Holiness to the Lord

Society is built upon social trust which is quantified as social capital. It's not just the bricks and mortar that brings God or divine preservation into a society but a people's moral virtue. 

Chastity and sobriety (Holiness to the Lord) are upheld by the covenants that must be associated with the true temple or its just a fancy building. 

Immorality (sex and drugs) erodes social capital leading to poverty, leading to demographic collapse, which is the real reason for the fall of Rome and Greece and every other civilization . 

Sex (Pompeii) and Drugs (Silk Road)-->Poverty-->Demographic Collapse-->Tyranny promising Social Justice--> Free Bread and Circus enables Poverty and Idleness-->Taxation, Unregulated Immigration-->Insurrection and Collapse

James 1:27. Pure Religion = Charity and Virtue. 

Charity must be an institution of true religion and not the State because only Religion can give fish while at the same time teach people to fish (virtue). State welfare just enables and keeps people dependent. 

How much charity does your faith or religion perform?  How much moral virtue does your religion or faith expect of you.  True peace, safety, and prosperity only come from a societies' moral virtue revealed by the True God (Holiness) and nothing else.

Have you built up your own tower of Babel in your heart?

This is why Isaiah 2 and the restoration of the institutiom of the Lord's Temple is associated with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  This latter-day temple and more importantly the covenants (Holiness) associated with the temple are what will actually and finally being the world peace safety prosperity equality and good will towards all men. 

^{Isa 2:2} And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

³ And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Passover Seder Dinner

I attended my first Passover Seder Dinner with Dr. Victor Ludlow at BYU.  Dr. Ludlow used to put on nightly Seder dinners in the Wilkinson Center Sky Room with a breathtaking view of the Provo Temple. Since that time, I have occasionally put on a simplified Seder Dinner with my children and family. My kids enjoy it.  The Church of Jesus Christ has been emphasizing that members increase our Christ-centered traditions and observance during Easter week. 

Employment Theory of the Atonement

There are various theories put forth by scholars to explain how the Atonemeht of Jesus Christ works.  Like the various names of Christ, each one describes a divine aspect or attribute of Christ but no one name necessarily encapsulates the whole of His dininity.  In the same way, each of the various atonement theories describes different aspects of how the Atonement of Christ works, no one theory encompasses the whole (eg Penal Substitution, etc). 

My favorite Atonement Theory is the "Employment Theory". (not one of the clasical 7)  When we accept Christ, we enter into His employment. That means laboring in His vineyard and building His kingdom. God doesn't require perfection but giving our very best efforts. And God pays very well, but a majority of the pay is set aside in our retirement account.

1. Moral Influence Theory

2. Random Theory

3. Christus Victor

4. Satisfaction Theory

5. Penal Substitutionary

6. Government Theory

7. Scapegoat

8. Unfairness Theory (Cleon Skousen)

9. Employment Theory 

Pioneer Trek Reinactment: Women's Pull

In winter 1846, members of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were forced to flee their homes again in Nauvoo, Illinois.  These early Church members were forced to leave the United States due to religious persecution to the safety of the Rocky Mountains.  These vanguard Saints first arrived in the Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847.

Latter-day youth commemorate the Mormon pioneers by building, pulling, and camping beside handcarts designed like those used by early Church pioneers. Part of this Pioneer Trek reenactment customarily involves what is known as the "women's pull" where only the women pull the carts.  The 'women's pull' usually involves the young women pulling their handcarts alone up a steeper section of the trail without the boys. 

This part of Trek remembers that some of the men died along the way or were conscripted by the US Government to leave their wives and children out on the frontier, and participate in the Mexican-American War.  LDS men were ordered to march from Nebraska to California.  These conscripted soldiers are referred to as the Mormon Bittalion. The consequence of this conscription is many women were forced to drive wagons and pull handcarts on their own.  

It has been hinted by Latter-day Saint prophets that women will again play a major role in the events of the Last Days leading to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  While LDS women may not be literally required to pull handcarts alone as their forebarers did, There is a part of the Book of Mormon involving the people of Limhi where, because of war, there were very few men. Could these events be a type and shadow of events to come?  Yes or no, I have confidence that the faith of the LDS women are up to the challenge, whatever it may entail. 

Allegory of David ahd Saul

I went out to see the Angel Sudio production of "David" at my local movie theater with several of my kids. I enjoyed it.  The animation, orchestration, voice acting, and story adaptation are excellent.  The music was very good.  Not quite to the level of "Prince of Egypt" or "Joseph: King of Dreams", but very, very good. "Psalm 8", "Adventure Song", "Shalom", "Why God" and "Follow the Light" are amazing but just not as catchy as "Deliver Us", "When You Believe", and "More than You Take".  But it's probably unfair to compare to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston singing "When You Believe". . 

1 Sam 15:22 "And Samuel said, 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"

The aspect of the movie that I most enjoyed was pondering on the story of Saul and David as an prophetic allegory of the Last Days.  Many of the stories in the Old Testament, in addition to having a prophetic parallel to the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ, also have a prophetic parallel to the Last Days.

