Ponder the Path

To continue with my study and summary of the Myths of Christianity that the Book of Mormon Refutes (see myth #1 here , myth #2 here ), I will expand upon the second myth I summarized which was the notion of Original Sin. Implied in the traditional Christian theology of Original Sin is the idea that Adam and Eve were sinful and rebellious, and that humans are born sinful and as such little children need to be cleansed of original sin to prevent them from being spiritually lost if they were to die at a young age. The practice of infant baptism, which is much less popular in the Christian world today, was for almost two thousand years believed to be necessary to save a child from eternal damnation. Infants who died without baptism were believed to be lost forever which belief caused great pain for Christians throughout the world. Clearly greater clarity in Christian teaching was needed, and the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon through the gift and power of God was the answer to count...

To continue with my study and summary of the Myths of Christianity that the Book of Mormon Refutes (see myth #1 here ), I will move onto how the Book of Mormon refutes the notion of Original Sin, but to do so, I think it will require some explanation of the Christian theology of Original Sin. I have found in my interactions with Christian friends over the years that the concept of Original Sin as explained in the official declarations of most Christian’s sects is not well understood by parishioners. In fact, most of the time my non-LDS friends respond positively to the LDS teaching of Original Sin, though it is significantly different then main stream Christianity. This is not to say that there is one consistent teaching of this concept throughout Christianity, but that the ancient teachings of the Catholic Church have left a lasting impact even after the reformation. In the standard teachings of the Catholic Church for almost two thousand years, "Original sin was defined as (1)...

In my last post I explained that I would begin a study of the Book of Mormon that focuses on five main points in an attempt to explain what makes the Book of Mormon so valuable to me and all of God's children. The first of these five points is: The Myths of Christianity that the Book of Mormon Refutes. The first obvious myth of main stream Christian tradition that the Book of Mormon refutes is that revelation ended with the Bible. Not only is the Book of Mormon a tangible testament that the Bible is not the only book of revelation and scripture from God to His children on Earth, but the way in which the Book of Mormon was revealed to the Earth is a standing testament that God still reveals himself to men on earth and directs the affairs of His church in these last-days. Joseph Smith called the Book of Mormon the "keystone of our religion." The keystone, because the truth of what the Book of Mormon is, establishes the truth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sain...

In the October 2017 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson asked the church to ponder what life would be like without the Book of Mormon and how precious the Book of Mormon is. He repeated the last challenge the church received from President Thomas S. Monson before his passing that “each of us prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.” Why is it so important? Why is a meaningful daily study of this book so critical to our spiritual wellbeing? President Nelson gave these many compelling reasons: "Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son. Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon... the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It contains the answers to life’s most compelling questions. It teaches the doctrine of Christ. It expands and clarifies many of the “plain and precious" truths that were lost thro...

"One of the great blessings of the Restoration: the calling and sustaining of a living prophet on the earth." Today I had the opportunity to lead my ward Relief Society in a discussion of a talk given at the last LDS Conference by Elder Stevenson titled, " The Heart of a Prophet ." We talked about the outpouring of the spirit that was present at this last General Conference of the church because of the recent change in our church leadership. With the call of a new prophet there always seems to be an outpouring of the Spirit that whispers to us of the power and authority of Christ that rests upon this ordained leader of His church. This past conference there was that same special witness as well as an extraordinary opportunity to be present as revelation was given from our new prophet to make some significant changes in how we minister and care for one another in the church. We were able to see President Nelson's leadership in action.  In my class today we tal...

“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” 2 Nephi 25:23 I read this verse again today while studying the Book of Mormon with my son and pondered the meaning of the verse with the new perspective I have gained from the teachings of Elder Bednar on the atonement. Elder Bednar taught that grace is the enabling and strengthening power of the atonement. He said he often replaces the word grace with this description of what it is when he reads the scriptures. That if you do this it brings greater understanding of the grace and how the power of the atonement works in our lives. He says, “The enabling power of the atonement strengthens us to do and be good... beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity... Grace is the enabling power that allows men to receive strength to do good works that we would not be able to maintain if left to our own means.” “ The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality ” Elder Bednar “For we know that it is by [enabli...

The declaration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a simple one: The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith to restore his church anew in these last days in preparation for His second coming. Joseph Smith restored many plain and precious truths of Christ's gospel lost to the world in the Great Christian Apostasy following the death of the original twelve apostles of Christ. As foretold by Peter: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30 And Paul prophesied: "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first... The Lor...

This week in seminary a familiar question came up in class, a question that comes up often from my students, and is perhaps one of the questions that causes the most distress for God’s children in this world, the question: “Why doesn't God intervene to relieve the suffering of his children?" I have responded to this question in many ways, and there are many answers that provide perspective into this question. Recently the Spirit gave me some perspective related to this very important principle from a surprising source, my math instructor, but before I tell you how, I suggested that we examine the question from another angle? Let’s reframe the question so that we might discover a more intricate function for suffering in God's plan. What if we asked the question this way: "What functions of the Plan of Salvation might be damaged if God were to intervene to stop our pain and suffering?"  Let me give you some background into how my math class might have inspired a n...

Courtship and Marriage, David O’McKay May I now suggest that we unite for just a few minutes as bishops, presidents of stakes, as fathers, and as young men contemplating marriage, to consider some things which will avoid the breaking up of the family, which will avoid this breaking of women's hearts, this turning out of children from what should be loving homes or throwing them entirely upon the responsibility of mothers. Let us instruct young people who come to us, to know that a woman should be queen of her own body. The marriage covenant does not give the man the right to enslave her or to abuse her or to use her merely for the gratification of his passion. Your marriage ceremony does not give you that right. Second, let them remember that gentleness and consideration after the ceremony is just as appropriate and necessary and beautiful as gentleness and consideration before the wedding. Third, let us realize that manhood is not undermined by the practising of continence, notwi...

“In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” ~ Genesis 12:3 What is meant by election? Who are the elect of God? To what have they been elected? And why? Election is akin to and synonymous with calling, and in a general sense the elect comprise the whole house of Israel. Jesus and Paul and Peter speak of the elect as the saints, as the faithful believers, as those who love the Lord and are seeking righteousness. And the Lord in our day has promised to gather and save his elect. Paul speaks of the elect along with the called, setting forth that they are foreordained to be like Christ, that their conduct here is justified, and that they shall be glorified hereafter. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption; whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children...