Category: “Sunday Sermon”

Why Are There So Many “YUCKY” Stories in the Old Testament?

Levi & Simeon Massacre and Pillage Stories in the Old Testament make me cringe.  They are full of sex and violence. They are disgusting and disturbing. They include: torture, rape, robbery, murder, incest, fraud, betrayal, massacres, pillage, homosexuality, and prostitution. Indeed, the Old Testament is X-rated. “What is the Lord trying to teach us?” Possibilities: … Continue reading Why Are There So Many “YUCKY” Stories in the Old Testament? →

Old Testament Symbols/Types of Jesus (List)

Adam son of God, Jesus is last Adam (Rom 5:12-14; 1 Cor 15:45) Sacrificial lamb (unblemished innocent lamb) (Num 1) Noah Savior of mankind Baptism, cleansing of sin (Gen 6:13-22; 1 Pet 3:20-21) Isaac Only begotten son (Heb 11:17; John 3:16) Miraculous birth (Gen 17:15-19; Lk 1:34-35) Offered as sacrifice (Gen 22; Rom 8:32) Escaped … Continue reading Old Testament Symbols/Types of Jesus (List) →

God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind

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 were hiding … Continue reading God’s First, and Most Important Questions, to Mankind →

7 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 1)

Universal Pattern: 3 C's: Commandments, Choice, Consequences (3 C’s)              “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat;            “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: [nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given … Continue reading 7 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 1) →

6 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 2)

"Sunday Sermon" "Where Art Thou?" After Adam and Eve “got caught,” God asked, “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:9)  God was not asking Adam and Eve where they were located physically.  He knew that. They were hiding “amongst the trees of the garden.” (Gen. 3:8)  What God was asking was where they were spiritually. Where were they in relationship to God? … Continue reading 6 Short Lessons from the Garden of Eden (Pt. 2) →

Miracles of the Creation of the Earth and Cosmos

 We are surrounded by the wondrous miracles of creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Prophet Alma Versus Atheist Korihor There is a story in the Book of Mormon wherein Korihor, the atheist, tried to destroy the church and the faith of the … Continue reading Miracles of the Creation of the Earth and Cosmos →

The Best Christmas Tale Ever Written

"The Other Wise Man" The best fictional Christmas tale ever written is: “The Other Wise Man,” by Henry Van Dyke.  Van Dyke (1852-1933) was a preacher, writer, and professor of literature at Princeton University.  The idea for this moving story came to Van Dyke one night “as a gift out of the air,” after a … Continue reading The Best Christmas Tale Ever Written →

Depression and Anxiety: President George Albert Smith’s Lifelong Struggle

Our Mental Health Struggles As one who has struggled with severe anxiety and depression, I take solace from the life and struggles of Apostle and Prophet George Albert Smith. During a dark period of depression, he wrote: “I have suffered so much that I have wondered if I could stand it. There have been days … Continue reading Depression and Anxiety: President George Albert Smith’s Lifelong Struggle →

Brigham Young: Life and Legacy

"Sunday Sermon" Birth: Born June 1, 1801 in Whitingham, Vermont, the ninth of eleven children. Marriage: He married Miriam Works in 1824.  She died in 1832. He then married Mary Ann Angell in 1834. He later entered into polygamy and had dozens of wives and children. Occupation: He had only 11 days of schooling. He … Continue reading Brigham Young: Life and Legacy →