145: A TIME OF WORLD UPHEAVAL

"finding yourself on the wrong way on a freeway during rush hour"

We live in times when the world is in great upheaval. This has always been the case whenever there is a transition from one dispensation to another. Not only is there always great wickedness amongst the people, it is also accompanied with climatic earthly destructions.

We are not the only ones who have and will experience this. Past dispensational heads like Noah and Abraham also lived in times little short of an earthly hell.

Below are some excerpts from the writing of Nibley that I wanted to share. I have a new found respect for his work and the things he wrote.

"If we fancy Noah riding the sunny seas high, dry, and snug in the ark, we have not read the record—the long, hopeless struggle against entrenched mass resistance to his preaching, the deepening gloom and desperation of the years leading up to the final debacle, then the unleashed forces of nature with the family absolutely terrified, weeping and praying "because they were at the gates of death," as the ark was thrown about with the greatest violence by terrible winds and titanic seas."

After all that...

"Noah went forth into a world of utter desolation, as Adam did, to build his altar, call upon God, and try to make a go of it all over again, only to see some of his progeny on short order prefer Satan to God and lose all the rewards that his toil and sufferings had put in their reach."
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In Abraham's day, men had perverted the order of life, so God altered the order of nature. The problems he had to face were forced upon him largely by the evil times in which he lived.

There is a definite correlation between the behavior of man and the behavior of nature. The universe is so organized, according to this, that when man revolts against God's plan of operations, to which all other creatures conform, he finds himself in the position of one going the wrong way on a freeway during rush hour: the very stars in their course fight against him.

As it was in the days of Noah, so in the days of Abraham, a very old Christian writing explains, the world was ripe for destruction, according to the principle that whenever men fall away completely from God, destruction must follow.

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In desperation, men turned to worshiping idols.

The sophisticated people of Abraham's time wanted the sanction of holy beings which at the same time were one hundred percent compliant with their own interests and desires, just as people today search out those scriptures which support their interests and push the rest aside.

There were displays of astonishing luxury and sophistication, the style being Babylonian rather than Egyptian, and apparently already in a state of decadence just before its destruction by an earthquake.

It is not surprising that "the men of Sodom were the wealthy men of prosperity, on account of the good and fruitful land whereon they dwelt. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were not condemned for their ignorance of the God of Abraham but rather for their greed; they were destroyed because they did not strengthen the hand of the poor and heeded not the needy.

For them everything existed for the sole purpose of being turned into cash. One cannot help thinking of the church builders in Mormon 8:37 and 39, who adorn themselves "with that which hath no life" while calmly ignoring the needs of the living.

That this emphasis on wealth and status was the real wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah is attested by both the Bible and the Pearl of Great Price.
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Excerpts from Hugh Nibley's "The World of Abraham".
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144: THE CENTER PUZZLE PIECE

 I find it interesting that the four gospels in the New Testament are titled.. 

• The Gospel according to St. Matthew
• The Gospel according to St. Mark
• The Gospel according to St. Luke
• The Gospel according to St. John

Each of these apostles of Christ wrote their accounts "according to" what they saw, heard and witnessed. It is their testimonies.  "According to" is defined as "as stated or indicated by, or determined by". 

Everyone has their own testimonies, perspective, and interpretation of things. Some seem to vary or even conflict with one another. In the end,  hopefully each are sharing what they know to be true and belong to the whole picture, a greater truth.
It reminds me of this parable of the Elephant and the blind men.

A group of blind men touch an elephant. Each man touches only one part of the animal. The man who touches the trunk says, “The elephant is like a tree trunk.” The man touching the tusk says , "The elephant is like a solid pipe.” The man touching the tail says, “The elephant is like a rope.” The man who touches the leg says, “The elephant is like a pillar.” Though they described the same animal, each man had his own point of view that was limited in perspective. Without honoring one another’s perspective, and without the will and skill to intelligently communicate, misunderstandings about what is “real” could escalate and cause conflict—each man believing he is right and the other wrong, when in actuality each is experiencing just one dimension of a greater truth.
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In the last days, many will be decieved. Even the very elect may be deceived. (Matthew 24:24) Discernment is one of the most important gifts that we can recieve from the Lord. We need to constantly be asking for discernment. Many have part of the truth and they are pieces of the puzzle. Some see and feel the "trunk" of the elephant, others the "tail".  Few can see the entire elephant. We need to make sure that all of these pieces we see and feel connect in with the center puzzle piece.. Jesus Christ.

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 Behold, my beloved brethren,

THIS IS THE WAY;

and there is none other way nor name given under heaven

whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.

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Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ,

and the only and true doctrine of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost,

which is one God, without end.

Amen.

2 Nephi 31: 19-21

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143: ASSURANCE

This past week, The Church News celebrates President Thomas S Monson's five year anniversary as our sustained prophet, seer, and revelator. It also marks his 50 years as being called as a General Authority. There are several articles that are interesting to read that honor his dedicated service. Here are a few of the article titles:

• Worldwide travels
• The Prophet's ministry
• Teachings of the Prophet
• Timeline of noteworthy events during his five years as prophet.
• Message from the President Thomas S Monson.

