By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
There are multiple definitions of the word cult in the Dictionary. Because there are multiple definitions of words, (and we have no way, while speaking, to indicate which definition we are using), people can argue about something and both be 100 percent correct.
There are many people, who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus, that use the word "Cult" to describe religions that are different than their own.
Here is the definition of that word...
Cult
1-A particular system of religious worship, Esp. with reference to it's rites and ceremonies.
2-An instance of great veneration of a person, idea, or thing, Esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: A cult of Napoleon.
3-The object of such devotion.
4-A group or sect bound together by devotion to or veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5-A group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centered around their sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6-A religion that is considered or held to be false or unorthox.
I have realized that as I talk with someone who uses this term to label me, I could say to him, "My friend, we belong to the same cult. The cult of Jesus." According to definition number two, I would be 100 percent correct. This would likely shock my friend and make him extremely angry however, because the only definition of the word cult that he may be aware of, is number six. (Though, if I were to say this, I would be referring to definition number 4.) If a person feels that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints fits definition number 6, I would like to let this person know that I respect the right and privilege that you have to believe that the Mormon Church is a false religion.
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Are Mormons Christian?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
There are multiple definitions of the word Christian in the Dictionary. Because there are multiple definitions of words, (and we have no way, while speaking, to indicate which definition we are using), people can argue on both sides of an issue about something and both be 100 percent correct.
For instance, the dictionary defines the word Christian in the following ways...
Christian
1-Pertaining to or derived from Jesus Christ or his teachings.
2-Of, pertaining to or adhering to a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
3-Of, or pertaining to Christians
4-Exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ, as in having a loving regard for other persons.
5-A person who believes in Jesus Christ; An adherent of Christianity.
6-A person who exemplifies in his life the teachings of Christ.
According to these definitions, someone may be correct when he says that one particular member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not a Christian. (ie. Perhaps one specific Mormon they know, who seems to hate people and does not "have a loving regard for them." As required in definition number four.) On the other hand, a person might simply be confused if he makes the Statement that all Mormons are not Christians. Which definition is he using then?
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
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Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
There are multiple definitions of the word Christian in the Dictionary. Because there are multiple definitions of words, (and we have no way, while speaking, to indicate which definition we are using), people can argue on both sides of an issue about something and both be 100 percent correct.
For instance, the dictionary defines the word Christian in the following ways...
Christian
1-Pertaining to or derived from Jesus Christ or his teachings.
2-Of, pertaining to or adhering to a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
3-Of, or pertaining to Christians
4-Exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ, as in having a loving regard for other persons.
5-A person who believes in Jesus Christ; An adherent of Christianity.
6-A person who exemplifies in his life the teachings of Christ.
According to these definitions, someone may be correct when he says that one particular member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not a Christian. (ie. Perhaps one specific Mormon they know, who seems to hate people and does not "have a loving regard for them." As required in definition number four.) On the other hand, a person might simply be confused if he makes the Statement that all Mormons are not Christians. Which definition is he using then?
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
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Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Have Mormons been Decieved?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The following comes from the book, History of Salt Lake City by Edward William Tullidge…
“When President Ulysses S. Grant, on his entrance to Salt Lake City (for the first time), in his carriage, passed the multitude of Sunday School children who, under their teachers, had gathered, arrayed in white to welcome him- in their simplicity of manner, emphasizing the greeting of Brigham Young, 'This is the first time I have had the honor of meeting a President of my nation' – he turned to Governor Emery and enquired, ‘Whose children are these?’ He was answered by the Governor, ‘Mormon children.’ For several moments the President was silent, and then he murmered, in a tone of self-reproach, ‘I have been deceived!’ It was in vain for any anti-Mormon, after that utterance, to tell him that those children had been arrayed to give him welcome, for the purpose of making a favorable impression on his mind in behalf of their Mormon parents. To a man of so strong a religious nature as that of Ulysses S. Grant… these Sunday School children, brought up in the fear of the Lord, were, on this Sabbath day of his entrance into our city, more powerful sermons than he had ever heard… (in his church) against the Mormons from his favorite pastor. And even the depreciatory expounding of the anti-Mormon – that this array of Sunday School children was “all gotten up for effect” – would have been entirely lost on a man of simple directness of mind, for Mormon parents, who could with so much natural sagacity conceive the plot of capturing the conqueror of southern rebeldom, by an army of their Sunday School children, were surely not wicked parents, nor unworthy of the regard of the representative ‘father of his Country.’ “
I am a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a Mormon) and as such, like every other Mormon, I have been encouraged by the church to search for and accept the truth wherever I can find it. I have read the sixty-six books in the bible through (several times) I have read all of the Biblical Apocrypha, I have read the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the Pearl of Great Price. I’ve been told, over the years, by several people (Who have not read all of these things) that I have been deceived. I find it interesting that many of the people who call me deceived are, in truth, the ones who are in a deceived state about what I believe and what the LDS Church teaches. Many videos and much written information have been produced by former members of the LDS church, which are intentionally dishonest. Many of these materials are circulated vigorously by some of our friends of other faiths in a seeming effort to bring fear into the hearts of their people so that they will not investigate the “More” that Mormonism offers. I have read books given to me by my friends of other faiths regarding their religion. I have had the experience of seeing fear in the eyes of someone as they tell me that they will never read the Book of Mormon. This fear is unnecessary for all those who believe that God can speak to our spirits through the Holy Ghost and help us discern the difference between truth and error. Faith is a much better approach to finding truth and goodness than fear. I believe that there are many who more closely fit the definition of being deceived if they blindly accept what they are told about the LDS Church and the people within this faith without personally questioning and investigating the validity of what they are being told.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The following comes from the book, History of Salt Lake City by Edward William Tullidge…
“When President Ulysses S. Grant, on his entrance to Salt Lake City (for the first time), in his carriage, passed the multitude of Sunday School children who, under their teachers, had gathered, arrayed in white to welcome him- in their simplicity of manner, emphasizing the greeting of Brigham Young, 'This is the first time I have had the honor of meeting a President of my nation' – he turned to Governor Emery and enquired, ‘Whose children are these?’ He was answered by the Governor, ‘Mormon children.’ For several moments the President was silent, and then he murmered, in a tone of self-reproach, ‘I have been deceived!’ It was in vain for any anti-Mormon, after that utterance, to tell him that those children had been arrayed to give him welcome, for the purpose of making a favorable impression on his mind in behalf of their Mormon parents. To a man of so strong a religious nature as that of Ulysses S. Grant… these Sunday School children, brought up in the fear of the Lord, were, on this Sabbath day of his entrance into our city, more powerful sermons than he had ever heard… (in his church) against the Mormons from his favorite pastor. And even the depreciatory expounding of the anti-Mormon – that this array of Sunday School children was “all gotten up for effect” – would have been entirely lost on a man of simple directness of mind, for Mormon parents, who could with so much natural sagacity conceive the plot of capturing the conqueror of southern rebeldom, by an army of their Sunday School children, were surely not wicked parents, nor unworthy of the regard of the representative ‘father of his Country.’ “
I am a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a Mormon) and as such, like every other Mormon, I have been encouraged by the church to search for and accept the truth wherever I can find it. I have read the sixty-six books in the bible through (several times) I have read all of the Biblical Apocrypha, I have read the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the Pearl of Great Price. I’ve been told, over the years, by several people (Who have not read all of these things) that I have been deceived. I find it interesting that many of the people who call me deceived are, in truth, the ones who are in a deceived state about what I believe and what the LDS Church teaches. Many videos and much written information have been produced by former members of the LDS church, which are intentionally dishonest. Many of these materials are circulated vigorously by some of our friends of other faiths in a seeming effort to bring fear into the hearts of their people so that they will not investigate the “More” that Mormonism offers. I have read books given to me by my friends of other faiths regarding their religion. I have had the experience of seeing fear in the eyes of someone as they tell me that they will never read the Book of Mormon. This fear is unnecessary for all those who believe that God can speak to our spirits through the Holy Ghost and help us discern the difference between truth and error. Faith is a much better approach to finding truth and goodness than fear. I believe that there are many who more closely fit the definition of being deceived if they blindly accept what they are told about the LDS Church and the people within this faith without personally questioning and investigating the validity of what they are being told.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Do Mormons Worship Joseph Smith?
