WHEN WILL THE REMOVALS END? - LATEST CASUALTY THAT WILL BE DEMOLISHED.

 Cue Miley Cyrus's song: "WRECKING BALL"

 "I came in like a wrecking ball."

The North Visitor's Center which is the home of the Christus statue will be demolished later this year and replaced with restrooms to support events in the Tabernacle and Assembly Hall as well as  gardens and space for reflection, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced in a press release Thursday.

“This area will become a peaceful, quiet space on Temple Square,” said Andy Kirby, director of historic temple renovations for the Church. “The plans for this area will also provide a more direct and clear view of the Salt Lake Temple from the northwest area of Temple Square, enhancing the prominence of the temple.” 

Restrooms will be added to support events in the Tabernacle and Assembly Hall.

 

One of my favorite things as a youth was going down to Temple Square and walking up the long circular ramp that lead to the Christus Statue. It was like traveling through space. I will miss this experience as well as all of the murals that were on display at the visitors center. This Temple "renovation" is hardly a renovation at all. Renovation means to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing). This Salt Lake Temple "Renovation" seems to be more about tearing things down and replacing it with something completely different. 

One more announcement. Earlier in the week the First Presidency also announced the discontinuation of the Priesthood Session as well as the Women's General Session during General Conference. The official reason stated in the new release was:

"This change is being made because all sessions of general conference are now available to anyone who desires to watch or listen."

Just because all sessions of general conference are now available to anyone who desires to watch or listen is a really odd reason to eliminate these sessions.

I will miss going to Priesthood Session with my Dad. 

LDS CHURCH's "THE FRIEND"- VACCINATION COLORING PAGE FOR CHILDREN TO COLOR

The LDS Church's printable coloring page for kids to color of a little child getting vaccinated.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2021/06/i-can-be-brave?lang=eng

What a fun activity for children to do! It is a coloring page of a little child getting a shot, most likely a vaccination shot. It is published in this months June 2021 THE FRIEND magazine. Is this a "FRIEND"-ly way to help child get used to the idea that is safe to get the vaccinated? It is entitled "I CAN BE BRAVE". 

I find it interesting that the Church chose to publish this coloring page just before the vaccine advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration meet this week on June 10,2021 to discuss whether to authorize Covid-19 vaccines for children 11 and younger. We are starting to see the mainstream media  report the need for little children to start to get vaccinated even though the numbers of people getting Covid is rapidly dropping. 

We are being told by those we should trust and those who "know better than us" that unvaccinated children are a vulnerable host  for coronavirus. Here is the latest new CNN newsreport. 

Almost all vitamins, medications and other vaccines have the list of warning labels. Even the most basic like Vitamin C and aspirin have warnings on the bottles to protect the manufactures of any adverse side effects so they can shift the risk from themselves through warnings. If you choose to proceed then you assume the risk. You can't blame anyone because you were sufficiently warned. 

The same kinds of warnings for childhood vaccines all have the list of side effects. Here a few of the side effects for just the measles vaccination.  

On the other hand, for the Covid vaccines were are just told that they are safe and effective.

 
Surely there is nothing wrong with these emergency authorized vaccinations that all normal FDA requirements have been waived and that the pharmaceutical companies are not liable for any injuries caused by the vaccine.

Are we suppose to submit our children to participate as basically "lab rats" for a vaccine that does not publish what the warnings of the side effects could be on a child. Remember, if your child should have complications, the companies are not liable for any injuries caused by their vaccines.

If you want to read additional research: here is a good link:

https://childrenshealthdefense.org/tag/1200-studies-truth-will-prevail/

CELEBRATING OUR GOVERNOR'S OFFICIALLY DECLARED PRIDE MONTH IN UTAH

This past year, Mother Nature has not been very kind to the State of Utah. 

• Earthquakes, 
• Fires, 
• Devastating Wind Storms
• and now Water Drought 

Coincidences or Consequences?

It makes you wonder why all four elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water have combined together to wreck havoc on the state of Utah. Some associate these basic elements with the four destroying angels. In his vision, John the Revelator saw “four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree” (Revelation 7:1). These are God’s angels who will hold great power and indicates that the four angels have power over the winds, or the elements, of the earth. Elsewhere in the book of Revelation, angels are described as having control over fire (the angel “which had power over fire”; Revelation 14:18) and water (“the angel of the waters”; Revelation 16:5).

