel, yet think first, and choose not to just react on impulse. Psychoactive drugs are dangerous because they shut down our ability to think, as well as destroy our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

When it comes to saving our Republic and the Constitution, only a return to our traditional Christian morals/values (a return to virtue) can succeed. God has established a covenant of peace with those who posess this land that inasmuch as we keep His commandments we will be blessed with peace and prosperity. But inasmuch as we do not keep His commandments we would be cursed, cut off from His presence. There is forming a great division in our country, a great division both morally and politically. A friend on the internet said "Our Lord tells us "He" will be the cause of the great Latter-day division (2nd Nephi 30:10). When it comes down to it, it will "only" be the moral issues that will matter. Moral issues will determine what side each of us is on with this great division our Lord has promised us. "

Agency is not just freedom to do whatever without consequence. It's freedom to choose Gods laws. Choosing evil is not excercizjng agency and it leads to captivity and death. Our laws to protect agency should dissuade people from falling into sin and captivity. Again, we should be free to choose, but that does not mean we are free to avoid the consequences of those choices.

"free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" (2 Nephi 2:27).

If our laws reflect Gods laws then choosing the right should lead to more liberty, but choosing the wrong should lead to the consequence of restricted liberty. Our governments are getting things backwards by limiting and restricting that which God wants (prayer in school) and supporting and facilitating that which God does not want (substance abuse). As time passes, choosing the right is restricted while choosing the wrong is permitted. In another way, Wellfare programs fail to turn lives around and empower and reward good choices, but instead enable and ease the consequences of sin.

Setting up laws which protect the righteous in doing right, and restrict the wicked in doing wickedness is not coercion. The message of Freedom is in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Mormon says the Nephites established just laws that preserved the rights of religion and punished wrong behavior. However, the Book of Mormon is clear that there should be no laws against a persons belief.

Alma 1:17-18 "Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death."

Marijuana and other elicit drugs are or contain powerful mind-altering substances. If we do not decide as a free people to establish consequences for the abuse of these harmful substances, then are we really free? If we give people the illusion that they can use drugs without consequences, then they will be too easily enticed to experiment with drugs and many enslaved and destroyed. Lehi teaches his children that we are only free if we are both enticed by both sides. Our laws, therefore, should sufficently entice us away from harmful behavior.

2 Nephi 2:16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

Our laws restrict self harm and abuse. Our laws restrict suicide, and they entice us away from drug use. Maybe, we can agree that self-harm should not be criminalized as it is. However, companies who deal in marketing and selling instruments of self-harm to others should always remain illegal. Fear is a form of coercive force that should be used used to prevent the violation of the rights of others. Elicit drug abuse and addiction has grave costs to society in terms of unemployment, lost productivity, poverty, child neglect, child abuse, and crime. However, for those who choose to harm themselves, our laws should discourage this but not direct fear at the victim. This will only drive them to further hide their sins and not seek help and rehabilitation.

Zechariah 5 Interpretation

2011-12-27T00:05:00.000-08:00

Zechariah 5 is a very strange and cryptic revelation about a woman in a basket that flies through the air enclosed with a lead lid that becomes a curse to all the thieves and liars in Babylon. But a Seventh-Day Adventist on YouTube has figured this one out. By simply looking up the Hebrew and making some simple translation corrections, it becomes easily apparent what this terrible curse is that Zechariah is being shown.

Zechariah 5
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. (megillah = flying cylinder)
2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll (megillah = flying cylinder); the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. (30 ft x 15 ft circ = 15/3.14 = 5 ft)
3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it (Communist nations?); and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it (apostate Christian nations?).
4 I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief (Communist nations?), and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name (apostate Christians nations?): and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. (curse consumes timber and stones of houses)
5 ¶ Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth (nuclear missiles about the same size throughout the Earth).
7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead (lead = plutonium): and this is a woman (ishshah = fire offering) that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead (lead = plutonium) upon the mouth thereof (piha = beak, warhead).
9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women (fire offerings), and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork (bomber aircraft or cruise missile): and they lifted up the ephah (nuclear warheads) between the earth and the heaven (sky).
10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? (ie Where are they taking these warheads?)
11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar (Babylon): and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base (makon = foundation, pedestal).

LDS Theology

2011-11-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

In this post I am going to try and briefly summerize LDS Theology:

EXAMPLE OF MOSES
When God called Moses up into the mountain, God desired all the Elders of Israel to first purify and sanctify themselves and then ascend the mountain with Moses (Ex 19:10,22). God didn't just want one chief and a nation of indians. God wanted a royal priesthood, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:6)(Num 11:29). God wanted every man to be a King and Queen, Priest and Priestess in their own homes. God wants to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev 19:16). However, the Elders of Israel refused, they told Moses that they were scared and that Moses should go alone and come back and tell them what God said (Ex 20:19).

As Israel approached the Mountain of the Lord, the top of the mountain was burning with fire, the sky was dark, and the gound shook beneath thier feet. The Elders of Israel refused to ascend the mountain because they feared what would happen if they put their life into the hands of the LORD. Similarily, many today refuse to sanctify themselves and ascent the mountain also. Many still fear what would happen if they fully give their lives into the hands of God. (ie He will ask me to do things I may not want to do)

In addition to being very afraid, the Elders of Israel didn't want to repent and change and keep the commandments. They didn't want to do what was required to have a close relationship with God and see His face as Moses had. So, while Moses was away, the people said Moses delayeth his return, they then gave all their gold/money to Aaron (anti-Christ type) who fashioned the golden calf and began worshipping it through lude and immoral behavior (type of the Last Days, false relgion, and sexual permissivness). When Moses came down from the mountain (type of Second Comming), and caught the people in their sins, he drew a line in the sand and only the Levites stood with Moses and the LORD (Moses 32:26).

Today, God again wants all believers to purify and sanctify themselves and ascend the mountain so that they can have a personal relationship with Him. But just as in Moses' time, we still must sanctify ourselves, and many of us just as the Elders of Israel choose to worship false religion that makes no such expectation of us. Many religions let us go through the motions of being Christian without giving us any of the of expectations and requirements that go along with enjoying a personal relationship with the LORD.

So, in the next sections, I will explain how God has revealed what we must do to ascend the mountain and enjoy a personal relationship with Him. This process involves 2 steps: Justification and Sanctification. (1Cor6 :11) Thankfully, God makes the first move and empowers every part of the process thereafter. We can do nothing good without Him. Joseph Smith taught that through the ordinaces of the Gospel the power of God is manifest. (D&C 84:20). So, nothing in the LDS Church is being done without the LORD.

#1 Justification: acquital, posponement of judgement, initial rescue/salvation

God makes the first move. Christ stand at our door and knocks (Rev 3:20). If we accept Christ, we become Justified and Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. We are innocent until proven guilty, thus since judgement is posponed, we can have access to the Holy Ghost through Christ's rightousenss and not our own. Justification and this innitial salvation and rescue is by grace and is a free gift from God. That said, the Bible teaches that we accept Christ by 1. Confession of Faith (Rom 10:9-10), , 2. Repentance (1Cor5:11), 3. Baptism by Immersion, 4. Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (1Tim 4:14)(Acts 2:38).

The Lords Supper/Sacrament is the way the Bible teaches that we renew our acceptance of Christ and our Justification. The need to examine ourselves and continually renew this convenant points us to Christ and the need of Christ's atonment and the power of the Holy Ghost to Sanctify and further change us. We promise promise to accept Christ, remember Him, and He promises to give us His Spirit.

#2 Sanctification: becoming perfected in Christ through the sanctifying presence of the Holy Ghost such that we lose all desire for sin but desire to do good continually.

Justification is only the first part of the Atonement of Christ. But not only does the Atonement of Christ have the grace and mercy to rescue us in our sins, but Christ's atonement also has the power to overcome our flesh and save us from our sins (Matt 1:21). The next step involves the Spirit-empowered process of Sanctification. Santification is so important a life-long process, Christian believers in the NT were called SANCTS or SAINTS.

Christ told the rich young ruler "If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me." (Matt 19:21) Paul in Hebrews teaches that the Levitical priesthood had not the power to pefect but the higher covenant and priesthood of Melchezidek did through Christ. (Heb 7:11,19) Latter-day SANCTS or Latter-day Saints make the covenant of Consecration in the New Testament/Latter-day Temple. (Acts 2:46).

Consecration means to give all time, talents and everything to the work and kingdom of God. Allegorically, the temple symbolizes, "The MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD" (Isa 2:2) In the old testament the temple and the priesthood was only availible to one kingdom, nation, tongue and people and one tribe. But in the Last Days, John saw an angel fly with the everlasting gospel to give to all kingdoms, nations, tongues and people (Rev 14:6). In the OT God made His priesthood and covenants excluseive by limiting them to the oldest son, or only one tribe. This was done, not because God is a respecter of persons, but because He wanted man to appreciate the importance of these blessings. However, in the NT, God is promising these blessings to all people. This is what the angel on the top of LDS Temples is announcing and why LDS build temples among all nations and peoples.

While the blessings of the Temple are now inclusive and availible to all people now in the Last Days, to ascend to the Mountain of the Lord, the People of the LORD are still required to Sanctify themselves, or in other words to receive the Holy Ghost and allow the Holy Ghost to sanctify them. Paul in 1 Cor 5:11 gives us God's requirement for spiritual preparation and purification to be worthy to enter into the presence of the LORD.

1 Cor 5:11 "if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat".

This verse by Paul is the basis for worthiness to enter into an LDS Temple. LDS are interviewed by our Bishops who serve as the High Priest to determine ritual purity. However instead of external purity, Bishops who serve as Judges in Israel and who are not just "Preachers" verify our inward and spiritual purity. LDS demonstrate our compliance with 1 Cor 5:11 by confessing any sexual sin and living complete abstainance before marriage and fidelity within marriage. LDS demonstrate a Spirit-empowered love of God over money by paying tithing. Latter-day SANCTS are asked if they accept Christ as their Savior and are asked to confess any support or partipation with anti-Christian groups. LDS who are worthy of the temple and have the Holy Ghost would never abuse their wives or children (railer), Also, LDS would never take any chemical or substance for the purposes of getting "high" or drunk. God expects His SANCTS to turn to Him and not to drugs and alcohol when we are tired, bored, or stressed. And finally, God promises that though His Spirit, His SANCTS will be empowered to be honest in our dealings with our fellow man. God's temple-worthy people should never be found taking and offering bribes, kickbacks, or defauding our neighbors.

In the end the Temple is a beautiful allegory and symbol that teaches the follower of Christ who God is, who we are, and our relationship to God. The Temple teaches us about God's plan of happiness and Salvation and gives us an Eternal Perspective of what is really important. Through the temple, God's people come to receive the Holy Ghost more prefectly, and feel God's love and power. After receiving this Eternal Perspective about the purpose of life, God's' people are empowered and "endowed" and immunized against sin. Sin and being ruled by the passions and appetities of the flesh, just doesn't have the appeal that it used to have. The closer of a relationship a person has with God, the less he is subject to sin and temptation. Just as Christ promised the Rich young ruler, LDS make the covenant of consecration in the temple, and God in turn promises us greater sanctification.

So, why bother being sanctified? Well, in addition to being told that no unlcean thing can dwell in the presence of God (1Cor6:9). And this is more than just being "called clean". The issue is that despite being Justified, sin still has very real and very painful consequences. That is why I am grateful to Christ for His faithfullness, and the power of His Atonement that promises the power to overcome and escape my sins. (1 Cor 10:13)

However, Sanctification is not something that man can do on his own, or even part way. The Holy Ghost empowers the entire process. But when Nephi says "it is by grace we are save after all we can do" (2Ne25:23) or Moroni says "deny yourselves of all ungodliness and then is His grace sufficent for you" (Moro 10:32-33) LDS Scripture is not saying that we can meet God half-way or save oursleves by our works without Christ. What Nephi was saying was explainining why they observed the Law of Moses knowing that salvation was in Christ. What Nephi was saying was, becasue Christ gave the Law, they were going to receive the grace Christ had already given them before expecting to recieve more. So, in other words, Nephi and Moroni were saying we should "finish with the grace that Christ has already put on our plate, before asking for seconds".

Justification and Sanctification both occur at the time a believer truely accepts Christ and is Born again. The Temple is given to keep believers continuing in our Sanctification. Therefore, just like in the days of Moses, God is inviting us to receive His grace, and His Spirit and sanctify and purify ourselves and ascend into the mountain into His presence. So, for those who have accepted Christ and saved by His grace, will we allow the Holy Ghost to continue to sanctify us according to 1Cor 5:11 and ascend the mountain wth Moses, or will we stay behind and backslide into worshipping the golden calf? (2 Cor6:17)

Ezekiel 37:26-28 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God. and they will be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do ***sanctify*** Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Joseph Smith's Spiritual Wives

2011-11-13T01:56:00.000-08:00

Most people know that the LDS Church practiced polygamy back when it first started, beginning in 1833 and ceased this practice not long after in compliance with US Law and a supreme court decision. My wife has ancestors on both her maternal and paternal side that practiced polygamy over 150 years ago. Unfortunately, when most people think of polygamy, they immediately think of the fundamentalists and people like Warren Jeffs. However, this was nothing like how polygamy was practiced by the LDS. That said, a friend recently asked about the several wives of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Some of these wives were from 14 to 17 years old when they were sealed. The following is a brief comment listing some of the things I have learned concering the case of Fanny Alger who was the first spiritual wife of Joseph Smith.

Critics of the LDS Church love to say things like, this is just the typical thing that happens with cult leaders. They are such megalomaniacs, they think the rules don't apply to them, and they can just do whatever they want. And true to form, the first chance they get, they try to justify their desires for sin. This is just another blatant yet typical example of the bad fruit of a false prophet.

Considering this case, it seems to me that its the age of a few of these young women that is the real issue here. Most Christian know in their heart that God would never permit sexual perversion of any sort. Enemies of the LDS Church love to make Joseph Smith sound like some sort of predator. Critics even mistakenly use the word pedophilia which by definition does not fit because that would involve abuse of children before they reach puberty. And there is absolutely not a single shred of evidence of anything like that. But, understandably, a 16 year-old is considered a minor and marital relations would be considered statutory abuse as a minor cannot give consent. However, it needs to be said that in every case, the parents of these young women did give their consent to what was a non-physical, platonic, spiritual sealing.

There are several cases were there are hearsay accounts and rumors that the first child of some of Joseph Smith's "spiritual wives" belonged to Joseph Smith. However, recent Y-Chromosome DNA testing has been done on almost all the direct descentants of these possible offspring of Joseph Smith. Turns out, JOSEPH WAS NOT THE FATHER in any of the cases. In 2005, DNA testing showed that Orrison Smith, son of Fanny Alger, was not the offspring of Joseph Smith. (Perego et al., 2005). So, Joseph Smith entered into these "spiritual sealings" and there is no evidence that there was any "physical" aspect to any of these relationships except rumors and hearsay.

In the case of Fanny Alger, she was about 16 at the time and was working as a nanny and housekeeper for Joseph and Emma. It seems that Emma did know from the beginning about polygamy and was supportive. It is also clear that Fanny Alger's parents were also aware and supportive. However, not long after the sealing, it turns out that Fanny Alger became pregnant while living with Joseph Smith and Emma. Upon learning of the pregnancy, Fanny Alger was kicked out of the house. Joseph made arrangements for her to stay with the school teacher Chauncery Webb.

So, here is the facinating and unfortunate facts of the case. Here you have a 16-year-old helping out Smith and Emma. Joseph Smith is given the revelation on Plural marriage and he feels inspired to ask Miss Alger to be a "spiritual wife" all the white assuring Emma that everything is going to be platonic and that its not going to be physical. So, Emma and Miss Alger's parents are supportive and positive. Alger comes from the Hancock family who were very early and strong members of the church. And the Hancocks stayed active in the LDS Church. My wife ancestor is a Hancock.

However, when Fanny Alger mysteriously becomes pregnant, not everyone in Kirkland were aware of the sealing, and now the accusations and rumours fly. Even Emma is thinking that Joseph and Algers had relations and was angry even though they were spiritually married. Emma wasn't angry because she didn't know what everyone else knew, that Joseph and Algers were "sealed", she was angry because Joseph was assuring her everything was going to be non-physical at least until Fanny was much older.

But now with the DNA evidence, we know what must have happened. Fanny Algers might have had an affair and got pregnant by someone else. And her pregnancy made it look like Joseph Smith was the one who was responsible. And this was what caused all the headaches and problems and accusations and roumors surrounding Joseph Smith and the practice of "sealing" which followed.

Annother issue at play here is the coverup for Fanny Alger's protection. It can be easy to forget that Joseph and Fanny are "Sealed". Therefore, Joseph had the responsibility to protect Fanny. So, instead of directing rumors and blame onto Fanny, Joseph Smith seemed to allow the rumors, and gossip, and accusations focus on him. Instead of "outing" Fanny for being the one who had the affair, he only insisted that he was not guilty of adultery. He never put any blame on Fanny, he only defended himself.

Again, from several journal accounts at the time, it is clear that a handful of people were present at the sealing of Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger including Emma, and Algers parents and extended family (Hancocks) as well as other church leadership and several non-lds like Chauncery Webb (Todd Compton, In Sacred Loneliness).

So, the issue is, if all the necessary people knew that the sealing had taken place, why the scandal when Algers becomes pregnant and not before when they were sealed in the first place. Also, why did Fanny Algers' parents, uncle, and brother stay active strong members of the LDS church. The point I am making is, all these facts prove that that the relationship between Joseph Smith and Fanny Alger was a purely non-physical "spiritual sealing."

Jo Kester, a living descendant of Fanny Alger reports that Brigham Young accompanied by Fanny's brother John Alger asked to marry Fanny after the death of Joseph Smith. (he and John Taylor offered to care for all of Joseph Smith's spiritual wives.) Fanny replied, "You are a nice young man, but I want to be an only wife."

Fanny then went on to marrying Solomon Custer and leaving Missouri and settling in Indiana. After the death of Joseph Smith she was asked by her brother about her relationship with Joseph Smith to which responded, "that is all a matter of my own, and I have nothing to communicate." (bushman)

So, what do we know:
1. Joseph Smith and Fanny Algers were sealed in 1833. Fanny Algers was about 16.
2. Emma Smith, parents and uncle of Fanny Algers and church leadership were aware and/or witnesses of the sealing.
3. Fanny Algers becomes pregnant will working in the home of the Smiths as a housekeeper
4. Emma Smith is angry and there are rumors, speculation, accusations
5. Fanny is taken by uncle Levi Hancock to stay with teacher Chauncery Webb
6. Fanny remarries Solomon Custer after Joseph Smith's death and settles in Indiana
7. Fanny's parents, uncle, and brother stay active members in the LDS Church and follow the Church to Nauvoo, Il and to Utah.

Before, I end this post, I just want to emphasize something. I am really blown away by how Joseph Smith delt with this. He could have so easily diverted all the criticism and accusations toward Fanny Alger and "thrown her under the bus" so-to-speak. But Joseph Smith never did. Many of his closest friends deserted him over this. But Joseph was beyond honorable in his protection of Fanny Alger.

The Book of Mormon: A Witness and a Warning

2011-10-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, is the word of God given to us in the Last Days as a witness and a warning. First, the Book of Mormon is another witness and testament that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God. The Book of Mormon is proof that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only True and Living God who didn't just call prophets and manifest Himself to those in Canaan and Israel, but has called prophets and given commandments among all His children and throughout all generations of time.

Second, the Book is record of two civilizations that resided upon the American Continent that were destroyed by Secret Combinations. God thru the Book of Mormon prophets, warns the Gentiles in the Last Days, that our land will be filled with Secret Conspiracies, and that if we don't repent, our civilization will be destroyed just like theirs was. Moroni, the son of Mormon, wrote:

Mormon 8:35 Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

Morm 9:31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

Unless you have been blinded enough to belive that “All is well in Zion,” Moroni writes in the Book of Ether that in the Last Days, Secret Combinations would spread over all the nations of the Gentiles:

Ether 8:21-22And they [Conspiracies] have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; . . . Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, . . . Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this asecret combination which shall be among you; . . . For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the afreedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people,

So, what is a Secret Combination? When did this sort of thing get going. Well, unfortunately, it turns out that Conspiracy has been around since the beginning of time. It is difficult to tell the complete history of conspiracy because those that commit conspiracy and enter into secret combinations swear to keep their wickedness a secret. But Scripture gives us an brief overview and we are promised that in the Millennium, Christ will go through and reveal to us everything good and bad has happened in this Earth's history. Why, you may ask, would Christ bother to retell us our history from starting to ending? Don't the history books have all that information? Why not just open up a book? Well, if the history books were correct, then this would not be necessary. However, it appears what is accepted as history is not correct and Christ is going to tell us the real “rest of the story.”

D&C 88:108-10 And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years. And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years—And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump;

2 Nephi 27:11; 22 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth. . . Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things unto the children of men.

Wisdom tells us that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” We also know that “history is written by the victors.” Well, despite what pop-culture may have us believe, the “Good-guys” don't always win. Sadly, much of our accepted history has been written by the wicked who conceal their wickedness, paint themselves as the good side, and frame their opponents as the bad. Consequently, the wicked have an many cases gone out of their way to conceal true history so that they are enabled to fool us using the same tricks over and over again. The Book of Mormon teaches that the revealing the Earth's true history may be a major component to what binds Satan and ushurs in the promised thousand years of peace.

2 Nephi 30:17-18 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed. Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed; and Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time.

Ether 8:26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have ano power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.

Because of the pricess value of truth and the difficulty in detecting a lie, man has failed time and again to produce the perfect truth serum, and lie detector. Lies can be difficult to detect especially when they are buried amongst truth. And Truth of itself can be difficult to decern, especially when it is difficult to accept. Accordingly, God has prepared a special revelatory device for the revealing of truth and uncovering of lies. These devices are known as Seer Stones, or “Urim and Thummin.” Many prophets in the Bible and the Book of Mormon used the Seer Stones to translate ancient scripture and receive revelation from God. Aaron, the High Priest, used the Urim and Thummin to judge Israel. In the Last Days, scripture foretells that God would raise up another Seer like unto Moses. We know that the mission of Joseph Smith was a fulfillment of this prophecy.

And again, as we enter into the Great Tribulation period, and coming upon the restoration and gathering of Israel, and the establishment of the Great City of New Jerusalem, we expect the prophetic powers of the Urim and Thummin to be manifest again. However, in our current political state, I don't see Seer Stones being used to acquire evidence in the court room just. But if your remember the example of the later Nephi in the Book of Mormon (Book of Helaman), this prophet of God was able to use the prophetic gift to acquire the necessary hard evidence to uncover the plot behind the assassination of the Chief Judge.

Alma 37:23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.

Doctrine and Covenants 35:7 And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.

Seer Stones aside, I hope it won't take until the Millennium for the Gentiles to “wake up” to the Conspiracy that is already “among us.” But while waking up to the reality of our "awful situation" may uncover various aspects of wickedness and corruption, we should remember that it will be the "disintegration of the family" that will bring upon us "the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets".

Additional Reading:

"The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" - author unknown

"Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars" -author unknown

"None Dare Call It Conspiracy" -Gary Allen

"Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion" -Gary Webb

"Behold a Pale Horse" -William Cooper

"The Naked Capitalist" -Cleon Skousen

"Tragedy and Hope" -Carroll Quigley

"Other Losses" -James Bacque (Eisenhower and Operation Keelhaul)

"Target: Patton: The Plot to Assassinate General George S. Patton" -Robert K. Wilcox

The Tea Party Deception - Joel Skousen (Interview)

The Brotherhood of Darkness - Dr. Stanley Monteith (Lecture)

The Bohemian Grove Exposed- Alex Jones (Documentary)

Balanced Spiritual Diet

2011-10-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

“our relationship to living prophets is not one in which their sayings are a smorgasbord from which we may take only that which pleases us. We are to partake of all that is placed before us, including the spinach, and to leave a clean plate!” Elder Maxwell, Things As They Really Are, P.74

The Scriptures as well as modern prophets love to liken spiritual truth with food. Paul spoke of milk before meat. Christ taught that He is the "bread of life" and the "living water". In the Book of Mormon, Nephi invites us to "feast upon the word". And, a latter-day Apostle, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, loved to speak about remembering to eat our spiritual spinach. When thinking about the differences between the many Christian religions, it seems that many denominations and non-denominations serve a meal that is missing a food group or two. Only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers the completely balanced spiritual diet.

Some Christian denominations have been critical of the LDS Church for following Christ in offering the Christian sacraments of water baptism by immersion, the bestowing of the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and the offering of the emblems of the Lord's Supper. Other Christians have criticized the LDS Temple and its exercise of of the sealing power to bind marriages and families for "time and all eternity" and not just "for as long as you both shall live". Those critical of the LDS sacraments, claim that confessing Christ is all that is needed for Salvation, and that ordinances and covenants are just a bunch of unnecessary "dead works". However, I will use the Bible to show that the ritual ordinances given by Christ are a integral and critical part of of a balanced Christian diet.

Christ = Bread, Justification = Milk
Paul taught that milk should come before meat, and Jesus Christ taught that He is the "bread of life." While meat and vegetables are important, we cannot forget the the “stay” and “staff” of life. Jesus Christ is the only way to Salvation and Eternal Life. When the believer becomes born again, and truly accepts Christ as his Savior and Redeemer, he is justified. Justification means that judgment is postponed. Therefore, the justified individual is given a probationary time to prepare to meet God. During this time of probation, a just God considers him innocent until proven guilty. Also, Christ's righteousness is "imputed" upon him, enabling him the opportunity to enjoy the purifying presence of the Holy Ghost.

However, the Holy Ghost is easily offended by sin. So, the process of Justification must be renewed again and again. During the days of the Law of Moses, Israel continually offered up sacrifices which reminded them of their sinful natures. In the New Testament, believers continually partook of the bread and wine of Christ's Last Supper to receive the Justification of the infinite atonement. While, a person might subsist on a diet of milk and bread, thankfully the gospel of Jesus Christ does not end with Justification. Through the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all true believers can also enjoy the real Meat and Potatoes of the gospel.

Meat = Sanctifying Covenants, Vegetables = Consecration
The New Testament tells the story of a rich young man who asked the Savior what he should to to have Eternal Life. Jesus Christ answered by asking "what saith the Law?" In response, the young man began reciting the 10 Commandments, and then declared "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" Impressed, Christ taught, "If thou wilt be made perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor and come and follow me." To be made "perfect" is to become "Sanctified".

While, it is wonderful to be justified and have judgment day postponed, sin still has very painful consequences. Thankfully, the Atonement of Christ possess both sufficient mercy to both forgive and overcome sin. Overcoming sin, the flesh, or "the natural man" is the power of Sanctification. Thus, through Christ, we are not just saved "in" our sins, but also saved "from" our sins. Sanctification is the purifying process whereby the Holy Ghost purges from us any desire or disposition to do evil (Mos 5:2). Therefore, as we receive the Holy Ghost more perfectly, like a refiners fire, we eventually will lose any and all desire for sin. When all desire from sin has been purged from us, we are then clean and prepared to dwell in the presence of Our Father in Heaven.

Heb 7: 11,19 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?. . . 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Latter-Day Sancts
In case you think Sanctification is too big a concept for you, consider that all believers of Christ in the New Testament where called "Saints". Saints is derived from the Latin "Sancts" and is short for Sanctification. With this in mind, the concept of Sanctification should be a central Christian principle for any "Latter-day Sanct".

The Promise of Consecration is Sanctification
We learn in the New Testament and through latter-day revelation that after we have accepted Christ and are Justified, Christ desires us to enter into a special covenant relationship with Him.. We enter into a covenant relationship with God through ritual ordinances such as Baptism, the Lord's Supper and in the Temple. Only through the ordinances of the Latter-day temple can Christians enter into the most sacred and sublime covenant with God; the covenant of Consecration. Just like the rich young man, Christ invites all believers though the temple to be willing to devote all we possess to serving Him and building up His kingdom. In return, we are promised to be made perfect, to become sanctified, and to be prepared to receive Eternal Life. Sanctification is composed of the principles of both obedience and sacrifice. As Samuel reminded King Saul, great sacrifice didn't preclude him from also being expected to keep the Lord's commandments.

1 Sam 15:22 Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

In the Old Testament, the temple was only built up to one kingdom, nation, tongue and people. But in the New Testament, John in Revelation saw an angel fly in the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel to preach to all kingdoms, nations tongues and people. So, while the blessing, priesthood, and the covenants in the OT were exclusive to one tribe and one people, today in the Last Days, the blessings and covenants of the temple are inclusive and available to all people. This is the message that the angel is sounding at the top of each LDS Temple.

Saved By Grace After All We Can Do
LDS Doctrine is a Christ-Centered, Sanctification-focused doctrine. Our message is always one of how we can, through Christ, try a little harder to do a little better. Many Christians have a difficult time with LDS Theology and feel we are teaching that we can somehow save ourselves, or meet God part way. This false perspective represents an unfortunate misunderstanding of LDS theology. Some of this mistaken impression can be traced to a misunderstanding of the words of Nephi in the Book of Mormon who says "we are save by grace, after all we can do." Evangelicals correctly argue that "we can do nothing without the grace of Christ." However, this interpretation takes Nephi's words out of context. What Nephi is explaining is why they bothered to observe the Law of Moses knowing that salvation was in Christ. Nephi was not saying he could do anything without Christ. What he was saying was that Christ gave the Law of Moses and they were going to joyfully and faithfully receive and apply what grace God had already given them, before asking for more. Going back to our food analogy, what Nephi is saying is, "don't asks for seconds before finishing your firsts".

2 Ne 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

In the same sense, Moroni, at the close of the Book of Mormon, invites all men everywhere to "deny themselves of all ungodliness". Moroni then declares that if we would deny ourselves, then would "His grace be sufficient for us." Again, what Moroni means is that God has already given us the grace and power, though Christ, to overcome our sins. If we receive and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become justified by his atoning sacrifice and sanctified though His Holy Spirit. Then we can have the faith and assurance that when He appears we will be like Him and we will see Him as He is.

Moroni 10:32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;

LDS General Conference 2011

2011-10-02T23:37:00.001-07:00

This weekend, leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held their semi-annual General Conference. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a President who is the Prophet and Chief Apostle, his two counselors, and a Quorum of Twelve Apostles. President Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency, in the latest First Presidency message in the Ensign challenged church members to listen carefully to General Conference and to be knowledgable about what our leaders are telling us. Our church leaders are called and choosen by God, and speak his word. Therefore, church members should know what the Lord's Apostles and Prophets are saying.

