In Matthew chapter 7, JESUS tells us how to determine if someone or something is good or corrupt.
Here are His words starting with verse 15:
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
You will know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit,
but every bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit...
Therefore by their fruits shall you know them.
New King James Version Matthew 7:15-20
First, Joseph Smith made no changes to these 6 verses in Matthew 7.
Second, A good thing cannot produce bad things.
Third, a bad thing cannot produce good things.
Let us look at the bad fruit of Mormonism descended from Brigham Young.
1. Mountain Meadows Massacre
2. Polygamy
3. "Lying for the Lord" the dumbest slogan in history. Apparently early church leaders never got through all 10 commandments.
4. Denying priesthood based on skin color.
5. Suppresion of women from 1844-2020 and beyond.
6. Allowing choices of parents to effect a child's ability to be baptized.
7. Having men other than the child's father ask questions about the child's sexual conduct.
8. Covering up numerous misdeeds in church history.
9. Excommunicating true followers of Christ.
10. Creating a false hierarchy to stand between members and GOD.
11. Stealing from members by saying "increase" is income instead of income beyond what is needed to pay for family expenses.
12. Taking the money stolen from members and hoarding it to the tune of 100 Billion dollars in just one church investment fund. The total wealth of the church is probably around 200 Billion dollars.
I could go on, but that is 12 examples of bad fruit.
The LDS church cannot be "good" by CHRIST's own test for goodness, because again and again it produces bad fruit. LDS church history is one long saga of evil deeds.
How many different examples of bad fruit is it going to take until the remaining 4 million or so active Mormons become ex- Mormons?
Monday, December 23, 2019
Friday, December 20, 2019
Blake Ostler Explains Grace and Works
I have referenced LDS lawyer-theologian Blake Ostler here before. He understands and explains the gospel better than any modern writer I know.
I was re-reading Blake's seminal 3 volume work, Exploring Mormon Thought, last night. He writes solely on what he believes Joseph Smith was trying to restore to the world.
Volume 2 has the best explanation of Grace and Works I have ever encountered.
We are saved by the Grace of GOD.
We are rewarded by our Works.
Simple as that.
Protestants are half right that we are saved by grace. Even Hitler after spending an immensely long time in Hell could eventually escape further servitude to Satan. He could do this by bowing the knee and confessing that JESUS is the CHRIST. His time in Hell will be long and horrific but it can end after he suffers for his attempts to wipe out the Jewish race.
Protestants are wrong that Hitler could somehow avoid Hell by making this confession prior to justly suffering. I know this is an extreme example. Any sinner who confesses CHRIST does not get to avoid what is coming to them if they are spending their days here hurting people.
Mormons who want to focus on works are also half right. After being saved we are rewarded based on our efforts after that point.
Mormons are wrong because they think Grace is not part of the equation. Without Grace the journey back to GOD cannot begin.
Blake Ostler's earns his living as an attorney. His writing is done is his limited free time. His ideas, based directly from the scriptures are filled with light. Blake will be rewarded for having his efforts to make the gospel of JESUS CHRIST comprehensible to all. I like Blake's chances of joining GOD, because Blake is trying to help others understand what is actually required to do so.
Now for a couple of caveats.
1. Being saved only guarantees you a spot in the Telestial Kingdom. It literally beats the hell out of spending forever in Hell, but we should be aiming higher. JESUS warned us how painful it is to suffer for sin in D&C 19:
Verse 15 ... how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not."
2. Doing good works in the service of humankind will earn a reward in a higher kingdom. Even if you end up in the Terrestial (middle) kingdom, you avoid Hell altogether.
CHRIST had Joseph Smith change John 5:28-29. Those verses refer to the 2 possible resurrections of evil and life. The text should read the "resurrection of the just" (Celestial and Terrestrial) and the "resurrection of the unjust" (Telestial and Outer Darkness).
I add only the following italicized words to the conversation knowing that I fall somewhere between Hitler and Eric Liddell. Most days I serve myself, but some few days I try and serve others.
If we are trying to do the minimum required to merit the Celestial Kingdom, we will most likely fail. The rich young ruler was such a person in the New Testament. He kept the ten commandments at a basic level, but he was not willing to serve his fellow Jews by giving away his riches. I do not judge him, because I am not worthy on any great reward either.
We need to just focus on doing as much good as we can today, and let the future take care of itself.
I would hate to be someone who was banking solely on Grace and ended up in Hell for a time anyway.
I would equally regret trusting so much in my own "supposed" good works... only to end up in Hell. Why? Because I never gave the proper worship and reverence to CHRIST for making it even possible.
What is the moral of the story?
Get saved by JESUS,
and then start emulating CHRIST,
and do not stop.
I was re-reading Blake's seminal 3 volume work, Exploring Mormon Thought, last night. He writes solely on what he believes Joseph Smith was trying to restore to the world.
Volume 2 has the best explanation of Grace and Works I have ever encountered.
We are saved by the Grace of GOD.
We are rewarded by our Works.
Simple as that.
Protestants are half right that we are saved by grace. Even Hitler after spending an immensely long time in Hell could eventually escape further servitude to Satan. He could do this by bowing the knee and confessing that JESUS is the CHRIST. His time in Hell will be long and horrific but it can end after he suffers for his attempts to wipe out the Jewish race.
Protestants are wrong that Hitler could somehow avoid Hell by making this confession prior to justly suffering. I know this is an extreme example. Any sinner who confesses CHRIST does not get to avoid what is coming to them if they are spending their days here hurting people.
Mormons who want to focus on works are also half right. After being saved we are rewarded based on our efforts after that point.
Mormons are wrong because they think Grace is not part of the equation. Without Grace the journey back to GOD cannot begin.
Blake Ostler's earns his living as an attorney. His writing is done is his limited free time. His ideas, based directly from the scriptures are filled with light. Blake will be rewarded for having his efforts to make the gospel of JESUS CHRIST comprehensible to all. I like Blake's chances of joining GOD, because Blake is trying to help others understand what is actually required to do so.
Now for a couple of caveats.
1. Being saved only guarantees you a spot in the Telestial Kingdom. It literally beats the hell out of spending forever in Hell, but we should be aiming higher. JESUS warned us how painful it is to suffer for sin in D&C 19:
Verse 15 ... how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not."
2. Doing good works in the service of humankind will earn a reward in a higher kingdom. Even if you end up in the Terrestial (middle) kingdom, you avoid Hell altogether.
CHRIST had Joseph Smith change John 5:28-29. Those verses refer to the 2 possible resurrections of evil and life. The text should read the "resurrection of the just" (Celestial and Terrestrial) and the "resurrection of the unjust" (Telestial and Outer Darkness).
I add only the following italicized words to the conversation knowing that I fall somewhere between Hitler and Eric Liddell. Most days I serve myself, but some few days I try and serve others.
If we are trying to do the minimum required to merit the Celestial Kingdom, we will most likely fail. The rich young ruler was such a person in the New Testament. He kept the ten commandments at a basic level, but he was not willing to serve his fellow Jews by giving away his riches. I do not judge him, because I am not worthy on any great reward either.
We need to just focus on doing as much good as we can today, and let the future take care of itself.
I would hate to be someone who was banking solely on Grace and ended up in Hell for a time anyway.
I would equally regret trusting so much in my own "supposed" good works... only to end up in Hell. Why? Because I never gave the proper worship and reverence to CHRIST for making it even possible.
What is the moral of the story?
Get saved by JESUS,
and then start emulating CHRIST,
and do not stop.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
The Tale of the Faithful Nephite
There was once a man named Stan Jensen. He lived his whole life in Juab County Utah. He was born into the lds church, baptized at 8, served a mission at 19, married in the Provo temple at 22, and was buried in the Juab cemetery at 87 in 2022. He was a good man, and always treated his wife and 3 children well as long as they did what he asked. He spent his last 7 years working in the Payson temple.
When Stan died he was taken to the World of Spirits. He had a glorious reunion with family members who had preceded him in death. He finally asked specifically where they were. He was shocked to find out that he was not in Paradise. He was also not in Hell. He asked his grandfather William about this. "I learned from Primary on up that there were 2 possible places to wait before the final judgment. We seem to be in a kind of middle area?" His grandfather replied "Our former church liked to alter GOD's plan to fit their own needs. We are in Spirit Prison, which is not the same thing as Hell." Stan then asked, "I thought our membership in the mormon church would guarantee a spot in Paradise on the way to highest heaven, the Celestial Kingdom?" William responded soberly, "If you are not like CHRIST, it does not matter what religion you belonged to."
Stan took a few weeks to adjust to the tolerable conditions of Spirit Prison. One day Stan remarked to his Astronomy teacher visiting from Paradise, "If I had known the lds church was not going to facilitate my journey back to GOD, I would left that organization years before my passing." The teacher told Stan to wait until his first visit from a missionary from Paradise. Two weeks later a representative of JESUS CHRIST came to visit with Stan. His name was Mark. Mark started to slowly correct the unbelief Stan had about the actual Gospel. Stan began to learn about the real plan of salvation. At the end of the lesson Stan asked Mark where he had gone wrong. The missionary promised to return as soon as he had conferred with the LORD.
One week later Mark returned. Stan was eager to hear how he gone astray. All his life he was simply trying to remain faithful to the religion and traditions of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
The missionary told Stan that the LORD wanted Mark to ask Stan a series of questions. Mark would then impart his message.
Mark began by asking Stan, "Do you remember in the 1960s and 1970s all the uproar about the children of Africa not being worthy of the Priesthood?" Stan responded, "Of course, and the church gave them that right in 1978."
Mark then asked, "Do you remember your church working tirelessly to block passage of the Equal Rights Amendment?" Stan replied, "Yes, but women do not need equal protection under the law, they just need to raise children and support their husbands."
The messenger then queried, "Do you recall a time when your church would not allow the children of same sex couples to be baptized?" Stan said "Yeah, but the church changed that back after just a couple of years."
Mark then asked, "Do you have any recollection of the scandal your church went through in 2019 involving 100 billion dollars of unspent tithing money?" Stan replied, "Certainly, but the church said it was saving that money for the second coming."
Mark then stated, "The LORD has asked me to convey this message to you...
...Stan, you are like the man who attempted to survive a flood by praying and asking for GOD's intervention. He ignored the warning to flee before the flood. He then rejected offers from a man in a boat, and a woman in a helicopter to take him to safety. The man arrogantly believed GOD would save him by some supernatural means. The fool finally drowned."
Stan was stunned. He had told that story a few times when relating the frustration he had experienced on his mission to Japan. Stan like to tell the class or quorum he was teaching that the Japanese had had their last chance at salvation.
Mark continued, "Your church committed increasing levels of evil acts acts against the children of the MOST HIGH. Some people left your church because of obvious racism. Others left because of rampant misogyny. Many resigned because of the inequities your church imposed on people based on sexual orientation. Your last chance to repent was the financial scandal."
"Rather than see these events as obvious signs from GOD, you chose to do nothing. You remained faithful to a church that hated the majority of its members. Your church hated non-members even more. Your church saved its greatest wrath for former members."
"The only things your church loved were money, power, and fame."
"GOD is not a God of Hate."
Stan spent his first 87 years in Spirit Prison learning what he should have learned in his 87 years living in Juab County. You need to understand that Stan lived in the town of Nephi. That technically makes him a Nephite, and you know what happened to the vast majority of them.
When Stan died he was taken to the World of Spirits. He had a glorious reunion with family members who had preceded him in death. He finally asked specifically where they were. He was shocked to find out that he was not in Paradise. He was also not in Hell. He asked his grandfather William about this. "I learned from Primary on up that there were 2 possible places to wait before the final judgment. We seem to be in a kind of middle area?" His grandfather replied "Our former church liked to alter GOD's plan to fit their own needs. We are in Spirit Prison, which is not the same thing as Hell." Stan then asked, "I thought our membership in the mormon church would guarantee a spot in Paradise on the way to highest heaven, the Celestial Kingdom?" William responded soberly, "If you are not like CHRIST, it does not matter what religion you belonged to."