Two days ago, our LDS Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox declared an official declaration calling for the whole month of June to be PRIDE month. The official declaration signed below ends by saying:

Now Therefore, I , Spencer J. Cox, governor of the great state of Utah, do hereby declare June 2021 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Utah. 

PRIDE MONTH?  Usually we set aside just one day to observe something important. Do we really need an entire month!  It might be good to remember that Pride in most Christian societies is considered a deadly sin. In fact is it one of the seven deadly sins and often is listed first.  According to the standard list, they are Pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth which are contrary to the seven heavenly virtues. 

So why we are at it,  maybe next month could be GREED month? or how about LUST month? or even ENVY month? 

In Ezra Taft Benson's conference address, Beware of Pride, he says: 

"The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that the Book of Mormon is the “record of a fallen people.” (D&C 20:9.) Why did they fall? This is one of the major messages of the Book of Mormon. Mormon gives the answer in the closing chapters of the book in these words: “Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction.” (Moro. 8:27.) And then, lest we miss that momentous Book of Mormon message from that fallen people, the Lord warns us in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.” (D&C 38:39.)"

So what I find so interesting is that after declaring this entire month to embrace Pride, Governor Cox is asking all of us to. get this, to pray to God for some divine intervention. Surely to Lord will bless us to escape this drought as we proactively celebrate our PRIDE.  Yes, Heaven help us. 

WHY I WRITE THIS BLOG - which began 10 years ago today

Ten years ago today I wrote my first barerecord blogpost. I debated on whether to call it 'bare record' or 'bear record'. Both the word bare and bear are descriptive of what I hoped to accomplish on this blog.

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

I know alot of what I have shared might have been unpleasant to some, but it has been my hope over the last 10 years to kindly point out evidence in our day that  maybe "All is not well in Zion." In addition, I  wanted to share highlights of significant events in my life as well as events happening on the earth.

I recently came across a book called 'Leading from the Edge of the Inside'. It is written by Richard Rohr, a Franciscan monk. In his book, Rohr talks about about three groups of people found in any institution or even a religious organization. The groups are the insiders, the outsiders, and the ones on the 'edge of inside'. Those at the core of the inside are those who are the loyal diehards. They are the 'all-is-well' group and quickly justify anything that might be viewed as less than positive. The 'outsiders' on the other hand want nothing to do with the organization and would be considered as apathetic or even antagonistic. But, those on the 'edge of the inside' know, love and understand both groups and can see the mistakes being made by the institution. Their loyalty and commitment are sometimes questioned by the insiders.  The "edgers" are in a unique position to evaluate and hopefully help the organization to look in the mirror to see the flaws and mistakes. The edge of insiders are sometimes misunderstood or disregarded because they are not on the core inside. But this does not mean they have nothing to say or that what they have to say is not valid or important. Many times it's about how the message is relayed. If done properly, it could influence the organization to correct their errors. 

A great example of some "edge of insiders" are the thousands and thousands of members of the Church who spoke out publicly about the First Presidency's decision to remove the historic Manti Temple murals. Here is a quick timeline of what happened. 

From the Salt Lake Tribune article covering the story it reported.

President Russell M Nelson said in a prerecorded message, “we have been impressed to modify our earlier plans for the Manti Utah Temple so that the pioneer craftsmanship, artwork and character will be preserved, including the painted murals loved by so many. We will leave those murals where they are located now — inside the Manti Utah Temple.”

 In an interview, Rasband called the move a divine “revelation” and said that protests, petitions and phone calls — even a march in downtown Provo — opposing the art removal played no role in the decision to retain them.

So in less than a 2 month period of time, we saw a complete reversal from the Prophet announcing that Art Masterpieces being removed from both the Salt Lake and Manti Temples to accommodate a change in the room configurations. Instead we are told that a new revelation came from the Lord reversing the first revelation to remodel the Temple.  Which one was revelation? the initial decision to remove the murals or reversal to keep murals? Does the Lord really flipflop like that?

I find it very hard to believe that all of the pleadings of the Church members to the First Presidency played NO role in the decision to save the murals like the apostle Rasband stated.  “I’m going to be so bold as to call it a revelation,” Elder Rasband concluded.

Whether or not the decision to keep the murals was purely revelation without any influence by those who spoke out publicly, I am grateful for other 'edge of insiders' who I believe helped to save the Temple Murals. I think it is important to preserve history and even more important to preserve what Joseph Smith originally restored. For those who haven't see the murals that will now be save, here is a quick description of the one of the murals that was written on an online article.