During this weekend's October Conference the world received wonderful counsel. Church leaders discussed a variety of subjects. Here are some of the more memorable quotes and thoughts:

Members are encouraged to refer to the Church by its full inspired name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. - Elder Ballard

"The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to lover her mother." Also, when you daughter is late coming home from a date, "go and get her!" LDS members should lead the way in a return to virtue - Sister Dalton

"To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship" "Angels speak . . . the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ, for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2Ne32:3) - Elder Scott

[When my wife complains that I've already told her something, I tell her that ideas are like friends who I enjoy revisiting again and again]

"It is as tragic to think you are too sinful to pray as it is to think you are too sick to go to the doctor" "Prayer, like medicine, works best when used as directed" - Elder Cornish

"The 10 Commandments have become the 10 creative suggestions" "May we realize and understand how close to us He is and how far he is willing to come to bless us" - President Monson

"The Atonement covers all the unfairness of life. There is a lifeboat for everyone" - Elder Cook

[My father-in-law is Elder J. Devin Cornish of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. We were talking last week and I asked him which session of Conference he was going to speak in. I then ribbed him that I hoped he didn't give the "humility talk." It turns that he didn't. He spoke on Prayer. But it turns out that my favorite talk in this Conference was the "humility talk". One of the Seventy spoke about how overwelmed he felt and he was hanging his head staring at the floor when President Monson got on his elevator and told him in the President Monson way, "it looks better when you look up". This Seventy said this experience with President Monson was a simple witness of the Prophets job to inspire us to look up and look to Christ. He then related another teaching of President Monson that said when working out a problem, never forget the person we have the responsibility to love.]

Repentance vs. Constitutional Issues

2011-09-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

With the popularity of the Tea Party Movement, some have asked why the LDS Church leadership isn't as vocal on government corruption and Constitutional issues like President Ezra Taft Benson or President J. Ruben Clark. With the 2012 presidential elections approaching the LDS Leadership faithfully releases the usual statements that the LDS Church does not endorse specific political parties or candidates but keeps itself politically neutral except when it comes to specific social issues like Protecting Traditional Marriage for example. in addition to realizing that the LDS Church is a world-wide organization and not just an American Church, I had the following thoughts on this issue with regard to some of the problems and challenges in America.

The first step in America's IDEOLOGICAL SUBVERSION was our DEMORALIZATION. Therefore, the only way to defend the Constitution is not to fight constitutional issues, put to fight SIN and to preach repentance and to encourage keeping Gods law. We must somehow REMORALALIZE America.

Remember our covenant with God according to the Book of Mormon, Inasmuch as we will keep the commandments of God we will be a free people on this continent. And inasmuch as we do not keep the commandments of God we will be cut off.

It's that simple. Preaching repentance is much more important than preaching against government corruption or individual constitutional issues. SIN is the root of the problem. if the LDS leadership were to preach about government corruption, 911, ect. They would open themselves up for being infiltrated by agent provocateur anarchists and for inciting anti-government and anti-American sentiments just as has been done with Islam.

Fighting the battles to "End the Fed" or "Legalizing Marijuana" or the "Police State" or whatever else Constitutional issue is just treating symptoms but not getting at the root of the problems in America. Yuri Bezmenov (ex-KGB? I think current) talked about demoralization resulting in ideological subversion but made the same mistake in telling America it needed to fight Constitutional issues and said nothing about repentance. But he was correct when he said a demoralized person can't even recognize truth until the boot of reality comes crushing down on their neck.

Ether 8:23 "Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins,"

Old Testament Type

2011-09-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

The stories of the Old Testament are a type and shadow of the Last Days. First we see the higher covenant being given to Abraham. The covenant continues through Isaac and Jacob. However, we then see Joseph sold into Egypt. While in Egypt, Joseph serves to save the rest of the house of Israel from the famine. Safe in Egypt, it seems that Israel doesn't take long to fall into a period of apostasy. If Israel had remained faithful to the Lord, I am sure that God would have not suffered that His covenant poeple would fall into captivity. After a period of apostasy and captivity in Egypt, then we see the rise of Moses who leads Israel out of Egypt and promises to renew with them the coveants that God made with Abraham. However, the people rebell and are hard-hearted. Consequently, instead of renewing the higher Abrahamic Covenant, God gives Israel a preparatory Law of Moses which was to point them and prepare them to receive Jesus Christ who would later renew the Abrahamic Covenant to His people. lsrael would be required to wander in the wilderness in Sinai for 40 years, and then wait over one thousand more years for Christ's coming.

How does the Old Testament Story relate to the Last Days? In my mind, there is a clear parallel here. Abraham is a type of Christ. So, God's establishment of a higher covenant with Abraham is akin to God's establishment of the same higher covenant through His Son Jesus Christ. That covenant continues for a short time until the people quickly fall into apostasy. Hundreds of years later, God would raise up a Moses to save the people from spiritual bondage. In the Last Days, our Moses is Joseph Smith. However, like the Israelites at the time of Moses, the Latter-Day Saints needed some time to grow in faith and obedience. The Latter-Day Saints enjoy the blessings of the higher Abrahamic Covenant and the fullness of the gospel of Christ, but we were not strong enough to establish a perfect Zion society at the time of Joseph Smith. So, the Latter-Day Saints are wandering through a metaphorical wilderness awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ who will ushur in a thousand-year period of peace on the Earth. However, like Joseph in Egypt, we have and will continue to see the saving of the remnant of the House of Israel from spiritual famine by modern day Ephraim.

And, through the power of God and direct assistance of heaven, the LDS Church has been and will continue to lay the foundations of the Kingdom of God on the Earth. Isaiah likened Zion to a tent. His instructions for Israel to prepare for the coming of the Messiah was for Zion to "put on righteousness", "expand her boarders", and "strengthen her stakes." Modern spring-bar tents are set up by placing the poles first. However, when pitching a tent in ancient times, you started by driving in the stakes first before you placed the center pole. If you were to place the poles first in an ancient tent without first having placed the stakes, the center pole wouldn't have any opposing force to keep it standing and the the pole and tent would immediately fall. This is why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints refer to groups of congregations as "Stake of Zion." Christ is the center pole, Zion or the Kingdom of God is the tent, and the LDS Church is rolling out and expanding the borders of the tent, and preparing and strengthening the stakes before the Second Coming of Christ when finally the Kingdom of God will be fully and gloriously realized.

Old Testament
Abraham
Egyptian Captivity
Moses
Law of Moses
Babylonian Captivity
Jesus Christ First Coming

New Testament
Jesus Christ
Great Apostacy
Joseph Smith
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[Babylonian Captivity?]
Jesus Christ Second Coming

Preach My Gospel: Lesson 5: Laws and Ordinances

2011-09-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

Priesthood and Auxiliaries:
Priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name for the salvation of His children.
Ordinances of salvation
blessing of healing, comfort, and counsel.

God is all powerful and it could be said that He could do all the work himself without any of our involvement. But in God's plan, man is blessed to participate in His work. It is still His work, and he is still doing the work. But He allows us to participate, minister, and witness His power in the lives of others.

D&C 1:38 "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by Jesus Christ through apostles and prophts just as in Bible times.

Eph 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers; Forst the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

So, when the Church leaders are telling us to reading our scriptures, and pray as a family, or warns us against taking harmful chemicals inside our bodies, its not men telling us what to do and how we should live our lives, but God telling us throught them.

Priesthood authority was restored in 1929 when John the Baptist and later Peter James and John appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. Peter James and John had received the Melchizedek priesthood from Jesus Christ.

Heb 5:4 "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron"
Tim 4:14 "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands fo the presbytery (Elders)."
John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen, you, and ordained you"

Matt 16:19 "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be lossed in heaven"

A man can receive priesthood authority only by proper ordination by the laying on of hands by one who has the authority. Charles Wesley who was one of the greatest English poets and song writers ever and the brother of John Wesley criticized his brother for starting his own church and ordaining priests. Some of the Hymns in our LDS Hymnal from Charles Wesley include "Hark the Herld Angels Sing", "Rejoice, the Lord is King", "Jesus, Lover of my soul", "Ye Simple souls who stray", "Christ the Lord is Risn Today, "Come, Let us anew.".

"How easily are bishops made by man or woman's whim, Wesley his hands on Coke hath layed, but who laid hands on him?" - Charles Wesley

That said, the scriptures say that only a desire to serve God is enough to qualify us for the work. But the laying on of hands by the proper authority authorizes us for that work.
D&C 4:3 "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work" Remember many are "called" but few are "choosen". Matt 22:14
D&C 63:57 "And again, verily I say unto you, those who desire in their hearts, in meekness, to warn sinners to repentance, let them be ordained unto this power".

Holders of the priesthood enter into a covenant and recieve callings and duties to serve others, help build up the church. Also to perform sacred ordinances, such as baptism, confirmation. (Here the power of God is manifest (changing peoples lives via the Holy Ghost). Priesthood power can only be used only in righteousness, love, and patients. No unrighteous dominion, and never by coercion but only by persuasion.

All priesthood comes from God, There are 2 priesthoods in the Church the Aaronic and Melchizedek. The Aaronic Priesthood administers ordinacnes such as baptism and sacrament (Lords Supper). Worthy males ages 12 and over recieve this preisthood soon after baptism and confirmation. This is a preparatory priesthood to prepare for the higher priesthood that Christ restored to the Earth. and that Peter James and John restored to Joseph Smith.

Worthy adult males will eventually receive the Melchizedek priesthood. Through this preisthood members receive many temporal and spiritual blessings. Worthy holders confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, ordain others to the preisthood as assigned, and anoint the sick with consecrated oil, and give blessing of healing and comfort. Fathers have give special blessings to spouse and children, and Home Teachers visit homes of the members and ccan care for and bless individuals and families.

Bishops and Stake Presidents are Judges in isreal and spend most of their time helping those who have sinned. Just like the Priests in the Old Testament, Bishops are not "preachers" but when you become unclean, you had to appear before the priest and he would determine that you should bathe in the river jordan 7 times, After doing this you would return to the priest and be declared ritually clean to return to the temple. in the same way Bishops today do the same work but are more concerned with inward purity.

As memebers of the church we have covenanted to stand as a witness of God in all times, all places. And we should want to share with others the truths that bring us so much hope, and joy. We have been commanded to preach the gospel of Christ to all peopel and give them a chance to accept or reject it. As we live the gospel we can be an example to others, we can also invite others to church, or other activities, or introduce them to the missionaries or give them a pass along card or video or book of mormon. We should pray for others, pray for missionary opportunities, and have have faith and be sure that the Holy Ghost will help us know what to say when we "open our mouths"

Great test of religion and the preisthood is this:
James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspottted from the world"

1 Cor 5:11 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?"

Astrology

2011-09-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

I was getting my hair cut last week, and I was making the usual small talk with the hair stylist. We were talking about work and family and I told this person that I enjoyed staying home and being with my family. She then asked me when Iwas born and what astrological sign I was. She commented how I must have been a "Cancer" because being a "homebody" was typical of those born under that sign. I told her that I thought it was good to know that there are many others who have the same type of temperment. She then asked me if I had ever looked up my birth chart to see how the planets were aligned. I responded by saying that I thought it was much more important how my life was aligned, then how the planets were aligned. For me, being in right kind of places, and doing the right kinds of things have made all the difference.

Capitalism = Capital Fascism

2011-09-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

http://brainbender.blogspot.com/2011/09/capital-fascism.html?m=1

True Test of Prophets and Religion

2011-08-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

August 20, 2011

John,

Thank you for the DVD. I also enjoyed our conversation and I appreciate your thoughtful study, prayer and concern. As you focus on “God's word” for guidance, I would caution you about what other “anti-Mormon” sources you rely upon for information. Many of these sources contain much misinformation and half-truths. I thoughtfully watched the DVD and made a few notes. The DVD warns about “cognitive dissonance” and seems to try to diagnose LDS as suffering from some kind of mental disorder. I believe that we should beware of false arguments like we should beware of false prophets.

BOOK OF MORMON TESTIFIES OF THE BIBLE

First, to answer your question, “is the Bible inerrant or not?” Yes, the Bible is inerrant. To support this belief, let's read what the Book of Mormon actually says about the Bible. This is the part the DVD producers failed to include.

In this first example, we see at the opening of the Book of Mormon, God reaffirms His pattern of revelation. God has a plan for the salvation of His Children and revels that plan to prophets who record His word in scripture. A prophet Lehi is commanded of God to preach repentance to the people at Jerusalem. God then warns Lehi that he must flee Jerusalem or be killed. Nephi has faith in his Father, and seeks a his own spiritual witness through prayer after reasoning things out. While on their way out of town, Lehi sends his sons back to retrieve the family Bible from a wealthy yet wicked relative so that they could carry the laws, commandments, and covenants of God with them to their new home. After retrieving what is called, the Brass Plates; Lehi prophesies that those words [Old Testament] would go forth to all nations and that they would not “be dimmed any more by time.”

1Nephi 5:18-19 That these plates of brass [Old Testament] should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.

The DVD uses the Great Isaiah Scroll, which dates to 100 BC, as a proof against the Book of Mormon. In actual fact, the Great Isaiah Scroll is a vindication and validation of the prophecy by Lehi. Whether you believe this prophecy in the Book of Mormon was made by Lehi 600 BC or by Joseph Smith in 1830 AD, the prophecy predicts that the Old Testament would go forth to all nations undimmed from 600 BC. Now we have the Great Isaiah scroll that supports the Book of Mormon claim that the Old Testament books that we possess today has not changed significantly since at least 100 BC.

Next we can read in the Book of Mormon what Lehi's son, Nephi, says about the Old Testament. Nephi does not say that there is anything “corrupt” about the Bible. On the contrary, Nephi clearly says that the Old Testament would come from the Jews to the Gentiles “in purity.” And again, Nephi rightly predicts that although the portion of the Old Testament we would have would be “pure”, some books and prophecies would be missing. Several notable examples of lost books include the Book of Jasher and the Book of Enoch.

1Nephi 13:23-25 And he said: Behold it [Old Testament] proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book [Old Testament] that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles. . . 25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.

Now, here is part of Nephi's prophesy that the DVD does discuss:

1Ne 13:29 —because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.

In context, when one considers the many lost books of the Bible, the pseudo-pigripha, the Apocrypha, the example of the “Comma Johanneum,” the hundreds of Bible translations, and the innumerable ways in which people interpret the Bible; it is not difficult to see how Nephi's prophecy accurately describes our lack of a “unity of faith” in the Last Day (Eph 4:11-13).

Joseph Smith, by request, wrote to John Wentworth of the Chicago Democrat a series of articles of faith detailing some of the core LDS beliefs. The 8^th article of faith declares that the LDS believe that “the Bible is the word of God as far as it is translated correctly”. Or it could also be said, “interpreted correctly.” This statement is in no way demeaning or degrading the Bible, but is a commentary on the reality of how perception and tradition shape what is considered the “generally accepted” or “scholarly accepted” interpretation of the Bible. There is nothing “corrupt” about the Bible. What has been corrupted is our understanding of it and our living it.

ALMA AND JERUSALEM

The DVD goes on to attack Alma's prophecy that Jesus Christ would be born “at Jerusalem, which is the land of our forefathers” instead of specifying Bethlehem exactly.

Alma 7:10 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.

Despite the DVD's appeal to authority, I am not sure what the big deal here is. When people ask me where I am from, I say “Augusta, GA.” I usually do not specify Evans exactly unless they are familiar with the area. And this is in spite of the fact that the city of Martinez lies in between Evans and Augusta. The scholar's reaction to Alma's prophecy stems from an assumption that most people are familiar with the specific geography of Israel. However, this was not the case with the Nephites. Nephi tells us that he did not teach his children “after the manner of the things of the Jews.” Therefore, in reality, Alma saying that Jesus would be born “at [the land of] Jerusalem” is more of an internal consistency and not a false prophecy.

2 Nephi 25:5-6 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews. But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them.

JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATION

The DVD criticizes Joseph Smith for his attempt at translating the Bible. While Joseph Smith never, considered this project complete, what is called the “Joseph Smith Translation” is not a translation in the scholarly sense. Joseph Smith did not have access to ancient texts. Instead, LDS consider Joseph Smith's translation more of an inspired commentary, which does not replace or supplant the King James Version.

Why would Joseph Smith feel to change the wording of verses? As time passes, the meaning of the words can change even if their translation does not. Faith is a good example. Today, the word 'faith' has become almost synonymous with the word 'hope.' People often say they have “faith” that their loved one will be healed from a terminal medical condition. However, what they really mean is that they are trying to “maintain hope.” Therefore, in preserving the original meaning and intent of the New Testament writers, Joseph Smith felt it necessary to emphasize that salvation through the grace of Christ involves both faith (belief) and works (action or obedience). It is also important to point out that Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the LDS Church recognize and testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH SMITH AND ZION

Doctrine and Covenants 84:4 records “Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation.” First, the word “shall” and not “will” means this is a command and not an immediate prediction. It is regrettably true that the Saints in that day were not faithful enough to obey this command. Consequently, the church in a sense is wandering in the dessert waiting a more faithful rising generation to realized the blessings of this prophecy. However, when one takes the time to read this command in context, Joseph Smith prophesies in D&C 58 that the wicked would criticize the Saints inability to fulfill God's commandments as unfulfilled prophecy.

D&C 58:31-33 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above.

Second, “in this generation” was said in the same spirit as Matt 24:34. Here Christ foretold many signs which would mark both the destruction of the Temple as well as the Last Day. However, Christ said that all these signs would be fulfilled in “this generation.” The phrase, “In this generation” is found throughout the D&C; and in every case this phrase is used in a broader sense: D&C 6:8, 11:22, 10:33, 11:8, 84:31,

DISTRACTION

While it is important to not cast Logic out the window, these anti-Mormon propaganda “hit” pieces are carefully crafted tools of the devil to divert you from doing a productive and truthful investigation of the Book of Mormon. Instead of reading the Book of Mormon and focusing on what the Book of Mormon teaches, this DVD distracts you from the true message of the Book of Mormon that Jesus is the Christ.

COVENANT RELATIONSHIP

The Bible equates the sin of Idolatry with Adultery. Pornography and Infidelity like false religion have become a terrible plague that is destroying marriages and families. And it is this demoralization that has led to our complete ideological subversion away from Constitutional principles of self government and personal responsibility. Fixing this nation must begin with a return to traditional family and moral values.

Just like the days of Isaiah and Micah, people are attracted to false prophets and teachers because those teachers do not make the same moral demands, nor do they have the same high expectations that a covenant relationship with God requires. Most people have an inherent appetite for spirituality as well as intimacy. However, many will settle for a counterfeit version if the path appears easier. When it comes to a marriage relationship, the Internet is rarely ever sick or too tired, and never expects you to help wash the dishes. In the same way, many faiths let people go through the motions of religious observance without empowering them to keep the high standards of righteousness a true relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ requires. Paul details these standards in 1 Cor 5:11 (1 Cor 5:7-12).

The end of the DVD talks about freedom. But what the presenter means is freedom from God's high expectations and freedom from any moral requirements. Yes, Christ accepts us as we are (justification), but he doesn't leave us that way (sanctification). Remember the story of the rich young man? This parable reveals the covenant requirements for sanctification and exaltation. “If thou will be perfect [sanctification], sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me [consecration].”

For me, being LDS helps me and my family live the gospel of Jesus Christ better then any other religion. The LDS allows me to consecrate myself to God and empowers be to live up to the high covenant expectations and moral requirements that a relationship with our Heavenly Father requires. Lastly, the Bible promises that those who add or subtract from scripture will suffer the plagues detailed in the Book of Revelation. Thus far, living the LDS faith has saved me any my family from numerous spiritual and temporal plagues and pitfalls. Part of true religion is its ability to “care for the fatherless and widows” and to keep us “unspotted from the world”. This is another critical test of true religion.

Your brother in Christ,

Pornography and Priestcraft

2011-08-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

The scriptures relate the sin of idolatry (unfaithfulness to God) with adultery (unfaithfulness to spouse). Today's generation faces difficult challenges in both areas. False religion has spread like wildfire all over the world. So too, the plague of pornography is destroying marriages and families. In addition to being a Health Care professional, I am also an authorized spiritual and social therapist (ward missionary, home teacher). And while thinking about why these two sins are such a problem today, I came to the following conclusion.

The problem of pornography and idolatry is really the same problem. Science has proven that people have a sort of innate need for religion. Married men have a similar innate appetite for intimacy. So, why if the correct and appropriate God-given way to fulfill these needs and appetites are available do people turn towards counterfeits? The reason is because pornography like false religion doesn't make the same moral or relationship demands. Cleaving unto our wife, like drawing near to God, requires a whole lot of work. The eternal truth is that we absolutely require these moral demands to grow, and replacing them with anything else will not only hinder our growth, but also destroy our soul.

Ministry vs. Management

2011-05-24T01:26:00.000-07:00

Elder Robert C. Gay, Area Seventy for the Southeast Area, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to the Augusta, Georgia Stake yesterday and discussed the focus of our newest revision of the LDS Handbook of Instruction to focus on ministering to the one, and not just managing or administering to the ninety and nine.

Alma 22:23-25 Now this was done in the presence of the queen and many of the servants. And when they saw it they greatly marveled, and began to fear. And the king stood forth, and began to minister unto them. And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his whole household were converted unto the Lord. Now there was a multitude gathered together because of the commandment of the queen, and there began to be great murmurings among them because of Aaron and his brethren. But the king stood forth among them and administered unto them. And they were pacified towards Aaron and those who were with him.

Elder Gay cited this great example in the Book of Mormon where Aaron was teaching the King of the Lamanites where the King said "I will give away all my sins to know God." After the King was converted, it says that the King "ministered" to his household and they were all "converted." Not long after a crowd gathered outside alarmed that a Nephite was speaking with their Lamanite King. The King then "administers" and only "pacifies" them.

My wife and I were recently having a discussion about the difference between "ministering" and "administering." Too often it is easy to get into a rut of going to church, teaching our lesson, going to our meetings, and planning our activities and believe that we are living up to the expectations that the Lord has for us. How much "converting" are we involved in vs. how much "pacifying"? My wife is a great example of what it means to "minister." She is always working with different people one-on-one, helping them return to full activity, or to become temple worthy. Unfortunately, this can be very heart-rending work as not everyone responds to her ministering.

Elder Gay told our Stake that the LDS Church was going to change how it measures progress. Instead of focusing on percents, the church was going to highlight numbers of individuals making and keeping covenants. To minister, Elder Gay taught, involves visiting, blessing, and teaching. He also said something that was surprising. He also spoke on Councils and that revelation will be scattered throughout our ward council members as we focus on the specific needs of specific families and individuals. Elder Gay promised us that as we focus on ministering in the church, more fully consecrating our lives to God, and loosing ourselves in the Lord's service; we will be living up the the expectations that that Lord has for us, and we will more fully experience the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The power of the Atonement of Christ, which Christ told Joseph Smith many churches deny, doesn't just Justify us from sin, but will sanctify us and purge us of any desire to do evil. Instead we will only be filled with love of God and the desire to do good continually.

Elder Gay also relayed a desire of President Monson that LDS members give talks focused on specifically how certain gospel principles have blessed their lives, and not just telling the congregation everything they know on that subject or what LDS leadership have said on that subject. With this in mind, if I were assigning speakers, I might ask those invited to speak to share with me how a certain principle had blessed them and ask that they include those comments in their talk.

New Agnostism, Old Questions

2011-05-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

I was listening to an agnostic author who also was a federal prosecutor for several high profile murder cases today discuss his new book which attacks the Bible, and Christianity and claims that God is unknowable. I am not going to give the authors name or book name because, I don't feel like advertising. And, nothing of what he is saying is any different than the old tired arguments of atheists; try as he might to distance himself from them.

Theists believe in God, Atheists do not. Agnostics say they don't know. However, a newer flavor of agnosticism affirms that you can't know. While average agnostics innocently claim they don't know, these new agnostics say that logic proves that God is unknowable. Agnostics usually argue from a position of moral high ground they call intellectual honesty. Except, then they go on to claim that they know God is unknowable. How can you say anything about what God is or isn't (in this case unknowable), at the same time you claiming you don't know. In my mind, reason suggests that only a truly intellectually honest agnostic would say, I don't know if God exists, and I don't know if it is possible to know if God exists since I don't know anything about God.

After trying to distance himself from Atheists, this author goes on to use the same old atheistic arguments. All of his attacks on God go back to one main issue, "The Problem of Evil." This new agnostic attacks free will by latching onto Calvinism and quotes from Martin Luther and scriptures in the Old Testament and New Testament that have been translated to suggest to some that God made man do evil or good and the idea of Predestination. But this argument assumes that 1. Calvin and Luther's quotes reflect true Christianity. 2. The Bible verse being cited was translated correctly and is being interpreted correctly.

The real attack on God using the "Problem of Evil" attacks God's goodness and all-powerfulness. He claims, that because bad things happen, God can't be all good or all-powerful. He wraps prayer into it saying that God must have not answered the Jews prayers when they were asking for deliverance during the holocaust.

When the interviewer bore witness that He felt he had felt and experienced God in his life, and that God had answered many prayers, the agnostic writer said that he didn't deny that there wasn't some supernatural force at work in the universe, but that supernatural experiences alone were not necessarily a proof for God suggesting some other force could be at work. But then again, he fails to discuss the issue, of first cause, and what created the force at work that is affecting and manifesting itself in your life.

When it comes to the problem of evil, free will, and God's infinite power and goodness; here is the key issue. Only LDS Doctrine can satisfactorily answer this question. That is, if God created our spirits out of nothing, then he created some of us good and some of us bad and then let us loose on each other. If ex-nihlo creation were true, then I would say that #1 some creation were defective therefore God was not all-powerful to create them good in the first place, #2 God knowingly gave evil spirits agency and is an accomplice to evil. or #3 God doesn't know what would happen.

However, according to LDS Doctrine, and Justin Martyr, and the Bible, spirits are eternal and were not created ex nihlo. Spirits and intelligence has always existed and is what it is. It is good or bad inherently. We are here in this life to interact and discover which kind we are, and what we are made of so-to-speak. Only by coming into contact with our opposite, do we comprehend what we are. The Bible says, "Without God, was not anything made, that was made". Which suggests that not everything required making. If it did, God made it. If it was co-eternal like spirit is, then it has existed eternally with Him and didn't require being brought into existence; just being formed and refined. Justin Martyr to Trypho says that God did not make the angels. God said he was I AM THAT I AM, or in other words "The Self-Existent of self-existent." We are all spirit children of God and share His ontology.

Furthermore, the creation story in Genesis does not discuss the creation of the angels. Later in the NT God is called the Father of Spirits. But this does not suggest ex-nihlo. So, the essence of Lucifer (his will) always existed and he was given every opportunity and honor to do good and choose good in the Pre-mortal realm, but used His free will to rebel. God does allow evil to operate, using them for his higher purpose. But this doesn't mean that evil people won't receive punishment for their evil. They will receive the wages of sin that are promised.

Many say God gave us free will. Will is the essence of existence and our eternal nature. But will is not necessarily free to choose or act. So, It is okay to say God gave us free will (freed our will), or agency, but, it is false to say God gave us our will. That would mean God created our essence from nothing and that he brought us into existence and not just bringing our spirits into being which is what the NT suggests again and again in the original Greek.

That said, there is one more important point here. Death and dying is bad and usually painful. Life is good. But we all came to Earth knowing that we would die and that we would be subject to pain and suffering in this life. So we all came to Earth with our eyes open and knowing that Satan was here. We even accepted the veil over our memories. So, we all had proper prior disclosure and informed consent. But in addition, we are promised that Christ's atonement reverses all death and separation from God, and covers all pain. God promises that all our loses will be made up to us. There is no wound he cannot heal. Then we are left to stand before God and be judged based upon our own works based on the knowledge and understanding we had. So, the plan is perfectly legal and just; even for a high-profile federal prosecutor.

Why Are There Requirements to Enter an LDS Temple?

2011-05-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

In the Old Testament the Lord invited the Elders of Israel to come up into the Mountain with Moses. However, initially as he spoke with them, he caused the elders to stand at the base of the mountain and gave them the 10 Commandments and come other laws and requirements of purification that he expected they observe before coming up into the Holy Mountain. Unfortunately, while Moses was away, the people made the golden calf, and engaged in idol worship. Consequently, a preparatory Law of Moses was given to the people with additional outward rules and requirements of purification to enter the Jewish Temple.

Today, temples and the everlasting gospel are available to all kingdoms, nations, tongues, and peoples, and not just one nation. However, the rules and requirements of individual inward purification are still required. Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:11 says "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

Now, while no one is absolutely perfect in this life, their is a minimum standard of holiness and inward purity that we can achieve and which the Lord expects. 1 Cor 5:11 is the basis for the purification requirements of the New Testament Temple:
Fornication: all moral sin is forbidden. All Christian disciples are expected to observe strict abstinence before marriage and complete fidelity within marriage.
Covetous: we are to live God more than money. A wonderful measure and gauge of this is that all Christian disciples are required to pay a full tithing or 10% of their increase to Christ's Church. In the temple we covenant to consecrate and devote all we have to God, but 10% is the minimum to enter the temple. It doesn't make sense to want to covenant to give 100%, when we can't give 10%.
Idolater: All Christian disciples should posses a love and testimony of Jesus Christ as their Savior, as well as their faith and testimony in the Restoration of the Gospel in the Last Days through Joseph Smith which continues on to the present with our current Prophet President Thomas S. Monson.
Railer: Christian disciples worthy of the Lord's House should never be guilty of any type of abuse to wife or offspring.
Drunkard: Isaiah warns us of "following after strong drink" and allowing "wine to inflame us". Similarly, the Word of Wisdom which is the Lord's Latter-day law of health which requires that we abstain from any alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea or any other type of illicit drugs.
Extortioner: We should be honest in all our dealings with our fellow man avoiding any type of lying, cheating, or stealing.

During the time of the Law of Moses, if a Jew were to become unclean, he would have to come before the Priest and confess his uncleanliness, and submit to the requirements of purification, and return to the Priest after fulfilling these requirements and be declared ritually pure to enter into the Temple. Today, the New Testament LDS Bishop serves as a Judge in Israel in the same way the Priest did in the Old Testament. LDS Bishop's are not necessarily "preachers." Sermons and lessons on Sunday are assigned out and given by the members to members. Bishop's are tasked with receiving confession, assisting with repentance and the determination of the requirements of purification, and in determining ritual purity for a person to participate in the rites and ordinances of the gospel such as the Lord's Supper or Sacrament every Sunday and in determining worthiness to go to the LDS Temple. The Bishop also helps with the poor and needy under his stewardship.

