82: DREAM ABOUT A TRUE PROPHET

I normally don't share personal things on this blog, but feel that I should share the following:

A few nights ago I had a dream that I was in a large crowded building. There was a man in the building that I recognized as a friend of mine. He walked with me down to a smaller room in the building. He opened the door leading into this tiny room. It was empty and void of any grandeur. After we both entered into this room, this man sat down on the floor, Indian style. He was wearing ordinary clothes. He drew out and opened up a Book and placed it before him.  It was the Book that was important, not him.. It was the scriptures. He began to read, teach, explain, expound, and expand the words of God. The words he spoke pierced my heart. I knew and recognized that this was a true Prophet of God.. A true prophet is not Higher or Holier. He sits down on the floor at the same level of the student. He points others to Christ.  He doesn't sit in a higher position, or on a chair with armrests with fine deep colored fabric.

A true prophet is someone who has a testimony of Jesus.  A prophet knows Christ. He does not speak about himself or share his successes and victories. A prophet preaches of the need of repentance and our dependence on Christ's Atonement. He knows the fallen nature of man. A prophet reveals truth, A prophet "sees", A prophet testifies and prophesies. He is a prophet, seer, and revelator.

In the Book of Mormon we read about examples of  true prophets and false prophets. Lehi was a true prophet. He followed Christ. He spoke truth.

I quote from a recent blog post:

"Lehi propounded a true message, Korihor a false one. Lehi was Christ-like. Korihor was an anti-Christ. Lehi spoke the truth. Korihor was a liar. They were polar opposites.The difference between truth and error does not lie in the difference between religion and irreligion, but instead between true religion which will save, and false religion which cannot save. If it were any less a test, the very elect would not be deceived in the last days. Unless there are false prophets claiming they are authorized by God to preach false and idle messages, God cannot send true ones to declare the truth. The opposition of the one is required for the other. The enemy of your soul does not create a new religion, but immitates the true one. The Lord's messenger will be mirrored by the adversary's, but the reflected image will be reversed. Those who follow the image will find themselves descending, while they think they are ascending to God. Hence the name: "the Deceiver." He deceives, and even mirrors God's angels by the claim to be an "angel of light" while spreading darkness. The Deceiver's false prophets will point you to themselves, to their great works, wonderful accomplishments, and the pride you should take in following them. The Lord's will point you to Him and preach repentance. The false prophets will speak of riches here, and suggest God's favor can be measured by success in this world. The Lord will speak only of riches in another world which are only obtained through the sacrifice of all things here." Snuffer

81: MORE REAL ESTATE "INVESTMENTS" FOR THE LDS CHURCH

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hoping to develop 140 acres of farmland in Layton into a multi-use real estate development patterned after  Daybreak in South Jordan with a mix of residential, commercial, office, civic and recreational uses.
.

On April 5, 2012 the City Council approved the zone for commercial development and applied it to 107 acres of farmland along Hill Field Road currently owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. . The other 30-plus acres planned for the project already are zoned for commercial and professional use.

However, thousands of residents are opposed to the LDS plans developing a Daybreak-like development on this land in west Layton. They've gathered more than enough signatures to bring the issue to a public vote. Brian Pead, part of the group Citizens for Responsible Growth in West Layton, said more than 6,600 signatures were collected — roughly 1,800 more than required.

The group is hoping voters will overturn actions by the Layton City Council last month that pave the way for development of West Layton Village, a 140-acre village center planned for the north and south sides of Hill Field Road between 2200 West and 2700 West. 

The property is owned by the LDS Church, but the West Layton Village project is being developed by the city and its planners, with assistance from consultants jointly hired by the city and Property Reserve Inc., a real-estate arm of the  LDS Church.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865557948/Voters-will-decide-whether-West-Layton-Village-moves-forward.html?pg=all

“We do not need another apartment building, grocery store, gas station, restaurant or doughnut shop in Layton. We have plenty.” One of the concern residents in Layton said.  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765575174/Layton-City-must-preserve-local-farms.html?pg=all

I am just curious, I wonder if a letter will be sent prior the vote asking LDS church members to support and sustain the Church Leaders desires to develop this 140 acres of farmland into a real estate investment?


SIDENOTE:

There is good news for another LDS Church real estate development in West Valley called the Highbury Centre. Target, the anchor store of the 40 acre shopping center in West Valley is now starting to interview candidates.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54255179-79/target-west-valley-fair.html.csp

The Highbury Centre, which is across the street from WinCo, is being developed by Suburban Land Reserve Inc., another real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/51891885-78/target-store-west-valley.html.csp

80: IN MOUNT ZION: A NEW BLOG

 This is the 80th blog post. Numbers are very significant, they are symbolic. The number 8 means rebirth and renewal. The number Eight symbolizes a new beginning.  It is the sign of God's convenant.  Jesus was eight days old when he was circumcised. (Luke 2:21). We begin to baptize those who are eight years old. There are many other examples of the importance of the number 8.

It is on this 80th post that I would like to recommend a new blog.

.

 http://www.inmountzion.blogspot.com/ 

.

