POPULARITY
8 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
4 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
7 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
5 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
2 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
2 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
2 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
2 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
2 episodes with Joseph Fielding Smith
Ayude al programa suscribiéndose al canal en YouTube o en Patreon, y reciba todos los guiones de los episodios, más los libros del programa. ¡Gracias! Referencias: - Incluso los indigentes deben pagar diezmo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/tithing-a-commandment-even-for-the-destitute?lang=spa - Discurso de Oaks: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1994/04/tithing?lang=spa - Discurso de Hales en la conferencia: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/10/tithing-a-test-of-faith-with-eternal-blessings?lang=spa - Discurso de 1991 de Hinckley: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1991/04/the-state-of-the-church?lang=spa - Discurso de Hinckley de 1995: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/of-missions-temples-and-stewardship?lang=spa - ¿Cómo se utilizan los fondos del diezmo? https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/tithing-and-fast-offerings/how-are-tithing-funds-used?lang=spa - Las declaraciones de Rytting están citadas en la apelación de Huntsman: https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2025/01/31/21-56056.pdf - 11 iglesias apoyan a la mormona: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/01/31/other-religions-cheer-latter-day-saint-court-victory-huntsman-tithing-case/ - Declaración de la Iglesia respecto a los gastos: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-statement-church-finances - Explicación del caso en Courthouse News: https://www.courthousenews.com/en-banc-ninth-circuit-sides-with-mormon-church-in-dispute-over-tithes/ - Sitio de Farmland Reserves: https://farmlandreserve.org/ - Tierras mormonas en España: https://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/13269324/03/25/el-fondo-agricola-de-los-mormones-desafia-a-los-aranceles-de-trump-y-se-lanza-a-comprar-tierras-en-espana.html - Tierras mormonas en Portugal: https://www.eldebate.com/campo-y-caza/20250317/potentes-inversiones-iglesia-mormona-campo-espanol_279445.html - Faust: Las mujeres boxeadoras y luchadoras son algo malo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2000/04/womanhood-the-highest-place-of-honor?lang=spa - Blog del Milton: https://www.miltoncr.com/golpesdeexito/en-qu-se-invierten-las-donaciones-de-la-iglesia-de-jesucritos-de-los-sud - Joseph Fielding Smith y el diezmo (en el "opening address"): https://historicalgeneralconferences.weebly.com/1907-april.html#JFS2 - MormonAd del helado y el bicho: https://www.cranialhiccups.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Its-great-except-for-the-bad-parts-Mormonad-ice-cream.jpg
The calamities signaling the second coming of Christ and the predicted judgments of the Lord are here for us to see and study in the scriptures. We need not fear if we are prepared and are living the gospel. Click here to see the speech page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Revised and Expanded Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith: Compared with the Earliest Known Manuscripts offers readers not only a preservation of Joseph Fielding Smith's original compilation but also a side-by-side comparison with the primary sources that it was based... The post 891 The Revised and Expanded Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.
The Big Picture of the King and His Kingdom I want you to recall the five meta-narratives of the entire Bible from my previous sermon: God is completely unique; God gave us dominion of the Earth; we have rebelled against God and are in exile; God has been and will continue to repair the fix we are in; God will reestablish our place in Eden and on Earth. I also want you to think about how the Kingdom of God stretches out into eternity past and eternity future. In our own human history, the Kingdom of God started in a garden that resided in the land of Eden. The Garden of Eden was a real and specific location on Earth where Heaven and Earth co-existed. Isaiah and Ezekiel talk about this location being not only a garden but also a mountain (Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezekiel 28:13-14). In Eastern and Mesopotamian cultures, a garden was where the king would spend leisure time with his family. It was also where kings met with their cabinet members. The garden inside the land of Eden then was a place created by God where Adam and Eve had fellowship with their heavenly Father. This is also where God met with His council members. These were angelic authorities, celestial beings, who were administrative rulers in God's kingdom. No doubt, Adam and Eve would have had multiple interactions with these beings while they lived in the Garden of God. This is why Eve did not freak out when the serpent spoke to her in Genesis 3. She had seen these beings before. Remember, there is no snake mentioned in the text of Genesis 3. In Hebrew, he is called the nachash [1]. The being that talked with Eve was a supernatural, ancient, super intelligent, celestial being, probably a seraph. A seraph was one of the highest orders of throne guardians that surrounded God's throne. He may have been one of God's council members in the past. Once Adam and Eve agreed to follow the nachash, they sabotaged their relationship with God and their ability to spread the dominion of Eden to the rest of the globe. Nonetheless, God has been moving forward to correct this dilemma for thousands of years. He is still using His heavenly and earthly councils to redeem the earth. The King and His Council All nations have kings or some sort of leadership that resembles kingship. Even our own Democratic Republic has fallen under the rule of people acting like kings. All kings have council members to help them administer their rule over the affairs of their kingdom. Human leaders did not make this concept up. It existed long before the Earth was created. The first council is the one that God established before the creation week of Earth. It's called the Divine Council. Now, even though God does not need help ruling over His universe, He insists on sharing responsibilities with the beings that He has made. Whether they are human or celestial. The problem is that among the celestial beings, certain council members rebelled against God. You may want to call them the infernal council. They absolutely hate God's human children and all righteous celestial beings who have remained loyal to God. Just as the Divine Council existed before the creation week, so too do I believe this rebellion occurred before the creation week. Others believe that it occurred possibly on Day 2 or 4 of the creation or soon after. Which ever position you take, it was a horrendous betrayal towards God and His remaining loyal family members. The King Delegates Responsibilities to His Divine Council Consider this: although Yahweh is supreme over His council, He allows them to discuss solutions. He then delegates to them authority for particular assignments. However, Yahweh is unique and superior to His council members. Scripture is full of examples where Yahweh is shown to rule among His council members. One example is Psalm 89:5-7: Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD (Yahweh), your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD (Yahweh)? Who among the heavenly beings [2] is like the LORD (Yahweh), God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? Some argue that the “holy ones” are human leaders, human “saints.” But the context proves otherwise because the residence of these council members is “in the skies.” Another example is in Daniel 4:17. Although Yahweh is supreme over His council members, He allows them to form and implement their own solutions: The sentence is by the decree of the watchers (council members), the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men. The council formed the solution for Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance and then they carried out the sentence. This resulted in the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar and the declaration of God's ultimate power over all nations. This is similar to 1Kings 22. A heavenly council meeting was called to determine the fate of Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. God allowed His divine council to deliberate Ahab's demise. Here are verses 19-23: And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord (Yahweh): I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven (council members) standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?'And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.' And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?'And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.' Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.” Both stories are about kings who have ignored warnings from Yahweh. Notice also that in both cases God allowed His celestial council members to deliberate the solution and then implement the punishment. The Infernal Council Moses warned Israel not to worship the “host of heaven” in Deuteronomy 4:19 because of the Tower of Babel affair. After the Tower of Babel event occurred, celestial authorities were assigned to govern the nations and then shepherd them back into a right relationship with God. This is Moses' point in Deuteronomy 32:8-9: When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God [3] (angelic authorities). But the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. At some point, these heavenly shepherds became corrupt and received the worship of men. This is the point Moses is making in all of Deuteronomy 32: worship belongs to Yahweh only; do not worship the gods of the nations because they are rebel council members. This relates to Psalm 82, where Yahweh crashes a council meeting among the fallen heavenly shepherds and rebukes them for their rebellion. Verses 1 through 4 say: God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 58:1-2 captures this same idea: Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. Some argue that these passages do not support the Divine Council worldview. They see Psalm 82 as an event where God enters a council meeting of earthly kings and judges. I would respectfully push back – verse 7 proves that God is not angry at mere humans in this scene. He is rebuking fallen entities when He says that they will die like mere men. This would not be a punishment if God were rebuking human rebels. Again, it is important to understand that this passage is not talking about humans who have offended God; it is talking about fallen angelic authorities. These beings were once righteous participants of Yahweh's council. Everything God creates is good and perfect. They began their journey in agreement with the plans and purposes of God. I don't accept the theological concept, as some do, that Yahweh created them as evil entities to begin with; or that He created them with the idea that they would one day rebel in order to advance His own glory. Nevertheless, they did rebel. And since they had once been part of God's kingdom, they naturally formed their own authority structures based off of the kingdom they rejected. So, I believe that the infernal council is an imitation of what they once experienced in the Kingdom of God. This is not Polytheism, This is not Mormonism In the last sermon, I covered several attributes that prove that Yahweh is completely different than all other elohim, or the “sons of God” that He created to operate in His council. God is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, and immutable. He is the creator of all other heavenly beings; He existed before them. He can strip them of their immortality, and no heavenly being can outmaneuver Him. This is important to know because of the resistance you will get from those who are unfamiliar with this subject. People will want to categorize you as a polytheist or a Mormon. Neither of these are true. Most ancient cultures were polytheistic in nature. They believed in many gods. Often there was a chief god ruling the lesser gods and demigods. They often incorporated succession stories where one chief god was defeated in battle by a lesser god, who then became the leader. But what I am teaching is that our God is different. He is not a leader among a group of gods who are similar in nature; He is infinitely higher in supremacy. Again, He is the uncreated Creator. There is no being equal to Him. However, as I have already outlined, He assigns authority and responsibility to the heavenly sons of God, which He created. He also expects us to occupy our territory while expanding His kingdom. I am also not teaching Mormonism. Mormons teach that you can become a god; in fact, they claim that God was once like us. Joseph Smith said: “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did” [4] But I insist that Mormonism is incorrect. I teach that God was never a created being. John 4:24 says, God is spirit (not a man), and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Again, as I outlined in the last sermon, there are unique attributes that belong only to Yahweh and no other being. Conclusion The Divine Council worldview has solid biblical backing. First, we see in several places that God is supreme yet also delegates His authority to a celestial council of lesser beings. These council members are called the “sons of God” in the Old Testament. Second, we see that certain members of this council rebelled against God and formed their own wicked authority structures. The Divine Council worldview that I am advocating is not a salvation issue. Those who disagree are not my enemies; however, without it, I believe you will have a truncated understanding of the spiritual realm. Some simply see the spiritual realm as more of a fairy tale than a reality. To them, heaven is nothing more than an eternal vacation spot where you sit on clouds and play harps. This kind of thinking is childish; there is so much more going on. One of my biggest complaints about modern Christianity is that it refuses to leave elementary school, so to speak. Many churches teach superficial concepts, and as a result, their congregations are withering in the shallow soil of mediocrity. And so, over the last several generations, the church has raised a gaggle of believers who barely understand their Bible and their God. The Divine Council worldview has helped me back up and look at the whole tapestry of Scripture. When I read a passage, I find threads that move in multiple directions and create larger ideas. For me, understanding the Bible through the Divine Council worldview has been as stunning as going from a black and white TV to the brilliant colors of plasma TV. It's like watching an action movie with a pair of good 3-D glasses. JCN 7/24 [1] In the Hebrew text, this rebel being is called han nachash, the nachash (Gen.3:1,2,4,13,14). As a noun, nachash means serpent (think more of a dragon rather than a snake); as a verb, it means a deceiver or a diviner; as an adjective, it means bronze or an object that is brazen or a radiant being that glows from within. All three meanings are at play here. The ideas of luminosity, serpentine features, and divine wisdom all relate to a divine throne guardian being. Both Hebrew and Gentile readers would have instantly understood this concept. Both seraphim and cherubim are known as guardians around God's throne. The Hebrew word seraph (Is. 6:2) especially relates here because its meaning derives from a burning, fiery serpentine being. [2] In Hebrew: ben el the “sons of God,” the celestial beings of heaven. [3]Some translations render the phrase as “sons of Israel,” while others render it “sons of God.” I believe that translations like KJV, NIV, and NASB are misinformed to render the phrase as “sons of Israel.” The phrase “sons of Israel” follows the Masoretic Texts, which were edited by Jewish scholars in the middle ages who were hostile to Christianity, and the supernatural appearances of the 2nd person of the Trinity (Jesus) throughout Old Testament passages. The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls uphold the phrase “sons of God.” Both of these sources were penned by Jewish scholars about 1000 years before the Masoretic Texts were collated. [4]Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, 1976, pp. 345 –46.
