"Sunday Sermon" Luke 9:62: "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." "Remember Lot’s Wife" The most famous example of “turning back” in the scriptures is Lot’s wife. Jesus specifically asked us to, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Lk. 17:32) How could we forget? Because of … Continue reading “Don’t Look Back” – Luke 9:62
"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
Christmas Sermon -- Doctrinal Commentary BYU Religion Professor Robert Millet recalled That before leaving from Louisiana on his mission, he asked his LDS father, "Dad, what does it mean to be saved by grace?" He answered quickly, "We don't believe in that." "We don't?" I said. "Why not?" Without any hesitation he replied, "Because the … Continue reading Grace and Works
Most religions believe in the power of faith and prayer to comfort and heal the sick. For most of these sects, religious healing accompanies conventional medical care. A few of these sects rely exclusively on religious healing. They oppose medical care. They put their trust in God. To rely on human medical treatment is to … Continue reading Law and Religion: Refusing Medical Care and Vaccinations for Religious Reasons
"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 extraordinary gifts of the Spirit are described in the New Testament (1 Cor. 12), Book of Mormon (Mori. 10), Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 46) and Articles of Faith (Article 7). These gifts include: Gifts of the Spirit: Scriptural List Testimony from the Holy Ghost of Jesus ChristBelief in testimony/witness of othersKnowledge of differences of … Continue reading Gifts of the Spirit
Book Review and Recommendation I have spent thousands of hours studying the church and gospel, reading hundreds of church related books, including biographies, histories, and commentaries, in addition to the scriptures, and attending dozens of lectures and symposia. Thus, whenever I have been confronted by anti-LDS claims, my faith has not been shaken. (Of course, … Continue reading “Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt,” by Michael R. Ash
Albert Einstein summarized: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Miracles follow faith. Those who have faith see the miracles all around us. We are surrounded by the wonderous miracles of nature. The miracles of … Continue reading The Wondrous Miracles of Nature
Favorite Scripture Gems 1 Nephi 15:8 is a small verse of great significance. “And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?” Nephi’s older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, couldn’t figure out what was going on. They were clueless. Worse, they didn’t bother to find out. They were stubborn, and they were lazy intellectually … Continue reading “Have Ye Inquired of the Lord” — 1 Nephi 15:8
The London Edition 