Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
When we weep, our Heavenly Father weeps with us. When we mourn, He mourns with us. Yet, because of our moral agency, we fall short. This is expressed by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Ephesus when he wrote and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). This grieving is a deep sorrow and mourning. Such as what Enoch observed.
Individually, we are obligated to seek after God and His Kingdom. Collectively - as faithful believers in Jesus Christ - we are to follow Paul’s counsel to exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13).
In our relationship with a sovereign God, we come to know the absolute reality of our own divine nature and heritage. We are created in the image and likeness of a Holy and Sovereign God. When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit steps in and sanctifies us as we become more like Christ.
Today, we may feel empty, without form and void - meaningless, unassuming, empty, and desolate. However, the power of creation reveals unto us the magnificent power our Heavenly Father has in taking something that is unorganized, unassuming, and creating something magnificent and beautiful. Through the plan of salvation, we are to become creators in building
This is the great plan of Salvation whereby our Heavenly Father brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of each one of us. Attached to this is our liberty and freedom of choice. Whether we choose to walk in humility, submission, and obedience to the laws and principal doctrines of God’s revealed truth - we shall inherit eternal life. Christ himself said that those who endure as He has endured shall be granted permission to sit on the throne with Him as he sits on the Throne with the Father
Our call to go forward with faith and purpose in the new year is meant for us to examine ourselves and determine whether or not we truly place full confidence in who Christ is, in the teachings of the pure doctrines of Christ, and trust in those personal revelations he has given us. Trust in Christ means we go forward with faith, despite any doubts we may have. Despite our perceived inadequacies. For if we go forward in faith, with purpose, we are blessed to accomplish those things we are called to accomplish. For if we go forward in faith, with purpose, we are able to do the things our Heavenly Father has commanded us to do.
Our purpose in this life is to repent and to come unto Christ. To humble ourselves and walk faithfully in seeking after the will of God. We are to be perfected in Christ. To deny ourselves and put off the natural man. And to make the most of our life meaningful and live with purpose toward our promised land of glory and hope.
Observe that the Lord instructed us to do two things. First is to deny ourselves. Second is to take up our cross. The call to take up our cross is the call to separate ourselves from anything that may distract or influence our hearts and minds away from the will and purpose of God.
Our faith in Jesus Christ also gives us the confidence in knowing that the Lord will strengthen us and help us face whatever challenges we are to face. We need not hesitate to do what our Heavenly Father calls us to do (1 Nephi 4:1-3). Thus, our attitude ought to be one of assurance and confidence in knowing that we will be successful in whatever the Lord calls us to do - and we ought to realize that we are constantly engaged in the Lord's work.
Have you personally experienced a mighty change of heart from reading, understanding, likening, and applying the scriptures to your life? If not, what is preventing you from experiencing this mighty change of heart? If you have, is this something constant or have you stopped experiencing a mighty change of heart from active scripture study?
When it comes to reading the scriptures, we are able to come to know of their worth and truthfulness. By careful study and understanding of the scriptures, we are able to come to know them. How we liken the scriptures unto ourselves is through visualization of the people, the events, and situations. What is the situation? How does it relate to my own circumstance? By likening the scriptures, we grow, learn, and receive personal insight and inspiration. Nephi shares this with us when he said: I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Through likening the scriptures - we also learn the principles and truths from our Heavenly Father. Finally, we want to ponder - or meditate - upon those things that are revealed through our scripture study. By meditating, we ask questions, look for the practical applications and solutions.
Are we willing to pay the cost of coming unto Christ and following him? Willing to pay the cost of walking in the process of repentance in order to be reconciled? Ready and committed in putting to death our former self? How does the rich young ruler represent you? What are some of the great possessions that you have whereby it may interfere with you committing to immerse yourself in following Christ?
As President Russell M. Nelson provided his opening remarks to the October 2021 General Conference - we learn that the focus of our attention is to understand three things: Pure Teaching, Pure Doctrine of Christ, and Pure Revelation. Reflecting on this message, how have you come to understand these three principle truths? What are you struggling with when it comes to your faith in Christ? Faith in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ? and where do you feel lacking when it comes to revelation and the ministering of the Holy Spirit? Knowing that personal revelation comes through our daily commitment to scripture study, prayerfully reflecting and meditating on teachings from Church Leaders and those within our own community, and through personal fellowship and service toward others: how does this help build up your faith and testimony? Please share your comments, thoughts, and feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below. Share this with others through your social media platforms as well.
The scriptures are filled with gripping stories and challenging exhortations. People read and study from them because they are central to their lives and faith. Scriptures provide answers to the big issues in life - Who God is, Christ's infinite atonement and the plan of salvation, Life, death, love, sin, moral guidance, resilient and bold faith, overcoming and enduring persecution and times of despondence.
My profession of faith was more of an outwardly expression of how I wanted to be seen and thought of. It was not until realizing that the inside of me was still full of filth and grime. What needs to happen is that the cup needs to go through the process of cleansing before it is able to be filled and used. This takes faith and patience because of Christ's infinite atonement. We may be redeemed and justified before God. However, our work begins by cleansing ourselves of ungodliness. We endure. As our faith increases, so does our ability to become resilient. Spiritual maturation does not happen overnight. It takes work. It takes obedience.
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.
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.
Because grief may be powerful and overwhelming, many of us have attempted to avoid experiencing it. This may come when we experience a sense that our faith is lacking in God. However, our Savior understands the depths of our own sorrows. It is the cost of our love toward other people. And it is sadly unfortunate that our society today teaches that we need to get over the loss and move on. One simply does not get over or move on after a significant loss of someone they love.
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
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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