105: THE MOST SACRED OF DAYS: Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement

Tonight begins the holiest day of the year in the Jewish religion. It is the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. We read in the Old Testament referring to this solemn day --"For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God" (Leviticus 16:30) It is the Day of AT-ONE-MENT with the Lord. According to the Gregorian calendar, Yom Kippur begins at sundown tonight, (Tuesday September 25) and ends Wednesday evening (September 26) at sundown.  

Last night as I sat down with my family, I tried to explain to my kids the best I could about Yom Kippur, and how it fits in with the other “feasts” or “appointments” of the Lord.  Really briefly this how I explained it on a level of an 8 year old. I am still learning as well, and know there is much I don't know.

We have special days when we celebrate and remember important things. For example, Christmas is a very special day when we remember the birth of Jesus. Easter is another special day when we remember Jesus' resurrection. 

Other people have special holidays that help them remember Christ as well. It is important for us to understand these other holidays. They call them “feasts” which means an "appointment", or a day that we shouldn’t forget, kind of like when we have an appointment to go see the Doctor. But these appointments are even more important, these are appointments we have with our Savior.

In the Jewish Religion, there are seven “appointments” or holidays  that have special meaning and are very symbolic. Each one of these seven “feasts” teach us more about Christ and prepare us for His Second Coming. The first three feasts happen in the Springtime... around Easter time. They are called:  Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the First Fruits of the Harvest. These special “feasts” help us remember what Jesus Christ did when He came to the earth over 2000 years ago. Those days help us understand Christ mission when He was willing to lay down his life for us as the sacrificial Lamb. (The Passover) Because of His Atonement we can be washed clean from sin (Feast of the unleavened bread)  and because of His Resurrection we can once again live again back into His Presence. (Feast of first fruits of the Harvest)

Fifty Days later, is the fourth feast which is called the Day of Pentecost or Feast of Weeks. It happens in the summer. This day represents the day that the Lord calls to us to become one with him. In essence it is as though He has asked us to be  “married” to him. We are the bride and He is the bridegroom. We are basically “engaged”. During the engagement, the Lord leaves us to prepare a house for us. While He is gone, we are not faithful to Him.

The last three feast are in the Fall. They are symbolic of when Christ will come again. It is about the Second Coming. But because He loves us so much, the Lord sends a messenger to let us know that He is coming back and that we need to repent, or turn back to Him. The 5^th feast is called the Feast of Trumpets.  On this day we blow a special trumpet called a shofar. It is actually a ram's horn. It is a reminder for us to turn back to Jesus and repent. It is the day we prepare for our "marriage" to Him. Angel Moroni came to Joseph Smith on this special holiday 5 years in a row. We put the Angel Moroni on top of our temple and he is blowing a trumpet to help us remember that the Lord is returning and we need to prepare.

During the feast of trumpets is also a time of creation. When new life is created. It is part of the wedding ceremony and honeymoon. This is also very sacred.

The sixth feast is Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement.  It is a sacred and holy day. Blood is shed for new life to come forth.

The last feast is the Feast of Tabernacles. It is the symbolic of the celebration of the wedding. Kind of like the wedding reception... a time of peace and joy. It is the Millennial season.   

So in these simple terms, I am beginning to understand this important dates as well as my family. IMuch more could have been said, but this is only a beginning... and I am learning more.

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

Following is an excerpt from an email I received from a friend yesterday that sheds more light onto the importance of this day, the Day of Atonement:

"But what does this Holy Day point to for us?

First we must look to the Book of Mormon to understand the role of the law of Moses in teaching us about what is to come:  (Mos. 16:14)

What most may not remember about the Law of Moses is that Moses was ALSO given the 7 Holy Days as a major component of the Law of Moses, which were to be strictly observed "in all their generations, and in all their dwellings, forever". Hence, the 7 Holy Days or "Feasts" have much to teach us about, "....those things which are to come".  They are indeed a "shadow" that serves as an invaluable blueprint of what the future holds for us. One that we ignore at our own peril.

So, that brings us back to the question of what, exactly, does Yom Kippur foreshadow in these, the last days?

One of the duties of the High Priest on Yom Kippur is to sprinkle the sacrificial, "cleansing" blood at several places in the temple, including the Holy of Holies. Typical usage of the word "sprinkle" denotes a few drops here and a few drops there. But that is not the case on this holy day as it actually involves gallons of blood! And therefore, upon completing his very sacred duties involving copious amounts of blood, the High Priest emerges from the Holy of Holies with his white linen clothing effectively soaked in crimson colored blood...all the way down to his  bare feet which too had been stained red with great drops of blood... (which I submit, would appear to the careful observer, as one who had just "trod the wine press".....hmmm, a stirring image, wouldn't you say? Certainly no coincidence.)

Yom Kippur is all about His RETURN to earth as the great High Priest ! Who, because of HIS Great Atonement, will be wearing RED as a symbolic reminder of the copious amount of His blood that was spilled in Gethsemane and Golgatha 2,000 years ago. And therefore it is absolutely incumbent upon us to know about Yom Kippur and to make it mean something to us personally, collectively and to finally SEE what it is trying to prepare us for.  It would be a travesty, in my opinion, to chalk it up to some "Jewish Holiday" that we as Mormons don't need to know about because the law of Moses is dead. Fulfilled. Nothing we have to "worry about anymore"...because nothing could be farther from the truth!  Yes, blood sacrifice was done away with when the Savior died on the cross, that is true.  But the 7 Holy Days were not done away.  Just the opposite. In Leviticus, the Children of Israel were told to observe them "forever...in all their generations."  