The author is a close friend of mine, and for right now, prefers to remain anonymous.  I have posted the following  writings to me with permission here on this blog:

• King Noah and His Kingdom: (Part 1-4) 
• The Prophet Abinadi:  (Part 1-4)
• Who are You? (The Gentiles)\

The author has now began to write and post on this new blog. You will find the following new posts that I haven't posted here. I would recommend reading them.

• Untangling the Priesthood
• The Salt of the Earth
• I Show unto you the way to judge.

...................................

Sidnote: The above photo on the left was taken last night. It is of Lone Peak. The other two are close ups of the summit. The closer you get to the top the whiter the rock appears.

79: SILENCING OPPOSTION

The first rule in real estate is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
Perhaps, the first rule in the LDS Church is SUSTAIN, SUSTAIN, SUSTAIN.

Last year the LDS Church announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art facility at the MTC, located near Brigham Young University. The new building is to replace the Melvin J. Ballard Building, which houses the MTC bookstore, mailroom, meeting rooms and resource center. It was also reported back then that it will be several floors taller than the two-story Ballard building. According to a news release from the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the new building will include some classrooms with the latest technological resources.  http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52447828-78/building-provo-mtc-ballard.html.csp

If the existing MTC building that will now be demolished is only 2 floors and the Church announced in 2011 that it would be only be several floors taller then why is the building now going to be NINE stories tall?  Sounds like a big building, especially when you consider that the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Downtown SLC is 10 floors.

If the number of full-time missionaries is increasing, I could understand the need for the expansion. Back in 2002, before the we "raised the bar", there were almost 62,000 missionaries serving world wide. Now the number of missionaries is in the mid 50,000.   There has been a decrease from years past. Furthermore, less and less of the US foreign bound missionaries are going to the Provo MTC. Many are now being sent directly to the Missionary Training Center in the country they will be serving in. Many do not realize that there are currently 17 Missionary Training Centers throughout the world. The most recent addition was the Ghana MTC.

It was reported in the news that many of the Provo residents that live close to the Provo MTC have been concerned about this new construction of large high rise building being constructed.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=20447638

Due to local residents opposition,  a letter of “invitation” from Church Headquarters was read to them over the pulpit last week asked them to “support the decision of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles”.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54456872-78/church-evans-leaders-mtc.html.csp

We are taught to sustain, and to never oppose. We are taught that it is best to be silent, instead of voicing concern. We are assured we will never be led astray.

...................
SIDENOTE:

I am reminded about President Boyd K Packer’s quote in conference for us to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without”.

Yes, Maybe the old 2 story MTC building has been "used up", and "worn out", we can't "make it do" anymore?...so we need to build a 9 story building to replace it so we "don't go without"..

Can't wait to see this new "state of the art" mailroom, bookstore, and meeting room at the MTC…. ALL NINE STORIES of it.

78: USING SUGGESTIVE IMAGES TO PROMOTE LDS INVESTMENTS

THE NEW BILLBOARD ADVERTISING THE LDS CHURCH’S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT

“MAKE IT” A NIGHT

Ads containing images of romantic couples and promises of love and intimacy for those using the product, combined with headlines using double entendre are  used in advertising to draw interest to a particular product,  for purpose of sale.  The imagery used, (such as that of a pretty woman holding a glass of champagne with a dark, tall and handsome man), typically has no connection to the product being advertised. The purpose of the imagery is to attract the attention of the potential customer or user.

City Creek City is a investment product of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A magazine article published today in BusinessWeek, details more information about the City Creek Mall as well as other for profit companies of the Church. The article is entitled, “How Mormons Make Money”.  Here is the link to read the entire article.  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-10/how-the-mormons-make-money

I just want to share one quote in article from one of the interview answers given by Keith B. McMullin, who for 37 years served within the Mormon leadership, including in the Presiding Bishopric and now heads a church-owned holding company, Deseret Management Corporation (DMC), an umbrella organization for many of the church’s for-profit businesses.

“When asked for the purpose of City Creek, he explains that City Creek exists to combat urban blight, not to fill church coffers. “Will there be a return?” he asks rhetorically. “Yes, but so modest that you would never have made such an investment—the real return comes in folks moving back downtown and the revitalization of businesses.” Pausing briefly, he adds with deliberation: “It’s for furthering the aim of the church to make, if you will, bad men good, and good men better.”

However, in my opinion, with the advertising being used to promote City Creek Center..  I am not sure this is a place to make “bad men good, and good men better.”

Reading the 16th verse in the section one of the Doctrine and Covenants,  it makes you wonder if this could be referring to us today.

"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness,
but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god,
whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol,
which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon,
even Babylon the great, which shall fall" (D&C 1:16).

77: SEQUENTIAL ORDER OF CLEANSING EVENTS

“And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed,

both by FIRE, quakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine."

2 Nephi 6:15

This past week, fires have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres, entire neighborhoods wiped out, hundreds and hundreds of homes burned to the ground, and many lives lost across the Western United States.

Below is a list with some images of significant locations that fire has destroyed and/or damaged buildings and land owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past year.  Many of these locations are very symbolic religious sites.