In this episode, Gerrit discusses the claim that President Joseph Fielding Smith destroyed pages of Joseph Smith's history so that the saints wouldn't be upset with some of the things found in the history. Gerrit also destroys Sydney Rigdon's claims to lead the Church after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith. THANK YOU to all of those who donated to Sweetwater Rescue. You have donated over $38,000 to pay for 100 members of the Rio Gallegos District to go to the Buenos Aires Temple the week of November 25th. Thank you so much. Below are links to the video we created for their district conference and the video that they sent back to us Sweetwater Rescue video for the Rio Gallegos District: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7eCKrNfhcTnrO_hkJb34KHAL8C5TDIO/view?usp=share_link Rio Gallegos District video for Sweetwater Rescue: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lsHE52OwD0jpKFQiBNUksbYZRkxg9aLo/view?usp=share_link Standard of Truth Tour dates for the summer of 2025: https://standardoftruth.com/tours/ Missouri/Nauvoo – June 22nd through June 28th Palmyra/Kirtland – August 3rd through August 9th Gerrit's cruise through Bountiful Travel: https://bountifultravel.com/trips/holy-land-cruise/ Sign up for our free monthly email: https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com
The Big Picture of the King and His Kingdom I want you to recall the five meta-narratives of the entire Bible from my previous sermon: God is completely unique; God gave us dominion of the Earth; we have rebelled against God and are in exile; God has been and will continue to repair the fix we are in; God will reestablish our place in Eden and on Earth. I also want you to think about how the Kingdom of God stretches out into eternity past and eternity future. In our own human history, the Kingdom of God started in a garden that resided in the land of Eden. The Garden of Eden was a real and specific location on Earth where Heaven and Earth co-existed. Isaiah and Ezekiel talk about this location being not only a garden but also a mountain (Isaiah 14:13-14 and Ezekiel 28:13-14). In Eastern and Mesopotamian cultures, a garden was where the king would spend leisure time with his family. It was also where kings met with their cabinet members. The garden inside the land of Eden then was a place created by God where Adam and Eve had fellowship with their heavenly Father. This is also where God met with His council members. These were angelic authorities, celestial beings, who were administrative rulers in God's kingdom. No doubt, Adam and Eve would have had multiple interactions with these beings while they lived in the Garden of God. This is why Eve did not freak out when the serpent spoke to her in Genesis 3. She had seen these beings before. Remember, there is no snake mentioned in the text of Genesis 3. In Hebrew, he is called the nachash [1]. The being that talked with Eve was a supernatural, ancient, super intelligent, celestial being, probably a seraph. A seraph was one of the highest orders of throne guardians that surrounded God's throne. He may have been one of God's council members in the past. Once Adam and Eve agreed to follow the nachash, they sabotaged their relationship with God and their ability to spread the dominion of Eden to the rest of the globe. Nonetheless, God has been moving forward to correct this dilemma for thousands of years. He is still using His heavenly and earthly councils to redeem the earth. The King and His Council All nations have kings or some sort of leadership that resembles kingship. Even our own Democratic Republic has fallen under the rule of people acting like kings. All kings have council members to help them administer their rule over the affairs of their kingdom. Human leaders did not make this concept up. It existed long before the Earth was created. The first council is the one that God established before the creation week of Earth. It's called the Divine Council. Now, even though God does not need help ruling over His universe, He insists on sharing responsibilities with the beings that He has made. Whether they are human or celestial. The problem is that among the celestial beings, certain council members rebelled against God. You may want to call them the infernal council. They absolutely hate God's human children and all righteous celestial beings who have remained loyal to God. Just as the Divine Council existed before the creation week, so too do I believe this rebellion occurred before the creation week. Others believe that it occurred possibly on Day 2 or 4 of the creation or soon after. Which ever position you take, it was a horrendous betrayal towards God and His remaining loyal family members. The King Delegates Responsibilities to His Divine Council Consider this: although Yahweh is supreme over His council, He allows them to discuss solutions. He then delegates to them authority for particular assignments. However, Yahweh is unique and superior to His council members. Scripture is full of examples where Yahweh is shown to rule among His council members. One example is Psalm 89:5-7: Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD (Yahweh), your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD (Yahweh)? Who among the heavenly beings [2] is like the LORD (Yahweh), God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? Some argue that the “holy ones” are human leaders, human “saints.” But the context proves otherwise because the residence of these council members is “in the skies.” Another example is in Daniel 4:17. Although Yahweh is supreme over His council members, He allows them to form and implement their own solutions: The sentence is by the decree of the watchers (council members), the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men. The council formed the solution for Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance and then they carried out the sentence. This resulted in the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar and the declaration of God's ultimate power over all nations. This is similar to 1Kings 22. A heavenly council meeting was called to determine the fate of Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. God allowed His divine council to deliberate Ahab's demise. Here are verses 19-23: And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord (Yahweh): I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven (council members) standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?'And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.' And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?'And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.' Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.” Both stories are about kings who have ignored warnings from Yahweh. Notice also that in both cases God allowed His celestial council members to deliberate the solution and then implement the punishment. The Infernal Council Moses warned Israel not to worship the “host of heaven” in Deuteronomy 4:19 because of the Tower of Babel affair. After the Tower of Babel event occurred, celestial authorities were assigned to govern the nations and then shepherd them back into a right relationship with God. This is Moses' point in Deuteronomy 32:8-9: When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God [3] (angelic authorities). But the LORD's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. At some point, these heavenly shepherds became corrupt and received the worship of men. This is the point Moses is making in all of Deuteronomy 32: worship belongs to Yahweh only; do not worship the gods of the nations because they are rebel council members. This relates to Psalm 82, where Yahweh crashes a council meeting among the fallen heavenly shepherds and rebukes them for their rebellion. Verses 1 through 4 say: God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 58:1-2 captures this same idea: Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. Some argue that these passages do not support the Divine Council worldview. They see Psalm 82 as an event where God enters a council meeting of earthly kings and judges. I would respectfully push back – verse 7 proves that God is not angry at mere humans in this scene. He is rebuking fallen entities when He says that they will die like mere men. This would not be a punishment if God were rebuking human rebels. Again, it is important to understand that this passage is not talking about humans who have offended God; it is talking about fallen angelic authorities. These beings were once righteous participants of Yahweh's council. Everything God creates is good and perfect. They began their journey in agreement with the plans and purposes of God. I don't accept the theological concept, as some do, that Yahweh created them as evil entities to begin with; or that He created them with the idea that they would one day rebel in order to advance His own glory. Nevertheless, they did rebel. And since they had once been part of God's kingdom, they naturally formed their own authority structures based off of the kingdom they rejected. So, I believe that the infernal council is an imitation of what they once experienced in the Kingdom of God. This is not Polytheism, This is not Mormonism In the last sermon, I covered several attributes that prove that Yahweh is completely different than all other elohim, or the “sons of God” that He created to operate in His council. God is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, and immutable. He is the creator of all other heavenly beings; He existed before them. He can strip them of their immortality, and no heavenly being can outmaneuver Him. This is important to know because of the resistance you will get from those who are unfamiliar with this subject. People will want to categorize you as a polytheist or a Mormon. Neither of these are true. Most ancient cultures were polytheistic in nature. They believed in many gods. Often there was a chief god ruling the lesser gods and demigods. They often incorporated succession stories where one chief god was defeated in battle by a lesser god, who then became the leader. But what I am teaching is that our God is different. He is not a leader among a group of gods who are similar in nature; He is infinitely higher in supremacy. Again, He is the uncreated Creator. There is no being equal to Him. However, as I have already outlined, He assigns authority and responsibility to the heavenly sons of God, which He created. He also expects us to occupy our territory while expanding His kingdom. I am also not teaching Mormonism. Mormons teach that you can become a god; in fact, they claim that God was once like us. Joseph Smith said: “It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God. . . . He was once a man like us; . . . God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did” [4] But I insist that Mormonism is incorrect. I teach that God was never a created being. John 4:24 says, God is spirit (not a man), and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Again, as I outlined in the last sermon, there are unique attributes that belong only to Yahweh and no other being. Conclusion The Divine Council worldview has solid biblical backing. First, we see in several places that God is supreme yet also delegates His authority to a celestial council of lesser beings. These council members are called the “sons of God” in the Old Testament. Second, we see that certain members of this council rebelled against God and formed their own wicked authority structures. The Divine Council worldview that I am advocating is not a salvation issue. Those who disagree are not my enemies; however, without it, I believe you will have a truncated understanding of the spiritual realm. Some simply see the spiritual realm as more of a fairy tale than a reality. To them, heaven is nothing more than an eternal vacation spot where you sit on clouds and play harps. This kind of thinking is childish; there is so much more going on. One of my biggest complaints about modern Christianity is that it refuses to leave elementary school, so to speak. Many churches teach superficial concepts, and as a result, their congregations are withering in the shallow soil of mediocrity. And so, over the last several generations, the church has raised a gaggle of believers who barely understand their Bible and their God. The Divine Council worldview has helped me back up and look at the whole tapestry of Scripture. When I read a passage, I find threads that move in multiple directions and create larger ideas. For me, understanding the Bible through the Divine Council worldview has been as stunning as going from a black and white TV to the brilliant colors of plasma TV. It's like watching an action movie with a pair of good 3-D glasses. JCN 7/24 [1] In the Hebrew text, this rebel being is called han nachash, the nachash (Gen.3:1,2,4,13,14). As a noun, nachash means serpent (think more of a dragon rather than a snake); as a verb, it means a deceiver or a diviner; as an adjective, it means bronze or an object that is brazen or a radiant being that glows from within. All three meanings are at play here. The ideas of luminosity, serpentine features, and divine wisdom all relate to a divine throne guardian being. Both Hebrew and Gentile readers would have instantly understood this concept. Both seraphim and cherubim are known as guardians around God's throne. The Hebrew word seraph (Is. 6:2) especially relates here because its meaning derives from a burning, fiery serpentine being. [2] In Hebrew: ben el the “sons of God,” the celestial beings of heaven. [3]Some translations render the phrase as “sons of Israel,” while others render it “sons of God.” I believe that translations like KJV, NIV, and NASB are misinformed to render the phrase as “sons of Israel.” The phrase “sons of Israel” follows the Masoretic Texts, which were edited by Jewish scholars in the middle ages who were hostile to Christianity, and the supernatural appearances of the 2nd person of the Trinity (Jesus) throughout Old Testament passages. The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls uphold the phrase “sons of God.” Both of these sources were penned by Jewish scholars about 1000 years before the Masoretic Texts were collated. [4]Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, 1976, pp. 345 –46.
Neste episódio, Ed Sousa e Gustavo Rodrigues começam a falar sobre os dois principais trabalhos que serão realizados no Milênio: obra missionária e o trabalho no templo. Referências deste episódio: - Joseph Fielding Smith, Doutrinas de Salvação, volume 3, p. 251–252. - Joseph Fielding Smith, Doutrinas de Salvação, volume 1, p. 86. - Robert Millet. Living in the Millenium. p. 57. - Princípios do Evangelho, capítulo 45. - Ensinamentos dos Presidentes da Igreja: Brigham Young, 2007, p. 333–334. - Russell M. Nelson, “Que firme [é o nosso] alicerce”, A Liahona, julho de 2002, p. 84. - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 15:138-139, 24 de agosto de 1872. - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 2:316. - Neal A. Maxwell, Sermões Não Falados (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1985), p. 81.
In the August 11, 2024 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Terry Hutchinson, Mark Johnson, and Kevin Christensen. They discuss Come, Follow Me Book of Mormon lesson 36, the FAIR Conference, books on Bruce R. McConkie and Joseph Fielding Smith, the completion of the Critical Text Project, and Kevin's latest article […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — August 11, 2024 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.
In the 1950s and 60s, the Mormon church faced internal turmoil as a group of intellectuals known as the "Swearing Elders" challenged orthodox doctrines. This clash between free-thinking scholars and conservative leaders like Joseph Fielding Smith led to attempts at excommunication, spy infiltration, and the firing of liberal educators. Amidst this tension, Church President David O. McKay emerged as an unexpected protector of intellectual freedom. The period also saw the church grappling with civil rights issues and racial policies, as public pressure forced leaders to confront their teachings. This tumultuous era set the stage for decades of struggle between faith, scholarship, and authority in Mormonism.
Join with us today as we discuss the priesthood and temple ban with historian Matt Harris. Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith, both Mormon leaders, could not find any doctrinal bases for the priesthood and temple ban and yet it still remained for decades. Members of the church performed blackface and wrote racist poems published in church periodicals. Many of the Mormon leaders did not agree with the ban and some were even removed from their callings because of their different opinions. Purchase Matt Harris' book here: Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality: Harris, Matthew L. Please donate directly to Matt Harris by clicking here: https://donorbox.org/MattHarris Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon PayPal Venmo Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message
Some Latter-day Saints point to specific passages as prophesying the future coming of Joseph Smith. This week Bill and Eric take a look at tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith's teaching on this topic and explain if such a belief could be true.
Some Latter-day Saints point to specific passages as prophesying the future coming of Joseph Smith. This week Bill and Eric take a look at tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith's teaching on this topic and explain if such a belief could be true.
Some Latter-day Saints point to specific passages as prophesying the future coming of Joseph Smith. This week Bill and Eric take a look at tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith's teaching on this topic and explain if such a belief could be true.
Some Latter-day Saints point to specific passages as prophesying the future coming of Joseph Smith. This week Bill and Eric take a look at tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith's teaching on this topic and explain if such a belief could be true.
Some Latter-day Saints point to specific passages as prophesying the future coming of Joseph Smith. This week Bill and Eric take a look at tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith's teaching on this topic and explain if such a belief could be true.
Forty-six years ago this month, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under then-President Spencer W. Kimball, lifted its prohibition preventing Black men from entering the all-male priesthood and Black women and men from participating in temple rites. This historic shift, the most significant since the faith stopped practicing polygamy, abruptly ended this racist ban, but it hardly ended racism within the church. After all, 126 years of theological justifications for the ban remained, including influential works such as “Mormon Doctrine” by apostle Bruce R. McConkie. Cleanup still needed — and needs — to be done. Building on President Gordon B. Hinckley's outreach efforts, current church leader Russell M. Nelson has called on members to lead out against racism and has cemented ties with the NAACP. Matthew Harris' new book, “Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality,” explores the history of the priesthood/temple ban, from its racist roots under Brigham Young to its removal and its aftermath, with an eye especially on its effects on Black Latter-day Saints. With unprecedented access to the papers of Kimball, McConkie, Hugh B. Brown and Joseph Fielding Smith, Harris offers an insider view of the decision-making process among the church hierarchy regarding issues of race and this momentous move. Join us for this conversation.