Ask yourself why. Why would He, Jehovah, want them (and "them" includes the Nephites---the Book of Momron makes that absolutely clear) to participate in and observe Yom Kippur and the others from year to year?  Because each of those 7 Feasts or Holy Days testifies of HIM, HIS MISSION, HIS LIFE and as we see with YOM KIPPUR, HIS Atonement and Return to earth.

I encourage all of us to take some time to ponder on the importance of Yom Kippur this Wednesday and perhaps even "afflict your soul" as you see fit... Simply identify something that brings you comfort and then, for just one day, place it on the altar as a small token of gratitude for HIS sacrifice."

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

Sidenote:

Our Jewish brothers and sisters take this Holy Day very seriously.  Here are a few of the things they do and do not do on this day:

·         They fast from food and water

·         They do not wash or anoint their bodies

·         They do not wear leather footwear

·         They abstain from marital relations

·         They request and receive honey cake, (symbolic that we are all recipients in God's world and in prayerful hope for a sweet and abundant year)

·         They immerse in a preparatory mikvah  

·         They give extra charity

·         They eat the pre-fast meal

·         They bless their children

·         They light a memorial candle as well as the holiday candles

·         They hold five prayer services

·         They read from the Book of Jonah

·         They acknowledge/confession of sins eight times in the course of Yom Kippur,

·         They recite from the book of Psalms every available moment

·         And lastly…. it is a fact that even to this very day on Yom Kippur, nobody in Israel drives a car. Even the secular Jews observe this Holy Day in that they will typically fast and refrain from driving a car.  They say it is so eerily quiet in Israel on Yom Kippur that it is otherworldly.

104: BUILDING THE HOUSE OF THE LORD WITH CONCRETE?

Natural Stone vs Man-Made Concrete:

From the days of the Old Testament, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples, sacred structures where He could teach, guide, and bless them. Our Temples have always been a sacred building to symbolize our devotion to the Lord and a place where we make covenants with Him.  

Symbolically, it has been important to use natural stone to build our temples. Stones have a special significance. In building of Solomon’s Temple, the people were commanded to bring “great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation” of the Lords house.

Similar to ancient times, Our modern temples have been constructed using stone. The Salt Lake Temple is built using large granite stone. The Ogden Temple as well as the Bountiful Temple are also built with granite stone. The St. George Temple is built from native red sandstone.  The Manti Temple as well as the Logan Temple are both built with Limestone. Usually the stone used is native to the area surrounding the temple, the Draper Temple was built with white granite shipped in from China.  

Yesterday at the Brigham City Temple dedication, Elder L Tom Perry stated in his opening remarks that we no longer build with stone, but use concrete now. Concrete is a manmade building material which combines cement, water and an aggregate (crushed up rock or sand).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of our religion. If a temple is oriented correctly,  the cornerstone is on the southeast corner of the temple where sunlight will hit no matter the season. In memory of marking this sacred part of temple, the cornerstone, President Boyd K Packer ceremonially used mortar to put into place the precast concrete “cornerstone”.  Mortar is not needed with concrete, but it was done only symbolically prior to the Brigham City temple dedication yesterday. Other things in the temple are administered only symbolically as well these days.

 I am not sure, but my guess would be that we don’t use stone anymore because it is probably easier and more convenient to use concrete that having to use natural stone from the earth.

For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness;

and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall"

II Nephi 28

103: FALL EQUINOX

Observing the Vernal, and the Autumnal Equinoxes and the Solstices was something done from ancient times, in ceremony and in ritual. Whole cities were built aligned to the cardinal directions of the compass and the lights of heaven. The lights of heaven were given to us first as "signs" and secondly as "seasons."

Don't let them pass by unnoticed. Otherwise you note less than even the plants and the animals whose life cycles and behavior acknowledge the passing of such events.

People who live where there are the four seasons tend to be more advanced. They are productive during the proper season (spring/summer) and then in the harvest time  (fall/winter) is an resting period when they can observe, write, and reflect. (Not sure why we think important civilizations lived on or near the equator in MesoAmerica)

The Fall Equinox is when there is equal day and equal night. Light and Darkness are in balance. For us who live in the Utah Valley.. sunset will occur close to 7:30 PM and the sunrise tomorrow will also be around 7:30 AM. We live in the Mountain Standard Time Zone (with Daylight Savings). Daylight Savings is a manipulation of what the time really is.  If we were not on Daylight Savings time and  because we are a half an hour west of Denver, CO where the Mountain Time is set.. our sunset tonight would be  properly be at 6:00 PM and tomorrow's sunrise would be at 6:00 AM. On a face clock you would have the large minute hand straight up on the 12... and the small hour hand straight down on the 6. Equal balance. A straight line from Heaven above to Earth Below.