There is a prophetic parallel in the story of Joseph sold into Egypt being the means of saving the other 11 brothers (even Judah) during a great famine. The United States today represents ancient Egypt in biblical times.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints boldly and unapologetically declares that we represent spiritual Joseph and Ephraim today.  And the spiritual ordinances and covenants we perform in everlasting temples are for the benefit of not only ourselves but for the whole human family.  The covenants, and sealing ordinances of the House of the Lord are for the blessing of every kindred, nation, tongue, and people. 

The modern Jews in Israel and throughout the world are represented by Saul in the Old Testanent story.  The Jews are Hashem's people whose obedience and faith is meant to bring the light of Hashem into the world.  Sadly,, an elite few in posotions of global governance have been a bad example supporting policies encouraging moral corruption and economic oppression. But, like Saul, despite these failings, Judah is still chosen. 

Modern Ephraim, like David has found refuge, sustainence, and the sword of God's Spirit in the Temple/Tabernacle/House of the Lord.  And while our leadership remain subject to the appointed worldlty 'powers that be', Those worldly powers, in addition to their moral corruption; have engaged in self-injurious foreign policy and economic behavior.  Israel is the promised land for the Jews, but the fate of Saul on Mount Gilboa may be fixed. 

Nevertheless, the promises of God toward the faithful of His people are also fixed.  God will finally make bare His Holy Arm in the eyes of all nations.  No longer will the world be eating honey from the carcass of a dead lion. Samson will himself finally destroy the corrupt temple of Dagon. Goliath will be slain by the smooth river stone of God's people keeping their temple covenants, Joseph will reveal himself to his brothers saving them from spirirual famine.  David will emerge to peacefully unify all the House of Israel, and Jesus Christ will suddenly and literally appear, returning to His purified Temple to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Preaching After the Holy Order of God

We live in a narcissistic society that confuses sympathy with empathy.  Narcissists feel entitled to sympathy in everything.  However,  empathy values truth, while also seeing things from the other person's perspective.  Empathy has the courage to tell someone their view is harmful and wrong and the compassion and patience to explain why.  

This is a major theme of the Book of Mormon in preaching the gospel after the "Holy Order of God".  The gospel is not just sunshine and rainbows.  Sometimes love and empathy requires correction and even an occasional denial of sympathy.  Sometimes giving sympathy can actually just be plain apathy, and denying sympathy while providing patient correction reflects true compassionate empathy. 

Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is not just peaching "greasy grace"; nor is it "hell, fire, and damnation.".   Teaching after the Holy Order of God us balanced and binds up the wounded and broken hearts sometimes, but at other times it cuts deep and even widens already tender wounds. 

Jacob 2:9  Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.

And this is what lead prophets in the Book of Mormon like Jacob to address the anti-Christ Sharem and Alma to address Korihor.  And it is what led Elijiah to face the false priests of Baal on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18.  And this spirit motivated Jesus Christ Himself to call out the corruption of Scribes and Pharisees of His day and motivated the Apostles to contend against the many false doctrines that continually were trying to creep into the Church.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Elder Jeffery R. Holland

https://youtu.be/0bi_LjNB6YY?si=3ovkITCNcH1cKCZ9

Elder Jeffery R. Holland served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from June 23, 1994 to his passing on December 27, 2025.  Prior to serving as an Apostle, Elder Holland was BYU President from 1980 to 1989.  During Elder Hollond's ministry, he gave countless amazing BYU devotionals, and General Conference talks.  Different Apostles tend to reach different people, but I think most agree that there was no other speaker in the Modern Church of Jesus Christ who had a bigger inspirational influence than Elder Holland.  His talks made your bones burn with the Holy Ghost. 

  

Kingdom of Heaven

I think a proper economic and monetary system will be how Satan is bound. Right now, Satan controls the "treasures of the Earth". The first step in cleansing the temple is to overturn the tables of the moneychangers. Is there money in God's Kingdom? Money is a tool. The temple had the temple shekel.

I think the US Constitution Article 1, Section 8 has the key to proper monetary policy by requiring that Congress via the Treasury "Coin the money". Sadly, we don't follow our own constitution and allow banks to create most of the money (virtually) via a fractional reserve monetary system.

Milton Friedman proposed a full-reserve monetary system. Such a system would protect banks from banking runs. Most money is created at loan origination. Governments could collect simple prime-interest on ALL money creation as opposed to only a small fraction and not need to collect other involuntary taxes like income tax.

A cool name for this system would be the "Safety Society System". Local non-profit's (Safety Societies) could approve loans with federal underwriting for real assets like property based on uniform rules of credit worthiness, and only collect a "loan origination fee". The government would collect a simple prime interest to control inflation and M2 (money supply). Unlike the amortized mortgage, (double death), home owners in SSS would begin to build equity from the start. This equity is a built-in insurance system, missed payments are deducted from equity. Homes prices are a major driver of inflation. In SSS, home prices are stable.

Communities and corporations apply for loans based on projected proceeds of an approved sales tax. or combined credit of all employees, Mining companies can get a loan based on value of proven mineral value in the ground with benefits going towards residents who equally share mineral rights.

