At this Christmas time the words of Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, are particularly moving and heartfelt. As recorded in the Gospel of John she said, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:24–27) His coming is the lynch pin, the crux,...
Read more →Tragedies abound. The inhumanity of men and women is broadcast continuously on the television, radio, and internet. Wars and rumors of wars (Mormon 8:30-31; D&C 45:26-27) are heard. Torture. Brutality. Violence. Horror. Pestilence. Famine. Sickness. Death. Where in all this unspeakable suffering is the presence of God? Where is any semblance of fair play...
Read more →The classic question, and favorite of armchair psychologists everywhere; “Is the glass half full or half empty?” The correct answer is supposed to yield insight into one’s outlook on life, one’s personality, one’s soul. The true answer is neither, none of the above. The glass is always, and precisely, 100% full. Half fluid, and...
Read more →We walk through life by faith (2 Cor 5:7), seeing the truths of eternity only darkly (1 Cor 13:12-13). We are a people of faith. We are a people of questions. Any latter-day Christians without questions are not taking their religion seriously, thinking about it, or studying it as they ought. Questions are to...
Read more →As Latter-day Christians, we believe the constitution of the United States was established by The Lord (D&C 101:77, 80). This does not, however, mean the constitution contains a fullness of the Lord’s views on government. While we believe the constitution was an inspired document, we also believe in continuing revelation. The heavens are not...
Read more →We are commanded to remember the Sabbath day. The whole day, not just the Sabbath meeting. The Sabbath entails much more than just a few hours on Sunday. It is a day long event. How we observe and sanctify the Sabbath is a sign between the Lord and us of our sanctification by Him....
Read more →The Boy Scout program is promoting a new “Messengers of Peace” initiative consisting of three dimensions of peace: personal (harmony, justice, and equality), community (opposition to violence or hostility), and peace between man and its environment (social and economic welfare, relationship with the environment). Consider these three aspects of peace. In today’s world of...
Read more →A sense of direction can be quite handy. It can keep you out of trouble in the mountains; it can prevent you from becoming lost, and it can help you return home safely. Direction can be determined by reference to the sun, moon, or stars. A lodestone, sunstone, or compass, have been historically used...
Read more →In Exodus 3:13-15 Moses asks The Lord / Yehovah what he should tell the sons, or children, of Israel when they ask him what the name of God is. There is great importance paid here, and elsewhere in the scriptures, to the names of God. In Ezekiel 39:7 we are told, “I make...
Read more →The apostle Paul tells us of all the spiritual gifts there is one which is preeminent. One which is to be desired above all others. One which will never fail. Charity, the pure love of Christ (1 Cor 13:8, 13, Moro 7:46-48). Why is charity, this pure love of Christ, head and shoulders above...
Read more →