29.8.10

Procedures and Growth

As a Mormon, I go through a lot; ordinances, temptations, meetings, anti-Mormon teachings, etc. Lately, it seems that the most growth doesn't come from going through anything but growing through (excuse the pun) anything.

I was sealed to my wife almost two years ago at the Salt Lake City Temple. At the time I knew I loved her but I find that I love her more all the time and especially when I stop to think about her. I went through the procedure of getting married but the growth of the marriage keeps going.

There are countless things we could all "grow through" (joining the Marines, taking courses in college, raising children, or learning another language). I'm reminded of Nephi who was not sure what all the things meant that the Spirit was teaching, but relied on his knowledge that "God loveth his children". I also think of all the writers in the Book of Mormon who said that things were written for a "wise purpose" in God. We don't always know the outcome or reason for all the things we go through in procedures, but afterward we may look back and see the great things the Lord has done because of our faith and willingness to go forward on the path. By small and simple things does the Lord bring to pass great things.

My wife and I have recently been playing a lot of Skip-Bo after getting schooled by my Grandma. In the game there is a lot of side activity meaning it doesn't get you any closer to winning, but is sort of fun in and of itself. In fact, you might be able to go the whole game and participate every time its your turn, but still not get any closer to winning. The reason I bring this up isn't to discuss the pitfalls of pride in competition but that in life there are tons of things we can do as "side activity" which makes us feel like we're really playing the game but in fact we're not getting anywhere. As we go through the procedures, its important to seek out why the Lord has given us what He has and to utilize our time in striving to grow to match the expectations of the Lord.

I was called to serve a mission of preaching and baptizing in the San Diego, California mission. This was a great work that required me to grow after going through the procedures of being called, set apart and having a black badge with my name on it. While I looked the part and was even commissioned by the church, I still hadn't lived up to the calling. I knew it was the right thing to go through but I still had to grow in order for it to not just be "side activity" and a waste of time. While serving there were lots of chances to grow but just as many chances to waste time.

All the procedures (callings, temptations, ordinances, experiences) in the church are designed to help us develop ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a means for us to utilize in our goal of growing to be like and get closer to Jesus Christ. There are tons of things we can do to make us feel like we're getting accomplishing something, but looking back we should see what was vanity and what wasn't.

Granted not everything we do has to be of deep import or a growing experience but we should make sure that the trivial things are not over crowding the pivotal things. Watching an inappropriate movie, worrying about fashion or spending tons of money on eating out- are examples of things that could take away from the greater purpose of our lives.

The Lord gives a great parable of stewards who were given talents to make use of and then their Lord would return an ask them to give an account for their use of talents. The ones who were found favor in the Lord were the ones that utilized their time wisely by making use of their gifts to the point of doubling what they had been given. The steward that did not find favor did not utilize his gift and was met with sore reproach from the Lord, who told him that he should have been more faithful. The procedure was the giving of the talents and the growth was using them.

I know the Lord doesn't give us procedures save for the chance to grow and make the most of it. The priesthood holder must be kept worthy to use such a power, the mother must be worthy of taking care of God's children, the steward must make good use of the gift or these things will be a waste and be good for nothing except "to be burned", as scripture tells us.

23.8.10

Accusations and Forgiveness

Everybody sides with the victim. Every convincing argument makes the "good side" to be as victims of the evil, cunning, manipulating "bad side". This tactic takes away the humanity of the other side. How easy do we forget that we're all children of divine heritage?

Every great speaker makes one side great and one side bad. Perhaps too often we get caught up in the rhetoric and forget to discern the sin from the sinner and end up dismissing both. Perhaps in our minds we can see the error of their ways, but does that justify us in becoming as Satan the Great Accuser, who seeks to make a case against us to God? No.

Scriptures say that evil will destroy the evil, making it very clear that those that dig a pit for their neighbor, will fall into that pit themselves. Likewise, if you seek to bring others down, then you'll just bring yourself down. The most detailed and voluminous of a case we make against others will not make us any more righteous or good in God's eyes. Holding on to those offenses is like holding onto cinder blocks under water. We're only justified/freed/saved by the the one on one relationship we strive to have with God.

