451: EXERCISING CONTROL: Email sent urging LDS Members to vote "NO" on Prop2

THEN:

"We do not tell them how to vote, 

and we do not tell the government how it

should be run."

President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1996.

 NOW:

 "We urge voters of Utah to vote NO on Proposition 2" 

 Official Church Announcement sent via email to members of the Church on August 23, 2018

 .........

TO URGE: to force or impel in an indicated direction or into motion or greater speed 

Below is the email I received last week:

Some facts:

1.  Out of all 50 US States, Utah had the Seventh-Highest Drug Overdose Rate in the US between 2013 and 2015
2. The LDS Church owns over 1 billion dollars in big pharma stocks.
3. Cannabis is natures medicine and it can alleviate suffering from so many medical conditions
4. Agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and to act for ourselves.

450: 28 YEARS LATER.. FINALLY! GETTING IN HARMONY WITH THE LORD'S WILL

Almost 30 years ago a talk was given by Russel M Nelson in the 1990 April General Conference.  It was entitled "Thus Shall My Church Be Called" Below is the link as well as some excerpts from the talk. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/04/thus-shall-my-church-be-called?lang=eng

April 1990 Russell M. Nelson

"Today I would like to speak about a name. We are all pleased when our names are pronounced and spelled correctly. Sometimes a nickname is used instead of the real name. But a nickname may offend either the one named or the parents who gave the name.

The name of which I shall speak is not a personal name, yet the same principles apply. I refer to a name given by the Lord: “Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4.)

Note carefully the language of the Lord. He did not say, “Thus shall my church be named.” He said, “Thus shall my church be called.” Years ago, its members were cautioned by the Brethren who wrote: “We feel that some may be misled by the too frequent use of the term ‘Mormon Church.’” (Member-Missionary Class—Instructor’s Guide, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982, p. 2.) Before any other name is considered to be a legitimate substitute, the thoughtful person might reverently consider the feelings of the Heavenly Parent who bestowed that name.
He issued this solemn warning: “Let all men beware how they take my name in their lips.” “Remember,” He added, “that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care.” (D&C 63:61, 64.) Therefore, just as we revere His holy name, we likewise revere the name that He decreed for His church.

As members of His church, we are privileged to participate in its divine destiny. May we so honor Him who declared, “Thus shall my church be called … The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

--------------------------------

I find it interesting that six months later in the October 1990 General Conference, President Gordon B Hinckley spoke and admended the things that Russel M Nelson said about not using the term Mormon. Here is the link with excerpts from the talk below:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/10/mormon-should-mean-more-good?lang=eng

October 1990 The Prophet, President Gordon B Hinckley

"Many of our people are disturbed by the practice of the media, and of many others, to disregard totally the true name of the Church and to use the nickname “the Mormon Church.”

Six months ago in our conference Elder Russell M. Nelson delivered an excellent address on the correct name of the Church. He quoted the words of the Lord Himself:
“Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4.)

I suppose that regardless of our efforts, we may never convert the world to general use of the full and correct name of the Church. Because of the shortness of the word Mormon and the ease with which it is spoken and written, they will continue to call us the Mormons, the Mormon church, and so forth.

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that when people speak of us by the name of this book, they will compliment us, if we will live worthy of the name, remembering that in a very real sense Mormonism must mean that greater good which the Lord Jesus Christ exemplified. I so pray in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

_______________________________________

Fast forward almost 30 years later.
President Nelson states here:

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will."

According to President Nelson, the Church has been out of harmony with the Lord's will for a really long time since we have being using the term Mormon. 

Good thing the Lord impressed this upon President Nelson mind last week. 

“The president has spoken, the Lord has spoken to the president,” he said, “and this is going to be an extended, multi-year effort — but this will not be something that will be attempted and then pulled back from.”

Above is a direct quote by Elder Anderson printed in the Deseret News

So which is it? either Hinckley was right or now Nelson is right.

One could observe that Nelson has been preoccupied or obsessed with an idea of his dislike of the term Mormon for many years and finally gets to call the shots now.I don't think God changes.. but this is one more example of a current prophet contradicting a past prophet.

or on the otherhand.. the Lord was preparing President Nelson 28 years ago about not using the term Mormon and the Lord has waited patiently to be able to press this upon his prophets mind now to finally do something about... and be in harmony with His will.

--------------

449: IMPRESSIONS vs REVELATION.... THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

Publically claiming the impressions that come to your mind as revelation could potentially be taking the Lord's name in vain.  Taking the name of the Lord in vain has been misunderstood. It is not swearing by saying the G**  or L*** words, but rather it is when one claims to speak for the Lord when they do not. Attributing something to God without His authority or authorization is the definition of taking the Lord’s name in vain. In addition, whenever someone proclaims their own agenda in the name of the Lord they are taking His name in vain.