Constitutional Government

1. I'm not sure LDS believe in theocracy.  The preferred government in Israel was the Judges and the preferred government among the Nephites was having a chief judge.

2. We believe Constitutional government in general is inspired if not specifically the US Constitution.

3. The Bible says the law would come from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.Isa 2:3 

4.  Church and State have different jurisdictions.  State has the duty to prevent and prosecute harm.  The State prevents harm (deprivation of life, liberty, property) by imposing  punishments on the perpetrator as apposed to overregulating and punishing everyone in the name of prevention (origin of Big Government) . Alma 1:17

5.  The duty of the Church is charity and virtue.  James 1:27.  Church rehabilitate and disciplines those who commit self harm (addictions). Church is to provide welfare because there is potential accountability and assistance with virtue issues leading to poverty. 

6. Brigham Young prophesied the preservation of the US Constitution:

"Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so." -BY

7. I think talking about preserving the Constitution vs. changing it will build more unity. 

8.  I think the problem we have is not following our Constitution.  ie money creation, etc. Legislative Branch legislating the law.  Senate investigating corruption and not house committee with no subpoena power. Politicians just say "its being investigated" but Trey Gowdy and Jason Chaffetz in the House had no real subpoena power to get testimony or documents. The wrong house was investigating. 

9.  I think case law is unnecessary or less necessary and a jury can decide if harm has been done and the appropriate punishment.  I've seen big corperation cause harm and get off saying "we have broken no laws". 

10. I think the Council of 50 was necessary at the time and might well have a place again as a city government.  But even thought the US had betrayed the LDS , the LDS after considering all options felt to stick with and support the US Constitution as opposed to many other options considered by the Council of 50.  That's the take away I get from it. 

11. Jesus will not reign the whole time during the Melennium.  

"“That Jesus will be a resident on the earth a thousand [years] with the Saints is not the case, but will reign over the Saints and come down and instruct, as he did the five hundred brethren [see 1 Corinthians 15:6], and those of the first resurrection will also reign with him over the Saints.” -TPJS

12.  I think the big push right now as it has been for awhile, even with Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson is for us to lose faith in all our institutions and ultimately in the US Constitution so that when the plug is finally pulled on society, we walk away voluntarily and voluntarily accept their more globally controlled alternative. The US Constitution is the basis and example for Constitutional government everywhere, if we turn our back on it; consitutional government will fall everywhere. 

Notes on LDS Historical Polygamy

The following summarizes a few points made by "Women of Ward Radio" podcast. 

https://youtu.be/fR6UTsx2IPg?si=7x61slBkuXlfI4o4

1. In a combination of Victorian and eternal sealing mindset, many sealings and adoptions to Joseph Smith were made with the idea to link families. (most likely were symbolic sealings not involving physical relations at all). 

2. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball polygamy was not typical. Many of their wives, now widowed, were originally sealed to Joseph Smith. (BY and HCK took responsibility for a unique need) 

3. Divorce laws were very liberal. Womens rights were generally much better for the time. If there was a divorce, children belonged to the wife. Women could vote, own property, encouraged to be educated. 

4. The institution in frontier Utah for caring for fatherless and the widow was the family thru adoption and marriage.  

5. Most men practicing polygamy only had 2 wives max.

6. In many cases polygamy was a calling and sought approval of 1st wife. 

7. Only 30% men practiced in St. George in 1860, 25% in 1870, 20% in 1880. 

8. Individual women in polygamy had less children overall, men had more children overall. 

9. Women could seek and were encouraged to seek education and vocational opportunities if desired while having builtin intrafamily access to childcare.

10. Journals of polygamous wives at the time were net positive. Descendents today, looking back, are net positive. 

11. Fundamentalist polygamy today is nothing like the historical practice.

12. A women's own children provide care and support for her in her old age, then as now. 

13.  It was a commandant of God to restore the practice for a time.  We don't know all the whys

14.  It was 100% voluntary for men and women.  

15. Women were asked by Joseph Smith and others to seek a revelation from God.  Women eport receiving independent revelations that polygamy was God's will for them. 

16. Raised the bar for single men. 

17. LDS are not called to and do not practice this today.

"when your daughters have grown up and wish to marry let them have their choice in a husband if they know what their choice is... but if they marry the wrong man let them try again... you shall have your own agency in the matter"  -Brigham Young

"they will tell you that you will go into eternity and find yourself without husbands and cannot get an exaltation. That you cannot have this, that, or the other if you are not sealed to them. .. My advice to the sisters is never be sealed to any man unless you wish to be.... Let me hear no more: 'you must be sealed to me or you cannot get an exaltation'."  -Brigham Young

Peacemakers Needed: Turning the Other Cheek

Matt 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person.(seek revenge, retaliate against) But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

President Russell M. Nelson in his General Conference talk entitled "Peacemakets Needed" says:

"Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions. Regrettably, we sometimes see contentious behavior even within our own ranks. We hear of those who belittle their spouses and children, of those who use angry outbursts to control others, and of those who punish family members with the “silent treatment.” We hear of youth and children who bully and of employees who defame their colleagues."

"The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers."

"My dear brothers and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication."

