03: THE HISTORY OF RELIGION

“Because of pride, greed, lust for power, etc. we strayed, and have yet to collectively receive it. Isn’t that the Gentile dilemma? We put our own agenda ahead of the Lord’s. His hand is stretched out all the day long if we come to Him, yet we deny Him the power to save.”

Here are just a couple of thoughts.

Unfortunately, the original intent or “revelation” from God given to man... will eventually become organized. It is known as religion. This religious institution then evolves to the point where men get into power positions. In order to maintain that power, they act in corporate ways to keep the structure/institution strong and growing. What eventually happens is the essence of what the original intent was …gets lost. What follows is orthodoxy, a power structure and dogma.  

In some cases over time, the religious leaders become corrupt. They begin to conceal from the people the teachings of spiritual life and spiritual awakening which should be offered freely to all and not be sold or held back.

Adam and Eve in the garden were offered religion and to have someone preach the philosophies of man mingled with the scripture. However, Adam wanted messengers sent to him by the Father. We are fortunate in these latter days to have records written to and by true messengers. More importantly we have the true messengers living amongst us.

In our dispensation, one such messenger was Joseph Smith. Although Joseph Smith revealed many, previously unknown things, his ministry was devoted primarily to bringing others into fellowship with God. The ordinances, scriptures, revelations, and teachings restored through him were not intended to titillate, but to instruct on how to reconnect with God. Joseph taught both the possibility and the importance of each soul coming directly to God.

This is the role of a true messenger. It is to bring others into harmony with God. When someone delivers a new message that does not include knowledge about how the audience may come to God themselves, then the primary intent is always to make others dependent on the messenger. It is vanity. It is prideful. It is to call attention to themselves in an effort to place themselves above their fellow man, and interject themselves between the person and God. It is priestcraft.

I am not sure how Joseph views our current situation we find ourselves and institution that has grown from the humble beginnings of his simple prayer, in a secluded grove of trees, answered by God Himself. I can’t speak for Joseph, but I think he would tell us to find our own grove of trees.

02: KNOWING CHRIST instead of just knowing ABOUT CHRIST

A couple of years ago, I came across a book that deeply affected me. It was written by an LDS man who was hit by a train on his way to work. At the time, I was reading many books about people who had near death experiences, however, this book affected me more than the other books. The author shared some insights that intrigued me as I could sense that his eyes were now opened to a new way of looking at things within the church. In this book he writes about some differences between an average “mainstream" Member/Mormon” of the church …to a fully converted Latter Day Saint/disciple of Christ.

·        A Mainstream Mormon follows the prophet.

·        A Converted Latter-Day Saint knows the Lord Jesus Christ.

·        A Mainstream Mormon is proud to be a member of the LDS Church.

·        A Converted Latter-Day Saint is humbled to be a servant for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Although subtle differences in definitions, reading closely there is a  huge difference. I personally wanted to make that change and become a true Latter Day Saint and not just a Mormon. After reading his book, I felt prompted to contact him via email. We exchanged numerous emails which then led to phone conversions. We became instant friends and  I felt  a bond as if we were long time friends and true brothers. All along this time, I had never met my new friend personally and had no idea what he looked like. I knew a lot about him, but without ever meeting him in person and seeing him, I really didn’t KNOW him.  

I liken this example to my relationship with the Savior. I have read the Savior’s words in the scriptures, and have knelt in prayer and have heard His voice. I know alot about Him. He truly is my Elder Brother and I look forward to the upcoming day when I will KNOW HIM  and RECEIVE HIM in this world.. not just in the world to come.


"For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.
But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also. This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive.."  D&C 132:23

01: INTRODUCTION TO THIS BLOG

In the scriptures we read the words Bear and Bare.  These two words are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning and spelling. The name of the blog is  "BARE RECORD"... but the title of the blog says in ALL THINGS BEAR RECORD OF ME.

BARE: to uncover or reveal, to exposed to view, undisguised.
BEAR: to withstand something difficult or painful, to support or hold up; sustain, cause to be born, bring forth, provide evidence for.

Example from scriptures:
"And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe". John 19:35

 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand". Revelation 1:1-3

"And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me". 3 Nephi 11:32

This blog will contain posts that both bare and bear  ( BARE: uncover things that I have learned, but also BEAR: support and sustain, provide the testimony I have of our Savior Jesus Christ)

I am no one of importance, but have felt prompted to begin this blog. It will contain previous things that I have written over the past couple of years as well as new observations.