Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
Today, we have faced the challenge of a pandemic that impacted our world. A pandemic that seems to have changed the course and fabric of the way we live our lives. This came on the heels of the end of chaos, violence, and protests that had occupied our society and culture the previous year. To say the least, we are ever living in times of increasing uneasiness,
Think about some of the articles that have inspired you. Some of the stories you've read. What emotions came up as you've read them? How powerful were the words to evoke such emotions and thoughts? Did it challenge your present beliefs and values? What impact did that have on you as a person? Without honesty, our writing will be flat and ineffective in influencing and impacting other people.
We come to accept the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifference of our own sense of being. There is a stark contrast between love and hate. Either we love ourselves, love others, and have a love for life; or, we hate ourselves, hate others, and hate our lives. Love and hate are polar opposites. Where there is genuine love hate has no room to grow. Where there is hate there is no real genuine love. This is true with genuine and mindful forgiveness.
The ability to mindfully and critically read information is to objectively learn new ideas and concepts. To accurately take notes is to translate what you have gained insight on and share that with others. What you do not want to do is to develop content that is merely copy-and-paste of other peoples writings. This is only done when you are quoting from another person.
The greatest desire is for us to attain a high level of masculinity that is influential, impacting, and inspiring. By becoming a man of influence we are cultivating a true attribute of Christ-like integrity. This significant attribute provides a means by which we are able to influence our family, workplace, and community at large.
One of the key observations that link mindfulness, meditation, and happiness is this: The ability to regulate and manage our emotions. It is one of the mainstay recommendations and truths I share with my patients when sitting in counsel with them. We either are learning how our emotions work so that we are adequate in managing them. Or, we are giving ourselves permissibly over to our emotions so that they manage us and our lives.
True repentance, living the Gospel of Christ, experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit, and being transformed into Christ's image and likeness is a process we all experience in this life. In order for this to occur, we are asked to do three powerful things.
We stand a little taller against the growing wave of immorality. We stand a little taller in the spirit of truth and light that is Jesus Christ. We stand with bold and resilient faith and courage to be the light by which those truly seeking refuge and sanctuary are able to come into the fold of God's kingdom. Each one of us, through our faith and commitment to the Gospel Principles established, are able to speak wisdom into those with broken hearts. We are called to serve and minister to those in need. Just as Christ served and ministered to the lowly and broken.
The solution in getting unstuck from our grief is attending meetings, seeing a counselor, and giving ourselves permission to let go. The willingness to allow ourselves to be vulnerable lessens our need to resist and lower those defenses. It is difficult in the beginning. And when we willingly allow ourselves to be vulnerable, keep ourselves in a community and fellowship of others, we begin to grow in trust with God, ourselves, and others around us.
Developing the right type of attitude will determine whether or not the reader will understand the message. This fits within our clear understanding and purpose of writing. As writing is a passionate form of communication and expression. If our writing is vague, lacking any supportive evidence, or poorly constructed, then the attitude may come across as being lazy and slothful. If our writing comes across with strong language that is vitriolic we may risk causing our readers to be offended and even communicate defensively (think about some of the social media commentary going on regarding particular hot topic content). It is our disciplined goal to be objective, while remaining passionate, regarding particular subjects.
Often times I feel like I am not receiving what I desire from others because I am not willing to allow myself to be open enough to receiving. It's as if I have a little shop set up for people to come in and yet maintain locked doors.
