No Coincidences

Tag: old testament

Blessing Ivy
I recently had the special opportunity to bless Ivy. Leading up to the blessing, I did some research on the history of blessing children in the Church of Jesus Christ and its significance. For Ivy’s blessing, Beth put together an event and a description of what a baby blessing is. Here is that description:

What is a baby blessing?

In summary, the naming and blessing of children is a commandment of God. It is proper for a worthy father to name and bless his children. Blessing of children was done during the time of Christ, and it occurred in the early years of the restored Church. The ordinance has become a regular practice followed by Church members ever since.

Who has the authority to bless a baby?

A worthy priesthood holder under the direction of the local bishop. It is usually the father or a close family member.

What is the priesthood?

The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel.

What is the format of a baby blessing?

When blessing a baby, priesthood holders gather in a circle and place their hands under the baby. When blessing an older child, brethren place their hands lightly on the child’s head. The person who gives the blessing:

1. Addresses Heavenly Father.

2. States that the blessing is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

3. Gives the child a name.

4. Gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.

5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ivy and Aunt Cambria

Reading up on the baby blessing beforehand taught me some interesting things about this sacred practice that I would like to share.

The below points were taken from this link:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1979/12/i-have-a-question/in-blessing-an-infant-should-both-the-naming-and-blessing-be-addressed-to-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng
1. Unique to giving a blessing to an older child or adult, the naming and blessing of a child is directed to Heavenly Father like prayers are.
  - This could be because the baby is too young to understand the words directed to him or her.
2. It appears that Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to more than ask for a blessing but are able to pronounce a blessing upon the child directly, as the spirit directs.
  - See D&C 20:70
  - Sometimes inspiration (or confidence) to pronounce/give a blessing does not come. In this case it is of course acceptable to ask Heavenly Father for these blessings. I believe this is how I felt in giving Ivy her blessing. It was enough to ask Heavenly Father to bless her with my requests.
3. It is a commandment to name and bless infants.
  - See again D&C 20:70
  - It is important to remember the naming and blessing of children is not a saving ordinance. It is still an important and sacred moment seen in heaven.
4. “It is an awesome responsibility to be a priesthood agent of the Lord, to act in his behalf, and to approximate in one’s words and doings what the Lord would do if he were here. A father, especially, who is to bless his child, has the delight and responsibility to prepare himself beforehand by pondering and by fasting and prayer, that he may be sensitive to the suggestions of the Spirit when giving the blessing.”
  - “How blessed we are to be able to present our little ones before the Lord, our families and the Church, and then consecrate them to the Lord. How blessed we are to be able to name them, plead over, pray for, and, yes, to bless them directly and personally in harmony with our finest desires for them, by the authorization and wisdom of heaven.”
The below points were taken from this link:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1988/12/i-have-a-question/why-is-the-naming-and-blessing-of-a-child-important?lang=eng
1. An interesting account from Joseph Smith on March 13, 1843 says, “Twenty-seven children were blessed, nineteen of whom I blessed myself, with great fervency. Virtue went out of me, and my strength left me…”
  - “[The next day] Elder Jedediah M. Grant enquired of me the cause of my turning pale and losing strength last night while blessing children. I told him that I saw that Lucifer would exert his influence to destroy the children that I was blessing, and I strove with all the faith and spirit that I had to seal upon them a blessing that would secure their lives upon the earth; and so much virtue went out of me into the children, that I became weak, from which I have not yet recovered; and I referred to the case of the woman touching the hem of the garment of Jesus. (Luke 8).” (History of the Church, 5:303.)
  - Elder John Taylor said the Savior’s example of blessing children “should be studiously complied with without hesitancy or objection” (by priesthood holders).
  - We see that Joseph Smith followed the example of the Savior who blessed children in both Israel and the American continent. (Mark 10:14-16 and 3 Nephi 17). What an amazing and marvelous thought: our virtue can be passed to our children. Our blessings are a force Satan must reckon with. It makes me want to bless my daughter daily. It also adds insight to a scripture that has always been a bit puzzling in Luke 8:46. Virtue can literally leave us to help others.
2. The new name:
  - A new name is often involved when a covenant relationship is formed.
  - When Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth, Adam named all the animals (Genesis 2:19-20).
  - Adam named Eve (Genesis 3:20).
  - God blessed them and named Adam after giving him a body (Genesis 5:2).
  - Abram renamed to Abraham (Genesis 17:5).
  - Jacob renamed to Israel (Genesis 35:10).
  - When we get baptized we follow a similar pattern, taking upon us a new name, the name of Christ.
  - Temple covenants also involve the giving and receiving of names.
3. The responsibility of blessing a child is bestowed, ideally, on he who helped create that child’s body, and who Heavenly Father entrusted His child with in mortality.
  - Joseph F. Smith – “The patriarchal order is of divine origin and will continue throughout time and eternity. There is, then, a particular reason why men, women, and children should understand this order and authority in the households of the people of God and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualification and preparation for the highest exaltation of his children. In the home, the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount…This authority carries with it a responsibility, and a grave one, as well as its rights and privileges, and men cannot be too exemplary in their lives, nor fit themselves too carefully to live in harmony with this important and God-ordained rule of conduct in the family organization.”
It is my experience that giving blessings is often the closest I ever feel to Heavenly Father. I can feel him speaking through me and it is always a powerful, emotional, and memorable experience. The opportunity to bless my daughter will be one of the greatest moments of my life. I have immense gratitude to my Heavenly Father for entrusting Ivy into my care, allowing me to name her, and trusting me to watch over and protect her in this life and through eternity.
April 15, 2021
Books in 2020
This is a list of every book I read in 2020 and the order I ranked them in from favorite to least favorite. I get something out of every book I read. I learned long ago that if I allow myself to not finish one book, I won’t finish any. For those reasons, when I start a book, I’m committed to finishing it. I don’t care how dry or boring it may be.

