"Sunday Sermon" One of the most sacred and rare spiritual experiences is a personal visitation of the Lord. This is not to be confused with a "mere" dream, dream-vision, or vision. (See: previous article on dreams and visions). This is an actual visitation where the Lord is personally present. At least two dozen prophets, and others, … Continue reading Jesus Appears to Lorenzo Snow
"Sunday Sermon" New names are associated with ordinances and covenants. Birth: A New Name and a Blessing As newborn babies, the first ordinance Latter-day Saints participate in is to receive a “name and a blessing.” (See: D&C 20:70) This type of ceremony is not unique to Latter-day Saints. Like Latter-day Saints, the infant in Roots, … Continue reading New Names
"Sunday Sermon" The Lord Promises to Appear in His Temple Regarding the Holy Temple, the Lord promised that His “glory shall be there” and “shall rest upon it.” Moreover, His “presence shall be there,” for He “will come into it.” Ultimately, “all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.” I … Continue reading Defiling the Temple – Why the Lord is Absent
"Sunday Sermon" In mortality, we enter a foreign physical environment from our spiritual home. The great challenge is for our spirits to rule our physical bodies. All too often, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Out-of-control physical appetites lead to a plethora of sins, including: sexual immorality alcoholism domestic violence gluttony … Continue reading Satan’s Strategies: “It’s my body.”
"Sunday Sermon" The Old Testament has wonderful - and weird - stories. One of these is the year when the Philistines played “hot potato” with the captured Ark of the Covenant. Priest Eli's Wicked Sons Eli, the priest, was caretaker of the tabernacle. He had two evil sons, who stole meat offerings to barbecue, and … Continue reading The Year the Philistines Played “Hot Potato” with the Captured Ark of the Covenant
"Sunday Sermon" The Holy Temple - A House of Learning - The Lord's University The Lord called his holy temple a “house of learning.” (D&C 107:10-17) It is the “Lord’s University.” “Temples are the greatest university of learning known to man.” (Robert D. Hales) The temple is a “University for Eternal Life.” (F. Enzio Busche.) … Continue reading “The Lord’s University” (Holy Temple) – Are you a “Graduate” or a “Dropout?”
"Sunday Sermon" Over the years, as I drove through the L.A. Temple parking lot, I surveyed the cars. I noticed pristine Bentleys, Cadillacs, and Mercedes parked next to dirty beat-up Pintos and VW Bugs. Clearly, some temple patrons were very rich, and some were very poor. Yet, inside the temple, everyone is dressed the same. … Continue reading A Lesson from the Temple Parking Lot
"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
Late one evening in the 1970’s, the Garden Grove Stake President and I were chatting in his office after a meeting. He shared with me a letter he had received from a less-active non-practicing Latter-day Saint sister. He also shared his response. (He covered the sister’s name to protect her privacy.) The letter went like … Continue reading The Attempted Covert Cancellation of a Temple Marriage
Divine miracles abound in missionary work. Divine intervention accompanies the great miracle of conversion. The Lord performs miracles as his servants strive to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) Joseph "Billy" Johnson -- the Great Missionary Joseph William “Billy” Johnson may be the greatest missionary of this dispensation. He … Continue reading The Greatest Modern Missionary -Joseph “Billy” Johnson of Ghana
The London Edition 