Turning the other cheek doesn't mean being a doormat or inviting someone to hurt you again. Turning the other cheek is a form of nonviolent resistance that aims to subvert their intent and break the cycle of violence. Culturally, a backhanded slap from a superior was a grave insult, and by turning the cheek, the victim forces the aggressor to use an open hand—a gesture of equality—effectively robbing them of the insult's power. The phrase is not a call to passively endure abuse, but a radical, nonviolent act of courage that challenges wrongdoing and affirms that one's dignity is not dependent on the aggressor's approval. 

The following podcast by Steven Bartlett 'Diary of a CEO' with guest Jefferson Fisher gives real direction in how to respond in the best ways when dealing with contentious situations. 

https://youtu.be/zsuOSDb7gzQ?si=F3-_qSsvxUXfMLIR

Communication Tips:

1. Take a Deep Breath

2. Pause

3. Untangle instead of argue

(Never seek to win an argument, seek for mutual understanding, prioritize relationships over issues)

4. Thank instead of apologize

5. Ask them to say it again 

6. Did you mean for that to sound short?

7. How would you like me to respond to that?

8. How did you feel as you said that to me in the way you did?

Shemini Atzeret and President Dallin Harris Oaks: Hastening and Welcoming the Rainy Season in Israel

There is a profound connection between the restoration of thr Church of Jesus Christ, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Biblical fall feast holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret. 

Joseph Smith was given the golden plates upon which the Book of Mormon was translated on Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 22, 1827.  Together with the golden plates were mystical clear stones known as the urim and thummin used to traslate the Book of Mormon.  We learn from Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith's mother, the first revelation through the Urim and Thummin, Joseph was shown Martin Harris. Joseph Smith prayer was for help in translating the Book of Mormon.  Martim Harris was the answer to Joseph's prayer.  Martin Harris served as a witness of Jesus Christ, special witness of the Book of Mormon, scribe to the initial translation, and principle investor in its publication.   This revelation occurred on Oct 6, 1827, which is the first day of Sukkot. Just as God provided manna to Israel in the wilderness,  God provided the means via Martin Harris to fund the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon. 

Today:, a descendant of Martin Harris, Dallin Harris Oaks, has now been ordained and sustained the 18th prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Oaks was ordained as prophet on October 14, 2025 which was Shemini Atzeret or the eighth day of Sukkot or eighth day of assembly or tarrying.  Part of the observation of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret includes a libation offering prayer for rain and marks the start of the rainy season in Israel. 

Zech 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King (eg keep the feast of tabernacles), the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

There is a connection with Shavuot 50 days after Passover (Nisan Full Moon) but God not wanting Israel to make a separate trip to Jerusalem durring the rainy season.  Accordingly, God hastens the feast of Shemini Atzeret to immediately follow Sukkot instead of 50 days after the beginning of Sukkot (Tishrei Full Moon) as is done with Shavuot following Passover (Pesach). 

Isa 60:22. I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

The Lord Jesus Christ appeared in a dream to Martin Harris in 1817, three years before the First Vision of Joseph Smith telling him to not join any Church at that time but soon there would be a Church restored worthy to take upon itself the name of Jesus Christ.  Martin Harris and now his desendant President Dallin H. Oaks have served and are serving a key role in the building of God's kingdom on Earth. 

Again, Shemini Atzeret is the hastened holiday that is only 15 days following the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) as opposed to counting the omer and observing it 50 days following the new year as is done in the spring feasts. Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season is Israel.  The rain is a blessing to the righteous who are standing in holy places, but a tribulation to the unrighteous traveler who is caught outside in the storm. 

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

There is an also association with the Jewish Holiday of Shimini Atzeret and Simchat (Rejoice) Torah observed the day following on Oct 15, 2025.  Simchat Torah is when Jews celebrate the Torah and restart their weekly torah reading beginning again in Genesis.  Some see a connection between Shimini Atzaret, Simchat Torah and President Oaks having worked as a constitutional lawyer and Utah Supreme Court Justice. 

The reason Jews restart the Torah readings at Simchat Torah associated with Shimini Atzeret and not Matan (Giving) Torah associated with Shavuot is believed to be associated with Moses breaking the first tablets containing the ten commandments and then being given a new set of tablets paralleling the great apostasy and restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these Last Days. 

President Dallin Harris Oaks, a descendant of Martin Harris, was ordained as the 18th President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Shimini Atzaret, October, 14 2025.  President Nelson, a heart surgeon prepared the Church for the hastening of the Lord's work.  President Oaks, a descendant of Martin Harris, a consitituonal lawyer and Utah (Jewtah) sepreme court judge, may be the prophet of Shimini Azeret/Simchat Torah, the prophet of the hastening,  the prophet of the rainy season, the prophet of the Law, and may also be the prophet of the Lord's divine judgement. 

Why Christians Should Prosetylize

Penn Jillette, of the magician duo, Penn & Teller, is an outspoken atheist.  Nevertheless, Mr  Jillette articulates one of the best reasons why Christians should share their faith, witness, and testimony of Jesus Christ with others.  

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?