A great quote from "LDS Girl"
“Experiences that are out of the ordinary are common at the Referral Center, a call center for free items from the L.D.S. church, but one experience in particular has stuck in my mind. I spoke with a man who had many questions about the beliefs of church members and our stance on social issues, like abortion, stem cell research, etc. Questions are no problem and we spent a long time talking.
“During the conversation the man kept bringing up how we worship Joseph Smith and I had to correct him three or four times, telling him that just is not true. It bothered me a little that he seemed not to believe me. He seemed to think he knew better than I did what I believe. I have been a member of this church for 17 years and I've never been taught to worship Joseph Smith nor have I.
“Through this experience I can see that there may be a misunderstanding about the role of Jesus Christ and the role of Joseph Smith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here is what we really believe: We believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God. (We only worship Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.) We pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ. I have felt the love of God and the Savior in my life. I know they are aware of me and help me through life.
“Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. His role, just like the prophets of old (Moses, Abraham, etc.), was to reveal the will of Heavenly Father. Joseph was a great man like the prophets we read about in the Bible. He restored to the earth the truths that were lost after the death of Christ and His Apostles.
"Chirst is our Savior and is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was a man called to be a prophet in our day.”
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
“Experiences that are out of the ordinary are common at the Referral Center, a call center for free items from the L.D.S. church, but one experience in particular has stuck in my mind. I spoke with a man who had many questions about the beliefs of church members and our stance on social issues, like abortion, stem cell research, etc. Questions are no problem and we spent a long time talking.
“During the conversation the man kept bringing up how we worship Joseph Smith and I had to correct him three or four times, telling him that just is not true. It bothered me a little that he seemed not to believe me. He seemed to think he knew better than I did what I believe. I have been a member of this church for 17 years and I've never been taught to worship Joseph Smith nor have I.
“Through this experience I can see that there may be a misunderstanding about the role of Jesus Christ and the role of Joseph Smith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here is what we really believe: We believe Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God. (We only worship Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.) We pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ. I have felt the love of God and the Savior in my life. I know they are aware of me and help me through life.
“Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. His role, just like the prophets of old (Moses, Abraham, etc.), was to reveal the will of Heavenly Father. Joseph was a great man like the prophets we read about in the Bible. He restored to the earth the truths that were lost after the death of Christ and His Apostles.
"Chirst is our Savior and is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was a man called to be a prophet in our day.”
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Why did the LDS Church withhold the Priesthood from black men until 1978?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was sitting in church last Sunday next to one of my Black brothers. He mentioned that he had a discussion recently with some of our Friends of other Faiths about the blacks not being able to receive the priesthood until 1978. He asked for my thoughts (Which I offer here in an expanded version) on this subject and so I explained to him my belief that it was the Lord, Jesus Christ who directed that the priesthood not be given to black men up until 1978. It was also the Lord who, in 1978 directed the Church, through his Prophet, to allow every worthy Male to hold the priesthood. The reason I believe that the Lord directed the Church to withhold the priesthood from black men until 1978 is the very same reason that the whole world did not have the priesthood for around 1,200 years (From somewhere around 500 AD to the early 1800s, - as Mormons believe). The wickedness of the world was the reason that the priesthood has been withheld at any time during the history of this world. I believe that it was not the wickedness or righteousness of black men, but the wickedness of the world in which they lived that caused the need to withhold the priesthood for a time.
Our Father in Heaven wants all of his children to know the fullness of his gospel, for all worthy males to hold the priesthood, and for all of his children to have access to temples. Our Father in Heaven does not change, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The followers of God, however, change in their commitment level and willingness to follow Gods commandments. For this reason God must change the way that he interacts with his children. In the hopeless situation at the time of Noah the way our Heavenly Father chose to act was to Save only Noah and his extended family and destroy all of the other wicked people by the flood. After the death of Jesus and his Apostles the Authority to act in the name of God was taken from the earth because of wickedness.
The Book of Mormon contains an Allegory from a prophet named Zenos in which the restoration of the Gospel in the Latter days is described in the following terms, "And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard." As I contemplate the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it seems to me that those who led the church always wanted to give the priesthood to our black brothers sooner than the "strength of the good" would have justified it. As I understand it, the prophet Joseph Smith authorized a sealing to be performed for a black man in the early days of the Church. When he was the mayor of Nauvoo Joseph Smith gave one of his own horses to a Black man who had recieve a fine from the city. This black mand was a "freeman" who was trying to purchase the freedom of his son and without the gift of the prophet's horse he would not have been able to afford both the fine and the price of his son.
The sympathies of the prophets from Joseph Smith to Spencer W. Kimball seem to have been with their black brothers as when Spencer W. Kimball said, "Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance."
In the history of Israel we see that when Moses came down from the top of Mount Sinai the children of Israel had made bad choices and turned to Idolatry. Because of the wickedness of the people, the Lord only allowed the people to have only the lesser priesthood (Withholding the higher priesthood) and only allowed a small portion of the people (Those in the tribe of Levi) to hold the priesthood. In a similar way the United States of America allowed Slavery at the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This Christian Nation may have felt justified to some degree in holding slaves because of the words of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament regarding the Slavery that occurred in his day, "Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - Their masters are really their beloved brothers."
It is interesting to note that there were two slaves who came (as slaves) to the west with the Mormon Pioneers. These two slaves, a Brother and Sister, had been presented as wedding gifts to one of the families who came west. These slaves were treated like a beloved Brother and Sister by their Mormon Christian masters. One of these slaves was driving the wagon of Brigham Young when Brigham Young said to him, "This is the right place, drive on." These two Slaves were amoung a very small number of Black People in Utah for a long time. These two slaves eventually gained their freedom and were members of the LDS Church all of their lives and died firm in the faith of the restored gospel. In Paul's day and in the days of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young “the good” did not yet have enough strength to abolish the evil of slavery. Even after Abraham Lincoln had signed the emancipation proclamation there were still virtual slave situations and only after the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and others did Slavery truly begin to end without the violence and murder that accompanied earlier efforts to stop it completely.