It was extremely difficult to rank these books. For one, how do you rank nonfiction verse fiction? Take a fictional John Grisham crime novel like The Last Juror and compare it to a nonfiction biography of the Prophet Joseph Smith for example. How do you compare the two? To avoid overthinking it I simply went through my list of books read and from what I remembered, put each on the list. Every book’s placement on the list is from my initial remembering of how much I *enjoyed reading it.

*enjoyed for me is going to be vastly different from most people. Precious Truths Restored, which was a top five favorite book of the year for me, is there because I learned so much from it and have referred to it constantly throughout the year since I finished it. I doubt the average person would even get through it. I loved it.

I included a one sentence thought about each book. This proved difficult because I could say so much about every book. To get around the one sentence rule, I used many commas and run-on sentences. My list, my rules.

I enjoyed all these books because they each taught me something. That’s the great thing about books. Here’s my list:
1. The First 2000 Years by Cleon Skousen
  - When I told a church-going friend I finished this book he looked at me incredulously, I guess my taste in books is unique.
2. *A Case for the Book of Mormon by Tad R. Callister
  - This book will forever be my reference for a scholarly defense of the Book of Mormon.
3. *The Mourning Dove by Larry Barkdull
  - I made Beth read this, super short, super memorable, loved this book.
4. Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
  - I gained so much from this book, almost every one of the nearly 800 pages was marked, made me a Tim Ferriss fan for life.
5. The Joseph Smith Translation Precious Truths Restored by W. Jeffrey Marsh
  - Helped me tremendously in understanding the dangers of the different translations of the Bible, appreciating the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, and understanding how we have the various Bibles we have today.
6. Bridging the Divide: The Continuing Conversation Between a Mormon and an Evangelical by Gregory C. V. Johnson and Robert L. Millet
  - Inspirational book of two people from different faiths finding joy in a discussion spanning many years that brings them both closer to God, reminded me of a relationship I have with a friend I enjoy discussing scripture with.
7. *Best Loved Stories of the LDS People Vol 3 compiled by Jay A. Parry, Linda Ririe Gundry, Jack M. Lyon
  - The reason this ranked so high among so many other church history-esc books is I felt like I enjoyed a majority of the short stories, I gave it to my sister to read and she also enjoyed it.
8. The Third Thousand Years by W. Cleon Skousen
  - This was the sequel to my favorite book of the year, it’s lower on the list because I feel like we generally know more about the third thousand years, so I felt like I got less out of it personally, still great though.
9. *Among the Shoshones by Elijah Nicholas Wilson
  - Given to my sister-in-law to read, amazingly simple read that repeatedly had me saying out loud, “What the heck?”
10. The Forerunners by Mark E. Petersen
  - This did a great job of explaining Joseph Smith’s role in the restoration and went into some detail about the pattern of forerunners being sent by God to start a great work on earth, John the Baptist and Joseph Smith being the most famous examples.
11. Return from Tomorrow by George G. Ritchie with Elizabeth Sherrill
  - One of the first ever Near-Death Experience books written, NDE books have a special place in my heart as it was an NDE book that helped me come back to church.
12. The Red Record by David McCutchen
  - This was fascinating, it took legends of an ancient civilization you’ve never heard of, used oral records to go back thousands of years depicting their first legends of crossing an icy bridge to come to what would be the northern part of North America.
13. And the Moon Shall Turn to Blood by Anthony E. Larson
  - This series of books blew my mind and led me to discussing it with people that didn’t have any interest discussing the topic, this fact instantly gets it higher on the list.