·         Fire and Destruction of the Provo Tabernacle. (#1)

·         Fire at the Beehive Clothing in American Fork where the Temple Garments are made. (no image)

·         Fire at the LDS Conference Center. (#2)

·         Fire at City Creek Center. (#3)

·         Fire at Stake Center in Arizona. (#4)

·         Fire above Ensign Peak (Ensign Peak was used by early church leaders as a temple SL Temple was completed . (#5)

·         Fires on Wasatch Mountains in Alpine. (#6)

·         Smoke as seen from space. (#7)

Many have probably read this already, but I think it is important to repost this. This is a commentary of the Book of Mormon verse found in 2 Nephi 6: 15:  

“Jacob makes a startling promise for those who live when the destruction begins preliminary to the cleansing of the world before the Lord returns. He says "none will he destroy that believe in him. And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by FIRE, quakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine."

This amazing promise is predicated on "believing in Him." This requires us to understand what the word "believe" means in the parlance of the Book of Mormon. Those who believe in Him know and accept correct doctrine, or the truth about Him. Those who do not know and will not accept correct doctrine or the truth have dwindled in unbelief. They do not believe in Him. They may have religion, may belong to churches, may be active in all their observances, but they are not in possession of belief in Him. Instead they accept for doctrines the commandments of men, and their hearts are far from Him. They teach false and vain things. As a result they neither enter into the kingdom nor suffer those who are entering to go in. This includes those who, though they are humble followers of Christ, are nevertheless led that in many instances they do err in doctrine. (2 Ne. 28: 14.)

There will be many who are destroyed who will be quite surprised by it. They will complain that they have prophesied in Christ's name, and in His name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works, but they do not know Christ, and therefore never did believe in Him. (See Matt. 7: 22-24.)

If you are one of those who believe in Him, and who will not dwindle in unbelief, will not accept the commandments of men as doctrine, but will take the Spirit for your guide, then Jacob promises that Christ will not destroy you. The rest He will destroy.

Fire will upset the order of things and make societal collapse inevitable. Men's self-inflicted woes will not be the only sign of Divine disapproval. The earth will quake to signal God's disapproval. Interruptions of social order and control will be followed by self-inflicted violence. Bloodshed will be widespread among the survivors. Disease and pestilence will be one of the results of the lack of social order. Air and water will be contaminated. Neglected hygiene will lead to the promised pestilence. As the downward spiral continues, food production and distribution will be inadequate to prevent widespread, global famine. It is as if Jacob could see the sequence of events and gave us the list of how it would unfold, step by step, as the unbelieving are wiped from the earth.

 Survival during this bleak time depends on the qualification of "believing in Him." Suddenly, if you think Jacob knew what he was talking about then our doctrines take on terrible significance. What we believe matters. Not just in the distant after-life, but for the preservation of our present lives. Jacob does make a powerful case for studying the Gospel a good deal more carefully than we can accomplish in a 40 minute class-discussion, with an approved "discussion leader," using Correlated materials, rather than a teacher declaring and testifying of true doctrine.” (Snuffer)

…………………………

SIDENOTE:

SYMBOLIC STORY OF THE ONLY THING THAT SURVIVED A UTAH FIRE WAS A BABY EAGLE:

The baby golden eagle miraculously survived a Utah wildfire and was found alive on June 28 behind a charred tree, about 25 feet below the nest that was burned to a crisp in the 5,500-acre Dump Fire near Saratoga Springs in Utah. The 70-day-old eaglet had suffered burns on his talons, beak, head and wings. His flight feathers were melted down to within an inch or two of his wing and tail. He's very underweight at just over five pounds. What seems to have saved his life during the fire was the insulation offered by his down feathers and once-thick body, according to the wildlife rehabilitation center. They have named the baby eagle, Phoenix.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-07/baby-golden-eagle-survives-wildfire/56087430/1

In Native American symbolism, the Eagle represents God, the Father Creator.  This baby eagle that survived  the fire was the child, or son of, the eagle that was spared in the all consuming flames. Perhaps this is a beautiful metaphor for us.  As Jacob testifies in the Book of Mormon, If we but believe in the Only Begotten Son of our Heavenly Father, we will be spared.

...........................................

"none will he destroy that believe in him. And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by FIRE, quakes, and by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine."

76: SLICK MARKETING CAMPAIGN

I tried to log onto lds.org today. Unfortunately, the website is temporartily down. The page that came up was this. http://outofservice.lds.org/ 

So, instead I went to mormon.org. Below is the webpage that came up. I was a little surprised to see the huge departure from the typical "look and feel" of the Especially for Youth pamphets. The title of Limitless Options sounds like a Marketing Slogan. Anyway.. I thought I would share the screenshot from the main page.

LIMITLESS OPTIONS

As a professional skateboarder, Kevin feels God in every crazy color, emotion, and rush of adrenaline.

From his testimonial,
"I was raised into the church but didn't have a testimony of my own. It wasn't until I ventured away from the church in my early teens and found myself gaining an extremely strong testimony through skateboarding and my mom and sisters's example."

..............................

The church invests millions in the infrastructure to test, market, gather focus-group insights, and then opinion poll to improve the marketing of Mormonism. The success of the church is not dependent upon, nor guaranteed by, a multi-billion-dollar downtown complex of religious and commercial buildings. If that is what motivates someone to join, they do not have the right reasons or focus, and will not contribute anything to the faith. We do not need to gather into the net those who  find a slick marketing approach convincing enough to become Mormon.  