Stan took a few weeks to adjust to the tolerable conditions of Spirit Prison. One day Stan remarked to his Astronomy teacher visiting from Paradise, "If I had known the lds church was not going to facilitate my journey back to GOD, I would left that organization years before my passing." The teacher told Stan to wait until his first visit from a missionary from Paradise. Two weeks later a representative of JESUS CHRIST came to visit with Stan. His name was Mark. Mark started to slowly correct the unbelief Stan had about the actual Gospel. Stan began to learn about the real plan of salvation. At the end of the lesson Stan asked Mark where he had gone wrong. The missionary promised to return as soon as he had conferred with the LORD.
One week later Mark returned. Stan was eager to hear how he gone astray. All his life he was simply trying to remain faithful to the religion and traditions of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
The missionary told Stan that the LORD wanted Mark to ask Stan a series of questions. Mark would then impart his message.
Mark began by asking Stan, "Do you remember in the 1960s and 1970s all the uproar about the children of Africa not being worthy of the Priesthood?" Stan responded, "Of course, and the church gave them that right in 1978."
Mark then asked, "Do you remember your church working tirelessly to block passage of the Equal Rights Amendment?" Stan replied, "Yes, but women do not need equal protection under the law, they just need to raise children and support their husbands."
The messenger then queried, "Do you recall a time when your church would not allow the children of same sex couples to be baptized?" Stan said "Yeah, but the church changed that back after just a couple of years."
Mark then asked, "Do you have any recollection of the scandal your church went through in 2019 involving 100 billion dollars of unspent tithing money?" Stan replied, "Certainly, but the church said it was saving that money for the second coming."
Mark then stated, "The LORD has asked me to convey this message to you...
...Stan, you are like the man who attempted to survive a flood by praying and asking for GOD's intervention. He ignored the warning to flee before the flood. He then rejected offers from a man in a boat, and a woman in a helicopter to take him to safety. The man arrogantly believed GOD would save him by some supernatural means. The fool finally drowned."
Stan was stunned. He had told that story a few times when relating the frustration he had experienced on his mission to Japan. Stan like to tell the class or quorum he was teaching that the Japanese had had their last chance at salvation.
Mark continued, "Your church committed increasing levels of evil acts acts against the children of the MOST HIGH. Some people left your church because of obvious racism. Others left because of rampant misogyny. Many resigned because of the inequities your church imposed on people based on sexual orientation. Your last chance to repent was the financial scandal."
"Rather than see these events as obvious signs from GOD, you chose to do nothing. You remained faithful to a church that hated the majority of its members. Your church hated non-members even more. Your church saved its greatest wrath for former members."
"The only things your church loved were money, power, and fame."
"GOD is not a God of Hate."
Stan spent his first 87 years in Spirit Prison learning what he should have learned in his 87 years living in Juab County. You need to understand that Stan lived in the town of Nephi. That technically makes him a Nephite, and you know what happened to the vast majority of them.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
100 Billion with a B as in Bullshit
Many of you have probably seen the Washington Post article from whistle blower, David Nielsen. David used to work at Ensign Peak Investments which controls the church's charitable fund. The problem is this fund is not used for charity. Not used, as in never used!
The fund had 12 billion dollars in the late 1990s.
Why does a church need 12 billion dollars? Because faith in CHRIST has been replaced by faith in the Almighty Dollar.
It only gets worse. Much, much worse.
Nielsen states that the Church's present holdings in this one fund alone are around 100 Billion dollars. That money is supposed to be used to help the poor and needy. It has only been dipped into twice in the last 15 years. Once to bail out the Church-owned insurance company Beneficial Life. That company is aptly named as it Benefits the families of general authorities.
The other time the assets meant for charity were touched was to prop up the world's most foolish real estate venture, City Creek Mall. That is not charity, that is stealing from the LORD. It is also robbing the people who believe that tithing is a way to show devotion to Him. It is the grandest larceny of all-time. I am waiting for a blockbuster movie possibly titled The Utah Job or the The Mormon Cartel.
If you live in the Salt Lake area you may want to move ASAP. Why? Because the GOD of this planet, JESUS CHRIST, is not going to stand for this monumental fraud much longer. The money changers will be turned out. It is a question of when and how. It is not a question of if. I personally think the Great Basin will be refilled. GOD is infinitely smarter than I am, and HE will come up with the most unexpected and efficient first strike in history. It will probably make us forget Sodom and Gomorrah. Hopefully the honest people of Utah will be spared, while the 15 Pharisees and their fine sanctuaries are justifiably removed.
By the way, Sodom was not destroyed because of rampant immorality. It was removed from the face of earth because it would not help the poor. Check out Ezekiel 16:49 (of any Bible version) if you think I am making this up.
Here are the words of the New Living Translation:
Sodom's sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,
while the poor and the needy suffered outside her door.
(Joseph Smith changed NOTHING about this verse in his inspired version because it was already correct.)
Let's look at the 3 abstract nouns from verse 49.
1. Pride- Nothing beats "we are the only true church on the earth" for pride. Hubris is rampant in Mormonism, especially among leaders who think GOD picked them to lead because they are so above the rest of us mere sinners. The last guy GOD picked was named Joseph Smith.
2. Gluttony- Refusal to spend the member's hard-earned money in order to make the world better is the perfect example of gluttony. 12 billion was not enough of a rainy day fund, so now it is 100 billion. Textbook gluttony. If you look up "gluttony" in the dictionary do not be surprised to find a picture of Russell Nelson cross-referenced to "false prophet."
3. Laziness- Working a few weekends a year (and the odd Thursday) and collecting in excess of 120,000 dollars for your "modest stipend" is patently dishonest. It is also brazenly lazy. Mormon leaders are not actually earning the money, they are being paid and worshiped by those still blinded by the false light of Mormonism. The idle blind are leading the hard-working blind. Sadly, both groups already find themselves in the proverbial ditch.
Finally, the phrase "the needy suffering outside her door" is exemplified every day by the beggars around the Salt Lake temple. They are routinely ignored by members who have no money to give them, because they already gave too much of their income to a corporation masquerading as a church.
How many homeless shelters could be built with 100 billion dollars?
How many food banks?
How many free health clinics could they fund?
How many of the world's poor could they feed?
A. The LDS church does not care about poor people.
B. The LDS church cares primarily about money.
C. JESUS cared a great deal for the poor, and cared nothing for money.
A + B + C = The LDS church is not CHRIST's church.
Unless those funds are released immediately to the needy of this world, the leaders of the LDS church will discover the next life is one of crushing regret. They will have a huge surplus of time to wish they had not taken the temporary reward here of power, fame and money. The return on their investment in the economy of Satan is to lose the greater reward in the world to come. That reward that has an infinite return goes to those who kneel and serve.
The fund had 12 billion dollars in the late 1990s.
Why does a church need 12 billion dollars? Because faith in CHRIST has been replaced by faith in the Almighty Dollar.
It only gets worse. Much, much worse.
Nielsen states that the Church's present holdings in this one fund alone are around 100 Billion dollars. That money is supposed to be used to help the poor and needy. It has only been dipped into twice in the last 15 years. Once to bail out the Church-owned insurance company Beneficial Life. That company is aptly named as it Benefits the families of general authorities.
The other time the assets meant for charity were touched was to prop up the world's most foolish real estate venture, City Creek Mall. That is not charity, that is stealing from the LORD. It is also robbing the people who believe that tithing is a way to show devotion to Him. It is the grandest larceny of all-time. I am waiting for a blockbuster movie possibly titled The Utah Job or the The Mormon Cartel.
If you live in the Salt Lake area you may want to move ASAP. Why? Because the GOD of this planet, JESUS CHRIST, is not going to stand for this monumental fraud much longer. The money changers will be turned out. It is a question of when and how. It is not a question of if. I personally think the Great Basin will be refilled. GOD is infinitely smarter than I am, and HE will come up with the most unexpected and efficient first strike in history. It will probably make us forget Sodom and Gomorrah. Hopefully the honest people of Utah will be spared, while the 15 Pharisees and their fine sanctuaries are justifiably removed.
By the way, Sodom was not destroyed because of rampant immorality. It was removed from the face of earth because it would not help the poor. Check out Ezekiel 16:49 (of any Bible version) if you think I am making this up.
Here are the words of the New Living Translation:
Sodom's sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,
while the poor and the needy suffered outside her door.
(Joseph Smith changed NOTHING about this verse in his inspired version because it was already correct.)
Let's look at the 3 abstract nouns from verse 49.
1. Pride- Nothing beats "we are the only true church on the earth" for pride. Hubris is rampant in Mormonism, especially among leaders who think GOD picked them to lead because they are so above the rest of us mere sinners. The last guy GOD picked was named Joseph Smith.
2. Gluttony- Refusal to spend the member's hard-earned money in order to make the world better is the perfect example of gluttony. 12 billion was not enough of a rainy day fund, so now it is 100 billion. Textbook gluttony. If you look up "gluttony" in the dictionary do not be surprised to find a picture of Russell Nelson cross-referenced to "false prophet."
3. Laziness- Working a few weekends a year (and the odd Thursday) and collecting in excess of 120,000 dollars for your "modest stipend" is patently dishonest. It is also brazenly lazy. Mormon leaders are not actually earning the money, they are being paid and worshiped by those still blinded by the false light of Mormonism. The idle blind are leading the hard-working blind. Sadly, both groups already find themselves in the proverbial ditch.
Finally, the phrase "the needy suffering outside her door" is exemplified every day by the beggars around the Salt Lake temple. They are routinely ignored by members who have no money to give them, because they already gave too much of their income to a corporation masquerading as a church.
How many homeless shelters could be built with 100 billion dollars?
How many food banks?
How many free health clinics could they fund?
How many of the world's poor could they feed?
A. The LDS church does not care about poor people.
B. The LDS church cares primarily about money.
C. JESUS cared a great deal for the poor, and cared nothing for money.
A + B + C = The LDS church is not CHRIST's church.
Unless those funds are released immediately to the needy of this world, the leaders of the LDS church will discover the next life is one of crushing regret. They will have a huge surplus of time to wish they had not taken the temporary reward here of power, fame and money. The return on their investment in the economy of Satan is to lose the greater reward in the world to come. That reward that has an infinite return goes to those who kneel and serve.
Thursday, December 12, 2019
"O God, where art thou?"
Most of you will recognize the title as the first line of the first verse of section 121 of the Salt Lake Mormons version of the Doctrine and Covenants. It is the words of a prayer of the only true prophet of LDS Mormonism, Joseph Smith junior.
Joseph Smith had been incarcerated based on the testimony of members of his own church. The most unkind cuts of all always come from those we know. Shakespeare was not wrong.
JESUS in his one of his many roles, this time as Comforter responds with the most majestic line in all of scripture.
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. (verse 7)
"And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;
though shalt triumph over all thy foes." (verse 8)
"Thy friends do stand by thee,
and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (verse 9)
My goal is have JESUS call me "son" someday. I would really like my chances in the afterlife after that. Verse 9 is GOD's formula for knowing if you have a true friend. If they stand by you during times of trouble, then their hearts mirror the SAVIOR's. If they only call when they want something, then you know they are still trying to use satan's system of serve-me first.
I only have a couple of true friends besides my best friend, my wife. I cherish them more than anything other than my grandchildren. If you have a true friend make sure you do not lose them.
The entire section in one of the most sublime written works in the history of this fallen planet. It is well worth reading repeatedly.
I can never get through it without becoming emotional. I know that emotions do not automatically equal revelation. I know that our emotions can trick us. But the LORD did say that He would give us revelation using our heads and our hearts. In essence He is using two witnesses from our own being to help make sure we are not being deceived.
Following the few sincere attempt of mine in my adult life to serve JESUS, there was almost always various attacks from satan that follow. Nothing yet to rival what a true person of GOD might face. satan uses some of his living minions to try and knock me out of spiritual and emotional balance.
The best examples would be by students who have wanted to fight me. Parents who want to argue with me about grades and behavior. Family members who believe they are on their way to Heaven via the golden ticket of a temple recommend who question my insistence on a "JESUS only" policy.