“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”

https://youtu.be/owZc3Xq8obk?si=ooc9a07qptmsRUaH

Mediators of Christ's Grace

Elder Holland made this amazing point in General Conference.  When Jesus Christ healed the blind man, He could have just spoken it and made it so. Instead, Jesus anointed him with a mixture of spit and dirt. And then commsnded that the man wash in the pool of Siloam. 

John 9:6 "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, ... He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."

When Christ told the story of Good Samaritan, The Good Samaritan (representing Christ) could have stayed with the man and done everything himself.  Interesting that the story makes the point that the Samaritan employed the assistance of the innkeeper to continue caring for the man who fell among thieves. 

Luke 10: 33-35 "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have."

Interesting also that the holy scriptural books of St. Luke and Acts (God breathed) was written by someone who confesses that he was not an Apostle nor an eyewitness to the things he's writing about but interviewed people who were.   

Luke 1:1-4  "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."

In another example we have the first miracle of Jesus changing water to wine at the marriage at Cana.  The Bible says Jesus commended the servants to bring him six waterpots.  These vessels were used for the guests to wash their hands and contained dirty water.  But Jesus didn't just immediately change the dirty water into clean.  Instead, Jesus commanded the servants to top off the waterpots to the brim with clean water and only then did He change the water to wine. We are like those waterpots.  We are filled with unclean water but if we wish to become not only clean but transformed into pure wine through the power of Christ, we must dump out the old dirty water and fill ourselves up with clean water to the very brim. Then we can expect to experience the trasforming power of His miraculous grace in our lives.  

John 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

Christ could have effectuated this miracle with a word or even a thought.  Instead, Christ employed obedient servants, six waterpots, dirty water and clean.  But the power to transform unclean water to pure wine was 100% through the power and grace of Jesus Christ. 

So, yes we come to God through Jesus Christ.  But Christ seems to still be working through various people and means (gifts of grace) that we are also expected to both receive and make use of. So, I think we should be careful in over-interpretting when scripture teaches that Christ is our only mediator with God the Father to the exclusion of thinking we no longer need to accept the many gifts of grace Christ has sent us and expects we receive and make use of. (ie prayer, fasting, scripture, gift of the Holy Ghost, baptism, Lords Supper, priesthood, Apostles and Prophets, His Church, The House of the Lord). These gifts bring us to Christ and Christ brings us to the Father. 

Alma 60:21 "Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?"

Yes, there is one mediator between God the Father and man.  That mediator is the only begotten Son of God, who is Jesus Christ.  But we come unto Christ by faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, being born again and entering into the discipleship and employment of Jesus Christ and being willing to recieve, make use of,  and become all that God wills for use to recieve, maje use of, and become. 

1 Tim2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

Receive and Make Use of the Gift of Grace

Eph 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Modern mainstream Christianity has evolved in the last 100 years. It used to be that Christianity was divided by denominations.  Christians were Catholics, Orthodox, Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, or Methodist. In more recent times, non-denominational churches have arisen as part of a more modern Evangelical movement.  My understanding of Evangelicalism is the belief that regardless of denomination or non-denomination, if an individual believes that Jesus Christ is their personal Savior, they are saved.  That's it. Evangelicallism crosses denominationsl boundaries.  A person can attend a Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist or even Catholic congregation but still be Evangelical believing that their belief in Christ is the foundation of their faith over the denomination or non-denomination they might happen ro attend.  We see this with Charlie Kirk who was a more Evangelical Christian but was drawn to attending the more traditional Catholic Church services over the more contemporary service. 

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Many Evangelical Christians believe in the the doctrine of the 5 solae: While not specifically put forth in the Bible, the 5 Solae are: Sola Fe (faith alone), Sola Gracia (grace alone), Sola Scrptura (scripture alone), Sola Christus (Christ alone) and Soli Deo Gloria (God's glory alone).  This belief is that the Bible is the ultimate, final, and only authority.  And that salvation comes only through belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. So, while the the Bible may talk about the need for repentance and confession, or the Bible may talk about the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, or the establishment of a Church with Apostles, Bishops and Deacons; none of these other aspects of Christian practice impact salvation.  Salvation is in Christ alone.  These other aspects of faith and practice support the believer, but do not impact their salvation. 

How do Evangelicals view members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)?  Generally speaking,  Evangelical along with Catholics and most mainstream denominations hold the view that in spite of the name of our Chrurch, and our confessed belief that Jesus of Nazareth is Jehovah of the Old Testament, the promised Messiah, and the Savior and Redeemer of the World; LDS are not true Christians, we believe in a different Christ, and we are going to hell. 

Why doesn't mainstream Christianity like the Church of Jesus Christ?  In addition to accusing us of believing in the wrong Jesus they generally don't like that we believe in modern prophets and Apostles,  in additional scripture like the Book of Mormon, and in our Temples were we offer saving ordinances like baptism for the dead.  And, they claim our doctrine is too works based.  They accuse us of believing we can save ourselves through our own efforts. I think some of this stems from a misunderstanding of LDS belief on grace.  Yes, LDS absolutely believe that Jesus Christ is the only way and source of salvation.  But Evangelicals may point to our Book of Mormon which says: 

2 Nephi 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."

Evangelicals say 'ha, after all we can do'.  That proves you think you can contribute to your own salvation. According to them,  we can't contribute anything.  However, The Book of Mormon explains what "after all we can do' means.  In one sense, because we have already been given the gift of agency, we therefore have the ability and can use our God-given agency to offer our whole souls back to God as an offering to God. 