We only need to gather those who are pricked in their hearts, humble and who prayed to know if this is God's work or not. Those who get an answer are going to join because they got an answer. Such people will have an inner strength that flows from having spoken with God. They will remain and grow in their knowledge of godliness-- as long as we feed them. They will perish, however, if we feed them nothing but myth and superficial portions of the Gospel. The truth is exciting, and we risk killing their faith when we make it dull, incomplete, and mingled with misrepresentations. They will die, even if they are active in the church. (Snuffer).

75: MORMON NIGHT in LOS ANGELES

EVERYONE is invited to Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium!! This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a Dodger's baseball game in the company of ward members, friends, and investigators. Everyone is encouraged to invite their friends. The event will be held on June 29, 2012 at 7:10pm.

President D.F. Uchtdorf will be throwing the first pitch to a member of the Area Seventy. There will be amazing fireworks following the game. Bring blankets and lay on the field for an optimum view.

Please purchase tickets as soon as possible. The money needs to be sent to Salt Lake as soon as it can be sent.

Tickets prices are as follows:

Right field, all-you-can-eat: $28
Left field, regular: $14
Children 4 and under: Free
Parking:$10

A Mormon Night wrist band comes with all ticket purchases. :)

.................................................

Apparently this has been going on for 20 years. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705388179/Thousands-enjoy-Mormon-Night-with-Dodgers.html?pg=all

"Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium, the longest running community event held by the Dodgers organization, has gone for more than 20 years. It is also the largest special event they hold.

Elder Cook expressed his pleasure with the event and noted that the name of the church had been mentioned several times throughout the evening, both over the PA system as well as on the Jumbotron."
.......................................................

74: WHO ARE YOU?

Written by my friend and posted with his permission:
....

The message of repentance in the scriptures was often to a religious crowd who considered themselves the Lord's people and who thought they were righteous (Luke 18:9-14).  

One of the reasons we may feel the Book of Mormon's message of repentance doesn't apply to us as "faithful" Latter-day Saints is because our lives, by and large, are in harmony with the principles taught from our pulpits and in our Sunday schools.  We keep the commandments and fulfill our callings.  Although we acknowledge in word that the message of repentance still applies to us as much as anyone, we are often perplexed about what it is we must repent of.

Besides serious transgressions, one of the things we must repent of are our misconceptions, and false traditions; or, what the Book of Mormon calls "unbelief." 

God's prophets mourn our state of unbelief because it causes us to not "search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be" (2 Ne. 32:7).  Because of that unbelief and stiffneckedness the Spirit stops the utterance of prophets when they might otherwise desire to share more about God's plan (ibid.).

King Benjamin taught that unbelief is a result of failing to read and understand God's word (Mosiah 1:5).  Because men fail to search the scriptures they "dwindle in unbelief" and fail to believe the truth when it is taught to them "because of the traditions of their fathers" (ibid.).  Dwindling in unbelief disables men so that they cannot understand the word of God.  This lack of understanding hardens men's hearts (Mosiah 26:3).  

In order for us to repent of and conquer unbelief we must come into contact with the "light of the glory of God" (Alma 19:6).  This encounter will cast away unbelief and dispel the clouds of darkness (ibid.).  For the majority of Latter-day Saints this encounter will begin to occur as we search the scriptures, but particularly the scriptures of the restoration.  We can choose to have this encounter with light and truth and begin to peel away the dark scales of unbelief, or we can choose not to receive the light.  Those who choose not to receive the light will be deceived, for they will not have the light required to discern between true and false messengers.  They will not be prepared for the "test" that Heber C. Kimball prophesied would overcome us in our day.         

In order for you to begin to remove the condemnation under which you labor you must take the Book of Mormon seriously.  

In order for you to begin to take the Book of Mormon seriously (or to not "treat it lightly") you must understand its message.  

In order for you to begin to understand the message of the Book of Mormon, it is vital for you to dismiss false notions about who "My people, O House of Israel" are, and who "the Gentiles" are.  

The truth of the matter is disconcerting for many people when presented with it, and so they choose not to search out the matter.  They think that those who would voice an opinion contrary to their traditions are "mad" (Mosiah 13:4).  Why is it that when a prophet declares the truth about the scriptures the religious are angry with him?  Must a man be a false prophet because his message angers you?  Must a prophet's message make you feel good about yourself?   

A proud man will usually choose to remain blind even when presented with light and truth because it salves his conscience to retain a false identity.  Doing so allows him to retain his pride, and believe in the message that "all is well" (2 Ne. 28:21).  But the Lord has made it clear that we have to shed false traditions and become humble and accept truth if we will be saved (Alma 32:15-16). 

The Latter-day Saints are the Gentiles of the Book of Mormon, and the Gentiles to whom it was written.  It was written for those Gentiles who are its readers, not those who are not its readers.  It was written in clarity that the Gentiles might understand the mission we've been called to perform.  The book defines our role.

