“You must excuse me, but when I’m with the boys I make all the fun I can.” -Joseph Smith (see Truman G Madsen Joseph Smith lectures) For an excellent lecture on the personality and character of Joseph Smith by Truman G. Madsen, including his inclination to play sports and laugh with others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVXkBX0JNjI -Joseph SmithRead more
Sections: Spiritual Political Family Entertainment Beauty Spiritual: -RichardsonStudies.com – “There is a grand distinction between the actual meaning of the prophets and the present translation…My soul delighteth in reading the word of the Lord in the original” -Joseph Smith -Prayer Changes Things -“Jesus Christ is The Source of Every BlessingRead more
A movie about the inspiring true story of John Nash, Nobel prize winner, genius mathematician, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. It tells the story of his challenges, and how his wife helped him pull through, finding himself, finding how to cope with his illness and make a meaningful contribution in life. -Follow your dreamRead more
www.swintoncounseling.com http://www.ldsliving.com/14-Tips-for-Disciplining-Children/s/64602 Hierarchy exists in the classroom. Exercise your authority. Co-teachers be on the same page & consistent Age appropriate rules. Ensure they know them. Punishments related to infractions, not random or “go to” punishments. Age 1-10 timeouts can be effective. When kids are in timeout, don’t respond to their tantrums. No physical punishment (includingRead more
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
Some speak of a burden relieved from them when they leave the church. To an extent, this is true. It is true in the same way that a person with an important job has less on his plate when he quits his job. But then what is the purpose of the life of that man?Read 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
I do not openly endorse Rand’s materials, but have found, as with the apocrypha, lots of good in them. If the reader can throw out the bad and keep the good, discerning which is which by the spirit of God, there are things here which can lead a soul to do good, work hard, andRead more
“My life like my shoes, worn out in the service of God.” -President Spencer W. Kimball -when much is at stake, you must lose the calendar, and just go full throttle. This means you sleep when you must, not when a clock says something. And when you must sleep, you do so incrementally, then getRead more
Christmas is a holy week like Hanukkah. No man can serve 2 masters: help the children understand it is Christ, not Santa, that is to be thanked for their gifts. “Jesus Christ is the source of every blessing we receive” said President Henry B. Eyring. Teach the children that gifts are from people whoRead 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
Consider these evidences that the most important reason to learn to write is so that you can keep a journal (it’s also a good way to learn to write). -“Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard inRead more
Administering mercy as a parent in Zion While Avoiding Overly Enabling (Evidences for Authoritative preferred to Authoritarian parenting) (For my companion document showing another side Parenting with Strictness While Avoiding Abuse http://richardsonstudies.com/2018/08/09/parenting-with-s…e-avoiding-abuse/ ) -““When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”3 That concept isRead 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
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
Oct. 2017 General Conference https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/10/fear-not-to-do-good?lang=eng -D&C 6:33 “Fear not to do good” -The Lord told His leaders of the Restoration, and He tells us, that when we stand with faith upon His rock, doubt and fear are diminished; the desire to do good increases. As we accept President Monson’s invitation to plant in ourRead 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
-growing up in their home they had family meal daily with meat (note: Monson had terrible diabetes later in life). -Sister Monson daily cooks him dinner no matter the hour and always packs his suitcase when he has to travel. -Sister Monson’s parents dressed formally to meet Thomas as he came to pick Francis upRead 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
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 those are not suited to me personally, I have tried those and failed, I shall set those asideRead more
From documentary series “The Power of Myth” with Bill Moyers – a Winstar Fire Video The Message of Myth -Campbell says don’t be interested in things merely because they are said to be important but get a proper introduction to them and you may find indeed that they are very important.Read more
-“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. House here named should have been translated kingdom; andRead more
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 not commit adultery) and that are rules are that way and that we cannot tell someone else thatRead 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
-like the mission president there, can memorize Mosiah 2:20-25 -one’s 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. -Benjamin gives a good speech because it’s not just about his accomplishments -Maxwell looks at various aspects of Benjamin, oneRead more
See also essay “Man is Become as God: Spiritual Capitalism & Why Life is Hard” 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 weRead more
Let us remember that not only scientific laboratories but wisdom from the ancients and insight from inspired individuals can give us information on matters of importance. To ignore historical and prophetic wisdom at the expense of focusing on the laboratory, or the opposite, to leave the laboratory to just listen to leaders and wise men,Read more
-not merely what would Jesus do, but what would Jesus have me do. -book “UnChristian” on modern labeling of Christians as bad people; how people are feeling afraid to admit Christianity and fearing social jeopardy from such. -Universities are banning Christian groups -Belief in God effects motivation at the core. -Being able to speakRead 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
For a video presentation similar to this essay, click here. The biggest problem with me and anyone else who has a problem is the lack of faith – the lack of concrete trust in God – the lack of confidence in God – the lack of a surety that the end of days, yes, thatRead 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
Foster children are CRAZY / DANGEROUS. 2. Foster children can’t CHANGE. 3. Foster kids will never feel a real part of MY family, even if we adopt them. 4. The LOSS of caring for a child and returning them to their parents is too much for me. 5. I know a foster parent, and they’reRead more