A Christ Centered Home – Life Teachings & Example of James Stoddard etc. – Book Notes

Note: These notes are shared with permission of the author, but they do not represent all ideas of the text, and much more effective and through treatment is given in the full text, which can be found at JosephSmithFoundation.org. Intro: This book highlights the life teachings and family of James Stoddard. It is a mostRead more

Know, Not Just Believe

  People who “Know” the gospel is true (not just believe), and how they came to know.   -Alma 5:45 -NT: Jesus said ye shall KNOW (not just believe) the truth, and the truth shall set you free. -We have heard many prophets declare they know God with a sure witness more powerful than evenRead more

Give an Answer to EVERY Man

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15) Give an answer about your hope to EVERY man? Let’s make a short list of who thatRead more

Voting Your Conscience Doesn’t Violate Tolerance or Separation of Church & State

Video of this presentation click here. The video goes into more depth and clear explanation than the following text:   People confuse the separation of church and state to mean that you shouldn’t be able to say any social policy with your church also happens to hold in the state realm.   For example, manyRead more

I Believe: Part 3

(Video presentation part 1, part 2, and part 3) (the text and video do not exactly align) To reiterate, I believe we lived with our heavenly parents and fellow siblings of the human race for a very long time as intelligent spirits before we came to this earth. I believe that our Father in Heaven created this earthRead more

I Believe: Part 1

Video presentation part 1, part 2, and part 3 (the text and video do not exactly align) I believe the human race is watched over by a divine all-powerful corporal being dwelling on his home planet. I believe that this man, our Father in Heaven, is perfectly compassionate and wise, and possesses all joy, knowledge, and power. IRead more

Trusting Personal Revelation (Over well-meaning words of Respected Others)

To someone confused about whether to trust her revelation about what to do for her family or weather to trust her grandfather’s revelation for her which was contrary to her own: While it is true that a tragic philosophy of our time is that children should never turn to parents for advice but to theRead more

The Family: A Proclamation to the World 1995

By The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Full text:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (It remains a flagship statementRead more

The ‘God Loves All Lifestyles Equally’ Fallacy: A Letter to a Friend with Same Sex Attraction

Responding to the notion that being queer means you love all people, and that God loves you, and that is enough, including a justification of setting aside the church of God. …I’m sure you’re dealing with people walking away from your friendship over this [declaration of being Queer]. I enjoy your company and wish lifeRead more

Thou Shalt Keep a Journal – A Prophetic Mandate

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

Ministering: Friendly Missionary Work – A Joy, A Cross, A Time Travel Analogy, & Going Beyond Servitude

Sections: Befriending Others Time Travel: The Privilege and Cross of the Saviors To Minister: Not Just a Servant, But a Friend       Befriending Others -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 personRead more

Children: An Heritage (Inheritance) of (from) The Lord: What & Why is a Parent here & in Eternity

For video of this presentation, click here. Are our children ours or do we return them to God later? Well, a bit of both. Join me for this thrilling exploration of eternal promises related to parents and their children, including the doctrine of adoption, which sheds more light on the eternal mysteries of who GodRead more

You can find me in the garden: Analysis of Voltaire’s Candide

  This essay is divided into 2 sections: The Pococurante Episode and Cultivating Our Gardens. Candide is a social critique satirical book.   Pococurante Episode:   The Pococurante episode draws much from its name- Pococurante in French means someone who attains or possesses. The character Pococurante had it all. The episode illustrates how that’s notRead more

Prophetic Council Regarding Scripture Study

-Studying one verse of scripture for 45 minutes is often the most enriching form of scripture study. (Elder Neil A. Maxwell of the 12 Aposltes; ask Stake President Chad R. Wilkenson of Saratoga Springs for the reference) -“Perhaps you may ask me why I dwell on this . . . subject. In answer, why didRead more

Why God Sometimes Instructs His People To Kill

Examples of it in the texts: Joshua bringing Israel into Canaan. There are really no other examples than this of God’s people being asked to kill whole societies including their younglings and women. In the old testament, there are symbols. Everything is a symbol. In fact the Book of Mormon in Alma 34 says thatRead more