After this weekend.. the balance is broken..  Less light (meaning the amount of sunlight) and more darkness (meaning longer nights) comes upon the earth little by little each day until the darkest day of the year which occurs on December 21, 2012...the winter solstice. Another important day of transition.. even the beginning of a new age.. (The Age or Zodiac Sign of the Aquarius.  the Sign of the Aquarius in not just the water bearer. But actually the Sign of Fire as well.)

102: THE HUMAN CRY: THE SOUND OF THE SHOFAR

Tonight at sunset began the Feast of the Trumpets. I received an email from a friend that I wanted to share an excerpt:


"Tonight, on this sacred and momentous night, as the haunting call of the Shofar cries out to the world to prepare for HIS coming judgement, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kipppur) along with his imminent return, I feel a deeper sense of urgency to listen, to HEAR the shofar and let it pierce not just my ears, but my heart. As the events of these the "last days" in which we live continue to remind us that time is short, may we hearken to the soul stirring call of HIS Shofar, pleading with us to prepare and repent and to break down the walls around our hearts that would prevent us from doing so.
...............................


"There is one form of communication that comes from a place so deep within our souls that words cannot easily manipulate or control. Crying bursts forth involuntarily when we are touched to the very core of our being as a result of shock, tragedy or joy. Crying is the primal voice of the soul that bursts through to the surface.

The sound of the Shofar represents the human cry.Each note signifies a different emotion and the Shofar is meant to penetrate the deep recesses of a person’s soul and spiritually express the thoughts and feelings that words alone cannot describe.

What is it about the sound of the Shofar that elicits such a response? One of the basic concepts of Judaism is that the inner will of every soul is to connect with God in the deepest way possible. This desire does not always manifest itself readily because of a wall of resistance created by the evil inclination that inhibits the heart from breaking through. It is the blast of the Shofar that breaks down this wall. Like the fortifications surrounding Jericho, the Shofar cuts through all obstructions and frees us to do what is truly in our hearts – to love and connect with God. That freedom is fully expressed on Rosh Hashana, the day in which we are so acutely aware of our inner selves that no power or force can interfere with.

There is therefore no more appropriate way to announce the Jubilee Year, when all slaves were released, than with the clarion call of the Shofar. The instrument which liberates our soul from its shackles each year on Rosh Hashana has an unparalleled ability to inspire and is therefore the perfect way to “proclaim freedom throughout the land for all its inhabitants.”
written by Rabbi Tuly Weisz

101: TEN DAYS OF AWE

“These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations,
which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”

Leviticus 23:4

Next week begins the Fall Feasts in the Jewish religion. The first three spring feasts which occur around the vernal equinox point to Christ's first coming, and the last three feasts in the fall (which occur around the autumnal equinox) point to His second coming.

The word ‘Feast’ is a King James translation. The word ‘Feast’ comes from the word that means ‘appointment’. When we hear the word “feast”, we think it refers to a time to eat alot food, but the actual meaning of the word ‘feast’ is an “appointment” of the Lord, even a Holy convocation. The word 'convocation' means a “called assembly.” Another literal meaning of the Hebrew word, ‘mikraw’, or 'convocation' is a 'rehearsal' - rehearsal meaning to "re-hear" what has been taught, but the modern-day accepted meaning of rehearsal, is a practice session for a later event.

Thus, the above scripture in Leviticus means these feasts of the Lord are: an appointment to practice for an coming event and/or rehear what has been taught.

There were seven feasts or “ appointments” that were to be rehearsed seven times a year in their appropriate season. So we are to rehearse seven times a year what you are to “do” or better what you are to “be” because you have an appointment with the Messiah. So you must come to rehearse how to come meet your Messiah when He does come.

The first Fall feast is Rosh Hashanah which is known as The Feast Of Trumpets. Rosh Hashanah is  celebrated both in joy and solemnity. Jews believe that God's judgment on this day determines the course of the coming year. On this feast, a ram's horn, or in the Hebrew, a shofar, was blown as well as eating symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey. The blowing of the shofar is a call to repentance and a return to God.  It is interesting that it was Moroni who appeared to Joseph Smith every year for 4 years on the Feast of the Trumpets, on the Fall Equinox. We also have Angel Moroni blowing a trumpet on top of our Temple as a possible symbol of this feast and the need for the call to repentance.

It is interesting on what would also happen on the Feast of Trumpets. In the Jewish religious text , it states that three books of account are opened on the Feast of Trumpets, wherein the fate of the wicked, the righteous, and those of an intermediate class are recorded. In between the Feast of Trumpets and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) are 10 days, known as the Ten Days of Awe. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur. In addition, it is common to seek reconciliation with people you may have wronged during the course of the year At the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, the names of the righteous are immediately inscribed in the Book of Life, and they are sealed "to live." The intermediate class are allowed a respite of ten days, until Yom Kippur, to reflect, repent and become righteous. The wicked are "blotted out of the book of the living forever.

Disclaimer:

There a few minor errors in the calendar below, but hopefully it gives the overall idea of when these feast occur.  While we can debate when these feasts actually should occur, it is more important to understand the meaning of the feasts than which day it actually falls on. Below are the dates currently being observed within the Jewish faith in 2012. Although the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so that the first day of each month originally began with the first sighting of a new moon, since the fourth century it has been arranged so that Rosh Hashanah never falls on a Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday, currently the Jewish festivals follow the Gregorian calendar.