14. And the Earth Shall Reel to and Fro by Anthony E. Larson
  - Part two to the above book, grouped the trilogy together on my list, these books use catastrophism as a basis of belief about what happened in the history of the world and what will happen in the future.
15. And There Shall be a New Heaven and a New Earth by Anthony E. Larson
  - Part three of the trilogy, I enjoyed the first one the most and was slightly less interested as I got to the third book, but they were kind of like one book in three parts.
16. All I need to Know I learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
  - A collection of short stories that were all extremely entertaining, quick and easy read.
17. The Glory of the Sun by Sterling W. Sill
  - I love short anecdotes or stories which is why this is just below All I need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten because that’s one of the best books I’ve read that does that, this one did a good job as well on more spiritual and deep topics.
18. At Peace in the Light by Dannion Brinkley with Paul Perry
  - Another near-death experience book, I really want to read Dannion Brinkley’s first book Saved by the Light now.
19. 2012 The War for Souls by Whitley Strieber
  - Awesomely creative book, so good I read it twice, no really, it wasn’t until the end that I realized I’d read 90% of the book years ago and never finished.
20. How Money Works by Steve Siebold and Tom Mathews
  - A gift to me, I think this book advanced my knowledge of how money works ten fold, this should be required reading in high school.
21. The Last Juror by John Grisham
  - Some authors have mastered how to get their readers to keep flipping pages no matter what, John Grisham is one of those writers.
22. The Life Beyond by Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet
  - This book uses modern revelation to answer questions about what happens when we die, I’m amazed the world doesn’t flock to a book that answers the most important question in this life.
23. Behold the Fig Tree by Roger K. Young
  - Any book that prepares me for what to expect leading up to the Millennium jumps up the list, see #13-15 for other examples.
24. The Shack by William P. Young
  - Book turned popular motion picture, I may have liked the movie even more.
25. Mama’s Boarding House by John D. Fitzgerald
  - A fictional account of an early settled western town, gun slinging stories have always fascinated me.
26. Silent Courage by George P. Lee
  - A really good book was tainted when I learned what became of George P. Lee, was interesting reading about the life in a culture completely unique from my own.
27. Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley
  - My only complaint about this book was the repetitiveness of points, though I still got a lot from it.
28. They Knew the Prophet compiled by Hyrum L Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus
  - First-hand accounts about the prophet Joseph Smith from those who knew him.
29. From Every Nation by Derin Head Rodriguez
  - Awesome book about the first foreign general authorities, amazing to see the distinct similarities a bunch of men from all over the world had that led to their growth in faith and devotion to Jesus Christ.
30. How to Read the Constitution and Why by Kim Wehle
  - Should be required reading in any school, important for American students to understand the constitution better, especially now.
31. Unlimited Access by Gary Aldrich
  - This book was interesting, an honest look from an FBI agent on the security of the white house while he was in charge of security at the white house.
32. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
  - A really neat look at life from someone who was experiencing his own mortality.
33. Paul’s Life and Letters by Sidney B. Sperry
  - Made me understand the sacrifice of the Apostle Paul in a deeper way.
34. The Boy who Became a Prophet by Mabel Harmer
  - Ranked on the lower end because I don’t remember a ton from it, though any book on Joseph Smith has proved rewarding.
35. In the Company of Prophets by D. Arthur Haycock
  - An interesting view on modern-day prophets from the perspective of someone who knew them as well as anyone.