Unlike prior World Room murals depicting fighting animals, Teichert portrayed the pageant of human history in a fallen world. Beginning with the Tower of Babel portrayed in the back of the room, she painted the history of the Gentiles and Israelites on opposing side walls (including Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the crusaders, Columbus, the Pilgrims on the Mayflower) culminating in the gathering of the early Latter-day Saints to the North American Continent and their efforts to build Zion, portrayed on the front wall. All human history marches towards the restoration, the gathering of the Saints, and ultimately the establishment of Zion. To remove these murals is akin to painting over the Sistine Chapel—in terms of LDS art, history, and women’s contributions and achievement. Most importantly, the decision is irreversible if the murals are destroyed

"ADDITIONAL PROCEDURAL ADJUSTMENTS" - The new Politically Correct Term for TEMPLE CHANGES?

Today is Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. A day originally meant for honoring the men and women who have died while serving our country. It has now become a day where we remember all of  our family members and friends who have died, not just in battle. It is day we are reminded of loss.

It is hard to lose someone or something we care about. Sadness and grief doesn’t follow any rules. We all hurt and heal in our own ways. While grieving is unique to each of us, some experiences are common. People grieve for many different reasons, including loss of a:

• A family member, neighbor, friend or pet
• A job or career
• Life role, when children move into adulthood
• Physical ability, such as hearing or seeing
• The break-up of a relationship or marriage
• Home when moving 
• Plans for the future when life changes unexpectedly
• Possessions
• Beliefs — in a person, idea or cause

I thought today would be fitting to share a recent loss I have felt. It is the latest change to the LDS Temple Endowment. I was saddened to go back to the Temple last week only to find one more thing that has been removed from the Endowment. This change is being called an "Additional Procedure Adjustment". In my opinion, it is hardly "additional", and I find it offensive to call it just a  "procedure" (since it involves something sacred), and is more than an "adjustment"; It is a deletion and change. For those who came up with the description of an "additional procedural adjustment", it might be good to look up what each of those words mean.

Additional: added or extra to what is already present or available.

Procedural: a series of steps taken in a legal, legislative or law enforcement agency.

Adjustment: the act of bringing something back into conformity. 

The change is not additional, more than a procedure, and is a removal, not an adjustment.  

The First Presidency continues to use the word 'adjustment' instead of the word 'change'. However, I am not sure that it is the best word to use when you remove, take away and/or completely change something. When you adjust something,  you put it back to its proper place.   For example, when you go to the chiropractor to get an adjustment. When you get your car tires adjusted which puts them back into alignment, or when you adjust your dress or tie, you are fixing things back into its proper place. 

I think it is just a carefully crafted term to make the changes more palatable for the Temple patrons.

This is the statement that is read now before the endowment: 

"Before beginning the endowment session, we share the following statement from the First Presidency of the Church. Brothers and Sisters: Since the temple endowment was first administered in this dispensation, occasional adjustments have been made by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles acting unitedly in their capacity as prophets, seers and revelators. You will notice that additional procedural adjustments have been made in the presentation of the endowment. These adjustments do not effect the fundamental doctrine of the Temple and its saving ordinances."

These changes were announced over a year ago in an official statement by the First Presidency. Link the LDS CHURCH NEWS

Due to the sacred nature of what these "additional procedural adjustments" are,  it is not appropriate to discuss, so I won't go into detail. Let's just say there is no more desire for all to receive, but instead just enjoy being a spectator while you remain comfortable in your seat while watching someone else receive.

NEW LDS-OWNED COMMERCIAL OFFICE TOWER in SLC - ALMOST COMPLETE

The new upscale commercial office tower, 95 State at City Creek, that the LDS Church has been building is almost complete. It is the latest addition to the Church's City Creek Center. The skyscraper will be Utah's third tallest building, behind the Church Office Building and the Wells Fargo Building. The Church builders announced that this will be Salt Lake City’s newest state-of-the-art, 25-story tower that contains approximately 515,000 rentable square feet. Connected directly to City Creek Shopping Center through The Link, an underground pedestrian tunnel beneath State Street, the building is centrally located right in the heart of downtown. Here is an archived News Release LINK.

One of the most impressive features of this skyscraper is the 11 FT floor to ceiling glass which are an integral part of the distinctive architecture. There will be specialized blinds that will ascend and retract automatically throughout the day–providing worry free impact of sun/heat on employees. Here is the architect rendering of what the offices might look like. 

The building is located just a block south of the Brigham Young's Beehive House and the Eagle Gate as seen in the below photo. While the location is great, it will be interesting to see if the Church will have difficulty renting the offices with more and more businesses allowing their employees more flexibility to be working from home. 