Once the world had conquered the evil and wickedness that existed in the form of Slavery, the “good” was sufficiently strong to overcome the “bad” and our Heavenly Father was able to reveal through the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball that the time had come for all Worthy Males to be able to receive the priesthood. In the early days of the Church the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints were persecuted very badly and if they had come out and pushed at that time to abolish slavery and emancipate every slave in the United States of America, the persecution would have multiplied tenfold. In my opinion, the Lord had to wait, to "clear away" the evil of slavery, only then did his church have sufficient strength to provided the "good" of the priesthood to every worthy male. Through the wisdom of the Lord the tree has been preserved and now the priesthood is available to every worthy man who has ever lived upon this earth. The ordinances of the temple are also available for all of the children of God in any age, through the work that is done in the temples, for and in behalf of those who have passed on. God's wisdom is truly over all the earth and his purposes will roll on until all his words are fulfilled.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was sitting in church last Sunday next to one of my Black brothers. He mentioned that he had a discussion recently with some of our Friends of other Faiths about the blacks not being able to receive the priesthood until 1978. He asked for my thoughts (Which I offer here in an expanded version) on this subject and so I explained to him my belief that it was the Lord, Jesus Christ who directed that the priesthood not be given to black men up until 1978. It was also the Lord who, in 1978 directed the Church, through his Prophet, to allow every worthy Male to hold the priesthood. The reason I believe that the Lord directed the Church to withhold the priesthood from black men until 1978 is the very same reason that the whole world did not have the priesthood for around 1,200 years (From somewhere around 500 AD to the early 1800s, - as Mormons believe). The wickedness of the world was the reason that the priesthood has been withheld at any time during the history of this world. I believe that it was not the wickedness or righteousness of black men, but the wickedness of the world in which they lived that caused the need to withhold the priesthood for a time.
Our Father in Heaven wants all of his children to know the fullness of his gospel, for all worthy males to hold the priesthood, and for all of his children to have access to temples. Our Father in Heaven does not change, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The followers of God, however, change in their commitment level and willingness to follow Gods commandments. For this reason God must change the way that he interacts with his children. In the hopeless situation at the time of Noah the way our Heavenly Father chose to act was to Save only Noah and his extended family and destroy all of the other wicked people by the flood. After the death of Jesus and his Apostles the Authority to act in the name of God was taken from the earth because of wickedness.
The Book of Mormon contains an Allegory from a prophet named Zenos in which the restoration of the Gospel in the Latter days is described in the following terms, "And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard." As I contemplate the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it seems to me that those who led the church always wanted to give the priesthood to our black brothers sooner than the "strength of the good" would have justified it. As I understand it, the prophet Joseph Smith authorized a sealing to be performed for a black man in the early days of the Church. When he was the mayor of Nauvoo Joseph Smith gave one of his own horses to a Black man who had recieve a fine from the city. This black mand was a "freeman" who was trying to purchase the freedom of his son and without the gift of the prophet's horse he would not have been able to afford both the fine and the price of his son.
The sympathies of the prophets from Joseph Smith to Spencer W. Kimball seem to have been with their black brothers as when Spencer W. Kimball said, "Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance."
In the history of Israel we see that when Moses came down from the top of Mount Sinai the children of Israel had made bad choices and turned to Idolatry. Because of the wickedness of the people, the Lord only allowed the people to have only the lesser priesthood (Withholding the higher priesthood) and only allowed a small portion of the people (Those in the tribe of Levi) to hold the priesthood. In a similar way the United States of America allowed Slavery at the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This Christian Nation may have felt justified to some degree in holding slaves because of the words of the Apostle Paul in the New Testament regarding the Slavery that occurred in his day, "Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don't blame God and our teaching for his behavior. Slaves with Christian masters all the more so - Their masters are really their beloved brothers."
It is interesting to note that there were two slaves who came (as slaves) to the west with the Mormon Pioneers. These two slaves, a Brother and Sister, had been presented as wedding gifts to one of the families who came west. These slaves were treated like a beloved Brother and Sister by their Mormon Christian masters. One of these slaves was driving the wagon of Brigham Young when Brigham Young said to him, "This is the right place, drive on." These two Slaves were amoung a very small number of Black People in Utah for a long time. These two slaves eventually gained their freedom and were members of the LDS Church all of their lives and died firm in the faith of the restored gospel. In Paul's day and in the days of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young “the good” did not yet have enough strength to abolish the evil of slavery. Even after Abraham Lincoln had signed the emancipation proclamation there were still virtual slave situations and only after the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and others did Slavery truly begin to end without the violence and murder that accompanied earlier efforts to stop it completely.
Once the world had conquered the evil and wickedness that existed in the form of Slavery, the “good” was sufficiently strong to overcome the “bad” and our Heavenly Father was able to reveal through the Prophet Spencer W. Kimball that the time had come for all Worthy Males to be able to receive the priesthood. In the early days of the Church the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints were persecuted very badly and if they had come out and pushed at that time to abolish slavery and emancipate every slave in the United States of America, the persecution would have multiplied tenfold. In my opinion, the Lord had to wait, to "clear away" the evil of slavery, only then did his church have sufficient strength to provided the "good" of the priesthood to every worthy male. Through the wisdom of the Lord the tree has been preserved and now the priesthood is available to every worthy man who has ever lived upon this earth. The ordinances of the temple are also available for all of the children of God in any age, through the work that is done in the temples, for and in behalf of those who have passed on. God's wisdom is truly over all the earth and his purposes will roll on until all his words are fulfilled.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The Mountain of the Lord
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Throughout history, there has been a deep and abiding desire in the human family to seek for the presence of God. There seems to be an internal drive to worship God in almost all of the people who have lived upon the earth. Many religious faiths have incorporated the top of mountains as Holy Places. In the History of Israel, Mountain tops have been very important, as when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God directly, upon the top of a mountain.
There is a hill in Jerusalem called the temple mount. There is a great deal of turmoil in our world over the ownership and control of this hill. As we read from the Old Testament we find that the record indicates the existence of more than one sanctioned temple at a time. In addition to the preceding truth, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe, there was a branch of the House of Israel that was led by the hand of the Lord to the American Continent. These people also built temples after the pattern of Solomon’s Temple. Thus, God always accepted the existence and functionality of more that one temple at a time and intended that there should be temples available throughout the earth. Many modern-day Jews believe that there are not currently any temples upon the earth recognized by God. These Jewish worshipers also believe that the only location upon which a temple can be built is where the Dome of the Rock stands today (A Muslim place of Worship). These conflicting systems of belief have resulted in struggle and turmoil for many years.
There is a record that was written by the descendents of the house of Joseph, (One of the sons of Israel) on the American Continent. This record is called the Book of Mormon. In this Book of Scripture, we are taught that the Book of Mormon would be used with the Bible, “unto the confounding (of) false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace... and bringing (us) to the knowledge of (our) fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.” This ancient record serves as the testimony of a second Nation that Jesus is the Christ. This record was translated by the gift and power of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Using the Prophet Joseph Smith as a modern-day Prophet, God restored his fullness of Doctrine, Covenants, and Priesthood Authority upon the Earth. When the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in these latter-days the Lord also commanded that temples again be built. The Authority to administer Ordinances in the house of the Lord is found once again upon the earth, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In our time, once again, the mountain of the Lord’s House has been established and all of the people of the world are invited to prepare themselves to enter the Modern-day temples (There are now over 100) that have been built throughout the earth. These temples have been built under the direction of Modern-day Prophets in the LDS Church. The invitation to come to these houses of prayer and learn how to enter the presence of God, is one that is extended to all the people of the world. This message from the Lord, through the restoration of the fullness of his Gospel, can bring peace, joy, and happiness to every child of God.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Throughout history, there has been a deep and abiding desire in the human family to seek for the presence of God. There seems to be an internal drive to worship God in almost all of the people who have lived upon the earth. Many religious faiths have incorporated the top of mountains as Holy Places. In the History of Israel, Mountain tops have been very important, as when Moses received the Ten Commandments from God directly, upon the top of a mountain.