Most of you already know that any increase in light is going to by followed by attacks from the prince of darkness. Take courage, be of good cheer, and know that CHRIST is on your side. This life is going to be painful until the day you pass on. The more like JESUS you become, the more adversity you are going to have.
No one suffered anything close to what CHRIST did, and He loved all of us enough to push through the infinite agony and eventually triumph.
Adversity sucks, but it will not last forever, unless you reject JESUS. Accept JESUS and it makes adversity easier to accept, because you know He is going to intercede in your behalf.
Joseph Smith had been incarcerated based on the testimony of members of his own church. The most unkind cuts of all always come from those we know. Shakespeare was not wrong.
JESUS in his one of his many roles, this time as Comforter responds with the most majestic line in all of scripture.
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. (verse 7)
"And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;
though shalt triumph over all thy foes." (verse 8)
"Thy friends do stand by thee,
and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." (verse 9)
My goal is have JESUS call me "son" someday. I would really like my chances in the afterlife after that. Verse 9 is GOD's formula for knowing if you have a true friend. If they stand by you during times of trouble, then their hearts mirror the SAVIOR's. If they only call when they want something, then you know they are still trying to use satan's system of serve-me first.
I only have a couple of true friends besides my best friend, my wife. I cherish them more than anything other than my grandchildren. If you have a true friend make sure you do not lose them.
The entire section in one of the most sublime written works in the history of this fallen planet. It is well worth reading repeatedly.
I can never get through it without becoming emotional. I know that emotions do not automatically equal revelation. I know that our emotions can trick us. But the LORD did say that He would give us revelation using our heads and our hearts. In essence He is using two witnesses from our own being to help make sure we are not being deceived.
Following the few sincere attempt of mine in my adult life to serve JESUS, there was almost always various attacks from satan that follow. Nothing yet to rival what a true person of GOD might face. satan uses some of his living minions to try and knock me out of spiritual and emotional balance.
The best examples would be by students who have wanted to fight me. Parents who want to argue with me about grades and behavior. Family members who believe they are on their way to Heaven via the golden ticket of a temple recommend who question my insistence on a "JESUS only" policy.
Most of you already know that any increase in light is going to by followed by attacks from the prince of darkness. Take courage, be of good cheer, and know that CHRIST is on your side. This life is going to be painful until the day you pass on. The more like JESUS you become, the more adversity you are going to have.
No one suffered anything close to what CHRIST did, and He loved all of us enough to push through the infinite agony and eventually triumph.
Adversity sucks, but it will not last forever, unless you reject JESUS. Accept JESUS and it makes adversity easier to accept, because you know He is going to intercede in your behalf.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
GOD Will Comfort You
I have been experiencing some passive-aggressive emotional abuse at work. I used to get it from students, which is expected, but now it is coming from a co-worker. I will not bore you with details but after talking with several people I trust, including my wise wife, I am certain I have done nothing to cause offense. My confrontation avoiding wife would like to come down to my place of employment and slap my co-worker. I then had to explain the difference between assault (verbal threats) and battery (actual physical contact) to my peace-loving partner.
Yesterday, my wife was getting her hair cut. She only does this a few times a year. She is not the kind of woman who spends ever other week at the beauty shop. While waiting she ran into one of my old students. This student, who I do not remember, told my wife I was one of her favorite teachers. She told my wife how she appreciated my sense of humor and how much she loved my class.
I have never been, nor will I ever be voted "teacher of the year" by any group of people. I do not try to be my students' friend. I just teach to the best of my limited ability. I thanked my wife for relaying the conversation, and was flattered because I have an ego like most people. Later it hit me that something else might be going on here. Perhaps the LORD is his role of Comforter (Second Comforter) is behind this. Perhaps it is my ego running wild.
I am not anywhere near ready or worthy to be visited by JESUS. I would like to be, but I do not merit any special consideration from the Being who gave His life to save this planet. I am thinking that CHRIST can use other means to comfort us, before He actually appears to us. He knows I am a sinner of above average sinfulness. In His mercy and love He sent a former student to my wife to send a message. A message of comfort to me the lowliest of His servants. JESUS did not have to do this.
I think we need to look for experiences in our lives where GOD has intervened in a subtle way to demonstrate his awareness of even the smallest bird or being. It is easy to see the obvious. I now believe that the devil may be in the details, but it is GOD who is in complete control of this planet down to the hairs on our heads.
The Holy Ghost is the first comforter, CHRIST is the second. JESUS has said that His Second Coming will be like a thief in the night. Maybe He is like a thief in the night at other less momentous times, and if we are not careful we will not even know He was there.
Yesterday, my wife was getting her hair cut. She only does this a few times a year. She is not the kind of woman who spends ever other week at the beauty shop. While waiting she ran into one of my old students. This student, who I do not remember, told my wife I was one of her favorite teachers. She told my wife how she appreciated my sense of humor and how much she loved my class.
I have never been, nor will I ever be voted "teacher of the year" by any group of people. I do not try to be my students' friend. I just teach to the best of my limited ability. I thanked my wife for relaying the conversation, and was flattered because I have an ego like most people. Later it hit me that something else might be going on here. Perhaps the LORD is his role of Comforter (Second Comforter) is behind this. Perhaps it is my ego running wild.
I am not anywhere near ready or worthy to be visited by JESUS. I would like to be, but I do not merit any special consideration from the Being who gave His life to save this planet. I am thinking that CHRIST can use other means to comfort us, before He actually appears to us. He knows I am a sinner of above average sinfulness. In His mercy and love He sent a former student to my wife to send a message. A message of comfort to me the lowliest of His servants. JESUS did not have to do this.
I think we need to look for experiences in our lives where GOD has intervened in a subtle way to demonstrate his awareness of even the smallest bird or being. It is easy to see the obvious. I now believe that the devil may be in the details, but it is GOD who is in complete control of this planet down to the hairs on our heads.
The Holy Ghost is the first comforter, CHRIST is the second. JESUS has said that His Second Coming will be like a thief in the night. Maybe He is like a thief in the night at other less momentous times, and if we are not careful we will not even know He was there.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Hebrews Chapter 7: Melchizedek
I was ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood at the age of 19. I had to wait one year because of my various violations of the law of chastity. I am certainly not proud of my sins, but I have left that area of weakness behind, owing to the enabling power of CHRIST. I have many other weaknesses to work on now.
I tell people my punishment was a mission to Bolivia. Although I know now that I was promoting a church in a state of apostasy, it was still one of the greatest experiences of my life. I would have never met people like Mark Thomas, Stuart Christensen, and Susie Kochevar. There are dozens of other great people I met there, but I must move on with this post.
I now understand that I do not hold any Melchizedek priesthood. I know this because JESUS has not given it to me via his own voice. My noble father laid his hands on my head sometime in the spring of 1984 and said some nice things, but I have never possessed the higher priesthood. I know this because I have never brought someone back from the dead, healed anyone instantly. I have never spoken in a tongue I do not know so that someone who does not speak English or Spanish can understand my message. I have never controlled the weather or animals. I have done nothing miraculous.
I cannot be trusted with any real power yet, because I like all the other men on this planet would misuse it. If I truly repent and become a lot more like JESUS, then maybe someday I could. It will not come from the Bishop, or a relative, or even one of the 15 pretend apostles in Salt Lake. Not even a real apostle like John the Beloved or one of the 3 Nephites can give it to me. It must come directly from CHRIST.
All of this leads me to first 3 verses of Hebrews chapter 7.
The King James Bible has it this way:
1. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God,
who met with Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
and blessed him.
2. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;
first being by interpretation King of righteous,
and after that also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace;
3. Without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life,
but made like unto the Son of God,
abideth a priest continually.
Just in case someone thinks that the problem is just the mediocrity of the King James Bible, The netbible.com has modernized the passage to read:
1. Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God,
met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings
and blessed him.
2. To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything.
His first name means king of righteousness,
then king of Salem,
that is, king of peace.
3. Without father, without mother, without genealogy,
he has neither beginning of days nor an end of life
but is like the son of God,
and he remains a priest for all time.
99.9 percent of Bibles would like you to believe that Melchizedek is some kind of immortal being who has brought into this world without the need for parents. Now GOD can do whatever He wants, because He would never do anything sinful, but this seems like a bit of a stretch.
Joseph Smith and the Holy Spirit render the third verse this way:
3. For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God,
which order was without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.
And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood
are made like unto the Son of God,
abiding a priest continually.
Melchizedek had parents and lived and died like everyone else. It is the higher priesthood that does not require passage from father to son. Any man who follows CHRIST's example of service can receive this priesthood. GOD is no respecter of persons, meaning He plays no favorites. You can be any color, (sorry Brother Brigham even black) and if you emulate the Savior with your unselfish service while enduring above average amounts of suffering, then at some point you will receive some of GOD's power.
When GOD can trust you with power, you will get some, and not one minute before. Most men will never get it because we prize control and acclaim, more than our brothers and sisters. GOD's power can only be used to help your fellow human beings, and can never be used contrary to GOD's perfect will.
I tell people my punishment was a mission to Bolivia. Although I know now that I was promoting a church in a state of apostasy, it was still one of the greatest experiences of my life. I would have never met people like Mark Thomas, Stuart Christensen, and Susie Kochevar. There are dozens of other great people I met there, but I must move on with this post.
I now understand that I do not hold any Melchizedek priesthood. I know this because JESUS has not given it to me via his own voice. My noble father laid his hands on my head sometime in the spring of 1984 and said some nice things, but I have never possessed the higher priesthood. I know this because I have never brought someone back from the dead, healed anyone instantly. I have never spoken in a tongue I do not know so that someone who does not speak English or Spanish can understand my message. I have never controlled the weather or animals. I have done nothing miraculous.
I cannot be trusted with any real power yet, because I like all the other men on this planet would misuse it. If I truly repent and become a lot more like JESUS, then maybe someday I could. It will not come from the Bishop, or a relative, or even one of the 15 pretend apostles in Salt Lake. Not even a real apostle like John the Beloved or one of the 3 Nephites can give it to me. It must come directly from CHRIST.
All of this leads me to first 3 verses of Hebrews chapter 7.
The King James Bible has it this way:
1. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God,
who met with Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
and blessed him.
2. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;
first being by interpretation King of righteous,
and after that also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace;
3. Without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life,
but made like unto the Son of God,
abideth a priest continually.
Just in case someone thinks that the problem is just the mediocrity of the King James Bible, The netbible.com has modernized the passage to read:
1. Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God,
met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings
and blessed him.
2. To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything.
His first name means king of righteousness,
then king of Salem,
that is, king of peace.
3. Without father, without mother, without genealogy,
he has neither beginning of days nor an end of life
but is like the son of God,
and he remains a priest for all time.
99.9 percent of Bibles would like you to believe that Melchizedek is some kind of immortal being who has brought into this world without the need for parents. Now GOD can do whatever He wants, because He would never do anything sinful, but this seems like a bit of a stretch.
Joseph Smith and the Holy Spirit render the third verse this way:
3. For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God,
which order was without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.
And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood
are made like unto the Son of God,
abiding a priest continually.
Melchizedek had parents and lived and died like everyone else. It is the higher priesthood that does not require passage from father to son. Any man who follows CHRIST's example of service can receive this priesthood. GOD is no respecter of persons, meaning He plays no favorites. You can be any color, (sorry Brother Brigham even black) and if you emulate the Savior with your unselfish service while enduring above average amounts of suffering, then at some point you will receive some of GOD's power.
When GOD can trust you with power, you will get some, and not one minute before. Most men will never get it because we prize control and acclaim, more than our brothers and sisters. GOD's power can only be used to help your fellow human beings, and can never be used contrary to GOD's perfect will.
Monday, November 18, 2019
JESUS calls His own apostles
First Corinthians 1:1 in the King James Version says this:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ
through the will of God...
All other popular versions of the Bible say the same thing, with one exception.
The Joseph Smith Translation words it this way:
Paul, an apostle, called of Jesus Christ
through the will of God...