36. Making Sense of Suffering by Peter Kreeft
  - Like #47 The Problem of Pain, except more at my reading level.
37. It was on Fire when I sat on it by Robert Fulghum
  - Didn’t like nearly as much as #16, but still enjoyed a lot.
38. *Translating the Anthon Transcript by Stan and Polly Johnson
  - Lowered due to the chance the information in the book wasn’t fully accurate/true, I very much enjoyed learning about this though, and gave to a friend to read.
39. Zion Seeking the City of Enoch by Larry Barkdull
  - Larry Barkdull also wrote one of my favorite books of the year (#3), this was an awesome, fictional account of someone trying to join Enoch in the beginning stages of starting his perfected society.
40. Frontiers of Being by Duncan B. Blewett
  - Extremely deep and dense, some parts difficult to get through, used some of what I read in this book when officiating my sister’s wedding, fun fact, looked it up online and there’s a “new” copy for sale for $1,008.00.
41. Valley of Sorrow by Alexander B. Morrison
  - Great book, taught me a lot, not a topic I know much about or am passionate about but definitely learned a lot and opened my mind to some different views on mental health.
42. Glimpses Beyond Death’s Door by Brent Top
  - I think I struggled with feeling like I was reading an analysis of a bunch of other books that I actually wanted to read, this was surprising given my love for the topic, see #7 and #18.
43. A witness and a Warning: Modern Day Prophet Testifies of the Book of Mormon by Ezra Taft Benson.
  - Since I already know the Book of Mormon is true this found me nodding my head in agreement throughout.
44. *LeGrand Richards: Beloved Apostle by Lucile Christenson Tate
  - Gave to my brother to read, it’s inspiring to read about the life of someone with such spectacular faith.
45. The Temple: Where Heaven Meets Earth by Truman G. Madsen
  - Classic book teaching the importance of the temple.
46. Standing for Something by Gordon B. Hinckley
  - Classic GBH.
47. The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
  - Was really excited for this book, quickly realized I wasn’t intellectually ready to read a philosophical book by C.S. Lewis.
48. Driven from Within by Michael Jordan
  - Interesting look at Michael Jordan looking simultaneously at his basketball career and how it fueled his creative side which created a billion dollar shoe industry.
49. Does the Bible Contradict Itself? by W. Arndt
  - A defense of the Bible, didn’t love reading cover to cover which the author kind of said not to do, but will possibly be a book I refer back to often in my life.
50. Statements on Communism and the Constitution of the United States by David O. McKay
  - Don’t remember a ton about this, I know it was short, I mostly remember thinking, “they used to be extremely afraid of communism.”
51. Hidden Treasures from the Scriptures: The Battle is not yours it is the Lord’ by Alisha Geary
  - Had an interesting theme about how to get through adversity, short book.
52. Are Your Standards Fences or Guardrails? By John Bytheway
  - While it’s sort of silly I even read this as I was approaching 30, and I ranked it low, I actually got a lot out of it, especially useful as I was becoming a parent and thinking about the standards I’d like Ivy to have.
53. Messages of the First Presidency Vol. 6 compiled by James R. Clark
  - I enjoyed it but it was dry, and the average person is not going to get through this book.
54. Emma’s Glory and Sacrifice by Gracia N. Jones
  - Great book but kind of felt like the attempt to tie it to Emma was a stretch throughout simply due to how few records we have left behind in her own words.
55. Islam by John A. Williams
  - Just really difficult to read without more of a foundation in the faith, felt like I constantly didn’t know enough to keep up with what was being discussed.
56. So Much of Life Ahead by Dean Hughes
  - This was an OK book, but it was part 6 in a series and I just decided to read it.
57. The Plain Truth about Christmas by Herbert W. Armstrong
  - Can’t believe I read this, best thing about it was how short it was, entertaining though I guess.
*Recommended or gave this book to someone to read.