There is a hill in Jerusalem called the temple mount. There is a great deal of turmoil in our world over the ownership and control of this hill. As we read from the Old Testament we find that the record indicates the existence of more than one sanctioned temple at a time. In addition to the preceding truth, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe, there was a branch of the House of Israel that was led by the hand of the Lord to the American Continent. These people also built temples after the pattern of Solomon’s Temple. Thus, God always accepted the existence and functionality of more that one temple at a time and intended that there should be temples available throughout the earth. Many modern-day Jews believe that there are not currently any temples upon the earth recognized by God. These Jewish worshipers also believe that the only location upon which a temple can be built is where the Dome of the Rock stands today (A Muslim place of Worship). These conflicting systems of belief have resulted in struggle and turmoil for many years.
There is a record that was written by the descendents of the house of Joseph, (One of the sons of Israel) on the American Continent. This record is called the Book of Mormon. In this Book of Scripture, we are taught that the Book of Mormon would be used with the Bible, “unto the confounding (of) false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace... and bringing (us) to the knowledge of (our) fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.” This ancient record serves as the testimony of a second Nation that Jesus is the Christ. This record was translated by the gift and power of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Using the Prophet Joseph Smith as a modern-day Prophet, God restored his fullness of Doctrine, Covenants, and Priesthood Authority upon the Earth. When the Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in these latter-days the Lord also commanded that temples again be built. The Authority to administer Ordinances in the house of the Lord is found once again upon the earth, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In our time, once again, the mountain of the Lord’s House has been established and all of the people of the world are invited to prepare themselves to enter the Modern-day temples (There are now over 100) that have been built throughout the earth. These temples have been built under the direction of Modern-day Prophets in the LDS Church. The invitation to come to these houses of prayer and learn how to enter the presence of God, is one that is extended to all the people of the world. This message from the Lord, through the restoration of the fullness of his Gospel, can bring peace, joy, and happiness to every child of God.
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
A Hike with my Daughter
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
We recently went to Marsh Lake in the Uinta Moutains for a family vacation. My daughter and I hiked around Marsh Lake. We discovered that the lake is about ten times as long as it is wide and takes a lot longer to walk around that one might think. As we walked, I showed my daughter some plants and told her the names of them. I taught her how to identify nine-barks and mountain-lover. I said, "See that green colored stuff growing on the rocks? It is called a liken." "Is that because people like it?" She asked. A little later I asked, "Do you like being in the forest?" "Yes," Replied my daughter, "I like being a kid and going on a hike for my first time. There is so much to see. I've seen a squirrel and a moose and it smells so nice." As we walked further around the lake the trail grew a little more challenging for tall people. My daughter asked, "Why are the trees all not in my way?" "I don't know" I replied. My daughter then commented, "Maybe it's because you're bigger and I'm smaller... I didn't hit that one like you did."
After we were almost half-way around the lake my daughter seemed to be getting a little bit tired, "How about if you walk in front." I suggested, adding, "Then you wouldn't be left behind." My daughter began walking in front of me and said, "But you will." She then began laughing and walking really fast. I called, "Sweetheart, wait up." "See." She said with a giggle. My daughter saw a pine tree that had died and fallen to the ground. The bare and bark-less roots stuck up in the air in a tangled mass. "That looks like a slobbery monster," said my daughter, and then added, "...I want to ride it." I told her it would be alright for her to do so. She climbed up on the trunk of the tree like she was riding a horse. "Go" She commanded.
As we hiked further around the lake my daughter said, "I've never seen such beauteeeful things in my life." Three-quarters of the way around the lake my daughter really did start to get tired, she stopped walking and said "I need to sit on something smooth." As we rested, She said, "If we are quiet we can hear lots of things... Let's listen." After we listened we both shared what we had heard. "I can't wait to camp for a week." She said. As we started walking again my daughter said, "Hey, I jumped off of a log and I didn't even hurt myself." She looked into the grass along the shore and said, "We might wake up the beavers... This looks like where they live." A little later my daughter said in a disappointed voice, "I thought we would see wild berries on the way...But, I guess not. This has turned into a real hike. Like a hike up the mountains."
The sun was setting by this time and it was starting to get dark. My daughter said, "It's getting harder to see, but, I can still see good. I can see better than you because I have more..." Her voice trailed off. "More what?" I said, perhaps a little defensively. My daughter must have thought better about her earlier comments because she tried to change the subject a little. "My teacher Mrs. Johnson is even older than you." She said consolingly. "She's 32 I think. And that's REALLY OLD." As we were on the final leg of the hike I said, "Come on, Sweetheart." She replied, "You're not waiting for me and that's why I'm getting left behind, because you have bigger steps and I have smaller and trippier steps and that's why I'm getting left behind in the wilderness."
A little while later She saw another small burrow next to the trail and stopped to examine it. "Come on, Sweetheart." I said. "Ooohhh" She lamented "I wanted to see some baby Chipmunks."
By the time we got back to camp my wife had said a few prayers for us and even cried. I told everyone that I was very sorry for not letting them know where we would be going on our "little" hike. I also said I was sorry for making everyone worry so much. It was a long hike for a little girl with small feet and a really old man (I'm 30 years old) and we were glad to be back safe in camp.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
We recently went to Marsh Lake in the Uinta Moutains for a family vacation. My daughter and I hiked around Marsh Lake. We discovered that the lake is about ten times as long as it is wide and takes a lot longer to walk around that one might think. As we walked, I showed my daughter some plants and told her the names of them. I taught her how to identify nine-barks and mountain-lover. I said, "See that green colored stuff growing on the rocks? It is called a liken." "Is that because people like it?" She asked. A little later I asked, "Do you like being in the forest?" "Yes," Replied my daughter, "I like being a kid and going on a hike for my first time. There is so much to see. I've seen a squirrel and a moose and it smells so nice." As we walked further around the lake the trail grew a little more challenging for tall people. My daughter asked, "Why are the trees all not in my way?" "I don't know" I replied. My daughter then commented, "Maybe it's because you're bigger and I'm smaller... I didn't hit that one like you did."
After we were almost half-way around the lake my daughter seemed to be getting a little bit tired, "How about if you walk in front." I suggested, adding, "Then you wouldn't be left behind." My daughter began walking in front of me and said, "But you will." She then began laughing and walking really fast. I called, "Sweetheart, wait up." "See." She said with a giggle. My daughter saw a pine tree that had died and fallen to the ground. The bare and bark-less roots stuck up in the air in a tangled mass. "That looks like a slobbery monster," said my daughter, and then added, "...I want to ride it." I told her it would be alright for her to do so. She climbed up on the trunk of the tree like she was riding a horse. "Go" She commanded.
