Tag: LDS

LDS Church Finances – The Recent High-Profile Controversy

"Sunday Sermon" (On Wednesday) The Controversy "Some people leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but then they can’t leave it alone." Recently, a few disgruntled ex-Mormons have publicly demanded that the church return their voluntary donations.  These "renegers" (“Indian Givers” was the inappropriate term of my youth) claim that the church did … Continue reading LDS Church Finances – The Recent High-Profile Controversy →

Threat to Assassinate a Mormon Judge

"Court Case Friday" I received a phone call in the middle of the night from the O.C.  Sheriff’s Judicial Protection Unit (JPU). A reliable informant “snitched” that his accomplice was going to assassinate a judge because he was “Mormon.” The threat was credible.  The JPU called me, and wanted to know the names of the other LDS … Continue reading Threat to Assassinate a Mormon Judge →

LDS Drunk Driver With a Guilty Conscience

"Court Case Friday" As a new D.A. I was prosecuting a drunk driver. My expert criminalist testified in the jury trial that the defendant must have consumed at least seven drinks in order to reach his blood alcohol level. After finishing with the criminalist’s testimony, I rested my case, and the judge announced a noon recess. … Continue reading LDS Drunk Driver With a Guilty Conscience →

Drug-induced “Spiritual” Experiences – “Psychedelic Spirituality”

  “Sunday Sermon" “What Satan Can’t Prevent, He Will Pervert” My Criminal Case of a Drug Induced "Spiritual Experience" I had a case in my court where a career military officer took LSD to induce a "spiritual experience." Instead of having a vision, he got "possessed." He “freaked out,” trashed his apartment, destroyed his property, … Continue reading Drug-induced “Spiritual” Experiences – “Psychedelic Spirituality” →

“The Church Campout From Hell” – Delinquents and Me

"Personal History Saturday" I got married on a beautiful Southern California day in January 1976.  My wife and I soon moved into a poor inner-city ward in Long Beach.  After a few weeks, I was called as the Explorer Scout Leader, and Priest Advisor. The upcoming Friday was a 3-day holiday and the Explorers had … Continue reading “The Church Campout From Hell” – Delinquents and Me →

Latter-day Charity – Worshiping God by Serving Others

"Sunday Sermon" Humanitarian Relief and Welfare LDS Church humanitarian efforts, whether local, national, or international, primarily help those in need who are not members of the Church. This major endeavor is independent of the massive welfare program intended for struggling Church members and operated by local Church leaders. We Worship God by Serving Others “Pure … Continue reading Latter-day Charity – Worshiping God by Serving Others →

The Paranoid Defendant – “Constantly Surrounded by Mormons”

"Court Case Friday" I was presiding over the high volume arraignment calendar in my OC courtroom, when I called the case of a criminal trespasser. As I thumbed through the police report, I noticed that the defendant was arrested for disrupting an LDS stake conference. I also learned that the LDS Church had obtained a … Continue reading The Paranoid Defendant – “Constantly Surrounded by Mormons” →

Existence of God and the Rise of Atheism #4: Personal Revelation

"Sunday Afternoon Sermon" Another layer of “proof” of the existence of God, is personal revelation from God. Personal revelation from God comes in many forms: inspiration, sudden flow of ideas or intelligence, promptings, premonitions, prophesies, heavenly voices, dream visions, visitations by heavenly messengers, and theophany, a personal visit by God. Although I have not experienced … Continue reading Existence of God and the Rise of Atheism #4: Personal Revelation →