I read the article that contained his message and the following word stood out.. The word 'assure'.

President Monson states.

"I assure you that the Church is in good hands. The system set up for the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve assures that it will always be in good hands and that, come what may, there is no need to worry or to fear."

Assure: . To make safe as from risk. To convince, persuade, or sooth. To tell someone something positively to dispel any doubt they many have.

We live in such a blessed time, I am so glad that the system that is set up for the Brethern assures that is will always be in good hands.

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Footnote:
 I did a scripture search on lds.org for the word  'prophet' and the word 'assure'. This was the verses that came up:

"..behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. (meaning the prophets gives the people assurance of peace)

Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed." Jeremiah 14: 13- 15.

142: HOW QUICKLY WE CAN FALL

We read in the first part of the book of Alma about his experiences in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  After baptizing thousands into the church...there was peace and harmony. No contentions, nor wars around the city of Zarahelma. The Church was established more fully, and many joined and were baptized. In fact 3,500 souls united and were baptized over the following year. They all enjoyed continual peace for a season.

However....
ONE YEAR LATER...

The people of the church began to wax proud. But they had every reason to be... they were members of the true church. They had been baptized by the hand of Alma,  the High Priest.   Notwithstanding, The people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and set their hearts upon the riches and upon the vain things of the world.  They turned their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry.
Those who could see what was happening, beheld it with great sorrow.

How unfortunate for the people of Alma. They should have known better. Didn't they read their scriptures and remember that this happens over and over again? Couldn't they get it right?... Didn't someone tell them that there are three things we can not avoid in this life.. taxes, death, and avoiding the pride cycle?.
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Isn't it great that we have finally gotten it right? We have the restored Church, we have living prophet who can't lead us astray. This could never happen to us in the Latter Day Church. :)


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Personal Sidenote:

Both of these photos were taken around 4:00 PM yesterday above the Salt Lake Valley. In a previous post I mentioned the pollutions and hazardous air quality in Salt Lake City. The only escape is to ascend to higher ground. For those living in the city, it is difficult to see the type of air you are breathing until you rise above it. In fact from in the Salt Lake valley, the air is so thick it is almost impossible to see the mountains and the majestic peaks covered with white snow. The sun can barely penetrate through the dark polluted air. The sun can only be seen in higher elevations.

On a quick hike above the city yesterday, the scriptures opened to the 5th chapter of Alma.

 "O ye workers of iniquity;

ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world,

ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness

nevertheless have gone astray,

as sheep having no shepherd notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you

and is still calling after you,

but ye will not hearken unto his voice!"

Alma 5: 37

But the next verse gives us hope:

"Behold, I say unto you,

that the good shepherd doth call you;

yea, and in his own name he doth call you,

which is the name of Christ;

and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd,

to the name by which ye are called,

behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

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 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men,

for the arms of mercy are extended towards them,

and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life;

yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely.

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What a blessing and gift the Book of Mormon is to us.

141: INCREASING THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD

"I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”

Isaiah 41:10

The Ancients who understood spiritual energy have found that when one raises one's arm to the square, as when taking an oath, the arm acts as an antenna to draw spiritual energy, increasing and magnifying the power of the spoken words.

Moses raised his right arm in the parting of the Red Sea and the elements obeyed his words.

Christ with his right arm to the square as he spoke the words for Lazarus to rise from the grave.

Native Americans raise their right arm in a greeting, increasing the power of their saluation of hello.

When taking on an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, the President will raise their right hand to the square. Those entering the militiary as well as any public office will also raise their right arm to the square. Those testifying in court raise their right hand to the square.

When a church member is newly baptized or moves into the geographic boundaries of a ward or branch, the individual's name is presented to the congregation and members are invited to raise their right hand to welcome that member. We also raise our right hand to sustain or give a vote of thanks for those in their ward callings.

There are many other examples that I could share, some of which are sacred.

I found this interesting that all through the generations on this earth we can see the importance of the arm raised to the square..which is a symbol as well as a literal means to increase and magnify the power of the spoken words.


Sidenote:
Some scriptural references:
“The predominance of right-handedness provided a ready basis for metaphors and geographic perspective in the Ancient Near East…In social concourse, oaths and agreements were affirmed with the right hand (Gen. 14:22; Ezek 17:18; Dan 12:7), expressions of fellowship were sealed with a right-handed handshake (Ezra 10:19), and giving and receiving were done with the right hand (Ps 26:10; Gal 2:9).” (Dictionary of Biblical Imagery 727-728)

140: I HAVE CALLED YOU MY FRIEND

"For you have loved to seek me, and I have called you my friend."

Apocalypse of Abraham. IX

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Abraham desired to possess a greater knowledge and was seeking God earnestly. Because Abraham loved to seek God, Abraham has the distinction of being the only person in the Old Testament whom the Lord calls "my friend" , or more literally, "my beloved friend." This is a divine compliment paid to Abraham.

The word 'friend' comes form the Old English word 'freogan' which means "to love, to favor," The word also derives from the Germanic word 'frijojanan' which means "to love"

...