Joseph Smith knew he was the "Gentile" who was chosen to begin the latter-day work (Title Page).  He referred to the rest of the Saints as "Gentiles" in the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, which he received by revelation (D&C 109:60).  Throughout the Book of Mormon the writers are persistent and consistent in their use of the term.

Without explaining the entire issue, it's important to be presented with the idea so that it may be searched out.  Those who look into the matter will begin to see it clearly.  From beginning to end, European descendants are the "Gentiles" of the Book of Mormon, nobody else.  Unless you are a Latter-day Saint who also happens to be Native American, you are not the "remnant" or the "House of Israel" spoken of in the Book of Mormon.      

Don't let prejudices, misunderstandings, and false traditions deter your search.  Never mind what you think your Patriarchal blessing tells you about the meaning of "the House of Israel" in the Book of Mormon.  Those first or last sentences about lineage in your blessing no more help you understand the Book of Mormon than does the term "High Priest," as we use it today, help us to understand Alma 13.  They're almost wholly different.  Those things will all become clear as you discard false traditions and put off unbelief.  It doesn't matter if you descend from the House of Israel way back when, you are a "Gentile" to the Book of Mormon writers.     

Once you can understand your identity, the prophecies and messages of the Book of Mormon will begin to become very real to you.  The Book, as a whole, will begin to make much more sense.  You will be able to see more clearly, in order that a more thorough repentance may begin to take place.  It will be a precious gift, opening up to your view the fulness of the Gospel.  But not until we can put off "unbelief."  If we fail to understand our identity and the message of the Book of Mormon, we are dwindling in unbelief.

Many of our ideas about the scriptures are correct, but misapplied.  Many of our precepts are true and scriptural, but misunderstood.  It is true that the repentant Gentiles will ultimately be numbered among "the House of Israel" (2 Ne. 10:18).  We've gotten too far ahead of the game, however, in assuming that we've already made it.  We haven't.  The House of Israel will very soon receive the Book of Mormon and the fulness of the Gospel.  They haven't received it yet, but they will soon.  It will be brought unto them by the kings and queens of the Gentiles, who will act as nursing fathers and mothers to them (2 Ne. 10:9).

73: PARABLE OF THE SUMMER SOLSTICE HIKE

photos taken in the wilderness region in Southern California in June 2012

.

,

Parable of the Summer Solstice Hike

A man planned to observe the first day of summer by arising early for a morning hike. However, he was woken up one hour earlier than he was prepared to at exactly 4:00 AM,. It was dark, cold and cloudy outside. Everyone was still comfortable in their beds fast asleep.  Because he was a traveler in a different land, he was not sure where to hike to escape the thick coastal clouds and fog in order to witness the sunrise. After praying for direction, he followed a prompting to drive to a wilderness area with the help of his used map. He filled his car with gas and drove about 40 miles on the main freeway. He then exited off the freeway and  drove up a narrow steep, one lane canyon road. He got out of his car near a road called the South Main Divide. He had finally reached an elevation which was above the clouds and fog and began hiking to reach the best unobstructed view to see the sun rise. However, after about 10 minutes, the clouds and fog rolled in, covering the sky once again. The man returned to his car and continued driving  to even higher ground. Time was running out, since the man could see that the sun was about to rise.  He pulled over once again after escaping the clouds and got out of the car. However, this second stop he felt was still not the correct place, but he could see on the distance ridge a white rock that he was to climb to. With not much time left, the man needed to reach this third location. It was painful journey through thick brush, steep terrain, and thorny weeds to reach the rock summit.  Cut and bleeding, he could not reach the top of this rock alone. Pleading for help, a way was opened up to him allowing him to ascend. He then  knelt upon the enormous solid white rock and witnessed the rising sun and the beauty of a new day dawning.

72: BURNED IN THE FIRE (Addendum)

 "As, therefore, the tares are gathered and burned in the fire,

so shall it be in the end of this world, or the destruction of the wicked. "

JST Matthew 13:41

Below is a photo of the Mt. Pleasant Fire in Utah of homes that have been burnt to the ground.

Photo of the Colorado City fire where tens of thousands have been evacuted from their homes.

Just prior to the Lord coming to this promised land, we read in 3 Nephi 10:

And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared—And they were spared and were not sunk and buried up in the earth; and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor of smoke and of darkness.

And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempest, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.

Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.

..............

Sidenote:
Today is June 27... it is 168 years since the martrydom of the prophet Joseph Smith  and his brother Hyrum.  We read in D&C 135: 1:

"To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the matrydom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: ^dO Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls."


ADDENDUM:

This week, the mountain states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho and Montana are currently all experiencing devastating fires. It seems like this past year somewhere in the country at any given moment is experiencing either hailstorms, tornados, flooding, droughts, earthquakes, or hailstorms… an now FIRES.  

Where can we find safety?

In the new July 2012 Ensign, there is an article about finding safety, it is called “Take your Tents and Flee”. The last sentence of the article reads as follows:  

“Thankfully, the Lord has provided us with wards and branches, stakes and districts to gather to and a broad gospel tent for spiritual shelter from the storm. Beneath this tent we can find the refuge we seek from the storms of life.”