As we hiked further around the lake my daughter said, "I've never seen such beauteeeful things in my life." Three-quarters of the way around the lake my daughter really did start to get tired, she stopped walking and said "I need to sit on something smooth." As we rested, She said, "If we are quiet we can hear lots of things... Let's listen." After we listened we both shared what we had heard. "I can't wait to camp for a week." She said. As we started walking again my daughter said, "Hey, I jumped off of a log and I didn't even hurt myself." She looked into the grass along the shore and said, "We might wake up the beavers... This looks like where they live." A little later my daughter said in a disappointed voice, "I thought we would see wild berries on the way...But, I guess not. This has turned into a real hike. Like a hike up the mountains."
The sun was setting by this time and it was starting to get dark. My daughter said, "It's getting harder to see, but, I can still see good. I can see better than you because I have more..." Her voice trailed off. "More what?" I said, perhaps a little defensively. My daughter must have thought better about her earlier comments because she tried to change the subject a little. "My teacher Mrs. Johnson is even older than you." She said consolingly. "She's 32 I think. And that's REALLY OLD." As we were on the final leg of the hike I said, "Come on, Sweetheart." She replied, "You're not waiting for me and that's why I'm getting left behind, because you have bigger steps and I have smaller and trippier steps and that's why I'm getting left behind in the wilderness."
A little while later She saw another small burrow next to the trail and stopped to examine it. "Come on, Sweetheart." I said. "Ooohhh" She lamented "I wanted to see some baby Chipmunks."
By the time we got back to camp my wife had said a few prayers for us and even cried. I told everyone that I was very sorry for not letting them know where we would be going on our "little" hike. I also said I was sorry for making everyone worry so much. It was a long hike for a little girl with small feet and a really old man (I'm 30 years old) and we were glad to be back safe in camp.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is not only based on one of the greatest books of all time it is also one of the greatest films of all time.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions about other people and let our pride stand in the way of us getting to know them fully and as a result we never give them a chance. There is, at the same time, value in waiting to find the right person to marry. Caution is wise, because deception is possible at the hands of a perfidious lover.
Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful book written by Jane Austen. This new film version of the novel, directed by Joe Wright, is breathtakingly beautiful. The film tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a comparatively poor young woman who is searching for love. She meets a man named Mr. Darcy who she misjudges and decides to hate. Later in the movie she must revise her earlier judgments and ends up marrying this wealthy and wonderful man.
This film could be considered a "period film" because it does show the English clothing and countryside at the turn of the 19th century in a very convincing and authentic way. The Production Designer, Sarah Greenwood, does a superb job along with the Costume Designer, Jacqueline Durran of producing and authentic Mis en scene for the film. In one of the final scenes of the film as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett agree to spend their lives together they do not kiss, they only put their heads close together as the morning light shines between them. What a great job of filming by the director of Photography, Roman Osin. Only after they are married do we see them kiss in the film and this fits in to the rules of society for that time period.
The lighting is very effective in the scene where Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Collins are discussing the possibility of his marrying one of the daughters. In the background we see the shady lighting with all of the daughters in the background like they are being auctioned off like cattle; Shady lighting for shady dealings.
I love the fade that goes from Elizabeth Bennett as she is blowing on a feather in her hand, to the fire at the party – with the sound of flaring flames as an audible connector which unifies the transition.
The editor also achieved a wonderful transition by cutting on action in order to remove the people from the dance scene between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. The Editor, Paul Tothill, shows such skill and good judgment in the job he did editing of this film. This scene effectively shows how intently Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett have focused their thoughts, emotions, and attention upon one another in an attempt to figure out what the other person is thinking.
The Music by Dario Marianelli infuses this film with a profound emotional impact. The music that plays, matches the dialogue perfectly, when Elizabeth goes to visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Kent. The non-melodic, aimless music in this scene is very well suited to show the boring passage of time that has occurred up until Elizabeth went to Kent.
When Mr. Darcy comes abruptly to visit Elizabeth at the cottage, at the beginning of the scene Elizabeth is seated and Mr. Darcy is standing but then Elizabeth stands up and the camera angle is on eye level. This suggests to us effectively that Elizabeth Bennett is in every way Mr. Darcy's equal.
This film is also the product of an excellent Screenplay by Debora Moggach. The background dialogue in the text delivered by Mr. Collins as he is preaching is the perfect precursor to the realization that Elizabeth has as she learns of the role that Mr. Darcy played in separating her sister Jane, from Mr. Bingley. The change in focus of the camera upon Mr. Darcy and then back to Elizabeth when Mr. Darcy looks at her and she gasps and looks forward again, is a brilliant and effective way to show how her outward curiosity changes to inward horror and rage.
This film has a abundance of excellent camera work. One of the most classic is the scene where Mr. Wickam speaks to Elisabeth Bennett to justify his situation by lying to Elizabeth about the past actions of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickam is standing and Elizabeth is seated. This high/low camera angle during the scene between Mr. Wickam and Elizabeth Bennett shows the way that Mr. Wickam is dominating her emotions through his deceptive words.
The dark and rainy weather in the conflict scene, as Mr. Darcy proposes and is rejected, reflects the bad mood of Elizabeth. After he is rejected, Mr. Darcy also experiences a shift to being in a bad mood as well. The thunder rumbles in perfect timing orchestrated by the sound designer, just after Mr. Darcy makes an insulting assessment of her family. This sound of thunder signals the moment that Elizabeth looses her temper. It is one of the best and most emotionally riveting scenes I have ever seen.
The Casting by Jina Jay is so well done Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyn are supremely convincing as they portray this relationship that grows and changes so much
during this film. Each character in the film is a perfect match to those in the story. Elizabeth’s mother even manages to be neurotic without being annoying or unbelievable. The actor’s portrayal of Mr. Collins is also absolutely priceless! This is a team effort and it is a masterpiece.
Most people end up marrying someone who is like them in intelligence and values. Wickam and Lydia, the first couple in the Bennett household to marry, seem to suggest to us that they deserve each other because of their lack of character and that they will no doubt be miserable together. When Mr. Bingley and Jane marry, we may feel that love can conquer all. When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy marry we can feel that there is the possibility for happy endings and true love that lasts forever.
Whom we marry is of the utmost importance to our happiness and this movie gives us the best marriage partner selection advice – True and enduring love must be based on more than the physical attraction which Elizabeth first felt for Mr. Wickam. True love is the product of careful and patient study and action which sometimes requires revision and forgiveness along the way.
Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time because of the culminating efforts of many talented people. This beautiful film was only possible through the efforts of an excellent cast, talented crew, and an amazing director. This film skillfully portrays a timeless message that is true and ever so important in this world that we share together.
Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is not only based on one of the greatest books of all time it is also one of the greatest films of all time.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions about other people and let our pride stand in the way of us getting to know them fully and as a result we never give them a chance. There is, at the same time, value in waiting to find the right person to marry. Caution is wise, because deception is possible at the hands of a perfidious lover.
Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful book written by Jane Austen. This new film version of the novel, directed by Joe Wright, is breathtakingly beautiful. The film tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a comparatively poor young woman who is searching for love. She meets a man named Mr. Darcy who she misjudges and decides to hate. Later in the movie she must revise her earlier judgments and ends up marrying this wealthy and wonderful man.