I recently recieved an email from a friend which ended his email with the word Namaste. I wasn't familiar with the word so I looked it up.

Namaste is a gesture that represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. 

 To perform Namaste, you place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. You bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart.

 Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of pride. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Namaste is a symbol of gratitude and respect and thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

"Thy friends do stand by thee,

and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

Doctrine and Covenants 121: 9

NAMASTE!

139: FALSE SPIRITS

"Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits,
which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world.
And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you."

D&C 50:2

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Here we read in a 1831 revelation given to Joseph Smith that there are MANY false Spirits abroad on the earth that go forth and deceive. Not only are there false spirits deceiving, but Joseph Smith states.. and also Satan. It is a one, two punch. False Spirits.. and also Satan.

During this period of time of the restoration, much light was being restored, we read that a so-called spiritual phenomena was not uncommon among the members, some of whom claimed to be receiving visions and revelations. When greater light is given, greater darkness and disception also occurs. You release forces in opposition to light and truth. They have to be balanced. It is an eternal principle. There is day and night, there is health and sickness, there is pleasure and pain... there is truth and there is deception.

Many false spirits will claim to be a light to others. They are seeking to teach others a form of the truth, but in the end, it is their agenda, promoting their own glory, and or their own will. Those who attempt to distract, and to deceive, and mislead, want you to indulge and keep nothing in the bounds that the Lord had prescribed  but to seek for excess in things.

The difficulty with any addition to understanding is always in sorting out what is true and right, figuring out what ought to be kept.. vs. what is false, incomplete or misleading, and should be discarded. It is also important to have the right source when drawing light, for there remain many false spirits in the world.

We know that there  will be false prophets in the last days.. but with that, there also must be true prophets as well. So while there are false spirits abroad on the earth, there must also be true ones which will always point you to Christ.

That being said, just like a boxer in a ring, to avoid being knocked out... hold your hands high, elbows low, and move your head.

138: O YE POLLUTIONS

In an article in the USATODAY.  it was reported that there is a public-health emergency in the greater Salt Lake City area.   A friend of mine who lives out of state sent me the below newspaper article.  

Below is todays current AQI (Air Quality Index) report on the air quality nationwide. The colors show how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be of a concern.  Green areas=Good Air. Yellow Areas= Moderate Air Quality.  RED= Hazardous Air. http://airnow.gov/

 You can see that the greater Salt Lake City is the only place in the country lit up in the RED color... which is coded for UNHEALTHY AIR. With this warning,  the report says that everyone may begin to experience health effects and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Pollution is the presence in the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects. Physical pollutions are easy to see, and to monitor. However, probably even more deadly then physical pollutions are spiritual pollutions. The prophet Moroni, who saw us in these the Latter-Days, went to great lengths to testify and warn us of our situation.. our awful situation. 

Moroni states: 

 "and your churches, yea, even every one,

have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts...

O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker,

why have ye polluted the holy church of God?

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Moroni is asking us a question. "Why have ye polluted the holy church of God?"

• Do we know which church is the holy church of God?
• Is that us?
• Is that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
• If not, then what other church is it?
• Do we not testify that we are the ONLY true church, the holy church of God?

Just in case we still don't think Moroni is referring to us, he states, ALL THE CHURCHES.. yea EVEN EVERY ONE have become polluted. No exceptions. Moroni is lamenting at our awful state. Could the pollutions found in the physical air in the Greater Salt Lake City be symbolic of the pollutions in the holy church of God?

We have become polluted.

We have introduced into our environment things that are harmful and have ill effects both physically and spiritually.

Sidenote:

Here is the Salt Lake Temple in 1899.

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Here is the area around the Salt Lake Temple (seen in the background)

 after 5,000,000,000.00 billions of dollars went to "beautify" the area around Temple Square.

Pollutions? 

I testify that Moroni saw our day and that his words are true.

I add my words.. "O ye pollutions, why do you sell that which will canker."  

137: "AT ONE" WITH GOD

I wanted to share a few lines from Nibleys' "One Eternal Round: The Hermetic Vision", a chapter in the book, Temple and Cosmos.

(In case you are like me and had to look up the word 'Hermetic', here is a definition:  It is a set of beliefs and practices whose aim is the influencing of the world through contact with the heavenly forces.)

Nibley startes out the essay with defining the word 'atonement' and what it really means. He says:

It is a bringing together of God and man.

Those humans, spirits, or angels, who are "at one" with God

are naturally at one with each other

and with all his creatures.

Nibley goes on to say,

"In each dispensation the world went bad while the prophets united in futile protest, as in the days of Samuel, Hezekiah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. In the powerful phrase of Ether, "the prophets mourned and withdrew from among the people" (Ether 11:13). The prophets always tended to form societies of their own for mutual comfort and security, for they usually appear in numbers in time of crisis: "And in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent" (1 Nephi 1:4).

They were not well received. When not preaching it was their custom to keep a low profile, or simply to depart from the scene ..., a pattern we find repeated over and over again in the Book of Mormon. The holy outcasts would form with their followers a community of saints, a church, waiting and working for Zion. Zion itself is a model of such a retreat from the world: "And from thence went forth the saying, ZION IS FLED" (Moses 7:69).