However, Interesting story in the news this morning, a fire destroyed an LDS meeting house in Arizona.  A meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been reduced to a pile of rubble after an early morning fire broke out. The center of the roof in the chapel collapsed into the church, and firefighters said they were worried the front wall of the building could fall. Firefighters said the building was a total loss. The Fire Chief George Good said the fire began in the church sanctuary and spread to the attic

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=21047067&s_cid=article-popular-1

There is only one place of safety from the coming storms, and it may not be found where we think. We will be vulnerable if we think any physical structure, institutional organization, or our perceived righteousness of being the Lord’s chosen will save us.  It is only found in our repentance, turning our hearts back to the Lord and having complete reliance on Him.

71: TRANSFORMERS vs CONFORMERS

photo taken of the sunset of the Venus Transit on June 5,, 2012

I thought this was such a profound quote that is deserved it's own post without any commentary:

"But there's another reason why some believers steer away from this kind of worship [and authentic Christ-like life]: the consequences  may be dangerous. . . It's not likely that many of us will become martyrs, [!] but we may find ourselves suffering in other ways. It's my feeling that many Christians don't want a transforming experience of worship [real life in Christ] because life is comfortable the way it is. So, when transformed people show up in a crowd of conformers, people  are immediately threatened by their presence -- and this can lead to some  difficult situations in homes and churches. 'Transformers' don't create problems;  they reveal them." (Warren Wiersbe's "Real Worhip", p. 35)

70: SUMMER SOLSTICE: avoid walking in darkness at noonday.

Today is the Summer Solstice. Today is a day of most sunlight. It begins summer. Here is an interesting chaism found in Thessalonians 5: 5

 

      Ye are all the children of light

          and the children of the day

            We are not of the night,

                    nor of darkness.

                    therefore let us not sleep,

             as do others;

           but let us watch

       and be sober.

 

The children of the light are sober. The children of day watch. Whereas, the children of darkness are asleep.  Isaiah warns us that in the latter days  "we stumble at noonday as in the night." Isaiah 59:10

How can we avoid being deceived, blind, asleep and walking in darkness at noonday?

SEEKING THE BEST GIFTS TO AVOID DECEPTION

 

"Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.  Doctrine and Covenants 46:8

 

 We read in  I Corinthians 12: 31 and then I Corinthians 13

 

“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

 

What are the best gifts?

• Gift of prophecy?
• Gift to understand all mysteries?
• Gift to have all knowledge?
• Gift to have faith to move mountains?

The best gift is to be possessed with Charity. And what is charity?

• It Suffereth long
• Is Kind
• Envieth not
• Vaunteth not itself
• Not puffed up
• Seeketh not her own
• Not easily provoked Thinketh no evil
• Beareth all things
• Believeth all things
• Hopeth all things
• Endureth all things

69: WHY DID ABINADI WEAR A DISGUISE?

The following is notes from a conversation as well as an email that I recieved from a friend. Much of the symbols can be found in Tom Cryer's book, "Visual Testament: and the Israelite Indian"

"... Abinidi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not."

Mosiah 12:1

When we first read this, we assume that Abinidi is disguising himself so he would not be recognized, as though he was fearful of being caught. But the next sentence says that he tells the people his name. Why would he disguise himself if the very first thing he tells people is his name. Also, he wanted an audience with the king, that was his purpose, so it seems apparent that he disguised himself to gain audience with the king, not to avoid him.

The Native Americas use clothing or costumes to tell a story. Their clothing and associated props (feathers, sashes, pipes, head bands, ankle bands, wrist bands, head dress, masks ext) literally states their message that the people easily recognize, including of course illiterate people of whom most the ancient native people were.

In the 1820 English dictionary, one of the definitions of "disguise" was "To disfigure; to alter the form, and exhibit an unusual appearance." . Using this definition, we could say that Abinidi came among them wearing his message. He had the garb and symbols on his body, which was his unusual appearance or disguise, unlike his visit two years earlier (which is why they knew him not this time around). But his message was load and clear and understood by the people because of what he was wearing. And what could he have been wearing?

In the Mosiah 12: 3-. You will notice the vivid and symbolic language used. I will put into parenthesis the item that Abinidi may have been displaying to illustrate the word. "Thus saith the Lord, ...this generation...shall be brought into bondage (wrist bracelet illustrating bondage) and shall be smitten on the cheek (cheek markings) yea and shall be driven by men (whipping stick or prodding stick)...and the vultures of the air and the dogs (mouth mask of a vulture beak or dog's mouth -...shall devour their flesh...And the life of king Noah shall be valued as a garment in a hot furnace (red colored skirt strings or tropical bird feathers). And it shall come to pass that I will smite my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence (old dirty skirt or cloth), and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long (hollow tube). I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs (sack on back) and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass (whip or stick)...I will send forth hail among them and insects (head mask and horns) shall pester their land also and devour their grain."and it shall smite them (sash symbol or head dress or body paint), and they shall be smitten with the east wind (body paint)
His disguise was for the illiterate to understand, which they did and then took him before the king. His priest were educated and literate. Abinidi then quotes and reads the scriptures to them. He used their written language to condemn the priest. Abinidi spoke the words of the Lord in the language of his audience.

