Sometimes people want to say that they are freedom fighters against political correctness, and excuse themselves in using foul language, saying that not swearing or being vulgar is just politically correct and thereby feeding into the political oppression of our time. There’s a difference between the political correctness and common courtesy. Political correctness is filteringRead more
Testimony is to say these are the formulas I use to calculate the projectory of my life, to guide all choices, and to process a firm belief that they are universally true. That these formulas, if used by all, would lead to maximum human progress, happiness, and salvation. Bearing testimony is also a weight, aRead more
I saw a man at the state mental hospital who was a praying man. To see such a man there was very rare. Almost no one seemed to pray there. Doing room checks I would catch him on his knees at his bedside. I also observed that he went to worship services when they wereRead more
-immodesty -sexual movies/TV -R rated movies -tolerance -idleness -greed -elaborate clothing -foul language -show up at church sometimes but don’t contribute -video game addiction -postponed marriage -postponed childbearing -word of wisdom leniency -neglect of scripture study -rare & shallow prayer -infrequent temple attendance -white lies -tolerance for apostate groups -excessive social lives -complaining attitudes -entitlementRead more
*Note: I do not endorse polygamy. Introduction to the Philosophy of Polygamy Polygamists want to be free to practice their plural marriage because they are usually acting out of religious conviction. Minor reasons behind this have been presented as a method of alleviating the poor who seek marriage but cannot find it bringingRead more
For decades now, we have been perplexed about crime and delinquency of teenagers. Is there something fundamentally chaotic about this age of the human being, or is there something about the way we treat them which triggers this rebellion? Let’s look at the most basic unit of society: the family. Adult divorce is through theRead more
Some say returning from a mission is ending a fast of women. Indeed, the missionary has no romantic feelings, he is at war, and must focus lest he lose the battle. Some suggest that a man must not quickly marry like a man fasting thinks highly of simple bread & cheese, but should wait forRead more
-“Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord ‘shall suffer persecution’ [2 Timothy 3:12].Read more
From BYU Idaho Education Week, July 31, 2015 Text click here Video click here Over the last few days at Education Week we have learned much about the gospel, but what exactly is the gospel? The word comes from the Old English word godspell—god meaning good and spell meaning story or news. The gospel then means good news, butRead more
Mormon 8:15 defines the glory of God as his covenant people. God is full of glory, having a numerous people, and his glory grows forever, the more people come follow him. He continues to have children. He doesn’t rule over anyone save they are his child. That is how heaven works. It’s structured in families,Read more
Thesis: not only God, but humans also, have the power to vastly effect, or “CREATE” the eternal destiny of human beings. Your contributions are significant, for good or ill. God’s plan includes, and perhaps is even based on, humans impacting each other. Complacency with the idea that “God will take care of everyone” is notRead more
Overview: The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost is a spirit, and shows us how to live in a premortal state. Those who prove worthy there eventually come to an earth to live. Jesus Christ is another member of the Godhead. Jesus Christ came to this earth 2000 years agoRead more
The person with honest intent doesn’t need lots of time giving introductions. – Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand This article was brought to my interest when a woman spoke to me of her confusion for why the latter-day Saints marry oftentimes quite young and quite early in a relationship. Though we as a peopleRead more
Grow Where You Are Planted Elder Stanley G Ellis spoke of this in a conference report not long ago, suggesting that wherever we are, we should grow, rather than be always looking to leave and live somewhere else, living reserving ourselves to give more fully in some more comfortable location or something. IRead more
List of questions: Why would you go to heaven and not me? I’m a good religious person. What about those who never got a passport but were good people? Can they enter God’s city? If I am a good person just not a member of the church, why would I have to live with murderersRead more
Note: this is just a fun study of comparing and contrasting holidays in the order they occur, and relating that to the plan of salvation in the order of eternal events, or the choosing of a higher or lower kingdom. In reality, anytime people come together with friends and family is a great time. IRead more
Fight for Your Dreams, But Dream Righteously It’s been said that you can accomplish about anything you put your mind to. Oft is heard the rallying cry toward students, salesmen with lofty monetary goals, and others, that you can win if you really focus, if you’re willing to sacrifice, etc. Then you ask yourself, “so,Read more
(Man is become as God echoes Genesis 3:5, 22; Alma 42:3; Alma 12:34, 21 & other scriptures) I ask, “God why is life so hard?” I hear no answer. I think to myself: ‘I sort of make it hard on myself, but the difficulty brings such rewards, that I chose to go through it.’ ThenRead more
Excerpts from a conversation with a friend which have broad application. Topics: Disclaimer: Limitations of and Suggested Sources for 3rd Party Marriage Advice “My spouse wants to change me” “My partner says I’m not giving my best effort since we got married” “My partner complains that I’m a stay at home mom, saysRead more