Sidenote:

In another news article this week, it was announced that the LDS Church made millions and millions in profit on buying stock in GameStop, a company that sells video games. Here is a LINK TO BUSINESS INSIDER article

Clearly the LDS Church is wealthy, owning billions and billions in stock, including Video Game  company's stock which have made 900% gains. The Church also continues to expand their retail and commerical building projects. What I find so ironic is that this year we have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants in the Come Follow Me manual. I read this week the following verse from Section 104. 

18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

The original wording the Doctrine and Covenants used the work "Dives" instead of 'wicked'

Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall with Dives lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

The original wording the Doctrine and Covenants used the work "Dives" instead of 'wicked'. For those who don't know why the reference to Dives was used, Dives was the used in Christ's parable of the rich man and Lazurus found in Luke 16: 19-31.  Jesus told this story between an unnamed rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. The traditional name Dives is not actually a name, but instead a word for "rich man".

We would do well to take these warnings from the Lord seriously and take of the abundance and impart unto the poor and the needy. It doesn't bode well for those who continue to acquire more and more wealth and continue to build taller and taller buildings and not impart to the poor and the needy. Heavne forbid that we could find ourselves next to Dives in hell being in torment. 

THE GOD OF THIS WORLD BUYING UP ARMIES AND NAVIES... AND SILENCING THOSE WHO STAND UP FOR FREEDOM

Today is Armed Forces Day. A day to honor all who currently serve our country in the military, both active and former, in the reserves, National Guard or on active duty. A day to show our appreciation  for all of the men and women who sacrifice to defend our freedom.

How ironic that today is when the news broke that Lt.Col. Matthew Lohmeier, a commander of a U.S. Space Force unit of a Space-based missile warning squadron in Colorado, was fired for taking seriously his military oath which is to 

..solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and  bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

It was reported here on miliary.com  that Matthew Lohmeier was fired for comments made during a podcast promoting his new book which claims Marxist ideologies are becoming prevalent in the United States military.

From the article: 

Earlier this month, Lohmeier, a former instructor and fighter pilot who transferred into the Space Force, self-published a book titled "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military." 

From his perspective as a commander, Lohmeier said he didn't seek to criticize any particular senior leader or publicly identify troops within the book. Rather, he said, he focused on the policies service members now have to adhere to to align with certain agendas "that are now affecting our culture."

Here is the full article printed in the Washington Examiner:

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/space-force-officer-relieved-from-post-after-criticism-critical-race-theory-marxism

“What you see happening in the U.S. military at the moment is that if you're a conservative, then you're lumped into a group of people who are labeled extremists, if you're willing to voice your views. And if you're aligned with the Left, then it's OK to be an activist online because no one's gonna hold you accountable," Matthew Lohmeier said.

Sidenote:

Interesting to see that the Army just released this month their new recruitment video featuring girl raised by lesbian couple.  Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIYGFSONKbk

The video was highlight in this article. 

 Army advertisement comes as the Central Intelligence Agency released other woke-style ads in a series called "Humans of CIA," which drew criticism from many on social media.

“Growing up gay in a small Southern town, I was lucky to have a wonderful and accepting family. I always struggled with the idea that I may not be able to discuss my personal life at work,” said a man in a CIA advertisement. He says he was surprised to see the CIA Director at the time, John Brennan wearing a rainbow lanyard while taking his oath.

Another advertisement released by the CIA shows a woman of color who describes herself as "A cisgender millennial who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder." The woman also proclaims that she is "intersectional."

"The CIA needs to be focused on intelligence gathering and recruiting the best and brightest," Tennesee Senator Marsha Blackburn said. "We can’t afford to risk our national security and waste resources to pander to the Left’s divisive rhetoric," she added.

RECYCYLING THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE -THE GRAVESTONE FOR PRESIDENT NELSON

The gravestone for President Nelson was just erected in the Salt Lake Cemetery. This towering monument stands at over 8 feet tall and almost 2 feet wide of solid granite. It is not just any granite though, it is the granite that has been removed from the Salt Lake Temple. There is plaque that appears at the bottom of the North facing backside of the gravestone which reads, "This monument was crafted of stone from the Salt Lake Temple 2020 renovation. 

Although President Nelson is still alive, his grave monument has been placed right next to his first wife. See below. Not only does the size of the monument dwarf all other gravestones in the cemetery but it is interesting that it is not facing the same direction as all of the other graves. Instead of facing east, it is facing south. 