It's interesting to note that Alma ran off and wrote the words that Abinidi had spoken. How did he know so well the things that Abinidi spoke to the people when he wasn't even there? One my be quick to say it was because the people rehearsed what Abinidi had told them. But an easier explanation is that Abinidi still had his disguise on when he was brought before the king. Alma could read the message on his disguise as easily as the people could. The disguise would be much easier to remember than the words Abinidi spoke.

68: ELEGANT AND SPACIOUS BUILDINGS

"And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper."

Mosiah 11:8

My family and I recently went on a tour of the LDS Conference Center. I learn some interesting facts from our tour guide. Some of the facts she mentioned:

• The conference center is believed to be world's largest indoor auditorium.
• Exterior walls are 1 1/2 inch thick granite (quartzite) quarried from Little Cottonwood Canyon and ashlar granite.
• Cherry wood and Pear wood is used throughout.
• Took 3 years to build with 1,100 employees on-site during peak construction schedule.
• It is 1. 5 million square feet.
• The roof is over 4 acres.
• There are 1600 theatrical lights.
• The building incorporates over 50,000 miles of wire--enough to encircle the globe twice.
• The building and grounds cover 10 acres or one city block--the same area as all of Temple Square.
• Seating capacity is 21,333 in comparision to the Madison Square Garden which seats around 20,000
• The total cost is not released by the church.

But the most interesting thing that the tour guide mentioned was about the "Hinckley Pulpit" which was built from the walnut tree from President Hinckley's backyard. . He gave the Conference Center's first address in April 2000, sharing a personal story about a black walnut tree he had planted near his family home nearly four decades before the tree died the previous year.

He inquired about possibly using the walnut wood for the soon-to-be-completed building's pulpit; the tree provided just enough for the pulpit's thin veneer.

VENEER: from Websters Dictionary: a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance. To face or cover an object with any material that is more desirable as a surface material that the basic material of the object. A deceptive, superficial show, a façade.

This is the story that President Gordon B. Hinckley's told during the Saturday morning session of LDS general conference on April 1, 2000

• "Well, some 36 years ago, I planted a black walnut. It was in a crowded area where it grew straight and tall to get the sunlight. A year ago, for some reason it died. But walnut is a precious furniture wood. I called Brother Ben Banks of the Seventy, who, before giving his full time to the church, was in the business of hardwood lumber. He brought his two sons ... , one a bishop and the other recently released as a bishop and who now run the business, to look at the tree. From all they could tell it was solid, good and beautiful wood. One of them suggested that it would make a pulpit for this hall. The idea excited me. The tree was cut down and then cut into two heavy logs. Then followed the long process of drying. ... , first naturally and then kiln drying. The logs were cut into boards at a sawmill in Salem, Utah. The boards were then taken to Fetzer's woodworking plant, where expert craftsmen designed and built this magnificent pulpit. ... with that wood.  The end product is beautiful. I wish all of you could examine it closely.... It represents superb workmanship, and here I am speaking to you from the tree I grew in my back yard, where my children played and also grew. It is an emotional thing for me."

Now, I was always under the impression that the pulpit was made of solid walnut.

However, Come to find out the tree was already dead in the backyard, and there wasn't enough wood to build the pulpit. There was only enough to provide a thin veneer. The pulpit appears to be made of walnut, but it is actually is not.. it is made out of cherry wood, with a veneer of walnut. That is why the fire and water damage that occured at the conference center a few weeks ago was such a concern. When there is water damage, any veneer could possible warp, or come detached and expose the true material underneath.

67: FAITH IN THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST

..............................

Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ;

teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart;

teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil,

with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alma 37: 33

...............................

Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ...

VS. 

The Reliance on others and/or The Reliance on your own strength.

Last week my family and I watched the movie, 'Faith Like Potatoes'. I don't normally recommend movies or books to others unless I think they contain some value. I know some might have some criticisms of this movie, but I found it to be inspirational.   In our current fallen world, it is difficult to find people who have faith in God. The majority seem to boast in their own strength and/or rely on others for their salvation instead of Jesus Christ.

This is story of a broken, angry man who turns his life over to Christ and learns about the  importance of complete reliance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

This movie is inspired by the true story of Angus Buchan, a Zambian farmer of Scottish heritage. I would recommend watching it with the English subtitles due to the strong accents (which is somewhat difficult to understand.) While the movie is somewhat a low-budget film and begins slow, it is a moving life journey of a man who, like his potatotoes, grows his faith in Jesus Christ, unseen until the harvest.

I also watched the special 55 minute featured interview on the DVD. I enjoyed listening to Angus Buchan tell his story in his own words. How this man lives with his wife and family shows one who is attempting to live with faith and closer to living in a Zion type society.

from DS blog:
"Zion will NOT be a intercontinental, multi-million member organization spread throughout the world. It will be small. It will be local. The Saints will be gathered from all the world into Zion. This is because once a messenger has delivered "the words which the Lord God hath commanded me," then we are responsible for how we react and whether or not we repent. If we repent, angels will gather us. If we do not, they will not gather us."

66: A GALA EVENT CELEBRATION

 

A gala event is planned for August to celebrate the 85th birthday of President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The masters of ceremonies duties for the celebration, called "Golden Days: A Celebration of Life," will be shared by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Hall-of-Famer Steve Young and former network news anchor and author Jane Clayson Johnson. The event will feature Broadway and other musical selections performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and notable guest artists, who have not yet been announced. Choir President Mac Christensen said, "I happen to know the songs being performed will delight President Monson."