In their retreat the righteous refugees take particular pains to preserve the sacred records—we think of Moses, of John, of Ether, of Moroni, etc., preserving, studying, and editing the sacred writings by special command. Without that protective care, the malice and envy of the wicked or the carelessness of the stupid would soon distort and mock the holy books. The righteous recluse—sometimes appointed by God to survival, escaping the persecution, wars, and natural disasters—is a standard fixture of history: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).

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136: LDS CITY CREEK CENTER: AWARDED BEST MALL IN THE AMERICAS

It is award season right now where the world gives praise and awards are given ( ie.. Golden Globes, Oscars etc) Who would have thought that not only are there awards for entertainment and media, but also for malls?

It was reported today in the Deseret News that our LDS Church Mall was named the best mall in not only in America... but in the Americas (Canada, US,and South America).

Click here for the link: City Creek named best mall in the Americas

"Opened in March, City Creek is the centerpiece of Salt Lake City's mixed-use downtown redevelopment project, undertaken privately by City Creek Reserve Inc. — a real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “City Creek Center is a world-class experience in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City," said general manager Linda Wardell. "People have recognized this, and downtown Salt Lake City is more vibrant than ever."


One commenter on the article stated this: "City Creek is an outstanding achievement.  We are all very fortunate to have a downtown shopping development of this magnitude.  Many thanks to the Mormon Church for bringing this project to our city.  Thank you Mormon Church!"

Maybe I am alone.. but I find all of this to be quite troublesome. What causes me even greater concern is how we choose to market and advertise our LDS Mall.  Here are a few photos that I took along the freeway of the new billboards advertising City Creek. In the first billboard shown, the advertisement uses the word: "Enchants" to describe City Creek. A synomym for the word "enchant" is "beguile".  That word sounds familiar.
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135: WARNING VOICE IN MILDNESS AND MEEKNESS

"Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people,

and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor".

"Let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor,
in mildness and in meekness"
"and lift a warning voice unto the inhabitants of the earth;
and declare both by word and by flight that desolation shall come upon the wicked."

Doctrine and Covenants 88: 81. 38:41, and 63:37.

Testify of what?
Warn people of what?
What does a warning voice in mildness and in meekness sound like?
What is the desolation that will come?
Who are the wicked?

Below is a trailer for the movie, "The Impossible". I think it is very symbolic on many levels. We see a family enjoying a vacation as if all is well,  and yet, like a thief in the night...their reality of their aweful situation blindsides them.
The title of the movie, "Impossible" is interesting. If you take the word IMPOSSIBLE, and add an apostophe between the first two letters which is I'M (Note: an apostrophe looks likes the Hebrew letter, yod. This small letter looks like an arm or a hand reaching down from heaven)..
the word IMPOSSIBLE now reads I'M POSSIBLE.

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Yes, Babylon fell. History repeats itself. Babylon will fall again. We, today, are at a worse situation than even ancient Babylon was then – but think these things are not possible because of our pride. What is coming is so sad and it did not have to be this way. But people have made their choices.

...

"However, The battle we are all called upon to fight is not external. Some people spend their time stirring people up to alarm them about carnal security. They are trying to sell something. There are fortunes being made by proponents of fear. But the audience for such things are only being distracted from a much greater, more immediate battle. Until the internal condition of the individual has been conquered and brought into alignment with heaven, there is no amount of political, social, economic or military security which will matter in the long run.

I think it more advisable to seek for and listen to the Lord, and secondarily those teachers who will convert you to the Lord; rather than any other advice or movement advocated by those promoting causes. Teachers ought to point to Him. Not to themselves. No one but the Lord is coming to rescue you; and no group will be able to overcome error apart from Him. Ultimately the battle we each face is the Lord's. We must cooperate with Him for Him to be able to win it. When He does, however, the victory is ours for we are the ones who He redeems.

The path back to the Lord's presence is an individual one. It is not likely to be accomplished while in an audience. There is no "support group" needed. It is you. What goes on inside you. What you love most. He will one day associate with a group in a city; but that group will be comprised of individuals who have previously met Him."

excerpt from a blogpost written almost exactly one year ago to the day. LINK

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Sidenote:
I really liked this excerpt from a Letter written by Joseph Smith:

Dear Brethren in Christ, and companions in tribulation:

"Let the elders be exceedingly careful about unnecessarily disturbing and  harrowing up the feelings of the people. Remember, that your business is, to preach the gospel in all humility and meekness, and warn sinners to repent and come to Christ. Avoid contentions and vain disputes with men  of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the truth. Remember that “it  is a day of warning, and not a day of many words.” If they receive not  your testimony in one place, flee to another, remembering, to cast no reflections, nor throw out any bitter sayings.  If you do your duty, it will  be just as well with you, as though all men embraced the gospel."

Joseph Smith Letter to Brethren Abroad, December 1833 LINK

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134: ONE OF THE BIGGEST DECEPTIONS OF THIS WORLD

We preach of Zion, but continue to march deeper and deeper towards Babylon.