Christian graves in churchyards were traditionally aligned on an east to west axis. The coffins were placed with the head of the person at the west end of the grave and the foot at the east. This is because they believe in the second coming of Christ and scripture teaches that he will come from the east. In this manner, they place their dead in a position so they can meet Christ face-to-face during his second coming. The gravestone with name also faced east. It is interesting that President Nelson chose to have his grave facing south. 

A DAY OF "CONFESSING OUR NATIONAL SINS" and the RELEASE OF THE 'IRRESTISTIBLE REVOLUTION'

"WRITE THESE THINGS THAT EVIL MAY BE DONE AWAY"

Ether 8:26

Irresistible Revolution is a timely and bold contribution from an active-duty Space Force lieutenant colonel who sees the impact of the current "woke" agenda at the ground level within our armed forces. In it, author Matthew Lohmeier provides answers to many important questions that Americans are currently asking. The book begins with a discussion of the greatness of the American ideal, transitions to an examination of the history and overarching narrative of Marxist ideology, and concludes by looking into the ongoing transformation of America’s military culture and military policy, while also providing a warning about where the country is headed if we choose to not make an immediate course correction.

This book is being released today on APRIL 30th.. Information on how to order the book can be found HERE: http://www.irresistiblerevolutionbook.com/

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

Many might not know that April 30th is an important day for our country's history. 

APRIL 30th was the original day set aside as the National Day of Prayer "to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

The importance of April 30 first began when George Washington was inaugurated as the First President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York City. At the time New York City was the first capital of the United States. After George Washington took his oath of office, he then dedicated this nation to God with much prayer, humility and fasting.

In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was discouraged and weary as the North was getting overcome by the Confederates.  He called on the nation to observe a National Day of Prayer and repentance. The day slotted for this event was  April 30, 1863.  The day after Lincoln’s National day of fasting, repentance and prayer was observed, two major events happened that changed the trajectory and outcome of the entire Civil War.

Here are a few excerpts of President Lincoln's Proclamation:

Proclamation 97—Appointing a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

Whereas the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations, has by a resolution requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and

Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord...

It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

I do by this my proclamation designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. And I do hereby request all the people to abstain on that day from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite at their several places of public worship and their respective homes in keeping the day holy to the Lord and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Like most important dates to observe,  the National Day of Prayer has been changed from April 30 to the first Thursday of May. The constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer was unsuccessfully challenged in court by the Freedom From Religion Foundation after their attempt was unanimously dismissed by a panel of a federal appellate court in April 2011.

The National Day of Prayer is celebrated by Americans of many religions, including Christians of many denominations, including Protestants and Catholics, as well as Muslims, Hindus and Jews. On the National Day of Prayer, many Americans assemble in prayer in front of courthouses, as well as in houses of worship, such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples.

There are a few of us that will be on outside on the Utah Capital steps today to observe and pray in behalf of our country on this significant day- April 30th.

DISCONTINUATION OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT IN YOUR HOME

A friend of mine forwarded an email to me that he received from his Bishop this week. This official correspondence from his Stake Church Leaders stated that fathers no longer have permission to bless the sacrament in their own home. They must return to partake of the Sacrament in their ward building even as the mandate to still wear masks is still in force.

"In our priesthood leadership meeting yesterday, President [XXXXX ] noted that the blanket authorization allowing the sacrament to be administered in homes in our stake has been discontinued. If you are not yet comfortable returning to our sacrament services and would like the sacrament in your home, please reach out to the bishop."

"For all of our in-person sacrament services and classes, we ask that everyone continue wearing face coverings, as instructed by our Area Presidency."

It saddens me that the Church is no longer allowing  the ability for priesthood holders to bless the sacrament for their families in some stakes in Utah. As a father, I have the responsibility to minister to my wife and children and provide for their spiritual needs. Giving blessings such as Father's blessings, Priesthood Blessings of Comfort/Healings as well as blessing the Sacrament have been an important part of our own family's spiritual needs during this unprecedented time. We have preferred holding Home Church instead of being forced to wear masks to Church. Our neighbor told us that someone in our ward attended Church last week not wearing a mask. After the meeting started, the presiding Stake President asked that the official Church policy of wearing face masks to be read over the pulpit calling out the offender. 

I am sure the Church has their reasons to gain back the control over who can bless the sacrament. Until our Stake Leaders no longer permit the sacrament to be blessed in homes, I have been grateful for opportunity.