Referencias: - Artículo de la Iglesia sobre el sacerdocio a los negros: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics-essays/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=spa - Cambios en el color de la piel: https://www.biointeractive.org/sites/default/files/SkinColor-EducatorGuide-Spanish-film.pdf - Palabras de Oaks sobre el racismo: https://noticias.laiglesiadejesucristo.org/articulo/%C2%BFque-nos-traera-paz-en-momentos-de-ansiedad--racismo-y-otros-problemas--el-evangelio-de-jesucristo--dijo-el-presidente-oaks - Cita de Joseph Fielding Smith: https://www.lafeuilledolivier.com/Castellano/Smith_Doctrina_de_Salvacion_1.pdf - Cita de Brigham Young: https://www.mormoninfo.org/SiteData/mormoninfo-org/EL_RACISMO_EN_EL_MORMONISMO.pdf - Los “Hi-Fi Murders”: www.lostrapitosdelarmario.com/hombres/william-andrews-expediente-criminal/ - Artículo de FairMormon sobre Jimmy Carter y los mormones: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Mormonism_and_racial_issues/Blacks_and_the_priesthood/Social_pressure#Question:_Did_President_Jimmy_Carter_threaten_the_Church.27s_tax-exempt_status_because_of_their_policy_on_blacks_and_the_priesthood.3F - Ensayo en el sitio de la Iglesia sobre el levantamiento de la prohibición del sacerdocio a los negros: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/priesthood-ordination-before-1978?lang=spa - Artículo en LDS.org sobre la declaración oficial 2: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/manual/institute/foundations-of-the-restoration/october-2015-updated-manuals/foundations-of-the-restoration-teacher-manual_spa.pdf - Lección 26 del manual Fundaciones de la restauración: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/foundations-of-the-restoration-teacher-manual/lesson-26-the-revelation-on-the-priesthood?lang=spa - Artículo en LDS.org sobre el Espíritu Santo: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/holy-ghost?lang=spa - Artículo sobre la palabra “carne”: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/moses/8?lang=spa&id=17#p17 - Ensayo sobre cómo Moisés no tiene el sacerdocio según el judaísmo: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/dvar-torah/why-moses-did-not-become-priest/ - Robert K. Ritner: “El supuesto esclavo negro es en realidad el dios Anubis”: https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Book_of_Abraham_facsimiles/Facsimile_3 - “Melanina”: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_de_la_piel_humana - Mapa de los colores de piel en el mundo: https://sruk.org.uk/es/el-color-de-la-piel-un-ejemplo-de-adaptacion-al-medio-ambiente/
Ed Sousa e Gustavo Rodrigues comentam sobre o terceiro dia da Criação quando Deus separou a terra dos mares e fez surgir a vida vegetal. Tópicos deste episódio: - O supercontinente Pangea - A divisão da terra - Vulcanismo - Placas tectônicas - O núcleo de terra - Mar em Minas Gerais - Segundo a sua espécie - Frutos e sementes - Polinização - Árvores nas escrituras - O fruto da árvore da vida Referências deste episódio: 1. Paloma Guitarrara, "Pangeia" em: brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/pangeia.htm. 2. Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, vol.5, p. 73-74. 3. Mateus Campos, "Relevo" em: mundoeducacao.uol.com.br 4. Placas tectônicas ajudaram a Terra primitiva a evoluir há 3,2 bilhões de anos 5. Placas tectônicas ajudaram a Terra primitiva a evoluir há 3,2 bilhões de anos 6. Ashley Strickland, "Placas tectônicas ajudaram a Terra primitiva a evoluir há 3,2 bilhões de anos" em cnnbrasil.com.br/tecnologia/placas-tectonicas-ajudaram-a-terra-primitiva-a-evoluir-ha-3-2-bilhoes-de-anos 7. "Como é o núcleo da Terra e como sua rotação afeta o planeta" em bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c3gzjd97xweo 8. "Sementes Aladas: arte de voar" em cienciaviva.org.br/index.php/2021/04/05/sementes-aladas 9. Akemi Nitahar, "Estudo estima em R$ 43 bi a contribuição econômica dos polinizadores" em agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2019-02/estudo-estima-em-r-43-bi-contribuicao-economica-dos-polinizadores
The scriptures say that we are "bought with a price." We forever owe our love and devotion to Jesus Christ for His ransoming sacrifice. Click here to view the speech page. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All of the first books in our standard works introduce the FAMILY from the beginning. It is all about the family and how we can strengthen our family. Join me today as I share the scriptures and the importance for each of us to keep our family strengthened and secure as we navigate this earth life. “The family is the most important organization in time or in eternity. Our purpose in life is to create for ourselves eternal family units.” —Joseph Fielding Smith “The family is one of God's greatest fortresses against the evils of our day. Help keep your family strong and close and worthy of our Father in Heaven's blessings. As you do, you will receive faith and strength which will bless your lives forever.” —Ezra Taft Benson bethnewellcoaching.com bethnewellcoaching@gmail.com
Referencias - Artículo en Facebook sobre la clausura del templo de Puebla: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10168108945020045&id=771160044&set=a.10154490732210045&eav=AfZEQ2NxFvIu_kIm2ilMU6_Wzxms6NdglsUThSaeNP8mzJ8iGMIgKSpowWPa3lW9iQs&paipv=0&source=57 - Libro "Expiación de sangre y el origen del matrimonio plural", en el que Joseph Fielding Smith dice que a los que no les guste la palabra "mormón", deberían descartar al Libro de Mormón: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/50535/50535-h/50535-h.htm - La Iglesia debe pagar $250 millones por casos de abuso a menores en los Boy Scouts: https://www.bsarestructuring.org/event/bsa-marks-progress-with-chartered-organizations-and-announces-new-agreements-for-1-037-billion-in-contributions-to-trust/ - Sitio mormón dice que la Iglesia está siendo generosa, porque sus líderes solo abusaron del 5 % de los chicos: https://publicsquaremag.org/sexuality-family/sexual-abuse/latter-day-saint-enigma-their-unexpected-troop-abuse-rates/
Episode 24June 5 - 11 | John 14 - 17 | “Continue Ye in My Love”Sixth senseDiversityWalking on eggshells#NewTestament #ComeFollowMe #ComeFollowMe2023 #TalkofHim #FindHimJoin hosts Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum on this New Testament episode of Talk of Him as we explore these important themes, topics, and questions from John 14 - 17:The Spirit makes all the differenceHow can we avoid contention when we disagree?Building Zion within a diverse society—Invitation: When was the last time you had an encounter with God through His Spirit? What will you do this week in order to commune more deeply with God through the Holy Ghost? — Quotes & Links: Link to FIND HIM New Testament Study Guide:https://www.seagullbook.com/find-him-new-testament-come-follow-me-guidebook.html “The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. … Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, “The Sin against the Holy Ghost,” Instructor, Oct. 1935, 431.)“At this point you may be thinking that this message would really help someone you know. Perhaps you are hoping that it will help him or her to be nicer to you. I hope it will! But I also hope that you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride or jealousy that prevent you from becoming a peacemaker. If you are serious about helping to gather Israel and about building relationships that will last throughout the eternities, now is the time to lay aside bitterness. Now is the time to cease insisting that it is your way or no way. Now is the time to stop doing things that make others walk on eggshells for fear of upsetting you. Now is the time to bury your weapons of war.” (President Russell M. Nelson, April 2023)—Talk of Him is presented by Seagull Book and hosted by Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum.
Jesus Christ called twelve apostles and gave them special priesthood authority. That calling, with its spiritual mission, has been restored. Access the speech here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 13-19 The Sermon on the Mount was called by President Joseph Fielding Smith, “The greatest sermon that was ever preached, so far as we know,” and President Harold B. Lee called it “the constitution for a perfect life”. In this 30-minute podcast, Scot and Maurine Proctor explore the rich meanings behind the Sermon on the Mount that invite us to change the entire way we consider life.
Join Editor Taylor Petrey as he interviews Matthew L. Harris about his Fall 2022 article “Joseph Fielding Smith's Evolving Views on Race: The Odyssey of a Mormon Apostle-President.” …The apostle had authored several books defending… The post Dialogue Out Loud #32: Matthew L. Harris Interview appeared first on Dialogue Journal.
Latter-day Saints revere Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. His role is absolutely central to the claims of Mormonism. LDS Church President Joseph Fielding Smith highlighted this important role:“Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:188. Italics in original)In light of this, it makes sense to examine the story of Joseph Smith to evaluate what we should think of him. Consider five elements of his story that bear upon this question.Occult Treasure Hunting Money digging was a fairly common practice in frontier America in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It involved certain rituals or ceremonies performed to obtain buried treasure. The treasure was thought to be guarded by evil spirits. Joseph Smith as a young man offered his services for hire as a money digger. Smith's entire family practiced various folk-magic practices, including visions, dreams and occult rituals.Joseph's method in finding lost treasure involved the use of a seer stone, which he discovered in 1822 while digging a well for a neighbor. He would place this small rock in his hat and pull his hat up over his face to block out the light. He claimed that he could see supernaturally through the stone to help locate the place where the treasure was buried.The Vagrant Act, a New York law at the time, defined a disorderly person to include one who pretended to have skill in palm reading, telling fortunes, or discovering where lost goods could be found. In 1826 - during the period while Joseph was supposedly being prepared by God to receive the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon - he was arrested, brought before a judge, and charged with being a “glass-looker” and a disorderly person. The judge determined that Joseph was guilty, though no penalty was administered.Shortly after this, Joseph stopped money digging but kept the seer stone. It was with this stone that he claimed to find the gold plates and to later produce the Book of Mormon. Historians have documented many points of connection between Joseph's early occult practices and the origins of the Book of Mormon.The First Vision Joseph Smith's “First Vision” is a key part of the LDS story and establishes several unique LDS beliefs. The official account of this vision describes how the 14-year-old Smith, eager to learn the truth about which of the competing Christian churches was true, went to a secluded grove to ask God. There God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him not to join any of them, for all of them were apostate. That event launched the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith to restore Jesus' original church to the earth. The official account, now included in LDS scriptures, was written by Joseph Smith in 1838, 18 years after the events it recounts. Yet historical research in recent years has uncovered eight other accounts of the First Vision. Some were written by Smith himself, or were recorded by others who heard Smith tell about it. Most of these accounts are earlier than the official version. It appears that over time, the story changed and grew into its final form. In some versions, two personages appear to Smith. In another, only “the Lord” appears. In others, the glorious personage is an angel. In the official version, the personages tell Smith that all churches are corrupt. In another version, this message comes from an angel. In other versions, this message is missing. In some versions, In one version, Smith reports that he was told, “Your sins are forgiven.” But this is absent in other versions. The official account says that Joseph was 14 when he had the vision. Another version, in Smith's own handwriting, says that...
Come Follow Me 2022 Old Testament September 19-25 Isaiah prophesies of an earthquake that will level mountains, exalt valleys, and make rough places smooth. Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed this prophecy was literal when he said the earthquake would be intense enough to darken the sun. Interestingly enough, Isaiah often uses duality in his prophecies. There will be an earthquake before the Second Coming, but there are often earthquakes any time we move forward towards the Savior. For a written version of this podcast, check out: https://autumndickson.com/ For a video version of this podcast, visit “Come Follow Me - Autumn Dickson” on Youtube Instagram: abalancedsaintofmind --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/autumndickson/support
What a fun grouping of topics! We do a relatively long deep-dive into the history of how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has dealt with organic evolution and how the stance has changed over time. Of course, the Book of Mormon is predicated on eugenics, as is the history of Utah, so we also include this more controversial subject as it is related. Then we dive into Bruce R. McConkie's Millennial Messiah where he continues to harp on his favorite topic, the end times. Turns out the book title is very revealing of the subject matter. We wrap the episode with a new press release from the White House about government-funded research. Show links: Improvement Era article (Official publication on organic evolution) https://archive.org/details/improvementera28011unse/page/1088/mode/2up Organic Evolution (current Church official) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/organic-evolution?lang=eng&fbclid=IwAR2JSViKt8X5b58lHFTGwP223jzjn9pm5Vi9Y1j2kz94QC8bjCHNrhuPpMk Pew Research interview with Russel M. Nelson https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2007/05/16/in-focus-mormonism-in-modern-america/ Ben Spackman analysis of Official Church essay https://benspackman.com/2022/06/an-annotated-version-of-the-new-church-history-evolution-topic/?fbclid=IwAR2AhOens_H9jWsIZVzw9YZCro0syh7TsHuZ-G4C44BX9p46z2lMDwRs_CY How Darwin's Book holds up 150 years later https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-darwins-descent-man-holds-150-years-after-publication-180977091/ Descent of Man http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F937.1&viewtype=text&pageseq=1 Orson Pratt's statement possibly favorable to theological evolution https://bycommonconsent.com/2015/04/30/orson-pratt-and-god-emergence-as-fundamental-mormonism/ Man; His Origin and Destiny by Joseph Fielding Smith http://www.sainesburyproject.com/mormonstuff/Man%20His%20Origin%20and%20Destiny.pdf “BYU Packet” https://biology.byu.edu/00000172-29e6-d079-ab7e-69efe5890000/byu-evolution-packet Mormons and Genetics by Mary V. Rorty Sunstone 2003 https://web.stanford.edu/~mvr2j/mormons.html Millennial Messiah Blood moon: https://www.space.com/39471-what-is-a-blood-moon.html Babylon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon Babylonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonia Dragonheart (metal music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMaLY2wF94c Happy News: Delivering equitable access to all government funded research to the public: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/08/25/breakthroughs-for-alldelivering-equitable-access-to-americas-research/ Come see us on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing a series titled Reading Joseph's Myth BoM. Bryce showed up for episode 7 and Shannon was added in on Episode 8. They will be on Saturday's. This link is for the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ4dsU0oGMKfJKvEMeRn5ebpAggkoVHf Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/ Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html
In this episode we discuss William and Clara Daniels who found a way to serve in the Church while Black Latter-day Saints experienced prejudice and were restricted from holding the Priesthood. Matt McBride and Ben Spackman join us to talk about the Daniels' and a major debate regarding evolution and science between prominent church leaders Joseph Fielding Smith and B. H. Roberts.
Book of Mormon Evidence Podcast - Come Follow Me Supplemental Study
Questions from this Episode:~Where is the Garden of Eden located?~What did Brigham Young, Heber C Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, Ezra Taft Benson, and Elder Jeffrey R Holland have to say about the Garden's location?~Where was the City of Enoch (Zion) located?~Where is the City of Enoch (Zion) located today?~When will the City of Enoch (Zion) return?~Are there other groups of people who experienced translation?_____________Episode 2 of "Beneath the Dirt". Learn the Old Testament like never before with an Exciting New Educational Series to compliment your study of Come Follow Me 2022Contact us at: LatterDayMedia@yahoo.comwww.Latterdaymedia.comSEND QUESTIONS FROM THIS SERIES TO: www.ComeFollowMe2022.comContact Kay Godfrey at: FootstepsOfJoseph@gmail.comExplore "Beneath the Dirt" on the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month with Archeologist Kay Godfrey and start 2022 with A NEW FOUNDATION of Biblical knowledge. Other Come Follow Me 2022 episodes will be hosted on the 2nd and 4th weeks by Old Testament experts Farrell & Rhonda Pickering.Pickering Website: www.propheticappointments.comSupport the show (http://www.LatterdayMedia.com)
Los apóstoloides fueron a Inglaterra a dar una conferencia. Pero ahora la Iglesia la censuró. ¿Por qué? Manuel y Marco hablan del tema y analizan los discursos. Recursos: - Casi 30 % de los latinos mormones en Estados Unidos se identifican como LGBTQ: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/en-espanol/noticias/estados-unidos/articulo/2021-06-21/casi-30-de-los-latinos-mormones-en-estados-unidos-se-identifican-como-lgbtq - Los clips originales en inglés y el análisis de los discursos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcJ68dN6M0 - La Iglesia bendijo matrimonios plurales de familias que se mudaron a México: https://religionnews.com/2019/11/08/what-the-media-isnt-saying-about-the-history-of-mormon-polygamy-in-mexico-2/ - Joseph Fielding Smith escondió la versión alternativa de la Primera visión: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/1832-first-vision-account-suppressed/ - McConkie negó que BY enseñara la teoría de Adán-Dios: https://youtu.be/QJ-Ho8uWks0 - Hinckley dice que no sabe que la Iglesia enseñe que vamos a ser dioses: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,138108,00.html - Nelson: La política homofóbica de la Iglesia fue revelación directa de Dios: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-true-millennials?lang=eng - La Iglesia revierte la supuesta revelación homofóbica: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/04/709988377/in-major-shift-mormon-church-rolls-back-controversial-policies-toward-lgbt-membe - Menos divorcios entre mormones que entre el resto de las religiones: https://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2021/10/are-latter-day-saint-marriages-more-stable/ - La realidad de los divorcios mormones: https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2089025&itype=CMSID
There is no actual title to this talk. It refers to eternal truth and the salvation of the earth and all of its creations. My family found great comfort in this talk when our family pet was hit by a car and died. The children wanted to know where our pets go after they die. Other resources cited:LDS Living: Animals and the AfterlifeMeridian Magazine: Will We Have Our Pets in HeavenAnimal SalvationThe Gospel and AnimalsWhere do Animals Fit In?Music: In Dulci Jubilo Michel Rondeau (trumpet)Performers: Marthe Jobidon (trumpets), Eric Vaillancourt & Steve Guerin (trombones)Publisher Info.Michel RondeauCopyright Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Misc. NotesThese file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection.