This film could be considered a "period film" because it does show the English clothing and countryside at the turn of the 19th century in a very convincing and authentic way. The Production Designer, Sarah Greenwood, does a superb job along with the Costume Designer, Jacqueline Durran of producing and authentic Mis en scene for the film. In one of the final scenes of the film as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett agree to spend their lives together they do not kiss, they only put their heads close together as the morning light shines between them. What a great job of filming by the director of Photography, Roman Osin. Only after they are married do we see them kiss in the film and this fits in to the rules of society for that time period.
The lighting is very effective in the scene where Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Collins are discussing the possibility of his marrying one of the daughters. In the background we see the shady lighting with all of the daughters in the background like they are being auctioned off like cattle; Shady lighting for shady dealings.
I love the fade that goes from Elizabeth Bennett as she is blowing on a feather in her hand, to the fire at the party – with the sound of flaring flames as an audible connector which unifies the transition.
The editor also achieved a wonderful transition by cutting on action in order to remove the people from the dance scene between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. The Editor, Paul Tothill, shows such skill and good judgment in the job he did editing of this film. This scene effectively shows how intently Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett have focused their thoughts, emotions, and attention upon one another in an attempt to figure out what the other person is thinking.
The Music by Dario Marianelli infuses this film with a profound emotional impact. The music that plays, matches the dialogue perfectly, when Elizabeth goes to visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Kent. The non-melodic, aimless music in this scene is very well suited to show the boring passage of time that has occurred up until Elizabeth went to Kent.
When Mr. Darcy comes abruptly to visit Elizabeth at the cottage, at the beginning of the scene Elizabeth is seated and Mr. Darcy is standing but then Elizabeth stands up and the camera angle is on eye level. This suggests to us effectively that Elizabeth Bennett is in every way Mr. Darcy's equal.
This film is also the product of an excellent Screenplay by Debora Moggach. The background dialogue in the text delivered by Mr. Collins as he is preaching is the perfect precursor to the realization that Elizabeth has as she learns of the role that Mr. Darcy played in separating her sister Jane, from Mr. Bingley. The change in focus of the camera upon Mr. Darcy and then back to Elizabeth when Mr. Darcy looks at her and she gasps and looks forward again, is a brilliant and effective way to show how her outward curiosity changes to inward horror and rage.
This film has a abundance of excellent camera work. One of the most classic is the scene where Mr. Wickam speaks to Elisabeth Bennett to justify his situation by lying to Elizabeth about the past actions of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickam is standing and Elizabeth is seated. This high/low camera angle during the scene between Mr. Wickam and Elizabeth Bennett shows the way that Mr. Wickam is dominating her emotions through his deceptive words.
The dark and rainy weather in the conflict scene, as Mr. Darcy proposes and is rejected, reflects the bad mood of Elizabeth. After he is rejected, Mr. Darcy also experiences a shift to being in a bad mood as well. The thunder rumbles in perfect timing orchestrated by the sound designer, just after Mr. Darcy makes an insulting assessment of her family. This sound of thunder signals the moment that Elizabeth looses her temper. It is one of the best and most emotionally riveting scenes I have ever seen.
The Casting by Jina Jay is so well done Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyn are supremely convincing as they portray this relationship that grows and changes so much
during this film. Each character in the film is a perfect match to those in the story. Elizabeth’s mother even manages to be neurotic without being annoying or unbelievable. The actor’s portrayal of Mr. Collins is also absolutely priceless! This is a team effort and it is a masterpiece.
Most people end up marrying someone who is like them in intelligence and values. Wickam and Lydia, the first couple in the Bennett household to marry, seem to suggest to us that they deserve each other because of their lack of character and that they will no doubt be miserable together. When Mr. Bingley and Jane marry, we may feel that love can conquer all. When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy marry we can feel that there is the possibility for happy endings and true love that lasts forever.
Whom we marry is of the utmost importance to our happiness and this movie gives us the best marriage partner selection advice – True and enduring love must be based on more than the physical attraction which Elizabeth first felt for Mr. Wickam. True love is the product of careful and patient study and action which sometimes requires revision and forgiveness along the way.
Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time because of the culminating efforts of many talented people. This beautiful film was only possible through the efforts of an excellent cast, talented crew, and an amazing director. This film skillfully portrays a timeless message that is true and ever so important in this world that we share together.
Perception controls emotion – if you can’t change your circumstances to find peace and happiness, change your perceptions instead.
By Appreciable Goodfaithepoet
As an example, one morning as my son was preparing to go to elementary school as he was zipping up his school backpack his hand slipped and he hit himself in the face, knocking out one of his teeth.
The other part of this story, the part that changes our perception of the events and thus our emotions, is that the tooth which he knocked out had been very loose for several weeks and each time we tried to pull it out it hurt very much. Because of these experiences my son would no longer allow anyone to touch his tooth. In other words we were all so happy that his tooth had been knocked out and nobody was happier than my son.
When we view things from an eternal perspective, we see things that same way that God sees them and we then can feel the same way that God feels about them. In the Book of Mormon we see evidence of this when Alma the elder rejoices in the immobilization of his son Alma the younger. Another example is when Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, witnesses thieves steeling the sheep that he is supposed to be guarding, he rejoices as well because he sees this as an opportunity to advance his missionary efforts.
Look up - 23 January 2010
When my mind is tired and weary
From the labors of this life
And my eyes are burned and bleary
From the stresses and strife,
I’ve focused only on the things
That man has built for me
With loneliness my heart then rings
God’s hand I cannot see.
My eyes are on the sidewalk
Or on the road ahead.
I hear the ticking of the clock
That drives me from my bed.
Yet, if I lift my eyes
To find God’s love for me.
I can gaze upon the skies
And see eternity.
I can see the lovely mountains
The cathedrals of the land.
Yes, I drink from these pure fountains
And I clearly see God’s hand.
I feast on milk and honey
That free and yummy food
Jesus gives us without money
And my soul is then renewed.
The eternal nature of friendship 27 January 2010
Seasons change in ordered measure
Clouds assemble and disperse
Fall leaves come to give us pleasure
Snowflakes can inspire verse.
A tiny plant takes life, then dies
Animals through life-cycles go
And people form strong social ties
Which forever continue as long as they grow.
As an example, one morning as my son was preparing to go to elementary school as he was zipping up his school backpack his hand slipped and he hit himself in the face, knocking out one of his teeth.
The other part of this story, the part that changes our perception of the events and thus our emotions, is that the tooth which he knocked out had been very loose for several weeks and each time we tried to pull it out it hurt very much. Because of these experiences my son would no longer allow anyone to touch his tooth. In other words we were all so happy that his tooth had been knocked out and nobody was happier than my son.
When we view things from an eternal perspective, we see things that same way that God sees them and we then can feel the same way that God feels about them. In the Book of Mormon we see evidence of this when Alma the elder rejoices in the immobilization of his son Alma the younger. Another example is when Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, witnesses thieves steeling the sheep that he is supposed to be guarding, he rejoices as well because he sees this as an opportunity to advance his missionary efforts.
Look up - 23 January 2010
When my mind is tired and weary
From the labors of this life
And my eyes are burned and bleary
From the stresses and strife,
I’ve focused only on the things
That man has built for me
With loneliness my heart then rings
God’s hand I cannot see.