According to the Gregorian calendar, The Feast of Trumpets begins after sunset on September 16, 2012 through the nightfall September 18, 2012. The Feast of Trumpets is a 2 day feast because it is the only Feast of The Lord that no man know the day or hour, no not even the angels. To this day it remains a 2 day celebration because no man knows the exact day or hour of the FEAST of TRUMPETS.

100: SO WHAT NOW?..

A few weeks ago, I felt that this 100^th post would possibly be my last one. I started this blog as a repository for some of my thoughts and observations about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I am an active member.  I have remained an anonymous writer, but I think some of my concerns are shared by other active members of the Church.  It is unfortunate that we can not openly discuss our concerns with family members, friends, and our local authorities without them thinking we are going astray and questioning to much. For those reasons, my family is not aware of this blog, (with the exception of my wife). My ward, bishop and Stake President have no idea about this blog. I am not sure what they would think if they read some of the posts, but I hope the day will come when we can opening discuss these things without raising redflags... and forcing us to put a big scarlet letter A on our chest.

I realize that most of my posts are not flattering.  Some people have asked me after reading some of the posts on this blog… why I stay in the Church

Well..

My answer is...

 I love the Lord. I love His Gospel, and I am grateful for the Church for being the vehicle to carry forth the gospel to others. Despite the current state that it is in.. this is still His Church.

It was foreseen and foretold that we (meaning the Gentiles) would eventually reject the fullness of the Gospel. While very few see it or care to admit it, we are no different than past “chosen” generations, and due to our pride we too have became idolatrous. We worship the things we build and see with our physical eyes. We don't search and seek out using our spiritual eyes. We are blind and deaf. We have become dependent on the arm of the flesh. We seek out the things of this world. We desire acceptance. The road map to success (especially for Priesthood holders) seems to be receiving higher and higher callings within the church. We believe that those in high leadership position are the most righteous. We are latter-day, ladder-climbing Saints. Unfortunately, those who seek their own glory will fall, while those who seek to humble themselves will rise again.

So what now?
What are we to do? What can we do in this awful situation we find ourselves?…

Well...
Here is the answer:

WE NEED TO REPENT…

And time is drawing to a close.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REPENT?

words from a true prophet, one who crys repentance:

“To repent is to turn to Him. To turn to Him is to face Him, listen to Him, heed Him and pay attention to what He is, says, does. It is to seek to be in contact with Him. If you are in contact with Him, He will teach you all things you should do. Constant contact between you and Him can and will occupy your desires, thoughts and deeds. But turning to face Him is left to you. He cannot enter where He is not invited. He may want to be a part of your life more than you want Him to. It is your choice to let Him in.

"The means to having that conversation is within your grasp. Do what you already understand is required of you. We need to ask with real intent, repenting and seeking to have His will revealed to  us. Act without hypocrisy. Be willing to take upon you His wishes for you. It is the "system" He has ordained for us to come back to Him. It is not enough to hear it, or read it. It must be done.
So do it."

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

"Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;

99: RECEIVING THE HONORS OF MEN

Below is the newly built Jeffrey R Holland Building to be dedicated tomorrow on

September 7th by President Uchtodorf of the First Presidency

Here is the half page invitation that appeared in the Deseret News Sunday's edition

to invite all those who would like to join in the celebration. 

Tomorrow will be an exciting day for one of the Apostles, Elder Jeffrey R Holland. A six-story 170,000 square foot building which towers above the school campus in St. George will be dedicated and receive his namesake.  The formal ceremony begins at 10 a.m, and will include remarks from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. The dedication festivities will include the official ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by the dedicatory prayer offered by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church. Following the ribbon cutting, Dixie State will host an open house with refreshments. link to story

(sidenote: President Monson received an honorary doctorate degree from Dixie College last year.)

.................
In some unrelated News.

Mitt's Romney's VP selection, Paul Ryan flew into Utah yesterday. There has never been more excitement for our Mormon Presidential Candidate and his Vice President choice than after the Republican National Convention last week. It was a perfect time for Paul Ryan to come to Utah while the enthusiasm is at it's peak. His main reason was to receive money donations. He only meet with the very elite, and prominent members supporting Romney. If you were willing to spend 25,000.00 dollars per plate,. you had the privilege to have an exclusive dinner with him. If 25 grand was too much for you to spend, you had the option to spend  just 3,000.00 and shake his hand at a VIP reception.  A general admission ticket where you might only be able to see him from a distance was 1,000.00 per ticket.

I had a lot of respect for Paul Ryan when I heard him say in a radio interview before his RNC speech last week that he had run a "2 hours and 50 something" marathon. After running a marathon myself, anyone who can run a sub 3 hour marathon ranks very high on my list. They would be classified as an "elite" runner.

However, it was just recently discovered that Paul Ryan had exaggerated his time, and the one and only marathon he ran was a time of 4 hours,1 minute and 25 seconds. For those of you who have run a marathon you know your time just as well as you know your birthday. You never forget your time.