Full Transcript: 0:00:00.0 Narrator: Welcome to Improving Intimacy, a podcast to help single and married, Latter-Day Saints strengthen their family connections and marriages. Daniel A. Burgess is the host of Improving Intimacy, Daniel is a Marriage and Family Therapist, father, husband, and author. Here's Daniel on this episode of Improving Intimacy. [music] 0:00:26.3 Mike Frasier: Alright men, welcome to today's episode. I've got a special guest for us today. This is Daniel Burgess. So he is a family therapist that runs a family therapy, and helps couples and individuals with their marriages, and I met him in his Facebook group, Improving Intimacy, and used to be called Mormon marriages. Now it's called In Latter Day Saint marriages. 0:00:52.7 MF: I complied. [laughter] 0:00:55.3 MF: So yeah, anything else you want the audience know about you Daniel? 0:01:00.0 DB: That's great, I love that. Yeah, come check it out. 0:01:03.2 MF: Yeah, yeah he does great work. And I've really enjoyed his... 0:01:07.6 DB: Thank you. 0:01:08.6 MF: Yeah, his group and the stuff he's doing. So yeah, so today we're talking about a more sensitive topic, at least in the LDS Community, which is masturbation, and Daniel has done a lot of study about this, a lot of work on it, it was coming into our group, actually, Daniel, that kinda got me thinking about it in a different way. And was really a good journey for me. 0:01:35.9 DB: Wonderful. 0:01:36.8 MF: Actually, so I appreciate your work on that, so I guess what I wanted to start with, and I think this is really the big question on most LDS people's minds, is whether masturbation is actually a sin or not, and when I asked that question, I wanted to look up what sin actually was. And so I think this is a good definition an immoral act that's considered to be a transgression against divine law, meaning there's a law that says, no masturbation. And then when you break that, you are breaking that law. So, yeah. Thoughts on that. 0:02:14.0 DB: That's a great question. It's one that I get quite frequently and to kinda set up the answer here, I just did an interview for my podcast Improving Intimacy for Latter-Day Saint relationships with Kari Ferguson, who wrote the book, The OCD Mormon. And the reason why I bring that up is a big part of our discussion is something that I've seen, definitely in clients who tend to ask this question is rigidity in their thinking around spirituality and sin, and how that negatively affects ironically, maybe even paradoxically, our spirituality, a fabulous book a wonderful person, and we explore those thoughts in deep and I'll reference you to that for further discussion. But in short, I love that definition that I learned at least on my mission was, Anything acting against the will of God is sin, and sin is essentially a guide for us to draw closer to Him, not to sin, to draw closer to Him, but to avoid sin or things that separate us from God, and when we can think about in that context, we can now see self-mastery in a different view. We even talked about transgression, Joseph Fielding Smith says there's a big difference between transgression and sin, transgression is one of the things that we as humans learn to be better at that heavenly Father expects us to make mistakes, that's why the atone is there. 0:03:42.4 DB: Now, to answer that question, is masturbation a sin? I don't wanna sound avoidant of the answer, but it really depends. It really depends on the person. Is this drawing you closer to God? Is this helping you understand your body, is this creating better self-awareness, self-mastery, is it creating peace in your life? If it isn't, then that needs to be explored and understood better, that's the whole purpose of this life is to master our minds and our bodies, and what does that look like? Especially when we're dealing with different biology, and sometimes people say you should never masturbate. Well, that may be true for that person, that may not be a biological need, or when I use the word need here, I'm talking about experiences that provide enjoyment and pleasure, of course, we could go a whole lifetime without masturbating and not die. And I've heard people use that argument, you won't die, so you don't need it. Well, then we could go to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We won't die without people loving us in our life, but our life will be pretty miserable, right? [laughter] 0:04:50.2 DB: There are cases actually that children have died out of neglect, of love, and that's true, but I think the point is, there is... I think when we look at this in a very rigid way, is sin black and white, we kinda cross in this line of obsessive compulsive thought process of or scrupulosity, and focus more on the growth in our relationship with ourself and the Lord. 0:05:16.9 MF: Yeah, I love that. I love that idea of those questions that you posed, of... Instead of, Is this sin? Which like you said, is about, oh right wrong did I follow the rule right or did I not follow the rule right. It's like, No. Is this bringing me closer to God, is this helping me enjoy my life more? I think once you're married, an important question with however you're using your sexuality is, is this bringing me closer to my spouse or not? And I think with that too, you mentioned, I think for women, this happens maybe sometimes more than guys where that exploration process, maybe it hasn't happened as much as it has maybe with some guys before marriage, and actually exploring that and figuring out what works for you can be a gift to yourself and to your marriage. Thoughts on that. 0:06:22.6 DB: Yeah, absolutely, and I think that's the main goal, and that's why I set up my group in proving intimacy in Latter-day Saint relationships is for us, what are we doing in our relationships, our intimate relationships that we can improve on to draw us closer to God that is the underlining and the core focus here, how can we understand and learn God and draw closer to Him and in our relationships? And so that could involve... Often we sacrifice or we ignore, or we neglect our sexual self and don't really explore and understand that, like we do the other aspects of our spiritual life to draw closer to God, and so this is very much a negotiation a discussion with our partner and with the Lord, and as long as it's in that confined, I believe it's healthy, whatever that decision is, I have seen masturbation benefit and reward relationships like no other thing has in their life. It provides options. It provides a discussion, and I think as long as you're taking it to the Lord, and you address it with your spouse and you come up with what works for you, then you're doing what the Lord wants you to do, drawing closer to Him and your spouse. 0:07:37.2 MF: Yeah. Awesome, so with that, to look at the other side of this, because I think some people hearing that, they're gonna think, Oh well then you know that I can do whatever I want, like if I wanna go have sex with a bunch of other people and we're both okay with that, then that should be fine. Right. So what would you say to that thought? Well, you know, I prayed about it. And that was my answer. It's fine to go do that. 0:08:15.6 DB: Yeah, well, it's interesting 'cause I heard kind of two different comments there's one, kind of this non-monogamous exploration, as long as you agree with it, it's fine, and the other one is anything... Well, I guess they're kinda the same thing. Anything goes now, and the first thought I would have or question is, This seems to fall under this black and white thinking is either it's absolutely right or it's absolutely wrong, and I think the Lord is definitely, at least in our day, made some clear guidelines in the temple, we specifically commit to each other and in this relationship, and now does that mean anything goes or not? I think there's definitely a constraint there, we've committed very specifically to each other, that we will figure this out between each other and the Lord, I don't think there's a cart blanche there that says, yeah, anything else on your relationship is okay, the purpose, like I was pointing out is, is it drawing you closer to your spouse and to the Lord, do you feel like you're honoring your temple covenants that you specifically made? Now, when we talk about masturbation and things that help improve desire towards each other. I think those things are open for discussion and prayer with Heavenly Father. 0:09:43.5 DB: Now, going back to your question, some can argue, Well, we've both decided we feel closer to each other when we could explore outside of the relationship, and I'll be frank, if that's what you have decided, I personally don't think that's what the Lord has said, and I don't see any justification for that. And so I'm not gonna tell somebody that they got false revelation, that's not my job as a therapist, my job is to help them understand how to live a healthier life, and so there's an argument for everything, and I could totally see where people can... And I've seen it, well, I'm gonna go and do whatever. And when I hear that phrase though, that triggers this kind of black and white thinking, going from one extreme of rigidity to another, and I would push on that, I would really explore that, is that really what you're doing? Are you going from a... I'm gonna just say kind of like a repressed or rigid thinking to, wow, the doors just blow open, I'm gonna do whatever I want. That would be a concern to me, and I would explore that first. That's a concern to me. 0:10:52.9 MF: Yeah, I think that you brought up something super important, I think they're both basically immature reactions. 0:11:00.3 DB: Excellent, Yeah. 0:11:00.8 MF: Yeah, it's like, Oh, either somebody has to tell me everything I have to do, or nobody can tell me anything that I have to do, like they're both pretty immature versus saying Like look, Okay, here's my read of the scriptures, or if that's what I believe we're kind of assuming someone's active LDS or Christian, like trying to do what God wants them to do. 0:11:27.3 MF: And if you come into it with that in mind and you're like, Hey, I read the scripture, I did... If you went to the temple, I made these promises. I'm gonna be just faithful to my wife, so I wanna keep it within that, but then within that, like you said, growing, developing that maturity to say, "Yeah, this does help. And this does not help." One of the things I like is," by their fruits, you shall know them", and I think that so applies here, if you try it and the fruit is good, good. If you try it and the fruit is not good, you say, Okay, that was an experiment, wasn't good, we're gonna cut that one off so, yeah. 0:12:14.1 DB: Yeah. Fair points. 0:12:16.5 MF: Yeah, so for those [laughter].. Maybe the satisfies of the more OCD Mormon folks out there. I know you've done quite a bit of research on How it sort of the... The church has looked at masturbation over time? And kind of how that has shifted, sort of back and forth, maybe you could just give us certainly a brief kind of summary of how that's gone. 0:12:43.0 DB: Yeah, really, really quick summary here. There's very little documentation from the restoration from 1830 to about 1890, we're getting more and more, as the Joseph Smith papers are in development and it's exciting. Public access, a lot of people go to it. When I was researching it, I had to spend hours and hours and in archives and trying to find these documentation. There really isn't much. In fact, we had a very... If I could use the word progressive view of intimacy. We were a very different church. We viewed sexual relationships as beautiful. And in a time that orgasms were viewed as dangerous and lethal. They literally believed that, "Each time you had an orgasm, you took years off your life." This was that idea back then, that really didn't end until about 1920s, maybe a little earlier from that. And we had a very opposing view to that, not... In a very positive way. And we only start to see... Even if I could say it's negative comments about masturbation, only in the context of serious transgressions where people are having... I wanna be appropriate for the show. Let's just say sexual abuse issues. Let's just keep it in those terms. And there's ideas that were prominent at that time, not just in the church, but because we're a melting pot of religions at the restoration. 0:14:22.8 DB: We have a lot of traditional cultural ideas being brought in thinking that masturbation led to certain behaviors including homosexuality and to other sexual transgressions. And so the only things you can really find that I'm aware of now and I've researched as extensively as you mentioned, is in meeting notes where some brethren will say it's because they did this and they would reference masturbation, and this is where it would lead. There was never any official stance against masturbation. In fact, it was about 1920 that there was a conference address of some guest who says, "We approach sexuality", and I can provide these links in references to you offline and you could include. 0:15:06.2 MF: Yeah. 0:15:06.6 DB: But, saying," I'm impressed that you Latter day Saints can talk about sexuality, including masturbation so openly", which blew my mind. I was like, really? They... I mean not only to recognize that, but to even make it part of a public address. And then in 1930, the Relief Society president at the time was called to provide mental health guidance to the church. And she provided, Amy Lyman Brown, it provided these lessons, and one of those lessons was "Parents, don't over-react to your children masturbating. You'll cause depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts." very fascinating. It wasn't until about the '40s that President Clark started to interject other ideas. And long story short, my interpretation of that was because of the Kinsey books came out on human sexuality and the father of the sexual revolution. And I think the church was trying to do something to differentiate ourselves from that movement. Which I both understand, but also see kind of a shift in the opposite direction. 0:16:11.8 DB: And it's only at that time that we see really negative comments and emphasis on the dangers of masturbation and emphasizing it's a sin. And then we see this changing in the mid-80s, due to seeing, Amy Lyman Brown was right. We're seeing an increase of depression, suicidal thoughts, and negative behavior and unhealthy behavior. And so since the 80s, we've been seeing a more healthy shift towards... Look it... This doesn't cause homosexuality, it doesn't cause all these things that we believe they did. And it is part of a healthy development. And so they haven't specifically come out and reversed some of those comments for strength of youth manuals and whatnot. But we definitely see a shift of them eliminating those phrases and terminologies out of the manuals and handbooks and seeing a more positive shift towards... Look, figure this out between You and the Lord, especially in marriage. So that's a really, really horrible summary, but... [overlapping conversation] 0:17:15.7 MF: I thought it was great. [laughter] 0:17:16.4 DB: Okay, good, good. 0:17:17.6 MF: I don't know, it's great. 0:17:19.3 DB: Very short and precise. 0:17:19.8 MF: Well, yeah, I think the way that... After I read through your materials, when I looked at it, it was like... It's okay. Or it's even part of normal development. 0:17:30.2 DB: Was being addressed. Yeah. 0:17:30.8 MF: Yeah, to bad bad bad, and now we're kind of coming back up to... I think, like you said, President Nelson's really focusing on personal revelation and using this... This can be a place where you really can use personal revelation and you really can look at What are the fruits of exploring that, of looking at how sexuality is part of who you are. 0:18:03.4 DB: Yeah. And let me add real quick. One thing when we analyze developments in the church, whether doctrinal, History or whatever. We make a mistake of seeing things in isolation and we gotta realize there was a lot going on during that period of '40s. We had one of the fastest booming growth of the church, to this date from the '40s to the '70s. And so the brethren were also trying to address How do we address a growing church? They created the department of correlation and everything else, and so they tried to standardize teachings across an entire world of membership. And so there's bound to be learning, lessons learned and things not perfectly instituted. And so I think it's important for us to take ourselves out of the vacuum and realize thousands of variables are involved here. It's not just is something... We go back to that rigidity, is something right or wrong? And I think what we're doing is now we're learning, How do we teach a worldwide right church? Not just the Salt Lake Church anymore. 0:19:07.3 MF: Yeah, awesome, and super helpful. I think, like you mentioned, it's not so much, but we're trying to grow out of the even home teaching like, Oh, once a month, go, go, go, and that's like Minister, meaning, take care of these people and use your judgment and your... Like what these texts mean... 0:19:32.8 DB: Excellent example. 0:19:33.8 MF: In addressing that but I think with sexuality, we're starting to see some of that as well, there are structures, there are lines, I think being sexually faithful to your wife is a pretty clear line or husband, right, as far as an actual commitment or an actual law that God's given us, but then outside of that saying, Okay, how do I... Like, sexual is part of who I am. It's weird, but Jennifer Finlayson-fife talks about this, how God is a sexual being and heavenly mother's a sexual being, it's weird for us to think about, but we're created in their image, they have that too. And how do they use that... One of the things that you work with people who struggle with, pornography too and want to use less or whatever, and one of the things that I have encouraged people to ask themselves, it's like, Okay, I have my sexuality, like How do I want to use that in the world? 0:20:44.1 DB: Yes. 0:20:45.6 MF: And then that becomes the standard instead of, Oh, can I do this or can I do that? It's like, No. So for me, my own statement is I want to use my sexuality to connect deeply with and have fun with my wife, and so now I look and say, Okay, is this helping me get there or is it detracting from that and that's been much more useful than going down this OCD. 0:21:10.2 DB: Yes. 0:21:10.6 MF: OCD track. 