Someone asked why the requirements to not drink beer will keep you out of the temple while the Word of Wisdom requirement to "eat food in its season" is not generally observed in America and is not required. The answer is that 1 Cor 5:11 discusses drunkenness as the requirement. Nevertheless, the American people are not immune from the grave health consequences of eating foods loaded with preservatives.

It is well recognized in scripture in D&C 1, that the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are far from perfect. The Lord says he is pleased with His church "collectively and not individually". And in another place, the Lord says that the church is under condemnation for neglecting the Book of Mormon. So, it can be said, that the LDS Church is under some degree of condemnation. The people of the church have not become perfected yet and therefore, we are not enjoying all the blessings me might enjoy and will one day enjoy in the Millennium when Christ's Kingdom will become perfected. In a way, we are sojourning through the Deserts of Sinai. I am sure there weren't many converts who saw Israel out in the desert and were attracted to come join God's people as they suffered through their days of chastisement.

Temple, Constitution, and Self-Government
If you really understood and loved the great Constitution of the United States, then you should immediately love the LDS Temple as a great institution and mechanism of freedom and social therapy and rehabilitation. The Money Elite who control this world are ready to destroy the American Empire they have Infiltrated, Corrupted, and Subverted and move on to China. They would like us in America, who will survive the great tribulations that they have already begun to unleash upon us, to believe that Constitutional and Representative Democracy is a failed experiment no more noteworthy than Greece or Rome.

In the mind of the Power and Money Elite, man is incapable of governing himself. According to them, man is corrupt, completely controlled by his passions, and requires some sort of monarchy, or oligarchy to rule over him. The Constitution, on the other hand, is established on the premise that all men are created equal, all men should be subject to the same laws, and that man can and should be able to govern himself. However, as Alexis De'Tocqueville commented in "Democracy in America" the Christian Churches and the peoples faith in Christ is what makes Self Government work.

However, we have seen a failure of Christianity in America. Christian Churches are no longer supporting our Constitutional Government by helping their people to govern their own behavior. While the US does not endorse any one Church over another, we do have a national faith that 1. all men will stand before God to be judged. 2. all men are subject and all laws should support and reflect natural law which is the "golden rule" that no man should do to another when he wouldn't want another to do to him. Instead the Money Elite practice a different golden rule: "he who has the gold makes the rules."

Many Christian churches make no requirements and have no expectations of their people. They do not receive confession, they do not assign punishment, and they do not provide social rehabilitation. Most Churches today allow anyone to go through the motions of Christian observance, without any expectations. You can pretty much do whatever you want, and as long as you haven't been arrested, you can be baptized, and partake of the Lord's Supper unworthily. Sure, many Christian Churches will excommunicate if a particular member commits some terrible crime out of embarrassment, but Churches rarely provide mechanisms which allow people to confess their sins before they become public scandals. Consequently, many people look at the hypocrisy of Christianity and become disillusioned with organized religion altogether.

So, I am not saying that there have never been temple-going LDS members who have never committed a terrible crime. There is nothing to prevent a person from lying to their bishop. And there is nothing about being baptized, or taking the Lord's Supper, or going to the Temple that guarantees Eternal Life by themselves. But, what the LDS Church provides is a great system which provides opportunities for all people to make confession, receive correction, receive social/spiritual rehabilitation and rewards and positively reinforces righteous self-government. The LDS Church will forever uphold the foundation principles of our Constitutional Government.

One of the many complaints against the LDS Temple and it's worthiness requirements, is that so many of the requirements are very socially acceptable behaviors. Because of this, it is very easy for people to excuse themselves and rationalize, "Drinking coffee cannot possibly be all that bad since most of good Christian people I know do it." You cannot tell me that only good little LDS people who go to the temple and refuse coffee are going to be blessed and rewarded more than everyone else. God absolutely hates this argument. In fact, this is precisely the argument that God says make a nation ripe for total destruction.

Mosiah 29: 26-27 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity (sin becomes socially acceptable), then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

Today, America has and is further undergoing a process of Ideological Subversion and Demoralization. The Power and Money Elite want us to lose faith in the Constitution and America. To do that they need to fill our head with false ideas and propaganda. To get people to accept lies and false propaganda, they need to be corrupted and demoralized. A demoralized person cannot determine truth because truth would cause pierce their conscience and cut them to the very center. The truth tells a wicked demoralized person to change and repent. Change is difficult and painful so, the demoralized person would rather accept lies as reality.

But, the key here is that the real threat to the US is our demoralization and that for the past decades, fornication, pornography, drunkenness, use of other illicit psychoactive substances and drugs is commonplace. The sins of abortion, and same-sex marriage have become false civil rights issues totally neglecting the rights of the child to live and to be raised in a home with both a father and a mother when possible. And if you speak out against the behavior of homosexuality, you are labeled a "homophob" and a "bigot." All these are grave sins, that the true and living God has clearly stated are sinful and are forbidden. While there will aways be a minority of people who struggle with sin and addiction, the problem for America is that we have allowed ourselves to become Demoralized to the point where all these things are now socially acceptable and are not any longer even considered sin.

Why is using any type of psychotropic drug wrong. The brain develops via positive and negative feelings and reinforcement. We are emotional creatures, therefore, good feelings and negative feelings reinforce certain connections in the brain and therefore certain behaviors that lead to better health and better survival fitness. Buy taking psychoactive substances for the purposes of getting "high", this totally short-circuits these mechanisms. In a very real sense, Doing drugs is stealing. You didn't earn that "high" feeling. The feelings of elation should be reserved for moments of accomplishment, discovery, and natural social interactions with family and friends.

Even if you don't believe in God, if you are any student of history, you must recognize that the Power and Money Elite of this world have used the importation of drugs to demoralize, economically drain, and then destroy one empire after another. The economic drain of a nation requires a massive expansion of territory via a military industrial complex to keep an advanced economy going and keep pace with the economic drain from the trade deficit. However, eventually the cost to maintain the trade deficit and the empire becomes to great and the entire Ponzi scheme comes crashing down.

S0, if you love freedom, and you love the Constitution of the United States, come join in the cause to save America by preaching repentance, supporting the re-moralization, and Social and Spiritual Rehabilitation of this country. Many Christians ask why LDS Missionaries preach to other Christians. One main reason is because many Christians require the social and spiritual rehabilitation. LDS Missionaries and Members alike could be considered trained Social and Spiritual Therapist. And we do it all free of charge.

Remember the purpose of the New Testament Temple is inscribed on each one "Holiness to the Lord." The purpose of the LDS Temple is to help reward and reinforce righteous behavior and habits. The covenants and promises of the temple are to consecrate your life to Christ, and to help the poor and needy in exchange for the promise of sanctification or a decrease in the desire for sin. Christ taught the rich young man to have eternal life, "'if thou wilt be made perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me." Consecration is the covenant of the temple, and Sanctification is the blessing.

Sanctification and Consecration

2011-05-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

Bishop David H. Burton, the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave an excellent talk in LDS General Conference about the Sanctifying effect of helping the needy and poor. In my opinion, this talk is the meat of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You will remember that in the New Testament a rich young man asked Jesus Christ, "What shall I do to obtain Eternal Life." Christ responded, "What saith the Law?" After running down the 10 Commandments, the young man replied, "all these I have kept since I was a boy. What lack I yet?" Then Christ gave one of the most important sayings in all of scripture, "If thou wilt be made perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me." This covenant and commitment is referred to as "Consecration". For LDS, this covenant is the higher covenant of the New Testament, and it is covenant that is made in the LDS Temple. In return for this devotion, Christ promises us that we can become sanctified and perfected from our sins.

Consecration is not a vow of poverty. That is going beyond the mark. God does not require that anyone "run faster than they have strength." Consecration means that after your righteous wants and needs are satisfied, that you devote all your excess time, talents, and resources to Him, His Church, and to helping the poor and needy. For some, who have little, we are taught in the Book of Mormon "I give not because I have not, but if I had, I would give".

Sanctification is much different than Justification. Justification is what occurs when a person is baptized by water and then born again by fire and the Holy Ghost. Justification is the continual forgiveness of sins by Christ's atonement and the imputing of His righteousness upon the believer. However, while it's nice to be forgiven, Sin still has serious and painful consequences. Let's say I smoke. I can believe in Christ and ask for forgiveness each night, but if I continue to smoke, Christ will not save me from the consequences of COPD and possibly Lung Cancer. We reap what we sow. However, the promise of Sanctification means that if we make the higher covenant of consecration and keep this covenant, we are promised that Christ's atonement not only has the mercy to forgive us, but it has the power to strengthen us against all sin. While, according to Paul, initial justification occurs by faith and not by works, Sanctification is absolutely all about works.

(Justification= initial condescension of the Holy Ghost to dwell with an imperfect individual to inspire them to repent, follow Christ, and be baptized, e.g. God makes the first move. Without this justifying condescension, the Holy Ghost could never dwell in fallen man at all and man could never be turned from His path of sin. However, after this initial "rescue"; good works, ordinances, and covenants are then required to keep that Spirit as a constant companion leading to Sanctification).

Priesthood and Temple
In the Old Testament, the Priesthood of God was not freely available to all. In the days or dispensation of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, only the oldest son received this honor. In the case of Jacob and his 12 sons, the oldest son(Reuben, Simeon) lost out because of serious moral sin. The honor of the priesthood and birthright was then given to Joseph, who was the oldest son of Jacob's 2nd wife Rachel. This honor was symbolized by Joseph receiving the fabled "coat of many colors." The other brothers were so jealous that they sold their brother as a slave into Egypt, tore up the coat into pieces, dipping a small piece of the coat in animal blood. They then delivered the bloody remnant to Jacob telling him some wild animal killed and ate Joseph. However, it turned out that in the end, Joseph in Egypt ended up saving his family from the great famine. In the last days, the tribe of Joseph in America (symbolic of Egypt) will serve to save the rest of the house of Israel from a spiritual famine which was the Great Apostasy during the Dark Ages through the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.

During another Dispensation in the day of Moses, God initially wanted all the Elders of Israel to come with Moses up into the Mountain to make covenants with the Lord, and become a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation. However, we read that the people where afraid and responded to the invitation, to have Moses go alone and speak with the Lord himself and come back and tell them what the Lord said. Ex 20:19 "And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." However, while they were gone, we know they claimed Moses delays coming down from the mountain so they made the golden calf and engaged in the idol worship of the Egyptians (type of the Last Days).

Consequently, the higher covenant of Abraham was not given at this time, but a lesser and preparatory Law of Moses was given to the people. (Gal 3:17, Heb 7:11) And the priesthood was not given to all the men of Israel, but only to the tribe of Levi and the Sons of Aaron who stood with Moses after coming down from the mountain. During the time of the Law of Moses, only the Levites and the Sons of Aaron were washed, anointed, and clothed in the robes of the priesthood to serve in the temple. And like Joseph's coat, their robes were of made of many colors to represent their sins and need for the future atonement of Jesus Christ. Only once a year, did the High Priest, representing Jesus Christ, dress in all white and pass through the Veil into the Holy of Holies of the Temple's inner sanctum.

However, now that Christ has performed the Atonement and died and has been resurrected and the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ and the higher Abrahamic Covenant has been restored, the veil of the temple had been torn. The Bible does not say the Veil fell down, but only was torn allowing the righteous in Christ to pass through. John in Revelation was shown the Saints in the Latter-days in the Temple and commented why everyone was wearing white in the Temple. Priests in the temple usually didn't all wear white, only the High Priest wore white. But the angel said in Revelation was told that "these are they who have washed their garments white in the blood of the Lamb". So, the white clothing in the temple represents that disciples of Christ have been washed clean of their sins by His atoning blood.

New Testament Temple
And now in the New Testament Temple, John in Revelation said he saw "another angel fly in the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel to preach to all kingdoms, nations, tongues, and peoples." Also, John comments that this angel says "hurt not the Earth, nor the trees until we have sealed the servants of God in their forehead". So, now today, the higher covenant and priesthood is not just available to the oldest son, or only one single tribe, but today, this honor is available to every kingdom, nation, tongue and people. In the Old Testament, the temple was only available to one tribe, one family, one language, one nation, one kingdom, one land, one people. Today, these blessing are available to everyone. This is why the angel appears sounding his horn on the top of every LDS Temple. This is the message that the gospel is sounding, that this great covenant, and priesthood, and blessing, and honor is available to all. Accordingly, we see new testament temples being built all over the world to every kingdom, nation, tongue and people.

So, just as in the Old Testament, only the sons of Aaron were washed and anointed and ordained kings and priests unto God, today all worthy disciples of Christ can make these similar preparations and covenants with God just has the Sons of Aaron did in the Old Testament unto God who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. However, the ritual in the temple is a metaphor for life, and is teaching a lesson about who God is, who we are, our relationship with God, and the purpose of life. The endowment of power occurs as we understand and keep the covenant of consecration we make in the New Testament Temple. As we ponder these lessons and "measure the pattern" of the Temple as Ezekiel was instructed to do; and the better we understand and keep these things, the more immune to Satan's temptations we become. We are promised that we will eventually lose all desire for sin. As the covenant of the mountain of the lord's House rolls forth and grows to fill the whole Earth, Satan will be bound.

Conspiracy Fact in the Book of Mormon

2011-05-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

I have heard some comment that when it comes to discussing the wickedness and conspiracy that exists today, that those who hold this world view are just wanting to feel smarter or better than everyone else. Since, this has come up several times, here is my response:

The point of being a "conspiracy realist" is not about trying to feel better than others or knowing more than others. The point is that being "awake" to the reality of the world we live in makes you a "minority" and a bit "marginalized" in society. While not everything bad that happens is a conspiracy, once you are "awake", this kind of new world view affects how you interpret almost everything that happens.

Again, for many of us, being "awake" is "isolating". We go on with our average and productive lives, but we quickly discover that we cannot easily talk about our new political, economic, and social world view with friends, colleagues, or even our spouses. So, some of us may frequent a forum or blog seeking a community of like-minded individuals. Not that all "conspiracy realists" all think exactly alike, or interpret everything the same, or agree on every subject. But we share this commonality of being "awake".

The reason why discussing this stuff with others is so difficult is because being "awake" is so unpleasant and shocking. While being "awakened" for me was a bit of a process involving studying the banking scandal in 2008, Dr. Jones' 9/11 lecture was what really opened my eyes for good. I was really "freaking out" so-to-speak for a little while. For a while you don't know what to believe, and it is easy to latch onto a lot of misinformation that is put out there. So, there is also a maturity that happens. It is a interesting dynamic.

D&C 88:108-110 And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and areveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years. And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years—And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years.

Ask yourself this. Why would Christ bother to come down to Earth to reveal to us everything that happened during the whole history of the Earth? Unless, the history that we think we know is all wrong. But then consider the benefits of having this truth. According to this scripture, the "awakening" of the people to the truth seems to be a major contributer to what will "bind" Satan. Much of Satan's power in this world is due to his control over the spiritually blind which they call "useful idiots" or "useless eaters".

However, please don't misunderstand. Not being a "conspiracy realist" doesn't make someone automatically inferior in any way. The scripture that best illustrates this is Lehi vs. Nephi. Now they were both shown the same vision of the Tree of Life. However, Nephi comments that despite this, Lehi never noticed "the filthiness of the water." because his mind was wrapped up in other things. But Nephi did notice, and he spent most of 2 Nephi talking about it and quoting Isaiah who also goes to great length in describing the filthiness of the water.

But we can go to far, and the Book of Mormon discusses exactly what we should and should not talk about.

Alma 37:27-29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders. (see Ether 8:20, Hel 6:25-26, Mos 29:25-26, Alma 8:17, 4Ne1:42, Ether 10:33, Hel 2:13).

The reality is that history describes the rise and fall of one civilization after another. Our Constitutional Republic is the most advanced of all civilizations from the beginning, but "The Powers That Be" are wanting to destroy the Constitution and get us to think that America was just one more failed experiment no better than Rome or Greece. And it seems like after Babylon came Iran, then Greece, and Rome. So, in our day we have seen the rise and fall of Spain, France, Great Britain, and now we are seeing a fall of the United States while we the money elite transfer power over to Communist China and Russia.

And we are warned in the Book of Mormon that if we do not repent of our sins, our society will be destroyed just like the Nephites and the Jaredites were. This warning of is one major purpose of the Book of Mormon. The key to what to do to preserve our freedoms is to repent. Our country is undergoing a process of Ideological Subversion. This process involves systematic demoralization. An immoral corrupt people cannot see truth. Therefore, unless we can repent as a nation and reverse the trend whereby many sins have now become socially acceptable, then we cannot possibly reverse the decline and destruction of America. The key to saving America is to make sin no longer socially acceptable. Too many people excuse their sin by thinking that it can't be all that bad if everyone is doing it. God hates this excuse more than any other. We have been demoralized as a people and our only hope is to remoralize as a nation. Every time we as a people legalize sin and make sin socially acceptable, we take one more step closer towards destruction.

Mosiah 29:26-27Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Ether 8:23Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.

Losing Faith in Government

2011-05-03T22:56:00.000-07:00

3 Nephi 7:2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.

The events in the Book of Mormon leading up to the appearance of Jesus Christ in America are a type of Second Coming of Jesus Christ in this the Last Days. Just before Christ's appearance, the government of the Nephites had been infiltrated and subverted by a secret brotherhood of robbers known as the Gadiantons. The extent of the corruption in government was such that after the assassination of the Chief Judge, the population had lost so much faith; they abandoned the government entirely and separated into tribes.

It seems to me that there has been a gradual but persistent errosion of respect for authority in America. Youth have less respect for their elders, children hold less honor for thier parents, citizens are more fearful of law enforcement, and more suspicious of their elected leaders. While the blame for this trend can't be entirely attributed to one side of the other; the consequences are potentially grave.

It is official LDS Doctrine that the Constitution of the United States is inspired by God. And while we have the civic duty to elect moral and good leaders, we must never abandon the foundation document that protects our liberties and freedoms.

The fourth trumpet of Revelation talks about 1/3 the sun, moon, and stars darkening. It is my opinion that apart from any type of possible literal fulfillment, I believe that this darkening symbolically refers to the failure of many local, state and national government. Not all governments fail, but a 1/3 part. This could be for various reasons such as bankruptcy, civil unrest or war. I think we are already beginning to see this.

I was thinking about where the media is taking us. Is Osama Bin Laden really dead or did he die 10 years ago? Was Bin Laden killed last week, or just 3 days ago? What's with Pres. Obama releasing his Birth Certificate long form now? What about comet Elenin, HAARP, and earthquakes? What's with these UFO sightings? What about Fukushima and the danger of radioactive fallout? What about the TARP bailout and where did all that money really go? What really happen with the BP oil spill and is the Corexit still a health risk? What really happened on 9/11 and Building 7? Are we getting the facts, are we being lied to? While all these issues have their importance. I think the overall goal with all of this is to erode our faith in government.

How much longer, and what will be the tipping point where America ends up like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon?

The above and previous explainations of trumpets may be 3 years early as there are those like in the Book of Mormon who are trying to create a scenario where believers will be made to think that the time is past when the Bible predicts the Second Coming. This dating is based on the assumption that Christ was born 3 BC and the following Jubilee years and event all occur 3 years earlier. The Abomination of Desolation is to occur in the midst of the final 7 tribulation years. What I mean is that there are those out there who are pointing to the year 2017 as the Second Coming and the beginning of the tribuation in 2010. These same people assume Christ was born 3 BC. I tend to side with Elder Talmage and believe Chist was born April 6, 1 BC.

1820 116th Jubilee: First Vision, End of Spanish Inquisition

1870 117th Jubilee: Edict of Pope Nicholas III, End of Roman Ghettos

1920 118th Jubllee: Prohibition, League of Nations begins, Protocols of Zion published, Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate for Palestine confirmed by League of Nations.

1950 "Law of Return": Command to Rebuild Israel and Jerusalem (The Fig Tree Nation), Beginning of Daniel's Final 70 Years (This generation shall not all pass away)

1970 119th Jubilee: Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, End of War of Attition following 6-day War

2000 Opening of 7th Seal, and beginning of 1/2-hour of silence in heaven

2011-2 Beginning of Daniel Tribulation Week (three score and two years)

2016-7 Abomination of Desolation, Heathen Army Invasion, Adam-ondi-Ahman

2020 120th Jubilee: We will see "Eye to Eye" when the Lord brings again Zion, End of 1/2-hour of silence in heaven

Several Apostles (Elder Benson, Elder McConkie) have commented that they believe the Abomination of Desolation will be a nuclear event. Pres. George Albert Smith describes WWII and a Nuclear First Strike on America after the Election but before the Inaugaration of the next POTUS. The POTUS at the time before the next POTUS takes office is said to be of "Greek" ancestry which may be just an euphamism for non-northern european. With rhetoric heating up in Pakistan between China and the US, and the US continually provoking Russia and China, an attack on the US could happen in 2012 and we could already be in the Tribulation. I am not going to vote for President Obama to be re-elected, but in light of the account of this vision given by Bro. David Horne, I am pulling for Pres. Obama to win in 2012. I could use 4 more years.

Seeking to Do His Will

2011-04-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today, I was blessed to witness the baptism of a husband and wife. They had received the LDS Missionaries and learned about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and desired to follow Christ's example in being baptized by immersion in His name. Having had swim lessons at an early age and feeling very comfortable in the water, I am not sure I appreciated until today how scary baptism by immersion can be to a non-swimmer. Even though the water in the baptismal font was warm and only waste deep, there is rich symbolism associated with the act of immersion that can cause a bit of anticipatory anxiety.

We know that Baptism represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in addition to that, baptism also symbolizes our complete submission to God. Allowing one of God's servants to hold you under water, trusting that he will bring you up again does require a bit of faith in and of itself.

However, thinking on this further, baptism as well as other gospel ordinances, symbolizes our rebirth, devotion, and commitment as children, followers, and disciples of Jesus Christ. Life is short in comparison to eternity and this life is not about seeking our own pleasure. This life is not about getting what we want, or doing things the way we want them to be dome. What this life is really about, is seeking out and doing the will the the Father. Christ summed it up in the Garden the night before His death when He said, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.'

The wisdom in complete submission to God, and surrendering our own desires is that our desires can be manipulated by our environment. Many of the things we want are a result of what we see on TV, or what we see our neighbors have. However, when we sacrifice to attain these superficial desires, most of the time, we are left dissatisfied and just as empty or even more empty than at the start. Too often, what we think we want does not satisfy. Even if we could have it all. Also, seeking our own will makes it easy for Satan to enslave us. Without God we have no real imagination, and our sights are limited and our choices can be limited by a controlled media and society.

However, when we give ourselves to God, then we seek His will and not our own. Christ says to take His yoke upon us because His burden is easy and His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. we are taught in the Book of Mormon to never labor for that which is of no worth, or for sacrifice for that which does not satisfy. Rather, we are invited to lose ourselves in the service of others and thereby find ourselves. Or in other words, we are instructed to "forget [ourselves] and go to work." The New Testament again invites us to lay up in store treasures in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt, and where thieves cannot break in and steal. And we are taught that we are not to set our hearts upon our riches or the riches of others.

The truth is that we don't know what we should desire. We don't know of ourselves what will bring eternal happiness and joy. To often, our happiness just centers around having more than the others around us. When what should really bring us happiness is tirelessly sharing what we have with others so that others have the same blessings we do.

Seeking our own pleasure, and doing our own will has a name (do as you will). It is called pride. I am not taking about the kind of pride where we are proud of a job well done. What I am talking about is the pride in the scriptures which is described by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson as "enmity towards God". too often we want to do things our way, and just want to do what we want to do, when we want to do them, and how we want to do them. However, this life, which is very short compared to eternity, is the time we have to prepare to stand before God and be judged. And a major part of our testing here during this Earth life is to prove us whether we will seek to do the will of our Heavenly Father. This is the purpose of life.

Defending Proposition 8

2011-04-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

While the LDS Church supported the passage of California State Amendment Proposition 8, the following is not necessarily LDS Doctrine.

First off, I do not support the government interfering with the decisions of 2 consenting adults so long as those decisions do not negatively affect a 3rd party. Along those lines, I have no problem with recognizing same-sex civil unions. And, while I do not agree with this lifestyle choice, I believe that same-sex unions should provide those unionized every civil, medical, legal, and tax right, and privilege that traditional marriage provides-- except one. This one exception involves biological children as the 3rd party whose rights are often overlooked and ignored. It is this one exception that differentiates traditional marriage from civil unions.

In 2000, the people of California passed a state law by ballot proposition 22 to preserve traditional marriage. In 2008, the California Supreme Court declared that Proposition 22 was unconstitutional and overturned it in favor of same-sex marriage. Later in 2008, traditional marriage was voted for and defended a second time by the citizens of California. However, this time, the law protecting traditional marriage was made an official State Constitutional amendment (Proposition 8). The Supreme Court of California has had a much more difficult time attacking this constitutional amendment since they only interpret the Constitution (Law of the People) and have sworn to defend it even if they don't like part of it.

However, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution requires equal protection and treatment by the law for each citizen. The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution also contains the Due Process clause which has been interpreted to mean that States cannot pass a law that denies any citizen life, liberty, or property without due process. So, enemies of Prop 8 are wanting to use the "equal treatment" clause to destroy Traditional marriage. However so far, the federal government has considered the issue of traditional marriage to be an issue for the States to decide.

You cannot defend traditional marriage, if you do not define traditional marriage correctly. Traditional Marriage is not just about man and woman living together. You don't need to be married to do that. Traditional marriage is about producing and raising biological children with a both a father and a mother who provide proper roll modeling and a proper environment for a child's psycho-social development. Traditional marriage is about preserving the right of children to be born into a family with both a mother and a father. Traditional marriage is about the right to produce and raise biological children (adoption is debatable).

This focus on the rights of producing and raising biological children and the rights of children is what sets Traditional Marriage apart from Civil Unions. Civil Unions can enjoy tax benefits, inheritance benefits, hospital decision making, etc, etc. The only thing that differentiates one from the other HERE and ETERNALLY is the right to produce and raising biological children. (I believe the difference between eternal civil union and eternal marriage in the next life will be the right to nurture spirit children)

But much water has flown under the bridge with respect to rampant illegitimacy, gamete donors, surrogate mothers and advanced fertility. This may be a losing battle. It is easy for enemies of traditional marriage to compare and defend same-sex marriage with other failures and weaknesses in our society.

So far, it seems that the defense of Traditional marriage have avoided talking about the right to produce biological children, because this would lead to a discussions on other issues. Instead, most proponents try to defend Traditional marriage by fear-mongering that governments could deny Church tax-exempt status or prevent Church authorization to perform traditional marriage if they did not also perform same-sex marriages. However, the US government cannot currently dictate to private organizations who they must and must not include. Therefore, I am of the opinion that these fear arguments are distractions from the real issues, and potentially do harm to the cause.

In case you were on Mars yesterday, Prince William (Son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana) married Kate Middleton. The bride wore a beautiful wedding dress whose designer happened to be homosexual and who tragically committed suicide. The political statement I believe was an attempt to shine light on the mismatch between the homosexual lifestyle and our traditional Judeo-Christian values. This mismatch in some cases, can result in strong negative feelings. If those negative feelings are internalized, a deep depression can result. On the other hand, if those negative feelings are directed outward, then a person may become resentful of the part of their cultural values that alienates them or at least become very politically motivated to change those cultural values. Judeo-Christians have difficulty in changing traditional values because we believe those values were given to us by God.

Looking For the Good

2011-03-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote the First Presidency Message in the March edition of the Ensign Magazine. This month, Pres. Uchtdorf's message is focused on being peacemakers, looking on the bright side, and seeing the Good in everything around us. With the increase in evil, and adversity around, this skill will become much needed.

Pres. Uchtdorf says:"Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything." Pres. Uchtdorf warns members against the temptation to criticize, to hold grudges, gossip and to find fault with others. “for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).

Instead, Pres Uchtdorf reminds us of the scriptures that teach the followers of Christ to be “pure, … peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” For those who make peace, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:17-18). Pres. Uchtdorf concludes: "we have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."

This wise Counsel reminds me of the words of Alma to his son Corianton in the Book of Mormon about the Law of the Harvest and the meaning of the word restoration:

For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all. (Alma 41:15)

Fukushima Reactor a False 3rd Trumpet?

2011-03-13T23:22:00.000-07:00

The LDS Church has no official doctrine with regard to the exact timing of the Second Coming nor of specific fulfillment of any specific apocalyptic scriptures except that generally speaking we are in the Last Days, we aught to be spiritually and temporally prepared, and the calamities that are occurring are signs of the times and will continue unless we repent.

While Elder Bednar and Elder Holland have spoken about trumpets sounding in recent LDS General Conferences, the following does not necessarily represent official LDS Doctrine. And, at this point, it doesn't really matter what trumpet and seal we think we are on, as long as we all agree that the trumpets are sounding or are about the sound. And I am sure most Christians are getting the sense that we are in the Last Days and summer is nigh.

Seven Trumpets:
1st Trumpet: Hail, Fire and Blood burn 1/3 trees and all grass
2nd Trumpet: Mountain in the Sea turns to blood and kills 1/3 fish die and 1/3 ships
3rd Trumpet: Woomwood star contaminates 1/3 rivers and 1/3 springs
4th Trumpet: 1/3 part of Sun, Moon, Stars hidden
5th Trumpet: Another star falls, Sun is dark by smoke and Scorpion Locusts torment man 5 months
6th Trumpet: Armageddon kills 1/3 man, 2 Witnesses prophesy and call plagues
7th Trumpet: Christ Appears and wrath unleashed

The Fall of Rome followed the 7 Trumpets Pattern:
1st Trumpet: Alaric leads Goth attack by land
2nd Trumpet: Gaiseric leads Vandal attack by sea
3rd Trumpet: Attila the Hun conquers by river valley
4th Trumpet: Odoacer leads Germanic Foeterati in Insurrection (empire fractured)
5th Trumpet: Arabs (locusts) invasion
6th Trumpet: Ottoman siege of Constantinople
7th Trumpet: Wrath = Plagues of Dark Ages

Latter-Day 7 Trumpets:
1st Trumpet: Goldman Sachs Derivative Financial Crisis (Financial Empire)
2nd Trumpet: BP Gulf Oil Spill and Fish Kills (Water to Blood)
3rd Trumpet: Fukushima Nuclear Accident (Wormwood = Chernobyl)
4th Trumpet: Insurrection, Civil War (America Fractured)
5th Trumpet: Invasion of Locusts (China, Russia, Mexico)
[google George A Smith vision]
6th Trumpet: Armageddon, WW3, 2 Witnesses Prophesy
7th Trumpet: 7 Vials of Wrath Poured Out

If trumpet #3 involves Fukushima or some other similar nuclear release, then the next trumpet to sound (#4) would seem to involve the failure of local, state, and national governments due to civil unrest, civil war, and insurrection which we are already beginning to see. The collapse of government into tribes is what occurred in the Book of Mormon in 3Nephi5-7 and is a type of the last days. Quarterly earnings reports which determine Stock Prices following the Fukushima disaster and high gas prices are due about July.