I remember a friend telling me that it is usually a sign of fear that people exercise control over others. However, the more you attempt to control others, the likelihood of losing them is greater. For example, if you want to hold as much water in our hands as possible, the best thing to do is hold both hands open with as little grasping of the water as possible. The more one clenches to hold onto the water, the less water you will retain.   

We would to well to remember what the Lord said in D&C 121 about how exercise the Priesthood.

Sidenote: I read a footnote that other day of what the word 'dominion' means. We hear that word a lot in the scriptures and in the Temple. I have always connected the word to be mean.. 'to rule over or be dominate'. However, the below new insight I think is beautiful. Hopefully all of those men who think they have right of "dominion" will have a better understanding now of what that truly means. 

"The word “dominion” and the word “domicile” come from the same root. A domicile is a place set in order, arranged, planted with a yard and garden, and everyone and everything having a place for occupancy. Something made beautiful and aesthetic by the effort (or husbandry) of the residents. That image of “husbandman over a domicile” was what God conferred on Adam when he was given dominion over the entire creation. So Adam (and his posterity) were charged to do something much different with this creation than what mankind has done. We rather brutalize it into submission. We are more vandals and raiders than husbandmen to the earth."

TEACHING INDOCTRINATING SONGS TO CHILDREN?

The below YouTube video from the Church of Christ features small children singing a song entitled, 'Always Submit To The Church Administration'. This song was written by a self-proclaimed "one true Church" that was founded in the Philippines. Here are the lyrics to one of their catchy "Primary" songs. 

Always submit to the Church Administration. 

For they were placed by Lord God to lead his nation.
If we obey then we will receive salvation.

Sing along with me.  

LINK TO VIDEO   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nmYOQIidqo

I would hope that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would cringe at the idea of indoctrinating children to sing a song with words about "always submitting to the church administration." However, do we also teach our young children to sing a song with a similiar theme?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy5qNAkJ4QA&t=2s

 The 'Follow the Prophet' song is one of the first songs that the Church teaches children starting in Nursery to the two year olds. In fact to make the song more interactive for the toddlers,  Nursery leaders give one of the children a large photo of President Nelson to hold as he/she marches around the room as the rest of the nursery children follow behind. Each child would then take turns holding the Prophet's photo as the children march around the room following the photo of President Nelson.

I sure wish we would change the words of this chant song from Follow the Prophet to  "Follow the Savior." It would also be nice to have the children hold up a picture of Jesus instead of President Nelson.

Here is a recently released video of LDS children answering the question of why we need to follow President Nelson.  I think it is interesting that Jesus Christ's name is NOT mentioned once in this video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BavQ7i-vh0

A few days ago I read an article about an interview with Justin Bieber who was asked about his faith in Christianity.  The Pop singer called out religious leaders who put themselves on a pedestal and cause the church to be surrounded by them instead of being focused on Christ as the center of the church. Bieber, an outspoken Christian, stated, "I think so many pastors put themselves on this pedestal. And it's basically, church can be surrounded around the man, the pastor, the guy, and it's like, 'This guy has this ultimate relationship with God that we all want but we can't get because we're not this guy.' That's not the reality, though. The reality is, every human being has the same access to God."

In addition to calling out pastors who put themselves on a pedestal, Bieber reminded fans that Christianity isn't a self-help religion, rather, it is about coming to God for help and letting Him lead and change you for His will.

Justin Bieber shared his experience and said, "I came to a place where I just was like, 'God, if you're real, I need you to help me, because I can't do this on my own. Like, I'm struggling so hard,"

The rest of the article can be found here: LINK TO ARTICLE

___________________________________________________

Sidenote:

I wanted to share an excerpt from a recent talk given last month about the Religion of our Fathers.

Joseph Smith taught the idea of direct association with Christ as the promised Second Comforter during a visit to Ramus, Illinois on April 2, 1843. After quoting Christ’s promise to not leave His followers comfortless because He and His Father would come to them and take up their abode with them, Joseph explained, “Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself.... When any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time. The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.” This appearing of the Father and Son began with Adam, and was intended to continue in every generation. Although the teaching of Christ as the Second Comforter was taught by Joseph, and believed by LDS Mormons, it is now one of the teachings that has dwindled from LDS teaching. In a Boise LDS meeting, church apostle Dallin Oaks denounced the teaching of mortals needing to see the Lord as a “tactic of the adversary.” Following that, the LDS church removed a footnote from their KJV John 14:16 which previously referred to Jesus Christ and replaced it with a reference to “the Holy Ghost.” 

