LDS Conference, October 2013 Saturday Morning

Elder Hales - more important to write down what the spirit directs you when talking notes during conference more than writing down what the speaker is saying.

Elder Soares- Meekness is a  desire for daily improvement. Also, involves Perseverance. Temperance controls temper and avoids contention. Humility acknowledges dependance on the Lord.  Meekness isn't weakness but faithfulness.

Sis. Stephens- men and women are both endowed with the same priesthood power in the temple.  The sacrament renews all covenants we have made with the Lord.

Elder Dube- Focus on all that we still have yet to do.  The past is to be learned from but not lived in. Faith is always directed at the future.  Be equally yoked and pull the burden together. Stand close together and lift where we stand.  

Elder Bednar-  The blessings of tithing may come in subtle ways such as better heath, attitude of gratitude, thrift,  assurance, peace and hope.    Physical and mental stamina.  Resolve and resilience. The ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of discontentment.  Gods ways are not our ways.

Pres. Uchtdorf- What do you expect from your members.  Nothing, but the Lord expects us to consecrate all.  Do your people do it.  Yes, and more.  People want to put their faith into practice.  Because we have no paid local clergy, local congregations can self-organize as called by the Lord's Spirit.  Sometimes we volunteer and sometimes we are volunteered.  

There are events if Church history that cause some to question and others to doubt. Sometimes we just know all the facts or we disagree on what they mean.  Things that cause some to doubt inspire faith in others.  The Doctrine of Christ is perfect.  The Church Leadership is imperfect.  The Book of Mormon acknowledges that if there are faults they are faults of men. But nothing will cause the Church to be diverted from its eternal destiny.  If you feel you can't live up to your standards. All the more reason to come.

LDS Church: Stay With the Ship

The LDS Church carried out an unfortunate but very necessary excommunication of a popular LDS writer last month.  The name isn't important, but if you are familiar with LDS writing then you already know who I'm speaking of.

This popular ex-LDS writer who has and continues to hold doctrinal seminars; has a small number of adherents.  Now not everything this writer has said is incorrect.  I personally have gained many insights from his books.  However, the problem arose when this writer began making the following claims: 1. the current LDS Church is holding its members back 2. the current LDS Church has detracted from the pure doctrine of Joseph Smith 3, the current LDS Leadership do not possess the Priesthood keys and authority of Joseph Smith.

I'm not sure what this ex-LDS author was thinking when he started coming out publicly claiming and printing these claims, but anyone can see that no person could possibly remain LDS-in- good-standing and be publicly printing this.  

A forum I frequent had several fan's of this ex-LDS writer which includes the webmaster and moderators. The forum attracted me because it was supposed to be a conservative political forum.  But in reality, it has been revealed to be a fan forum for this popular ex-LDS author.  Since, the excommunication, the forum members have gotten very vocal and very clear in their adopted views with the ex-LDS author. 

I came to the forum wanting to talk about defending the US Constitution and constitutional principles.  Instead, I find myself having to continually defend the LDS Church to these other supposed-to-be LDS forum members. Even when talking politics, the conversation seems to be more focused on "why isn't LDS leadership not speaking out on these issues" more than the issues themselves.

In response to this, I wanted to make the following point.   Yes, the current LDS Church is NOT perfect and has NOT yet arrived at its appointed destination.  The LDS Church at the time of Joseph Smith's founding had not yet been perfected either.  However, let it be known that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's kingdom on Earth and it is and will be the only vehicle for the salvation of mankind. 

God may lead people to be Catholic or Luthern or non-denominational as a stepping-stone to becoming LDS. This would be akin to Lehi's family being led to Bountiful before crossing the Ocean to the "Promised Land". The LDS Church is the Promised Land and the only train that will gets its people safely to Zion.

Yes, the LDS Church has not yet arrived at our final destination; but it is the only train, boat, vehicle that will get us there. Any other thinking that a person can get to Zion outside the LDS Church priesthood authority is tragically mistaken.

Using another Book of Mormon prophetic analogy, the only other ship heading towards the promised land other than the Nephites (LDS Church) were the Mulekites (Jews). But they eventually became one nation. At some point the Mulekites joined with and became one with the Nephites and became Nephites.