It is always a difficult thing when the truth is exposed.

When we make false claims to receive more honor, power or credibility in the end destroys not only the person who made the claim, but those who follow them.
We would do well to give greater heed to the words of the prophets in the Book of Mormon.

"I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh;
for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.
Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. 

2 Nephi 4: 34

98: ELECTING A "KING" TO RULE AND REIGN.

I would rather that this blog not become a political platform, but I feel I need to express my opinions and my concern for where our country is headed. I have watched some of the Republican National Convention happening this week in Tampa. I found it symbolic that Hurricane Isaac caused the first day of the convention to be cancelled. Seems as if Nature's God was not in complete support. With the exception of a very few that I know, everyone is very excited about Mitt Romney's chances of conquering the "evil one."  Because Mitt is Mormon, most believe that he is "called" and "chosen" to turn the country around. While maybe he was "called", Personally, I think the wrong man has been chosen. and why not?

Last night at the RNC, a special tribute was given to the man I would chose to be our new President, Ron Paul.  Planners of the Republican National Convention gave Ron Paul an opportunity to speak at this week RNC event, but only under the conditions that he fully endorse Mitt Romney, and that he only deliver remarks vetted by the Romney campaign. Unsurprisingly, the congressman who has for decades been noted for his uncompromising stance on issues, including those on which he disagrees with the majority of his party, refused the conditions. As far as I know, Ron Paul was the last man standing in the Presidential Primary Race. This video was played last night at the convention. Since Mitt Romney has recieved the nomination, the Republican Party no longer feels that Ron Paul is a threat, and felt it was safe to play.

Here was the video that was played:

"It’s the American story…

charting your own path, forging new ways forward.
Not because it is the easy way, but because it is the right way.
And for those with dedication, character, faith and conviction.
Sometimes that lonely path paves the way forward for millions."

I had a chance to see Ron Paul and hear him speak personally when he came to Utah. He is a modern day George Washington. I would even go so far and say that if Captian Moroni were alive and well today.. this would be who he would "chose" as well  to vote for. It is sad that so many are blinded by the craftiness of men, (especially when the craftiness is mingled with scripture and/or they share your same faith).

Sidenote:
I friend forward me a post from someone who posted this on facebook:

"I just put my arm around Ron Paul and told him that the way he understands agency and liberty, he understands Mormonism better than Mitt Romney. He answered, 'I used to talk to Ezra Taft Benson a lot. We were friends. I know quite a bit about Mormonism."

I think there are enough freedom loving people in America that Ron Paul actually could have won the nomination had he not of been "stoned to death" in the media. The "Powers That Be"  knew that they could not control him, or make him their puppet.. Unfortunately, as we have see in history that we mock and cast out those who speak truth. So instead of having a President like Ron Paul, we will continue to have kings who will rule and reign.
...................


For more information of the corruption that is happening within the Republican Party at the RNC that you probably won't see on the mainstream media. We are entering a period of time where a dissenting voice will not be heard. This is not just happening in politics either.

The result of the "vote" was written on the teleprompter BEFORE the vote was even taken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77W5OKStO5s&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B39W91O-rUg&feature=player_embedded

97: A LIFE LOST, BUT ANOTHER LIFE SAVED

A good friend of mine forwarded one of those "viral" emails to me yesterday. Maybe some of you already recieved it. Just in case some have not seen this, I wanted to post a few of the photos that were contained in the email including the captions to each photo:

A father and mother kissing their dying little girl goodbye.

Then the below photo with this caption:

If you are wondering why all the medic people are bowing: In less than an hour,

two small children in the next room are able to live thanks to the little girl's kidney and liver.

This story touched me greatly since I have a young daughter around the same age as this little girl whose mortal life has now ended. Although it was very heartbreaking to see the parents kissing their daughter for the last time, my heart swelled to see the respect, and the love offered to the little girl by the medical staff all bowing in her honor for the life lost but resulted in two lives saved.

I can't help but see the symbolism of the story and how it parallels the life of Our Savior. His life was laid down for us. Through Him and Only Him are we then saved. Here are a few excerpts from the book, "Come Let Us Adore Him" written by Denver Snuffer.

"As a result of what the Lord suffered, there is no condition – physical, spiritual or mental – that He does not fully understand. He knows how to teach, comfort, succor and direct any who come to Him seeking forgiveness and peace.... He suffered that we might avoid sin by being obedient to His commandments. None of us need harm another, if we will follow Him. He knows fully the consequences of sin. He teaches His followers how to avoid sin.

He can bring peace to any soul. He can help those who come to Him love their fellow man. He alone is the Perfect Teacher because He alone has the knowledge each of us lack to return to being whole and at peace with the God and Father of us all after our transgression of His will. He is wise to what is required for each man’s salvation."......

I can't help but think that I personally need to bow more often to my Savior. I need to show Him that I am forever grateful for his sacrifice, by being more willing to forgive others, since He is so willing to forgive me. . I wished we praised His name more often in our meetings. I wish we testified more of Him. It makes me wonder what do we really worship in this world? Who do we worship? Seems like we worship success, status, wealth, prosperity, titles, positions.. instead of the One who merits it.