Omni 1: 26 "And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

In another sense, the Lord Jesus Christ has given us the gift of His grace.  He has given the gifts of faith, prayer, repentance, scriptures, the Holy Ghost, priesthood, prophets, apostles, and temple ordinances.  What does Christ expect of us?  He expects us to receive these gifts and to make use of them.  

D&C 88:33 "For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift."

Alma 60:21 "Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?"

LDS Doctrine is not about thinking we can save ourselves by our own efforts.  Instead, we simply believe that we are to demonstrate our faith by our works by receiving the many gifts of grace that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us and to make the best use of them we can. 

James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

Matt 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

We need to avoid making the mistake of interpreting Eph 2:8-9 while excluding all other scriptures on the matter; especially the direct words of Jesus Christ during His ministry. Yes, if we truly accept Christ as our personal Savior, we will be born again, and born of the Holy Spirit and embark on a life-long path of discipleship, spiritual growth, and sanctification.   The many gifts of Christ grace (scripture, prayer, fasting, baptism, Holy Ghost, Lords Supper, temple) are given to us to aid in our progression in Christ unto eternal life. If we are truly born again, we should not have any aversion to receiving these many gifts with thanksgiving and diligent utilization.

President Russell M. Nelson's Prophetic Priorities and Invitations

President Russell M. Nelson, a former world-renowned heart surgeon, was called and sustained  as the 17th prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 14, 2018. President Nelson passed away on September 27, 2025 at the age of 101.  The following is a summary of President Nelson's prophetic priorities and invitations. 

2018 

“Stay on the covenant path.”

“Now, to each member of the Church I say: Keep on the covenant path.”

Talk: April 2018 – “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.”

Theme: Covenant keeping opens the door to personal revelation and divine guidance.

“Hasten the work of salvation.”

“The Lord is hastening His work and needs you.”

Context: Emphasized missionary and temple efforts as unified gathering work.

“Home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning.” 

“We are moving forward into a new era… of home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning.”

Talk: October 2018 – “Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints.” (and in the announcement introducing Come, Follow Me)

Theme: The home is the primary center of gospel instruction, with Church meetings providing support and structure.

Significance: This prophetic shift—announced before the 2020 pandemic—prepared Saints worldwide for spiritual self-reliance and family-based discipleship.

2019

"Time is Running Out"

"Now, as President of His Church, I plead with you who have distanced yourselves from the Church and with you who have not yet really sought to know that the Savior's Church has been restored. Do the spiritual work to find out for yourselves, and please do it now. Time is running out.".  

“The purposes of God shall be accomplished.”

“…until the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

Talk: October 2019 – Closing Remarks.

Theme: Assurance that the Restoration will continue until the Lord declares it complete.

2020

“Hear Him.”

“Our Father loves us and wants us to hear Him.”

Talk: April 2020 – Bicentennial Proclamation / ‘Go Forward with Faith’.

Theme: Personal revelation and direct connection with the Savior.

“Let God prevail.”

“When your greatest desire is to let God prevail in your life, many decisions become easier.”

Talk: October 2020 – “Let God Prevail.”

Theme: Yielding one’s will to God’s direction in every choice.

“The glory of the Lord will be revealed at the Lord’s Second Coming.”

“When He returns, the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”

Talk: April 2020 – “The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming.”

Theme: The Lord’s return will be literal, visible, and glorious.

2021

“The gathering of Israel is the most important work on earth.”

“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone… you are helping to gather Israel.”

Theme: Missionary and temple work are one unified labor of gathering. Gathering Israel includes anything that brings others to Christ on both sides of the veil.

2022

“Be peacemakers / Contention is evil.”

“Contention is a choice. Christ is the Peacemaker.”

Talk: April 2022 – “Preaching the Gospel of Peace.”

Theme: Replace contention with Christlike calm and reconciliation.

2023

“Think Celestial!”

“When you are confronted with a choice… think celestial!”

Talk: October 2023 – “Think Celestial!”

Theme: Make decisions guided by eternal, celestial perspective.

2024

“Rejoice in the gift of priesthood keys.”

“Rejoice that priesthood keys are again on the earth and exercised in righteousness.”

Talk: April 2024 – “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys.”

Theme: Gratitude for restored authority and preparation for the Savior’s return.

2025

“Let thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”

“Your confidence can truly wax strong in the presence of God.”

Talk: April 2025 – “Confidence in the Presence of God.”

Theme: Temple worship, charity, and personal holiness (virtue) create divine assurance. Temple worship increases spiritual capacity.

2016 Bonus Quote:

"The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

Are Mormons Christian?

