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 , myth #3 here , myth #4 here ), this next myth is related to the last myth that the practice of baptism began during New Testament times and all those who lived before Christ were lost. The Book of Mormon refutes the practices of baptism without immersion and the proper authority. Most of the Christian world is ambiguous about the need for baptism not to mention the proper form of baptism or questions of authority to baptize. Many believe that baptism is ceremonial and that there are no specific requirements related to the practice. Those who perform baptism believe that the sincere feelings of their heart are the evidence of their authority to do so, but the essential nature of baptism in the Plan of Salvation should prompt follower of Christ to seek more certain knowledge of the proper observance of the ordinance. Jesus was clear about the essential ...

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 , myth #3 here ), this next myth seems kind of singular at first glance, but the impacts of having lost this plain and precious truth have led to many false doctrines that have negatively impacted Christianity in expansive ways. For almost two thousand years Christian doctrine taught that baptism as a practice began during New Testament times and was a symbolic witness of the "new gospel" of Jesus Christ. This was taught in spite of Old Testament reference to the concepts of baptism in the stories and symbols of the scriptural text. The Book of Mormon provides the clear critical link that weaves a golden thread through the Old Testament, New Testament, and Last-day Restoration of all things ( Acts 3:21 ). The Book of Mormon record makes clear that the ordinance and covenant of baptism was practiced under the Mosaic Law, before the coming of Chri...

“Wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing.” (2 Nephi 26:30) I read these words as I studied the 26th chapter of 2 Nephi today, and pondered them within the greater sermon about the “laberor in Zion.” I pondered them in light of a very difficult and sensitive decisions being placed before administrators of public and private institutions regarding transgender persons who ask to associate as the gender they “identify with,” rather then as their biological sex dictates. Often the request comes with the pleade for all those who associate within the organization to “love them as they need to be loved," the meaning of which is that if we can't affirm the gender change of the transgender person we are not "loving them." I spent many hours pondering this question and what the scriptures teach about how to love as Christ would love, to welcome and invite al...