Prayer is our connection to our Heavenly Father where we can receive divine guidance for our life He that followeth me, walketh not in darkness ~ 1 John 8:12, KJV ~ Read: Genesis 1-2:25; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:1-25 These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished , how we… Continue reading Trust in Christ for a Useful Spiritual Life
~Genesis 1:26-27~ When God created us, He made us like Himself; therefore we have the capacity for close, personal fellowship with Him. We can count on Him to meet our need for deep personal connection. ~ Charles Stanley - Life Principles Daily Bible, NASB, 2011 ~ Read: Genesis 3-4:26; Psalm 2:1-6; Proverbs 1:8-9; and Matthew… Continue reading Our Divine Heritage
Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile on Pexels.com ~ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ~ 2 Timothy 2:7, KJV Whether it is listening to a favorite broadcast, sermon, or a daily devotion - immersion into the word of God is not merely a chore to be accomplished. It requires… Continue reading Consider the Teachings
I have personally dealt with my share of internet slander over the years. Whether it is discussing politics, religion, or even merely commenting on particular issues being buzzed about on various social media platforms. Someone, or multitude of individuals, will always mock and ridicule. Sometimes by not even responding to your comments and simply use emoticons inappropriately.
Saw a friend share this meme to her Facebook Social Media profile and it got me to thinking about apologetics and how we approach certain topics. Do we come from a place of education and understanding? Or, do we springboard from being institutionalized by propaganda? Whether it is politics, social issues, current affairs, religion, or… Continue reading Educated or Institutionalized by Propaganda?
As we see, the nature of sexual integrity and teaching of the law of chastity - especially among young people - is quite paramount to the foundation of Christian faith. It is not so much a teaching of oppressing someone. It is not a damaging mindset as the writer of ex-mormon blog insinuates. Neither is this based on fairy tales related to realizing a sense of authentic happiness. Sexual integrity and the teachings of the law of chastity has significant foundation in developing a resilient and healthy lifestyle. One that avoids giving into sexual temptation.
Does wealth go against Christian values and principles? Understanding Matthew 19:24 in proper context
Cares attempts to question the April 2017 First Presidency Message by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This message titled - The Just Shall Live by Faith. In such an attempt to bring into question the heart and spirit of the message Uchtdorf provided: Cares sidesteps and makes false accusations and conclusions. In other words - Mark Cares article is just another example of how modern Evangelical Christians attempt to twist messages and scriptures in order to "Witness" to Mormons and bring them unto Christ.
The Book of Mormon was originally published in 1830 David Padfield published a post entitled Book of Mormon or the Bible. What did he get wrong in his post? Let us examine his claims and determine whether or not he is engaging in perpetuating false and misleading information. First Claim: Paul did not mention Christ's… Continue reading Responding to David Padfields Strawman and other Logical Fallacies
Nationalism, or patriotism, is the hallmark of how individual citizens show their support for the Government. This is extended when we see how those in position of authority utilize wisdom and discernment in securing public interest. This includes maintaining the freedom of one's conscience and the expression of one's conscience. What this brings up is the nature of whether Government's role is to implement rights to the individual. Today, we see turmoil over the misuse and abuse of Government influence in who has the right and who does not possess the right.
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com An article published at Beggars Bread appears to be 95 Theses Against the Claims of the Mormon Church and published by the The Elders of Christ Presbyterian Church A Congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Magna, UT. These 95 claims appear to provide a response against the teachings and… Continue reading Against the False Claims of Christ Presbyterian Church – Thesis #2 King Solomon’s Temple
Many times, in the course of online discussions, it may become natural to forget the other person is an individual. Specifically when we are engaged in online discussions. By being mindful of the other person - we are being understanding of their own uniqueness, fears, hopes, particular problems they are bringing to us concerning some of the teachings and doctrines. Through our example of mindfulness, we hope to build trust in order to enrich and deepen the conversation to a more personal level of discussion.
Despite the efforts of this article, as well as many other articles that have been published, critics continue to address the same arguments from a modern day thinking and perception. For instance, if Dr. Samuel Cartwright were alive today, his medical diagnosis would be laughed at, his essay would not be published in any respectable journal, nor would the so-called Dysaesthesia Aethiopis be labeled as a mental illness. Today, Josiah Priest’s thoughts on the origin of the African race would not receive any respectable consideration. Yet, these two men received attention for their valued opinion and research in a society that held to views that treated the African American race as being inferior. The argument critics use is called a presentist argument and simply means that one argues from a position of a modern perception and reality in order to interpret a past perception and reality that vastly differs from today’s acceptable social norm.
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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