If only all of us would seek the face of the Lord and have the similiar experiences that others have including those we read about in scripture as well as the author of the book mentioned above. If only more of us had a testimony of Christ, more of us who have seen Him, and bear record of Him. In closing, here is another excerpt from book:
....................

"As the Lord made these terrible things known to the man he cried out: “Hosanna to the Lamb of God! He has trodden the winepress alone! Glory, honor and mercy be upon the Chosen One forever and ever! I will submit unto anything you see fit to inquire of me! I will bend my knee in obedience to you! Let thy will, not mine be done! For worthy is the Lamb!” Then, thinking upon how trifling his difficulties and disappointments had been in comparison with the suffering he saw imposed upon his Lord, the man added: “Surely goodness and mercy have been mine all the days of my life.

And the Lord responded: “And you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Then the man wept.
..................

He can bring peace to any soul. He can help those who come to Him love their fellow man. He alone is the Perfect Teacher because He alone has the knowledge each of us lack to return to being whole and at peace with the God and Father of us all after our transgression of His will. He is wise to what is required for each man’s salvation."

95: SETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR A LIGHT

Below is a short excerpt from a Conference address given by Elder Maxwell in his 1993 Conference address, "Behold the Enemy is Combined".

...........

"While living amid the foreseen “distress of nations, with perplexity,” members also have prophetic leadership which provides direction. Several times a year, we sustain fifteen Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. So we know to whom to look, even though a few “seek not the welfare of Zion” and “set themselves up for a light.”

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

Who are the few that Elder Neal A Maxwell is referring who seek not for the welfare of Zion and are setting themselves up for a light? When listening to this, one could assume the "few" are some of the fifteen Apostles sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators. If you don't believe the quote..  here is the audio recording of it below, and actual video footage is as well.

.

Actual footage. (approximately at the 10 minute and 30 second time mark)

Now... What is even more interesting is that Maxwell's quote was changed and "corrected" in the Ensign: Here is the altered version in the printed Ensign.

"While living amid the foreseen “distress of nations, with perplexity,” members also have prophetic leadership which provides direction. Several times a year, we sustain fifteen Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. So we know to whom to look, even though there are a few members who “seek not the welfare of Zion” and “set themselves up for a light.”

The altered version shifts from the Brethren to a few the members of the church. Is this what Maxwell meant to say? Did Maxwell simply make a mistake in Conference? Or was this statement too damaging to the Brethren from one of their own who was calling a few of them out to repent and stop setting themselves up for a light?

Elder Maxwell is known for using precise and exact words. When you listen to the talk, it is my opinion (and I could be wrong)  that Elder Maxwell's said it exactly right the first time, that a few of the fifteen Apostles seek not the welfare of Zion and set themselves up for a light. So, I don’t know which is more disturbing, the fact that Maxwell said this in conference over the pulpit exposes some of the Brethren.. or that it was changed/covered up later on by the Church Correlation Committee.

This is not the first time something like this has happened. In the October 1984 General Conference Elder Ronald E Poelman delivered a sermon entitled "The Gospel and the Church". Controversy ensued when the version of his sermon that was published in the November 1984 Ensign differed from the sermon Poelman had delivered orally. His talk was revideotaped and copies of general conference that were included in church archives and distributed throughout the church contained Poelman delivering the revised version of his sermon. A "cough track" was included in the retaping to make it appear that the revised sermon was delivered in front of an audience. This could give a “false impression” about this being the original.

There is no doubt that those who edit, change, alter have good intentions. I don't post this as criticism. I do post these things for others to be aware that All is not Well in Zion. Using Maxwell's quote, there are some not seeking for the welfare of Zion.. and some are setting themselves up to be the light for us to follow.


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

Sidenote:

GALA CELEBRATES LDS Church President Monson's birthday

The life and times of President Thomas S. Monson, 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were celebrated in song and story Friday night at the church's downtown Conference Center during a special 85th birthday gala featuring the music of his life.

In front of a near-capacity crowd that included President Monson and his family on the first row, "Golden Days: A Celebration of Life" featured Broadway show tunes, popular songs and religious music that are either meaningful to President Monson or representative of special times in his life.

At the conclusion of the concert, President Monson stood at his front-row seat. He turned to face the audience and waved with both hands high over his head. The audience responded in a way they can never respond when they see him in this building during LDS General Conference: They applauded and cheered their prophet.
link to story
...

94: RITUAL VS. ROUTINE

A ritual is meant to be sacred. It comes from the word “rite”.  A rite is an established, ceremonious, religious observance.  There is a danger in today’s world, that what was once a sacred ritual now becomes routine.  Ancient rituals created a new person. The symbolism of the ceremony is to reject the old and become the new.  Rituals are part of most of the world’s major religions. Our Latter-day Saint Sunday Services are among the least ritualistic. However, our LDS temple rites are very ritualistic. Three important elements associated with a ritual is the preparation for, the participation in, and the recording or remembering of the ritual.  