My eyes are on the sidewalk
Or on the road ahead.
I hear the ticking of the clock
That drives me from my bed.
Yet, if I lift my eyes
To find God’s love for me.
I can gaze upon the skies
And see eternity.
I can see the lovely mountains
The cathedrals of the land.
Yes, I drink from these pure fountains
And I clearly see God’s hand.
I feast on milk and honey
That free and yummy food
Jesus gives us without money
And my soul is then renewed.
The eternal nature of friendship 27 January 2010
Seasons change in ordered measure
Clouds assemble and disperse
Fall leaves come to give us pleasure
Snowflakes can inspire verse.
A tiny plant takes life, then dies
Animals through life-cycles go
And people form strong social ties
Which forever continue as long as they grow.
Conan O'Brien and Max Wienberg's slanderous song about Mormons
I saw this a couple months ago, but I couldn't control my rage until now. What are Conan and Max thinking? Writing a song about Mormons that propagates stereotypes (namely the blatant ignorance by Americans with regard to Mormon beliefs) and mocks the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (with a toe-tapping robe-wearing Mormon Tapper-nacle Choir who sang not with their voices, but with their tippity-tapping tap shoes)?
I admit it, I am joking about my rage and my delay in writing was more a function of time than anger. I found the whole presentation quite hilarious. You see Orrin Hatch has written songs for many groups and people, including Senator Ted Kennedy and now included his latest tribute to the Jewish people. I did find it funny that Conan picked the portion of the video where Orrin looked the most out of his element. Orrin wrote the lyrics to the song and lyrics were written by Madeline Stone. The piece was supported by Tablet Magazine a Jewish publication.
To conclude I quote from the article written about the stories:
And so it was a very American day in a recording studio on West 54th Street in Manhattan when we gathered to hear Rasheeda sing. In one small room were Bliss; Madeline Stone, a Jewish songwriter who writes contemporary Christian music in Nashville; a crew of downtown Jews from Tablet Magazine; Hatch's chief of staff, Jace Johnson, who didn't seem to know exactly what he was doing there, but was very nice about the whole episode; and Hatch himself, who sang background vocals and even showed us the mezuzah he wears under his shirt. Hatch, like many Mormons, is something of a philo-Semite, and though he is under no illusions about Jewish political leanings in America--he told me that though he likes Barbra Streisand very much, he's fairly sure she doesn't like him--he possesses a heartfelt desire to reach out to Jews.
Hatch said he hoped his song would be understood not only as a gift to the Jewish people but that it would help bring secular Jews to a better understanding of their own holiday. "I know a lot of Jewish people that don't know what Hanukkah means," he said. Jewish people, he said, should "take a look at it and realize the miracle that's being commemorated here. It's more than a miracle; it's the solidification of the Jewish people."
He's right. Without Judah Maccabee's militant intervention in 167 BCE, the Syrian program of forced Hellenization might have brought about a premature end to the Jewish story. But, for such a pivotal figure, Judah Maccabee is one of the more misunderstood leaders in Jewish history. He was not, for one thing, a paragon of tolerance. One of contradictions of Hanukkah--an unexplored contradiction in our culture's anodyne understanding of the holiday--is that the Maccabee brothers were fighting not for the principle of religious freedom but only for their own particular religion's freedom. Their understanding of liberty did not extend even--or especially--to the Hellenized Jews of Israel's coastal plains. The Maccabees were rough Jews from the hill country of Judea. They would be amused, if they were capable of amusement, to learn that their revolt would one day be remembered as a struggle for a universal civil right.
But Hanukkah doesn't belong simply to Judah Maccabee. Each generation finds new meanings in this holiday. The Zionist revolution, for instance, led to a revolution in the way the story of the Maccabees--previously a source of ambivalence in the Diaspora--was interpreted. And of course, the Hanukkah story doesn't belong merely to Jews. Judah Maccabee is a hero to many Christians: If there had been no Judah, Judaism might have disappeared; no Judah and no Judaism would have meant no Jesus.
And no Judah would have meant no Mormon senator in a studio with an Arab singer and a bunch of New York Jewish background vocalists recording a Hanukkah song of his own making. To my mind, at least, this counts as a minor American miracle.
Here is the entire episode:
Here is the complete article behind the song by Orrin Hatch:
Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.
My Savior loves me
My Savior loves me
By Liba Dilla
I know my Savior loves me,
He helps me every day.
The Holy Ghost inspires me,
at home and school and play.
I know my Savior loves me,
He is my bestest friend,
When I repent He forgives me,
And my mistakes begin to mend.
I know my Father loves me,
I thank Him every day,
For my shoes and for my shelter,
And the food I eat each day.
I thank my Heavenly Father.
For the Bible that I read,
And for the Book of Mormon,
‘Tis like to me a seed.
I always feel so grateful,
Toward my Heavenly Father indeed,
I thank him for my blessings,
He fills my every need.
By Liba Dilla
I know my Savior loves me,
He helps me every day.
The Holy Ghost inspires me,
at home and school and play.
I know my Savior loves me,
He is my bestest friend,
When I repent He forgives me,
And my mistakes begin to mend.
I know my Father loves me,
I thank Him every day,
For my shoes and for my shelter,
And the food I eat each day.
I thank my Heavenly Father.
For the Bible that I read,
And for the Book of Mormon,
‘Tis like to me a seed.
I always feel so grateful,
Toward my Heavenly Father indeed,
I thank him for my blessings,
He fills my every need.
Annual Fathers Conference - Not Priesthood Session of General Conference
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a general conference session for men* in conjunction with their Semiannual General Conference. At the request of a friend, I recently took the opportunity to attend an Annual Fathers Conference sponsored by a group that partners with dads. The Fathers Conference ran from 8:45 am to 3 pm (the men's session of conference runs for two hours). The Fathers Conference was quite a bit more liberal than the Mens Conference of the Mormon Church; however, I was surprised by the similarity of topics presented at both. Below I discuss the Mormon Mens Conference (also called the Priesthood Session of Conference, the most recent of which was October 2009 - the videos are available here) along with topics presented and then I review the Fathers Conference and conclude by describing one of the classes in detail while contrasting the Mormon world view with what was taught.
During the Mormon Mens Conference millions of Mormon men across the world gather at churches to listen to speakers from the Church's leadership. This group of men, ages 12 and up, receive a wide variety of advice. Including topics such as:
At the Tenth Annual Midwest Fathers Conference there were four Workshop Sessions with sixteen different classes (perhaps I should state here that this conference is not associated with any religious group). I estimate there were about 120 men in attendance. I will include the titles of the classes and in paranthesis a description, if needed:
I find it interesting that the topics are quite similar. Mormons don't claim to have a monopoly on truth as found in the article of faith that states "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". I attended four workshop sessions and enjoyed each. The most interesting of which was What Do I Say Now? taught by a sex education teacher from the local school district.
I knew I was in for a different experience when I entered the classroom with only 14 people in the room and a packet on the table titled, "SEX is not a dirty word: Talking to your children about sex directly impacts their decision-making about sexual activity". I took a deep breath and sat down. I was by far the youngest father in the group and from what I know I had the youngest children.