I personally interpret the 1/3 part of the Sun, moon, and stars being darkened as referring to the failure of 1/3 part of national, state, and local governments. We are already seeing insurrections, and the failure of governments now. Every day the American people are loosing more and more faith in their government, in law enforcement, and in the military until eventually some trigger event could happen like in 3 Nephi 5-7, and the people could abandon the government and American and other nations could divide up into tribes just like the Book of Mormon.

The 6th Seal in Revelation speaks of the darkening of the Sun, moon and stars which refers to the Apostasy and the it speaks of the Restoration that occurred from 1000 ad - 2000 ad. This reference to the sun, moon, and stars darkening referred to all spiritual light going out. It is in this sense that the sun, moon, and stars appear on the Salt Lake Temple.

The 4th Trumpet also refers to the the failure of the sun, moon, and stars. But unlike the 6th Seal, only a 1/3rd of the sun, moon, and stars fail. I believe if the Book of Mormon and Revelation speak of the same things, that this could refer to the failure of national, state, and local governments.

It seems with all the civil unrest all over the world, bailouts and bankruptcies, we are already beginning to see the failure of governments.

The 5th trumpet would be invasion of the locusts (heathen armies) (see Joel 1-3) (1st Woe)
The 6th trumpet is Armageddon (2nd Woe)
The 7th trumpet is the pouring out of the 7 Vials of wrath. (3rd Woe)

The thing about the trumpets and woes I believe that this could refer to the fact that Trumpet 1 (Goldman Sachs fraud/bankruptcy), Trumpet 2 (BP oil spill), Trumpet 3 (Fukushima), Trumpet 4 (government failures) may not necessarily significantly negatively affect the majority of the righteous. This will probably not necessarily be the case for trumpets 5-7. Well, we hope we are gathered in Zion before Trumpet 7 and the 7 vials of wrath.

Let me also say, that I am not necessarily convinced that the Goldman Sachs, BP, and Fukushima events are necessarily the official Trumpets of Revelation. I am of the opinion that these events were engineered or at least set up to fail. But I also think that these events could be put out there as false trumpets to get us thinking 3 years too early. Satan has gone through a lot of trouble to "change the times and the laws". Accordingly, scholars claim Christ was born 3BC, and Daniel's 7o years begins with the UN declaration of the State of Israel in 1947. Consequently, some are being led to believe that the 7 years of the Tribulation will proceed from 2010-2017.

However, I remember the situation in the Book of Mormon where the non-believers rounded up the believers and told them that the time had already passed when the scriptures predicted the coming of Christ into the world. It is possible that Mormon included this detail because history will repeat itself in the Last Days. So, these false trumpets could be a way to fool people into accepting a false timeline. If Christ were born 1BC, and Daniel's 70 weeks begins with the "Law of Return" in 1950, then it may well be that we haven't even entered the Tribulation period yet until 2013-2020.

Trumpets 5-7 constitute the 3 Woe Judgments. Number 5 involves the invasion of the locusts which is likely involves the Abomination of Desolation and the Invasion of Heathen Armies. Joel 1-3 describes the burning of Babylon and invasion of heathen armies which will likely be a nuclear first strike and invasion by Russia, China, and Mexico. Since Daniel says the Abomination of Desolation will occur in the midst of Daniel's final 7 years, which are the Tribulation years, then I think it safe to conclude that all 7 Trumpets will sound within the Tribulation years.

So, are we actually in the Tribulation, or does someone want us to think we are? The tell-tail evidence to knowing where we are, will be the Abomination of Desolation. This event which Pres. Benson, Elder McConkie described as thermonuclear, and which was described by Joel, Daniel, and John, was seen in vision by Pres. George Albert Smith. It will be unmistakable. Thankfully, Pres. Smith gave us a key to know when this dire event was to occur. Pres. Smith said that this event would occur after the election and before the inauguration of the President of the United States following a "Greek" President (google Pres. George Albert Smith Vision). "Greek" was a euphemism in 1930's Utah for a person not of Northern European descent. Since, an inauguration is only needed when there is a change of President; we could expect to be in the midst of the Tribulation in 2012 if Pres. Obama loses the election. If Pres. Obama wins, then we will have an additional 4 years. I am not going to vote for Pres. Obama, but I am "in a way" rooting for him.

Real or false, we are seeing signs of Trumpet #4. This trumpet points to social unrest and a failure or darking of 1/3 sun, moon, and stars. I interpret this to mean that we could expect to see civil unrest, civil war, martial law, bankruptcy, and failure of local, state, and national governments on the horizon. In fact, I think we are already beginning to "hear" the warning sound of this trumpet. Many have predicted that the unrest and riots that we have seen in foreign countries will be coming shortly to America.

This warning of social unrest reminded me of the new phenomenon called the "Flash Mob". A flash mob is a group of people, connected via Twitter and Facebook, who come together at one location for some purpose. To this point, flash mobs (see YouTube), engage in various good natured and fun activities like signing and dancing. However, I am sure it is only a matter of time before we start seeing the dark side of this phenomenon where people come together to protest, trespass, riot, vandalize, etc. That is when the riot police get called in and things begin to escalate leading to martial law and gun confiscation.

Another false fulfillment of John's 3rd Trumpet could be the failure of the Fort Peck Dam in Montana. There are 6 Dams on the Missouri, up-river from Kansas City and St. Louis. Fort Peck Dam is the more vulnerable. Already at record lake levels, with record snow pack ready to melt and surge into the Lake, the Fort Peck Dam, Like the Teton Dam, is an earth dam build on a poor shale foundation. If the Fort Peck Dam were to fail, like a series of falling dominoes, the surge of water would take out the other 5 dams, numerous nuclear power plants, and several major cities along the way. If this failure occurs, we would really see a curse of the rivers, together with serious nuclear contamination.

D&C 121:33 As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.

A Day of Warning

2011-03-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

RECENT CONFERENCE TALKS WITH WARNING
Pres. Thomas S. Monson "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," (October 3, 2010): Develop an attitude of gratitude. Quotes Aldous Huxley here and Alice in Wonderland later.
Pres. Thomas S. Monson "Till We Meet Again," (October 3, 2010): "We live in a troubled world, a world of many challenges. We are here on this earth to deal with our individual challenges to the best of our ability" (i.e. our job is not to contentously take on the NWO, Christ will fight for Zion, we are to lift up an ensign of peace, D&C 105:14, 39).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Two Lines of Communication," (October 3, 2010) "some seek to have their priesthood leaders make personal decisions for them, decisions they should make for themselves by inspiration through their personal line."
Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Two Principles for Any Economy," (October 3, 2009): Hard Work and Learning will relieve anxiety, develop our character, provide for family and save our souls.
Pres. Thomas S. Monson "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," (October 3, 2009): Beware of anger and the MSM.
Elder David A. Bednar "Watching with All Perseverance," (April 3, 2010): We live in a day of warning. Those who bare testimony of the warning in the Book of Mormon will be "blessed with eyes that can see afar off and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet . . . [and] will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—”watching … with all perseverance”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Healing the Sick," , (April 3, 2010): "I will concentrate my remarks on healing blessings involving the power of the priesthood. We have this priesthood power, and we should all be prepared to use it properly. Current increases in natural disasters and financial challenges show that we will need this power even more in the future than in the past."
Pres. Thomas S. Monson "He Is Risen!," (April 4, 2010): "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev 21:4).
Pres. Thomas S. Monson "Examples of Righteousness," (April 5: 2008): As bearers of the priesthood, we have been placed on earth in troubled times. We live in a complex world with currents of conflict everywhere to be found. Political machinations ruin the stability of nations, despots grasp for power, and segments of society seem forever downtrodden, deprived of opportunity, and left with a feeling of failure. We who have been ordained to the priesthood of God can make a difference. When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in His holy service. Our opportunities are without limit. Ours is the task to be fitting examples." Later quotes President N. Eldon Tanner who is known to have tempered then Elder Ezra T. Benson.

ARE THEY AWAKE?
Some here have been questioning whether LDS Leadership is AWAKE and what will say and will not say to warn the people. Yes. I cannot imagine how Pres. Monson, who was counselor to Pres. Benson is not well versed in all things conspiratorial.

WILL THEY WARN US?
They have been all along. Pres. Hinckley's warning of a "portent of stormy weather" and to "get out of debt" and "get our houses in order" was so right on. Pres. Hinckley was so out in front of the housing fraud it was miraculous. However, according to church statistics, LDS consumer debt doubled after the warning. Not enough of us listened. Too many of us went in the exact opposite direction of what the prophet directed.

CONSEQUENCES
I am not sure we realize the consequences of not listening. I am not sure anyone saw the recent documentary "Inside Job" that played in theaters. Here you have the NWO documenting many details of how the whole banking/mortgage fraud happened. Interspersed throughout the film are comments by IMF/NWO leaders George Soros and Dominique Strauss-Kahn smugly saying in effect "look how your wickedness and excess and corruption has hurt the developing world." What they don't tell you was that these very NWO leaders who set this whole thing up. In fact is the the Bank of International Settlement Basil II Accords in late 2007 that tightened fractional reserve requirements and popped the housing bubble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzrBurlJUNk

RAMIFICATIONS
However, the market downturn in the US is just the tip of the iceberg as far as ramifications go. Many countries were defrauded by the banking scandal; not just America. Our New York Banks hurt a lot of people out there. Furthermore, because the US dollar is the world reserve currency, as it is being devalued through TARP and QE1, QE2, commodity prices are going up throughout the world and people in developing countries are going hungry, protesting, and rioting.

THE UGLY AMERICAN
The significance of this is that these NWO/IMF people are blaming the US for it all. In addition, the leaders of many countries are are fed up with continual US interference through our self-proclaimed role as world policeman and our extensive and intrusive CIA blackops programs. We are being framed in a way. Even though we may have good intentions in what we do, that is not how other countries may interpret our actions.

ALEX JONES MISDIRECTION
If anything could prove the fraud of Alex Jones, it is his interview with Charlie Sheen. I couldn't stand listening to it. The global big brother control grid hype/police state is very misleading. A total Singapore-like police state is not what the NWO want for the US necessarily. What they want is for the US to become divided, and then when we are divide, they want the US and our Constitution to be discredited in the eyes of the world and then to be destroyed.

THE REAL END GAME
It is my opinion that what the NWO is trying to do is, lay the blame on the US for the global economic crisis, the riots in the Middle East, the drug trade in Afghanistan, and Columbia, and overstepping of our military, and the many BlackOps programs in many countries. True or not, the reality is, despite our giving for disasters, many foreign countries are getting fed up with America. Because of HAARP, true or not, many are being convinced the US is causing natural disasters or that we are contributing to global climate change.

As I see it, what the NWO is trying to do, is convince whoever has his finger on the nuclear button, to push it. And when that person pushes the doomsday button, the other countries of the world will mourn, but not that much. They won't lift a finger and will let it happen. The world leaders will come together, if they haven't already and will agree that the US is so corrupt, and intrusive and dangerous that we should be invaded and split up and that the US Constitution and Constitutional government is a failure and should disappear into the history books as a failed experiment. (google George A. Smith Vision, Albert Pike letter to Muzzini)

NO SHRILL CRITICISM
To this point, the LDS Church has been happy to keep its head down. When NWO leaders come to BYU to speak, they generally comment what "useful little soldiers/sheep/idiots" we are. The Doctrine and Covenants instructs us to befriend our enemies. And so far we have done a good job of that. And thanks to this policy, the LDS church has been able to build temples and expand its missionary reach into much of the world. I am not sure how productive being vocally shrill critics would be? What the NWO wants is division, and it is when the US is divided when they most likely plan to strike.

WARNING VOICE
I thought it was an interesting point of discussion whether our LDS Leadership where giving talks within talks or communicating messages to those of us who are AWAKE without directly coming out and saying things that would be alarming to those who are remain in their state of BLISS. I don't think this is true. I just think that they are awake, and are giving clear, principle-based counsel that will be useful to membership whether we are awake or not.

Doctrine and Covenants 105: 14; 38-39 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles. . . . And again I say unto you, sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people; And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth;

Kyiv Ukraine Temple Youth Celebration

2011-03-01T00:34:00.000-08:00

Last year, an LDS Temple was dedicated in Kyiv, Ukraine. This temple will serve the youth and families of many Eastern European countries. This video shows excerpts from a cultural celebration by LDS youth from surrounding countries to commemorate the dedication of the Temple. I love how this short video captures a glimpse of their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

On the Value of Gold and Silver

2011-02-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

“Were I to ask the question, how much wheat or anything else a man must have to justify him in letting it go to waste, it would be hard to answer; figures are inadequate to give the amount. Never let anything go to waste. Be prudent, save everything, and what you get more than you can take care of yourselves, ask your neighbors to help you. There are scores and hundreds of men in this house, if the question were asked them if they considered their grain a burden and a drudge to them, when they had plenty last year and the year before, that would answer in the affirmative, and were ready to part with it for next to nothing. How do they feel now, when their granaries are empty? If they had a few thousand bushels to spare now, would they not consider it a blessing? They would. Why? Because it would bring the gold and silver. But pause for a moment, and suppose you had millions of bushels to sell, and could sell it for twenty dollars per bushel, or for a million dollars per bushel, no matter what amount, so that you sell all your wheat, and transport it out of the country, and you are left with nothing more than a pile of gold, what good would it do you? You could not eat it, drink it, wear it, or carry it off where you could have something to eat. The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat. Gold is not to be compared with it in value. Why would it be precious to you now? Simply because you could get gold for it? Gold is good for nothing, only as men value it. It is no better than a piece of iron, a piece of limestone, or a piece of sandstone, and it is not half so good as the soil from which we raise our wheat, and other necessaries of life. The children of men love it, they lust after it, are greedy for it, and are ready to destroy themselves, and those around them, over whom they have any influence, to gain it” (Pres. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 1:, p.250).

The US Federal Government under the Federal Reserve Central Bank operates under a debt-based fiat currency. Simply put, the value our our currency is based on the FED's ability to sell US Treasury Bills (TBills) on the global market. Because the US Dollar is the world reserve currency, because all commodities are priced in dollars, and because the US maintains huge trade deficits with China, many countries are interested in maintaining a strong dollar. A strong dollar means that China can use its excess dollars to import the oil its needs to develop. For poorer nations, a strong dollar means cheaper corn, wheat, rice, and beans to feed their people. It is this foreign interest in a strong dollar has allowed the US to run up huge budget deficits year after year. To maintain the value of the dollar, foreign countries have continually devalued their own currency while at the same time continued to lend money to the US to fund our wars and social programs. However, over the past 10 years, things have begun to change.

The international community is no longer happy with the US roll as "world policeman." China has made deals with Russia, Brazil and Iran to purchase oil, food and other commodities in their own currency. This means that the FED has been unsuccessful in selling US Treasury Bonds. The result is that when the US Government needs to borrow more money that we don't have, they have tried to force retirement funds to buy TBills, or coerced US banks to buy them. Pres. Obama's recent trip to India was a failed attempt to coax India into buying up our TBills. Ultimately, the FED has been buying our own TBills and printing money anyways. When the FED prints money without selling TBills first, the US dollar is devalued and gas, food and clothing prices go up. The rising cost of food is one factor which is leading to protests and riots in many countries.

In response to the recent American policy of "Quantitative Easing", the IMF is calling for the US Dollar to be replaced by another world reserve currency. This means that very soon other countries may no longer accept the US Dollar in exchange for both raw materials or finished goods. Because the US is no longer self sufficient in mining its own natural resources or manufacturing its own finished goods, the replacement of the US Dollar as the world reserve currency could mean Bankruptcy and a Severe Depression in the US much worse than the Great Depression of the 1930's.

Now, if you listen to political talk radio, I am sure you have heard the many commercials urging you to buy up gold and silver as a hedge against inflation. Having pondered this issue for several years, I came across this quote from Brigham Young with regard to the wisdom in looking to gold and silver for salvation. As we approach the years of the Great Tribulation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, it is my personal opinion that you will do better making sure you use what money you have NOW to pay off debt, and have a year supply of food, water, fuel and clothing. It is my personal opinion that making these purchases now, while our dollar still maintains some residual purchasing power, will be better than trying to sell gold and silver later for basic necessities.

"The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare Ye," Ensign, Jan 1974, 69.

"The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat." (President Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p.298.)

And he also said: ‘There is more salvation and security in wheat, than in all the political schemes of the world...’ (Ezra Taft Benson, JD 2:207).

"We are living in the prophesied time, 'when peace shall be taken from the earth,' (D&C 1:35) when 'all thing shall be in commotion,' and 'men's hearts shall fail them' (D&C 88:91) These signs of the Second Coming are all around us and seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity.'" ... While we are powerless to alter the fact of the Second Coming and unable to know its exact time, we can accelerate our own preparation and try to influence the preparation of those around us. We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming." ( Preparation for the Second Coming, Elder Dallin H. Oaks Conference, April 2004).

James 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Ezek 7:19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

Ps 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. . . They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them. O Israel, trust you in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Gold and silver will be worthless in the coming collapse. There is no safe haven where we are headed but Zion. All other things must fail. It seems many are trying to speculate on which part of Babylon will fall last. No part or piece of the Babylonian system can save us. If you absolutely need something to invest in. I would pay off immediate families debt and buy them food storage. When things get bad, their financial problems and lack of preparation become your financial problems and liability. Maybe a grain silo filled with wheat and well with manual pump.

Economic Equality of Opportunity

2011-02-15T17:10:00.000-08:00

Capital: Cash or goods used to generate income either by investing in a business or diferrent income property. (e.g. leveraging money to make more money)

Capitalism: An economic system which promotes the use of cash or goods to generate income either by investing in a business or diferrent income property.

On another thread, some where debating whether Cleon Skousen ever bashed Capitalism. I don't know that he did. But I have no problem doing it. I do not favor Capitalism. But that doesn't mean I am for Communism. This is an obvious false dichotomy. What I favor is Free Enterprise, which is essentially Capitalism without the Usury. Free Enterprise recognizes property rights, individual liberty and self-determination. Free Enterprise provides equality of opportunity but not necessarily equality of result.

The Constitution calls for FREE ENTERPRISE not CAPITALISM. Are you brave enough to break your mind-control and admit it? Some how we've been programmed to associate Capitalism with freedom and even the gospel of Jesus Christ. Capitalism isn't free, Capitalism produces a Corporatocracy that is unelected, self-interested, and oppressive. Capitalism little better than Communism or Socialism. Free Enterprise means equal opportunity and equal opportunity equals true freedom.

The half-truth of Capitalism is that we should let the free market decide what to invest in and where to take the economy and not the government. Letting the markets decide where to take the economy is Free Enterprise. But Capitalism is not the way to do it. The half-lie part of capitalism is that society needs to be dependent upon an ultra-elite, ultra-wealthy, economic ruling class.

Capitalism is inherently unequal because it requires that certain people in the society amass more wealth than others. Then those people with the massive wealth, have unrivaled, unelected Machiavellian power to decide what they will or will not invest in, to leverage that capital to make more money, to make other people their economic surfs and sharecroppers via usury, and to influence law makers via campaign contributions.

So, in an egalitarian society where there is freedom of opportunity and not freedom of results, is that no man would be enslaved to another. That applies to economic enslavement as well. In an egalitarian economy, the wealthy would not leverage wealth to create more wealth. The scriptures command, "by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread all the days of thy life." It does not say, "by the sweat of thy neighbor face. . ." (Gen 3:19).

Mos 2:13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, . . . And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, nd that ye should not be laden with taxes,

D&C 101:79 Therefore, it is not right that

any man should be in bondage one to another.

Deut 23:19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

In a FREE ENTERPRISE system the US Treasury creates all the money (Article 1, Sec 8), and local banks issue "fee-based", no-interest loans to individuals, groups, and communities who are credit worthy. The rules that determine credit worthiness would be uniform. No loop holes. No exemptions. The problem with our current system is that many of the wealthy are "above the law" and they operate under and different set of rules than the rest of us.

In a True Fee Enterprise system, credit would be freely available based on uniform criteria. Therefore, if someone were to gain wealth by his skill and labor, He wouldn't be tempted to use that wealth to economically enslave others by issuing credit with usury (except for the specific case of venture capital where there is no proven market or collateral).

A Constitutional Republic which supports the Free Enterprise economic system with truly free markets, would support local banking institutions that we could name Safety Societies. These local and state institutions could determine credit-worthiness, and administer "fee-based", no-interest loans using money created by the US Treasury for non-depreciating real assets. In this way, this money that is created doesn't have to be backed by gold or silver, or anything, because the asset itself is the backing for the loan. Such real assets would include land, real estate, and even some well-made heirloom furniture.

These Safety Societies would never speculate. That is, they would never invest their reserves in stock or derivatives. Safety Societies would be non-profit and charge loan origination fees and monthly service charges to cover the cost of business. However, since the capital for the loans they issue is coming from the US Treasury, they don't need to make profits to make more loans. Safety Societies would also practice Full Reserve Banking. That is, they never loan what they don't have, since they get 100% from the US Treasury, and they never lend out deposits. Therefore, all deposits are kept at the bank, ready for immediate withdrawal at any moment. Therefore, the Safety Society would never be threatened by a bank run.

Today's banks operate on Fractional Reserves. Fed-member Mega-banks can lend 10x what they themselves borrow from the FED. However, because of inflation due to Amortized loans, they must hold reserves as stock, bonds, and derivatives because we have been continually devaluing our currency. And these banks are continually threatened by a bank run because they only ever have less than 10% of reserves on hand. If withdrawals or a stock market crash destroy that 10%, then the bank becomes insolvent, and goes bust. Safety Societies are immune to all of this.

CAPITALISM
Isa 10:13-14 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.

FREE ENTERPRISE
Isa 65:21-22 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: . . . and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain,

Finally, I only recently realized, you don't necessarily need the Federal Government to institute this Safety Society, Free Enterprise system. Any group of people could do it who were not constrained to the US Constitution which reserves this right to the Federal Government. However, in another circumstance, a group could select a treasurer who would create money which the community bank would extend at no-interest to other group members to purchase non-depreciating goods like furniture, homes, and land. These real assets serve as the backing for the money creation, and could be repossessed and re-sold by the bank. Otherwise, money created from the treasury and extended by the bank would go to craftsman who are building the homes and heirloom quality furniture and return to the bank in repayment for the no-interest loans. As much money could be created as needed. When not needed, monthly payments return excess money to the bank, and new money is not created; which prevents inflation.

The Life of Jesus Christ

2011-02-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

Today at church, our lesson was focused specifically on the life of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we claim to be devoted followers of Christ and to emulate His perfect example. As part of the lesson, our instructor asks the class to think about what events in Christ's life that really defined him. What were the defining moments, the moments of truth, that set Jesus Christ apart from anyone else.

EXAMPLE OF FAITH
One such defining moment in the Life of Christ for me was how Christ responded to temptation. After he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights the scriptures tell us that Satan came tempting. I wonder if many Christians take for granted the possibility that Christ may not have had a perfect knowledge of who He was and what his mission was to be. I wonder if Christ was born into this world with a veil of forgetfulness of His prior life just as all people are. With this in mind, I remember the continual jeers of Satan who tempted "If thou art the Christ, then change these stones into bread." and "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence (pinnacle of the temple)" Then later on the Cross, again the people mocked, "if thou art the Christ, come down off the cross." and again, "He saved other, but himself he cannot save." However, despite not having a perfect knowledge from the beginning and having to grow from grace to grace, Christ exemplified perfect faith in never doubting who He was and His purpose to save all mankind from sin and death. Like Jesus Christ, Satan tries to get us to doubt that we are spiritual children of our Heavenly Father.

EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE
Another defining moment of Christ's character was His submission to the will of the Father in getting baptized and being crucified. At the start of Christ's mortal ministry, He went to John the Baptist to be baptized of him by water in the River Jordan. Upon seeing Christ, John replied "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" In response, Jesus said, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness". Even thou Christ was sinless and had no need to be baptized for the remission of sin, Christ submitted to the will of the Father to set us an example and mark the gate we are to enter to the Kingdom of God. And much later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ submits to take upon Him the sins of the world by saying, 'If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt;" Again, Christ exemplified complete submission and obedience to the will of the Father in all things even when that obedience resulted in taking upon Him the sins and pains and sufferings of His people.

EXAMPLE OF PATIENCE
Lastly, I think other defining moments in Christ's life were how He responded to His enemies. To the scholars and Pharisees who came tempting, He met their challenges with thoughtful questions of His own. To Judas who would betray Him, he did not call him out in front of of the other 11 Apostles, but privately excused him saying, "what thou doest do quickly." Later in front of Pilate and Herod Antipas, we are told by Isaiah that Christ would face great injustice and pains yet he would "open not His mouth." How many of us wouldn't feel justified in complaining about the injustice of it all and be tempted to "curse God and die." Yet, Christ again submitted to the will of the Father in all things and patiently bore the persecutions. Isaiah foretold that Christ would "[give] my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."

Isa 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: . . Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. . . and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Zion vs. the Great Latter-Day Conspiracy

2011-02-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stanley Monteith make the great point about the Great Latter-Day Globalist Conspiracy.

The Great Latter-Day Conspiracy is like the book "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie. On the train from Paris to Istanbul, there is one American, a Detective, and 12 other passengers who share a rail car. When the American turns up dead, the Detective is asked to investigate the murder. The Detective discovers that the American was stabbed 12 times. He also finds that after interviewing all 12 passengers in the rail car, each one has a motive to kill the American. In the end, the truth comes out that all 12 of the passengers killed the American together.

Like "The Orient Express", the Great Conspiracy is hitting America from multiple multiple directions. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to rally enough people on any one issue to mount any kind of defense. In this way, the Great Conspiracy keeps us defensive and on the defensive. If you think about it, what cause do we take on first: the FED, national debt, gun rights, campaign finance, abortion, energy independence, traditional marriage, climate change, AIDS in Africa, save the whales?

Basketball falsely teaches us that "a good defense is a good offense." The real truth is that "the best defense is a good offense." So, when it comes to fighting the Great Latter-Day Conspiracy, when it comes to picking our cause, it turns out that the Scriptures teach that there is only one cause worth fighting for. Furthermore, there is only one battle that we can win. What is this cause? What is the battle? The only cause that is promised to prevail is Zion.

So, while I am not necessarily saying that fighting for the Fair Tax, or against this cause, or for that other cause is worthless. Mormon in the Book of Mormon still made a final stand at Cumorrah. I am just saying that I am not all that sure that any of these other battles are winnable on the short term. We can't hope to change prophecy any more than Mormon could change what Nephi had foreseen a thousand years earlier about the fall of the Nephites.

And why be too focused on the defensive against the Great Globalist Conspiracy anyways when scriptures are clear that Babylon will fall all on its own without any of our help. Cleon Skousen talked about this in his writings about Pres. J. Ruben Clark who said that trying to oppose this Great Conspiracy would be like trying to stop a freight train. We would just get run right over. Instead, Pres. Clark instructed us to; instead of focusing our efforts on trying to turn the train around on track 1, to quietly build tract 2. The scriptures are unmistakable in foretelling that Babylon will fall and Zion will prevail. Zion is track 2. Let's focus on building Zion. Zion is our resistance.

D&C 105:14 For behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfil—I will fight your battles.

Reflections on a Consecrated Life

2011-02-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the LDS Quorum of 12 Apostles, spoke on living a Consecrated Life in this past October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Of the many talks given, this was one of my most favorite. The was my favorite because if there is any topic that encapsulates the Gospel of Jesus Christ more, it is the principle of Consecration.

Elder Christofferson reminds us that each of us have been given 2 things in this life: 1. Time, and 2. Freedom to Choose. The liberty we are given is to decide what to exchange our time for. Do we trade our time for cheap thrills, or do we exchange it for eternal joy. Elder Christofferson reminds us that the Scriptures teach that "Men are they they might have joy." And if it is joy we seek, the only way we can lay hold upon joy is by aligning our lives with the will of God.

'What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy? For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy? Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown, Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?' -William Shakespeare

Matt 6:20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

Elder Christofferson taught, "consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes. In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny."

This quote reminds me of the rich young man who asked the Savior what he must do to receive Eternal Life. In response, Jesus Christ asked the young man "what saith the Law?". The young man than recited the commandments and proudly declared that he had kept them since his youth and then added, "what lack I yet." Impressed, the Lord responded, "if thou wilt be made perfect, sell all that thou hast, give to the poor, and come and follow me."

This invitation by Christ to the rich young man, is the higher covenant. The invitation to devote and consecrate all that we have to the Lord is an invitation made to all who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. In exchange for our complete submission, dedicated commitment and loyal service, the Creator of the Universe promises us perfection, sanctification, eternal life, and exaltation.

The first most important step in living a consecrated life is after we believe in Christ, that we repent of our sins. Elder Christofferson taught, "Consecration therefore means repentance. Stubbornness, rebellion, and rationalization must be abandoned, and in their place submission, a desire for correction, and acceptance of all that the Lord may require." Our sinful pride, finds excuses why we don't have to change. It's easy to excuse ourselves and tell ourselves that we are the exception. However, the true follower of Christ submits to His will and has faith that He has power over any sin. Like King Lamoni's Father in the Book of Mormon, will we give up all our sins to know God?

Next, Elder Christofferson teaches that we must labor diligently. This principle reminds me of the Book of Mormon where King Benjamin teaches, "How knoweth a man the Master whom he hath not served, and who is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart." So, diligent labor in the service of God is part of living a consecrated life. In partnership to labor we must not forget leisure. A hunter who always keeps his bow strung will soon discover his bow has lost all its spring. In the same way, a lumberman will work work much more efficiently if he remembers to regularly take some time to sharpen his ax.