It will be exciting to see the fulfillment of this prophesy in the Book of Mormon and Ezek 37 when the Jews will one day accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.

My message to anyone out there worrying about perceived imperfections in the LDS Church; 'Stay in the boat!'

No, the LDS Church is NOT perfected. But we are expected to submit to God's priesthood authority and not "steady the ark". There is a difference in talking about about principles of freedom and Zion society and wanting to trigger a grass-roots rebellion and division in the ranks. It's not the Lord's way.

A friend asked me to give an example of a way in which the current LDS Church membership is not living according the teachings of Joseph Smith and how to respond to it.  In one example. The LDS Membership does not currently live under the "United Order". The LDS Church itself does live with all things in common. For example LDS Temples and meeting houses in Santo Domingo, DR; Racife, Brazil and Fiji are just as nice as in the US and the PotLuck Christmas parties are just as wounerfully mediocre everywhere.

You may say, the Church has departed from the teachings of Joseph Smith because membership themselves are not living under the United Order. However, the United Order in reality is an economic system that helps membership live consecration.  Unfortunately, in the western world, economic policy is controlled by politics and not religion (Thank-you Rothschilds). 

The LDS Church encourages individual members to talk about living the Law of Consecration and keeping their temple covenants better even though, as a community, we currently live under a  capitalist-controlled system and not a true free enterprise united order.  So, talk about you living consecration all you want. But you cross a line when we start saying "the Brethren should be doing this or saying that". That is none of our business.

Stick to the ship of Zion. If boats come to the side, showing beautiful colors and making wonderful promises, do not get off the ship to go to the shore on any other boat; but keep on the ship. If you are badly used by any of those that are on the ship, who have not got the proper spirit, remember the ship itself is allright. We should not allow our minds to become soured because of anything that the people on the ship may do to us; the ship is allright, and the officers are allright, and we will be right if we stick to the ship. I can assure you it will take you right into the land of glory.17 (Chapter 3: Lifelong Conversion: Continuing to Advance in the Principles of Truth, TOTP Lorenzo Snow)

Also it is important to realize just as Pres. Uchtdorf said in Oct 2013 General Conference, that God works through imperfect people which includes leadership. The introduction to the Book of Mormon warns that "And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God,"

Also the Doctrine and Covenants acknowledges that God works through imperfect people:

24 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. 

25 And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; 

26 And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; 

27 And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; 

28 And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 1)

So, here God acknowledges that his chosen leaders like Peter at times have lacked knowledge, erred, and even sinned.  But the important thing is that our leaders have humbled ourselves and sought wisdom and repented and God's kingdom has progressed greatly.

Finally, going back to the boat analogy it is important to realize that the kingdom of God has yet to "arrive" at our final eternal  destination. Again, we haven't yet arrived but we know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only ship headed where we want to go-- Zion.  So, we need to "stay with the ship."

How do we balance, not coming out in open criticism (evil speaking) of current LDS Church leadership and seeking to steady the ark vs. not saying 'all is well in Zion?" I think the issue with not saying "all is well in Zion" is not a free pass to criticize LDS Leadership but to, realize our ship hasn't yet arrived. 

Is is alright to Second Guess and Monday Morning Quarterback the Brethern? No! But instead of murmuring, we should realize we still have a lot of sailing to do. Then, instead of being at ease sunbathing on the deck, we are helping to clean the decks and to hoist and trim the mainsail. 

Quote of the Day

"When I don't go to church, ya'll come over like you think my house is on fire".--Bro. N. Lay, recent convert 

Fellowship With The Father

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (New Testament, 1 John, 1 John 1)

Back before my time at BYU, I remember hearing about some doctrinal clarification provide by Elder Mcconkie which served to clarify some teachings by Bro. George Pace who was a popular BYU educator, speaker and writer of the book now called, "Knowing Christ".

From what I was told, (interesting that I am aware of the issue at all), Bro. Pace spoke at BYU a lot about developing a personal relationship with Christ.  Whether it was intended or not, I think there were a lot of BYU students setting goals to receive a visitation by Jesus Christ and then being disappointed when it didn't happen in the months and few years ahead. 