The evening will also include a nostalgic look back at Pres. Monson's life, including his childhood, marriage, time in the Navy during World War II, and decades of service. He was called as a bishop of a congregation at age 22 and has served for nearly a half century as a general authority of the church.
A news release from Mormon Newsroom quotes Young as saying, "This celebration is a great way to let (Pres. Monson) know how much he is loved and appreciated. It's a privilege to play a small part in that recognition."

The event will be held at the Conference Center Friday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. .
.................................

Sidenote:
The past 8 eight posts have been about the Prophet Abinadi. Doubtful he was every thrown a lavious Birthday Party. I hope to write up similar posts about another prophet by the name of Samuel. The following is from a blog post.  http://denversnuffer.blogspot.com/2012/03/importance-of-scriptures.html

"This example from the Book of Mormon is a clear warning intended for our day. Christ's admonition to "Search the prophets" is just as important an admonition now as it was then. So the challenge remains to keep ourselves ready, and listen to the words of the Prophets. It is our common misconception, however, that there will never be another Samuel the Lamanite who is an outsider and without credentials to be given a message for us by the Lord. We expect that if there is a message for our day it will come from the head of the church, not some obscure outsider, like Samuel. We imagine it is always safe to disregard such characters. It is curious, however, that the Book of Mormon, which is the "most correct book" includes this odd departure as an example. It is odd the Nephites never figured out our system. It is so much better than theirs was. We really are a royal generation, the most blessed of all who have ever lived! We never face such a test, because we imagine we have an authorized source of truth, an institutional charisma that can never fail, and through which we can never be led astray. The Lord has made it so much easier for us in our day. It somehow makes sense to us, but leaves me wondering if the Lord ought not apologize to the Nephites for making it so much harder for them. Then there is that unfortunate recent announcement by the church a few days ago about church leaders speaking "in the absence of revelation" which complicates these questions.

It makes me wonder if our eternal salvation depends on sorting out the truth from error. Or, alternatively, if it matters in the more immediate unfolding history preliminary to the Second Coming and the whole earth being cursed if we get it wrong."

65: THE PROPHET ABINADI: Part 4 (Conclusion)

This post concludes the series on King Noah and Abinadi written by a friend. I tried to include a different image that we normally don't see along with each post. Below is the last, but the most common depiction we are used to seeing, but I have made it abstact. Using shapes and colors we form a pictures in our mind....Sometimes we think we can see clearly, when we are actually blind. False assumptions and traditions handled down through the generations cause us err in truth. Hopefully after reading all eight parts has changed your paradigm on this very important story found in the Book of Mormon.

.
The Prophet Abinadi, Part 4, Conclusion
.
“Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings”

Mosiah 11:29.

King Noah chose not to repent after hearing the Lord’s invitation. Though he may have almost been persuaded, it is more difficult to do what is right when supported by “friends in iniquity” (Mosiah 17:11; 29:22-23). To trample under-foot the commandments of God is a fearful thing to undertake in solitude, so the coward seeks to be upheld by a support group.

The king and his people had at least a couple of years to think about Abinadi’s initial message (Mosiah 12:1). Because they “hardened their hearts against my words,” the Lord commanded Abinadi to return again and prophesy to the people (ibid).

God calls king Noah and his people “this my people” two times (vv. 1, 4). We tend not to think about them this way when we read and tell the story. What does it mean that the Lord called them “this my people?” Does it mean that they were chosen? What about the people of the kingdom under Zeniff? Were they a chosen people? If chosen, and if the Lord’s people, what lessons can we learn from them? The Lord has also called the latter-day saints “my people” throughout our revelations (D&C 105:6; 119:3; 124:92, and many more). What does it mean to be the Lord’s people?

The things covered in a short four-part series on Noah and then on Abinadi only begin to investigate the text in an honest way. There is much more to the story we have left unexamined.

Chapters 12, 13, 14, and 15 are far more doctrinally rich than the few verses we’ve looked at in chapter 11. In chapter 12, Abinadi begins teaching them of Isaiah’s writings, and warns them about setting their hearts on riches. In 13 we see God’s messenger speak with “power and authority from God,” and how the hand of the Lord protects those who have a divine commission, or “keys,” to bring a message of repentance until they’ve done all that is asked of them. He teaches them of the Ten Commandments, because they need reminding on what it really means to live them. Chapters 14 and 15 are rich in Christological content.

On the whole, this story is a Godsend for us who inherit the book in the latter days. God desires “this my people” to understand how to come unto Christ and be saved. Christ warned us to “beware of false prophets,” and has given to us in the Book of Mormon tools by which we may discern true prophets (3 Ne. 14:15). They preach repentance, just as Christ invited all to repent and come unto him. Abinadi is a prototype prophet because he is a type of Christ. What is it that you can learn from him?

The people of king Noah’s kingdom had not applied their hearts to understanding, and therefore lacked wisdom (12:27). Shall we not apply our hearts to understanding the great message of the Book of Mormon?