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior is constantly admonishing His listeners to be truly faithful to God for God's sake, letting all else (popularity, wealth, status, vanity) fall where it may. The Savior said to forgive and if we don't forgive then we aren't forgiven ourselves. Makes me conclude that the process for our forgiveness is that of not having bad feelings toward others cloud our desires and thus forgiveness would be of no value because the sin remains. We are forgiven as we forgive, as we obey, as we love and if we hold on to the offenses in our hearts then we cannot be forgiven fully because our hearts are not given fully to the Lord.

Satan is constantly dangling temptations to gossip or murmur about the weaknesses or foolishness of others. Often he tries to implement a sense of unfairness and entitlement to our minds that makes it easier for us to justify bringing others down. The opportunities to fall into these traps are always lingering and in turn the opportunity to ignore them and do something edifying or productive are just as present. When others wrong us, we're not okay to wrong them back. Thats the "eye for eye, tooth for a tooth" mentality that the Savior also mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount as being done away with, and that "whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire" (Matthew 5:22).

We can avoid these falls by seeking to serve others, to build them up, to love them and that means forgiving them the offenses toward us. By doing this we can be perfect in God's eyes, we'll see others as God does, with love and hope. God doesn't help those that help themselves but loves/helps those that love/help others.

21.8.10

True Way to Abundance

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

Of all the themes in the scriptures, I think this one is one of the most impressive concepts. This theme has always been there because man has always been plagued by the idea of security through money or status. In the material world, we see with material eyes, the things that seem most important; materials for status.

As we see in Alma 22, there was a haughty king who was taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and had the plan of salvation expounded unto him:

"And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy."

Is there any other way to receive all that the Father has than to give Him all that we have?

Another interesting example of this concept of giving up in order to have was given by Christ-
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one apearl of great price, went and sold ball that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

I'm all for having an abundance of great things and living a great standard of living. But, I know there are limits to many of our wants that are put through the eye of the needle that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The promise through out the scriptures is that the Lord will give you ALL that you want if you give God ALL that you are. Thats the test. We must sacrifice our will for the will of God, thats the purpose of our being here and the way to prepare to return to God.

Giving of our abundance is easy. In fact, I find that to be the way I most commonly give. I'll see a homeless person and give them whatever spare change I can spare but when I get paid I don't purposely seek the poor and afflicted. Its something that we should all set aside time to purposely seek, to help those who are in need and not just wait for them to come to us, seeking the crumbs that fall from our table. Its very challenging because you never know when you might need the money, but the Lord once told an Apostle to go and catch a fish which would have a coin in its mouth. I think the Lord knows our needs more than we trust. But, trust is the only way to gain an abundance of blessings from God. Without faith then no miracles can be wrought.

I think the Lord wants us to help others in need because 1) we realize others have it worse and we become more grateful, humble and thus not so victimized by our entitlement issues. 2) Other people do need help and when we help then we are then in the service of God because we become as the angels. 3) We realize that money and and possessions aren't what makes a life happy. 4) We clean out our petty wants to be given greater wants, a change of heart from love of money to a love of God (see 4th Nephi). 5) Once we give the Lord our hearts then He can give us everything He has.

So, we learn, grow, strengthen, and love more by giving up those things that get in the way. An abundance of materials always gets in the way to spiritual abundance. Remember Christ is "the way".

19.8.10

Wise Reasons to Keep the Commandments

Lets look at reasons why its wise to keep the commandments. The Lord and all the prophets always seemed to say that its just foolish not to be obedient and oft it appears their frustration with people would come out- "O be wise; what can I say more?", "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?", "Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling..."

Many times from reading the scriptures I can feel the displeasure of the prophets for having to rebuke people. They don't want to but they're driven to because of how stupid and perverse the people have become. So, lets remember why its important to keep the commandments so as to not incur the chastisement and frustration of the Lord through those prophets.

These are a few blessings and reasons to keep the commandments that I can think of but certainly there are more-

Happiness in this life and never ending in the next-
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
-Mosiah 2:41

This scripture shows that the whole point of these commandments is to be happy and as it says in Alma 41 that "wickedness was never happiness." Well, the question is then why are so many wicked if its makes us miserable? There is a difference between Happiness and Pleasure. Satan is always counterfeiting God and gives you a substitute for the real thing and thus tempts us with idea that pleasures will make us happy. As it says in 2 Timothy of the people in the last days - "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"

Prosperity
"And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you."
-Mosiah 2:22

Can you feel the apparentness of King Benjamin's tone which feels like he's saying "All you have to do is keep the commandments, is that so hard? You'll prosper! Don't you want to prosper? Then just keep the commandments, thats it!"

