"Sunday Sermon" After baptizing Jesus, John the Baptist announced, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) John shared, by his teaching and example, an essential gospel principle. John had been in the limelight for years. He had lots of admirers and followers. But now, John had fulfilled his mission. His ministry was winding down. Christ’s … Continue reading “I must decrease”- John the Baptist
"Sunday Sermon" The Lord rebuked His people for their faithlessness and their plethora of sins. They asked, "How can we get back in your good graces?" "How about we offer you 'thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?'" "Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?" (Micah 6:3-7 NLT) … Continue reading “Do Justly,” “Love Mercy,” “Walk Humbly with Thy God,” Micah 6:8
In Honor of Thanksgiving Feasts The 5-Year-Old Who Called Me "Fat" I was waiting at the checkout stand in my grocery store when the five-year-old boy behind me shouted, “You’re fat!” (I love children’s honesty.) Me at the Beach, looking Happy and "Prosperous" His flustered mom tried to shush him by saying, “No, he’s not … Continue reading God made me Fat
"Sunday Sermon" "A friend loveth at ALL times." (Proverbs 17:17) The Prophet Joseph Smith cherished friendship. He declared, "Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism." (Teachings, p. 316.) “If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of no value to me.” (Essential in Church History, p. 374) C.S. Lewis, … Continue reading Friendships are Sacred – “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”
"Sunday Sermon" Rabbi Jacob Milgrom, Dean of Near Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley, concluded that Hosea 6:6 was the most important verse in “the Prophets” in the Old Testament. (See: “Jacob Milgrom,” Wikipedia.) I was surprised, because I had no clue about Hosea 6:6. But he may have been right. Hosea 6:6: “For I … Continue reading The Most Important Old Testament Verse: Hosea 6:6
"Sunday Sermon" Moses instructed Joshua, his military commander, to prepare the Israelites for battle against Amalek and his people. While Joshua fought in the plains, Moses oversaw the battle from a hill top. “I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.” Aaron and Hur accompanied Moses. … Continue reading The Role of Counselors – Moses, Aaron, and Hur (Exodus 17:8-13)
"Sunday Sermon" Genesis Account: "Where art Thou?" In the Genesis account, after Adam and Eve transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit, God asked them the all-important question. “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9) In other words, “Where are you?” God was not asking Adam and Eve where they were located physically. He already knew that. They … Continue reading God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind
D&C 11:11 warns: “Therefore, be ye as wise as serpents and yet without sin.” The Lord is alerting us to the dangers of being naïve, gullible, and too trusting. “There’s a sucker born every minute.” (P.R. Barnum, 19th Century American showman.) Sadly, not every enough Latter-day Saint follows this counsel. For example, Utah has the … Continue reading “Be Wise as Serpents” (D&C 111:11) “Don’t be a Victim”
Civic Duty is a Divine Commandment D&C 134:1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. David O. McKay: “Let me assure you that someday … Continue reading “We Believe in Governments” – D&C 134:1
Zoroastrianism is the religion of ancient Persia. It is the second oldest monotheistic religion, after Judaism. It was founded about 1000 B.C. by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathushtra). Zoroastrians worship the “one universal, transcendent, all-good, and uncreated supreme creator deity, Ahura Mazda, or the ‘Wise Lord.’” The official motto of Zoroastrianism is “Good Thoughts, Good Words, … Continue reading “Thoughts, Words, and Deeds” – Mosiah 4:30
The London Edition 