WHERE DOES GOD PREFER TO DWELL? CITIES OR WILDERNESS?

_______________________________

"A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, 

never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary 

unto life and salvation.

Lectures on Faith 6

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My family spent the past weekend camping in a very remote wilderness area near the border of Arizona and Nevada. It required driving on a 30 mile dirt road from Mesquite to get there. While very cold at night, it was beautiful during the day. Since it is Passover weekend, we went there in part to experience what it might have been like for the Israelites who fled Egypt into the wilderness. This event of exodus over 3000 years ago is origins of the Jewish religious observance of Passover.

On the Sunday morning, we hiked up a mountain to see the sunrise. It was a beautiful sunrise after a dark and cold night. Here are a few photos taken that morning that I wanted to quickly share. Hard to describe all the symbolism from the hike without witnessing them in person. 

From a mountain top view it was impossible to see any other civilization except for our campsite below that we shared with a group of fellow camper

 

This is the top of where stopped to watch the sunrise. We sang, prayed and shared thoughts of our ascension hike. 

 A few moments after the sun rose above the horizon. Day dawn breaking.

"In one sense, the religion of the fathers is based on a direct connection to God. Reduced to one thought, it is that as long as God is speaking directly to a body of people, giving them commandments, they have the most essential element of the religion of the fathers. If they remain true to that connection all things can be restored to them."

IS YOUR ORIENTATION ALIGNED WITH GOD?

When most people hear the word 'ORIENTATION', they either think it is referring to a training meeting or your sexual preference. Neither of which have anything to do with the origin of the word 'ORIENT'. The word 'orient' actually means 'to face the east'. The orient is the direction east, the part of the horizon where the sun first appears. On the spring and fall equinox, the sun rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west on only these two days a year. That happened today, March 20, 2021. 

Photo taken of one of my friends on a past sunrise hike. Unfortunately today was rainy.

One of my favorite things to do in life is to hike to a mountain peak to see the sun rise, especially on the spring or fall equinox and orientate myself to the Sun.  There is something beautiful to know you are directly aligned or 'oriented" to the Heavens and with God on those two days. 

Unfortunately most of the world is disoriented, even by a few degrees. Disorientation is a deviation from an east-facing position. It is a confusion as to your direction.

The following story was given in April 2008 conference called "A Matter of a Few Degrees" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

In 1979 a large passenger jet with 257 people on board left New Zealand for a sightseeing flight to Antarctica and back. Unknown to the pilots, however, someone had modified the flight coordinates by a mere two degrees. This error placed the aircraft 28 miles (45 km) to the east of where the pilots assumed they were. As they approached Antarctica, the pilots descended to a lower altitude to give the passengers a better look at the landscape. As the pilots flew onward, the white of the snow and ice covering the volcano blended with the white of the clouds above, making it appear as though they were flying over flat ground. By the time the instruments sounded the warning that the ground was rising fast toward them, it was too late. The airplane crashed into the side of the volcano, killing everyone on board. It was a terrible tragedy brought on by a minor error—a matter of only a few degrees.

Such a tragic story to be disoriented, misaligned by just a few degrees. So, why is it so important to be aligned and oriented with Heaven?

Entire cities have been built to be aligned with the East and cardinal directions of the compass. There are examples of an equinoctial temples which are oriented on a precise east-west axis on the day of the spring and fall equinox. One of the most important Temples that is aligned directly East is the ancient Solomon and Herod's Temple in Jerusalem. Ezekiel 43:1-2

Even  St. Peter's Cathedral at the Vatican is aligned directly with the orient on the Spring and Fall Equinox. The great Eastern doors at the gate were opened at sunrise, and also the eastern doors of the church, and as the sun rose, its rays passed through the outer doors, then through the inner doors, and penetrating straight through the nave, illuminated the High Altar.

Sidenote: 

The LDS Rome Temple is unlike the St Peter's Basilica where it is not oriented directly east. It is off a few degrees. 

Recent announced changes to the Salt Lake Temple as part of the reconstruction will change the symbolic orientation from room to room in the live endowment ceremony. The initiate would start in the first room of the endowment facing East called The Creation Room. Then they would turn and move facing South into the Garden Room. They would turn again and be facing west in the Telestial World Room. Their backs towards the East.  Repentance was then required to come back into the presence of God to once again face east. This is done by the climbing upstairs and entering into the Terrestial Room. After further gaining further light and knowlegde, one then passing through the veil and enters into the Celestrial Room. It was one complete Circle. It is unfortunate that this upward spiral of movement upward and the symbolic directions once faced in each of rooms will be a lost part of the Salt Lake Temple experience after it is remodeled. Here are a few photos of what the rooms and directions were like.