This blessing is not to be confused with just the material gains. The Lord has a different definition of Prosperity than just money. The Lord in his Sermon on the Mount told his disciples to consider the lilies and the sparrows and how they're taken care of, so why wouldn't God take care of them, too? Repeatedly the faithful are commanded to leave their world of comfort and possessions and to head out into the unknown, relying solely on the Lord. The rich young ruler couldn't give up his possessions to follow the Lord, but Lehi could and he was blessed. It was this confusion of materialism versus the Lord providing that caused King Noah to suppose he was righteous, because he was rich. What a grave error! "How hardly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of God" said the Savior. Prosperity is spiritual progress and as it said in that last scripture of the blessed state of those that keep the commandments that they're blessed both spiritual and temporal. So, the Lord takes care of you for keeping the commandments, but doesn't give you money just for money's sake, but gives you what you need.

Freedom from Sin and Hell
"And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
-Alma 12:11

The Lord is all about freedom. Freedom to choose, freedom from death, freedom from the worldly things (materialism and pride), freedom from Satan. He said "the truth shall make you free" and it says of those that are righteous- "They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death" (Mosiah 15:23). When we sin we serve sin and when we repent we serve God. God is the only way that we can be freed from the demands of justice that we are subject to by breaking the law or being wicked. Through Jesus Christ we can put the bonds of our sin on Him and he will pay for them so that God can be merciful and just.

All the times that we see in the Book of Mormon where the people were going down the path of sin and forgetting the source of their blessings, they fell into bondage to either the Lamanites or to just sin in general. They sought to make their pleasures their happiness and started to worship false gods which can only subject followers into chains of hell. No other god can give us freedom from our sinful nature and desires than the God of the scriptures. He molds us to have a change of heart so that we have no more have a "disposition to do evil" but to keep the commandments because our souls are freed from the devils we invite and we feel His mercy, as Enos experienced after pleading with the Lord.

Knowledge
"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full."
-Alma 12:10

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."
-Proverbs 1:7

"The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."
-Doctrine and Covenants 93:36

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
-Moroni 10:5

"We consider that God has created man with a mind capable of instruction, and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the heed and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; and like the ancients, arrives at that point of faith where he is wrapped in the power and glory of his Maker, and is caught up to dwell with him. But we consider that this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment: he must have been instructed in the government and laws of that kingdom by proper degrees, until his mind is capable in some measure of comprehending the propriety, justice, equality, and consistency of the same." -Joseph Smith

15.8.10

12.8.10

Beware: False Gods of Prosperity

You can say we are vampires that feed off of each other or you could say that we are supporting others and lifting others up. Christ taught that in order to be lifted up we must lift up others.

The love for anything more than God leads to bondage to that thing. The things you own end up owning you by your love for them. The rich young ruler was sad to hear that the way to perfection would be to give up all his possessions and give them to the poor because he loved his possessions more than the poor. It was his shrine to himself as many who buy the big house or the nice car, its their own temple unto themselves and use these things as a way to worship themselves but they're in bondage to these false gods. Peace doesn't come in having an abundance of things, but in having an abundance of lack of need for material or vain things. Some teach that peace comes in having an abundance of things and thus no need for anything or anyone else. If you have money why do you need Christ? Isn't prosperity/property the whole matter of life?

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."- Luke 12:15

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and call these things shall be added unto you.

Those that don't believe in God have no case for lack of seeking as much prosperity as possible for their well being, but those that believe in God must take the steps in faith towards the unknown path of sacrifice, and love for others before they find themselves well off and prosperous. Christ is the Savior and commands that we don't worry about such things as clothes and food, but that we just have faith in God and seek the kingdom of God and all else will be added. One of the biggest wrongs we can commit to do is thinking that God won't take care of us as well as our money or work or worldly objects can.

We are all weak. We are all beggars. We all rely on something or someone for our survival, but our salvation comes only when we rely on Christ for all that we need. If we rely on anything else then we are in the bonds of iniquity and doomed to being subject to the demands of Satan.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

This is why the Savior said that its easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Because you can't idolize your riches or talents and suppose they can save you or make you whole. Only Christ can save you and reunite you to God's presence.