Lastly, Elder Christofferson reminds us that a consecrated life is one of integrity. Do we deal honestly and justly with everyone? When we are baptized and have accepted Christ as our Savior, we covenant to be witnesses of God is all times, and places and circumstances that we may be in. With this in mind, I wonder, do we remember to stand as a witness on the internet, in chat rooms, and bulletin boards. Or does the illusion of anonymity of the internet with our many avatars, usernames, and aliases, tempt us to become someone else?

In the end, Elder Christofferson reminds us of the promises in scripture, that if we love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength, and truly consecrate our lives to the Savior, that not only will we be blessed, but others around us will be blessed through us, and see Christ's countenance in us, as we reflect His glorious light.

The Lord's Jubilee: Eye to Eye in 2020?

2011-01-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been learning about the Jewish Year of the Jubilee. Most people are familiar with the Ten Commandments requirement to observe the 7th day as a day of rest. However, in addition, the Law of Moses required that the Jews observe every 7th year as a Sabbatical year when they would not plant their fields but leave them fallow. Additionally, after every 7 Sabbatical years, a special 50th year called a Jubilee was to be observed. During this special year, Jews were to forgive all debts, release all prisoners, and return to the lands of their inheritance. Part of the blessing of the Jubilee year was the prevention of generational poverty. Observance of the Jubilee allows newer generations a fresh start.

It is unclear if Jews observed Jubilee years consistently. In fact, I believe the Lord says that one major reason for the scattering of Israel was their refusal to observe the Jubilee. I am sure allowing your fields to lay fallow for 2 consecutive years would be a great trial of faith. However, the Lord in the OT promised Israel that in the 6th year before the Jubilee, they would be blessed with a harvest 3 times larger than usual to cover them until the harvest during the 9th year. This promised increase proceeding the Jubilee is akin to the Israelites gathering twice the manna prior to the Sabbath.

After learning about the Jubilee, I was astonished to learn that since the time of Adam to approximately 2000 ad, there has been 119 Jubilee years. In fact from Adam to the time of the Exodus, there was 50 Jubilees. That is a "Jubilee of Jubilees." From the Exodus to the Second Coming, there will be an additional 70 Jubilees making a total of 120 Jubilees. In fact from Adam to Abraham was about 40 Jubilees. From Abraham to Christ was about 40 Jubilees, and from Christ's first coming to His Second Coming will be another 40 Jubilees. Again, 120 Jubilees which corresponds to Gen 6:3 when Christ says that the Holy Ghost would strive with man upon the Earth for 120 [Jubilees].

Gen 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

It turns out that that these 120 Jubilees until the Second Coming of Christ corresponds with the promise that the 7-thousandth year of man's existence upon the Earth would be one of peace and rest. Christians refer to this period following the Second Coming of Jesus Christ the Millennium. Peter taught that each thousand years was as a day to the Lord. Therefore, since the time of Adam who left the Garden of Eden some time after 4000bc, some time after 2000ad should begin the 7th-thousand year period.

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

That said, we are not told, when exactly Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. But we are given other clues. The key to finding out when this 120th Jubilee of the Lord is to begin. In D&C 77:7 we learn that the 7 Seals described in Revelation correspond to the knowledge revealed to man in each 1000-year period. Therefore, according to this definition, the 7th seal opened in the year 2000 ad. John in Revelation then tells us that after the opening of the 7th seal, there would be silence in the heavens for the space of half an hour. 1/2 hour in the Lords time is 20.8 years. If the trumpet is to sound from heaven that heralds the Lord's 12oth Jubilee, then we may expect this to be fulfilled in the later end of 2020. This sounding of the trumpet from heaven to announce the Second Coming is not to be confused with the sounding of the 7 trumpets on Earth that warn of the Tribulation preceding the Day of Judgment/Wrath; both of which precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Rev 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Trying to work out the chronology of the scriptures is an almost impossible task. There are about as many theories on Bible chronology as there are are years between 4000 bc and now. When it comes to dating, tt is unclear exactly what kind of calendar system was to be used. Some prefer a 260-day calendar, others use a 264-day calendar, and still others stick with the traditional Hebrew lunar calendar. And then it is even less clear when it comes to the question of leap years, and leap months and how these calendar systems would correlate with our current Gregorian Solar Calendar.

The reason why working out the chronology of the Bible is so difficult is that we are told that Satan would seek to "change the times and the laws". This is the major reason why scholars can never settle on any dates in the Bible such as Christ's birth for example. I have seen dates ranging anywhere from 10 bc to 10 ad. Again, knowing Satan's obsession with numerology, I am always suspicious of triple dates like Artaxerxes decree to rebuild the Jewish temple in 444 bc, or Alexander the Great conquest of Persia in 333 bc.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:

Calendars aside, the real key to knowing where we are in God's timeline only requires identifying one Jubilee year. Knowing just one Jubilee year will give you the rest. And I believe God gives us an several unmistakable Jubilee years. One such Jubilee year is given by Daniel 9 (one of many fulfillments) which foretells the destruction of the Jewish Temple by General Titus in 70 ad. The Roman Siege of Jerusalem beginning in 66-67 and the martyrdom of Peter and Paul correspond with Daniel's prophecy that Satan would be an "Abomination of Desolation" in the midst of a 7 year tribulation period.

While 70 ad is a better example of cursing than blessing. Modern scripture gives us another unmistakable Jubilee year. According to Acts 3:21, Peter makes reference to the Second Coming on the Day of Pentecost by referring to the Lord's Jubilee as the "times of restitution of all things". While this scripture unmistakably refers to the Second Coming of Christ, LDS know by modern revelation that this scripture also refers to the First Vision in 1820 by Joseph Smith. Accordingly, I believe 1820 marks a Jubilee year. Not only was there the First Vision in 1820 but that year also marks the end of the Spanish Inquisition.

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Possible Recent Jubilee Years:
70 AD Destruction of the Temple (Another fulfillment of Daniel's 70 weeks)
1820 First Vision, End of Spanish Inquisition "Time of Restitution of All things"
1870 EDICT OF POPE NICHOLAS III, ending of the Roman Ghettos.
1920 Prohibition, League of Nations begins, Protocols of Zion published, Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate for Palestine confirmed by League of Nations.
1950 "Law of Return" or the Commandment or Law set forth that called for the Gathering of Jews to Israel granting any converted or native Jew citizenship. (Beginning of another of Daniel's 70 weeks).
1970 End of War of Attrition following 6-days war.
2020 The Lord's Jubilee? "Time of Restitution of All things"

Now some would point to other dates as Jubilee years. In reference to Daniel's 70 weeks. Some like to subtract 3 years and insist that Jesus Christ was born in 3 bc, Daniel's 70 weeks start with the Declaration of Israel as a state by the UN in 1947, and consider the 6-days war in 1967. Again 3 years short. But there is a very important reason why I don't go along with these dates. One is because I have a picture which I may post, showing King Farouk, President Gamul Abdul Nasser, Muhammad Anwar Sadat as members of a Freemason lodge in Cairo. What this tells me is that both the top Israeli and Muslim leadership are in bed together and much of what is going on in the Middle East is Staged. And this explains why the temple mount is divided and there has been little hope for peace in Israel.

Another reason, I do not go along with 3 bc as the birth of Christ is that not only does this date, which is popular amongst scholars, go against D&C 20, and James E. Talmage, but it also goes against Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, how opened April 2, 2000 conference by saying the conference marked 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ.

"Now 2,000 years have come and gone since His birth in Bethlehem. Surely, this is a time for remembrance and recommitment." -April 2, 2000, General Conference, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley.

But the biggest reason I do not like 1967 as a Jubilee Year is that if every 50 years is a Jubilee, then the 120th Jubilee begins in 2017 as opposed to 2020. The problem with being early, is that Satan could likely try to convince the world that the Abomination of Desolation set up in the Jewish Temple is something other than what it really is. For example, in 66-67 ad, the Abomination of Desolation had to due more with the Seige of Jerusalem and the crucifying of thousands of Jews on the walls of the city, then with the offering of a goat or a pig or whatever on the temple alter. The Lord cares much more about his children then what a few disrespectful men kill and burn on the alter. I believe the Abomination of Desolation has more to due with genocide and depopulation than anything else.

Already, the majority of the Christian world has a very negative perception of the Jews rebuilding their temple in Jerusalem. Most Christians have been convinced that the rebuilding of the temple will precede an antichrist figure taking over the temple and ruling the world from Jerusalem. The long and short of this is, that I would be concerned that a pre-programed over-reaction of the world against the Jewish temple in 2017 could end up being more of an abomination of desolation than whatever the initial concern will be in 2013.

Finally, setting the date of the Lord's Jubilee in 2017, after only 3.5 years of tribulation instead of a full 7 years of tribulation may lead some to say Christ "delayeth his coming". Like 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon, there could be a date in 2017 that will come and go causing many elect to doubt, and fall away.

We hear again and again that "no man knoweth the day nor the hour". However, in context, the point was made that the hour Christ was referring to in Matt 24: 36 was referring to when the "Heavens and Earth should pass away" at the end of the Millennium and not the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Millennium. Instead, Matt 24 says that the Second Coming would be like the days of Noah. Noah was given a clear prophecy that when Methuselah died, "His Death Shall Bring" the flood that would immediately follow.

Matt 24: 37-38 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Dan 9:23 therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. . . know therefore and understand.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Isa 46:11 yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
1 Thes 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Matt 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree [Israel restored as a nation]; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, [That] generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matt 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

In Daniel 9, the prophet talks about 70 "weeks", or "weeks of years". "shâbu‛ı̂ym" or "shabua" is the hebrew word used for "weeks" or "sevens." The word "shabua" can have several meanings. First, it can be interpreted to refer to a 7-year period of time. Therefore 70 "shabuiym" or 70 "weeks of years" = 70 X 7 = 490 years. So, from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem to the destruction of the temple and the 2nd Diaspora would be 490 years.

However, "shabua" has another meaning. It can also refer simply to the "feast of weeks". "Feast of Weeks" is one of the original Mosaic Feast days given in the Law. So, using this interpretation, this passage can refer to 70 "feasts of weeks" or 70 years since there is only 1 "feast of weeks" each year. In this sense, Daniel's timeline also refers to the time of the destruction of the temple following the birth of the Savior. Christ was born 1 BC, and the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Also many Apostles were killed in 62 AD. And in this same sense, some are looking forward to another 70 year period following the creation of the State of Israel beginning wih the "Law of Return" in 1950 and ending with a grand event 2020.

In conclusion, I am not saying for sure that I know what will happen in 2017 or 2020. But, while I know that the Great Day of the Lord is drawing closer, I know that I don't trust the 2017 date that is being put out there right now. But, when thinking about 2020, I can't help but Remember the words of Isaiah who promises that the Lord's people would see "eye to eye" when the Lord brings again Zion. Hey who knows, maybe hindsight will really end up being 2020 after all.

Isaiah 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye (20/20?), when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

Peacefully Defending the Constitution

2011-01-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

We have all heard the many prophecies regarding "the constitution hanging by a thread" and "the Elders rising up to defend the Constitution". I think when I was younger, I tended to interpret this militantly. However, as the years pass, I look at "defending the Constitution" very differently.

The power, blessing and beauty of the Constitution is that it allows the people to preserve their liberties without the shedding of blood. Without a constitution, if a wicked man were to gain power and authority over the people, the only way to get rid of the tyrant is by the shedding of blood. But with a Constitution, the people can get rid of evil via the "rule of law" and truth.

So now, when I think about "the Constitution hanging by a thread" and "defending the Constitution", I wonder if this means that there will be a few in the Last Days who will refuse to be at war with their neighbor, and will preserve the Constitution by refusing domestic violence and using truth and the "rule of law" to purify our land from evil. I know we cannot defend the Constitution by abandoning the Constitution.

When faced with a (Alma vs. Limhi) situation, there are many voices out there calling for us to "get mad" and react like the people of Limhi against our oppressors. However, the Posse Comitatus Act 1878 of only protects us to the point that the Insurrection Act of 1807 takes over. We cannot give the NWO excuse to take away our final liberties by demonstrating our inability to govern ourselves.

At some point our opposition by try to provoke us to domestic anger and violence. But I wonder if we may be called upon to forebear like the people of Alma in the city of Helam. I try to remember that the "Constitution hanging by a thread" prophecy is known as the "whitehorse prophecy" and not the "redhorse prophecy." Although, while I do not plan to use my gun, I sure will stand up to vocally defend my right to own, and carry a gun.

The Book of Mormon contains a lot of war. We have the example of Alma vs. Amlici. We have Captain Moroni vs. Amalakiah and we have Gidgiddoni vs. Zemnarihah. However, we have many better non-militant examples such as Alma vs. Amulon, the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, and Moronihah who regained conquered Nephite lands by preaching the gospel and converting their enemies.

Alma 31:5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

I don't know exactly what the right thing to do will be when the time comes. But, it seems clear how the enemy would like us to react. Therefore, we should all take care that we are easily provoked. If Alma or Helaman or Captain Moroni where out on the battlefield with their swords drawn leading a charge against enemy forces, I would be right there on the front lines. Well, I would be taking care of the casualties at least. But, so far, I don't hear our leadership polishing their swords. Instead we have the words of Pres. Monson who warned us about anger in response to the Media and we have many others who continually champion the cause of peace, truth and righteousness.

“God’s principles are taken by men because they are eternal and true and touch the divine spirit in men. This is the only true way to permanent world peace, the aspiration of men since the beginning. God never planted his Spirit, his truth, in the hearts of men from the point of a bayonet.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. – “The Constitution” GC April 1957

[The white horse prophecy is not necessarily considered LDS Doctrine because, although it is attributed to Joseph Smith, we don't have an original source for it. That said, the substance of the prophecy is quoted enough by contemporaries of Joseph Smith and later LDS Leadership, that it is safe to assume Joseph Smith said something along those lines. My point in referring to it is more focused on the fact that we have all heard it and I think we all agree the constitution is hanging by a thread. Also, from my understanding, the conclusion of the LDS Church is not that Joseph Smith didn't say anything along these lines but that 1. it is unclear exactly what Joseph Smith said 2. it is inappropriate to interpret this militantly (my point). 3. it is inappropriate to interpret this as pointing to some particular individual.]

"The people---the people---are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts---not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.” -Abraham Lincoln

“You seem to consider the judges the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy… The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots… I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves…” -Thomas Jefferson,Letter to William Jarvis, 1820

Fight or FEMA Camp: Alma vs. Limhi

2011-01-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

A recent new report was discussing the use of US Military being used as peace keepers on American soil in violation of the Pose Comitatus Act. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing trend for FEMA to call upon the US Military to assist with domestic disaster relief as opposed to using the State National Guard which are under the command of the Governors as opposed to DOD. (Caesar has crossed the Rubicon).

Accordingly, Many concerned citizens point to several instances where during these disaster relief operations, US Military were used to conduct warrantless door-to-door searches, gun confiscation, and forced relocations. Critics of this kind of domestic use of the US Military claim it is in clear violation of the Pose Comitatus Act of 1878 . Pose Comitatus prohibits US Military from engaging in "law enforcement," "military occupation" or "peace keeping" activities on non-federal property. Last October, NorthCOM using the threat of WMD's as justification, assigned the US Army 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team (otherwise known as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear, and Explosive Consequence Management Response Force or CCMRF) to operate within the US. The issue FEMA and Pose Comitatus got me thinking about the following scenario.

1. We know that Utah (Wasatch Fault) is way overdue for an 8-9 Earthquake (Utah has been feverishly retrofitting for last 25 years). 2. A magnitude 8-9 earthquake along the Wasatch Front would result in considerable devastation. 3. When that Earthquake occurs or any another large-scale domestic disaster, US Military will likely assist local law enforcement in peacekeeping activities as was done in New Orleans, Billings, MT and Greenburg, KS 4. If called upon, the US Military could engage in house-to-house searches and gun confiscation. 5. FEMA could use the military to enforce a mandatory vaccination program 6. Disaster victims could be forcibly removed, relocated, and transported to a system of FEMA residential facilities.

So, some unconventional questions are these: When the Big Utah Quake happens (or the next big domestic disaster), and FEMA activates the Consequence Management Response Force (CMRF) to imposes a policy of gun confiscation, forced vaccination and relocation; What do you think the reaction of the general public will be? Would anyone militantly resist gun confiscation and forced vaccination? The choice between [Fight] or [FEMA Camp] seems like a lose-lose, false dichotomy to me. It is my conviction that by being spiritually and temporally prepared, listening to the prophet, and taking the Holy Spirit as our guide, we will not have to fear either of these false choices.

Having and sharing a year supply nicely avoids the (fight vs FEMA camp) dichotomy. While many people may voluntarily get on the trains headed toward FEMA residential centers because of the promise of food and water. If we follow the prophet and have food storage, we can share with our neighbors, ban together, and keep some semblance of community. Then again, having a 72-hour kit and hitting the road early and getting out of Dodge may be wise depending on the circumstances.

Again, lets imagine that Utah's Wasatch Fault finally has its 8-9.5 Earthquake and the entire Wasatch Front is in shambles. Marshall Law is imposed, Federal Troops are on the street and going door to door rounding up people and enforcing policies of forced vaccination, gun confiscation, and forced relocation to FEMA residential camps. What would be the correct response? I don't like the [Fight vs. FEMA Camp] dichotomy, but it reminds me a lot of the situation of the people of Limhi vs. the people of Alma in the Book of Mormon.

Limhi's was the son of wicked King Noah who burned the prophet Abinadi at the stake. Limhi's people were enslaved by the Lamanites and put under a kind of martial law. In response, the people of Limhi marshaled themselves and went to battle against impossible odds and were badly defeated again and again before they were eventually delivered.

On the other hand, Alma and a small band of believers were warned and escaped the City of Nephi before the Lamanites enslaved its citizens. Eventually Alma's City of Helam was taken captive for a short time. In fact, a law was made that if the guards found them praying, they would be put to death. However, we are told Alma's and his people did not resist and God did quickly delivered them.

I think we all hope we would have some prior warning of danger like Alma at the Waters of Mormon. However, If I were forced to choose between Alma or Limhi, I choose Alma every time.

I think the important thing here is to follow the prophet, get out of debt, acquire a food supply, and keep an open mind when anticipating instruction to "defend the constitution" vs. "comply and seek redress later in the courts?" (D&C 101:76, 134:11) I hope that most citizens understand that the Pose Comitatus Act of 1878 only applies to the point where the Insurrection Act of 1807 takes over. Therefore, when I hear anyone say they would militantly resist a policy of gun confiscation, I can't help but think about the lesson of People of Limhi vs. the People of Alma in the Book of Mormon.

My hope is that regardless of what may happen (earthquakes, dirty bombs, financial collapse) many of us who have listened to the living prophets and have a food storage will be able to stay put and maybe share our food storage with 1-2 Ishmael-like families with skills and resources that will help us survive, instead of relocating to FEMA residential centers or major cities where food and water distribution is promised.

D&C 112:25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;

D&C 45:57 For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

No Man Knoweth the Day

2010-12-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

I was just thinking that if the LDS are to build the New Jerusalem in response to the Tribulation and for protection against the coming Wrath of God; I was thinking it makes sense that there is no dates given in the Bible for the Second Coming. I mean, scripture suggest that Christ will hasten his appearing. Or in other words, the Saints may hasten the appearing of Christ to New Jerusalem by prayer, purifying themselves, and working hard to build and complete the city of New Jerusalem here in North America. (If you build it, He will come). So, it makes sense that scripture does not give a date, because Christ's coming may depend on us. But other dates may possible be known with regard to Daniel's 70 weeks, the 1/2 hour silence, and the 7 year tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (NIV) Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Ezekiel 7:25 (NIV) When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none.

Jeremiah 6:14 (NIV) They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.

Dan 8:25 (KJV) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Dan 9:25-26 (KJV) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:27 (NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ but in the middle of that ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

In the the 70-week prophecy of Daniel, each week is equal to a year. Daniel's 70 weeks also refers to 70, 50-year periods called Jubilees. In the time of Christ, the 70 weeks started with the the birth of Christ and ended with the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The significant event that occurred in the 62nd week or 62-63 AD according to Dan 9:26 is the martyrdom of Peter, Paul, and James of Jerusalem. By the way, Rome tried to kill John the Beloved but he survived being thrown into the fiery furnace and was exiled to Patmos instead. Not long after, Rome came against Jerusalem beginning in Sept 66 AD. First Gallus was repulsed, Vespasian abandoned the war in 68 AD to be crowed Emperor, and then General Titus completed the invasion in 70 AD. Massad was taken in 73 AD.

If the same 70-week prophecy is to be re-fulfilled in the Last Days, then what would be date 0? Some say the beginning of the 70 weeks is the creation of the State of Israel on May 16th 1948. If that is the zero date, then could 2010-11 could be the start of tribulation? Has anything happened this year that could signify the sounding of the trumpets spoken of in Revelation?

This year we are seeing countries like Iceland, Greece, Ireland, and Portugal declare bankruptcy resulting in civil unrest and rioting stemming from the banking failures in 2008. Also, we have economic sanctions and a covert (black ops) war being waged against Iran approved by Congress on June 24, 2010. We also saw the water turn to blood this year following the Gulf Oil Spill on April 20th, 2o1o. We also have a quiet war in Mexico raging between government and drug cartels that has been spilling over onto US soil.

On a spiritual down note, we had an agreement on Sept 1, 2010 by the LDS Church to prohibit and remove proxy baptism records for Jewish holocaust victims. But on a positive note, the Chinese government gave their approval that Chinese LDS who are baptized while living abroad may may attend LDS services in China.

At some point, very soon, will Israel and Turkey reach an agreement about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem? The temple institute has already completed work on the actual (not copies) kosher temple vessels, furniture, priestly robes, and priestly training that will be used in the 3rd Temple. they claim that if permission were given, that they could have the temple built in 1 year. The 70 Jubilees may come into play. According to my understanding of it, there were 50 Jubilee years from Adam to the Exodus. Israel entered into the land of Cannan about 1416-1406 BC. If this date is correct, 70 Jubilee years later will be 2015-2024. It is believed that during the 69th Jubilee year in 1967, Israel fought the 6-day War and regained possession of the City of Jerusalem. That would put the 70th Jubilee at about 2017. The problem is that no one is sure the exact start date of Daniel's 70 weeks, and rabbi's debate whether the 50th Jubilee year is 49 or 50 years long.

As far as the temple location goes, we know the Dome on the Rock was built over Herod's Temple. But could it be that Herod's temple was built next to Zerubbabel's Temple in 19BC and not on top of it? It is said that Zerubbabel's temple was torn down and Herod's built in it's place, but in Josephus "Wars of the Jews", Herod is critical of the temple of Zerubbabel's temple built by Darius and Ceres, and says his temple is built to a higher elevation (20 cubits) like Solomons. Could this commentary mean that Herod believed Zerubbabel's temple was not built in the correct spot? Herod was of the assumption that the location of the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite was not at the pinnacle of Mount Moriah but maybe a flat slope of exposed bedrock off to the side. Accordingly, this it may be possible to rebuild the 3rd Temple next to the Dome on the Rock in the original place of Solomon's and Zerubbalel's temple while the Dome on the Rock occupies the location of Herod's temple in the court of the Gentiles.

In current events, will a more open, formal war escalate between America and Iran bringing the armies of many nations to Jerusalem? If the first 2 trumpets have sounded (financial crisis, oil spill), is the 3rd trumpet ready to sound (wormwood)? There has been a lot of talk about missing Cobalt-60 in the media as well as Adnan Al Shukrijumah who with several other al-Qaeda co-conspirators were trained in nuclear engineering at McMaster University in Canada. A Cobalt-60 dirty bomb anywhere in the Mississippi-Missouri watershed area could cause big problems for downstream water users.

The important point in all of this, is not trying to figure out the exact dates, but when we see these events happen, we should feel inspired to prepare ourselves and our families spiritually and temporally for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. For the wicked the day will be terrible, but for the righteous, the day is promised to be truly wonderful. What are you doing to prepare?

Grace and Sanctification

2010-11-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

ITS ALL GRACE
The whole gospel is grace. Everything is by grace. But here here is where we differ with the Evangelicals. There is the lesser law and the higher law. The lesser law deals with Justification by grace and not by works. This initial salvation or "rescue" is God condescending and snatching us from the jaws of death and hell. The "saved" by grace and not by works "lest we boast" is talking about our initial justification or rescue. I like to replace the word "saved" with "rescue" to clarify what Paul is taking about.

FREE FALL RESCUE
In another sense, all of us when we leave our eternal home and step into this fallen world; take a step off the cliff into spiritual free fall headed straight to hell. Whether we realize we are falling from a cliff or not, the ground is approaching. God is like an Eagle and dive bomb us and in his condescension match our position and speed, and tap us on the shoulder and inform us of our dreadful condition. We are promised that Christ will even bare us up on Eagles wings so that we can stop our free fall. But even though we are no longer falling, we are still a long way from where we started.

JUSTIFICATION (NO WORKS NECESSARY)
After Justification, Christ's righteousness is "imputed" to us and we are "called" clean such that we are enable to receive the holy ghost through the merits of Christ. But just because we are justified and "called" clean doesn't really mean we are clear and ready to return into the presence of the Father. Sure, Christ condescends and hangs out with sinners and publicans and accepts us how we are. But not the Father. The Father is the Man of Holiness, and he permits no unclean thing into his presence. This is why it is imperative to understand the distinctness between the Father and the Son.

HIGHER LAW, COVENANT, PRIESTHOOD
But now that the believer in Christ, can enjoy the presence of "a portion" of the Holy Ghost, if he allows it, the Holy Ghost will work within that person to purify them, and perfect them. This is the higher covenant and higher law and higher gospel. Remember that Paul said in Hebrews that the Levitical Priesthood didn't have the power to make one perfect. (sanctified).

Heb. 7: 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

SANCTIFICATION (LIFETIME OF WORKS REQUIRED)
And remember the words of Christ to the rich young man who asked what he needed to do to gain eternal life. After reviewing the law and confessing that he had kept the law since he was a boy. The young man asked "what lack I yet" Christ responded, "If thou wilt be perfect" (sanctified) then accept the law of Consecration. (Matt 19;21). So, here the young man had to make a choice, enter into a covenant, and keep that covenant in exchange for the promise of sanctification. Yes, its the power and grace of Christ that empowers the keeping of the covenant and blesses the keeper with the promised sanctification or eventual disposition never to do evil but to do good continually. However, there are a whole lot of consecrating works between here and there which may not end until the end of the Millennium when Christ presents the Sanctified Earth and His sanctified people on it, to His Father.

THE LDS MESSAGE
Unless a person understands the difference between Justification (called clean) and Sanctification (made clean), then I can see why the LDS message may seem peculiar. All LDS who have been baptized have already been rescued. LDS members have already been justified and enjoy the reception of the Holy Ghost. We are already "called clean" through the merits, and mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. That is water under the bridge. Now the whole LDS message is focused on Sanctification and preparing to receive and keeping the Law of Consecration. The whole focus of the New Testament, Higher Covenant is about "trying a little harder to be a little better." The focus is not trying to save ourselves, or even meet God half way. The focus is on receiving and exercising the grace, spirit, and power that God has already extended to us, and then asking to be added upon--- Grace upon grace and not a fullness at first (John 1).

AFTER ALL WE CAN DO
Again, "Being saved by grace after all we can do" is not talking about meeting God half way or even taking one step toward God by our own power. Nephi is talking about why they bother to keep the Law of Moses knowing salvation is in Christ. But Christ gave the Law, so therefore, Nephi's conclusion is that they will receive what Christ has already given them (1sts) until the time that he gives more (2nds).

GAINING ALTITUDE
After we are Justified and Christ breaks our free fall descent and bares us up on eagles wings. We still have much work to do to get back to our heavenly home. We have lost a lot of altitude. Christ gives us wings to bare us home. Christ teaches us how to fly. Some will look up at the cliff from which we fell, and fix our gaze on a lower perch and settle for a lesser reward. Although, others who put our faith in Christ's flying lessons and the wings we have been given will diligently, persistently, patiently use those wings to return us home again into the presence of the Father from whence we came.

Thanksgiving Story

2010-11-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to link to a previous post that talks about the the real story of Thanksgiving. Despite what Rush Limbaugh would have us believe. The story of Thanksgiving is not about Capitalism. Capitalism is all about the supposed need for inequality; that we desire certain people to become more wealthy than everyone else. Capitalism establishes a system where a certain minority of society is able to amass huge amounts of capital more than others. This capital pool thus empowers these ultra-elites with the political and economic power to choose what to invest in and to become the architects of our society. The real story of Thanksgiving explains the reasons behind the initial failure and suffering of William Bradford and the Puritans at Plymouth Colony and their eventual later success in attempting to institute a communal economic system and then recognizing property rights and switching to the law of tithing.

SAVE OUR NATION, FIX THE ECONOMY, UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

2010-11-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

This is a link to my other blog at Brain Bender which discusses how to take our country back, fix our economy, defend the US Constitution, and end corruption.

http://brainbender.blogspot.com/2010/11/save-our-nation-fix-economy-uphold.html

Why Missionary Service?

2010-11-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

Why should we participate in missionary service?

We are commanded by God.
Matt 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Evil men are out there purposefully deceiving.
Many are looking but don't know where to find it.
D&C 123: 12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

It is only fair and just.
D&C 88: 81 (D&C 38:41) Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

So, few laborers for such a big job.
Luke 10: 2 (Jacob 5:70)Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

No more sorrow upon the Earth.
Alma 29: 1-2 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

Helps us Remember the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alma 29:10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Brings salvation to our soul.
D&C 4 and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

Power of Christ and Sanctification

2010-09-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Rescued by Jesus Christ
Many Christians understand the mercy and Justification of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But many could speak more of the transforming and sanctifying power of Christ's Atonement. The basic doctrine begins understanding that all mankind are fallen and lost as a consequence of living in a fallen world. Therefore, none of us could even take one step towards God without His mercy and condescension to reach down and "rescue" or "save" us from our "spiritual free-fall" from glory to eternal damnation. This rescue is by virtue of Christ's grace and mercy alone and not any works of our own as Paul explained in the Bible. To sum up, this means, "God makes the first move" and empowers every move toward heaven thereafter.