0:21:12.7 DB: Especially for the men. I wanna emphasize this for us men, one of the negative consequences of how we've treated sexuality over the years, and I'm not just speaking church culture, but it definitely was reinforced by church culture, is men talking about sexuality is synonymous with creepiness and weird and dangerous, and we've unfortunately associated words like lust as a negative thing, and I realize like Matthew 5-27 uses the word lust, and this is a perfect example of how we've had a false narrative created for us and this is what I mean, Matthew 5-27 is actually misinterpretation. The word actually should be covet, not lust lust is actually that specific word translated correctly is used as a positive throughout scripture, in Luke 2:22-15, Matthew 13-17, Luke 15-16 and Luke 16-21, all describe Christ Himself lusting after something, whether it's the Passover or righteousness, or whatever. And I realize it's a little nuance, but I think it's an important nuance because I often hear, I've got to avoid lust. 0:22:32.0 DB: And why is this important? Because he emphasizes it's scripturally based, lust means to desire beauty, to desire something good, God like covet is negative, it's not Christ-focused, it's not, God focused, which has resulted us men specifically. Let me emphasize why I'm bringing this up too 'cause it's a conversation I frequently have with colleagues and clients is, you may be wondering, and I realize I'm blending a little bit of topics here, but bear with me, is you may be wondering, Well, am I rigid in my thinking No, I just wanna be perfect. Well, that's one indicator that you might actually have rigid scrupulosity thinking, and the other is that my mind just went blank sorry. That you can't... Oh, that's what it was. You can't pray to God about your desires. And I see this more with men than with women, and this is a constant paradox, it's like women who speak up about sexuality are praised for their courageousness. Men who talk up about their sexuality, or I pray to God about this will be perceived as creepy or weird, or we may feel creepy or weird, I can't talk to God about my sexuality. That may be an indicator that you have rigid thinking around this, if our heavenly parents desire us to have sexual feelings and desires, we should be able to freely talk to them about it, and if we can't... 0:24:03.0 DB: That's the negative narrative, I believe that we've been taught as men, and if we want sexual relationships, we're looked at as pawning or begging or sex focus or lusting after, no, it's beautiful, we desire to have sexual relations with our spouse, and we need to speak up and break that narrative and rewrite how we talk about that and how that talk is being perceived, I think that's why a lot of men default to the joking or the silliness or whatever, because that's what they've been told to do and who they are, and we need to take back that narrative and like the women can, I wanna talk about sexuality and be praised for it, it's a beautiful, healthy thing, I desire to be a sexual being, and that's not weird. And I think that's something we men should remember. 0:25:00.3 MF: No, a great point, great point. Yeah, I think when we look at owning that and directing that, it's a powerful force, powerful energy, and deciding how you wanna direct... I love what you said about taking it to God saying, Look, I have these desires, like what's the way to direct them, like and Alma talks about bridling our passions, it doesn't mean that you stop your passions or kill your passions, it's... No, you bridle... Let me direct them to where you want to go. 0:25:38.4 DB: And one last thought on this whole idea of what it looks like to desire. One of the things that I find is beautiful in my relationship with my wife, and I think is appropriate, is we are able to say "That person looks beautiful", male or female. She's attractive. He's attractive. And our relationship is not threatened. Our trust in our relationship is solid. It isn't dependent on whether or not we speak up our desires or not. And that's a false narrative, that's another false narrative is, now in context, right, if, for example, trauma history, we've gotta respect and understand that context. We can't just say, "Tough, I don't care about your trauma, or I don't care about your insecurities." I have worked with a client in the past where the wife acknowledged she has huge amounts of insecurities, and because her husband... Her husband was looking at an Instagram model, not even pornography in its truest sense, and he acknowledged it, he's never had a history of anything. She's required him to purge himself of any of that desire versus her looking at her self and building on her issues around insecurity. It's a team effort. You both need a partner in this experience, as I think you know and understand, but when it becomes a one-sided thing, blaming a partner, and there's clearly breaking the line, right? 0:27:08.1 DB: It's interesting though, when a woman says they desire or they think something that's beautiful, it could be totally fine and not a threat to your relationship. But if a man says that, this is that false narrative, it's impossible for a man to see something that's beautiful, acknowledge it, and still have a fully committed cleaving unto their partner relationship. And we're told often that that's not possible. We're not as simple creatures on and off switches as I think we've been taught. We also desire connection and monogamy. We just also are trying to understand how to express and experience desire. 0:27:52.8 MF: Yeah. No, I like that idea a lot. And I think there's... When you do get to a level of sexual intimacy that is really connected, where you are sharing who you are at a deep level with this person, and they're sharing with you. And that's just something that... When we talk about save yourself for marriage, we teach our kids hey it's like save yourself for marriage. Why do you do that? Because ideally, when you have sex with your wife, you are sharing your whole soul with that person. This is who you want to be with. This is who you want to raise a family with. This is who you want to spend your life with. And that all comes through, through this physical act. And that's why you say that. It's not 'cause it's like wrong, and then all of a sudden it's right. It's like, no, this is something so powerful, and good, and connecting that you wanna choose someone really special to do that with. So, then to put that in context, so you say, "Oh yeah, that girl is hot or whatever," doesn't mean I want to connect with this person physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and spend my life with them like... 0:29:11.7 DB: No. 0:29:12.3 MF: When you have sex them... 0:29:13.3 DB: That's that black-and-white thinking. 0:29:15.4 MF: Right. Right. Yeah. So yeah. I think when you do experience that connection, it's just so rich and powerful that it's something that you want to, yeah, enjoy. 0:29:29.6 DB: I was just telling my wife this morning, I actually thanked her. I says, "I'm so thankful." And this is sparking from a thread that I was following and how people were arguing that they can't even look. They can't have any other desires except for unto their wife. And well, at its core, I believe that. The only desire I have is for my wife. I also... I turn to her as I was waking up and says, "I'm really thankful that you can tell me you find certain things attractive. That's beautiful to me. That tells me that you have desire, that you have an appreciation for these things, and in no way do I ever feel threatened." It's never a feeling of like, "Oh, you want me to look like that." That's my insecurity if I ever feel that way. 0:30:15.3 MF: Sure. 0:30:16.8 DB: And I would actually be concerned if she never said that. If she never pointed out, "Wow, she has a good butt. Oh, he has good abs." I would wonder... Is your blood cold? Do you not see these things? Do you not appreciate it? It's like looking at art, can't we look at other things, art or things that are beautiful, and are we afraid that our partner is gonna become more attracted to that thing? I'm not trying to be silly, but in all seriousness, we should have interests and desires. That doesn't mean we're gonna make a commitment or break a relationship because of it. I think it's very objectifying. I think it's ironically objectifying to say that men can't have more complex experiences and a commitment solely to their partner while also appreciating something that looks beautiful. 0:31:10.8 MF: Yeah, one thing that I have noticed myself doing too, is if I find my thoughts... So yeah. You can appreciate. Oh yeah, that's a good looking girl. She's pretty, but if I noticed I'm starting to run down that track of attraction or wanting to have sex with this person, like what I found more use for myself instead of trying to just shut that all down to like, "No, no, no, no, don't think that." I actually go the other way. I'm like, "Okay. Let's say that it goes that way. Is that really what I want? Do I want to destroy my family? 0:31:47.1 DB: Excellent. 0:31:47.7 MF: Do I want to be that example to my kids? Do I want to do all that?" And all of a sudden, it's like, "No, is that worth a few seconds of pleasure or... " 0:32:00.1 DB: Yeah. 0:32:01.4 MF: Definitely not. And that for me, that's been a lot more helpful than trying to be like, "Oh, this is bad. Don't think that way." 0:32:07.3 DB: Yeah, that's what we call acceptance commitment therapy. Good for you. And I think you hit it on the head right there is if you start to think you want to have sex with this thing or this person you think is beautiful, address that thought. [laughter] 0:32:22.4 MF: Right. 0:32:24.0 DB: I think that's a narrative that we've been taught, that's as soon as we find a woman or a person attractive, we now sexually crave that person. We need to break that narrative. That doesn't have to be that triggering thought. And everybody's different, of course, but I think we've been trained to think that way. And I think by addressing that concerning behavior or that concerning thought, and addressing that or like you did, you experiencing it, you said, "Do you really wanna do that?" That's what's important. Not shutting down all desire. 0:32:55.7 MF: Yeah, yeah, very good. Awesome. Well, thank you so much Daniel. Let's do a quick... A quick summary here. So, we talked about the idea of is masturbation a sin or not. And I think you really put it... 0:33:08.7 DB: Take it to the lord. 0:33:09.9 MF: Yeah, I think you really put it well, which is that's actually the wrong question. The question is, is the way I'm using my sexuality, whether that includes masturbation or whatever, is that bringing me closer to God? Is it bringing me closer to my wife or not? Right? And then, you're asking yourself is it in line with what has clearly been revealed? If that's in integrity to you to be someone that's following basically what God says, he's been pretty clear as far as being monogamous once you're married, but outside of that, there's not like a cut and dry this is how sex is supposed to be in marriage. So from there, it's more about like you said is this driving me closer to God? Is this driving me closer to God? And then, yeah, I think that's basically the summary. [laughter] 0:34:00.9 DB: Excellent. No, I think it's a good summary. It's a pleasure as always Mike. 0:34:05.6 MF: Likewise. Yeah, very good. 0:34:07.7 DB: If anybody has that... I realized this pretty quick. If anybody has any questions or want clarification, I know we did a lot in a very short amount of time. My email is always open and my contact, you'll include that information and feel free to reach out. 0:34:21.6 MF: Yeah, great. Yeah, maybe if you just wanna call out one more time the easiest way to find you? 0:34:26.7 DB: You know what? Yeah, I run the Sutton Family Therapy, but the best way is to go to my personal website where I have this all specifically for Latter Day Saints is my name, my full name, danielaburgess.com. And you'll find everything with the improving intimacy there and all the articles that you referenced, and my blogs and my podcast there and my contact info. So danielaburgess@... Excuse me, danielaburgess.com. 0:34:55.2 MF: Perfect. Hey, thanks so much, Daniel, appreciate your time today. 0:34:55.8 DB: Yeah. 0:34:56.5 MF: And alright, stay strong man. We will see you next episode. 0:35:00.9 DB: Thank you. [music]
The Savior is the only one with the right to judge another's intentions. He paid the price, He gets to be the judge. In this week's meditation we explore how our intentions play a role in the difference between transgression and sin. Check out my book on Amazon and if you enjoyed the music in today's meditation go see what else Addison Kirk has to offer. Below are the references for this meditation: “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.” (D&C 29:2) “all things unto me are spiritual…” (D&C 29:34) “Spiritually dead” (D&C 29:41) “I see a great difference between transgressing the law and committing a sin.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Fall, Atonement, Resurrection, Sacrament,” in Charge to Religious Educators) “they cannot sin…” (D&C 29:47) Elder Dieter F. Uctdorf said, “remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it's about doing things intentionally.” (Your Great Adventure)
Take some time today to consider all the different pieces of the Armor of God. Are you dressed and ready for battle? Check out my new book Renovate Your Testimony: A Guided Workbook to Solidify Your Faith The music for this week's meditation was graciously provided by the talented Addison Kirk. For more of his music (including sheet music!) visit www.addisonkirk.com. References: President M. Russel Ballard said, “There is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.” (“Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004, 8) “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” (D&C 27:16) “The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith “gird up your loins” (D&C 27:15) Sharon Eubank said, “Being righteous doesn't mean being perfect...it means developing an inner connection with God, repenting of our sins and mistakes, and freely helping others” (“Turn on your Light” October 2017). “your feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you.” (D&C 27:16) “Your feet … represent your goals or objectives in life. … Preparedness is the way to victory, and ‘eternal vigilance is the price of safety.' … The tide of victory rests with him who is prepared” (President Harold B. Lee [1899–1973], “Message from the First Presidency,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 2). ”wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;” (D&C 27:17) “If we hold aloft the shield of faith in His commandments, His angels will be “round about [us], to bear [us] up” and “have charge over [us]” (“The Seventh Commandment: A Sheild” Neal A. Maxwell). “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit.” (D&C 27:18) “The ‘sword of the Spirit' is the word of God to pierce the darkness so that we may have light and truth to guide our way in life.” (“The Whole Armor of God”)
Take a listen on our short clip on the role of a prophet and when he speaks. Does he always speak the words of God? Does he sometimes mistaken what God would have him say. Can he give his opinion and it be his alone and not what God would say? The point is, prophets of God are mortal men on a journey just like everyone else. We are learning in this years come follow me, that Joseph Smith, although called as a prophet, made mistakes. This is pointed out several times in the Doctrine & Covenants. Andrew gives the example of Joseph Fielding Smith speaking on the topic of man going to the moon. He once said that it was not intended for man to go to the moon and that people could write down, that it would never happen. Yet it did happen. Does that weaken your testimony? Does that strengthen your testimony? Does that cause concern? Men are men and have their opinions. Even prophets of God. Marcus points out that as Martin Harris was first told no, that he would not take the 116 pages of manuscript, in the end, he did take them. Sometimes that is true with any dealings of man. God can tell man no, but then can allow men to use their own agency. Prophets of God do speak from God, but they also have their own opinion, and do make mistakes sometimes when speaking. www.saintsinthesouth.com
6Church of Jesus Christ Study Session seeks to generate reflection about areas in the Restored Gospel. Whether it's Come Follow Me, a General Conference talk or a recent Gospel Topic, hopefully you'll find something to keep the Spirit of Christ in your life. Twitter - @mattsroberts90 ldsstudysession@gmail.com You can also join the discussion in the Facebook Group 'Church of Jesus Christ Study Session with Come Follow Me'. You can purchase my book, From Father to Child: Raising a Child to Spiritual Strength in Generation Alpha at the link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Child-Spiritual-Strength-Generation-ebook/dp/B08DRLWWZD/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=from+father+to+child&qid=1596387393&sr=8-3 Join us today as we pause from our Come Follow Me study and consider another principle we learnt from last week. We consider the the differences between Moroni's message and the verses in Malachi and we reflect on the promises planted in the hearts of the children. Elder Quentin L Cook: Family history work, heaven-blessed by technology, has dramatically increased in the past few years. We would be unwise to become complacent about this divinely appointed responsibility and expect that Aunt Jane or some other committed relative will take care of it. Let me share President Joseph Fielding Smith’s jarring comments: “None is exempt from this great obligation. It is required of the apostle as well as the humblest elder [or sister]. Place, or distinction, or long service in the Church … will not entitle one to disregard the salvation of one’s dead.”
In this episode I read a sermon by Joseph Fielding Smith, in which he discusses the mortality and immortality of man, the three states of man, the incompletion of Christ's work before the resurrection, and sons of perdition.
As part 3 in my interview with groundbreaking Mormon journalist Lynn Packer (nephew of Boyd K. Packer), I want to share with you a fascinating 30 minute video produced by Lynn, which provides essential background information to understand the following: The evolution of the LDS Church away from valuing thought, science, and scholarship (based on the influence of GA B.H. Roberts and others), and towards the prioritization of emotion-based orthodoxy and fundamentalism (based on the influence of J. Rueben Clark, Harold B. Lee, Joseph Fielding Smith, etc.) The careers of both LDS apostle Boyd K. Packer and GA Paul H. Dunn, And, The eventual backlash against science and scholarship led by Boyd K. Packer from the 1980s through today, which led to the intentional hiding of factual LDS Church history, and the punishment of scholars and thinkers (from the September 6 to modern excommunicants like myself). This 30 minute video will provide important background for the subsequent 3 episodes with Lynn.