This was the first year that across the country, Thanksgiving Day turned into a day of Shopping. Instead of Black Friday.. we now have Grey Thursday. Employees of the big department stores had to work, since the store opened for the first time for thousands and thousands of shoppers to buy gifts for Christmas right after having Thanksgiving Dinner..

I didn't write about this sooner, but I felt I still needed to post something about this. I am sure there is a huge range of opinions out there on Santa Claus. Sure he is a good-intentioned symbol of love and giving. But I have come to the conclusion that he is probably one of the biggest deceptions in this world that we tell our children. We go to great lengths to do all we can to make our children believe in Santa.( leaving behind crumbs of cookies that are left out, making reindeer tracks in the snow, etc etc)  I think more effort goes into teaching our children that Santa is real than we do in teaching our children that  Jesus Christ is real.

Sidenote:

It has almost been a year since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints held the red ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of their multi-billion dollar mall. On that day, the First Presidency and Presidency Bishopric along with the Utah's Governor and other high officials exclaimed, "Let's Go Shopping!". 

How fitting then to build at almost the exact spot of the ribbon ceremony,  a 30-foot-tall "Santa workshop" as the location for Santa Claus to welcome the children to sit on his lap. (See below middle). It was advertised in the news that Santa would magically appear on the rooftops of City Creek Center on November 15 before joining the crowds near his "Lantern cottage " where he will visit with families through December 24, 2012. (See below video). 

Here is the video of Santa Claus's grand arrival to the LDS Shopping Center at City Creek.

 

Addendum:  For those who are deaf, a "Sign Language" Santa was available at City Creek Nov. 29 from 2-6 p.m., so deaf children can visit with Santa. Also if you wanted to take pictures with Santa with your pets you could come on December 6, from 6-9 PM. Also, to make these convenient so you didn't have to stand in line, you could register at the check-in booth and then receive a text message when it was your turn. All of this information was from the City Creek Center website.

I would like to write more about this, but I think I will leave it at that for now.

133: THE CREATION, THE FALL, AND THE ATONEMENT

In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. 

And the gospel was the Word, and the Word was with the Son,

 and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. 

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.

JST John 1:1-3

Below is a very short video that conveys the very essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To watch the video.. click here: LINK TO VIDEO to watch it in a larger format so you can read the text a little easier than this embedded video file on this blog: 

131: IN ME YOUR JOY IS FULL

JOY TO THE WORLD...THE LORD HAS COME.

"For in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body;
but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.
And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls,

and ye shall have eternal life."

Doctrine and Covenants 101: 36-38

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While family, friends, gifts, presents, and food can all bring us joy during this holiday season, only in and through our Savior Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate tomorrow can our joy be full....  May each of us feel of that exceedingly great joy and peace that only He can give.

130: NATURE'S ROLE

Unfortunately many of us live apart from Nature. We tend to be more connected to 'virtual worlds' via technology.  Less people are experiencing Nature..let alone in a way that it was intended, a way to find serenity and peace, a way to connect back to God, a way to receive revelation. It usually requires you to be alone. Is it any wonder that Joseph Smith went into a grove, Enos went in the forest, Moses went up into the mountain, Christ in a garden.

I happened to open up a book the other day and turned to this page with the following quote. The book is called 'Light in the Wilderness'. I have not read this book yet besides reading this quote. I think the quote is powerful, I can testify it is true.

"Nature’s role is to arrest Man’s attention so he can hear that Voice from Heaven. And it has often worked as each of us has many times yielded to holy messages when absorbed by sounds or scenes in Nature. In those moments the rational processes pause, and a deeper consciousness awakens. In such moments one feels a transcendent sense of connectedness to divine origins. The sensation seems to have the power to transform every fear and every care. The mind becomes deep and still. Attention to Nature’s message then can open the Spiritual Mind, where not only the truth about Nature is revealed, but also our own true nature is stirred into wakening. We become conscious of spiritual realities that flow in and around us. To slow down and let Nature distill within us begins to open the unseen world where the secrets of happiness flourish, where abound “the mysteries and peacable things – that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal ( D&C 42:61)"1

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Sidenote:

 A friend of mine send me the below quote from the book, 'Proof of Heaven', written by Dr. Eben Alexander about his near death experience.

"The 'false' suspicion that we can somehow be separated from God is the root of every form of anxiety ... the knowledge that nothing can tear us from God ... remains the single most important thing I've ever learned". 2

"The physical side of the universe is as a speck of dust compared to the invisible and spiritual part." 3

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1 Light in the Wilderness by M Catherine Thomas
2 Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eden Alexander pg. 76 
3 Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eden Alexander  pg 82

129: KEEPING DARKNESS AT BAY

As a father of grade-school children, I have been saddened by the recent tragedy of the loss of innocent lives. The world in which we live is indeed a lone and dreary place. It has been said that this is the only world that was wicked enough to crucify their Savior. It is true that the Savior chose to work out his mortal sojourn on the most wicked of all worlds (See Moses 7:36).