We live in a world of disorientation. However, the most important thing that we have to align us to God and orientate ourselves to Him is the Scriptures. Today on the Spring Equinox the following video was released.

The Heavens Are Open Again - PART 05: Restoring Scripture.

Link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLOLqbFFf8U

RIGHT IS NOW WRONG, AND WRONG IS NOW RIGHT?

 PROPHETS SPEAK

from the New York Times

LATEST REMOVALS FROM THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE

First Presidency announces 

No more live endowment sessions

The Church News 

"For both the Salt Lake and Manti temples, temple instruction will move from a live presentation conducted in several different rooms to single-room film presentations. Also, storied but aging murals in both buildings are being removed."

These historic rooms will no longer be used as originally designed.  The beautiful hand-painted murals will be removed as well. There was alot of symbolism in the upward spiral of moving up from one room to another, but patrons will now stay in one place during the Temple instruction. The historic baptistry and font will also be removed and new ones will be build in the Annex. 

In a letter written by the First Presidency it says,

"As this project has progressed, we have felt the Lord's hand guiding us in modifying several aspects of the renovation."  

So they only felt the Lord guidance on several aspects? Why not ALL aspects? 

The below pioneer murals will all be removed, painted over, and changed. 

 Are we  RESTORING or COMPLETELY REMOVING our  Historical Foundations?

I recently took a few photos last week of the Salt Lake Temple. I was surprised to see the stones being taken down from the exterior of the Temple. Apparently, the reason they are doing so is for cleaning purposes. I  would think it easier to clean them still attached to the building instead of removing them. Plus a whole lot less expensive.  (It is not like you can take them to the dry cleaners or something.) Anyway, I am constantly amazed at this "Renovation" of the Salt Lake Temple. 

Here is a photo that I took and added the ground level transparency to show the progress of the removal of the foundation. They have dug down what looks to be at least 30 feet. They will then begin the process of the replacing the rock foundation with moving rollers which they are calling  a "base isolation system". Essentially the building is no longer built on rock, a steadfast and firm foundation, but on rollers that can move back and forth depending on the movement of the world(earth).

I honestly wonder if it would have been easier and cheaper to just tear down and rebuild the temple with all of these massive changes they are doing. 

SYMBOLIC MINIMALISM vs New restrictions for depicting Deity in LDS artwork

I started writing a blogpost a few weeks ago about minimalism in artwork where the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect.  The reason for wanting to write about this subject was that I had come across a couple of minimalistic art renditions of the First Vision that I thought were really cool. 

The image on the left uses just geometric shapes and the one on the right only uses black and white cutouts. Both are very symbolic and conveys a lot of meaning with very little detail. 

I never finished writing about it and kept the post in my every increasing drafts that I don't publish. However, a few days ago I heard that that there is a new internal direction from LDS church leaders about portraying Deity for the Church curriculum and media.  The new policy directs that artwork depicting God and Jesus Christ will need to fit within more narrow guidelines. All of the artwork depicting deity will need to have facial features. Artistic stylization like cubism will not be permitted as well. In addition, all visual interpretations of God will need undergo the approval process in Correlation.

Below are some examples of artwork currently being sold at Deseret Book that will no longer be used in Church media and materials because they do not following the new edicts from above. Apparently all artwork depicting the The Father and the Son will need to clearly show two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two ears.  Like other recent changes including no longer using the Angel Moroni on top of newer temples, we will no longer see symbolic artwork of Christ appear in church produced media and publications like a few of these paintings below currently being sold at Deseret Book.

 NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE ARTWORK FOR CHURCH MATERIAL

Throughout history works of art have been altered, silenced and even erased due to unacceptable content by those in power and authority whether the motivations for censorship were religious, social or political. Despite these new restrictions in how we should depict God, I hope that artists will continue to use their God given talent and creativity to push boundaries of rigid guidelines through their imagery and content. Art is uniquely positioned to move people—inspiring us, inciting new questions and provoking curiosity.  Depicting Deity in a symbolic way allows the viewer connect with God in a unique way. Personally I have found beauty in some of the simplest and minimalistic forms depicting God and Christ. 

That being said, I wonder how long the revelation to brand His Church by depicting Christ as a Greek-like graven statue in marble will last.