Manuel y Cynthia discuten el capítulo 15 del volumen 3 del libro Doctrina de salvación, de Joseph Fielding Smith. Más información, referencias, y el texto completo en nuestro blog, pesmor.org
Manuel y Cynthia discuten el capítulo 15 del volumen 3 del libro Doctrina de salvación, de Joseph Fielding Smith. Más información, referencias, y el texto completo en nuestro blog, pesmor.org
Script – https://talkingtomormons.com/moroni-1-6-elders-priests-teachers Did Moroni travel all the way to Utah just to dedicate a piece of land for a temple site? What is the correct meaning and function of the terms “elders” “priests” and “teachers”? Why was wine changed to water in the sacramental prayers? And why isn’t un-leaven bread used for the sacrament […] The post Moroni 1-6 appeared first on Talking to Mormons.
Script – https://talkingtomormons.com/moroni-1-6-elders-priests-teachers Did Moroni travel all the way to Utah just to dedicate a piece of land for a temple site? What is the correct meaning and function of the terms “elders” “priests” and “teachers”? Why was wine changed to water in the sacramental prayers? And why isn’t un-leaven bread used for the sacrament […] The post Moroni 1-6 appeared first on Talking to Mormons.
Alma counsels his son Corianton, who was struggling with keeping the commandments and had a few basic questions about the Plan of Salvation. Corianton was likely guilty of two sins: violating the law of chastity and preventing others from accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, one of which ranks #3 on the hierarchy of sins. Alma shares his understanding of what happens to our spirits after we die and teaches that the resurrection is best understood as a restoration of things to their natural order. He reminds his son of the justice of God, and the need for mercy, which is made possible by the atonement of Jesus Christ and can only be accessed by repentance. Justice and mercy go together, like yin and yang, because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. In addition to the covered chapters, this lesson also draws from (1) Elder Jeffery R. Hollands classic talk “Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments,” (2) “The Sin ‘Next to Murder’” by Michael Ash, and (3) Joseph Fielding Smith in Doctrines of Salvation.
Noticias - La Iglesia pierde $ 8 mil milllones https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/05/20/lds-church-sells-exxon/ - BYU rechaza ayuda del gobierno Noticia en Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/5/20/21265198/mormon-lds-byu-later-day-saints-college-cares-act-funding-campus-students-help Forbes: Otras universidades rechazaron la ayuda antes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2020/05/05/how-top-colleges-are-usingor-not-usingcares-student-funding $ 73 millones de diezmos canadienses van a financiar a BYU: https://bit.ly/36KHEef - La iglesia SUD siempre debe reportar el abuso sexual. La Legislatura de Arizona debe dejar eso en claro https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2020/05/27/mormon-church-wrong-use-state-law-withhold-reporting-sexual-abuse/5255972002/ - Nueva película sobre maltrato a LGBTs en la cultura mormona https://marieclaire.perfil.com/noticias/sociedad/cuarentena-salir-closet-alex-cooper-reorientacion-sexual-addison-holley.phtml Mensajes - Video del élder Falabella: "Bautice su Facebook" - Misionero me escribe por Messenger; no sabe que José fue un polígamo Tema del día - Ballard: Nosotros nunca mentimos Cara a cara en LDS.org: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/oaks-ballard?lang=eng Artículo de 1970 sobre los relatos de la Primera visión: https://bit.ly/36LdA2d Artículo de Larsen sobre cómo Joseph Fielding Smith escondió el relato de 1832: https://cesletter.org/pdf/first-vision.pdf
This lesson recounts the stories of two different people that are each brought into captivity by the Lamanites and eventually delivered by the Lord. The people of Alma had welcomed Christ into their lives, even covenanting with Him and each other that they would bear one another’s burdens and stand as witnesses for God. As a result, when their enemies placed heavy burdens upon them they bore them together, continued to call upon God and were eventually delivered. The people of Limhi, however, were slow to allow Christ into their lives and tried to rely upon their own strength and methods to save themselves, and as a result they could not be delivered until they had been sufficiently humbled.In addition to the covered chapters, this lesson also draws from (1) Eugene England’s essay “Why the Church Is As True As the Gospel,” and (2) Answers to Gospel Questions by Joseph Fielding Smith.
In today's episode, we sit down with Steven Harper who is a church historian for the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Also known as the Mormon Church) Steven talks about historical figures in the church and how we need to have faith, hope, and charity when looking at these figures. Some of the figures he talks about in the episode are William McLellan, who was an early apostle in the church and Joseph Fielding Smith, who was the tenth president of the church. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/saintsunscripted
Spoilers ahead! We welcome David, a fellow Berkeley Wardian, as guest to the show today to talk about the final episode of the Good Place and its parallels with LDS views on redemption and exaltation The Good Place https://www.nbc.com/the-good-place Sacred time vs. profine time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_return_(Eliade) The Seven Deadly Heresies, by Bruce R. McConkie https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie/seven-deadly-heresies/ Fair mormon question https://www.fairmormon.org/answers/Question:_Do_Mormons_believe_that_there_is_there_progression_between_the_three_degrees_of_glory%3F Eternal Misfit, by Roger Terry https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V43_N03_188.pdf Gospel Principles, Exaltation (includes President Joseph Fielding Smith quote) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation Apotheosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis Michael Schur: “As long as you’re trying, you’re on the right path.” https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-good-places-moral-message-changed-as-much-as-the-ch-1837096810 Stormlight archive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stormlight_Archive No exit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Exit Nothing in Heaven Functions as It Ought, by X.J. Kennedy https://www.poemtree.com/poems/NothingInHeavenFunctions.htm
How far would you go to prove the LDS Church true? Would you make an argument that you knew was contradicted by the evidence? Would you feel safe doing so because the evidence that would prove you wrong was hidden away where nobody else could find it? Joseph Fielding Smith would. And did! This is […] The post Radio Free Mormon: 115: Arguing Against the Evidence appeared first on Radio Free Mormon.
How far would you go to prove the LDS Church true? Would you make an argument that you knew was contradicted by the evidence? Would you feel safe doing so because the evidence that would prove you wrong was hidden away where nobody else could find it? Joseph Fielding Smith would. And did! This is […]
How far would you go to prove the LDS Church true? Would you make an argument that you knew was contradicted by the evidence? Would you feel safe doing so because the evidence that would prove you wrong was hidden away where nobody else could find it? Joseph Fielding Smith would. And did! This is […] The post Radio Free Mormon: 115: Arguing Against the Evidence appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.
How do LDS works get canonized? Should the King Follet Discourse be scripture? What about other teachings of Joseph Smith or more recent prophets? Lots of references in the show notes for this one. Check them out! The King Follett Discourse http://mldb.byu.edu/follett.htm Mormon Literature Online Anthology Sampler, Selections from various genres and periods of Mormon Literature http://mldb.byu.edu/mlitsamp.htm Wiki for the King Follett Discourse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Follett_discourse Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, by Joseph Fielding Smith (1938) https://scriptures.byu.edu/tpjs/STPJS.pdf Gospel Principles, Ch. 47 Exaltation https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-47-exaltation Wiki standard works https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_works Wiki common consent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_consent Proclamations, declarations clarify, reaffirm LDS doctrine, by Julie Dockstader (includes quote from Edward J. Brandt) https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/1999-11-06/proclamations-declarations-clarify-reaffirm-lds-doctrine-121422 Proclamations of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, by Robert J. Matthews https://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Proclamations_of_the_First_Presidency_and_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles Closing Remarks, by President Russell M. Nelson, Sunday Afternoon session, October 2019 General Conference (includes information about upcoming Spring 2020 General Conference) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/10/57nelson The Family, A Proclamation to the World https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family:_A_Proclamation_to_the_World Women across the globe hope to follow and change LDS Church, their families as they unleash their influence, by Karissa Neely (includes quotes by Melissa Inouye) https://www.heraldextra.com/special-section/lds/fall2019/the-global-power-of-women-in-the-lds-church/article_80c77d5f-8712-5011-b255-db29a6473dd4.html More by Melissa Inouye: Crossings: A Bald Asian American Latter-day Saint Woman Scholar's Ventures Through Life, Death, Cancer, and Motherhood (2019) https://amzn.to/32BKVJp David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, by Gregory Prince and Wm. Robert Wright (2005) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_O._McKay_and_the_Rise_of_Modern_Mormonism “The perfect union of man and woman”: reclamation and collaboration in Joseph Smith’s theology making, by Fiona Givens https://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V49N01_99.pdf Female Ritual Healing in Mormonism, by Jonathan A. Stapley and Kristine Wright. Journal of Mormon History Vol. 37, No. 1, Winter 2011, pp 1-85 (see page 57) https://mormonhistoryassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Journal-of-Mormon-History-Vol.-37-Issue-1-2011.pdf
Most days, we try to provide episodes that will help explain Mormon doctrine (doctrine from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). But every once in awhile, we release a totally random, slightly strange episode. And that's what you're getting today! In this episode, we share unusual (little known) stories about the prophets in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as Mormons). There are 17 prophets and we talk about ALL OF THEM. Have you heard the stories we mention? Let us know in the comments below! The prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are as follows: Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, George Albert Smith, David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, Russell M. Nelson
There are a lot of things you are supposed to do to be healthy. But what does the gospel teach us, and how can we help our testimony to help our family develop better health? Check me out on YouTube at (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvD5I2llxVJgCjnpEiV_V7w) If you're interested in my book "The Creation Code" you can check it out here!(www.amazon.com/Creation-Code-Blu…LZHkOL&ref=plSrch) Be sure to check out my new book “40 Days: A Diet Devotional” available on Amazon! (www.amazon.com/40-Days-Devotiona…ell/dp/1076363024) Follow me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/zachcordellrdn/) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/zachcordellrdn/) Music is from the Seeker and the Servant! Be sure to check them out for more great music. www.seekerandservantmusic.com/ Research on Mothers and Child Health - Silvia Scaglioni, Chiara Arrizza, Fiammetta Vecchi, Sabrina Tedeschi; Determinants of children's eating behavior, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 94, Issue suppl_6, 1 December 2011, Pages 2006S–2011S, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.001685) Research on Fathers as Dietary Gatekeepers - Investigating relationships between paternal perception of the role of the father and paternal feeding practices. J Child Fam Stud December 2015, Volume 24, Issue 12, pp 3734-3741. Research on Fathers and Physical Activity - Coakley, Jay. “The Good Father: Parental Expectations and Youth Sports.” Taylor & Francis, 22 Aug. 2006, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02614360500467735. The Body is a Gift - Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 181. This podcast is not officially connected nor does the host act as a spokesperson for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tonight, we are presenting a new format for you folks in our HOTM Redux. On Monday nights we are going to air the core content of our weekly presentation to you – 30 minutes long. Then tomorrow night we are going to go live, open up the phone lines, and hopefully hear from YOU regarding the content presented now. So, in essence, HOTM Redux will remain the same length but come to you in two parts – 30 minutes on Monday night of Presentation and 30 minutes on Tuesday nights of calls, emails and your online comments – as well as announcements and the like. So, getting right to it, I want our first program tonight, oddly enough, to be about what the LDS call the sacrament, which is called communion in some churches and the Eucharist in others. Let's take a quick look at where the observance of this rite began – and of course we have to go to the Bible. Anciently and on out to today, the Nation of Israel celebrates what is called the Passover which was in memoriam of when the Spirit of Death PASSED over the firstborn children of Israel who put lamb's blood on their doorposts while in bondage to Egypt. On the night of His death and the night Passover was celebrated, Jesus brought new significance to the Passover meal which was eaten among the Jews. What was this meal? On the night the Spirit of death passed over those houses with the blood of the lamb on their doorposts, those inside the home roasted the lamb and ate it with unleavened bread. This was the Passover meal. On the eve of His own death as the Lamb of God, Jesus gathered for this same celebratory meal with His disciples, and assimilated it into His ultimate sacrifice which was about to take place. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 11:23-26 said of this meal something Jesus himself told him, saying: 1st Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death until he comes (or returns). So, to them/then, Jesus instituted a significant new fellowship meal taken from the old but now based on Him. It was a material memorial created to sustain the believers in that day in their tremendous trials via fellowship (or communion – koinonia in the Greek) that would occur over very simple elements that were representative of His brutalized body and shed blood. After taking a loaf of bread and giving thanks He broke it and said: ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' Then after the meal he took the cup of wine and after thanking God, said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'.” Then they ended the feast by singing a hymn and proceeded to the Mount of Olives where Jesus was betrayed and then lived out in his person the breaking of his body and shedding of His blood. This meal was a profound and deeply impactful memorial to His offering for sin and death, and had tremendous import to the believers in that age. There is a lot of power behind this ritual when performed with solemnity and remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ – and for this reason it has remained a staple in Christian praxis for nearly two millennia. Of course, the materially based practice is both a favorite among religionists (perhaps second only to water baptism) and naturally it is approached a thousand different ways till Sunday in terms of execution and purpose. What is so easily forgotten is Paul has the Lord placing a time limit on the ceremony itself —did you catch it? He said the Lord told him, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death until he comes (or returns).” Because most believers are blind to the fact that He has come or returned, most believers – especially the denoms – continue to implement some form of the Eucharist, communion or sacrament in their weekly, monthly or annual services. In fact, built in to the practice of communion is the tacit affirmation that Jesus is coming back in the future to save them. Additionally, there is perhaps no more of a religious practice on earth. What I mean by this is, according to the New Testament narrative (written to the believers then) Communion:Is a command believers must obey. Why? Because the Lord told them/then"This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24Must obeys are called religion. It was necessary. Remember, this was established while the Temple still stood, and Judaism was still in control, and the nascent gathering of believers were barely surviving. This was BEFORE God established His New Testament of writing His laws on the hearts and minds of those who were his. It was a transitory period and so the communion to them/then was very important and purposeful.Additionally, communion is an ultimate expression of material religion because Paul said to use it as a time to examine ourselves as believers, saying in 1st Corinthians 11:28: “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”But self-examination in and through direct access to God by the Holy Spirit through Christ is a daily, constant, personal experience for those who are his and is not tied to an external practice the way the denoms want us to believe.The model is really simple folks – if the denoms can standardize, corporatize and institutionalize material mandates on people – whether water baptism, or blessings, or communions – they own us – as often as they demand our allegiance to the thing we are owned.For this reason the more sinister approaches to communion demand it more frequently of their congregates, right?This is not of God who came to liberate and free through the finished work of His Son. Like most things in the New Testament, communion had a limited purpose for a limited time that had a limited application to that little church-bride.You wanna do a study? Just go online and review the vast and varied approaches that churches have adopted relative to communion. First, we have the name it is called. The term "Eucharist" (which means, thanksgiving in the Greek) is the name still used by Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Lutherans. Some Protestants use the term "Communion", or "the Lord's Supper," or "Memorial" or "Remembrance", or "the Breaking of Bread". And of course the Latter-day Saints call it the "Sacrament." We don't have the time nor do I have the inclination to describe to you all the variables RELIGIOUS men and woman have created in this rite relative to mode, frequency, worthiness, approach and significance – its fascinating, but I will say (admit) to this: Participation in Communion is nice and can be really rewarding – sort of like going to a Chiropractor is often more rewarding than going to a General Practitioner – because you are actually doing something, experiencing something, and committing or renewing something in your life – which is good for people. So, I have no rub with people who enjoy participating from the heart in a communion service. That is their choice and they are responsible for themselves in doing it. Where Communion becomes fugly in my mind, especially relative to what God established in destroying material religion, is when the institutions take communion and · Control and Manipulate their members· Alter its original purpose and presentation· Thereby making it something it was never suppose to be – which most individuals do not understand. And here is where we come face to face with Mormonism, the institution. See, Joseph Smith, borrowing from Catholicism at large, said (found in “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” page 162) “Being born-again comes by the Spirit of God THROUGH ordinances.” Jesus said the Spirit moves where it will, but Smith captured the Spirit and allowed it, in terms of spiritual rebirth, to only exist in LDS administered ordinances – like their weekly sacrament. Echoing the founders sentiments, Joseph Fielding Smith said (in Doctrines of Salvation 2:223): “Through baptism and confirmation (people) are born-again and thus come back into spiritual life and through their continued obedience to the end, they shall be made partakers of the blessings of eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God.” So it works like this: In order to overcome sin, Mormonism teaches that a person must enter into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. This happens when the person accepts the ordinance of the LDS water baptism, and then they receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost which comes ONLY by the laying on of hands by a LDS male priesthood holder. That is a proprietary religious product if I have ever heard of one, right? And in receiving these LDS ordinances, our brothers and sisters believe they have “taken on the name of Christ” (which is synonymous with being Born again to them). Now comes the lifelong ties to religious observances provided by the LDS church: To remain faithful to taking on the name of Christ at Baptism, a person must then live so as to be worthy of the Gift of the Holy Spirit that they have been given. Part of this worthiness is to repent (weekly) for the sins they commit (which are not on the egregious list) and this repenting culminates in LDS members “faithfully and repetitively” renew the covenants they made at water baptism by taking the LDS sacrament of broken bread and water - every week! In other words, to a standard Latter-Day Saint spiritual rebirth does NOT occur when God sends His Spirit and writes his laws on the hearts of those who are his but God dwells in a believer when a person receives LDS ordinances and then follows up weekly in partaking of their sacrament as a means to repent and repeat – until death. As a result . . . most Latter-day Saints – not all, God reaches many – but most wander about not ever having experienced true, regenerative spiritual rebirth but instead find themselves chained to a hamster wheel of religious rites and rituals as a means to maintain and keep their salvation. And this not only breaks my heart, it must certainly break God's. Who wants a direct, free relationship with you. You. It comes unencumbered by men and their fanciful ideas. He is there to any and all who want Him in their lives. He does not demand your complicity to organized religion, he does not expect you to embrace any of the two billion ways to God espouse by Man. He gave us His Son. He saved this world from Sin and Death. And he made you free. Free to choose Him, free to have Him – directly in your life. How? Go to Him, and speak your heart. Speak your fears, your failures, your desires, your doubts. Be honest as a cup of water with him – He can take it. And ask Him into your life. Then wait. Wait on Him to start showing himself. And when he does, follow Him. Not me. Not others. Not the churches. Just Him. And call in tomorrow night When we Go LIVE! and where we will follow up with this presentation on Communion or Sacrament – and if you don't like to call, write your comments here on the site. We'll read them on air, tomorrow night, here on HEART OF THE MATTER!