One of the primary temple rituals is the endowment ceremony. It is symbolic of the process of how one pierces the veil and enters into the presence of God. Even though our scriptures are full of accounts of fallible men where this experience has happened while in mortality, most think that this is to happen after we die. In the book, Signs of Life by Scott Hahn, There is a chapter about the “presence of God” and it briefly discussed the Temple. It says that:

 "It (the temple) was the divinely ordained place of God's presence. It was the one place on earth that could truly be called holy. It was the place where God's Spirit dwelt. It's important for us to get this right: Jews didn't believe that God was present only in the Temple and absent from the rest of creation. They professed, as we do today, that God is everywhere. But they also held that He made himself specially present to his people in the Jerusalem Temple and its rites. The Temple was a place where they could withdraw from the pollutions of the world and know God's presence in purity."

A routine is any mechanical performance of an established procedure. It becomes ordinary when the extraordinary is no longer found. When the understanding and purpose of the ritual is lost, it becomes a routine.  How many of us don't understand that the Temple endowment is a symbolic representation of a ritual for us to recieve in mortality. If this is the case, is our temple experience becoming just a routine?

 .....................

Sidenote:

The prophet Isaiah writes in his book in chapter 24 states that Men will have “transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant.” and at the Second Coming they will be burned.
.

 It is interesting to see what happens once men begin to change, alter, and make more convenient the sacred rituals. Over long periods of time we can see the outcome what happens when religious organizations change rituals.  Here are some examples of what happened to the Early Christian Rituals to what we now see in mainstream Christianity, specifically the Catholic Church. Even now, some of these traditions listed below are no longer being followed in the Catholic Church. 

·         Women wear a wedding veil when they marry.  In addition, marriage was performed while the man and woman kneel at an altar, holding hands on top of it.

·         The baptismal fonts were placed away from the altar and/or used to be a separate building. The font was often octagonal in shape because of the significance of the number 8 as it relates to baptism and circumcision.

·         Infant baptism requires godparents to act as proxies for the infant, making covenants on their behalf.

·         After the washing of the baptism, an anointing takes place and the follow words are used:  “I sign your forehead... I sign your eyes so that they may see the glory of God.  I sign your ears so that you may hear the voice of the Lord.  I sign your nostrils so that you may breathe the fragrance of Christ.  I sign your lips so that you may speak the words of life.  I sign your heart so that you may believe in the Holy Trinity.  I sign your shoulders so that you may bear the yoke of Christ’s service... In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so that you may live forever and ever.”

·         Eastern Catholics (& Orthodox) have a garment called a “Phylakton” which is believed to have power to protect from evil and danger.

·         When one takes holy orders, they received a new garment associated with their order, and a new name.

·         The priest’s dress during Mass has its origin in the dress of the Old Testament High Priest.

·         Priests and Nuns wear clerical clothing to remind them of their covenants.

·         Monks, Priests and Nuns are buried in their vestments.

·         Although uncommon today in the U.S.A., in Europe and South America Catholic women traditionally cover their heads during the Mass.

·         At baptism, the taking of Holy Orders, and when one becomes the Pope, a new name is taken.

·         Oil is used in healing the sick.

·         An adult who is about to participate in an ordinance must first have an interview to determine worthiness (with his/her priest), Before participating in any ordinance an LDS person engages in an interview with his/her  bishop.

·         Serious sins should be confessed to a priest before partaking of Holy Communion.  In some cases, if the sin is grievous enough, one could be told not to partake, Serious sins should be confessed to one’s bishop.  Contingent upon the sin, one might be put on probation and told to not partake of the sacrament for a time.

·         During the Mass the priest says things to the congregation, and they are expected to respond, in unison… During the endowment you are asked to respond vocally (and in unison) to things asked of you.

·         The Catholic church used to offer prayer for the church and the world which the congregation repeated after the priest uttered it….. During the endowment some are invited to repeat the words of a prayer when it is offered.

·         Every 25 years a rite is executed (at St. Peter’s in Rome, and a few other carefully selected churches).  The rite symbolizes the entry of God’s children into His presence.  The Pope approaches the door of the church and knocks 3 times with a golden hammer, upon which the door is opened and he is allowed into the sanctuary.

·         During the consecration of the host the Priest prays with upraised hands.  This ancient manner of offering prayers unto God was common in sacred places (Psalms 63:4; 1 Tim 2:8; D & C 88:120; Exo. 17:10-12).

·         Men and women used to sit separately during the Mass.

·         In many Renaissance and Baroque Catholic churches the “all seeing eye” is displayed, as is a hand coming from behind a cloud or veil.

·         The Catholic church used to place a porter (a minor order of the priesthood) at the door of the church to insure that only the worthy entered.  Later they switched to statues of angels and  gargoyles as guardians of the way…. There are priesthood bearers placed at the entrance of the temple to ensure that only the worthy enter.

·         Although the ancient Christian Church only held worship services on the Sabbath, the Catholic church eventually began to offer worship services every day, at various times.  This change came from the church’s absorption of temple practice… The LDS Church only holds it worship services on the Sabbath, but it makes its temples available on a daily basis – with numerous session times.

·         Catholic churches are built to face east… Early Mormon temples and all ancient temples were oriented toward the east.

·         The altar area of Catholic churches are very ornate, with no money being spared…. Temple Celestial rooms are often very ornate with no cost being spared.

·         During Mass one is required to stand at different points during the service, In the Temple one is told to stand at different points during the endowment.