The Book of Mormon is one long story with example after example of the dangers of pride and faith in worldly things. The people always fell into worshiping their prosperity rather than the author of their prosperity. The praised the fruit while chopping down the tree.

There are many today that say that gold is the only sure way to have continuous value. That the economy is the sign of a developed country, but how successful are we when we can invent technology that keeps us up to date on what celebrities or politicians are doing, while we ignore the people who are dying and starving in the streets? Whats more worth our time and focus in God's eyes than the betterment and love for His children?

Many times those that do not give to the poor justify themselves by saying "Oh they made themselves that way" or they attack others that ask them to give by saying "Oh they just want my stuff for themselves, they don't care about others so why should I?" But that is exactly the kind of talk that makes up the Antichrists in the Book of Mormon and the philosophy that all the prophets and Christ warned against.

When we have stores with clothes that are manufactured by the abused poor in other countries we are supporting injustices. When we buy the expensive things we don't need, we are neglecting those that are in need. When we have for ourselves and give not to others then we are glutting ourselves and robbing God. Wherein have we robbed Him? In tithes and offerings.

We cannot be saved without saving others and we cannot be prosperous without prospering others because what we're given is for the benefit of others. God will hold us accountable asking what we did with what He gave us and if we reply that we held onto it for ourselves then it will be as the slothful servant in this parable-

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with ausury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For unto everyone that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath- this means that those with charity or who gave their hearts and lives received more charity for their offering, but those that didn't give of their time, talents and love, for the kingdom of God, it was taken away what little they had. If you hold onto your love and don't give it away, then it will perish and be taken away. Whatever you give away and sacrifice to the Lord will be multiplied. If you protect your heart and keep yourself in bondage to those things of material worth, or if you only love yourself then you'll have those things taken away- you'll hate yourself and your material things will break or decay over time.

The only worth and joy we have is that which is in our giving to others, our love for others is the greatest investment we can make because it always has a return value. There is no risk to the faithful followers of Christ. But if we don't have faith then we will fear and it will be too risky for us to put ourselves out there.

We must give or we'll lose what we have anyway. We must humble ourselves or we'll be compelled to be humble. We must choose to be like Christ if we wish to have power and freedom of the soul. If we deny Christ, deny the poor and afflicted, then we are stuck with the false gods of our own hands. Only through Christ can we really prosper in the things that really matter- God's children, charity, faith, hope and freedom.

Ayn's Failure- The Dismantling of an Anti Christian Philosopher part 2

My compromise with Ayn is two fold. 1) She has some good points that what is true and what is wrong cannot be distorted just because someone wants them to be. As we know from the Book of Mormon- "wickedness never was happiness". 2) She also brings up great ideas on not using force to get your way. She completely respects man's ability to choose and think for himself.

Okay but besides these two good and valid points here is where her Objectivist philosophy fails- it objectifies people. In Atlas Shrugged she reasons that we should treat people as we do any other objects for use or to throw away (934, 942). Granted that Christ taught that if the salt loses its flavor then wherein is it good but to be thrown out, but thats where the distinction is very apparent between Christ's teachings and Ayn's. Christ taught that people are more than the objects in life and we should value the lives of others the same or even more than our own. Ayn teaches that no man should live for the sake of another man.

9.8.10

Repetitions that Aren't Vain

Sometimes the lesson at Church, or the scriptures, or the talks at General Conference are pretty repetitive. Lest you think these things be vain repetitions here are two reasons for this-
1. Having repetition helps us see the truth of something from many different perspectives which helps us understand it more fully.
2. Having repetition helps us to solidify what we already know so that we can apply it better.

If we were all faithful and responsible for all the things we already know to be right and good then our righteousness would increase dramatically. We'd have the Spirit's guidance more fully and we'd be given new things to understand. As Isaiah says "line by line, here a little and there a little."

Its not possible though for us to be perfectly responsible for all the things we already know to be right and good. Unless, we strive to with our faith in Jesus Christ and not our own strength. In the Sermon on the Mount the Savior said "Be ye perfect" and we know from the Prophet Nephi that God will not give us a commandment save He prepares a way for us to accomplish it. So, what is the way? Jesus Christ is the Way. He makes up for our lacking by our faith in Him.