Ezra Taft Benson was a sharp critic of the civil rights movement and called it a communist conspiracy. Why was that? Dr. Matt Harris details the red scare, and why Benson was so opposed to both communism and civil rights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrO2P0AcZgk Matt: Elder Benson thinks that Martin Luther King--this is the Birch view, of course, but Elder Benson, following the Birch line thinking that Dr King is a communist agent. That somehow if you push for racial equality, you also want economic equality and that makes you a socialist and a communist. So Elder Benson is furious with Hugh B. Brown's general conference talk, where the Church is on record as supporting civil rights. Now keep in mind what that means. Brown never said that we favor the civil rights stuff going on in Congress right now. Nor do we favor particular legislation in the State of Utah. There was nothing specific about it. He would write that too, to other Latter-day Saints who wrote him letters. "Does that mean we support the Civil Rights Act of 1963, that John F Kennedy is pushing through?" He'd write back, "We don't support any particular policy. I just want you to know that we do support civil rights as a general principle." So clearly, there's some hedging with him. We will also talk about his European Mission. Matt: ...after the whole Harding speech on the floor of the Congress, it created a buzz storm. And the brethren and President McKay [decide] "We've got to get Benson out of the country. We've got to purify his blood." That's what Joseph Fielding Smith says in a private letter. We've got to get him out of the country and purify his blood. What he meant by that is purify his blood of politics, of Birch. In 1963, ironically enough, the same month that Hugh B. Brown is giving that civil rights statement in conference, Elder Benson's going to get summoned into the First Presidency's office to be told that he's going to be sent to Germany to preside over the European mission. Check out our conversation…. Dr Matt Harris explains why Ezra Taft Benson tied the civil rights movement to communism. Don't forget our other conversations about Benson! 251: Benson and John Birch Society (Harris) 250: How Ezra Taft Benson Joined Eisenhower (Harris)
The Sermon on the Mount was called by President Joseph Fielding Smith, “The greatest sermon that was ever preached, so far as we know,” and President Harold B. Lee called it “the constitution for a perfect life”. It tells us not just what to do but gives us the much more exacting standard and describes how we should be.
For millennia, mankind believed the earth was flat. Does the Bible support that view? Ben Spackman says yes. We'll talk about a biblical world view, and how we've come around to believe the earth is round, rather than flat. https://youtu.be/6VVTy_9R8C8 Ben: One of the examples I use that people generally agree with is--I did this at the FAIR Conference a couple of years ago. I said, "Okay, how many of you believe that the earth rotates around the sun?" Of course, every hand went up. I said, "Okay, I want you to understand very clearly that you believe and accept something fundamental about the universe that is contrary to scripture, flatly contrary to scripture, and is a philosophy of men invented through human reason and observation. Do any of you have a problem with that? It was a conference, so I didn't expect anyone to say anything. ... GT: Because in the Bible, clearly the sun rotated around the earth is what you're saying. Ben: Right. The sun and moon and stars were embedded in the solid dome overhead. They were certainly not spheres rotating. I mean even... GT: How would Joseph Fielding Smith have answered that? Ben: He would have said that's absolutely false. GT: What's false? Ben: That the Israelites ever believed that cosmology. GT: They didn't believe in the firmament. They didn't believe in the flat earth. They did believe that the sun rotated. Ben: They understood that the earth and planets rotate around the sun and anything else is just the false traditions of the apostate church. GT: That seems like a very difficult position and I know he's dead, so he can't defend himself. But it seems very difficult to defend that point of view. Ben: Well, he was arguing from a very absolutist standpoint, where prophets simply can't do that, because if they are, they are not reliable as prophets. In some ways, he very much thought like a protestant, but in a Mormon context. In some ways, well, I don't want to go there too much. He's a very easy punching bag because he is dead, and because he left such a big paper trail and because he had views that were so, so far in certain directions, so absolute. And he's not the only one to have held them, but he was certainly the most influential and the loudest and the longest to hold them. And because he did leave this paper trail, the worst thing for a historian is to have nothing to analyze, right? Check out our conversation… Is it true that the Bible supports a flat earth? Here are our previous conversations with Ben! 244: Did Man Evolve From Apes? 243: Did Joseph Fielding Smith Win the Evolution Battle? 242: Evolution & Bible: Irreconcilable Differences?
Early Mormon apostles BH Roberts, John A. Widtsoe, and James E. Talmage seemed to be very amenable to evolution. It seems like Joseph Fielding Smith on the other hand, had an outsize influence on LDS thought, and tended more towards a creationist stance. In our next conversation with Ben Spackman, we'll talk about that dynamic, and how early leaders diverged, and how it seems like Smith temporarily won the evolutionary debate. https://youtu.be/ye2ntdq0S4E GT: So let me throw that out there. We talked about who won between Tertullian and Augustine and it sounds like Augustine won? Is that a fair assumption? Before you answer that, I also want to do this. Let's talk about Talmage, Roberts and Widtsoe and Joseph Fielding Smith. It sounds like Joseph Fielding Smith won in a lot of minds. Ben: In a lot of ways, I think he did. If you want to be cynical, he kind of waited until his opponents died. Then he published Man, His Origin and Destiny, which was kind of his young-Earth creationist book. Parts of that were written word for word 20 or 30 years earlier. None of his discussions with apostles, who were in some cases his senior and had Ph.D.'s in relevant fields shifted him one bit. Ben: On the one hand, you can look at that as very admirable. His strength was, he thought, and rightly so, at least in this narrow way, what is important is that we're faithful to scripture. Where that goes wrong, and I would disagree with it, is how he read scripture. There are other examples of this in LDS history. I have made a very loose argument somewhere that, in a way, Joseph Fielding Smith was kind of the epitome of 19th century assumptions that Mormons had inherited. These other three guys were outsiders in several ways. First of all, they were all foreign, technically. Roberts was British, Talmage was British, Widtsoe was Norwegian. So they were not raised in a set of 19th century American assumptions. They were getting 19th century European assumptions which differed in some ways. They were all converts and so they were not raised with, what you might think of as religious Mormon assumptions that they would just start imbibing by osmosis, from age three onwards in church or something. So, it's interesting that these three guys who are outsiders in significant ways are the ones who opposed Joseph Fielding Smith's insider perspective. By insider I mean, you couldn't be much more of an insider than Joseph Fielding Smith. I mean by his position, by his family, by his history. He was just at the center, at the core. Check out our conversation….. Joseph Fielding Smith's views supporting creationism over evolution seems to hold more sway than apostle BH Roberts, John A Widtsoe, and James E. Talmage in the LDS Church. Don't forget to check out our previous conversation with Ben! 242: Evolution & Bible: Irreconcilable Differences? (Spackman)
Manuel responde al Cara a cara con élder Cook sobre la historia de la iglesia. Notas: Historia de Mary Rollins Smith Lightner: http://www.pesquisasmormonas.com/e/episodio-153-las-esposas-olvidadas-de-jose-smith-mary-rollins-lightner-smith-young/ Cita de las piedras videntes en Doctrina de Salvación, tomo 3, p. 100: https://noticierosud.blogspot.com/2012/03/doctrina-de-salvacion-3-tomos.html) Ensayos: - “El matrimonio plural en la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días”: https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=spa&old=true - “El matrimonio plural en Kirtland y Nauvoo”: https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=spa&old=true El artículo de septiembre de 1974 de la revista Friends: https://www.lds.org/languages/eng/content/friend/1974/09/a-peaceful-heart Discurso de élder Packer: http://www.pesquisasmormonas.com/e/episodio-81-discurso-“el-manto-es-mucho-mas-grande-que-el-intelecto”/ Presentación de PowerPoint en PDF con la historia de Joseph Fielding Smith escondiendo el relato de la primera visión de José: https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://docs.google.com/uc?id%3D0B5-Zdh7Yk4k0SzAybXZpdUdoa0E%26export%3Ddownload Artículo citado por la iglesia, usado para afirmar que la poligamia produce más hijos que los matrimonios polígamos, pero que en realidad lo contradice: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0032472031000141846
Shawn Rapier and Daren Smith This weeks episode is a joint effort with our friend Shawn Rapier from the Latter-day Lives podcast. We both interview Daren Smith, a tv and film producer, a fellow sound guy (like me) and the creator of a unique way missionaries can approach their personal study of the Book Of Mormon (can you say Daily Mormon Email?). In our interview you will learn about Daren’s missionary service, as well as some of the spirit of missionary work that was part of his producing efforts on the BYUTv show - Relative Race. We also talk about his mission experiences in Washington DC, and so much more. I want to also encourage you to go to Latterdaylives.com and listen to Shawn’s interview with Daren. Each and every Monday Shawn starts your week off with great uplifting life sketches of these wonderful people who do amazing things and who happen to be members of the church. It’s like Meet the Mormons in podcast form. Daren tells some different experiences from his life that can also help to serve and inspire you. Click here to sign up for Daren Smith's Daily Mormon email list. In our Latter-day Lives segment this episode, Shawn Rapier talks with Q. Bryce Randle who is an editor and TV producer, who works with with Disney Animatioon, and worked on other shows like Yo Gabba Gabba, The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and so much more. Bryce Randle’s full interview with the Latter Day Lives Podcast is also pretty amazing. Shawn Rapier and Q. Bryce Randle One of the overarching themes of this podcast, I hope, is that there are so many ways that we can do and support missionary work all around us, no matter where we are at. A few years back now, President Monson lowered the age that missionaries can go into the field, and I believe it was the following general conference, President Monson invited the members to donate to the missionary program of the church to support a huge surge in missionaries going out into the field. Like some of you, I felt the desire to heed the prophets call to action, but I am not a wealthy man. I am grateful to provide what I do for my family, but that leaves me with almost nothing left each month. So in order to do what I could to sustain the prophet I had the idea to write a book, and to get others to help write a book that we would sell and then use the proceeds to donate to the missionary program of the church. So we did. It took a couple years to come out, but it is out and I wanted to bring it to everyone’s attention as all the proceeds go to the missionary program of the church. The book is called D&C 4: A Lifetime of Study in Discipleship. This book features short essays from a number of scholars, historians, my bishop at the time even has an essay in there, as well as others who have some great insights into Section 4 of the D&C. While it is just 7 short verses, President Joseph Fielding Smith said that Section 4, “contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime of study...It is as broad, as high and as deep as eternity.” With that in mind each essay tackles a different approach to those 7 verses. D&C4 and the relief society, D&C 4 and the Family, there is even an essay on applying the lessons in D&C 4 to addiction recovery. There is over 200 pages on these 4 verses of scripture including the most in-depth history on the section ever written by Russell Stevenson, a previous guest on the podcast. For more information, or to buy a copy, visit 4behold.org. It makes for a great gift for a missionary preparing to serve, on a mission, or someone who has come home. There is so much more to this section that we may initially realize and I hope you decide to check it out and support the missionary program in the mean time. Thank you to Shawn for his regular contributions to this podcast, and I do hope you go check out the interview he does with Daren as well as all his other wonderful interviews at LatterdayLives.com.