93: WHAT KIND OF "SHAPE" ARE WE IN?

An analogy:
My wife mentioned to me this past week that our yard is in pretty bad shape. Over the past few months, I pretended to not notice all the weeds, the grass turning yellow, and some of our trees dying. The outside physical structure of the house seems fine.. but everything surrounding our home that is suppose to be green and growing, and alive has begun to die and instead  noxious weeds were taking over. It took someone to wake me up and point out the kind of "shape" our yard was in.  Ever since we got married, the outside has always been my responsibility while the inside was my wife's responsibility. Her observation and comment could have been taken as a personal attack of my lack of diligence. But she was right. The truth hurts. So instead of debating the truth, and/or blaming the state of our yard on the heat and lack of rain, I spent the weekend in the yard pulling weeds. I am still not done, but our backyard now looks alot better.

Having a yard in bad shape is one thing.. but what kind of "shape" are we in personally?.. are we keeping our bodies in good physical shape? Do we exercise? eat right?.. How about our spiritual health?. are we emotionally and mentally in good shape? If not.. how come? What do we need to change? Does it take someone else to point this out to us? Do we need someone to call us to repentance?
...
Sidenote:

 I have been reading in Alma chapter 4. It is an important chapter that would make a good to study.  The first 6 verses are very interesting.  Alma had just baptized thousands of converts. Everything seemed to be in good "shape". There were no contentions or wars..  however,  the people were afflicted due to loss of their brethren, flocks, herds, and fields of grain. Just like in our yard.. weeds will continue to grow and things will continue to die. These afflictions are like "wake-up" calls for us to stay humble and  remember our constant  stewardship to keep things in "shape".

The people of Alma were humbled due to their affliction, and now with a new sense of duty, they began to prosper. However within JUST ONE year, the people of the church began to wax proud. They were lifted up in the pride of their eyes.

"...the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure...and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress." Alma 4: 8,10

Could we liken this to our current situation? What kind of shape are we in as a church? Well, by the worlds standards we are doing quite well. It was reported on NBCNews.com that we rake in  7 Billion Dollars a year. Interesting article.  Let's just hope we don't follow the same pattern that we read about in the Book of Mormon.

92: CHANGING THE ORDINANCES (LDS MOTION PICTURES Part 2)

All of us should have the desire to bring more light into the world, instead of darkness. We bring in more light when we love, when we forgive, when we repent, when we pray for charity, and when we teach truth. Ironically, part of that process of bringing more light into this world includes bringing to light hidden things of darkness. Unfortunately error whether unintentional or deliberate, false assumptions, and disputations bring more darkness to our already very dark world in which we live. It is important to expose, and bare record of these things.D&C 123: 13

In the previous post, I mentioned that the LDS Church has built an expansive movie set sprawled over more than 800 acres to produce then distribute “The Life of Jesus Christ” Bible videos. There has been much attention to detail in all the videos, from the individual hair glued on for Lazarus beard, to the words in the script. All of the videos go through an extensive approval process by Church Leaders. These videos should bring more light into the world.

You can view all of these new Bible videos that the LDS Church has produced by going to this website.  http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos?lang=eng

I want to bring to light something contained in one of the video posted below that has potential to bring some confusion and possible disputation. The video I am referring to is called "Christ is baptized by John".

I am puzzled about a few things after I watched this.We know that one of the first things Christ teaches the people of Nephi in His visit to the Americas, is the importance of baptism. The Lord is very specific on how this is to be done, and what words are to be said in this ordinance. One would think that Christ Himself, would have been baptized the exact way He taught us, so that we would follow His example.  (It is interesting to note that it would have only been just a few years earlier that Christ was baptized before teaching the people here in America.

“And he (Christ) said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you...Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. ..And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

“Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, 

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen”
3 Nephi 11: 25

So, if you watched the new Church video, we have altered the way Christ Himself taught us how we should be baptized. John the Baptist uses completely different words to baptize. These are the words he says:

“I baptize thee, having authority from The Almighty God, 
as a testimony that ye have entered into a convenant to serve Him.”
source unknown to where these words come from?

So why the change to the wording? Ever since I was in primary I was taught the importance on following Christ’s example on how he was baptized. Well, according to this new video that the Church has produced, I was not baptized in that way. So what is the right way? What if my very observant daugther asked to be baptized exactly the way we show in this video. Would my bishop correct me? Would it be valid?  Could this lead to disputations? (t is interesting to also note that Jesus Christ standing on his reverse side of John and John holds Christ right hand with his right hand. this is even different on how John baptizes the people earlier in the video.)

Joseph Smith taught that “Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles.”

Mormon 9:9–11 “ . . . God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing . . . if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.”
“[God] set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 133)

In the Church Handbook of Instructions written by those we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators we read that the following about the procedure of baptism. We state the person’s full name and says, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73).

If this video portraying Christ being baptism is going to be shown around the world with the purpose set forth in D&C 68:8, to “Go ye into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, acting in the authority which I have given you, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

...Then I am not sure why we are spending millions of dollars to create videos which shows Christ being baptized a completely different way using completely different words than we have been instructed by the Lord himself.

God does not change. Man does and changes the things of God.