When the multitude that followed Christ were hungry (and probably tired) the disciples told the Savior that it might be a good idea to send them home to eat. The Savior then just said to bring Him what little food they had. So, they brought five loaves and two fish. The Savior then blessed it and multiplied it for the multitude. They were all filled. The lessons here are many. What I gather from this story-
1. Those that follow Christ are always filled.
2. That which you bring to Christ will be multiplied for you to give to others.
3. The Lord will always make up for your lacking if you're faithful to Him
4. Christ wants everyone to have sufficient for their needs but we only can if we follow Him.
5. Christ will give you more than you can give Him.
6. Living the Gospel means leaving the comforts of home, believing the Lord will provide.
7. Christ nourishes our spirits as well as our bodies.
8. Anything is possible with faith in the Lord.

There could be more principles from this one example. I know that if we take all the talks, lessons, and scriptures that we have from church to heart, then our 5 loaves and 2 fishes will be multiplied and we'll have an abundance of great things to know and do in our lives to be more like Jesus Christ.

6.8.10

Ayn's Failure- The Dismantling of an Anti Christian Philosopher part 1

I am really quite fascinated by this woman named Ayn Rand, well not so much her but her followers. How in the world can they see her as anything but the philosophy of men thats not even mingled with scripture? She preaches her philosophy by spiting on the face of those that follow Christ's example. I'll be conducting a debate between Ayn Rand and the Prophets.

Ayn's Failure-
A being who does not know automatically what is true or false, cannot know automatically what is right or wrong, what is good for him or evil. Yet he needs that knowledge in order to live. What, then, are the right goals for man to pursue? What are the values his survival requires? And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why man needs a code of ethics.

Moroni's Rebuttal-
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
By the Holy Ghost ye shall know the truth of all things.

Ayn's Failure
Objectivist ethics holds man's life as the standard of value - and his own life as the ethical purpose of every individual man. Its three cardinal values are: Reason, Purpose, Self-Esteem, with their three corresponding virtues: Rationality, Productiveness, Pride. Productive work is the central purpose of a rational man's life. Reason is the source and pride is the result.

Ammon's Rebuttal
But Ammon said unto him: I do not aboast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Ayn's Failure
The virtue of Rationality means the recognition and acceptance of Reason as one's only source of knowledge, one's only judge of values and one's only guide to action.

Nephi's Rebuttal
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

Ayn's Failure
The basic social principle of the Objectivist ethics is that just as life is an end in itself, so every living human being is an end in himself, not the means to the ends or the welfare of others - that man must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself.

Christ's Rebuttal
This is my commandment, That ye alove one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.


To be continued.

5.8.10

"Thus Ends Mormonism"



The critics of the church have one thing they always overlook: the church is based on revelation and thus the "gaits of hell shall not prevail against it."

3.8.10

Questions to Ask One's Self as a Latter Day Saint

Am I prepared to meet God?

Could I sacrifice more to the Lord?

Am I holding a grudge against someone?

Do I look at others as brothers and sisters or do I seem them as obstacles or objects to use or mock?

Do I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and afflicted, and give to the poor?

How often do I pray specifically and sincerely about one of my weaknesses?

Am I grateful for the gifts God has given me by using them to bless others?

Am I more filled with the Spirit today than I was a few weeks ago or years ago?

Am I ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in any way?

Do I take strength and comfort in the atonement of Jesus Christ?

Am I quick to anger or judgment?

Am I aware of my responsibilities and do I do them?

Do I do my family history and submit to the temple the names of people that haven't received their ordinances?

Do I remember what was taught at church last Sunday and am I trying to apply it to my life?

Do I seek to follow the Prophet's counsel?

Do I seek uplifting media?

Do I read the scriptures everyday?

Do I have Family Home Evening?

Do I love going to the temple?

Am I helping lift one's burden or burdening someone?

Do I know whats important to those that are important to me?

2.8.10

What is a Saint?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the name of the church. "Saints" is in the title and so its good to know what that even means. I went through Mosiah 4 and the Sermon on the Mount for the initial descriptions of being a Saint or Christian. Then I got a pretty decent list and added to it based on other scriptures I had found. There are plenty more scriptures on the subject than whats listed here and there are some that are just links to more scriptures.