It seems clear to me that Paul is trying to make the point that JESUS called Paul to be an apostle.
It happened obviously on the road to Damascus. Literally called him with His own voice. It was direct and there was no middle man. Just like with the first 12 apostles. Just like with Moses and all true prophets. GOD calls them face to face.
Now someone out there is going to point out the story of replacing Judas Iscariot. After Judas took his own life the 13th apostle (Matthias) was chosen by casting lots. That was not done like the original 12, or like Paul, but the two candidates were men who had seen JESUS. The key factor is GOD made his will known and the apostle had to be someone who had literally been in CHRIST's presence and almost certainly had heard His voice.
As an aside, casting lots can be a way for those of us who have not yet spoken with CHRIST to get information from Him. It you do not think so, ask yourself why Nephi and his brothers used the method to determine which of them would approach Laban first in an attempt to obtain the Brass Plates. If it is good enough for GOD to pick an apostle, then it should be good enough for us.
By the way, CHRIST can pick as many apostles as He wants. I am convinced that his wife Mary, counts as the First apostle of His resurrection. She was the first person to see him after he conquered death and made it possible for all of us sinners to live again. That is not a coincidence.
Paul's call was not a feeling or prompting given to Peter, Jacob (James), and John in Jerusalem and then passed on to the Jewish Christians. Paul was not chosen like the Utah version of Mormonism because he was a sycophant from Utah who was related to someone already in the quorum via the diluted bloodlines of polygamy.
GOD knows what He is doing. I am sure when the general membership found out later that JESUS had made Saul/Paul His newest witness, there were some fools who left the flock. The point is that JESUS chose Paul and He was not worried about the fallout. CHRIST knew that Paul was fearless and tireless. By adding the Holy Spirit to the mix, He would get one of the greatest missionaries of all time. JESUS knew that He would lose a few weak goats in Israel and gain hundreds (hopefully thousands) of new sheep in the Roman Empire.
GOD uses the best way to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of the greatest number of his children. And he does not care if it hurts your feelings. He knows that emotion is not truth. He knows our hearts better than we know them. Trust GOD, even if what He is doing does not make sense to you at the time. It will make sense eventually.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ
through the will of God...
All other popular versions of the Bible say the same thing, with one exception.
The Joseph Smith Translation words it this way:
Paul, an apostle, called of Jesus Christ
through the will of God...
It seems clear to me that Paul is trying to make the point that JESUS called Paul to be an apostle.
It happened obviously on the road to Damascus. Literally called him with His own voice. It was direct and there was no middle man. Just like with the first 12 apostles. Just like with Moses and all true prophets. GOD calls them face to face.
Now someone out there is going to point out the story of replacing Judas Iscariot. After Judas took his own life the 13th apostle (Matthias) was chosen by casting lots. That was not done like the original 12, or like Paul, but the two candidates were men who had seen JESUS. The key factor is GOD made his will known and the apostle had to be someone who had literally been in CHRIST's presence and almost certainly had heard His voice.
As an aside, casting lots can be a way for those of us who have not yet spoken with CHRIST to get information from Him. It you do not think so, ask yourself why Nephi and his brothers used the method to determine which of them would approach Laban first in an attempt to obtain the Brass Plates. If it is good enough for GOD to pick an apostle, then it should be good enough for us.
By the way, CHRIST can pick as many apostles as He wants. I am convinced that his wife Mary, counts as the First apostle of His resurrection. She was the first person to see him after he conquered death and made it possible for all of us sinners to live again. That is not a coincidence.
Paul's call was not a feeling or prompting given to Peter, Jacob (James), and John in Jerusalem and then passed on to the Jewish Christians. Paul was not chosen like the Utah version of Mormonism because he was a sycophant from Utah who was related to someone already in the quorum via the diluted bloodlines of polygamy.
GOD knows what He is doing. I am sure when the general membership found out later that JESUS had made Saul/Paul His newest witness, there were some fools who left the flock. The point is that JESUS chose Paul and He was not worried about the fallout. CHRIST knew that Paul was fearless and tireless. By adding the Holy Spirit to the mix, He would get one of the greatest missionaries of all time. JESUS knew that He would lose a few weak goats in Israel and gain hundreds (hopefully thousands) of new sheep in the Roman Empire.
GOD uses the best way to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of the greatest number of his children. And he does not care if it hurts your feelings. He knows that emotion is not truth. He knows our hearts better than we know them. Trust GOD, even if what He is doing does not make sense to you at the time. It will make sense eventually.
Friday, November 15, 2019
1st Corinthians 2:11: The things of God knoweth no man?
Since Satan would like us to believe that GOD is in no way like us mere mortals, we get verses like 1st Corinthians 2:11. I am fairly sure some fool changed the original wording to keep us from finding out the real truth. GOD is vastly better than we are right now, but it does not have to be that way forever. HE will always be our superior, but we do not have to remain on the opposite side of the holiness spectrum.
King James version
For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man,
but the Spirit of God.
If this verse is right then we can all just go about our lives in a quest for food, sleep, travel, leisure, money, and sex.
If we cannot know the things of God what is the point of this existence?
Thankfully Joseph Smith restored Paul's original meaning.
Joseph Smith Translation
For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man,
except he has the Spirit of God.
Ah, so we can know the things of God.
We just have to have God's Spirit. This entity but non-personage also goes by the title the Holy Ghost.
Our goal now should be to get the Holy Spirit.
Then we can get as much truth as possible directly from the mind of GOD.
We are only limited by our focus. The problem is we can only focus on one thing at a time. There is no such thing as multi-tasking in your mind.
Fantasy football or soccer is not going to get anyone closer to the things of GOD. Working more than necessary to feed you and yours is not helpful in a quest for saving truth.
Boats, jet skis, golf (guilty) is an impediment to finding GOD, or His Truth, or His Son.
Binge-watching TV (guilty) and movies is OK... if you are OK with not finding truth.
We all know we are too distracted by the idols of this world.
We all know what are personal idols are.
Time to leave Babylon behind for something infinitely better.
King James version
For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man,
but the Spirit of God.
If this verse is right then we can all just go about our lives in a quest for food, sleep, travel, leisure, money, and sex.
If we cannot know the things of God what is the point of this existence?
Thankfully Joseph Smith restored Paul's original meaning.
Joseph Smith Translation
For what man knoweth the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him?
even so the things of God knoweth no man,
except he has the Spirit of God.
Ah, so we can know the things of God.
We just have to have God's Spirit. This entity but non-personage also goes by the title the Holy Ghost.
Our goal now should be to get the Holy Spirit.
Then we can get as much truth as possible directly from the mind of GOD.
We are only limited by our focus. The problem is we can only focus on one thing at a time. There is no such thing as multi-tasking in your mind.
Fantasy football or soccer is not going to get anyone closer to the things of GOD. Working more than necessary to feed you and yours is not helpful in a quest for saving truth.
Boats, jet skis, golf (guilty) is an impediment to finding GOD, or His Truth, or His Son.
Binge-watching TV (guilty) and movies is OK... if you are OK with not finding truth.
We all know we are too distracted by the idols of this world.
We all know what are personal idols are.
Time to leave Babylon behind for something infinitely better.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
The Words of GOD
One of the reasons I love the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible is because I feel that I am getting the best source for the actual words of GOD to his ancient covenant people. Going along with my last post is my recommendation today. I wrote of Rob Smith's Upward Thought Blog. Rob not only claims to have seen JESUS, but that he speaks to CHRIST on occasion. That should be everyone's goal. If you go to his blog and read his latest post "God will visit his pure daughters" you can see what his latest conservation with the LORD entails.
Please pray and ask GOD via his Holy Spirit if these words from Rob's blog are the words of CHRIST.
I hope the words are GOD's because they fit nicely with my own belief system. I believe that GOD loves his daughters just as much as his sons. I also believe that He rarely intervenes in someone's life on a grand scale just to save them some suffering. HE may comfort you via different sources, but rarely will HE change the situation for you. You have to use your own agency to make your life better, and sometimes even that is not enough. JESUS suffered unjustly more than any being in history, and that pain was infinite. We mere mortals should not expect to get through this life without a little unjust suffering of our own. The problem is when people who should love us add to our suffering.
Rob's post deals with the systemic crisis of husbands who do not truly love their wives. Anyone who has a bad son-in-law can identify with the heartbreak of their daughter. You can ask GOD to intercede, but He is most likely not going to have a bus hit the fool.
GOD experiences the heartbreak of His daughters at an exponential level. There are possibly millions of hardhearted men walking this globe. It starts with males who father children and then will not take care of them. Some ask their girlfriends to get abortions. They would rather take a life than take responsibility. These are not men, they are cowards. They are not even male enough to be called boys.
Then we get the semi-hardhearted who do the right thing for appearance sake and get married, (or who get married and then have children) but then do a half ass job after that. This is the boy level. Their wives have to take care of their children and also their husbands. The husband becomes a kind of adult child. Instead of easing the wive's burdens he adds to them.
To be called a man you actually have to do some things you do want to do. Just as CHRIST did one infinite thing he would have preferred not to (if it were possible the rest of us could be saved some other way). Good luck telling JESUS at the judgement "Hey, I know you atoned for everyone's sins, but I was too grossed out by poop to change a diaper."
To you males out there I say, "love your wives." There are no bad husbands in GOD's Kingdom. There is also no hunting or televised sports. There is no TV at all you can tune into to, so you can tune out your wife. If you think you can mistreat one of GOD's daughters and avoid hell, you are sadly mistaken.
To the numerous oppressed women out there, GOD has some sublime things for you on the other side of this vale of tears. There is no polygamy in Heaven. There are no bad husbands in Heaven. In Heaven women and men are truly equal. There is no coercive priesthood to control you in Heaven. In Heaven there are no mean mother-in-laws who think you are not good enough for their son. There are no mothers who compete with you over who can cook better. There are no children who only call when they need something.
In Heaven, there is only love and beings who love perfectly. GOD would not have it any other way.
Please pray and ask GOD via his Holy Spirit if these words from Rob's blog are the words of CHRIST.
I hope the words are GOD's because they fit nicely with my own belief system. I believe that GOD loves his daughters just as much as his sons. I also believe that He rarely intervenes in someone's life on a grand scale just to save them some suffering. HE may comfort you via different sources, but rarely will HE change the situation for you. You have to use your own agency to make your life better, and sometimes even that is not enough. JESUS suffered unjustly more than any being in history, and that pain was infinite. We mere mortals should not expect to get through this life without a little unjust suffering of our own. The problem is when people who should love us add to our suffering.
Rob's post deals with the systemic crisis of husbands who do not truly love their wives. Anyone who has a bad son-in-law can identify with the heartbreak of their daughter. You can ask GOD to intercede, but He is most likely not going to have a bus hit the fool.
GOD experiences the heartbreak of His daughters at an exponential level. There are possibly millions of hardhearted men walking this globe. It starts with males who father children and then will not take care of them. Some ask their girlfriends to get abortions. They would rather take a life than take responsibility. These are not men, they are cowards. They are not even male enough to be called boys.
Then we get the semi-hardhearted who do the right thing for appearance sake and get married, (or who get married and then have children) but then do a half ass job after that. This is the boy level. Their wives have to take care of their children and also their husbands. The husband becomes a kind of adult child. Instead of easing the wive's burdens he adds to them.
To be called a man you actually have to do some things you do want to do. Just as CHRIST did one infinite thing he would have preferred not to (if it were possible the rest of us could be saved some other way). Good luck telling JESUS at the judgement "Hey, I know you atoned for everyone's sins, but I was too grossed out by poop to change a diaper."
To you males out there I say, "love your wives." There are no bad husbands in GOD's Kingdom. There is also no hunting or televised sports. There is no TV at all you can tune into to, so you can tune out your wife. If you think you can mistreat one of GOD's daughters and avoid hell, you are sadly mistaken.
To the numerous oppressed women out there, GOD has some sublime things for you on the other side of this vale of tears. There is no polygamy in Heaven. There are no bad husbands in Heaven. In Heaven women and men are truly equal. There is no coercive priesthood to control you in Heaven. In Heaven there are no mean mother-in-laws who think you are not good enough for their son. There are no mothers who compete with you over who can cook better. There are no children who only call when they need something.