[paypal-donation] In April 2014, Elder Oaks gave a sermon on women and priesthood. Dr. Jonathan Stapley said this was no ordinary talk. He called it theologically groundbreaking! I was a bit surprised how revolutionary Stapley felt the sermon was. It seemed to me to be a response to the Ordain Women movement which was asking for women to be allowed to attend the priesthood session of General Conference. I saw the address under a different light than Jonathan. https://youtu.be/sznFXhm4wDA GT: I remember just thinking, “Oh, this is just to placate the Kate Kelly people and to say, ‘Women, you've already got priesthood. You just didn't know it yet.'” But you're saying this is a theological change. ... Jonathan: When Elder Oaks delivered that sermon, I was looking around like, does anyone else [recognize this?] This is mind-blowing. I couldn't believe it. And everyone else was just like, “Oh yeah, this is just Elder Oaks.” Revolutions happen sometimes a very subtly apparently. ... Jonathan: It's certainly a linguistic shift and language frames our reality. So, it is certainly, for example, an interesting piece from Elder Oaks' sermon was he was quoting in many parts from a sermon that Joseph Fielding Smith gave to the Relief Society in a general Relief Society meeting. And in this meeting Joseph Fielding was as I remember, the president of the Quorum of the Twelve at the time, discussed women's authority in the church and how they were heirs to a great heritage, but also heirs to authority and their capacity of the work in the Relief society and the temple. But he was quick to say, you have authority to do this work. You have authority in the temple, but authority is not the same thing as priesthood. Jonathan: And Elder Oaks takes this sermon he talks about, he quotes Joseph Fielding Smith, how women have this great authority in the church and this great heritage. And then he stops and says, what else can this authority be except priesthood? Right? So, it's this really wonderful kind of re-imagining of what these terms mean. At the same time, reaching to our past to grab hold of our past and make sure we're still connected, but also in very interesting and creative ways, refashioning it in a way that makes more sense for the present. Do you think Oaks talk was groundbreaking? Let me know! Check out our other conversations on women healers, Ordain Women, and click the video below to learn more about this conversation…. Elder Dallin Oaks gave a revolutionary sermon in April 2014 on women & priesthood. [paypal-donation]
Despite several attempts to end the ban in the 1960s, Hugh B. Brown made one final attempt in 1969 and almost succeeded. However, the attempt was nixed by Harold B. Lee. Dr. Matt Harris will give us more information on this, and I think you will hear some really amazing stuff in this next episode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k7cPGtZwHU&t Matt: Anyway, the McKay sons and Brown, when Taggart's thesis comes out, they will use Taggart's research and say, “Look. This is just a policy. This is a policy, it is not a doctrine. So, if it is just a policy, President McKay, then we can overturn this.” President McKay agrees to ordain a black man named Monroe Fleming, a loyal member at the Hotel Utah. This is in September of 1969. GT: Wow. Matt: Yes, yes. So, he agrees to ordain Monroe Fleming to the priesthood. It is interesting, the document that I have that talks about this. It just says Monroe Fleming. It doesn't say all persons of African ancestry. But you can only imagine that if you allow Monroe Fleming the priesthood, based upon his worthiness of course, then that means that other worthy black members of the church can now hold the priesthood. That's how I interpret that. ... [McKay] agrees to do it, and when Harold B. Lee and Joseph Fielding Smith, mostly Harold B. Lee, because Joseph Fielding Smith is now in his 90s, and his health is getting the best of him. But when Harold B. Lee finds out about it, he puts an end to it and says, “This is not something that we can do, and if we do it, it has to have buy-in from the Quorum of the Twelve, the full quorum.” So, President McKay, and I'm going to paraphrase, he says, “I'm too old to fight him. I'm not going to do it. We will let President Lee worry about this problem.” That's what he says, this “problem.” We will also talk briefly about some of the BYU protests where other teams were protesting the church's stance with blacks and the priesthood and temple ban. Matt: President Brown wants to lift the ban to get the athletic protests off their back. In November of '69 he tells Kenneth Pitzer the Stanford President. He calls him up. He said, “This is Hugh Brown of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I just want you to know, we are going to lift the ban.” GT: He calls the Stanford University president. Matt: Yes, he calls the Stanford president and tells him we are going to lift the ban, and even writes him a letter. GT: The reason why is because Stanford had just cancelled some sort of a series. Matt: Correct. GT: Was it football or basketball? Do you remember? Matt: Basketball, I think it was basketball. It was that fall, they cancelled their contract with BYU basketball. Lee strongly rejected attempts for black ordination [paypal-donation] Check out our other conversations with Matt, like Brown's previous attempts to end the ban. Check out our conversation….
We're continuing our conversation with Dr. Matt Harris. In our next episode, we'll talk about the temple and priesthood ban in the 1950s. Did you know that McKay considered lifting the ban as early as 1955? https://youtu.be/56oINIiTw5s Matt: It's not surprising that when McKay came back from South Africa and convenes this committee with Elders [Adam] Bennion and Kimball, I'm not sure who else is on the committee, but I know it's those two. They ask Lowell Bennion to do some research for them, and he produces a position paper, and he says there is no scriptural justification for any of this stuff. So, Elder Bennion writes his report to President McKay and tells him that there is no scriptural justification for the priesthood ban. This is 1954 I should say. So, President McKay contemplates lifting the ban, but he recognizes that it will cause hardship among the saints in the South. Keep in mind this is still segregated America. So, if he lifts this ban, it is going to create hardships among Latter-day Saints in the South. Also, there are some folks in the Quorum of Twelve who wouldn't support the lifting of the ban: Joseph Fielding Smith would be one of them. We will talk about a pretty significant change from a doctrine in 1949 to a policy in 1955. This is interesting because President McKay, as a counselor to George Albert Smith had signed that 1949 First Presidency statement that you referenced a minute ago…. GT: Right. Matt: …as a counselor. GT: Now let's talk about that '49 statement. Matt: Yes, we can. So, as the church president, he signed that statement, and we can go into detail in a minute, but that statement makes it pretty clear that this is the doctrine of the church. GT: And it uses the word “doctrine.” Matt: It uses the word doctrine. GT: That is an important word. Matt: Right. J. Reuben Clark writes the statement, and President McKay signs off on it. George Albert Smith is feeble by this point, and he is going to die a couple of years later, but anyway, President McKay, even though he signs that '49 statement, now he is the church president and he feels the weight of this policy on his own. President McKay considered lifting the ban in 1955 but was worried about reaction in the South. [paypal-donation] Check out our conversation….. Don't forget to check out parts 1 (about Brazil & South Africa) and 2 (the one-drop rule) of this conversation!
Latest episode of GenCon Talks 1971-the present
Latest episode of GenCon Talks 1971-the present
Latest episode of GenCon Talks 1971-the present
Latest episode of GenCon Talks 1971-the present
The very first episode of GenCon Talks 1971-the present!
[paypal-donation] I'm excited to talk to Anne Wilde about her own polygamist marriage to Ogden Kraut. She was the second wife of Ogden. We'll get to know a little bit more about Anne. Anne: I was born and raised in the LDS Church. I'm very happy in it. I went to BYU on a scholarship, graduated in it with honors. I year after I graduated, I married in monogamy to Ted Wilde, was married in the temple. I was married for nine years but during that nine years I realized there had been a lot of changes made in the church. The two of us, he was very intelligent, a researcher, a scholar, not an author but knew a lot about the history of the church, so I learned a lot of that from him and then a lot of friends that he had. One of those friends was Ogden Kraut and so when the marriage didn't work out a year later, I became Ogden's second wife. I was married to him for 33 years and he died in 2002, 15 years ago. We had a really happy marriage, got along really well. It was interesting to learn that Anne helped Ogden write many books. One of them detailed the fact that Jesus was married! Anne: When Jesus Was Married came out in 1969, it was in February of '69. That was Ogden's first book, and he knew that Joseph F. Smith was president of the Quorum of Twelve at that time. He knew his belief that Jesus was married, so as soon as the book came out of the binder, we took the first copy up to Joseph Fielding Smith and got right in. The secretary at that time, you know you could walk right in practically and see a general authority. The office door was wide open. Here was the receptionist, she motioned us in. We'll also talk a little bit about Jesus. Anne says he was a polygamist! We'll discuss what scriptures she uses to come to that conclusion. Do you agree with Anne? Don't forget to check out on our other conversations with Anne!) Check out our conversation….. https://youtu.be/VQHrK-Jt1pc [paypal-donation]
[paypal-donation] In Sunday School we learn that God created the earth in 6 days. Many people believe that this is about 6000 years. On the other hand, evolution and geology seem to show the earth is much older than that. Were Adam & Eve the first humans on the earth? What does Dr. Ugo Perego think about these topics? Ugo: Even if I am a scientist and I like to push boundaries of knowledge, when it comes to things that pertain to the church either you sustain brethren or you don't. Either you can go with what they are doing or try to see things why they are doing and you accept that or you don't. In my mind is if the church openly has said that we don't have an official position on what happened before Adam and Eve, how Adam and Eve came to be as physical beings, we don't have an opinion or revelation or a position on evolution. We don't have a position with Book of Mormon geography. We don't have a position on the Nephites, of the biological population of the Nephites to the American continent, then you are leaving a lot of room open for everything. Everybody can be correct and everybody can be wrong when it comes to their point. Maybe I'm too naïve but I still don't understand why some people become so feisty—is that the right word, feisty—about issues where the church has decided not to take a position on it. There must be some reason why they didn't. I don't think it is fear. I don't think they have the answers and they don't want to tell you. It doesn't matter if Bruce McConkie said so and so, if Joseph Fielding Smith said that, if Joseph Smith said that. If the church says today that we don't have an official position about Book of Mormon geography, that is the final answer. That is it. Just express your thoughts, share your conclusion, share what evidence that you have about your ideas, but don't impose them, don't come to me and say you are wrong because I am right. I am sticking with the brethren. This is my position. Going to your question, can there have been people living in America 15,000 years ago, pre-flood time, pre-Adam and Eve time? The answer is, why not? Because the [LDS] Church does not have a position about who lived before Adam and Eve. We know through revelation there was an Adam and Eve. We know that we are descendants of them, but the Church has never said there was nothing before. They haven't said that. Dr. Perego is a population geneticist. What do you think of Perego's position? Check out our conversation….. https://youtu.be/WOwfGH21rWw [paypal-donation]
Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly, two women who have studied the concept of a divine feminine--or Heavenly Mother. Rachel was the primary researcher on a BYU Studies article that identified known references to a Heavenly Mother in the Mormon historical record. Caitlin was commission to paint Heavenly Mother by Deseret Book. Though it is assumed that we have a Heavenly Mother, she is rarely mentionioned in LDS Church discourse, with a preference to referring to Heavenly Father or Heavenly Parents. Steenblick notes that most members are aware of the reference to a Heavenly Mother by Eliza R. Snow in "O My Father." However, her song was not the first reference. W. W. Phelps wrote two pieces--one a few months before the Prophet Joseph Smith's death and one a few months after. And in the nineteenth-century Church, a Heavenly Mother was not unfrequently referenced. Three prophets of the twentieth century, Spencer W. Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Harold B. Lee, stated that women were created in Heavenly Mother's image. Contemporary Old Testament scholars see the divine feminine, or a Heavenly Mother, in scripture, though it is difficult for the lay person to identify those references. Both women feel discussions of a divine feminine are important because they help to answer the question for women: “Where do I belong in the eternities?” The Church's gospel topic essay "Mother in Heaven," the BYU Studies article, and a new book published by Deseret Book can help encourage dialogue on this important topic.
Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly, two women who have studied the concept of a divine feminine--or Heavenly Mother. Rachel was the primary researcher on a BYU Studies article that identified known references to a Heavenly Mother in the Mormon historical record. Caitlin was commission to paint Heavenly Mother by Deseret Book. Though it is assumed that we have a Heavenly Mother, she is rarely mentionioned in LDS Church discourse, with a preference to referring to Heavenly Father or Heavenly Parents. Steenblick notes that most members are aware of the reference to a Heavenly Mother by Eliza R. Snow in "O My Father." However, her song was not the first reference. W. W. Phelps wrote two pieces--one a few months before the Prophet Joseph Smith's death and one a few months after. And in the nineteenth-century Church, a Heavenly Mother was not unfrequently referenced. Three prophets of the twentieth century, Spencer W. Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Harold B. Lee, stated that women were created in Heavenly Mother's image. Contemporary Old Testament scholars see the divine feminine, or a Heavenly Mother, in scripture, though it is difficult for the lay person to identify those references. Both women feel discussions of a divine feminine are important because they help to answer the question for women: “Where do I belong in the eternities?” The Church's gospel topic essay "Mother in Heaven," the BYU Studies article, and a new book published by Deseret Book can help encourage dialogue on this important topic. Extra Resources: "A Mother There": a Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven (Free) Mother in Heaven (Free) Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families
In part 2 of our interview with Sandra Tanner, Sandra discusses challenges that she and her late husband had with Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, along with her interactions with Joseph Fielding Smith, Legrand Richard, and famous Mormon forger and murderer Mark Hofmann.
“Hudden and Dudden and Donald O’Neary” is an Irish folktale collected and published by folklorist Joseph Jacobs in his book, Celtic Fairy Tales. Social Darwinism explained. Sarah McLachlan is a singer/songwriter who wrote and performs “Adia” (lyrics), in which she expresses a theory of justice and individual responsibility that I refer to in this podcast. Paolo Freire is a theorist and activist whose ideas include many ways we as individuals and groups can act to create a more just world. His book, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, is relevant, especially Chapter Two. With regard to being our own angels: I find a short passage from the epilogue to John Fletcher’s play, The Honest Man’s Fortune, to be provocative (in a good way): Man is his own star, and the soul that can Render an honest and a perfect man Commands all light, all influence, all fate, Nothing to him falls early or too late. Our acts our angels are, or good or ill, Our fatal shadows that stand by us still. It is perhaps good to note that “perfect” can also mean “whole,” “complete,” or “fully mature,” and that “fatal” here means “fate-al,” or “determining one’s destiny.” I first came across this poem in Louisa May Alcott’s book, Rose in Bloom. There, it is cited as a joint work of both Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (both men are contemporaries of Shakespeare). This article explains why. Joseph Fielding Smith said, “It is contrary to the law of God for the heavens to be opened and messengers to come to do anything for man that man can do for himself. . . . You cannot point to anywhere in the scriptures where a messenger has come from the heavens and bestowed upon man something man could do for himself, but angels have come and told men what to do and sent men to do it.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., comp. Bruce R. McConkie, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954–57, 1:196.) Nicky Epstein wrote Knitting on Top of the World: The Global Guide to Traditions, Techniques and Design. Michele Rose Orne wrote Inspired to Knit: Creating Exquisite Handknits. Brenda Dayne writes, produces, and performs an excellent knitting and philosophy podcast (combining knitting and philosophy in one, not one and then the other) called Cast On. She has been selected to participate in the plinth art project in London’s Trafalgar Square in mid-September. Brenda is an American living in Wales, so you Britophiles especially will like hearing about Brenda’s life. Erin, or Spinnerin, produced and performed a podcast called Faery Knitting until early this year. The episodes are still available – each one starts with a fairy or folk tale in the public domain and then continues with brief (but very enjoyable) critical commentary on the tale, as well as lots of interesting tidbits about Erin’s life as a fiber producer and small farmer in Texas. If you can’t get the last episode to download (as I have been unable to do), you might contact Erin on Ravelry (her ID is Spinnerin) and pester her for it. I plan to do exactly that as soon as I get to the end of the episodes I have. Both these podcasts are available through iTunes. The Green Man performed “The Shiny Penny.” This song is included according to a Creative Commons Music Sharing license. You can legally download this whole song yourself and listen to it for free, as well as more of their work. Cat Jahnke wrote and performed “Tangle” and “Crocodiles.” These songs are included by permission in this podcast and are not licensed for random sharing. You can buy her CD though, which I swear is totally worth it. And maybe get one of those great crocodile T-shirts as well.
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