Attributes:
  • Submissive
    Mosiah 3:19, Alma 7:23
  • Meek
    Mosiah 3:19, Matthew 5:5
  • Humble
    Mosiah 3:19, Doctrine and Covenants 12:
  • Willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict
    Mosiah 3:19, Luke 22:42, 2 Corinthians 7:4, Romans 5:3
  • Pure in heart, real intent
    Matthew 5:8, 1 Peter 1:22, Doctrine and Covenants 97:21, Moroni 7:6, 2 Nephi 31:13
  • Grateful

  • Wise, Intelligent, Educated
    2 Chronicles 1:11, Mosiah 29:10, Jacob 6:12, 2 Nephi 9:29, Doctrine and Covenants 93:36, Doctrine and Covenants 131:6

  • Diligent
    Doctrine and Covenants 136:27
  • Giving
    Matthew 5:42, Jacob 2:17-19, Alma 34:27-28, Mosiah 4:16-25
  • Easily entreated
    Alma 7:23, Helaman 7:7
  • Truthful and honest
    Moroni 7:45, Roman 13:13, Hebrews 13:18, Alma 27:27
  • Sober
    Alma 53:21, Alma 38:15, Titus 2:12
  • Not angry or contentious but a peacemaker
    Matthew 5:22, Roman 2:8, 4 Nephi 1:2, 3 Nephi 11:29, Matthew 5:9, Mosiah 29:10
  • Has good cheer- optimistic
    Matthew 14:27, Acts 23:11, Doctrine and Covenants 61:36, Doctrine and Covenants 68:6
  • Not sensual, carnal, or lustful
    Matthew 5:28, Romans 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:22, Mosiah 3:19
  • Hard working
    Mosiah 2:14, Alma 1:3, Doctrine and Covenants 124:44
  • Not worldly- materialistic
    Alma 1:27, Alma 5:53, 4 Nephi 1:24, Helaman 13:20-23


Actions:
  • Thinks no evil
    Moroni 7:45, Psalm 23:7
  • Remembers Christ
    Alma 62:50, Deuteronomy 7:18, Psalm 77:11, 2 Nephi 5:25
  • Helps those in need, imparts to the poor
    Jacob 2:17-19, Alma 34:27-28, Mosiah 4:16-25, Mosiah 18:9, Alma 34:28, Luke 18:22
  • Consecrates performance and actions unto the Lord
    Exodus 32:29, 2 Nephi 32:9
  • Doesn’t shirk responsibilities
    All the called and chosen in the scriptures gave up their lives for the Lord
  • Glories in God, exalts not himself, remembers his own nothingness and God’s goodness
    Doctrine and Covenants 4:5, Alma 26:11, Doctrine and Covenants 112:3, Mosiah 4:5, 11, Helaman 12:7-8
  • Hopeth all things
    Moroni 7:45, 1 Corinthians 13:7
  • Believeth all things
    Moroni 7:45, 1 Corinthians 13:7
  • Endureth all things
    Moroni 7:45, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Alma 14:9-14
  • Rejoiceth in Truth
    Moroni 7:45, 1 Nephi 16:20, Acts 2:41, John 10:4-5, 27
  • Prays for guidance and understanding from God
    Matthew 7:7, James 1:5, Moroni 10:3-5, Alma 34:17-28, Enos, all the saints in the scriptures sought counsel and inspiration from God
  • Follows the spiritual promptings of revelation
    The stories of Moses leading the people out of Egypt, Joseph Smith's first vision, Lehi's inspiration to leave Jerusalem, all the righteous people in the scriptures learned by revelation from God
  • Does not use force
    Doctrine and Covenants 121:37, Matthew 5:38-39
  • Seeks not his own
    Moroni 7:45
  • Loves God with all his heart, might, mind and strength and others as himself
    Matthew 22:37, 39
  • Studies the scriptures- feasts upon the word
    Alma 14:1, Alma 17:2, 3 Nephi 10:14, John 5:30, Acts 17:11, Matthew 4:4
  • Testifies of Christ
    Mosiah 18:9
  • Takes no thought of food and shelter and clothes knowing that God provides
    Matthew 6:25-33
  • Concerned with today rather than the worries of tomorrow
    Matthew 6:34
  • Cares not for power or popularity
    Matthew 6:2-6, Alma 60:28, :36, Ether 8:15-16, :22-23, 3 Nephi 6:15, Alma 43:8, Alma 1:3