In Heaven, there is only love and beings who love perfectly. GOD would not have it any other way.
Friday, November 8, 2019
Recommendations For Your Search for GOD
Here are my recommendations of sources that have helped me find truth and inspired me to repent. I do not agree with everything they say or write, but they are sincere people, and I am certain all of them are less sinful that I am. GOD is never going to give us a foolproof person to follow, because then we would miss the point of following Him.
Denver Snuffer- He has a blog at denversnuffer.com and he has written roughly a dozen books, almost all with the theme that anyone can have an audience with CHRIST. There are also several great talks of his that are posted on Youtube at the Restoration Archives channel. Here is a staunch defender of Joseph Smith.
Rob Smith- His blog is upwardthought.blogspot.com. He has written some great books that he tries to sell for the absolute miminum allowed by his publishers. He also has a Youtube channel (upwardthought) where he gives talks using power points. You never see him, because he believes the message should be the focus, not him. For example his talk "God Gives You What You Want" is filled with light. He taught me that humility is NOT minimizing what you have, but realizing that you can do more. Everyone has at least one gift given them from GOD and we need to figure out what that is and use it to help others. That is just one example of dozens that are in just that one talk.
Adrian Larsen- His blog totheremnant.com is always based on the scriptures of the restoration. He seems to have a good sense of humor. His posts are worth reaing, and he is emphatic about his testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Blake Ostler- Probably the greatest Mormon theologian of today. His 3 volume work Exploring Mormon Thought on Joseph Smith's description of GOD is unparalleled. His compassion theory of the Atonement is unique. He has a website blakeostler.com where all of his published works are listed and most of them have free links. He also does a podcast with his son, where he examines more in depth his take of what Mormon scripture means and does not mean.
Rock Waterman- He does not post much recently owing to spending his time on infinitely more important things like caring for his wife. You can spend the next few years studying his lengthy posts of the past at puremormonism.blogspot.com and not regret it. His devotion to CHRIST cost him membership in the LDS church.
The best written source for truth is the Book of Mormon. The best versions of the Book of Mormon are Grant Hardy's reader's edition and Royal Skousen's The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text
The best version of the Bible is the Joseph Smith Translation. Called the Inspired Version by the people who were smart enough to remain with Emma Smith and her children rather than follow Brigham Young to Utah. I am refering to the formerly named Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, now the Community of Christ.
As a side note, I will not be surprised at the judgment if GOD asks the esteemed Utah pioneers,
"So you followed Brigham instead of Emma?
You know you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble, travel, time, and unbelief by just staying with my Elect Lady instead of following a fool."
Of course, the best sources for all truth are the Holy Spirit, which is the literal mind of the Most High God for anyone like me, who has not yet met the Savior.
The goal of all of this of course is to find CHRIST, and have Him instruct us on what is true. That way we can skip the middleman and get our information directly from the Fount of Every Blessing.
Denver Snuffer- He has a blog at denversnuffer.com and he has written roughly a dozen books, almost all with the theme that anyone can have an audience with CHRIST. There are also several great talks of his that are posted on Youtube at the Restoration Archives channel. Here is a staunch defender of Joseph Smith.
Rob Smith- His blog is upwardthought.blogspot.com. He has written some great books that he tries to sell for the absolute miminum allowed by his publishers. He also has a Youtube channel (upwardthought) where he gives talks using power points. You never see him, because he believes the message should be the focus, not him. For example his talk "God Gives You What You Want" is filled with light. He taught me that humility is NOT minimizing what you have, but realizing that you can do more. Everyone has at least one gift given them from GOD and we need to figure out what that is and use it to help others. That is just one example of dozens that are in just that one talk.
Adrian Larsen- His blog totheremnant.com is always based on the scriptures of the restoration. He seems to have a good sense of humor. His posts are worth reaing, and he is emphatic about his testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Blake Ostler- Probably the greatest Mormon theologian of today. His 3 volume work Exploring Mormon Thought on Joseph Smith's description of GOD is unparalleled. His compassion theory of the Atonement is unique. He has a website blakeostler.com where all of his published works are listed and most of them have free links. He also does a podcast with his son, where he examines more in depth his take of what Mormon scripture means and does not mean.
Rock Waterman- He does not post much recently owing to spending his time on infinitely more important things like caring for his wife. You can spend the next few years studying his lengthy posts of the past at puremormonism.blogspot.com and not regret it. His devotion to CHRIST cost him membership in the LDS church.
The best written source for truth is the Book of Mormon. The best versions of the Book of Mormon are Grant Hardy's reader's edition and Royal Skousen's The Book of Mormon: The Earliest Text
The best version of the Bible is the Joseph Smith Translation. Called the Inspired Version by the people who were smart enough to remain with Emma Smith and her children rather than follow Brigham Young to Utah. I am refering to the formerly named Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, now the Community of Christ.
As a side note, I will not be surprised at the judgment if GOD asks the esteemed Utah pioneers,
"So you followed Brigham instead of Emma?
You know you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble, travel, time, and unbelief by just staying with my Elect Lady instead of following a fool."
Of course, the best sources for all truth are the Holy Spirit, which is the literal mind of the Most High God for anyone like me, who has not yet met the Savior.
The goal of all of this of course is to find CHRIST, and have Him instruct us on what is true. That way we can skip the middleman and get our information directly from the Fount of Every Blessing.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
LDS Church Finances
Sorry, but today I am taking a break from Joseph Smith's inspired revision of the Hebrew Bible.
I am doing this to point out some information from Daymon Smith. Daymon worked in the Church Office Building after getting a Ph D in anthropology. A few years ago Rock Waterman did some phenomenal posts about Daymon and his book The Book of Mammon: A Book about a Book about the Corporation that owns the LDS Church. The book details the waste and ineptitude of the LDS church. Just search puremormonism.blogspot.com for "Daymon Smith" and you will find much better information and much better writing than my own.
I recently found an interview with Daymon where he made the following statement.
"Based on my time in the COB, I believe that the LDS church spends more money on Public relations, than it does on humanitarian aid."
I was astounded. I am still astounded. I will be astounded until the day I die. This supposed "true church" takes its members money and then spends more of it on looking good, than on doing good.
Daymon also estimated that the church spends about 2 percent of its billions (billions with a B!) on humanitarian aid. I guess that means is they spend at least 2.1 percent or more on getting the world to like them.
Other recent studies place the church's contribution to helping victims of disasters and poverty closer to 1 percent. So the church could be twice as chintzy as Daymon thinks. They are already shockingly miserly, but it could actually be twice as bad.
I am not 100 percent certain that these numbers are 100 percent accurate. Whether the LDS corporate empire spends 1,2, or 3 percent of its vast wealth to help people does not matter. What does matter is how small the amount is. Church members are supposed to give ten percent of their hard-earned cash to the church. The church cannot apparently return the favor to the world's disaster victims.
You would think one of the chosen 15 false apostles would speak up in their weekly meeting and say something. Something like
"Guys, instead of taking 99 percent of the members' money and using it on shopping malls, temples, and ourselves, how about we waste only 90 percent of their money?"
Of course that individual would probably be laughed out of the room, or possibly made an emeritus general authority. He might even be stripped of his modest stipend of $10,000 dollars a month.
I am 100 percent sure that GOD is going to do something soon to rid His temple of these modern-day money changers. JESUS' statement "And upon My House shall it begin" comes to mind (Doctrine and Covenants 112:25). To get a clear idea of what "it" is in verse 25, read verse 24. After reading this, if you live anywhere near Salt Lake City, you may want to consider moving.
I am doing this to point out some information from Daymon Smith. Daymon worked in the Church Office Building after getting a Ph D in anthropology. A few years ago Rock Waterman did some phenomenal posts about Daymon and his book The Book of Mammon: A Book about a Book about the Corporation that owns the LDS Church. The book details the waste and ineptitude of the LDS church. Just search puremormonism.blogspot.com for "Daymon Smith" and you will find much better information and much better writing than my own.
I recently found an interview with Daymon where he made the following statement.
"Based on my time in the COB, I believe that the LDS church spends more money on Public relations, than it does on humanitarian aid."
I was astounded. I am still astounded. I will be astounded until the day I die. This supposed "true church" takes its members money and then spends more of it on looking good, than on doing good.
Daymon also estimated that the church spends about 2 percent of its billions (billions with a B!) on humanitarian aid. I guess that means is they spend at least 2.1 percent or more on getting the world to like them.
Other recent studies place the church's contribution to helping victims of disasters and poverty closer to 1 percent. So the church could be twice as chintzy as Daymon thinks. They are already shockingly miserly, but it could actually be twice as bad.
I am not 100 percent certain that these numbers are 100 percent accurate. Whether the LDS corporate empire spends 1,2, or 3 percent of its vast wealth to help people does not matter. What does matter is how small the amount is. Church members are supposed to give ten percent of their hard-earned cash to the church. The church cannot apparently return the favor to the world's disaster victims.
You would think one of the chosen 15 false apostles would speak up in their weekly meeting and say something. Something like
"Guys, instead of taking 99 percent of the members' money and using it on shopping malls, temples, and ourselves, how about we waste only 90 percent of their money?"
Of course that individual would probably be laughed out of the room, or possibly made an emeritus general authority. He might even be stripped of his modest stipend of $10,000 dollars a month.
I am 100 percent sure that GOD is going to do something soon to rid His temple of these modern-day money changers. JESUS' statement "And upon My House shall it begin" comes to mind (Doctrine and Covenants 112:25). To get a clear idea of what "it" is in verse 25, read verse 24. After reading this, if you live anywhere near Salt Lake City, you may want to consider moving.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Logic Restored: Romans 8:31
Perhaps the most memorable verse in Romans is 8:31.
The King James Version states:
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us,
who can be against us?
A comforting thought, but it takes a bit of mental gymnastics to nail down what it means. It can be taken to mean that if God is supporting us, then everyone is supporting us. Now I know that God has all the power necessary to save and exalt his children based on their choices. If that is the case, then it does not matter what opposition we encounter in an abstract sense, because God will not be defeated in his quest to bring about the immortality and eternal life of his children. However, there is opposition in all things. When we are temporarily going through some adversity it can be hard to keep the faith.
Obviously God is for all his children. Satan is against us. However small his team is, he has some teammates. So this verse is flawed at a literal level. God is for us, but there are beings against us.
If you think I am nit-picking you may want to take that up with GOD. Why? Because GOD inspired Joseph Smith to change the verse to the following:
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us,
who can prevail against us?
So we are not being assured there is no opposition or adversity in this time of testing. Paul is assuring us that despite a common enemy, we will "prevail" with GOD's assistance.
The King James Version states:
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us,
who can be against us?
A comforting thought, but it takes a bit of mental gymnastics to nail down what it means. It can be taken to mean that if God is supporting us, then everyone is supporting us. Now I know that God has all the power necessary to save and exalt his children based on their choices. If that is the case, then it does not matter what opposition we encounter in an abstract sense, because God will not be defeated in his quest to bring about the immortality and eternal life of his children. However, there is opposition in all things. When we are temporarily going through some adversity it can be hard to keep the faith.
Obviously God is for all his children. Satan is against us. However small his team is, he has some teammates. So this verse is flawed at a literal level. God is for us, but there are beings against us.
If you think I am nit-picking you may want to take that up with GOD. Why? Because GOD inspired Joseph Smith to change the verse to the following:
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us,
who can prevail against us?
So we are not being assured there is no opposition or adversity in this time of testing. Paul is assuring us that despite a common enemy, we will "prevail" with GOD's assistance.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The Dead Don't Sin? : Romans 6:7
I am normally trying to find places in the Hebrew Bible where Joseph Smith made extensive changes. Today I am using a verse where only one change was made by adding two words.
Here is the original verse.
King James Version of Romans 6:7
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Sounds great to me. But probably not true. Why would my sinful nature change just because I was dead? Surely the temporary loss of a physical body would help, but I am not sure that is enough to avoid sin altogether.