Justification by Grace
But what happens after we have been saved. Obviously, there isn't a person alive that has not sinned, nor does a believer gain the ability to live a sinless life immediately. Some Christians believe that living sinless is not the point. However, we both agree that Christ's righteousness is imputed to the believer who is then empowered to receive the Holy Ghost by virtue of Christ's righteousness and not their own. The Holy Ghost makes any righteousness possible, and because even one little sin breaks the whole law, even one sin would make receiving the Holy Ghost impossible forever. So, because Christ's righteousness if imputed unto the believer, the sanctifying and perfecting and purifying influence of the Holy Ghost can begin to operate in our lives as though we were righteous. This "declared righteousness" is what is known as "Justification."

The issue here is that the initial reception of the Holy Ghost through the grace and merits of Christ is not the end but only the beginning of a new life, and new walk as a disciple of Christ. The path of Christian discipleship still remains ahead. The straight and narrow path of Christian discipleship lasts a lifetime. This is why Paul gloried God before His death "I have finished the course, kept the faith, and endured to the end."

Sanctification by Grace
Many Christians just don't get what LDS doctrine is all about. Many errantly claim that LDS believe that we "save ourselves" or "meet God part way". Any idea even close to this is categorically false. What people don't realize is that when LDS leaders are speaking to LDS members, they are focused on the message of "sanctification", "repentance" and "becoming better in Christ" and not necessarily on the initial Justification by grace and mercy, which has already happened. So, to outsiders and even some insiders, it may seem all this talk about "trying a little harder to be a little better" sounds like LDS are leaving Jesus Christ out of the equation. Again, nothing could be further from the truth.

Will and Agency
According to LDS salvation theology, the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ empowers every move of the believer. The grace and mercy and power of Christ doesn't end at the first move, but continues on until the work of purification, sanctification, and perfections is complete. The power of Jesus Christ's atonement empowers every step back into His presence, but the believer is still an active participant. God does not force his will upon us, therefore, while Christ empowers each step, the believer must choose to receive the empowerment. Man's will is our essence, our mind, our sentience. But just because man is sentience, doesn't mean he has a choice. Agency, freely given through and by Jesus Christ, gives man a choice to choose something better than a guaranteed eternal death and hell. But we still must choose.

Not a Fullness at First
What some believers are not taught well is that when a person is "Born Again" and they receive Christ through their faith, that the person does not receive the fullness of the Holy Ghost at first. Upon accepting Christ, we receive a certain portion of light and spirit which is proportional to our faith and personal righteousness at the time. While this righteousness is not the basis of our receiving the Holy Ghost at all, the fact of the matter is, the more we receive Christ, the more we align our lives with His will, the more light and spirit we will receive in our life. This is what is meant when the scriptures teach that we "do not receive a fullness at first, but grace to grace."

Remembering and Enduring
Look at it this way. Have you committed sin today? If your like me, then yes. So, ask yourself the following? How could you possibly have sinned at all if you have been "Born Again" and had become a "new creature." What did the Holy Ghost do while you were committing that sin? Was the Holy Ghost still with you while you were in the act of sinning? Where did the Holy Spirit go while you where sinning? How could you possibly sin after you have experienced the love of Jesus Christ? Is Christ's love and power and spirit not powerful enough to overcome your flesh? Isn't the power and love of Christ more powerful then whatever urges or appetites or habits you have? The answer is an obvious "YES." The issue at hand, is that after the initial Justification, and Rescue and being "Spiritually Born Again" comes the life-long process of sanctification, repentance, remembering and enduring to the end.

Spiritually Born Again
Let me clarify that LDS recognize that a sign of being Spritually Born Again doesn't mean sinlessness or perfection, but it means a deep desire and longing to be follow Christ and hope and faith that He will perfect us. Being Born Again means we wish we were perfect. Being a disciple of Christ means that we wish we could never forget, wish we never would falter, wish that we would loose all desire or disposition for evil forever.

Active Participants and Free Agents
So, how does the process of Sanctification happen and upon what conditions? First, Christ empowers each and every step. But as active participants in the process as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling", believers are expected to participate. What believers are expected to do is to choose. Christ gives us the ability to choose. He give us the choice, and then He empowers our ability to make the correct choice. But, remember, Christ makes us free, we are not slaves. Therefore, as free agents, we must make the many right choices we are given. So, as George Bush would say, knowing that Christ is the empowerer, we are still the deciderers.

Heavenly Father is Holy
The Bible clearly teaches that "No unclean thing can dwell in the Kingdom of God." God is holy, and therefore, those that dwell in His presence must also be holy and not just "called holy." So, if we realize and accept that we are not perfect at first, but that eventual perfection and sanctification is necessary, required, and possible in order to dwell in the presence of God, then we need to understand how sanctification works. And when we understand how sanctification works, then we can begin to receive, apply, and enjoy the sanctifying power of Christ's atonement right now.

The Father and the Son
Much of the doctrinal disagreement on the need for sanctification I think stems from confusion about the nature of God. When Joseph Smith received the First Vision, He saw Jesus Christ standing on the right hand of Heavenly Father. They were 2 numerically distinct persons, individuals, and beings, who are 1 God, just as Stephen witnessed prior to his martyrdom and just as Justin Martyr explained to Trypho the Jew.

Saved From Our Sins
Because Jesus Christ, the Son of Our Heavenly Father, condescended to come to Earth and associated with sinners and publicans during his life, many Christians may not believe sanctification or becoming sin free is necessary. Many believe that being "called clean" or "declared righteous" is good enough and sufficient. However, when you realize who God the Father is and who the Son Jesus Christ is, then you realize that the scriptures refer to God the Father as "The Man of Holiness" and Jesus Christ as "The Son of Man."' The scriptures teach that, because of our unholiness, Man has been separated from the presence of God the Father since the Fall in the Garden of Eden and that God the Father has not dealt directly with man since that time (not even to Joseph Smith). Therefore, just because we feel that Jesus Christ accepts us as we are, "in our sins." We must realize that the power of Christ's Atonement and His mission is for the precise purpose to "save us from our sins." Therefore, at some point, when Christ has finished His work in us, He may present us perfect, and clean, and holy, and sinless to enter into the presence of The Father forever. In this way we understand that Jesus Christ was begotten from the beginning to perfect and complete mankind, and not to complete and perfect God the Father. God the Son is not a piece or part of God that if removed would detract from the perfection or completeness of God the Father who is perfect alone.

Not All Sin From Satan
In order to return holy, purified, and sanctified into the presence of God the Father, man must become sinless. Some may think that sin is impossible in the presence of God. Some may think that with Satan cast out that there would be no more tendency at all to do evil. But this view that sin would necessarily be impossible in heaven is based on an incorrect assumption that all sin is Satan's fault. The truth is that man can sin all on His own. Think about it, if it were impossible to sin in heaven, then Lucifer could never have rebelled in heaven, and would never been able to lure a 1/3-part of the hosts of heaven to his side before being cast out.

Growing Light and Grace
So, knowing that sanctification is necessary, required, and possible in Christ, here is the process. In order to receive more power, spirit, light, and grace that empowers righteousness, you have to be fully receiving the power, spirit, light,and grace that Christ has already given you. In other words, if you want seconds, you have to finish the food that is already on your plate. And that is what growing from grace to grace is all about. And in this way, the LDS focus and the Higher and New and Everlasting Covenant which is sanctification-centered, is fully and entirely grace dependent and not at all about saving ourselves or even taking one step towards heaven without Christ. Trying a little harder to be a little better is about receiving and applying the grace and gifts that Christ has already given us. Why ask for more, if we have cast aside what we have already been given?

Why Change?
So, why do LDS bother talking about sanctification and repentance. Why do we discuss ways to avoid this or that sin, or ways to have a good attitude in doing this duty or that duty? The reason is, that while it's nice to be forgiven, sin still has very real consequences. Sin is painful, and sin hurts and injures ourselves, and others. And the reality is that we can do all the praying we want, but if we have a serious sin or habit or addiction, Jesus Christ is not going to save us from the painful consequences of that sin. In reality, it is the good news of the gospel that Christ's atonement is not just mercy to forgive us our sins, but also empower us to stop the sinning. That is the beauty of the Atonement. Christ can overcome any addiction and empower you to escape it. And only when you put that sin or addiction behind you, then the guilt, and pain, and consequences go as well.

LDS 12-Step Program
I was part of a family discussion the other night about how the LDS Church has successfully implemented and utilized the 12-Step Program" for behavior modification and overcoming addiction. LDS considered the 12-Step Program to be inspired by God. However, there is a small but very important addition that LDS give to the 12-Steps that illustrates just what I have been discussing here.

First, here is the LDS version of the 12 Steps:
1. Honesty-most sin involves lying and making excused to others and to ourselves.
2. Hope-you must believe that change is possible.
3. Trust in God-you must recognize you cannot overcome sin or do anything good without God.
4. Truth-knowing is half the battle. In all cases, when we realize God's way really is better, and that we had been missing out all this time, then we wish we had never sinned in the first place.
5. Confession-we will confess to God and to those we have injured.
6. Change of Heart-we will desire to change and be sinless.
7. Humility-we will recognize our weakness.
8. Seeking Forgiveness-we will forgive ourselves, seek forgiveness, and forgive others.
9. Restitution and Reconciliation- where possible, we will make right what we made wrong.
10. Daily Accountability- we will set goals and systems to monitor our progress daily.
11. Personal Revelation- we will seek revelation from God to know what we are to do.
12. Service- we will actively serve others and help others in the same way we have been helped.

Power of Christ's Atonement
Above are the LDS-version of the 12-Step Program. These steps are very typical to those that are presented at a typical AA meeting. These steps are also very akin to the traditional 5-steps of repentance that are routinely taught in the LDS Church which includes: Recognition, Sorrow for Sin, Confession, Restitution, and Service.

Change of Heart
Now, here is the twist I was talking about before. When you join with an AA group, it is taught that you are an alcoholic and that you will be an alcoholic forever. Therefore, according to the traditional 12-Step programs, you can never have a drop of alcohol again. Alcohol will always be a temptation for you the rest of your life, and that there is always the risk of slipping back into the addiction.

However, according to LDS Doctrine and according to personal experience, the Atonement of Jesus Christ goes further that just helping us deny ourselves of our ever-present, wicked, evil and destructive appetites and desires. According to the gospel of Jesus Christ is the promise that if we exercise faith in Christ through first applying His grace and denying ourselves, then is the great promise that Christ, through His grace and mercy, will take that desire from us completely. Jesus Christ promises us that it is possible that He can remove any disposition or desire for evil in this life. Now that is the greatest miracle of all.

Now, critics may say, that they do not know any Christian believers, that are perfect, so actually becoming sinless cannot possibly be expected. However, I do now know what the purpose of arguing this point is. Sin causes suffering and pain, and real consequences. Righteousness, on the other hand, brings joy and happiness. I cannot understand why anyone who believes Christ, would have a problem with believing that Christ's has the power to overcome our flesh and can help root out of us any addiction or sin, or bad habit, if we desire and allow Him too.

Resurrection of Just and Unjust
I think the issue here is a misunderstanding of God's time line. As I see it, Adam and Eve had nearly 1000 years to work on their sins and repentance and sanctification after the garden. For us today, we have hardly 85 years or less during a time when more wickedness exists on the Earth than at any time in Earth's history. The good news however, is the promise of the Millennium. During the Millennium, the believers in Christ are promised to be resurrected to dwell on Earth with Christ for 1000 years. During that time we are told Satan will be bound and have no power. Therefore, I look forward to this period when we can complete our sanctification and be prepared for Jesus Christ to present us and this Earth as holy to Our Heavenly Father. However, the work we allow Christ to do in us here and now, will make sure we are physically resurrected in the morning of the first resurrection clothed with glory and immortality and not resurrected with the unjust near the end after spending the majority of the Millennium in spirit prison.

Moroni 10:32-34 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.

Judge Not

2010-08-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Matt. 7: 1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Today in church our men's group discussed the teaching of Jesus Christ to "Judge Not." Now, when Christ taught this principle, He wasn't saying never judge at all. Each day is filled with necessary little judgments about right and wrong and good and bad. The kind of judgment that Christ is referring to here is the judgment of others and whether they are deserving of our love, kindness, attention, and forgiveness.

In other places in scripture, Paul talks about righteous judgment in a different context. In a nutshell, those who are to judge are only those acting in the name and authority of God like the Bishop who acts as a high priest in determining ritual purity to participate in the ordinances of the gospel like Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Bishop, as a Judge in Israel, may also specify the conditions of repentance and purification. (1 Cor 6:2-5; 1 Cor 11: 31)

Christ taught that if we wish to be forgiven, then me must be willing to forgive others their trespasses against us up to seven times seventy. However, many times we may fall into the trap of prejudice and justify our judgment of others for several reasons:

1. We claim that we judge ourselves to the same rigorous standard and expect that everyone should live to the same high standard.
2. We forget that more often than not we judge other based on their performance, but we judge ourselves based on our intent.
3. We think that heaping upon another person a lot of criticism and guilt, that all that negativity will help them improve and change.

The truth is that we need to remember that it is the Holy Ghost which inspires and empowers people to change and improve. This process is called "Sanctification" in the scriptures. While being careful not to be an enabler, I have found that most people are sufficiently suffering the consequences of their sins all on their own without my needing to pile on. Instead of criticism, what people really need is encouragement, support, and love to try harder, and to do better. We need to help others feel our love, and the Holy Spirit, because only the Holy Ghost can empower someone to change.

In reality, we all are sinners and none of us deserve the presence of the Holy Ghost based on our own merits. However, through the good news of the gospel, the atonement of Christ made it possible that each of us could be justified of our sins, have Christ's righteousness imputed to us, and receive the Holy Ghost based on His righteousness. That said, as the Holy Ghost strives with us, He will always empower us to change, repent, and improve.

That said, we need to realize that all of us are on different spiritual levels. While one person may have been sanctified and was empowered by the Holy Ghost to completely forsake sin in one area, that doesn't necessarily mean his neighbor has arrived at the same point in their spiritual progression, or even that the Holy Ghost is necessarily working with them in that area. It could be the Holy Ghost is continuing to strive with them in their current spiritual state and sins just fine. However, because you have already progressed in that area, if you were too sin like your neighbor the Holy Ghost would be even more grieved.

Again, we should not forget, the better we can align our lives with the will of God, and the better we can live the commandments, the more light, and joy, and spirit we will enjoy. However, we should also remember that in comparison to God's spiritual plane, when it comes to you and your neighbor, in God's eyes you are both just spiritual children. As a parent, I am reminded of this lesson any time my 6 year-old brags that she is better than the 4-year-old.

Lastly, while we are commanded not to judge. We need not endanger ourselves by putting ourselves in dangerous situations especially while someone is in the act of sin. We can follow the example of the Holy Ghost that is withdrawn for any sin. Also, according to 1 Cor 5:11, the Bishop is instructed to disfellowship members for certain severe unrepentant sins such as: fornication, covetness, idolatry, railing, drunkenness, and extortion. In the case of continual unrepentant sin, the Bible instructs us to pray for them.

Temple Blessings

2010-08-10T16:45:00.001-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by the Prophet and 12 Apostles just like the Church of Jesus Christ in the days of the original Apostles. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, wrote in the Ensign about the purpose and blessings of the temple.

Just as the Jewish Temple differed from the Jewish Synagogue, the Restored LDS Temple differs from the LDS Chapel. President Uchtdorf related his first time attending the temple at the age of 16. He grew up in Communist-controlled East Germany at the time and it was a (then) rare opportunity to have travel papers approved to travel to the nearest LDS temple in Switzerland. President Uchtdorf related how he would never forget the feelings he had as he and his family surrounded the temple alter and received the wonderful priesthood promise that his family would be together in this life and in the next--Together Forever.

President Uchtdorf made some other interesting observations. He said that crossing national boarders to receive temple blessings was analogous to how the temple has the power to cross the boundaries of death and eternity to seal families together forever. He said that even if our circumstances do not allow us to attend the temple, members of the church should live worthy to hold a current temple recommend. President Uchtdorf said that the temple and people keeping and living the covenants of the temple is God's way of spreading righteousness, peace, and His Kingdom on the Earth.

“Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed … lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.” --President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency

Fight, Flee or Take the Blows

2010-07-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

In the Last Days we are promised much redemptive turbulence associated with the Tribulation and Wrath. However, knowing what to expect and anticipating the events doesn't necessarily help us know what to do in response. The Book of Mormon is a type of the Last Days and we are promised that Secret Combinations exist now all around us. Scripture warns that men sometimes collude together to murder, rob, and plunder and get off if tried in court (see 3 Nephi 5-7, Mormon 8 and Ether 8). The result of conspiracy in the Book of Mormon was that the entire government collapsed and Jesus Christ warned us in 3 Nephi 20,21 that the same thing would happen to us if we didn't repent. Considering this warning, I think I can understand why the "Constitution will hang by a thread" story we so often hear is considered a myth.

However, knowing that adversity may come doesn't help us know how to respond to these tribulations. In the Book of Mormon the prophets led the people in a variety of responses. In some cased the people were commanded to lift up their swords in defense of their liberties. In 2 other instances a great military general Teancum stealthed over to the enemy side and assassinated the opposing forces leader. In other cases the people prostrated themselves before their enemies and submitted to genocide. In still other cases, the people tried the virtue of the word of God which we are told "had a more powerful effect on the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else that happened unto them." In the case of Moronihah the son of Captain Moroni, after losing all of their land to the Lamanites they fought and regained 1/2 of it back then sent in missionaries, converted the Lamanites who gave back the rest of the Nephite lands voluntarily.

Val Johnson in the July Ensign wrote about the issue of knowing how the Lord would want us to respond when facing persecution or tribulation. Bro Johnson cited the instruction in the Doctrine and Covenants 98. Bro Johnson wrote, "1833 the Church was facing intense persecution, especially in Missouri. In defense of their lives, Church members took up arms. At that point, the Lord revealed section 98. In it, He taught them to forbear—within limits. They had a right to defend themselves, but if they refrained, He would reward them. If the offenders sought forgiveness, the Saints were to forgive “seventy times seven” (verse 40). As for going to battle, they were to first sue for peace and engage only if the Lord commanded it."

In the coming times of trouble, I expect the people of the LDS church to face great persecutions and tribulations. Joseph Smith warned us that the LDS people would not necessarily be temporally immune from everything that would happen. Therefore, if the time were ever to come when the LDS people face great adversity, I expect to meet adversity with patience and longsuffering, looking to the Leadership of the LDS Church to know when and how to respond otherwise.

Interestingly, reactively fighting back is usually the worst thing to do. Mormon who was a great military strategist has told us that Lachoneus did not reflexively attack the dug-in Gadiaton Robbers. Instead, Lachoneus gathered all his people in the center of the land, consolidated resources and made the enemy come to them. In this way they met their enemies on their terms.

Multiple Personality Disorder

2010-07-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

Todd Hansen in the July Issue of the Ensign gave some recommendations on how to be spiritually safe while traveling alone away from our families. Thankfully, I never have to travel for my job. However, the last point Bro. Hansen made was about the harm of maintaining multiple identities. While reading this article, I had the following thoughts:

Nazi Germany experimented with terrible brainwashing and mind control experiments. These experiments involved torture, abuse, drugs, and hypnosis to fracture the personality into parts. Horrifyingly, this perverse conditioning and abuse can begin even before birth. The mind, in order to cope with the psychological and physical abuse, fractures into different personalities in order to store traumatic memory in an alternate personality that can then be repressed after the abuse stops. When these German scientists were brought over to the US via Operation Paperclip, the CIA continued these evil brainwashing practices which are referred to as the MK-Ultra and Monarch Programs.

MK-Ultra is depicted in movies like Manchurian Candidate and Bourne Identity. Using multiple personalities, a handler can activate the alternate personality and then instruct the asset to kill, steal, or perform some act of terrorism. When the task is complete, the alternate personality and all associated memories are repressed. The victim becomes amnestic to everything that happened while the alternate personality was active. This becomes important if the CIA asset were ever caught. Monarch programing has to do with the sexual exploitation, abuse and training young girls and boys. Boys Town, NE, Finishing Schools, and Child Protective Services has served to supply victims.

While all this seems absolutely revolting, I wonder if some of us live divided lives just as tortured as victims of these mind control programs? Many of us who attend church on Sunday and spend time with our families during the day but then partake of the sins of pornography, drug use, and video games every night can be even more psychologically, and spiritually sick than an MK-Ultra or Monarch victim.

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 17. said, “Danger lurks when we divide ourselves with expressions such as ‘my private life,’ ‘my professional life,’ or even ‘my best behavior.’ Living life in separate compartments can lead to internal conflict and exhausting tension. … Inner peace comes only as we maintain the integrity of truth in all aspects of our lives. When we covenant to follow the Lord and obey His commandments, we accept His standards in every thought, action, and deed."

Trumpets and Spirals at the World Cup

2010-07-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

The following is not LDS Doctrine:

Elder Bednar told us to listen for the sound of the trumpet. Anyone notice the prominent sound of trumpets at the World Cup and all the spirals in the graphics. The spiral kudu horn or vuvuzela is an instrument used in South African religious rituals. The sounding of trumpets can signify warning and spirals can signify chaos. There is some vigilant watchfulness concerning 7/11/2010 which is the date of the World Cup finals. Read about it at http://brainbender.blogspot.com

What About UFO's and ET's?

2010-07-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

D&C 130:5 there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.

Never mind CoasttoCoastAM with Art Bell, there has been some bizarre talk on Larry King Live featuring Buzz Aldrin and other other astronauts and airline pilots concerning trans-dimensional UFO's and ET's. Even more surprising has been several official statements made by the Vatican saying belief in UFO's and ET's is real and not demonic nor psychopathic and that ET's are our brothers and that they may be spiritually superior to us as they are not subject to the Fall.

"in the May, 2008, statement by the director of The Vatican Observatory (Specola Astronomica Vaticana), the Rev. Jose Funes. This priest publicly announced a long-held Vatican position that it's okay for Catholics to believe in UFO and Aliens from other worlds."

While LDS know that life does exist on countless other worlds, the Lord Jesus Christ was very clear to Joseph Smith on this issue. In the Doctrine and Covenants 130:5 Christ tells Joseph Smith he would never send and angel, servant or minister to this Earth that doesn't belong to this Earth. God is a God of order and having ETs suddenly arrive from Orion's Belt or Sirius and tell us that they produced the "Nephalim" and Jesus Christ and that our bodies are just vehicles for our spirit and that our physical reality is not really real is 1. not true 2. not according to the order that God has established.

If your interested in what kind of advanced propulsion systems the US has been hiding since the 1950s then look up info on French astrophysicist and engineer Jean-Pierre Petit who made huge discoveries in the fields of magnetohydrodynamics and magnetoplasmadynamics.

What About 2012?

2010-07-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

My wife's uncle is Dr. Alan Christiansen who is a professor specializing in Mayan Art History at BYU. He is the translator of the current scholarly and academically accepted version of the Mayan Popol Vuh. Dr. Christiansen served an LDS mission in Guatemala and speaks fluent modern Mayan. He translates for LDS General Conference and can read ancient Mayan hieroglyphics like he was reading a newspaper. He has also been featured in several National Geographic articles and documentaries. According to Dr. Christiansen, there is nothing in the Popol Vuh or the Mayan Long Count Calendar to suggest the ancient Maya foresaw anything or were predicting anything in Winter Solstice 2012.

If you read my previous post which quotes a General Conference talk by President Ivins in 1931. At that time our occult/globalist/zeitgeist/anti-Zionist friends were telling us the same thing. At that time, they were telling us that the hieroglyphics in the Great Pyramid in Egypt were predicting the Great Depression. This Egyptian prediction claim was a hoax. Yet, the Great Depression did happen, but it wasn't because the ancient Egyptians knew about it.

Ben Bernanke spoke at Milton Friedman's (Nobel Laureate in Economics) 90th birthday and told him in essence 'Milt and Anna, for years you have been saying the FED caused the Great Depression because we contracted the money supply (as opposed to Protectionist policy via the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act). "You're right, we did it. We're very sorry. But thanks to you, we won't do it again."

Unfortunately, they did do it again when the FED stopped releasing M3 data in 2006 and then oversaw the constriction of the money supply via the implementation of the International Monetary Fund/World Bank/Bank of International Settlement Basel II Accords in 2007. I case you are tempted to think our money masters didn't know better, the Basel I Accords of 1988 bankrupted Japan.

Well, it seems that our New Age/Age of Aquarius friends are playing the same game they played preceding the Great Depression. Our Alchemist/Zeitgeist/Mystery Babylon/Invisible College/Illuminati/Order of Malta/Shriner/Scottish Rite/Rosicrucian/Orangemen/Venetian Black Nobility/Hermetic/Ordo Templi Orientis/Skull and Bones friends are telling us some crazy stuff is going to happen leading up to 2012. I am not going to go into all of it, but whatever tribulation happens, just be sure it is not because the Egyptians or Mayans foretold it.

That said, the Book of Mormon does tell us that the movement of the planets does testify that there is a God. So, the issue of the "Progression of the Equinoxes" and the Earth aligning with and crossing the galactic plane cannot be discounted. I am not saying nothing will happen on 2012. What I am saying is stuff is happening now, and will happen but I am of the opinion that like 1931, the 7 trumpets of the tribulation where calamities by man upon their fellow man made to simulate end of the world events. Then, following the 7 trumpets of the tribulation, come the 7 vials of wrath that represent real acts of God and God's vengeance upon the wicked.

Alma 30:44 all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and it's motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

I am sure all LDS are aware the President Gordon B. Hinkley warned us 8 years ago to get our houses in order just as President Ivins did in 1931. President Hinkley referred to the vision of the Phoaroah interpreted by Joseph who saw the 7 years of plenty followed by the 7 years of famine. President Hinkley told us back then that "portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed." He then talked about getting out of debt and spoke of the reactionary nature of world financial markets.

What exactly are the globalist/new world order/anti-Zionist/anti-American/elites planning and what exactly is going to happen? I am not sure. I am sure it won't be any sort of economic recovery any time soon. Therefore, according to the prophets and Apostles we need to 1. Get out of debt 2. Beware of Anger 3. Act and don't be acted upon (globalist plans, like chess, rely on predictable reactions by their opponents. They are also playing Good Cop/Bad Cop so beware what seems to be the Good Cops) 4. Secure a year supply of food 5. Put together a 72-hour kit for evacuation. 6. Follow the Prophet. 7. Let the Holy Spirit guide.

The instruction from President Ivins in 1931 LDS General Conference applies today:
"Just be calm and turn to the Lord. It is not the result of any occurrence of the immediate past. We have been gradually drifting toward it for years and years, and personally I have known that it would come, and I bore witness of it from this stand to the people a year ago. I applied it to my own affairs. I pleaded with the people to put their houses in order and get out of debt, for I knew this was coming, because God himself through his Only Begotten Son had declared it.

There is nothing that men can do, nothing that we can do that will avert the fulfilment of those sayings, and it is not the design of our Father in heaven at all either. It is simply the result of our own lack of wisdom, of our own disposition to he selfish, of the accumulation of the wealth of the country in the hands of a few men which prevents its equal distribution among the masses.

Now, my brethren and sisters, if the Church has anything to say to you it will come from them direct and not from the writings of other men. It will come to you in a manner that you will understand it. It will not be speculative. It will come to you philosophically, truthfully and governed by common sense."

1931 LDS Conference and the "Progession of the Equinoxes"

2010-06-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

President Anthony W. Ivins, First Counselor in the First Presidency. Conference Report, October 1931, p.87-94

My brethren and sisters, I stand before you this morning in humility and humbly ask that during the few moments of time I expect to occupy I may have your sympathy, the support of your faith, and the help of the Lord, that I may clearly outline to you the thoughts which I have in my mind.

I am going to read from the book of Isaiah, 19th chapter, 19th and 20th verses:

"In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord.

"And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them."

REFERS TO BOOK

I have read this scripture, my brethren and sisters, as a basis for the brief remarks that I expect to make in regard to a matter that has caused more or less discussion among members of the Church because of the recent publication of this small book which I hold in my hand. The title of the book is "Our Bible in Stone." The author is Francis M. Darter of Los Angeles, a member of the Church, in good standing, an experienced engineer and a mathematician of ability.

It treats principally the erection, symbolism and prophetic character of the pyramid of Gizeh, or in Greek, Cheops. Various other applications so far as the name is concerned have been applied to this structure. Because of its superiority over all other like structures it has come to be known and referred to as the Great Pyramid of Gizeh.

SITUATED IN EGYPT

The Great Pyramid of Gizeh is situated in Egypt, about ten miles west of the city of Cairo, and one hundred and twenty-five miles south from the city of Alexandria, which was founded by Alexander the Great 332 B. C. It is bounded on the west by the Libyan desert, and is therefore in the borders of the land. It is one of a group of nine other similar structures, which are known as the Pyramids of Gizeh.

It is a noteworthy fact that while many pyramids are found in Egypt, none is known to exist in other parts of the world except in America, where many such structures are known to have been erected, but no other pyramids can be compared with the unusual structure to which my remarks are to be confined.

The orientation of the great pile, as it applies to the points of the compass, and the accuracy with which its proportions are related one to the other, are a marvel to those who have made a study of it.

GOVERNED BY STARS

The relationship of the Pyramid to modern mathematics, by which scholars have endeavored to fix the date of its construction, indicates that in its erection the builders were familiar with and governed largely by the movement of the heavenly bodies, which science the moderns refer to as astronomy.

Sir John Herschel, from astronomical calculation, places the construction of the Pyramid at 2160 B. C., and Professor Piazza Smyth at 2170 B. C. Basil Stewart, in his recently published book, "The Witness of the Great Pyramid," after a careful study of the application of astronomy in its construction, says:

"The Great Pyramid therefore may be considered the earliest known record in existence wherein is embodied the fact of the immense cycle known as the precession of the equinoxes."
OF GREAT MAGNITUDE

The magnitude of the structure may be best understood by comparing it with something with which we are familiar. The area covered by the base of the structure is in excess of thirteen acres, or three acres larger than the block upon which this building stands, which is ten acres. The height of the Pyramid is 485 feet above the base, or more than twice the height of the temple to the east of us. The bulk of the building is more than ninety million cubic feet, and sufficient stone was used in its construction to build a wall four feet high and two feet thick, twenty-two hundred miles in length, or which would reach from Chicago to San Francisco.

THE BUILDERS

Who were the builders of the Pyramid no one knows. Khufu (Cheops, in Greek) is given credit for having been the builder. This personage has been identified by some students as Seth, the son of Adam: others give Enoch, the son of Jared, credit for having been the builder: others Shem, the Son of Noah; while some believe that Melchizedek, that mysterious personage to whom Abraham paid tithes, and whom some of these scholars identify as the Patriarch Job, was the person who constructed it.