At the funeral of two-year-old Marian Lyon, the Prophet Joseph Smith said:

“We have again the warning voice sounded in our midst, which shows the uncertainty of human life; and in my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. The strongest reasons that present themselves to my mind are these: This world is a very wicked world; and it … grows more wicked and corrupt. … The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.  The only difference between the old and young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable, wicked world. Notwithstanding all this glory, we for a moment lose sight of it, and mourn the loss, but we do not mourn as those without hope."

History of the Church, 4:553–54; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Mar. 20, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff.

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While the darkness seems to be getting darker, I believe the light is getting stronger as well. I saw the movie 'The Hobbit' this weekend. I enjoyed it. It contains much symbolism. A small and insignifant farmer Bilbo Baggins leaves his comfortable home and sacrifices in defeating darkness.  Here was a profound statement from the movie:

"I've found it is the small things,
every act of normal folk that keeps the darkness at bay
...the simple acts of kindness and love."

Reminds me of  this scripture:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me;

but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;

and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Alma 37:6

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Sidenote: The following video and below quote by an unknown author were forwarded to me. I post them here for others to be inspired by them.

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“I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored, up, and paid up for the case of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.”


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128: Symbolic Date: 12.12.12

"Without Purse or Scrip" painting by Liz Lemon Swindle

Today is December 12, 2012. or 12.12.12.
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The number twelve is an important number. It is considered a perfect number, and more specifically it is a number of perfection in governing. In scripture: We see the number twelve as the number used in governing bodies such as:

• The Twelve Tribes
• The Twelve Disciples
• The Twelve Patriarchs (from Seth to Noah, and twelve from Shem to Jacob)

We see the number twelve in governing time as well. Twelve hours the sun "governs" or rules the day, Twelve hours the moon and star "governs" the night. Also, there are currently twelve governing signs of the Zodiac which completed forms the great circle of the heavens.
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Three is a Divine/Heavenly Number and Four is the Earthly number.. and 3x4 equals Twelve.

In Western numerology when you look at the number 12 .. you see the numbers 1 and 2, which together they form a balanced pair. The number One is Yang...  masculine and is self-sufficient. The number Two is feminine and represents union, symmetry and balance.. .. it is yin.
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It is also interesting to note that the number twelve can be divided into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, and twelfths. It is the number for  measurements such as: 12 inches in a foot, 12 ounces in a troy pound (measures gold), 12 in a dozen, 12 hours on a clock. Also, twelve is considered the number of completeness and represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.
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In 10 more days it will be December 21, 2012 or 12.21.12. Another important date. The Mayan calendar supposedly ends. It is also the winter solstice. It is the shortest day of the year (meaning the day with the least amount of light.) That day marks the beginning of the return of the sun/son when sunlight increases each day until the Summer Solstice.
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 While many have many beliefs about December 21, that the world will "end"... it is not the end.. but instead a beginning. We enter into a new Age. It is the Age of the Aquarius. This Zodiac sign has been known as the "water bearer".. But it is not just the water bearer, but actually the sign of fire as well.

127: HEALTHY GRASS VS. CRABGRASS

I woke up this morning with a word on my mind. The word was crabgrass. Yes, an odd word since all of our grass is now covered with snow... but I think I was being taught something.  

Crabgrass is a great metaphor. Crabgrass is an obnoxious weed. It is hard to get rid of once it starts growing in your lawn. It spreads and grows quickly. Crabgrass loves thin turf. It grows well in lawns that are watered lightly, underfertilized, and/or poorly drained. It is very difficult for crabgrass to grown in healthy lawns. In order to get rid of crabgrass, you must kill it, and then replant new sod.

What most people do if they have crabgrass in their lawn, they usually ignore it. Instead of treating it, they just continue to mow it and keep the lawn short.  From a distance, the lawn looks healthy and green.  However, it is only when you get close enough, one can see it really isn't grass, but weeds.

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Sidenote:   I like this quote from an article I read this morning. I think it speaks to the metaphor of crabgrass growing all around us... especially in "thin spiritual turf".

"Religious organizations instinctively develop teachings, practices, and cultures that tend to keep its members at early stages of spiritual development dependent on the organization. These stages are characterized by obedience, conformity, loyalty, a narrow view of morality, and external religious conduct. Though helpful at first, a focus on these qualities can become limiting and restrictive once an individual’s full spiritual potential begins to unfold. In theory, the purpose of a church organization is to guide one into an actual knowledge of God, which leads to spiritual rebirth and entrance into the Kingdom; however, in practice, churches ultimately hinder this transformative awakening and knowledge so that the organization can maintain its primacy. The human consequence of this organizational tendency is boredom and frustration since children of God with infinite, divine potential—who are ready to mature into the wonderfully mysterious and exciting stages of divine relationship and knowledge—are continually retained at the first grade of gospel teaching, while their souls ache for graduate instruction in the mind and heart of Christ."
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from article "Hindering the Saints: Taking away the key of Knowledge" by Philip McLemore
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126: QUIRK OF HUMAN NATURE

I like these two quotes:

"It is a quirk of human nature that most people don't want to learn anything new

and react negatively to anyone who challenges their deeply held views."

