"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" Overview A. Foundational Fallacy: Children are born in sin, having inherited sin and guilt from the fall of Adam and Eve. Therefore, they are at risk of eternal damnation from birth. B. Logical Extension #1: Since baptism is necessary for the remission of sins and for salvation, infants must be baptized or else … Continue reading “Original Sin” and Infant Baptism
"Sunday Sermon" “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Articles of Faith, 4) The Bible proclaims there should be “One … Continue reading Baptism, a Commandment. By Immersion for the Remission of Sins
(Based, in part, on a talk by Elder James E. Slaughter, of the Seventy, Santa Margarita Stake Conference, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022) 1. The sacrament is for renewing all our covenants, not just baptism We often hear that, by partaking of the sacrament, we “renew our covenants of baptism.” That is true. However, it is … Continue reading 8 Special Insights on the Sacrament
"Sunday Sermon" for July 4th Founding Fathers Appear to Wilford Woodruff Wilford Woodruff was a spiritual giant. He received more visitations, visions, promptings, and revelations than anyone in this dispensation other than the Prophet Joseph Smith. Most members of the church have heard that the Founding Fathers appeared to Elder Wilford Woodruff in the St. … Continue reading America’s Founders and Other Famous People Were Baptized for the Dead in 1877-The Details
"Sunday Sermon" When Abram entered into a covenant with the Lord, he was given a new name - Abraham. This represented a new beginning, symbolic of being born again. (Gen 17:1-8) Likewise, Sarai was given the new name of Sarah. (Gen 17:15-16) When Jacob entered in a covenant with God, he was given a new … Continue reading Covenant Pattern: A New Birth, a New Name, and a New Beginning
One of the challenges of studying the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, is knowing which verses were meant to be interpreted literally and which verses were intended to be interpreted figuratively. Studying ancient literature, I learned that certain numbers were intended to be figurative, symbolic, or even magical. One key to spotting these figurative numbers is their repetition. Their too frequent use goes beyond mere coincidence. The Number “8” is … Continue reading The Number “8” in Scriptures Means “New Beginnings”
"Sunday Sermon" The Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Here is a list of just 20 of the church’s distinctive beliefs: 1. Living Prophets and Modern Revelation “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet … Continue reading 20 Distinctive Beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The London Edition 