Satan does not have a body and he is the author of sin. Not having a body is insufficient evidence to explain this verse. Certain beings sinned in the pre-Earth life and were not allowed to get a body, so that should end that line of reasoning.
By the way, the whole "third part" does not mean "one third". Third part means limited number to those of the ancient world. Satan did not pull off bringing down 33.33 percent of our Heavenly Parents' children. It is heartbreaking that even one person failed to advance to Earth, but it was not some number in the billions. Any number was too high, but it is not as high as some people believe. I understand with free will people can follow whomever they want, and GOD could have theoretically lost all his children (except JESUS) in one fell swoop. I am just going on what the phrase "third part" really means.
My best speculation is that the first part of people said "Satan is a fool, and JESUS is the being most like GOD, so let's follow CHRIST." These people got it right from the outset and never wavered.
The second part of the people may have been initially confused but came to their senses before it was too late. In essence they changed their votes. Just like all of us have to do in this life to continue to follow CHRIST. Whenever we reached accountability and finally sinned we initially voted to be estranged from GOD.
The third part wanted the easy but ineffective way, and would not change their vote.
Back to Romans. Here is the inspired revision.
Joseph Smith Translation Romans 6:7
For he that is dead to sin is freed from sin.
The addition of the words "to sin" changes the entire chapter. It is worth reading Romans any time, but especially chapter 6 with this modification in mind. I am sure the apostle Paul is grateful we can now read what he really meant to convey. Let's be dead to sin before we are actually dead.
Here is the original verse.
King James Version of Romans 6:7
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Sounds great to me. But probably not true. Why would my sinful nature change just because I was dead? Surely the temporary loss of a physical body would help, but I am not sure that is enough to avoid sin altogether.
Satan does not have a body and he is the author of sin. Not having a body is insufficient evidence to explain this verse. Certain beings sinned in the pre-Earth life and were not allowed to get a body, so that should end that line of reasoning.
By the way, the whole "third part" does not mean "one third". Third part means limited number to those of the ancient world. Satan did not pull off bringing down 33.33 percent of our Heavenly Parents' children. It is heartbreaking that even one person failed to advance to Earth, but it was not some number in the billions. Any number was too high, but it is not as high as some people believe. I understand with free will people can follow whomever they want, and GOD could have theoretically lost all his children (except JESUS) in one fell swoop. I am just going on what the phrase "third part" really means.
My best speculation is that the first part of people said "Satan is a fool, and JESUS is the being most like GOD, so let's follow CHRIST." These people got it right from the outset and never wavered.
The second part of the people may have been initially confused but came to their senses before it was too late. In essence they changed their votes. Just like all of us have to do in this life to continue to follow CHRIST. Whenever we reached accountability and finally sinned we initially voted to be estranged from GOD.
The third part wanted the easy but ineffective way, and would not change their vote.
Back to Romans. Here is the inspired revision.
Joseph Smith Translation Romans 6:7
For he that is dead to sin is freed from sin.
The addition of the words "to sin" changes the entire chapter. It is worth reading Romans any time, but especially chapter 6 with this modification in mind. I am sure the apostle Paul is grateful we can now read what he really meant to convey. Let's be dead to sin before we are actually dead.
Monday, November 4, 2019
GOD does not sin: Jonah Chapter 3
Similar to my last post the following problem is found in the 3rd chapter of Jonah. I am blaming the Greek translators for this one, because it fits with their ridiculous idea that GOD is capricious.
Here we have the king of Nineveh's decree to his wicked city, their repentance, and GOD's reaction.
King James Jonah Chapter 3: 9-10
Who can tell if God will turn and repent,
and turn away from his fierce anger,
that we perish not?
And God saw their works
that they turned from their evil way
and God repented the evil,
that he had said he would do unto them;
and he did it not.
The repentance of Nineveh brings about the repentance of God?
I do not think so.
Joseph Smith Translation, Jonah Chapter 3:9-10
Who can tell if we will repent,
and turn unto God,
but he will turn away from us his fierce anger,
that we perish not?
And God saw their works
that they turned from their evil way and repented;
and God turned away the evil
that he said he would bring upon them.
Even if Jonah was not excited by this result, the hosts of Heaven were.
Jonah (eventually) did his job, but at the end of the book he still has work to do.
Jonah is like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son. His heart has not been broken and his spirit is obviously not contrite.
He was sinning less than the people of Nineveh, so he arrogantly thought that they should be destroyed because they were sinning more. We all need to get rid of this idea that there is some magic cut-off line for those heading to hell, and that we are somehow on the good side of that line. Instead it might be better to think we are all on a spectrum of progress, and there are many people ahead of us, and a few behind us.
In the book of Jonah, GOD stays his hand against one of the most violent cities in world history, so He is probably not going to take out your annoying neighbor. Forgive your neighbor, and you will be forgiven, and you can hopefully both avoid Hell. There is no quota on the number of saved beings.
Here we have the king of Nineveh's decree to his wicked city, their repentance, and GOD's reaction.
King James Jonah Chapter 3: 9-10
Who can tell if God will turn and repent,
and turn away from his fierce anger,
that we perish not?
And God saw their works
that they turned from their evil way
and God repented the evil,
that he had said he would do unto them;
and he did it not.
The repentance of Nineveh brings about the repentance of God?
I do not think so.
Joseph Smith Translation, Jonah Chapter 3:9-10
Who can tell if we will repent,
and turn unto God,
but he will turn away from us his fierce anger,
that we perish not?
And God saw their works
that they turned from their evil way and repented;
and God turned away the evil
that he said he would bring upon them.
Even if Jonah was not excited by this result, the hosts of Heaven were.
Jonah (eventually) did his job, but at the end of the book he still has work to do.
Jonah is like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son. His heart has not been broken and his spirit is obviously not contrite.
He was sinning less than the people of Nineveh, so he arrogantly thought that they should be destroyed because they were sinning more. We all need to get rid of this idea that there is some magic cut-off line for those heading to hell, and that we are somehow on the good side of that line. Instead it might be better to think we are all on a spectrum of progress, and there are many people ahead of us, and a few behind us.
In the book of Jonah, GOD stays his hand against one of the most violent cities in world history, so He is probably not going to take out your annoying neighbor. Forgive your neighbor, and you will be forgiven, and you can hopefully both avoid Hell. There is no quota on the number of saved beings.
Friday, November 1, 2019
Amos 7: GOD does not need to repent
There are 2 verses in Amos chapter 7 that are flawed in the King James Version, verses 3 and 6. Since they are almost identically flawed and identically corrected I will use just verse 6.
King James Amos 3:6
The Lord repented for this:
This also shall not be,
saith the Lord.
I know very little about GOD because I have never met him...yet. But I do know He does not have anything to repent of. Whether He was a GOD forever or became one later does not matter here. In either scenario, He is now flawless in His behavior and does not make mistakes. He does not sin.
Joseph Smith rectified this horrendous verse with the following:
Joseph Smith Translation Amos 3:6
And the Lord said, concerning Jacob,
Jacob shall repent of his wickedness
therefore I will not utterly destroy him,
saith the Lord GOD.
I love how this clears up who is repenting (Jacob aka "Israel").
The message is that if we repent we can be blessed instead of cursed. The carrot and the stick is a fundamental part of the Gospel.
My mother Janet used to say when she was alive, "some people have to learn by feeling, because they cannot learn by hearing."
Sometimes we are motivated because of the fear of cursings, which is not a perfect situation. It is better than just sinning, but not ideal.
Let's call this stage one behavior.
Then we hopefully progress to seek for blessings from the LORD, which is better but still not ideal. This is stage two behavior.
Finally, we reach the stage of doing what GOD asks because we love Him. We are not concerned with fear or incentive. We trust GOD no matter what. Even if we are seemingly temporarily suffering when we may not have done anything to deserve it. The danger with stage 2 is that we might be doing well without deserving it, which is my take on some Mormon corridor folks. I am better off by the world's standards than 90 percent of people, but I do not attribute that to any righteousness on my part.
I admit it that I am not at stage 3...yet. There are probably other stages that people smarter than myself can think of, but that is my take on things for now.
King James Amos 3:6
The Lord repented for this:
This also shall not be,
saith the Lord.
I know very little about GOD because I have never met him...yet. But I do know He does not have anything to repent of. Whether He was a GOD forever or became one later does not matter here. In either scenario, He is now flawless in His behavior and does not make mistakes. He does not sin.
Joseph Smith rectified this horrendous verse with the following:
Joseph Smith Translation Amos 3:6
And the Lord said, concerning Jacob,
Jacob shall repent of his wickedness
therefore I will not utterly destroy him,
saith the Lord GOD.
I love how this clears up who is repenting (Jacob aka "Israel").
The message is that if we repent we can be blessed instead of cursed. The carrot and the stick is a fundamental part of the Gospel.
My mother Janet used to say when she was alive, "some people have to learn by feeling, because they cannot learn by hearing."
Sometimes we are motivated because of the fear of cursings, which is not a perfect situation. It is better than just sinning, but not ideal.
Let's call this stage one behavior.
Then we hopefully progress to seek for blessings from the LORD, which is better but still not ideal. This is stage two behavior.
Finally, we reach the stage of doing what GOD asks because we love Him. We are not concerned with fear or incentive. We trust GOD no matter what. Even if we are seemingly temporarily suffering when we may not have done anything to deserve it. The danger with stage 2 is that we might be doing well without deserving it, which is my take on some Mormon corridor folks. I am better off by the world's standards than 90 percent of people, but I do not attribute that to any righteousness on my part.
I admit it that I am not at stage 3...yet. There are probably other stages that people smarter than myself can think of, but that is my take on things for now.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Halloween: A Microcosm of Satan's Plan
If it were not for my 3 precocious and beautiful granddaughters, Halloween would be my least favorite holiday. I love watching them go door to door to get candy in their costumes. They are currently 2.5, 5, and 7 years old.
It does make me pause and think of all the people of the world who would be happy for a daily piece of bread. We spoiled Americans get a day for free candy to celebrate the fact we are the fattest people in world history. Seems more like a day of national arrogance to celebrate our ignorance.
Talking today with my good friend Mark, it hit me that Halloween is probably one of least Satan's favorite days. Why? He is worried we might notice that we have appropriated some of his fundamental strategies in order to distract ourselves from GOD for a night of trivialities.
Strategy #1- "Pretend to be someone you are not". Costumes allow people to act differently. Anyone who is not truly repenting is wearing a metaphorical costume all the time, hoping people think they are better than they are. Religious people are the best at this. If I wear a white shirt and tie I am somehow righteous. It does not matter if I have not thought of GOD the previous 6.9 days for the week. If I can get a nice suit I might someday get to misuse my supposed priesthood in a leadership position. Preferably a wool suit so I can be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Strategy #2- "Get stuff without really earning it". In the case of Halloween it is candy. In the case of this period of testing it is money and fame and honor. I am certainly a worse human being than most of the people I encountered in Bolivia, but for some reason they are poor and I am not. If I do not share my resources with others I am going to end up like the rich man who ignored Lazarus. I am not rich by the standards of Babylon, but I am better off than billions of other people.
"Get stuff for just showing up" was Satan's alternate plan of salvation. He is still trying to get people to buy into it today. Behave however you want and get rewarded when you die. Whether it is in the guise of "no hell" or JESUS saves everyone no matter what. Of course, GOD gives us way more than anyone deserves, but HE is not going to let everyone into His kingdom just to be nice. There are some requirements. I also realize that JESUS has done 99 percent of the hard work, but we as individuals have to do our 1 percent and repent, get baptized, and spend the rest of our lives serving other people.
Strategy #3- "Fear". Fear is the opposite of love. Why do people pay to have other people scare them at Haunted Houses? Why do people pay to see horror films? It has to be one of the most nonsensical things I know of along with driving a motorcycle on a daily basis.