 (even when they're obviously false)." 

Porter Stansberry
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"It takes a concentrated desire to find the truth"

Harold Klemp
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Sidenote about comments on this blog:

I am happy to provide a place for people to share their views. When we are anonymous, we seem to be more bold with less inhibition. Some write what we normally would not say in person.

I don't always agree with some of the comments that are written... but I think we can all learn (and hopefully discern from them.)

Some advice I received awhile ago when I began to be awaken to my aweful situation was if you see or partake of the bitter, do not become bitter yourself. Bitterness creeps in without notice, and if I am not careful, it can destroy me.  

I have made changes to the comment section of the blog. If you care to read the comments, a popup window will come up. I felt this was necessary to keep the blog and the comments to be separate.

If you want to post a comment, use good judgement. Hopefully it will add and not distract from the post. 

125: FOR GREAT ARE THE WORDS

 “Behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things.

Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently;

for great are the words of Isaiah.

For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people
 which are of the house of Israel;

therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

And all things that he spake have been and shall be,

even according to the words which he spake”

(3 Nephi 23:1–3).

This is the Lord speaking. He is recommending a book for us to read. Anytime Oprah recommends a book, or Glenn Beck for that matter, the book becomes an instant NY Times Bestseller. Funny how when the Lord not only recommends, but gives us a commandment to search these words.. we still don't read it. I am not immune.. I need to be more diligent.

A friend of mine sent me a link today of an essay written by Hugh Nibley. Here are a few key paragraphs that I liked.

 "The book of Isaiah is a tract for our own times; our very aversion to it testifies to its relevance. It is necessary to remind us of its importance, however, because Isaiah’s message has not been popular, and he tells us why. The wicked do not like to be told about their faults. Every society, no matter how corrupt, has some good things about it—otherwise it would not survive from year to year. Isn’t it much pleasanter to talk about the good things than the bad things? The people of Zarahemla, said Samuel the Lamanite, wanted prophets that would tell them what was right with Zarahemla, not what was wrong. There is a great danger in that: the many things that are right with any society can hardly damage it, but one serious flaw can destroy it. One goes to the physician not to be told what parts are functioning well but what is making him ill or threatening him with the worst."

"For the rest of the time I want to talk about those human qualities Isaiah describes as pleasing to God and those qualities He despises. They both come as a surprise. As to the second, the traits and the behavior Isaiah denounces as the worst of vices are without exception those of successful people. The wickedness and folly of Israel do not consist of indolence, sloppy dressing, long hair, nonconformity (even the reading of books), radical and liberal unrealistic ideas and programs, irreverence toward custom and property, contempt for established idols, and so on. The wickedest people in the Book of Mormon are the Zoramites, a proud, independent, courageous, industrious, enterprising, patriotic, prosperous people who attended strictly to their weekly religious duties with the proper observance of dress standards. Thanking God for all He had given them, they bore testimony to His goodness. They were sustained in all their doings by a perfectly beautiful self-image. Well, what is wrong with any of that? There is just one thing that spoils it all, and that is the very thing that puts Israel in bad with the Lord, according to Isaiah. The Jews observed with strictest regularity all the rules that Moses gave them—”and yet . . . they cry unto thee” and yet they are really thinking of something else. “Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, . . . all their precious things . . . their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish” (Alma 31:27–28; emphasis added).

 “Great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1). We have been commanded to search them, study them, ponder them, take them to heart, and understand that the calamities and the blessings therein are meant for our own generation. May the words of this great prophet prepare us for these calamities and blessings is my prayer."

full text

124: UNDER CONDEMNATION

When a building is condemned, it is because the property fails to meet the established standards or criteria. Usually a warning notice is posted to warn the public that the building is considered unsafe to live in. Once a building is condemned, the owner must prove that problems have been fixed before anyone can live in or use the building.  To condemn means to judge or pronounce something to be unfit for use or service. It comes from the Latin word “condemnare” which means to sentence, or pronounce judgment upon.

Speaking to the early church, the Lord has declared in D&C 84, “because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation and this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.”

The Lord continues to warn, “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.”

In his conference address, President Benson reminded us of our condemnation that the church is still under. He said, “Let us not remain under condemnation, with its scourge and judgment, by treating lightly this great and marvelous gift the Lord has given to us.”

A few years ago, Elder Dallin H Oaks gave a talk entitled, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” and repeated the Lord's statement that the Saints' conduct had "brought the whole church under condemnation."

In April 2009 conference, President Monson said “I am pleased to report that the Church is doing very well.”  So have we fixed the problem? Have we finally removed the condemnation that the church has been under for long? Is all well?  
Nephi prophesied that in the last days that we will be led into carnal security and say that All is well in Zion. But Nephi warned, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion and crieth all is well.


Addendum:

Just in case we haven’t lifted this condemnation individually, What are we to do? President Benson in his conference address, “Cleansing the Inner Vessel” declared how to lift the condemnation. “To do so,” he said, “we must first cleanse the inner vessel by awaking and arising, being morally clean, using the Book of Mormon in a manner so that God will lift the condemnation, and finally conquering pride by humbling ourselves.”