Herodotus, who lived nearly five hundred years before the birth of Christ, and who is referred to as the father of history, knew of the existence of the Great Pyramid, and wrote concerning it. He says that the Egyptians detested the memory of the kings who caused their fathers to erect these structures, and besides compelled them to close their own temples, and for this reason they were not willing to mention their names, but called the two first pyramids erected after Philition, a shepherd who fed his cattle about the place.

Manetho, himself an Egyptian, wrote as follows:

"There came from the east, in a strange manner, men of an ignoble race, who had the confidence to invade our country, and easily subdued it by their power without a battle. All this invading nation was styled Hyksos, that is, 'Shepherd Kings'."

He then relates how they departed for Judea and built a city there named Jerusalem. This he says was long before the exodus of the Israelitish people from Egypt under Moses.

OLD THEORY CHALLENGED

It is known that Hyksos, or Shepherd Kings, dominated Egypt at the time that Jacob and his family went into that country, during the period when Joseph ruled as vice regent of the reigning Pharaoh, and it was among this people that Joseph chose his wife, Asenath, who became the mother of his sons Ephraim and Manasseh.

The first definite suggestion that the Great Pyramid was other than the tomb of a king, or other merely temporal monument, was in a work written by John Taylor in London in 1859. He conceived the idea that it was a divinely planned and constructed monument, designed to be a witness to the human race, showing in advance the history of mankind from the creation to the period of the second coming of our Lord, who would establish dominion over the earth upon which we dwell and usher in a reign of righteousness and peace.

At a later date C. Piazza Smyth, astronomer royal of Scotland, wrote upon the subject, agreeing with the conclusions reached by Taylor. Sir W. M. Flinders Petrie, Professor John Edgar, D. Davidson, Joseph A. Seiss, Sir John Herschel, Basil Stewart and many other scholarly men, after making a study of the subject, became advocates of the theory advanced by Taylor, that the Great Pyramid has something more than human in its construction and symbolism.

THE INTERIOR

For ages after its construction the interior of the Great Pyramid remained a sealed mystery. Obsessed with the belief that within the great pile hordes of treasure had been concealed, men finally determined to penetrate and explore it. A tunnel was driven into the structure far towards the center, but the work was so difficult that it was about to be discontinued when the workmen unexpectedly broke into the passageway, and the mystery was solved.

Nothing was found to indicate that the Pyramid had been constructed to be the tomb of a king, as was usually the case with the smaller structures of like architecture. It was discovered that the original builders had constructed a series of passages or galleries in the interior of the Pyramid, the entrance to which had been concealed and so strongly closed that it became necessary to blast around it in order that entrance might be made possible. This entrance is on the north side of the structure, and the first gallery or passage descends from the opening at an angle of about twenty-six degrees to a point far below the floor of the Pyramid into the solid rock upon which it stands, where it terminates in a chamber which is called the Pit.

A short distance from the entrance, at the same angle, another passageway leads upward and communicates with two other chambers, one referred to as the Queen's Chamber near the center and the other higher up, as the King's Chamber.

CONCLUSIONS OF SCHOLARS

It is the accuracy with which-these galleries are constructed and certain markings and steps which are placed at intervals along the way, that have convinced scholars who have made careful study of the subject that the Pyramid was intended by its builders to represent the history of our race, as has been stated, from the remote past to the time of the second coming of our Lord.

Discussion of the symbolism of the Great Pyramid is not a new thing in the Church. I well remember that Orson Pratt, during his lifetime, lectured on the subject and made mathematical calculations by which he reached the conclusion that certain measurements of the galleries and markings which were upon them had reference to the opening of the Gospel dispensation in which we live, and the final consummation of the purposes of our Father in heaven by which peace would come to the world and happiness to mankind.

I remember also that his calculations brought conclusions which differed from others who had made a study of the subject, but were in the main the same. Soon after the World War students of the Pyramid announced that according to their theory, and it is only a theory, the year 1928 would witness the beginning of a period of tribulation which would continue with increasing intensity until 1936, and would bring sorrow and mourning to the inhabitants of the earth. At that date their symbols and measurements bring us to the King's Chamber, and the record of the Pyramid, if it has a record, will cease with the advent of our Lord and the establishment of a period of peace, happiness and good will among men.

QUESTIONS CONCLUSIONS

The Church has not at any time, nor does it now, accept the conclusions of pyramid students to be definitely correct. In fact there is great doubt that the arbitrary basis upon which their calculations and conclusions are founded is correct.

I do not wish to be understood to say that they are in error. Neither do I say that they are correct. But this much I desire to declare to this congregation: While I have not given profound study to the theories of men regarding the origin and symbolism of this miracle in stone, I have read and studied it in a general way and have found nothing in it to convince me that the record of the Great Pyramid definitely forecasts coming events.

OTHER SOURCES

The Church does not depend upon Pyramids of Gizeh nor the conclusions of scientific investigators, however helpful they may sometimes be in the study of these questions, for an interpretation of the scripture which refers to the return of Christ our Lord to earth and the millennium of peace and good-will which is to be enjoyed trader his personal administration.

We believe in the literal gathering of the house of Israel, that Judah and Benjamin will he united with Ephraim and the ten tribes from whom they have been separated since the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon: that Zion will be built upon this continent; that Christ our Lord will reign personally among his people; and that the earth will be restored to its paradisaical glory.

This declaration of our faith is based upon the words of our Lord as they are contained in the Bible, and have come to us through modern revelation.

PRECEDING HIS SECOND COMING

As Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately, saying:

"Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world ?"

Our Lord warned them to take heed lest they be deceived. He told them that preceding the time of his coming there would be a period when war would prevail throughout the world; that nation would rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and that there would be famine and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places; that those who believed in him would suffer persecution, and that tribulation such as had never before been known would be experienced. But he assured them that those who had faith to endure to the end would be saved.

He told them that before his coming the Gospel which he taught would be restored to earth and preached among all people, as a witness, before the end should come. And then he said, "shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven *** and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

At the time of his ascension, when the cloud received him, as his disciples gazed in wonder and astonishment, two men in white apparel appeared and said:

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

The affirmation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ and the further fact that he would at a subsequent period of time return to earth to assume control over its affairs and usher in a millennium of peace are so definitely attested that no real believer in the Bible can deny them.

EXACT TIME NOT REVEALED

Conditions which would prevail prior to his glorious appearance are definitely stated, but the exact time when he shall appear has not been revealed. He himself says, referring to the time of his glorious appearance: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."

He does tell us that he will come in an hour when we expect him not and warns us that we must always be prepared to meet him. He warns us further that if at that time we are found oppressing our brethren and eating and drinking with the drunken he will cut us off, root and branch, which will cause weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

THE AUTHOR'S OWN VIEWS

Now, my brethren and sisters, I have referred to this little book and its contents as I desire that you might understand. It will undoubtedly go into the mission field and our Elders amy make use of it. I simply want to warn you against sensationalism of any kind.

While the author, as I have stated, is a member of the Church in full standing, this work goes out as his own views. I do not wish to deprecate the amount of work he must have applied in the preparation of this book, in the study of the scriptures, and in the preparation of the charts which are contained in it. I do not say that his conclusions are wrong, but I do say that they do not come to us as the voice of the Church, nor are they to be accepted as such.

TROUBLES FORECAST

Brother J. Golden Kimball told us yesterday that he was a great believer in dreams that come true. I am reminded of the fact that immediately after the close of the World War these students of the Pyramids announced and published it that according to their measurements and calculations there would begin in the year 1928 a period which would bring tribulation and sorrow to the people of the world: that they would be required to humble themselves before the Lord, and that that period of tribulation would continue until the year 1936. This was based entirely upon the measurement of the galleries and the steps that are in the Pyramids.

We all know that a part of this dream at least has come true. Men come to us and tell us that there is no depression; that it is only our imagination. It is true that we are surrounded by plenty, but in the midst of plenty many are in want. Such talk to me is sheer nonsense. My father-in-law, Erastus Snow, used to say that such statements reminded him of a man trying to hold himself up by his own bootstraps. When Great Britain who has stood in the ages past as a financial master of the world sends out cries for financial help; when Germany who stands in the very forefront of the nations of the world in intellectual development in music, in chemistry, in mechanism, sends out calls for help, and is on the very verge of dissolution and anarchy, it is obvious that there is something wrong.

TRIBULATIONS EVIDENT

When our own government is wrestling with problems which they hardly know how to control, but are doing their very best to meet them: when banking establishments are going down like block-houses, and hundreds of millions of dollars of the savings of poor people are being lost to them because of these failures, it appears obvious to me that we are passing through a time of tribulation. I believe it is better at any rate that we should think so. I agree with the Governor of our state in his declaration that we are in a period which requires our most careful attention and our best efforts to avert. If there are those who do not believe it they will find it out before we are through with it.

DEFENDS BANKS

While I am on my feet I want to say one thing: This condition naturally brings trouble to banking institutions, and men are referring to banks as heartless usurers. Banks are not money-lenders alone, they are the custodians of the funds of the people. They do not tend their own money, they lend the money of the widow and the orphan and the fatherless which has been entrusted to them. They make investment of it that it may bring returns to these people who so greatly need it, and it is their sacred duty to preserve those funds to save them from loss. When men go to banks and borrow money they must do it with the expectation that they are to pay it back. It is not their money, it is not the money of the bank: it is the money of the people. And so when banks are careful to preserve their resources and to keep them liquid, so they can meet the demands that are made upon them, they should be complimented and not found fault with.

This brings me right back to another thing that the Redeemer said. He told us you know, that there would be weeping and wailing among the merchants--or the prophet told us that--because there would be no one to buy their merchandise. We have very nearly lived to see that. He told us that it will be the same with the giver of usury as it is with the taker of usury from him. This is not a condition which affects one class of our citizens only, it affects men from the wealthy of our country to those who are in the most humble circumstances.

Well, now, my brethren and sisters, what about it all ?

TRUST THE LORD

Just be calm and turn to the Lord. It is not the result of any occurrence of the immediate past. We have been gradually drifting toward it for years and years, and personally I have known that it would come, and I bore witness of it from this stand to the people a year ago. I applied it to my own affairs. I pleaded with the people to put their houses in order and get out of debt, for I knew this was coming, because God himself through his Only Begotten Son had declared it.

There is nothing that men can do, nothing that we can do that will avert the fulfilment of those sayings, and it is not the design of our Father in heaven at all either. It is simply the result of our own lack of wisdom, of our own disposition to he selfish, of the accumulation of the wealth of the country in the hands of a few men which prevents its equal distribution among the masses.

Now, my brethren and sisters, if the Church has anything to say to you it will come from them direct and not from the writings of other men. It will come to you in a manner that you will understand it. It will not be speculative. It will come to you philosophically, truthfully and governed by common sense.

God bless you, is my humble prayer, through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Daniel 11: King of the North and South

2010-06-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Daniel 11 speaks about Alexander the Greats (goat with single horn) conquest of the Medes and Persians (Iraq and Iran). The military success of Alexander the Great brought about the fall of the Persian Empire and the rise of the Greek Empire. However after the death of Alexander the Great, the Greek Empire didn't hold together and was immediately subdivided into 4 parts. The principal players in the divided Greek Empire were the Selucius who controled the Northern part and Ptolemy who controlled the South. In the decades that followed, the Kings of the North and South seemed to have neverending battles, conflict, and territorial disputes. The reason Daniel bothered to tell us about all these details which inolve famous persons such as Beatrice, Mark Antony, Ckeapatra ending with Herod the Great was because every time the King of the North and South had a squabble, it seemed Jerusalem and Israel were continually the site of the conflict.

In the Last Days a king of the North and South may also again find fulfillment. A divided United States would create such a scenario that Depicted in the TV Series "Jericho" when the conflict between the King of the North and South seemed to consistently negatively affect the people of Jericho, KS. In a sililar light, a division of the US following the creation of the North American Union, may create another Daniel 11 where a king of the North and South wage and endless war with Utah and Western Missouri serving as battleground states.

1 Thing I Would Change

2010-06-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

1. No more usury(interest) and fractional reserve banking. The Bible clearly teaches that "thou shalt not charge usury of thy brother". So many of us allow this evil practice hoping that one day we may be the collectors of usury instead of the payees. We learn right after the Fall that men are to Eat their bread by the sweat of their face all the days of their life. Usury is a way the wealthy can eat their bread off the labors of others. Our enabling of Usury has allowed the agents of Satan to get the gold they use to control, oppress and destroy the Earth.

Lending and borrowing policy affects the process of invention as well. Securing a patent and intellectual property is protected in the Constitution so that an inventor will put in the investment and labor needed up front knowing he will be rewarded later. It also encourages disclosure. However, there still can be a problem with finding initial investment. Because wealth is concentrated in the hands of so few, many technologies have been suppressed.

This problem of initial investment argument is based on the problem of usury and unfair banking and lending practices. If banks didn't charge usury and people with good ideas could get all the money they could need to develop an idea, new discoveries would immediately be available to everyone. And I predict learning and technological advancement would skyrocket. Innovators and inventors could make money other ways by consulting, or franchising thier new processes and products so that other craftsmen or tradesmen could offer the same innovation in their market.

Act and Not Be Acted Upon

2010-06-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

The following is not necessarily LDS Doctrine:

Elder Bednar in April Conference warned the Saints about conspiring men in the Last Days and that if we would read and bare testimony of the Book of Mormon and learn to act and not be acted upon we would be like watchman upon the tower being enabled to see afar off and hear the sound of the trumpet. In regards to trumpets, there is currently a reason to be watchfully vigilant. So, in the spirit of hearing trumpets and vigilant watchfulness, I want to discuss the following:

According to a bizzare series of 5 slideshows at the website at the UK Telegraph entitled Operation Blackjack a warning of an immenent terrorist threat may be announced tomarrow (June 21, 2010 12:00 GMT). The series of 5 slideshows depict nuclear bombs being detonated in several US cities along with Mexico City, London, Washinton DC, Toronto, and Los Angeles. According to the slideshow MI5 the British Counter Intelligence Agency will increase their threat level to Critical and should release info to the public to vacate large cities. At the same time, local, state and federal law inforcement will start rounding up supposed suspected terrorists. Despite this action, the bombs go off starting in London at 8:03am and subsequent detonations occur at the same time in each time zone at 8:03am on June 22, 2010.

In response, rioting ensues, Martial Law is imposed upon the US, and the sovergnity of the US as well as the US Constitution is lost as a new North American Union is put together to deal with the chaos created by the attack. If you were not aware, all the plans for the North American Union have been drafted and signed into law by President Bush. These series of Executive Orders are known as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. Officials from the US, Mexico and Canada have ironed out all the policies over the last few years. There has been no SPP summit scheduled for 2010 because this is the year when these executive orders will be implimented and inforced.

According to the Operation Blackjack scenario, citizens will be issued micro-chipped national ID cards and will be subject to manditory vaccinations. Eventually all citizens will be required to receive the implantable RFID VeriChip. The new capital of the NAU will be Denver from the underground military complex which was built under the airport.

Pesident Obama warned us earlier this year at the UN nuclear summit about nuclear bombs being detonated in US cities. He called this our number one security threat. Accordingly FEMA has been preparing for this scenario by conducting drills like NLE2010 which simulated the response to a nuclear detonation in Los Angeles. The US Military have practiced for this scenario via Operation Ardent Sentry 09 and 10. Local and State authorities in Chicago have had similar drills. Additionally, FEMA has purchased millions of body bags, plastic coffins, and has finished several mass graveyards in Houston, Phoenix, Southern California and Indiana. While Chicago is not listed as a target city in Operation Blackjack there is some concern it may be included in the real life terrorist act.

Next year, according to the Operation Blackjack slideshow, the goverment is expecting large demonstrations protesting the NAU and the in favor of preserving the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Many protesters will be rounded up and sent to FEMA forced labor camps.
Then at some point after a failed bombing attempt, nuclear forensics will finally discover the the bombings were not from domestic terrorist groups in league with Iran and China, but that the components of the bomb are American made. Then at that point, there will be a civil war of sorts and the NAU will divide up into 2 or 4 pieces potentially creating a King of the North and King of the South situation that would divide Utah and the US politically similar to the political situation described in Daniel 11.

If bombs do go off starting with London on June 22, 2010 at 8:03 GMT which is 4 am PDT on the East Cost, then according to the Operation Blackjack Senario there will be a swift, decicive and horrible nuclear response upon Iran, China and whomever else is implicated. This is very unfortunate because there are so many freedom loving people in China and Iran that will be targeted in a revenge attack. And if that revenge attack occurs, the question is what the response of Russia and China will be. Operation Blackjack doesn't mention a WW3 scenario as a consequence nor does it mention a nuclear counterattack from Russia.

There is also a concern about the release and emergance of diseases during this time. Elder Oaks gave a talk forewarning us that worthy priesthood holders would be needed. President Taylor in his Vision of Destruction and Horseshoe Prophecy commented about the conditions in Salt Lake and the power of the priesthood which would be be needed to keep disease from raging uncontrollably.

According to another person who is watching these events unfold, he describes the situation like this:
I donno about you but I take that as a warning, and there are so many more symbolic things shown in these pictures, like the UNA (Union of North America), the Amero, to replace the dollar, and all the chaos that will be caused resulting in Martial Law and more loss of freedoms. And all of this is being done by design, that they, the Elite, planned on purpose. It's called Problem, Reaction, Solution. They create the problem, the people react they way the expect, and then they offer their solution that normally would not be accepted but because of the circumstances the people will practically beg for it. And it will result in more control for them and less freedoms for us.

Therefore, to preserve our freedom, our rights, our constitution, and our Constitution we need to act according to correct principle not simply react according to fear and uncontrolled emotion. Therefore, in my opinion, we need to take any potential warning tomarrow very seriously. If the MI5 threat level goes to critical tonight (12pm GMT) we should all have our 72hr kits and should be able to evacuate from major population centers. Following the crisis, we can act in civil ways to show our support for the constitution preventing our being rounded up by UNA or FEMA troops and sent away to a work camp. We can also be ready to listen and respond with exactness to any and all counsel we receive from our prophet President Monson and the Quorem of the Twelve Apostles.

Hopefully this whole thing is just a sick joke. However, unlike Y2K the convergence of so many details including, predictive programming in the media, and occult numerology (which the anti-Zionist conspiracy uses) suggests otherwise. You can view the Operation Blackjack slideshow for yourself. Even though the caption says the whole thing is fiction, codes and ciphers within the slideshow say otherwise. The first cipher reads: "this is not entertainment".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/4220575/Blackjack.html

P.S.if the night skys happen to be red like an aurora it is a manmade unfocused exicition of the ionophere by HAARP and not solar despite what NASA may claim or your astrologer. The vision of the "night of the red sky vision" by an Apache wiseman is manmade as it exibits many major occultic characteristics: 1. Received in a cave 2. Speaks of man as a cancer upon the Earth 3. Does not strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

http://tremen.dous.org/vision/item/4

Daniel, Medes and Persians

2010-06-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

This post is moved to http://brainbender.blogspot.com

Beware of Anger

2010-06-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

The Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. spoke in Oct Conference in 2009 that we should beware of anger. Pres. Monson said he was watching the news and was impressed by the spirit that the message of many of the stories was designed to incite anger in the people. He then warned us to "school our feelings" and to beware of anger. Pres. Monson reminded us of several scriptures that warn us of anger:

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Eph 4:26 Can ye be angry, and not sin? let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

3 Nephi 11:28-30 “There shall be no disputations among you. … For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.”

Pres. Monson added his own prophetic words saying, "Anger, Satan’s tool, is destructive in so many ways. . . To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice. If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry. I testify that such is possible."

Stop Giving Satan the Gold

2010-06-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

The Following is not LDS Doctrine:

In my opinion, our current economic banking, lending and monetary system violates the Constiution and is bankrupting and enslaving the world through a corrupt system of fractional-reserve lending and inflation- and class-causing amortized loans. According to the Constitution Article, 1 Section 8, the Federal Government is given the power to coin money and to regulate its value. However in our current system of fractional-reserve banking, mega-banks create near 90% of the money out of thin air.

Anyone who thinks the current system is just fine because they think "I could turn around and sell my house tomorrow and I would already have $30,000 in equity" is not thinking about the next family that will buy that house. How is the next family going to afford a house that is 5 years older but $30,000 more expensive. In the following post at Brain Bender I explain again the current Fractional-Reserve Banking system and I suggest an alternative Full Reserve Banking solution that would take the power away from the corrupt globalist/ new world order elite. Doing away with the FED alone is not enough if the instruments of oppression remain in place.

We need to stop giving up all our gold and silver to the agents of Satan who are using our our money to buy up armies and navies, fund false priests, and sustain destroying tyrants who reign with blood and horror upon the Earth.

Elder Bednar on Hearing the Trumpets

2010-05-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

The following is excerpts from Elder Bednar's talk in last month's General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints entitled "Watching with all Perseverance." Elder Bednar a modern day Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ opens his talk by reviewing a list of temporal and spiritual warnings in everyday life and in the scriptures. He tells of Lehi in the Book of Mormon being warned by the Spirit to leave Jerusalem and Noah to build the Ark. Elder Bedar invites us to 1. read and talk about the Book of Mormon 2. spontaneously share testimony of the truth 3. learn to act and not be acted upon.

Elder Bednar then says:

"Consider the language of the Lord in the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom: “In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation” (D&C 89:4)." Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in “a day of warning” (D&C 63:58). And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, “watching . . . with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18 )."

Elder Bednar closes his remarks by testifying and inviting:

"I bear witness that parents who consistently read and talk about the Book of Mormon with their children, who share testimony spontaneously with their children, and who invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon will be blessed with eyes that can see afar off (see Moses 6:27) and with ears that can hear the sound of the trumpet (see Ezekiel 33:2–16). The spiritual discernment and inspiration you will receive from the combination of these three holy habits will enable you to stand as watchmen on the tower for your families—“watching . . . with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)—to the blessing of your immediate family and your future posterity. I so promise and testify in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

For me the trumpets are sounding. With all the calamities that are now and very shortly to occur I have doubled by food storage, and put extra effort into my garden this year. II have some savings set aside and I am diversifying the sources of my income. I am also switching job locations so I don't have to cross state lines. When all the tribulation and wrath gets poured out, I hope I will have acted before hand and will not merely be acted upon or react. I hope many of us will not end up being statistics.

I hope many of us can be like the people at the waters of Mormon who were warned ahead of time about the armies of King Noah who were sent out against them to slay them. I hope many of us can be like the people of Alma in the city of Helam that although great hardships and labors were placed upon their backs, they turned to the Lord Jesus Christ who made those burdens light unto them such that they didn't feel them. i hope that many of us can be like the people of Alma that put their faith in Jesus Christ such that not long afterwards, the Lord delivered them out of bondage.

Elder Packer seems to be hearing the sound of the trumpet when he said in April Conference: " We have this priesthood power, and we should all be prepared to use it properly. Current increases in natural disasters and financial challenges show that we will need this power even more in the future than in the past. Many scriptures teach that the servants of the Lord “shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18). Miracles happen when the authority of the priesthood is used to bless the sick. I have experienced these miracles."

Trumpets and Conflict

2010-05-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Following is not LDS Doctrine:

When the Bible and Revelation talks about the 7 Trumpets and 7 Vials of Wrath, some people believe that these prophecies have had multiple fulfillment throughout history. The 7 Trumpets had to do with what corrupt government did to the people, and the 7 Vials of Wrath had to do with what God did in repayment. I was hoping that 1/2 hour of silence would give us 21 years. But God seems to be hastening things maybe.

For example. One fulfillment or type of the antichrist, tribulation, and wrath in Matt 24 is Titus. General Titus (little horn) was the son of the 10th Emperor (10 horns) of the Roman Empire (4th Beast). General Titus destroyed the temple, and crucified tens of thousands of Jews on the walls of the city of Jerusalem. When Titus became Emperor, he continued the persecution of the Christians and outlawed the daily sacrifice in the Roman Empire. Not long after, Rome was hit by several natural disasters. Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, there was another fire in Rome, a plague, and a drought. Finally Titus suffered a mysterious death; probably being poisoned by his brother Domitian.

Another possible fulfillment of the 7 Trumpets has to do with the fall of the Roman Empire. In addition to declining morals and corruption, Rome was economically bankrupt. They had sent much of their gold over to the orient in exchange for luxuries. Low on gold, Rome didn't have enough to put into their own currency. This led to a devaluation and contraction of the money supply. Contraction of the money supply and cheap slave labor led to greater unemployment. Greater unemployment led to more and more people relying upon government welfare. Rome put what money they had to fund the games to keep the unemployed mobs amused and pacified. In this weakened economic condition, the Roman Empire was vulnerable to attack.

The first trumpet had to do with hail fire and destruction burning up all the green grass and 1/3 of the trees. Some associate hail with war as Job does in Job 38:22 and the invasion of Rome by Alaric the Visigoth and the Goths by land. The second trumpet speaks of a burning mountain falling into the sea and the water turning to blood, 1/3 fish dying, and 1/3 shipping being destroyed. Some associate this with the attack of the Vandals by sea by way of Carthage. The 3rd Trumpet speaks of a star falling from heaven and poisoning 1/3 part of the rivers and streams. Some associate this with Attila the Hun's attack of the Roman Empire. Attila the Hun conquered by following the river valleys. The 4th Trumpet speaks of darkening the 1/3 part of the sun, moon, and stars. These same people associate this with the insurrection of German Barbarians who infiltrated and lived in the Roman Empire led by Odoacer who was an agent of Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno. The consequence of Odoacer's insurrection was a fracturing of the entire Western Empire into separate tribes.

The 5th Trumpet speaks of locusts which many believe speaks of the rise of the Arab Muslims which conquered Sephardic Jews and Arian Christians in Spain, North Africa, and destroyed the Christian capital of Alexandria and Heliopolis. I am told the Hebrew word for locust and Arab are very similar. Arab Muslims did not kill civilian Christians and Jews outright. They gave them a choice to convert to Islam or be a slave. If they choose slavery, their wives were taken and placed in harems. The 6th Trumpet speaks of the Euphrates overflowing and an Eastern Army killing 1/3 of men. Some believe this refers to the transfer of the Muslim Caliphate to Iraq and the rise of the Ottoman Turks. Dressed in fire, Jacinthe, and brimstone matches the Turkish uniform colors of red, blue and yellow-orange. The horses with mouths like lions that spew fire and brimstone with the power being in their tails refers to the Ottoman Turks use of gunpower, artillery,and cannons. The power in the tail was John likely describing the fuse and gunpowder. The Turks were successful in destroying the other Christian capitals of Jerusalem, Antioch and finally Constantinople leaving Rome the supreme ruler over all Christianity.

The 7 vials of wrath the occur during the sounding of the 7th Trumpet, likely refer to the many judgments of God that were poured during the Dark Ages.

Now what about the Last Days? I am not the only one who is asking if this BP Gulf Oil Spill is not a modern fulfillment of the 2nd Trumpet spoken of in Revelations. Since the American Empire is an Empire of Economy and not Land, some think that the 1st Trumpet would refer to the recent economic war which has brought upon the western world a great Economic Depression, banking failures, unempoloyment, and a dollar on the verge of collapse. The second trumpet refers to a mountain of fire being thrust into the sea turning the sea to blood, and killing 1/3 of the creatures of the sea, and 1/3 the ships or shipping. I am not the only one watching the 200,000 barrels/day of oil leak into the gulf and the toxic Corexit being sprayed thinking this accident is going to have major negative impacts. Who knows how a couple of hurricanes this summer will mix things up. The limit on off-shore drilling was 22,000ft and that BP well was deliberately drilled to at least 30,000ft.

If the first and second trumpets are sounding, then what about the third, fourth and fifth? The third trumpet has to do with a star falling from heaven and poisoning 1/3 the rivers and streams. I learned on the playground in 1986 that "Chernobyl" was the Russian word for "Wormwood." Could the next trumpet have to do with something nuclear? The Federal Government and Pres Obama himself at the UN nuclear summit warned us about the possibility of nuclear devices being set off in several US cities. This scenario has already been featured in a made for TV movie called "The Day After" where Kansas City gets obliterated. Were the globalists who own ABC and who produced the movie trying to tell us something? Kansas City just so happens to be the major North American Hub for the NAFTA superhighway. They had a very difficult time in Texas imposing imminent domain. If a nuclear device or dirty bomb was set off anywhere in the Missouri/Mississippi watershed, all the water downstream would be contaminated. Being LDS, we shouldn't forget Joseph Smith's warning to Alexander Donovan nor the "Yellow Dog" prophecy concerning Missouri. (Graham W. Doxey, “Missouri Myths,” Ensign, Apr 1979, 64). By the way, the movie depicts Kansas City getting nuked on Saturday the 16th. That would be in October this year.

Did I mention that FEMA has purchased 500,000 plastic grave liners which are sitting in fields in Madison and Conyers, GA as well as additional liners in Indiana. The US government is also building several enormous graveyards in Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ, Southern California, and Indiana. In each of these locations are huge fields that have been filled with rows and rows of rectangular concrete boxes, just bigger than the plastic liners in Georgia, that are being placed side-by-side and then buried. That begs the question of what kind of catastrophe or war our government is preparing for.

The fourth trumpet may have to do with the fulfillment of Christ's warning to the Gentiles in 3 Nephi 20:16. Could there be a similar insurrection in this country like there was in the Roman Empire with Odoacer? As far as the fifth and sixth trumpets go, and the 7 vials of wrath following, I have no idea who the locusts will be this time.

But I am concerned that Pres. Obama has appointed himself to chair the UN security council without Senate approval which is against the Constitution Article 1, section 9. I am concerned about the recent escalation in rhetoric and violence between North and South Korea and between Israel and Iran and Venezuela and the US. Hugo Chavez together with Iran has been selling oil in Euros and Yuan directly to China without China first having to buy dollars according to the Petro-Dollar system. The Petro-Dollar System which is supported by Saudi Arabia is the only thing that supports the huge US deficits and debt. If China can buy oil in Yuan, it will have no need to purchase US T-Bills. Currently, the only people buying US T-Bills are banks, the FED. This was exactly the reason the US went to war against Iran. Because the US Dollar is off the gold standard, if China and India can get oil without buying dollars, the dollar and the country will go bust.

The world is being set up to enter into WW3. If you read Albert Pike letter on WW3, the 3 Catholic Secrets of Fatima, and the Muslim prophecies about the coming of the Dijjal and the Mahdi, they all seem to be coming about. And all thats bad because all these bring the nations into conflict.