YES!!!!  Mormons who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians.  I am Christian not just because the name of Christ is in the name of the Church, but because I accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the promised Messiah and as my personal Savior. I consider myself a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, His teachings and example.  And by doing so, I have experienced being Born Again by the Holy Spirit. I feel a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which has helped me feel the love of the Savior, His forgiveness, and His power that enables me to live a better life in Christ. I am experiencing and enjoying the good fruit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There exist many Christian denominations and non-denominations who disagree on all sorts of minor and even sometimes more major aspects of Christian belief (orthodoxy) and practice (orthopraxis).  However, the Bible sets a very open standard on what it means to be Christian.  

Rom 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved"

I and my fellow Latter-day Saints believe in Christ.  We confess and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and we believe that Jesus was crucified, died, literally ressurected from the dead on the 3rd day, and lives today. 

Joseph Smith and the Cosmic Channel

Many critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Joseph Smith often criticize Joseph Smith and the LDS Church over the Book of Abraham.  Joseph Smith purchased a collection of mummies and ancient Egyptian  papyri from a man Michael Chandler who was traveling through Kirtland Ohio back in the 1830's.  Chandler was exhibiting the mummies and papyri as a traveling show. The purchase of these documents was done decades before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, before ancient Egyptian could be decipheted and understood.  

Joseph Smith had already translated and published the Book of Mormon and claimed to be a Seer and Prophet and possess the divine instruments known in the Bible as the Urim and Thimmin.  The Urim and Thummin were special Seer stones touched by the finger of God and given for the purpose of translating unknown languages and revealing hidden knowledge. Similar stones were used by Moses and Aaron to judge Israel. 

Upon examining the newly obtained ancient documents, in addition to common funerary texts known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead and Book of Breathings, the Chandler collection contained another long scroll that contained the writings of Abraham known as the Book of Abraham. 

Joseph Smith used His divine gift of translation via the Urim and Thummin to traslate what we in the LDS Church call the Book of of Abraham.  The source papyri for the Book of Abraham is believed to have been destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire.  However, some of the other papyri from the Chandler collection were later found in the storage of the New York's Metropolitan Museum.  While copies of the Book of Breathings ahd Book of the Dead believed to be part of the Chandler collection have been found. the source document of the Book of Abraham was not found, except for the 3 facilities or graphics that are referred to by the Book of Abraham and are presented together with the Book of Abraham as part of LDS Scripture known as the Pearl of Grear Price. 

One of the facsimile, called Facsimile #2, depicts a hypocephelus.  The hypocephalus was a clay tablet that was placed below the head the mummy wheh buried.  The circular clay tablet contained special information the person being buried believed he or she would be asked by angels who stood by the gates of heaven.  Egyptians believed certain key words or token information needed to be known to pass by these angelic sentinels in order to enter into eternal life with God.  In common terms, the hypocephelus was a celestial cheat sheet. 

Joseph Smith was a revelator not necessarily an explainer.  When Joseph Smith translated something, he didn't approach it like a scholar.  He wasn't necessarily interested in being exactly true to the source document in doing an exact gloss of the anciejt Egyprian into English.  In what some scholars refer to as the "catalyst theory", Joseph Smith is sometimes believed to reveal things that should be in a document, from God's divine perspective, over what may actually be there.  

In the case of the Book of Abraham, Facsimile #2, Joseph Smuth gave some interpretation of some of the glyphs. While modern egyptolpgists have attempted to check Joseph Smith's work using their current knowledge, I am more interested in what truth God is revealing here. I care more about what is actually true about God and the universe than what ancient Egyptians believed. 

The Bible story of Abraham, together with many apocraphal text that talk about Abraham, as well as Joseph Smith's "Book of Abraham" tell the story that God showed Abraham and sun, moon, stars and entire universe and explained to Abraham how it all was ordered and how it all worked.  It then says Abraham taught these things to Phoaroh while he was visiting Egypt. Some of these explanations are contained in the Book of Abraham Facsimile #2 Hypocephelus.  

While the idea of buring objects with you so you you could take and use those objects in your travels into the afterlife and enjoy in heaven, is not Biblical. (moth and rust corrupt)  The idea that there is special knowledge that one must know that Peter or other angels (cheribim with fiery swords)  may ask at the pearly gates is fascinating.  Maybe the wise virgins knew some key information to be allowed into the marriage feast that the unwise virgins lacked and therefore were not recognized. (you never knew me). 

So, when Joseph Smith went about translating Facsimile #2, this was the context of the translation.  And what did Joseph Smith reveal? The Joseph Smith translation talks about the order of the universe.  Science used to teach that the universe was homogenous, that everywhere you looked looked like everywhere else.  The universe was random and unordered. Now, cosmology has flipped and now talk about the grand order of the universe known as the Cosmic Web. 

While many critics of the Book of Abrahsm and Joseph Smith disagree with the exactness of certain aspects of Joseph Smith's translation of the facsimires, Several recent scientific discoveries are now supporting and vindicating what Joseph Smith revealed about how the universe is ordered nearly 200 years after the fact. 

The SRG/eROSITA diffuse soft X-ray background - I. The local hot bubble in the western Galactic hemisphere | Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A)

In this paper. researchers using a new soft-xray observatory are measuring an asymmetric channel or tunnel of hot plasma that connects our sun and solar system to our surrounding intergalactic environment.  Joseph Smith guessed correctly here when revealing that there is a connecting medium between our Sun and the Great Cosmic Web.