Satan wants us to be scared of GOD. Instead we should be grateful the 2 members of our Godhead have condescended immensely to create a world where people can progress. Satan wants people to think he has power that is comparable to GOD's. Satan's limited power is nothing compared to CHRIST's! The only thing we need to fear is a failure to repent. GOD loves us unconditionally and wants only the best for us with the caveat we need to make unselfish choices.
I am pretty sure there will be no Halloween in the next phase of our existence unless we end up in Hell. They probably have Halloween once a week there.
It does make me pause and think of all the people of the world who would be happy for a daily piece of bread. We spoiled Americans get a day for free candy to celebrate the fact we are the fattest people in world history. Seems more like a day of national arrogance to celebrate our ignorance.
Talking today with my good friend Mark, it hit me that Halloween is probably one of least Satan's favorite days. Why? He is worried we might notice that we have appropriated some of his fundamental strategies in order to distract ourselves from GOD for a night of trivialities.
Strategy #1- "Pretend to be someone you are not". Costumes allow people to act differently. Anyone who is not truly repenting is wearing a metaphorical costume all the time, hoping people think they are better than they are. Religious people are the best at this. If I wear a white shirt and tie I am somehow righteous. It does not matter if I have not thought of GOD the previous 6.9 days for the week. If I can get a nice suit I might someday get to misuse my supposed priesthood in a leadership position. Preferably a wool suit so I can be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Strategy #2- "Get stuff without really earning it". In the case of Halloween it is candy. In the case of this period of testing it is money and fame and honor. I am certainly a worse human being than most of the people I encountered in Bolivia, but for some reason they are poor and I am not. If I do not share my resources with others I am going to end up like the rich man who ignored Lazarus. I am not rich by the standards of Babylon, but I am better off than billions of other people.
"Get stuff for just showing up" was Satan's alternate plan of salvation. He is still trying to get people to buy into it today. Behave however you want and get rewarded when you die. Whether it is in the guise of "no hell" or JESUS saves everyone no matter what. Of course, GOD gives us way more than anyone deserves, but HE is not going to let everyone into His kingdom just to be nice. There are some requirements. I also realize that JESUS has done 99 percent of the hard work, but we as individuals have to do our 1 percent and repent, get baptized, and spend the rest of our lives serving other people.
Strategy #3- "Fear". Fear is the opposite of love. Why do people pay to have other people scare them at Haunted Houses? Why do people pay to see horror films? It has to be one of the most nonsensical things I know of along with driving a motorcycle on a daily basis.
Satan wants us to be scared of GOD. Instead we should be grateful the 2 members of our Godhead have condescended immensely to create a world where people can progress. Satan wants people to think he has power that is comparable to GOD's. Satan's limited power is nothing compared to CHRIST's! The only thing we need to fear is a failure to repent. GOD loves us unconditionally and wants only the best for us with the caveat we need to make unselfish choices.
I am pretty sure there will be no Halloween in the next phase of our existence unless we end up in Hell. They probably have Halloween once a week there.
Amos 3:6-7: What the what?
One of the many problematic passages in the Bible is found in Amos chapter 3. Up until a few years ago, I had no idea Amos was in the Old Testament. This is like when I got my LDS mission call and thought Bolivia was in Europe. I am learning. Here is the latest thing I have learned.
The King James Version reads:
6.
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
7.
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
So if we take this at face value then GOD is apparently causing evil. Ludicrous, I know. GOD is trying to do the most good for the most people. Evil only occurs by fallen man under the influence of Satan.
By the way, everything does happen for a reason. But the reason is always because of someone's choice to do it. GOD is not orchestrating every act to create a miraculous scenario where everyone gets to go to Heaven. GOD is trying to make the best of our foolish and fallen choices.
Joseph Smith's version of Amos reads as follows:
6. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,
and the people not be afraid?
Shall there be evil in a city,
and the LORD hath not known it?
7. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
until he revealeth the secret unto his servants the prophets.
Makes it clear the GOD is not doing any evil, but he is aware of all of it. Painfully aware of it, since he suffered so horrifically for the sins of billions of people.
The King James Version reads:
6.
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?
Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
7.
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
So if we take this at face value then GOD is apparently causing evil. Ludicrous, I know. GOD is trying to do the most good for the most people. Evil only occurs by fallen man under the influence of Satan.
By the way, everything does happen for a reason. But the reason is always because of someone's choice to do it. GOD is not orchestrating every act to create a miraculous scenario where everyone gets to go to Heaven. GOD is trying to make the best of our foolish and fallen choices.
Joseph Smith's version of Amos reads as follows:
6. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,
and the people not be afraid?
Shall there be evil in a city,
and the LORD hath not known it?
7. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing,
until he revealeth the secret unto his servants the prophets.
Makes it clear the GOD is not doing any evil, but he is aware of all of it. Painfully aware of it, since he suffered so horrifically for the sins of billions of people.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
There is no Trinity
One of the many great things about Joseph Smith was his involvement in the Lectures on Faith. These lectures were so important they actually were placed first in the Doctrine and Covenants before the revelations that were received. The were the "doctrine" of the book and the revelations were the "covenants."
The language of the lectures can be pretty dry, but the light and truth they contain is precious. It is worth studying them repeatedly to get a correct idea of GOD and CHRIST. The LDS church does not like the Lectures because they expose the unbelief present in the pseudo-Mormonism of today.
One example of a lost truth is Joseph's explanation of the Godhead. He wrote that it consists of 2 beings (personages) and not 3. Those 2 beings are God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is the mind of GOD the Father and not a personage. That turns the Holy Ghost from the busiest being in the Universe to simply the pure light and knowledge that the Most High God possesses. Easier for light to travel around than a personage. Makes infinitely more sense to me.
This restored truth (surely Adam and Eve knew this) did not sit well with the polygamous Brighamite church in Salt Lake. The Lectures were taken out of the D&C in 1921 by men who had never seen Jesus and did not want to rock the boat of Christianity. This cowardly act has set back Mormonism for almost 100 years.
Time to reclaim the majestic Gospel restored via Joseph Smith one truth at a time.
The language of the lectures can be pretty dry, but the light and truth they contain is precious. It is worth studying them repeatedly to get a correct idea of GOD and CHRIST. The LDS church does not like the Lectures because they expose the unbelief present in the pseudo-Mormonism of today.
One example of a lost truth is Joseph's explanation of the Godhead. He wrote that it consists of 2 beings (personages) and not 3. Those 2 beings are God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is the mind of GOD the Father and not a personage. That turns the Holy Ghost from the busiest being in the Universe to simply the pure light and knowledge that the Most High God possesses. Easier for light to travel around than a personage. Makes infinitely more sense to me.
This restored truth (surely Adam and Eve knew this) did not sit well with the polygamous Brighamite church in Salt Lake. The Lectures were taken out of the D&C in 1921 by men who had never seen Jesus and did not want to rock the boat of Christianity. This cowardly act has set back Mormonism for almost 100 years.
Time to reclaim the majestic Gospel restored via Joseph Smith one truth at a time.
Monday, October 7, 2019
I was wrong: I need to apologize
My last post described the unforgiving nature of the current LDS president. I wrote that the Nelson's middle initial of M stood for "Merciless". I was wrong, and I need to apologize to anyone who read my blog or heard about.
His real middle name is Moron. Why do I believe this?
1. Nelson is one of many LDS leaders since the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith to take the name of the LORD in vain by pretending to receive revelation from GOD.
2. He is the only one I know of who was the audacity to throw GOD under the bus in attempting to explain the LDS church's asinine exclusion policy for members who are gay. Nelson wants his followers to believe that he, a 95 year old white American, is more compassionate than GOD. He wants to sell you a narrative about he and his false apostle buddies begging GOD to change the policy. According to the most blasphemous story in history, GOD finally relented. He also has some ocean front property in Arizona he is trying to get rid of.
Here is what actually happened.
1. 15 old guys ass-kissed their way up the Mormon leadership ladder their entire adult lives and were eventually rewarded with some power ("as they suppose").
2. These 15 fools who hate the majority of their brothers and sisters on the planet came up with a satanic policy in 2015 to exclude any fellow church members who had gay parents. Prospective members with LGBT parents had to wait ten years longer than a child with heterosexual parents for baptism. The child of gay parents also had to renounce their parents in order to gain entrance into the LDS church. Nelson and his 14 cronies labeled the parents "apostate" in an act of obvious compassion.
3. Since most people on this planet are not complete idiots (even Mormons) there was an instant public backlash. The 15 rubes in Salt Lake tried to figure a way out of their self-created PR nightmare. The first lesson that Mormon leadership has never learned is "do not dig yourself into a hole." The second lesson they have clearly not learned is "when you are in a hole stop digging."
4. The top fool decided to blame GOD and his predecessor Thomas S ("Stupid" ?) Monson for the original decision to punish gays. He also decided to give himself credit for changing GOD's mind through his supposed tears and prayers for those he claims to love.
Now I understand that GOD sometimes tests real prophets to see if they are willing to sacrifice their own lives (Moses and Joseph Smith) for the lives of those they serve. This did not happen in this instance. Russel M Nelson would no more sacrifice $20 for his fellow man let alone his own life. There is only one being in the history of this planet with more arrogant ambition than Nelson. I am referring to Satan himself. His demanding the MOST HIGH GOD's glory for his idiotic plan to save all mankind is the only thing I can think of that surpasses Nelson's audacity in demeaning GOD.
GOD has not talked to anyone in Mormon leadership since 1844. HE is certainly not talking to Russell Moron Nelson.
I remember a scripture about GOD being the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
His real middle name is Moron. Why do I believe this?
1. Nelson is one of many LDS leaders since the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith to take the name of the LORD in vain by pretending to receive revelation from GOD.
2. He is the only one I know of who was the audacity to throw GOD under the bus in attempting to explain the LDS church's asinine exclusion policy for members who are gay. Nelson wants his followers to believe that he, a 95 year old white American, is more compassionate than GOD. He wants to sell you a narrative about he and his false apostle buddies begging GOD to change the policy. According to the most blasphemous story in history, GOD finally relented. He also has some ocean front property in Arizona he is trying to get rid of.
Here is what actually happened.
1. 15 old guys ass-kissed their way up the Mormon leadership ladder their entire adult lives and were eventually rewarded with some power ("as they suppose").
2. These 15 fools who hate the majority of their brothers and sisters on the planet came up with a satanic policy in 2015 to exclude any fellow church members who had gay parents. Prospective members with LGBT parents had to wait ten years longer than a child with heterosexual parents for baptism. The child of gay parents also had to renounce their parents in order to gain entrance into the LDS church. Nelson and his 14 cronies labeled the parents "apostate" in an act of obvious compassion.
3. Since most people on this planet are not complete idiots (even Mormons) there was an instant public backlash. The 15 rubes in Salt Lake tried to figure a way out of their self-created PR nightmare. The first lesson that Mormon leadership has never learned is "do not dig yourself into a hole." The second lesson they have clearly not learned is "when you are in a hole stop digging."
4. The top fool decided to blame GOD and his predecessor Thomas S ("Stupid" ?) Monson for the original decision to punish gays. He also decided to give himself credit for changing GOD's mind through his supposed tears and prayers for those he claims to love.
Now I understand that GOD sometimes tests real prophets to see if they are willing to sacrifice their own lives (Moses and Joseph Smith) for the lives of those they serve. This did not happen in this instance. Russel M Nelson would no more sacrifice $20 for his fellow man let alone his own life. There is only one being in the history of this planet with more arrogant ambition than Nelson. I am referring to Satan himself. His demanding the MOST HIGH GOD's glory for his idiotic plan to save all mankind is the only thing I can think of that surpasses Nelson's audacity in demeaning GOD.
GOD has not talked to anyone in Mormon leadership since 1844. HE is certainly not talking to Russell Moron Nelson.
I remember a scripture about GOD being the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Russell M. Nelson: The M is for Merciless
Monday September 9th is Russell M. Nelson's 95th birthday. He seems younger than that, but regardless, he is not long for this earth. Whether he lives to be 100 or 111 or whatever soon he will die and face a preliminary judgement. One that may not go like he thinks it will. It is my strong belief that he, as a false prophet, will be assigned temporarily to the Hell area of the World of Spirits where he will await with true fear and trembling the day his sins against his fellowman are finally paid in full. Paid, by he alone, and not by our Great Savior Jesus Christ, who saves only those who serve him without honor, money, or fame.