Additional reading:
1. Plan of Salvation pamphlet (should be read by everyone once a year to be reminded of why we’re here).
2. Book of Mormon
3. Doctrine & Covenants (Through Section 99)
4. Old Testament (Finished Ezekiel)
5. Come Follow Me lesson each week
January 7, 2021
Paul’s Life and Letters

Book Review: Paul’s Life and Letters

By Dr. Sidney B. Sperry

Copyright 1955

__________________

This book was a breakdown of Paul’s life and everything he ever wrote – thus the title. I haven’t read the New Testament beginning to end. I want to finish the Old Testament first. This book helped me get a better understanding of Paul’s writings. His writing was deep and powerful. I also think his writings have always been and are increasingly misunderstood.

Paul was such a fascinating figure. I’ve long wondered what it would have been like to be alongside him. Everything he did he did with such zeal. Reading and learning about him, I’m awed by his work ethic. He’s somebody to be admired for his hard work. The fervor with which he did whatever he put his mind to. It’s motivating on one hand and terrifying on the other. Few can live up to the devotion Paul had to what he was passionate for. We are lucky his passion turned towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ and worship of God as we’ve seen how his efforts against the early saints caused much pain and suffering.

The book starts with a history of Paul. Where he was from, who he was, how he became who he became. The beginning was basically a historical biography of who Paul was. As Paul got into the portion of his life where he was writing so much, the book transitions.

This book is one I will refer back to often as I continue to study scripture. It had a great breakdown of Paul’s individual epistles and when they were estimated to be written. For example, chapter 13 was “Paul’s third missionary journey (continued).” It gave a detailed breakdown of the epistle to the Galatians including everything Paul said, the authenticity, importance, style, and doctrine from that epistle. I would find myself marking entire pages during these chapters.

There were many notable things I learned about Paul from this book. One was that he worked throughout his missionary ministry. Despite travelling all over the ancient world and spending many, many years as a full-time missionary, it never appears that Paul was paid for his ministry. He was given “gifts” from church members from time to time. But it seems very clear that Paul always worked. The predominant theory is that he was a tent builder. I found this very interesting given that many modern-day ministers point to Paul’s writings as proof that Paul advocated a paid ministry.

One amazing thing about this book was the feeling I had while reading it. Especially while reading the breakdown of Paul’s letters. There were moments where I’d pause and ask myself what I was feeling. This isn’t normally something I do, but I was aware I was feeling something. It was joy. It was a feeling like, ‘what is this earth and what does it really matter but to be a test for something greater? Live righteously and prepare to live with Christ and God forever.’ While reading his writings everything seemed so clear and simple. It was a feeling in my chest while reading his messages. Pure joy. Pure peace. Pure comfort in the future if I am faithful. Motivation to be faithful. As long as I am obedient and keep faith, I truly have nothing to fear. It’s a similar feeling to what I get when I read the Book of Mormon. That testified and made it so clear to me that what I was reading was the word of God, meant to lift up and inspire.

I’m grateful for this book and the understanding it gave me of Paul and his writings. As I mentioned, I know I’ll be using this book often as I continue to read scripture and one day study Paul’s writings more intently. The principles Paul taught were pure. He was called by Jesus Christ Himself which tells us of the importance of Paul’s work. The missionary effort Paul put forth and his contribution to building God’s kingdom is inspiring. He has the greatest conversion story of all time. We could all be better if we spent more time aspiring to be like Paul the Apostle.

October 22, 2020
Pride of the Gentiles

I write this as a complement to my testimony of the Book of Mormon as the Word of God.

For the purposes of what I’m writing I will focus on the Old Testament. I would gladly speak on the New Testament, but for simplicity I will focus on the Old.

Let’s look historically at the creation of the Bible. The text of the Old Testament was preserved and handed down by the hands of the Jews. It was protected by the Jews. If not for the Jews, there would be no Old Testament today.

By definition, a gentile is a person who is not Jewish. The Gentiles received the Bible from the Jews. Most of us are gentiles. If you come from Europe, have Catholic, Protestant, or pretty much any other Christian ties in your ancestry, you are most likely considered a gentile. Again, none of us would have the Bible today if it weren’t for the Jews.