448: CHANGING THE NAME OF THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR TO "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TABERNACLE CHOIR" ?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced today the new style guidelines for referring to the Church, asking people to avoid using terms such as “LDS Church” and “Mormon Church.”

President Russell M Nelson official statement/revelation: 

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church. even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months'

It appears that President Nelson has received "revelation" to no longer use the term "Mormon Church or LDS Church." After hearing this news, someone commented "The Lord is revealing really important stuff."

Ironically this official statement from the Church is on the mormonnewsroom.org website and lds.org

The official statement continues to read as follows:

On first reference, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” is preferred, according to the Church’s Newsroom site. “The Church,” “Church of Jesus Christ” and the “restored Church of Jesus Christ” are acceptable as abbreviated names.

Members of the Church should be referred to as "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Latter-day Saints,” not “Mormons,” according to Newsroom.

Keeping with the new guidelines and to follow the prophet's impressions that came to his mind, I wonder what the new name of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be, since we now need to avoid the term "Mormon"...

I guess some options are call them:

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir
• The Church's Choir
• The Restored Church of Jesus Christ's Choir 
•  or maybe "Jesus Christ's Tabernacle Choir "

-------------------

Speaking about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir..(or whatever they will be called from now on)

A few weeks ago the State of Utah observed the 24th of July, a state holiday to commemorate the Mormon pioneers arrival in the Salt Lake Valley.  As part of the events of that week, my wife and I attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Concert. Below is the printed program cover. 

I was surprised at how little the cover resembled anything like something that would be honoring the pioneers or celebrating the 24th of July. The program looked alot more "Hollywood-like." I found it interesting that they would use on the cover the Conference Center with the spotlights to almost mimic iconic buildings found in Hollywood with the movie spotlights used at  red carpet premieres. 

What ever happened to the covered wagons and oxen? Maybe now those are too cliche.

Cool summer nights under Hollywood lights is way more exciting to celebrate our Mormon Pioneers.. I mean the ..."Latter-day Saint" Pioneers. 

Historically, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Program was to honor the Mormon Pioneers. However, this year the Choir honored different kind of pioneers. They honored the theatrical "pioneers" of Rodgers and Hammerstein. With the exception of the one song which has the famous chorus words of "all is well, All is Well",  all of the songs performed that night were Broadway hits.  The guest soloist who was invited to sing with the choir was Matthew Morrison, the TV star of the hit show Glee. He is an Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award nominee. 

I am reminded of a talk given by M Russell Ballard in 2003 entitled "Let Our Voices Be Heard"

"Each year the new shows seem to get worse, pushing the envelope of what the public will accept. What comes out of Hollywood, and off the internet and in much of today's music creates a web of decadence that can trap our children and endanger all of us."

So I wonder whose idea it was to invite the TV star of  Glee, one of the most LGBT friendly TV shows and have a Hollywood/Broadway theme for our annual Pioneer Day Concert.  

447: GARNISHED AND WITH MISREPRESENTATION - THE NEW "SUMMARIZED" 13 ARTICLES OF FAITH

The LDS Church has published a new version of the 13 Articles of Faith on their website www.mormon.org. It is a summarized and shortened version of the original Articles of Faith written by Joseph Smith. Not sure why the need to summarize the summary of the Church Beliefs that all Primary children have to memorize by the time they reach of age of 12.

Apparently the original 13 Articles of Faith was too long or too wordy that the Church felt they need to shorten it. However, in doing so, they have "garnished and misrepresented" what Joseph Smith wrote back in 1842.

 Joseph Smith made it very clear that the Articles of Faith and the entire Wentworth Letter should NOT be altered. They were to be printed word for word, ungarnished and without misrepresention.

Joseph Smith wrote on March 1, 1842.—

"At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he wishes to furnish Mr. Bastow [Barstow], a friend of his, who is writing the history of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Bastow has taken the proper steps to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands is that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepresentation"

And yet, the LDS Church has now taken the liberty to reduce, edit, add to and change the meaning of some of the Articles of Faith. Here is a screenshot of Church's Website:

I have done a side by side comparison of the Original Articles of Faith (left) to the new Revised Articles of Faith (right) and have highlighted only a few of the additions and garnishings.

One of the biggest additions is the insertion of 'confirmation' into the Church as being necessary for salvation. The Fourth Article of Faith has been changed in this summary. Apparently in this new "summary" - Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Receiving the Holy Ghost in NOT enough for salvation but you now need to be confirmed a member of the Church as well. See below as well as other changes to the Articles of Faith.

One of the biggest deletions that probably makes me the saddest is the changes to Article Faith # 7. As you can see below, the Gift of Tongues, Prophecy,  Visions, Interpretions of Tongues  have all been removed.

Please look over and compare the two version. It is one thing to just summarize, but it is another to add to and change the meaning.