I strongly suspect Nelson has violated the 4th of 10 commandments "thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." Now, Russell will tell you (incorrectly) this means swearing by using part of GOD's name. I am not advocating that obvious disrespect to our Creator, but it is not what GOD meant at Sinai. It means do not pretend to speak for GOD when you do not actually speak for Him. Mormon church presidents have been doing that since Joseph Smith's heart stopped beating.
Aside from being a false prophet, Russell is a heartless leader. He shows no mercy to anyone except large tithing donors. If you do not believe me, just check out the Salt Lake Tribune article from September 5, 2019 by Peggy Fletcher Stack about Lavinia Fielding Anderson. Lavinia was excommunicated 25 years ago for apostasy for writing an article that gave true examples of how the modern Mormon church leadership abuses its members. The current First Presidency feels that 25 years is not long enough for writing a critical article. To spend 25 years in an actual prison today you would have to be a serial killer or repeat child molester. A modern criminal committing one murder would be paroled before year 25. The LDS church is apparently much tougher on "crime".
Anderson's writing had the audacity to be true.The supposed "true church" cares nothing for truth...unless it accidentally promotes their goals of money and power. If you are going to stand up for truth you get killed like Joseph and Hyrum and William Smith for their refusal to make polygamy OK. Brigham Young and his minions had the Smith brothers killed and the official records changed so they could be in power and commit abominations. The Jewish leadership during the life of CHRIST rejected the GOD of this earth rather than give up control. It is a lesson that leaders never learn.
For my part I know there is a very real possibility of my being assigned to Hell as well...but at least I am not a moronic enough to discount it.
If I do avoid postmortem punishment it will be because of trying to follow JESUS, and not some false prophet.
I strongly suspect Nelson has violated the 4th of 10 commandments "thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." Now, Russell will tell you (incorrectly) this means swearing by using part of GOD's name. I am not advocating that obvious disrespect to our Creator, but it is not what GOD meant at Sinai. It means do not pretend to speak for GOD when you do not actually speak for Him. Mormon church presidents have been doing that since Joseph Smith's heart stopped beating.
Aside from being a false prophet, Russell is a heartless leader. He shows no mercy to anyone except large tithing donors. If you do not believe me, just check out the Salt Lake Tribune article from September 5, 2019 by Peggy Fletcher Stack about Lavinia Fielding Anderson. Lavinia was excommunicated 25 years ago for apostasy for writing an article that gave true examples of how the modern Mormon church leadership abuses its members. The current First Presidency feels that 25 years is not long enough for writing a critical article. To spend 25 years in an actual prison today you would have to be a serial killer or repeat child molester. A modern criminal committing one murder would be paroled before year 25. The LDS church is apparently much tougher on "crime".
Anderson's writing had the audacity to be true.The supposed "true church" cares nothing for truth...unless it accidentally promotes their goals of money and power. If you are going to stand up for truth you get killed like Joseph and Hyrum and William Smith for their refusal to make polygamy OK. Brigham Young and his minions had the Smith brothers killed and the official records changed so they could be in power and commit abominations. The Jewish leadership during the life of CHRIST rejected the GOD of this earth rather than give up control. It is a lesson that leaders never learn.
For my part I know there is a very real possibility of my being assigned to Hell as well...but at least I am not a moronic enough to discount it.
If I do avoid postmortem punishment it will be because of trying to follow JESUS, and not some false prophet.
Friday, August 16, 2019
The Modern LDS Church knows better than Joseph Smith
I recently purchased Grant Hardy's Reader's Edition of the Book of Mormon. I highly recommend it as the best version for studying the book without getting distracted by double-columns, copious footnotes, and lack of modern punctuation. Hardy uses quotation marks for obvious speech and dialogue, parentheses for explanatory material, and stanzas and italics for the poetic units in the book.
He used the 1920 edition of the Book of Mormon because it is in the public domain and not subject to copyright laws anymore.
In the back of the book are several appendices including the one that prompted this post. It deals with the 50 most noticeable changes to the text since 1830. Grant uses the Original manuscript, the Printer's manuscript, and the editions from 1830, 1837, 1840, 1920, and 1981. It is the 1981 edition that seems to go out of its way to say "we know what God meant while transmitting this to Joseph, and Joseph did not."
Here is an example:
2 Nephi 29:4 (This is the verse dealing with Gentiles not appreciating the Jews for being the means for the world today having the Holy Bible.)
CHRIST asks rhetorically...
Do they remember the Jews, and the travails, and the labors, and their pains, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
That is the 1981 edition brought to you courtesy of Mormon Inc. and a committee with Bruce McConkie and Thomas Monson on it. Two guys who never testified to seeing GOD (but they wanted you to think they did). They decided that in roughly 40 instances out of 50 they knew better than Joseph Smith what GOD wanted. At least Joseph was man enough to state what he experienced and it cost him his life. True prophets never hit the trifecta of rich, popular, and long-lived.
The Printer's Manuscript, the 1830 edition, the 1837 edition, the 1840 edition, and the 1920 edition all have the verse in this way:
Do they remember the Jews, and the travels, and the labors, and the pains, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
I do not care what sounds better, I care what GOD revealed to Joseph Smith, and if the line should have had the word "travails" I am pretty sure the only Prophet Mormonism ever produced would have caught the mistake by 1840!
It is also without dispute that the Jews as a people have done more traveling than any other organized religion in world history. There are large and small pockets of Jews on every continent, and in almost every country of the world.
Hopefully this does not qualify as "steadying the ark" or Monson and McConkie are behind a woodshed somewhere in a not so great part of the Spirit World. I would especially like to see McConkie pardoned because he wrote a lot of great things about the actual source of salvation for this planet----JESUS.
Here is my summary:
1. Buy Grant Hardy's book (and all his other ones).
2. Give your 1981 Book of Mormon to your local thrift store.
3. The Book of Mormon is true, but the latest edition is less true than the any of the other versions.
4. If you are dealing with a direct quote from the SAVIOR of your planet, make sure you go to the best source to get it right.
He used the 1920 edition of the Book of Mormon because it is in the public domain and not subject to copyright laws anymore.
In the back of the book are several appendices including the one that prompted this post. It deals with the 50 most noticeable changes to the text since 1830. Grant uses the Original manuscript, the Printer's manuscript, and the editions from 1830, 1837, 1840, 1920, and 1981. It is the 1981 edition that seems to go out of its way to say "we know what God meant while transmitting this to Joseph, and Joseph did not."
Here is an example:
2 Nephi 29:4 (This is the verse dealing with Gentiles not appreciating the Jews for being the means for the world today having the Holy Bible.)
CHRIST asks rhetorically...
Do they remember the Jews, and the travails, and the labors, and their pains, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
That is the 1981 edition brought to you courtesy of Mormon Inc. and a committee with Bruce McConkie and Thomas Monson on it. Two guys who never testified to seeing GOD (but they wanted you to think they did). They decided that in roughly 40 instances out of 50 they knew better than Joseph Smith what GOD wanted. At least Joseph was man enough to state what he experienced and it cost him his life. True prophets never hit the trifecta of rich, popular, and long-lived.
The Printer's Manuscript, the 1830 edition, the 1837 edition, the 1840 edition, and the 1920 edition all have the verse in this way:
Do they remember the Jews, and the travels, and the labors, and the pains, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
I do not care what sounds better, I care what GOD revealed to Joseph Smith, and if the line should have had the word "travails" I am pretty sure the only Prophet Mormonism ever produced would have caught the mistake by 1840!
It is also without dispute that the Jews as a people have done more traveling than any other organized religion in world history. There are large and small pockets of Jews on every continent, and in almost every country of the world.
Hopefully this does not qualify as "steadying the ark" or Monson and McConkie are behind a woodshed somewhere in a not so great part of the Spirit World. I would especially like to see McConkie pardoned because he wrote a lot of great things about the actual source of salvation for this planet----JESUS.
Here is my summary:
1. Buy Grant Hardy's book (and all his other ones).
2. Give your 1981 Book of Mormon to your local thrift store.
3. The Book of Mormon is true, but the latest edition is less true than the any of the other versions.
4. If you are dealing with a direct quote from the SAVIOR of your planet, make sure you go to the best source to get it right.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
I Am Found of Them Who Seek After Me
The Holy Spirit inspired Joseph Smith to make thousands of changes to the Old and New Testaments. However, Joseph only made a few changes in the Book of Isaiah. Here is the most significant clarification.
KJV Isaiah 65: 1-2
I am sought of them that asked not for me;
I am found of them that sought me not:
I said, Behold me, behold me,
unto a nation that was not called by my name.
I have spread out my hands all the day
unto a rebellious people,
which walketh in a way that was not good,
after their own thoughts
I know that GOD is greater than anyone can conceive. However, these 2 verses push the envelope of incredulity to the breaking point. Why would a person be rewarded by GOD for not trying to find Him?
Why would He bless people who do not care about His laws?
As it turns out, JEHOVAH is being misquoted courtesy of someone or some group in the past that altered the text. For those who think that other modern versions correct this mistake, think again. The problem is the underlying Hebrew which states for verse 1:
I allowed myself to be sought by those who did not ask.
I allowed myself to be found by those who did not seek.
Here is what it should say:
JST Isaiah 65: 1-2
I am found of them who seek after me,
I give unto all them that ask of me;
I am not found of them that sought me not,
or that inquireth not after me.
I said unto my servant,
Behold me, look upon me;
I will send you unto a nation
that is not called after my name,
for I have spread out my hands all the day
to a people who walketh not in my ways,
and their works are evil and not good,
and they walk after their own thoughts.
GOD was so frustrated with ancient Israel that He had to send people like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lehi to them because they did not deserve to hear from Him directly. For the modern world the same thing is happening. Just do not mistake anyone headquartered in Salt Lake City, the Vatican, or Mecca with being authorized by GOD. True prophets always come from outside the predominant religion of the area.
I, like most people, struggle with the Book of Isaiah. Now, thanks to Joseph, I struggle over one less problematic passage.
It was CHRIST Himself who told the righteous descendants of Lehi "great are the words of Isaiah"* and now they are even greater.
*3 Nephi 23:1
KJV Isaiah 65: 1-2
I am sought of them that asked not for me;
I am found of them that sought me not:
I said, Behold me, behold me,
unto a nation that was not called by my name.
I have spread out my hands all the day
unto a rebellious people,
which walketh in a way that was not good,
after their own thoughts
I know that GOD is greater than anyone can conceive. However, these 2 verses push the envelope of incredulity to the breaking point. Why would a person be rewarded by GOD for not trying to find Him?
Why would He bless people who do not care about His laws?
As it turns out, JEHOVAH is being misquoted courtesy of someone or some group in the past that altered the text. For those who think that other modern versions correct this mistake, think again. The problem is the underlying Hebrew which states for verse 1:
I allowed myself to be sought by those who did not ask.
I allowed myself to be found by those who did not seek.
Here is what it should say:
JST Isaiah 65: 1-2
I am found of them who seek after me,
I give unto all them that ask of me;
I am not found of them that sought me not,
or that inquireth not after me.
I said unto my servant,
Behold me, look upon me;
I will send you unto a nation
that is not called after my name,
for I have spread out my hands all the day
to a people who walketh not in my ways,
and their works are evil and not good,
and they walk after their own thoughts.
GOD was so frustrated with ancient Israel that He had to send people like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Lehi to them because they did not deserve to hear from Him directly. For the modern world the same thing is happening. Just do not mistake anyone headquartered in Salt Lake City, the Vatican, or Mecca with being authorized by GOD. True prophets always come from outside the predominant religion of the area.
I, like most people, struggle with the Book of Isaiah. Now, thanks to Joseph, I struggle over one less problematic passage.
It was CHRIST Himself who told the righteous descendants of Lehi "great are the words of Isaiah"* and now they are even greater.
*3 Nephi 23:1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)