Ponder the Path

Let’s try to clear up 2000 years of argument between devout followers of Christ in one post! Each of us have an authoritative hierarchy structure for how we build a life of religious devotion to Christ on a sure foundation. Here’s a brief summary of these authority structures: The Protestants share a conviction that the Bible is the ultimate authority for God on Earth — the ecumenical councils providing creeds and explanatory definitions consistent with the Bible. — Followers can receive private spiritual witness and guidance, but no guidance is valid if it contradicts the Bible, or appeals to any authority other than the Bible. The Bible is infallible word of God and the 66 book cannon is closed, as defined by the reformation counsels. Catholics claim that Christ left one true church through an unbroken priesthood from Peter. The church has the authority to interpret the Bible and settle disputes as the final authority of God on Earth. — Ecumenical councils established creeds and do...

Modesty: As an outward expression of inward virtue. Modesty: As a quality — a virtue — of being unassuming, restrained, and appropriately humble about oneself. In Christian teaching the outward expression of this virtue should permeates our behavior. It is synonymous with humility, temperance, chastity, purity, reverence, meekness, soberness, etc.. Take any virtue and you could discuss what that virtue looks like in practice. You will discover that we wear these virtues on the outside with specific behaviors and habits. You could say modesty is how inward virtue is seen by others. Modesty & Chastity: When we discuss modesty as an expression of Chasity we recognize how grooming and dress, combined with body language and speech, are the behavioral tools humans use to send powerful sexual signals to others. Properly oriented and employed, sexuality is an important part of God’s plan to create happy marriages and eternal families. Sexual feelings are so sacred and so powerful, that we ...

I heard an explanation from a Trinitarian Christian describing what is meant by essence: God is of one essence. In simple terms his answer was that essence is the certain property essential for a thing to have in order for it to be what it is. The way that this idea of God as a unified essence in three persons, translated best to the way Latter-Day Saints view the unity of God, might be as simple as saying: The shared essence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; that property common to all three that is eternal (uncreated) and essential is intelligence. *what is intelligence? We do not know for certain, but we think it is best described as the essential consciousness of intelligent being. Let’s continue: What makes these three persons, who share this eternal essence (intelligence), definable separate persons, but united as one God (Godhead)? And what makes this unity God? Beyond essence there are more qualities and characteristics of unity, and differentiation, in the persons of...

Latter-Day Saint Beliefs of Salvation ‪D&C 76 Salvation: Heaven, Eternal Life with God, Inside the Economy of God, Safe Within the Provision of His Order and Care, Kingdoms of Glory, Degrees of Glory, Realms of Many Mansions & “Faithful Over a Few Things, Made Them Rulers Over Many”, Joint Heirs with Christ. The Central Principle of Salvation: I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.‬ ‪ The Universal Salvation of Resurrection:‬ ‪For ALL [who have lived] shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made.‬ Outer Darkness: The Great Hell of Eternal Torment ‪Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the...

Work no hypocrisy in our words and actions! The last principle under the 3rd Commandment to TAKE NOT THE NAME OF GOD IN VAIN is to work no hypocrisy in our words and actions. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” — Matthew 5:13 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” — Matthew 6:5-6 “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their rew...

Be diligent in keeping his commandments, valiant in the testimony of Christ, and endure faithful to the end. The next principle in the study of the 3rd Commandment to take not the name of God in vain is to be diligent in in keeping his commandments, valiant in the testimony of Christ, and endure faithful to the end. Diligence: Consistent, valiant effort, especially in serving the Lord and obeying His word. Valiant: It is to be courageous and bold; to use all our strength, energy, and ability in warfare with the evil of this world; to fight the good fight of faith. “Be strong and of a good courage,” the Lord commanded Joshua, and then specified that this strength and courage consisted of meditating upon and observing to do all that is written in the law of the Lord. (See Josh. 1:6–9.) The great cornerstone of valiance in the cause of righteousness is obedience to the whole law of the whole gospel. “To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus is to believe in Christ and his gospel with unsha...