The Far Reaching Astronaut as a Type of the Friendly Man by Nate Richardson -befriend those different than you. Travel from your planet to another’ to investigate the alien species, to learn to love it and help it rise with you. Each person is like a different star in the cosmos, and yes! We canRead more
Other similar reading at Richardson Studies: Family and Godhead in plan of salvation Exponential Exaltation Theory Great Expectations of Young People List of points: AGE OF MARY at her wedding and birth of Jesus “YOUNG” PEOPLE CAN DO GREAT, historic examples ARRANGED MARRIAGES have less divorces FORBIDDEN, THE YOUTH REBELS CAREER AT EARLIERRead more
I heard a radio preacher this morning say this, and I’ll tell you why he is wrong: “we live in the world, as Jesus said we would. Why doesn’t got rapture us as soon as we are converted? Why isn’t it that when we say, “I am a sinner, Jesus Christ, I commit myself toRead more
“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” (Malachi 3:2) -non-tithe payers have no guarantee to not be burned at His coming (D&C 64:23) -LDS who don’t do their family history work will be consumed atRead more
To The Rescue: Biography of Thomas S Monson by Heidi Swinton Summary by Nate Richardson RichardsonStudies.com Updated 2-5-18 -growing up in their home they had family meal daily with some wonderful meat. -Sister Monson daily cooks him dinner no matter the hour and always packs his suitcase when he has to travel. -Sister Monsons parentsRead more
Emphasize service, brotherhood, & grass-roots-education; de-emphasize careerism, status seeking, & hoop-jumping Balance of Vocational and Religious Duty Another Episode in the School of the Prophets by Nate Richardson 4-17-17 Topics: service, vocation, education It occurred to me today or yesterday one of the two, that it doesn’t matter so much that I use all myRead more
Pride and Humility The Universal Problem and the Universal Solution By Nate Richardson Updated 1-27-18 RichardsonStudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com Some aspects of pride: -I want to do it my way. -I want to get to heaven in the end (happiness), and I’ll get there in my time, and in my way. -Jehovah has given councils, but thoseRead more
Obedience by Nate Richardson Updated 1-24-18 RichardsonStudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com -“The question is frequently asked, “Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances? I would answer, No, not the fullness of salvation. Jesus said, There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I will go and prepare a place for you. HouseRead more
Morality doesn’t make sense without God’s law: refuting Bill Nye by Nate Richardson Feb. 2017 RichardsonStudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com Bill Nye the Science Guy a proclaimed atheist argues that morality is based on feelings that there is a majority consensus can is what is required to make a law ( no respect for God’s laws like notRead more
1st talk in the book by Pres. Packer: -he wishes he could wrap up the word marriage and put it in a special box hand crafted and gently open the box to help us appreciate what it means. -it’s better to marry again if your spouse dies, for marriage is a beautiful thing. Brethren, LoveRead more
King Benjamin’s Sermon: A Manual for Discipleship by Elder Neal A. Maxwell Fullscreen Notes by Nate Richardson richardsonstudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com -like the mission president there, can memorize Mosiah 2:20-25 -ones teachings, not their biography, is what we most need to become their disciples -king Benjamins words greatest effect on the world is yet to come. -BenjaminRead more
Joy: The Greatest Fear by Nate Richardson April 2017 richardsonstudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com Topics: salvation, suffering, joy, fear, Joseph Smith, Celestial Kingdom, lament, Jesus Christ, merit, grace, works The thing that we fear most is joy. That is what we avoid. When we use drugs and alcohol it’s an obvious giveaway that we like to be happyRead more
The 7 Day Christian by Brad Wilcox book notes in text & audio by Nate Richardson richardsonstudies.com rrnmailbox@gmail.com Audio of these book notes by clicking here or use this URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B39k4ZFVUPhubmR5UlE2cWdLOVk/view?usp=drivesdk For notes on other materials by Wilcox, see document “Brad Wilcox Sampler” by clicking here or by using this URL: http://richardsonstudies.com/2018/01/17/brad-wilcox-sampler/ For notes onRead more
God’s servants are not pawns, they are free independent agents, without predestined future We think about spirituality as “God gives a person agency, and the righteous person gives their agency back to God.” No, it goes like this: God gives a person agency, and the righteous person makes choices, and those choices become theRead more
For a set of quotes and arguments showing we place too much emphasis on finance, see my document “Finance: It’s not the focus” click here. For an article exclusively on tithing as taught by the prophets, click here. -“…a religion which has not the power to save people temporally and make themRead more
1. What knowledge rises with you in the resurrection, and those who have gained more knowledge in this life will be so far the advantage in the next life (D&C) 2. Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered (NT) 3. If we are to gain salvation, it is by the very same way thatRead more
Faith Hope and Charity unto Salvation by Nate Richardson updated 1-8-18 editor@richardsonstudies.com For an audio recording of an impromptu lecture which inspired the text below, click here or use this URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RKyDp270C8S0semuW8sgOahNZY643hF4/view?usp=sharing 1. Faith leads to hope, hope leads to charity, charity leads to salvation. aka faith -> hope -> charity -> salvation 2. Satan’sRead more