Facsimile 2, Fig. 5.  "and is said by the Egyptians to be the Sun, and to borrow its light from Kolob through the medium of Kae-e-vanrash"

The point of this is not understanding exactly what Kolob is.  It is absolutely false to say Mormons believe God lives on the planet Kolob with His wife.   That's not what this says or means.  The Book of Abraham says God lives nearest to Kolob, not on Kolob.  This seems to be speaking in a metaphorical sense. I dont know what exactly Kolob is any more than cosmologists can explain to me what dark matter is or what The Great Attractor is.  

I believe the main point of God showing Abraham and us the order of the universe is to reveal to us how God does things.  God is a God of order, and the Universe, which is God's creation is not random but a creation of miraculous and wonderful order.  And in the same way, the cosmos is a thing of exact and exquisite order, God's kingdom and Church on Earth is also a kingdom and Church of order and hierarchy with light and truth preceeding forth from God through the medium of the Holy Spirit via prophets and Apostles, to regional and local leaders, down to each individual. 

Another cosmological truth contained in the Bible and the Book of Abraham Facsimile 2 which is now being vindicated by modern science is the idea of time dilation or that the concept of dark energy may be an artifact or illusion of what is in reality time slowing down in response to matter. 

Facsimile 2, Fig. 1, "Kolob, signifying the first creation, nearest to the celestial, or the residence of God. First in government, the last pertaining to the measurement of time. The measurement according to celestial time, which celestial time signifies one day to a cubit. One day in Kolob is equal to a thousand years according to the measurement of this earth,"

Physics of the Dark Universe, Volume 46, December 2024, 101703 "The significance of measuring cosmological time dilation in the Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program"  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212686424002851

Cast the net on the right side

John 21:6 "And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes"

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As a member of Christ's true Church I feel a joyful obligation to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with my friends amd neighbors.  I wish to share with others the reality that God has called prophets in these latter days beginning with Joseph Smith. and that God has revealed addition scriptures in the Book of Mormon that testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ. I'm trying to be a fisher of men and women.  

However. while the Church of Jesus Christ has experienced consistent miraculous growth, the message is not popular and sometimes I feel like the Apostles who had fished all night and caught nothing.   But, I am encouraged by the scriptures in Luke 5 and John 21 which may be a prophetic metaphor for our day.  Also. I am encouraged by the words of the living prophet President Russel M. Nelson who has instructed the Church to focus on gathering Israel and preparing to be the people of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. 

While the Gospel message may not be popular at the moment and our attempts to share it show little success-- maybe one here and two there.  The reality is. JESUS IS THE CHRIST, and the Book of Mormon is HIS WORD, the stick of Joseph, together with the Bible, the stick of Judah.   At some point, this message will go viral. At some point, I dont know when, Jesus will ask us again, to let down our nets on the right side ofvthe boat, and the nets will be full to overflowing.  

Despite the a discouraging night fishing, Jesus Christ and His living prophet are asking us to keep our nets mended and in good repair and to continue to share our testimony of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.  And, at some point, the Church of Jesus Christ will experience a miraculous harvest.  And, we need to make sure the nets will hold and those that return or come for the first time feel welcome. 

Luke 5:5-6  "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."

John 21:11 "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken."

The Covenant Path

We don’t need to get a complex or get a feeling that you have to be perfect to be saved. You don’t. There’s only been one perfect person, and that’s the Lord Jesus, but in order to be saved in the Kingdom of God and in order to pass the test of mortality, what you have to do is get on the straight and narrow path — thus charting a course leading to eternal life — and then, being on that path, pass out of this life in full fellowship. I’m not saying that you don’t have to keep the commandments. I’m saying you don’t have to be perfect to be saved. If you did, no one would be saved. The way it operates is this: you get on the path that’s named the “straight and narrow.” You do it by entering the gate of repentance and baptism. The straight and narrow path leads from the gate of repentance and baptism, a very great distance, to a reward that’s called eternal life. If you’re on that path and pressing forward, and you die, you’ll never get off the path. There is no such thing as falling off the straight and narrow path in the life to come, and the reason is that this life is the time that is given to men to prepare for eternity. Now is the time and the day of your salvation, so if you’re working zealously in this life — though you haven’t fully overcome the world and you haven’t done all you hoped you might do — you’re still going to be saved. You don’t have to do what Jacob said, “Go beyond the mark.” You don’t have to live a life that’s truer than true. You don’t have to have an excessive zeal that becomes fanatical and becomes unbalancing. What you have to do is stay in the mainstream of the Church and live as upright and decent people live in the Church — keeping the commandments, paying your tithing, serving in the organizations of the Church, loving the Lord, staying on the straight and narrow path. If you’re on that path when death comes — because this is the time and the day appointed, this the probationary estate — you’ll never fall off from it, and, for all practical purposes, your calling and election is made sure.

The Probationary Test of Mortality

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Address given at the University of Utah Institute of Religion January 10, 1982