It’s those same Gentiles who today say, A Bible, a Bible, we have a Bible! (2 Nephi 29:3). But how do you have the Bible? You have it from the Israelites, from the Jews. You didn’t do anything to gain it.

When Christ was crucified and resurrected the Jews of old who believed in Christ had a difficult time moving past their traditions. If you read about Paul and his missionary efforts, you will see that a major portion of his time was spent fighting Judaizers. Judaizers were “Christians in the primitive church who taught it was necessary to adopt Jewish customs and practices, especially those found in the Law of Moses.”

From History of the Christian Church, 1, 338 regarding Judaizers:

“These men were Christians in name, but narrow-minded and narrow-hearted Jews in fact. They were scrupulous, pedantic, slavish formalists, ritualists, and traditionalists of the malignant type. Circumcision of the flesh was to them more important than circumcision of the heart, or at all events an indispensable condition of salvation. Such men could, of course, not understand and appreciate Paul, but hated and feared him as a dangerous radical and rebel. Envy and jealousy mixed with their religious prejudice. They got alarmed at the rapid progress of the gospel among the unclean Gentiles who threatened to soil the purity of the church…”

For just a couple of examples of Paul’s contention with Judaizers see Acts 15:23-29, Galatians chapters 3 and 4, Acts 21: 20-25. That last example in Acts 21 would be roughly the year AD 58. At this point, 25 years after Christ’s death, there were still thousands of Jewish Christians following the Law of Moses.

I give this historical background to make a comparison to the Christian gentiles of today.

Christians who cannot accept any scripture outside of the Bible are the Jews of old. Holding firm to their traditions, fighting to preserve what they’ve always known, refusing to see the greater blessing of the Gospel right before them.

The Gentiles of today say, “I have a Bible.” By what source have you gotten your Bible?

2 Nephi 29 4-5:

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

The Jews couldn’t accept further revelation – that Jesus was the Christ and in Him the law was fulfilled. Gentiles today – who have only been shown the mercy of God by being adopted into Christ’s fold – do the same thing. They have a Bible, they need no “other” Bible.

What does this speak of? It speaks of pride. This attitude says – “God has given us all He’s going to give us and now it’s up to ME, MAN to interpret what God is saying.” This pride removes God from the equation. You think God has disowned us? You think He’s given us all He can or will give us? WHY?!?!? God loves His children. Has He abandoned us?

The hard-hearted, prideful, and stubborn attitude of holding onto traditions has kept people from Christ since the start of mankind and it continues today. Let go of pride and accept that God still speaks to man. Pride makes us interpret the Bible how it suits us. Let go of pride and let God guide us.

The denial of modern revelation is the removal of God. It is the denial of either God’s love for us or His power in redeeming His children. How can people who can only accept the Bible not see that? They’ve removed a living God for God’s word. The Bible is God’s word to us, but what good is it if you don’t understand it? What good is it if you kick against the pricks? Let the spirit work within you and accept all truth God will give you. He will enlighten your mind and expand your spirit, but you must let Him, and stop removing Him by saying you have the Bible and that’s all you need.

The great apostle Paul spent his entire missionary career fighting against the Judaizers.

Today modern-day missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend so much time fighting modern day Judaizers, traditionalists. We must Bible bash, meanwhile we have a far greater message: GOD STILL LIVES, GOD STILL SPEAKS, REVELATION IS ALIVE. He has provided a new Book of Promise – the Book of Mormon – to help and guide us. Not to replace the Bible but to supplement it. READ IT. And see for yourself if it speaks to your spirit. See for yourself if God still loves His children. See for yourself if Jesus is the Christ and if HE IS STILL redeeming his people. Set aside your pride!

2 Nephi 29: 6-9

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

How accurate are those words written nearly 2600 years ago? Inspired writing. It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon can only bring a person closer to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. I wish we could all remove our pride and stop being like the Judaizers of the primitive Church. Accept that Christ is as interested in us today as He was when He walked the earth 2000 years ago. Read His word. Hear His word. Feel his word. Accept his words. All of them.

August 20, 2020