The Tribulation and The Republic

2010-05-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Eph. 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Titus 3: 1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, and magistrates but we are warned against spiritual wickedness in high places (occultism) as well as conspiring men.

D&C 88: 77-81 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms— That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you. Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

God calls us to understand the true doctrine of Christ but also wars and the perplexities of the nations.

D&C 29: 8 Wherefore the decree hath gone forth from the Father that they shall be gathered in unto one place upon the face of this land, to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked.

D&C 54: 10 And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls. Even so. Amen.

D&C 78: 14 That through my providence, notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world;

Christians need to be patient in affliction, stand in holy places, and independent and free from indebtedness which is bondage.

D&C 23-26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face. Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord. And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

The Tribulation will begin in America and upon the American Empire which the Lord calls "His house."

2 Ne. 25: 1,7-8 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. . . But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.

Christians will understand the prophecies of Isaiah and also John in the day that they are fulfilled.

D&C 132: 13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.

The Constitution and government by a constitutional republic is ordained and inspired by God and will remain upon the land forever. But titles of aristocracy will not remain. The United States is not a democracy. Democracy is tyranny by the majority. Democracy is two wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner. And the majority can be easily swayed by propaganda. But America isn't a monarchy, oligarchy, or ruled by an aristocracy. Laman and Lemuel believed that the right to rule was theirs based solely on who they were (the oldest). That is how aristocrats think. But in a constitutional republic, the people choose leaders who have demonstrated lives of virtue like Nephi. And if power corrupts our leaders, they can be replaced without the shedding of blood.

Possible Modern Fulfillment of the 7 Trumpets

2010-05-20T23:52:00.000-07:00

The following is not LDS Doctrine. See Brainbender.blogspot.com for more information and links on the BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. Is the Gulf Oil Spill the 2nd Trumpet?

Seven Seals
Joseph Smith asked God the meaning of the 7 Seals in Revelation. God explained that the 7 Seals represented the things revealed during each 1000 year period since the world's existence or since the creation of man on the Earth. Seal 1 had to do with conquest as humans spread out over the Earth. Seal 2 involved war as humans fought over contested lands. While there was still free land available it was probably easier to just move into unclaimed areas than go to war over land. Seal 3 involved the invention of money which probably refers to the Phoenician invention of the Silver Shekel of Tyre. Seal 4 speaks of plague. Money enabled man to live in cities. However, city living leads to poor sanitation and more risk of disease. Seal 5 refers to the Christian Martyrs and the death of Christ. Seal 6 mentions the Sun, Moon, and Stars being darkened which refers to the Dark Ages and the Great Apostasy. It also mentions earthquakes. Earthquakes have always occurred but became more terrible after the discovery of concrete. Seal 7 opens with silence for a 1/2 hour and then describes the sounding of 7 Trumpets. If Adam lived 4000 BC then Seal 7 would have opened around 2000 AD. we are in the days of the 7th Seal and the Trumpets maybe beginning to sound.

Seven Trumpets
What are the Trumpets. The Trumpets represent the tribulation that the corrupt political, economic and religious system of the world inflicts upon the people. Types of the tribulation are the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by Titus who burned the temple and crucified thousands of Jews on the walls of the city. The wrath would refer to the judgments of God upon Titus and Rome thereafter which involved the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, fire, drought, plague, and an early death just 2 years after becoming Emperor.

Another fulfillment of the 7 trumpets could refer to the fall of the Roman Empire. In addition to declining morals and corruption, Rome was economically bankrupt. They had sent much of their gold over to the orient in exchange for luxuries. Low on gold, Rome didn't have enough to put into their own currency. This led to a devaluation and contraction of the money supply. Contraction of the money supply and cheap slave labor led to greater unemployment. Greater unemployment led to more and more people relying upon government welfare. Rome put what money they had to fund the games to keep the unemployed mobs amused and pacified.

Rome was first invaded by the Goths by land, and then the Vandals by sea. Then they were hit by Attila the Hun who conquered following the river valleys. Next the Arab Muslims arose and slaughtered millions of non-Roman Catholic Christians and Sephardic Jews. The Ottoman Turks and Arab Muslims continued their conquest of Christian and Jews until all the rival Christians capitals of Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch, and Constantinople were destroyed. God's judgment and wrath upon Europe and Rome were the Plagues associated with the Dark Ages.

Today, in the Last Days the prophecy of the 7 Trumpets will be fulfilled yet again. History repeats itself. That is what makes the Bible so universal is that themes repeat themselves over and over again on both the global as well as the individual scale. Today, I was thinking upon the difficulty that our nation is already experiencing and I was wondering if the Trumpets are not already sounding.

First Trumpet - Hail and Fire Destruction of all the grass and 1/3 of trees (Rev 8:7).
Job speaks of treasures of hail and snow and then equates that with the day of battle and war (Job 38:22). The first trumpet in the fall of the Roman Empire was invasion by land by the Goths. Because the American Empire is an Economic empire, our first trumpet would involve an economic war designed to devaluate currencies and bankrupt nations. Trees and grass refer to rich and poor nations.
First Trumpet = Financial Crisis?

Second Trumpet - Meteor falls into the Ocean destroying 1/3 of ships and sea life (Rev :8-9).
The second trumpet in the Fall of the Pax Romana involved invasion by sea by the Vandals. We have just likely been attacked by sea as millions of gallons of crude oil are currently gushing from a sabotaged oil drilling platform into the Gulf of Mexico. I will not be surprised when we are told the spill is much worse then previously reported. Time will only tell the consequences of that much oil spilled in the Gulf which affects 1/3 part of the US coastline. All that oil in the water is consuming all the oxygen which will destroy all sea life in the Gulf of Mexico. I have no idea what kind of an impact this much oil will have on the US coastline when all this oil reaches shore. Could this spill be so big that it affects the food chain, migratory birds, etc.
Second Trumpet = Gulf Oil Spill?

Third Trumpet - Wormwood falls from the Heavens causing fresh water to become bitter (Rev 8:10-11).
We have been warned by our government about the potential threat of Iran or some other terrorist group of detonating a nuclear bomb on US soil. President Obama warned us during his UN nuclear summit earlier this year. The US government is currently conducting drills this month (NLE 2o10) to prepare for just such a scenario. Alex Jones, a talk radio host from Austin TX, has also taken note of the warnings by our government. Alex Jones is concerned with the possibility of several simultaneous devices being detonated in several US cities as a pretext to go to war with Iran. Alex Jones and Bill Cooper in TX both warned of 911 as well. William Cooper was mysteriously killed after being first to warn of a 911-style attack (see 3Ne 6:23).

We know that some involved with the monolithic conspiracy want the US to go to war with Iran. According to the prophecy in Dan 8 that the goat with the single horn will strike and kill the ram with the two horns which represent Media (Iraq) and Persia (Iran). Then Daniel says the horn of the goat will be cut down. Now this prophecy we are told specifically by Daniel applies to Alexander the Great. After Alexander the Great's death, the Greek Empire was divided into four parts. Some people believe this prophecy foretells that America will eventually be drawn into war against Iran. The trigger as Alex Jones and other have said, would be some kind of 911 false flag event on US soil. Just like Iraq, if Iran seeks to trade oil in Euros, then the US will feel compelled to prevent Iran from violating the Petro-Dollar system which is the only thing holding up the US dollar. Most people don't understand that if any country desires to import any oil from any other country, they can only buy that oil using US Dollars. Now that the US Dollar is off the gold standard, the Petro-Dollar System is the only thing holding up the near bankrupt US Economy.

Many Bible Christians are aware that "wormwood" in Russian is "Chernobyl." Therefore, many Bible readers have associated this trumpet with a nuclear bomb being detonated within the US. The main candidate site for this is Kansas City, MO. This is to be the hub of the the NAFTA superhighway from Canada to Mexico. Such an event would clear the way for the completion of this NWO project. The US has at least 500,000 FEMA grave liners sitting in fields in both Madison and Conyers, GA as well as other sites in Indiana that have been identified on Google Earth. Also, the US has finished several mass grave sites in California, Indian, Arizona, and Texas. I don't believe our government builds anything that big that it doesn't eventually plan on using.

But another correlation with scripture would be the events effect on fresh water in America. If a nuclear device or dirty bomb were detonated anywhere in the Missouri/Mississippi River watershed areas, all waters downstream would be contaminated with radioactivity. Farmers who depend on that water would not be able to use it for farming.

Could there be another fulfillment of prophecy by Joseph Smith about the land of Missouri? (Graham W. Doxey, “Missouri Myths,” Ensign, Apr 1979, 64). Joseph Smith was visiting a great friend to the LDS church, Gen. Alexander Donovan, at his office when a man came to repay a legal bill with a deed to land in Jackson County. Joseph Smith told Donovan not to accept the deed because, "God’s wrath hangs over Jackson County … and you will live to see the day when it will be visited by fire and sword. The fields and farms and houses will be destroyed, and only the chimneys will be left to mark the desolation." That prophecy was fulfilled following the Civil War (See Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:538–59).

Heber C. Kimball may have also made a statement with regard to Missouri. Amanda H. Wilcox in Salt Lake City in May 1868 reported him as saying, "The western boundries of the State of Missouri will be swept so clean of its inhabitants that, as President Young tells us, when we return to that place, ‘There will not be left so much as a yellow dog to wag his tail.’ ” (Prophetic Sayings of Heber C. Kimball to Sister Amanda H. Wilcox, n.p., n.d., p. 6.)

Fourth Trumpet - Darkening of a third of the sun, moon, and stars (Rev. 8:12).
If this has any relation to what happened in Rome, then this might refer to Martial Law being imposed in the US and the fracturing of the US into regions. During Roman times Germanic Barbarians were allowed to infiltrate and then they were used by a faction in the government to break up the Empire.

Fifth Trumpet - (Woe #1) Locusts from the Bottomless Pit (Rev 9:1-10).
I am not sure who will be the locusts this time. In the Roman Times, this may have referred to the Arabs and Ottomans that conquered Non-Catholic Christians and Sephardic Jews in Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East. Christ warns in The Book of Mormon about the remnant of the seed of Jacob being among us. Could this refer to the large Hispanic population in America that if incited could simply walk off the job and cause a breakdown of society?

3 Ne 20:15-16 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blesssing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

Sixth Trumpet - (Woe #2) Eastern army of 200,000,000 men kill 1/3 of mankind
This likely refers to Armageddon and most of us are familiar with what will happen there. 2 Witnesses who prophecy will call down Moses in Egypt type plagues to protect the city of Jerusalem from being taken by the invading armies. The 2 witnesses will finally be overcome, but resurrect on the 3rd day. Christ will split the Mount of Olives and save the remnant of Jews who will convert to Christianity when they behold their Savior and Redeemer and recognize that He is Jesus Christ.

Christ in the Begats

2010-05-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

We often joke sarcastically about having a difficult time reading the Old Testament because of all the genealogy and "Begat" verses. I was watching a YouTube video that other day that explained a wonderful hidden message and prophecy about the coming of Christ and His mission. It turns out that the Begats are not so boring after all. Genesis lists the genealogy of Noah this way:

Adam = man
Seth = appointed, placed, set
Enosh = mortal, human
Kenan = sorrow, low, humble
Mahalalel = blessed God, praise of god
Jared = descent, shall come down, descending
Enoch = dedicated, teaching
Methuselah = his death shall bring
Lamech = despairing
Noah = comfort, rest

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest."

One Interpretation of the 7 Trumpets

2010-05-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

The following is not LDS Doctrine. I just thought it was interesting. I was watching some YouTube videos and I was fascinated at an amazing interpretation of the 7 trumpets in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. While these scriptures likely also apply to the Last Days, this particular evangelical Christian was explaining how the 7 trumpets could be giving specific details about the fall of the Roman Empire.

1st Trumpet- Rev 8:6-7 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

The first trumpet or Judgment upon the Roman Empire prophecies hail or war (Job 38:22-23). Hail is used as a symbol of war earlier in the Bible. The first group to attack and overrun the Roman Empire are the Goths. The result of the Goths is that Rome withdrew their armies from Germany and Great Britain allowing the Anglo-Saxons to conquer it.

2nd Trumpet- Rev 8:8-9 And the second angel sounded, and as it were great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

The second trumpet or judgment upon the Roman Empire tells of the 2nd group to attack the Roman Empire. The Vandals came from the seas to attack the Roman Empire. The Vandals used naval power to conquer Northern Africa, many Mediterranean island nations, and even ransacked and "vandalized" Rome. Vandals were Germanic but they staged most of their successful naval attacks on Rome from Carthage after taking North Africa

3rd Trumpet- Rev 8:10-11 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

The third trumpet tells of Atilla the Hun and Barbarians coming from Mongolia to attack the Roman Empire. Atilla the Hun split up the Goths into the Visigoths in Spain and the Ostrogoths in Germany. Atilla conquest followed the rivers and while he avoided Rome and Constantinople, His empire reached as far as Gaul or modern day France. Waters refer to peoples and tribes (Isa 48:1, Rev 17:15). Atilla extorted money from the Roman Empire for peace.

4th Trumpet- Rev 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

The Western portion of the Roman Empire fell when the last Emperor Romulus Augustus was removed by federated Germanic troops led by Odoacer from within the Roman army rather than by foreign troops. The Roman Empire had been increasingly populated and governed by Germanic peoples long before. The Western Roman Empire never was a cohesive whole ever again and was broken up into tribes comprised by Franks, Goths, and Huns. The Book of Mormon and others warning voices (Alex Jones and Knights of Malta) have been warning that Mexicans and/or UN troops have been allowed into the United States and may be used by FEMA to impose martial law resulting in the fracturing of America in the same way Germans were used to fracture Rome.

4th Trumpet- Rev 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

Locusts refers to the rise of the Arabs and Islam out of North Africa. The Arab conquest first took North Africa (1/3 part of the Empire). The Arabs had hair like women (long hair on top) but faces like men (long beards). They wore golden crowns or turbans, they used Arabian horse calvary, used iron chain mail, and were first to use gunpowder and artillery cannon decorated with a mouth of a lion and lit with by the fuse in the tail. The Arabs did not slash and burn cities in their conquest and gave Christians the choice of freedom if they converted to Islam or slavery if they remained Christian. Christian wives were sent to harems and children were raised in Islam. John makes it clear that the religion of Islam is of Satanic origin.

Rev 9:13-14 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound ain the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

The new Islamic capital or Caliphate shifted to Iraq and incorporated the Turks. Turks wore uniforms of red, blue, and yellow. Turkish armies are organized in units of 10,000. The Arabs finally destroyed Constantinople in 1453 and the last third of Eastern Roman Empire only after the Eastern Orthodox Church went back to worshiping icons after the iconoclast period. Emperor Irene called for the 2nd Ecumenical Council of Nicea and re-introduced Babylonian and pagan worship in Eastern Orthodox religion. The Turks were the first to use gun powder and artillary cannon that were decorated with lion heads and were lit with a fuse in the end or tail. Turks continued on conquering Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania and Serbia but stopped in Catholic Vienna. Islam extended in Spain until turned back by the Catholic Franks and had an agreement to not go against Rome. After the fall of Constantinople fell, learned men with their scriptures and other texts were scattered all throughout Europe triggering the Renaissances and Reformation.

Rev 11:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The last and 7th Trumpet involves the pouring out the 7 vials of God's wrath against Rome itself. While the trumpets involved the tribulation by Rome upon the evangelical Christians and Sephardic Jews, the 7 vials of wrath involve judgments upon those that initially inflicted the tribulation. According to the video, some of the vials had to do with the French Revolution and Reign of Terror after France persecuted and massacred the Huguenots. Comparatively, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Rome and Titus could be a type of the Tribulation while the volcano (Vesuvius) which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, fire, plague, drought and then an early death would represent the judgments and wrath of God upon Titus.

Lesson of the Forbidden Fruit

2010-05-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was pondering about the lesson of Adam and Eve and I realized a few the important lessons for our day in the story. Scripture teaches us that "the glory of God is intelligence or in other words light and truth." We know from scripture that Omnipotence is one of the supreme characteristics of God and we are also taught in scripture that perfect knowledge is both a promise and requirement of Eternal Life. Joseph Smith taught that "man cannot be saved in ignorance" and that "A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge". Jesus Christ promised that "the truth would make us free." Therefore, the quest for true knowledge must be a major focus of any true disciple of Jesus Christ.

When Adam and Eve are tempted to Eat the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve did not yet know good from evil. Knowing this, the serpent mocks their ignorance and then promises them greater knowledge if they would follow him and partake of the forbidden fruit. I am sure Adam and Eve felt very insecure and self-conscious about their ignorance. But instead of seeking knowledge as Nephi did by inquiring of the Lord, Adam and Eve made the mistake of going to the wrong source for greater knowledge. In the Book of Mormon, after Lehi told his family about the Vision of the Tree of Life, Laman and Lemuel sought to understand the vision by contending and debating the issues. In contrast, Nephi who was also shown the same vision, simply asked his brethren "Have ye inquired of the Lord?"

After Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, Satan encouraged them to attempt to hide what they have done from God. I would define a secret combination as the vain attempt to commit sin in secret. Therefore, in a way, this first transgression could also be seen as the first secret combination. In fact, God tells us in the Book of Mormon that God has forbidden us from entering into secret combinations from the beginning of man. Isaiah prophecies that in the Last Days there would be many secret combinations. Isaiah says that men involved in secret sin would ask, "Who seeth us and who knoweth us?" Instead of trying to hide our sins from God, God commands us that we bring them to light and confess them and forsake them.

Ether 8:19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.

Now, there is much more we can learn from the first sin. Another lesson focuses on Eve. Like Eve, most of us don't go around seeking to sin and hide it from God who we know knows and sees all things. However, the serpent is very crafty in fooling or beguiling Eve. Satan explains to Eve that God knows all things and to be like God, she too needs to know sin in order to be like God. While the dilemma is a real one, the solution was a suttle trap to get Adam Eve to partake of the tree of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil and then go ahead and partake of the tree of life and "live forever in their sins." Eve wasn't "awake" to the possibility that Satan could have ulterior and evil intentions. To her, I'm sure she was very trusting and naive and while her decision to partake of the fruit was based on good intentions, Eve failed to recognize and understand that Satan was evil and had only evil intentions.

Today, we need to be "awake" to the reality of evil and conspiring men in the Last Days. One of Satan's biggest tools is to identify real social problems and instead of providing real solutions, many secret societies solutions end up making things much worse. I suppose this continual attempt to address real or created social problems could be likened to Satan telling Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. Today, many secret organizations who may not have the best intentions often seek to shroud their sins behind the facade of philanthropy.

Again, In addition to being "awake" to the reality of conspiring men in the Last Days, I think another of many important lessons of the forbidden fruit is that we must take care who we follow. Not everyone claiming to offer truth is deserving of our allegiance. One way to differentiate good vs. evil is to determine, despite the many good things a group claims to do for society, whether they use those activities to justify and cover up other sins.

The Lesson from the Tower of Babel.

2010-05-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

The Bible tells an interesting story of the people after the Flood in Babylon. After God had reestablished his covenant with Noah, it didn't take the people long to back-slide into apostasy and sin. Most people think that the story of the Tower of Babel is all about the people building the tower to get to heaven. The tower itself was not really the problem.

The real problem with the situation surrounding the tower of Babel is that God said that people were one, and had one language and their religion, politics, and economy was dominated by evil. Therefore, the answer to this problem was for God to confound the languages and divide up the people to prevent Satan and his evil government from having total control of the people.

From the Book of Mormon we learn that if Christ could be our King, it would be good to have a King, but since we cannot guarantee that a righteous man could always be our king, the Bible and the Book of Mormon warn us that all political, and economic power needs to be divided and delegated locally and at the individual level. This is the great principal upon which the Constitution of the United States is based. The Constitution only permits the Federal Government those rights expressly enumerated. All other rights remain with the States and with the individuals and can be taken back at any time.

Therefore, when it come to solving our political and social problems, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer. And the Gospel of Christ in the Bible reminds us that that in our current fallen state, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Therefore the answer to corrupt Big Business and Big Banks is not Bigger Government. The answer to the corruption is to do what God did to the people at the Tower of Babel and do what the US Constitution provides which is to break the consolidation of power up.

Gen 1:1, 6-8 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. . . And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

Bible Pattern

2010-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Bible presents an interesting pattern of prophets and apostasy. First we see God establishing His covenant with Adam who is the first man and the first prophet. Things go good for a while but before too long the people of the Earth fall away from the truth and turn to evil. The flood wipes out humanity and only Noah and his family are spared. God then re-established his covenant with Noah who becomes a new dispensation leader and prophet. Things go good again for a while but before long, the people again backslide at the time of the Tower of Babel. Then we read about Abraham who is born in Ur and recognizes that he is born into an apostate and idolatrous culture. God calls Abraham as a prophet and a dispensation leader. Again, things go well for a while for Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim until the House of Israel falls away yet again and falls into slavery. Then God called Moses who led Israel out of Egypt. The House of Israel is faithful for a while until they eventually fall away from the truth and are conquered by Assyria, then Babylon, and then finally Rome. Then God sends His Son Jesus Christ. The Jews had turned from the truth to such an extent most didn't recognize their own God that they were to be worshiping for the past 1000 years.

Jesus Christ established his church with 12 Apostles, Seventies, Bishops, Elders, and Deacons. But just as the Bible pattern describes, Paul told us in 2 Thessalonians, that Christ would not come again until there would be yet another falling away and apostasy. And Peter in Acts 2 tells us that the heavens would receive until the time of refreshing and "restitution of all things which has been spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began."

Just as all the holy prophets have prophesied and as the Bible has foretold and foreshadowed, the physical Church of Jesus Christ fell into apostasy and the priesthood authority and keys were lost from the Earth for a time leading into the Dark Ages. Then just as all the prophets have prophesied, the Lord God again, for the last time, in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times has called a prophet, restored his church, restored the keys of His Holy Priesthood, restored the temple, restored the exact doctrines of His gospel and re-established his covenant with man.

The prophet of this last and final dispensation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and His Millennial Reign on the Earth is Joseph Smith. God called Joseph Smith in the same way that all prophets have been called. Joseph Smith didn't attend any divinity school, he didn't earn any degree in New Testament and Early Christian Studies. Joseph Smith wasn't a Pharisee or Sadducee. But God revealed himself to Joseph Smith and authorized him to bring to light additional scripture including the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, and empowered Joseph Smith to restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which is organized just as Christ's original Church with 12 Apostles, Seventies, Bishops (Eklectikos), Elders (Presbyters), and Deacons (Diaconos).

Dispensations and Apostasy
Adam ----------------> Flood
Noah ----------------> Drought, Tower of Babel
Abraham -------------> Slavery in Egypt
Moses ---------------> Military Conquest (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome)
Jesus Christ --------> Dark Ages, Plague
Joseph Smith --------> Tribulation, Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Wake Up America: Stand Up For Freedom

2010-04-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

I work as an Emergency Physician in the South and witness on a daily basis the consequences of poverty, ignorance, and complacency. I used to be your average LDS Reagan Sean Hannity Conservative. I was a conservative like most LDS because I am Pro-Life and I believe in Limited Government and reject Socialism and "Big Government". I believed in the Left-Wing Conspiracy to make the US a more socialist country. But not until recently did I come to understand and believe that the Left was also correct in warning us against the Right Wing Conspiracy by the so-called Neo-Cons or what is called "Big Business." Only recently did I come to understand that both this Left Wing Conspiracy and Right Wing Conspiracy is the same conspiracy. Our government leaders and both major political parties are controlled by special interests which are instituting policies that consolidate economic power into the hands of large cooperations and bankers on one side and other social policies which usurp individual liberties on the other side.

The current economic situation and fraud charges brought by the SEC against Goldman Sachs has really served to open my eyes. I have been arguing for some time that it was not only the subprime loans that caused the most recent economic and banking meltdown but the selling of these toxic assets/mortgaged backed securities/collateralized debt obligations. But this is not all. It the selling of these volatile derivative toxic assets which were deceitfully given AAA rating by the rating agencies, but also the inherent instability of fractional-reserve banking.

Because of fractional-reserve banking (which you have never heard of), when a FED member bank borrows a dollar from the FED (our tax money), they can lend 10$ or even 50$. That means the Bank and not the US Treasury nor even the FED is creating money out of thin air. This is known as the money multiplier = M3/M0. But while the consequences of fractional-reserve banking mean huge profits for the big banks, it means great instability for the smaller banks. Banks have to hold on to their small fractional reserves to lend. But Banks don't hold onto cash, but stocks and bonds. If the stock market crashes, then the banks lose their fractional reserves, cannot lend, and fail. They fail unless they are bailed out by the FED and if they are a FED member. Throughout US History, our economy has gone through one orchestrated economic depression after another which necessitates the Federal Government in picking winners and losers (those that get bailed out and those who don't).

Goldman Sach's and Paulson and Co's fraudulent selling of these risky CDO's while at the same time betting against them, is only part of the story. Do not forget who are the big winners here. The Big Banks got not just 700 billion in bailout money, but they got nearly 10 trillion in all. And due to fractional reserves, these banks turned that 10 trillion into 100 trillion. That is why cooperations like GMAC and Goldman which are not and never were traditional banks before filed for banking status. And with this free bailout money the banks turned around and bought US T-Bills which earn 3% interest. When the banks are asked what they did with the bailout money, they evade the question, but the FED recently bought 300 billion in long-term T-Bills which it never does saying it was do drop the rate of T-Bills so that Banks would quite buying T-Bills and lend money like they normally should. But these bailed out banks and cooperations received their 3% interest payment and then could easily pay the FED back for the initial free bailout with our own money we gave them as interest on the original money we gave them. Instead of Banks paying us prime to use our money we have paid them to take our money.

This whole thing was orchestrated. I believe that the Banks purposefully had John Paulson go to Goldman Sachs to create the CDO's for them to buy. We know from internal emails that Paulson and Goldman knew these CDO's were designed to fail and that knowing this Paulson and Goldman shorted or bet against these derivatives. However, Paulson isn't that smart of a guy, and I don't think he was smart enough to think of this scheme on his own. He was a nobody before, and I am not buying another lone gunman scenerio. I think Paulson was just selfish enough to take a bribe promising millions at the expense of the rest of us. I believe the Banks knew these derivatives would fail, that they would get hurt, and that they would get bailed out by the FED while the little banks would fail. The evidence for this is the fact that the FED stopped releasing M3 data in 2006 which tracts the money supply due to derivatives claiming the value held no significant additional information. Failing to release M3 data hid the degree of leverage in the system, it hid the money multiplier, it hid the artificial bubble being created. Thereupon, M3 ballooned to record levels and then was sharply contracted in 2008 triggering the failure.

Also, just ask yourself why the SEC is always so late in cleaning up these economic scandals. Why did the SEC do nothing pre-emptive with ENRON, WorldCom, Bernie Madoff, and now Goldman Sachs. A whistle blower outed thousands of ultra-elite tax evaders with offshore Swiss Bank Accounts. The result is that the US doesn't request a full list of US citizens with Swiss Bank accounts but only a select list, grants amnesty to the names that are given, and then sends the whistleblower to jail for withholding one of his clients. So, noone goes to jail but the whistleblower.

Now to top it all off, I was encouraged when Barak Obama was saying that he was going to institute financial reform to regulate the bankers who earned obscene profits and paid their executives obscene bonuses. However, when you read the financial reform bill, what the bill calls for is for a tax to be levied upon all banking institutions and upon all transactions based on some determination of risk. The international monetary fund and other countries have just released similar proposals. Then all that money will go to the FED or the IMF so that these institutions can decide who deserves to be bailed out the next time. And this is all under the guise that they are doing this so that the tax payer will not be liable to bail out banks in the future because there will be this pool of money.

But, duh people, wake up!!! Whether they tax all transactions as we go along or we get stuck with a big bill at the end, either way its our money. But this way, we give the FED and possibly an international banking organization like the IMF supreme power to arbitrarily determine who will get taxed and how much they will get taxed. To sum up, this bill is nothing short of a total usurpation of individual liberty by the Federal Government and possibly international government.

This kind of thing matches the MO of the conspiracy for a long time. These people prey upon real social and economic problems, some of them they create. But instead of fixing them, they institute policies which only serve to consolidate power into their hands. Examples of this was instituting the FED, instituting the Income Tax, Patriot Act, our current Health Care reform which allows the government to assign an arbitrary quality factor to every doctor and hospital which will determine reimbursement. Carbon Cap and Trade works the same way allowing the Federal Government total control over which business activities would be taxed and how much. Please do not tell me that our Federal Government would never dishonestly exercise such far-reaching power as total control over determining quality factors, determining carbon tax and trade, and determining banking transaction risk. If I learned anything from George Orwell's "Animal Farm," it is that "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Wake up people! When there is a social problem, scandal, or threat, the answer is not bigger government. We need to resist the temptation to trade our individual liberties for security. When there is a scandal or threat, the problem usually the fault of too much consolidation of power as opposed to not enough consolidation. the whole point of Constitutional government is that rights and liberties reside with the people and that the Federal Government can only exercise those powers enumerated in the Constitution.

So what to do:
1. End the FED
2. Shift to Full-Reserve Banking
3. Earn fee on full money supply and not just a fraction of it
4. End income tax
5. Institute Protectionist trade policies by using the power of the tariff to protect and rebuild domestic industry and production (Lincoln and McKinley Republicans were historically Protectionist and never Free Trade until FDR lied about the cause of the Great Depression which was really the FED contracting the money supply).
6. Offer no-interest, fee-only home and business loans administered by non-profit local and state banks
7. Allow local and state banks to purchase money from US Treasury
8. Return money to gold standard
9. Reverse 17th Amendment restoring state control of election of senators
10. Return all government lands to States
11. End Derivatives and speculative markets
12. Campaign finance reform
13. Use anti-trust laws to break down global businesses too big to fail
14. Never bailout business but use bankruptcy to allow business to divide and reorganize
15. Shift burden of charity programs from Federal Government to local and state agencies and governments.
16. End or phaseout all non-enumerated activities of the Federal Government
17. Develop domestic natural resources and end dependence on foreign oil. Drill in ANWR, off-shore, and the Bakken formation in Montana and North Dakota.
18. Develop natural gas economy by converting automobiles to natural gas and incentivize Bloom Energy natural gas fuel cell for residential use.

Brainbender

2010-04-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Please visit my other blog at http://brainbender.blogspot.com for some commentary on economics and politics.