Wikipedia reports that Elder Mcconkie spoke at BYU some time after the publishing  of Bro. Pace's book, without mentioning the book or Bro. Pace's name, but directly clarifying the doctrine that  regarding striving for a personal relationship with Christ vs. striving for a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

I see parallels between the message by recently excommunicated Bro. Snuffer and Bro. Pace. I can see that setting a goal to receive a visitation from Christ could lead to religious extremism as Elder Mcconkie rightly said; or disappointment.  I remember it being explained to me that what we should be seeking is a relationship with our Father in Heaven through Christ and not Christ alone, to the exclusion of the Father.

Many Protestant's have a limited concept of Heavenly Father and His relationship to God the Son. This is a major defining factor for LDS theology. The reason is that God the Father sent Christ to condescend to our sinful level. Accordingly, many people conclude, 'Christ is in me, therefore, I'm finished and I'm saved.' 

What they may not understand is that Heavenly Father sent Christ to save us "from our sins" and not just "in our sins"; and the road of repentance and sanctification is just beginning. Christ condescends to our sinful level to "rescue/save" us, but then we must then allow Christ to "draw us", "raise us" up to the level and perfection of Our Heavenly Father.

Seeking a personal relationship with Christ at the exclusion of the Father may lead to other unfortunate consequences.  Because Christ condescends to our sinful level, we may be tempted to see God in our image instead of allowing God to changing and transform ourselves into His image.

Case-in-point: I remember a roommate at BYU who wrestled in High School tell me he couldn't wait to see Christ face-to-face because then they could then enjoy a good wrestle together.  I don't mean to belittle the point.  Both Joseph Smith and Jacob in the Bible enjoyed a good wrestling.   It's just that wrestling is not the first inclination I can see myself having when I'm standing at the judgement bar.

Honestly, I have never thought to set a goal like this (see Christ). My goals are more concerned with keeping specific commandments and developing and maintaing certain good habits.  Goals come with a timetable, and I don't think its proper to put God on our timetable. We need to put ourselves of His timetable. 

The Holy Ghost is every bit a member of the Godhead as Jesus Christ or God the Father. I am happy, grateful and content to enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost in my life.

I'm not saying, I don't desire to see the Savior as Paul did or Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I just don't put God on a timetable by making a specific time-based goal about it.


I decided to become a Doctor in 6th grade. I used to see other students wear scrubs to schools to signal to others their interest in the health professions. I knew I was going to be a doctor, and I had no interest buying and wearing scrubs knowing I'd be wearing them for a long long time to come.

In the same way, I know I'm gonna see the Savior and Live Eternally. I just want to do my home teaching 100% this month. I'd be happy and content with that goal. I had some non-LDS friends over for dinner with the sister missionaries tonight. I'd love it if they would come to accept the invitation to attend church. In reality, I'm happy just remembering to read the scriptures and praying every day.

Raising Children to the Lord

My wife spoke on this last week at Church and this week at Stake Conference.  She said "children ask, 'how do I know God is real?".  Parents can take their children to the temple where they can see something concrete- "the House of God" and then they can feel and recognize His Spirit there.  

Before, we left it up to the Church programs to take our children to the temple.  Before, children would see their parents go to the temple.  Today, parents should take their children with them from time to time.

Scripture records 2 events of Jesus Christ's childhood.  Both involve the Temple.  The first is when Mary and Joseph present Jesus at 8 days old in the temple.  The second is when Jesus is found at age 12 to be asking and answering questions in the temple; doing His Father's work.

Also, parents must provide a good example of gospel living.  We must be found following  the prophet, praying together, reading scriptures, FHE ect. We should also magnify our Church callings and participate in charitable service.  If we don't take the gospel of Christ or the words of the Living Prophet serious, why should they?

Lastly, we have had children with learning challenges. Devin was dyslexic, Faith had speech delay, and Claire is reading delayed.  Instead of settling that our children will just have a learning disability in these areas, we identified their areas of weakness, and then we provided extra targeted  tutoring and therapy in those areas. Now these weaknesses have become strengths.  Devin writes stories. Faith won't stop debating us, and Claire is just finishing reading the Book of Mormon before she turns 8. 

In the same way children can have learning challenges, they can also have spiritual weaknesses.  Instead of giving up and settling that our children will never develop their own testimony, we can identify their weakness and provide targeted spiritual training and tutoring through Family Home Evenings, Christian service activities, and the help of Home Teachers and youth advisors.