The teacher's approach was very direct. She quoted some studies that showed communization on this topic is still lacking. And that "kids who feel they can talk with their parents about sex are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors as teens than kids who do not feel they can talk with their parents about the subject." The teacher encouraged us as Fathers to explore our feelings about sex by writing a letter to your child. The title of the letter states:
I thought this was a sound idea. Why not figure out my own stand on these issues so that I am prepared to answer questions as my children have them?
She continued by describing the following age appropriate discussion highlights:
Instructions: Preson A wants to have sex, Person B does not want to risk pregnancy or disease in any way and does not want to have sex. Work with your group to come up with an effective next line in this dialogue and then pass the sheet to the next group. Please write clearly so others can read your handwriting.
Person A: "Let's just do it and get it over with. If we're careful, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
In the end, I thought it was a pretty good experience. I have some new ideas about how to talk with my own children -especially the concept of practicing refusal skills. Anyway, I will be writing up a letter to think through this topic and to be prepared for when my children are ready to learn. Mr. Boyd Packer wrote:
A review of literature from the mid 1970s reveals that a large debate had occured about sex education - specifically if it should be presented in the home or at school? There are articles from Gordon B. Hinckley and many others about sex education and how parents should be responsible to teach their children. An article that was most helpful was written in July of 1975 by a Victor Brown, Jr. titled Two Views of Sexuality.
Most interestingly, both the sex education teacher and Brown agree that children should know the appropriate terms for both sexes, parents should model appropriate affection for each other, and to begin age appropriate discussions with your children at an early age. The Family Home Evening Manual includes some good instructions on what to teach (it even includes anatomically correct words, read it here. Also, LightPlanet has some great information here.
The Fathers Conference and the Priesthood Session in conference held quite a few similarities. If you are a parent with children, how have you organized the teaching of Chastity to your children?
* Please note their is a Womens conference a couple weeks before the general conference.
During the Mormon Mens Conference millions of Mormon men across the world gather at churches to listen to speakers from the Church's leadership. This group of men, ages 12 and up, receive a wide variety of advice. Including topics such as:
- Advice to strengthen the relationships between Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters
- Helping children achieve their potential as competent adults
- Recommendations on how to be prepared for emergencies
- Advice on priorities and time management
- Principles of surviving in a tough economy
- Anger Management Principles
- Suggestions on how to use technology wisely in the home
- Direction on the signs of abuse
- Information about divorce
- Reminders on the standards of sexual purity
- Recommendations to aspire to as much education as possible (including technical training)
- and much more...
At the Tenth Annual Midwest Fathers Conference there were four Workshop Sessions with sixteen different classes (perhaps I should state here that this conference is not associated with any religious group). I estimate there were about 120 men in attendance. I will include the titles of the classes and in paranthesis a description, if needed:
- The Child is Father to Man: Fathers and Sons Together (Using the hero's journey as a guide to raising a son)
- Fathers Forum (a discussion group)
- Anatomy of a Divorce (Legal issues)
- Fantastic Father: The Seven Traits of a Great Dad
- Twenty-First Century Elders (Grandparent's involvement)
- Dads and Daughters
- Getting to Yes by Saying No
- Taming Technology in Your Home
- Stress and Emotional Management for Fathers (Including anger management)
- Fathers and Daughters: Building a Relationship for Life
- My Dad, My Teacher
- What Do I Say Now? (Answering questions about sexual development and reproduction)
- Navigating Divorce Without Losing Your Sanity
- Take the Kids to the Park or Mow the Lawn? Time Management for Dads
- Fathers Facing Challenges Together
I find it interesting that the topics are quite similar. Mormons don't claim to have a monopoly on truth as found in the article of faith that states "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". I attended four workshop sessions and enjoyed each. The most interesting of which was What Do I Say Now? taught by a sex education teacher from the local school district.
I knew I was in for a different experience when I entered the classroom with only 14 people in the room and a packet on the table titled, "SEX is not a dirty word: Talking to your children about sex directly impacts their decision-making about sexual activity". I took a deep breath and sat down. I was by far the youngest father in the group and from what I know I had the youngest children.
The teacher's approach was very direct. She quoted some studies that showed communization on this topic is still lacking. And that "kids who feel they can talk with their parents about sex are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors as teens than kids who do not feel they can talk with their parents about the subject." The teacher encouraged us as Fathers to explore our feelings about sex by writing a letter to your child. The title of the letter states:
Think about your values, thoughts, and experiences regarding sex. Write a letter
to your child about sexual curiosity, self-respect, healthy decision making, and
physical and emotional consequences. Reflect on the idea that your child is a
miracle, of infinite worth, unique, and entitled to respect.
I thought this was a sound idea. Why not figure out my own stand on these issues so that I am prepared to answer questions as my children have them?
She continued by describing the following age appropriate discussion highlights:
When your child is young, talk about love and relationships. Talk about
respecting other people and respecting yourself.
When your son or daughter becomes a pre-teen, you should talk about puberty,
your values on dating, and honor their interest or disinterest in human
sexuality.
When your son or daughter is a teenager, the conversation continues. And youTo conclude she had the group work on Pressure Lines and Refusal Skills. Her premise was that if we don't give our children the skills to refuse then it will be more difficult to do so. I include the instructions from the excercise.
should keep talking as he or she gets older about sex, relationships, and making
healthy choices. Feelings about sex, discuss responsiblities and consequences
that come from being sexually active, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted
infections.
Instructions: Preson A wants to have sex, Person B does not want to risk pregnancy or disease in any way and does not want to have sex. Work with your group to come up with an effective next line in this dialogue and then pass the sheet to the next group. Please write clearly so others can read your handwriting.
Person A: "Let's just do it and get it over with. If we're careful, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
In the end, I thought it was a pretty good experience. I have some new ideas about how to talk with my own children -especially the concept of practicing refusal skills. Anyway, I will be writing up a letter to think through this topic and to be prepared for when my children are ready to learn. Mr. Boyd Packer wrote:
One of the major difficulties, and one of the monumental dangers, of sexAt the conclusion of the What Do I Say Next? class, the question that went unanswered was how much to tell the child and when. Fortunately, as parents if we prepare ourselves and nurture our children we should be available to answer any questions our children have.
education courses in public schools is that they disregard this significant
principle of teaching. They tell all before the youngster is ready, and in so
doing, they often wreak havoc with the spiritual, emotional, and moral stability
of the students. They open them to great jeopardy. Things should be done in the
season thereof, and there is a time for all things. A wise teacher and a wise
parent will be alert to that fact.
A review of literature from the mid 1970s reveals that a large debate had occured about sex education - specifically if it should be presented in the home or at school? There are articles from Gordon B. Hinckley and many others about sex education and how parents should be responsible to teach their children. An article that was most helpful was written in July of 1975 by a Victor Brown, Jr. titled Two Views of Sexuality.
Most interestingly, both the sex education teacher and Brown agree that children should know the appropriate terms for both sexes, parents should model appropriate affection for each other, and to begin age appropriate discussions with your children at an early age. The Family Home Evening Manual includes some good instructions on what to teach (it even includes anatomically correct words, read it here. Also, LightPlanet has some great information here.
The Fathers Conference and the Priesthood Session in conference held quite a few similarities. If you are a parent with children, how have you organized the teaching of Chastity to your children?
* Please note their is a Womens conference a couple weeks before the general conference.
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