President Joseph F. Smith said " There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, and the authorities need to awaken to the fact that the people should be warned unceasingly against them. As I see these, they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity." Joseph Fielding Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p.312-313

We should continue forward until the Lord pronounces us clean. The Book of Mormon contains the process we all need to go through. The Prophet Joseph Smith identified the process as well. Being Born Again, Having one’s Calling and Election made sure, Receiving the ministry of angels, and receiving the Second Comforter.

123: THE DAY COMETH WHEN YOU WILL STRAY

When you read the words.. ‘the day cometh’... it is referring to a future event that will soon occur. One of the most well known scriptures that contains these words is Malachi 4:1. It says, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

Keep that in mind that the words, "the day cometh" is referring to a future event when you read the first Section of the Doctrine and Covenants 1: 14-16.

“…and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord… shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; 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.”

These are the Lord’s words speaking through His prophet, Joseph Smith. This is to happen AFTER the restoration of the Gospel. The Lord is speaking about a future event, that “a day cometh”, when those who will not hear the voice of the Lord and seek not the Lord to establish His righteousness, will build up an image that is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol.. and will stray from the ordinances and break the everlasting covenant.

How is this possible? Is this still a future event or has this happened, or happening?

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, a member of the Council of the 12 and Church Historian who later became the tenth President of the Church wrote a series of articles entitled “Governments and Laws in General: The Kingdom of God”. These articles were published in the Church News published in the Deseret News in 1936. The below quote appeared in the 20th series on pg 7 in the Deseret News on Saturday, October 17th, 1936.

“Are we not too much inclined to blame the generations that are past for the breaking of the new and everlasting covenant, and to think it is because of the great apostasy which followed the ministry of the Apostles in primitive times, that these troubles are coming upon the earth? Perhaps we should wake up to the realization that it is because of the breaking of covenants, especially the new and everlasting covenant, which is the fullness of the Gospel as it has been revealed, that the world is to be consumed by fire and few men left. Since this punishment is to come at the time of the cleansing of the earth when Christ comes again, should not Latter-day Saints take heed unto themselves? We have been given the new and everlasting covenant, and many among us have broken it, and many are now breaking it; therefore all who are guilty of this offense will aid in bringing to pass this destruction in which they will find themselves swept from the earth when the great and dreadful day of the Lord shall come.”

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Sidenote:

The second commandment is: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. What is a graven image?.. What constitutes whose substance is that of an idol? Can we still make statues as long as it isn’t a golden calf and not worship it?

The LDS Public Affairs has recently released the following 6 minute video of the construction of the new Rome, Italy Temple. The video describes the one very unique features that will be part of the Rome Temple Grounds, marble statues of Jesus Christ and all of the Twelve Apostles. These same exact statues are found in the Church of Our Lady, in Denmark. Probably the most famous and well known statues of the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ adorn the Vatican in Rome. I find it interesting that we also want to adorn the Rome Temple with similar marble statues as well. If you watch the video though, maybe we have found a loophole to the 2nd commandment, since it won’t be "us", but instead it will be computer technology that will be doing most of the “graving” of the statues from the images found in the National Church in Copenhagen.

122: AMONG THE GREATEST SINS

“To deal carelessly with truth,

to deny it when once gained,

to defy the laws of truth which are the laws of God,

must be counted among the greatest sins.

Those who deal lightly with truth in their lives, though they may not become sons of perdition,

must expect a heavy punishment. “

(Evidences and Reconciliations, pp. 213‑14; 1970 ed., Elder John A. Widtsoe)

 

People who think they are learning truth usually only want it one way. And the truth they want... needs to fit perfectly with their current paradigm and/or worldview.. The truth for them only has one hue. A good metaphor for this is that someone might hold tight to a baby rattle. They don’t know anything differently, nor maybe want or realize that there is anything greater. However… there is a series of progression. For example…from the baby rattle some naturally move on to a board game.. From a board game they move on to a digital computer games.. from the electronic game they move on to driving a sports car. We need to allow progression and yet still understand that we still are all Latter Day Saints.

 

How often are we afraid to think out of the box, to let our minds stretch into the dark abyss and stretch into heavenly abodes. Instead, we go to LDS.org or our bookshelf to pull out a quote from a GA and stop our searching there. Is that not indeed a road block we're setting up in our mind, hindering our personal revelation, our personal "Word of God"??

 

God cares more about us than we do of ourselves. God sees all as potential Gods.
God is noisy; He has a lot of things to say to us. He says a lot about a lot of thing.
If He is quiet in your life, repent.

• Seek for more wisdom....the ability to discern between truth and error.
• Desire to progress... increasing in truth and light.
• Receive glory...the possession of light an truth which bestows power.

 

Sidenote:
The messenger of truth should NEVER and is NOT as important as the message. The messenger should never get in the way or take precedence over the message. We should look to the Source from where the message originates and not to the one delivering the message. Be careful to listen to any author or speaker who dominates or lifts himself up and writes and speaks about him or herself over the content of the message.