Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
This is a response to a post written by Melanie Redd, entitled: An open letter to my friend who has stopped going to church. The article is inspiring, heartfelt, and encouraging. So, what is the reason to respond to this post? It is not merely the post itself, it is also the comments posted and… Continue reading Reason I’ve stopped attending Church
Noah and his family were saved of (or through) water from the spiritual decay and immorality surrounding them. The flood destroying the old life in order to bring about a newness of life. It is the very nature and covenant of our baptism.
A vibrant and healthy fellowship and community is place where we all are able to come and know we belong. Where there is kindness, empathy, charity, compassion, forgiveness, willingness to be honest, discreet, share with confidence, and keeping in confidence those things we share one with another. All of us are walking our own spiritual paths and experiencing our own spiritual journey - however, it is not meant for us to do so alone. We strive to be complete, unified, and in harmony because of the pure love of Christ.
The call for us to go forward in faith and purpose is a call for us to enter into a deep and intimate relationship with Christ. To come to know him and our Heavenly Father (John 17:3).
From scripture and modern day revelation we learn that Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be the mediator and redeemer of humanity. He is key to the plan of salvation.
It is through our humility and submission to our Heavenly Father where he will bless and use us for his holy purposes
Our mortality is a test where we are to gain a vision and understanding of who Christ is, thereby gaining understanding of who our Heavenly Father is. Having this vision helps us go forward in faith and purpose because we know who we are and where we are heading.
Today, our religious worship requires something more. It requires our sincere reverence and gratitude. It is a sacrifice of our own self and will. Such sacrifice comes when we call upon God, through Jesus Christ on a daily basis
Faith is the driving factor to us going forward into this new year with purpose and meaning. The Apostle Paul taught that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). And in Alma 32:21 we read that ...faith is not to have perfect knowledge of things;
When our Heavenly Father called Moses - we are to understand that this prophet was one of the many noble spirits Abraham saw (Abraham 3:21-23). Abraham himself was also one of those noble spirits chosen before he was born. There are some practical spiritual truths and applications that are for our learning and understanding today.
The Pearl of Great Price contains the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith - Matthew, Joseph Smith - History, and the Articles of Faith. All inspired and brought forth for our learning and understanding (Proverbs 1:7; Romans 15:4). All scripture contains the word of God and have been preserved to come forth by His power (2 Timothy 3:14-17) where we are invited to come unto Christ (D&C 20:59).
The purpose of this study guide and survey is twofold: 1) to provide individuals with a chronological framework for the people, events, and books pertaining to the Old Testament. This includes the Book of Moses and Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price and 2) to glean key lessons for how we can increase our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grow closer to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.
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.
Knowing this can also help us as we share the gospel with our friends and family. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We are at war with Satan for the souls of men. The battle lines were drawn in our pre-earth life. Satan and a third of our Father in Heaven’s children turned away from His promises of exaltation. Since that time, the adversary’s minions have been fighting the faithful who choose the Father’s plan.”
Along with the rise in housing cost, the lack in affordable housing, there is also the increase in the lacking of gainful employment. Even in the City of Seattle, a person working full time (approximately 30 hours per week) at 15.00 per hour may not be able to afford the "necessities" earlier referenced. Additionally, factor in the cost of health care (including the Affordable Care Act), health premiums and insurance rates have dramatically increased.
"A general rule for the good use of time is to accustom oneself to live in a continual dependence on the Spirit of God, receiving from moment to moment whatever it please him to give us, referring to him at once in the doubts which we necessarily run into, turning to him in the weakness… Continue reading How sacred time will redefine your Christian life!
Scripture doesn't skirt tough issues like suffering, struggling to believe in God's goodness in tough times, and God's silence. Biblical authors often didn't find resolutions to their struggles, but lived in tension, destruction, and bereavement. The Psalmists' doubts, despair, and depression; sorrowful books such as Job, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations; Habakkuk's complaints; John the Baptist's questions… Continue reading Why is God on mute?
In the last three articles, we explored the following: Human authenticity and conscious living; Premise One: Authenticity is essential to the human experience; And, Premise Two: Emotional intelligence and our human experience. In this third installment, the discussion focuses on having a vision in order to move forward. Vision gives us a sense of direction.… Continue reading Premise Three: Having a vision to move forward
Genuine faith increases when we are tempted, resist the temptation, and endure. Our glory is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Genuine faith is also increased when we come to understand that God's divine gift is Love and Forgiveness. James speaks on how our temptations do not come from God. What comes from our Heavenly Father is the Light of Christ and all good things that motivate us to love God and others.
Our “Gethsemanes” are those places where our will wrestles to find its way to God’s will. As God patiently wrestled with Jacob and his will, He also wrestled with Jesus the Son of Man, His will and His request in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Adam represented mankind by wrestling his way out of the… Continue reading Having A Gethsemane Experience toward Spiritual Transformation
The past few days (except for today) reminded me of how important rest is to the human mind, body and soul. Since Sunday, I have experienced emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion because of an event that had occurred. Normally, I spend either Saturday or Sunday as a day of rest in order to prepare myself… Continue reading Sometimes, you just need to rest
Growing up in the Mormon Faith, I've come to appreciate the reverence of hymns. The mindfulness and thoughtfulness of people coming together and singing. I also remember my father turning the television on Sunday mornings and listening to the Music and Spoken Word. To-this day, children within the LDS community are taught to be reverent.… Continue reading Where has all of God’s Worshipers Gone?
Read and Meditate on Genesis 21:1-21. Focus on verses 8-14. Pray for God to guide you when faced with difficult decisions Our study in the life and character of Abraham brings us to understand the dynamic relationship between Ishmael and Isaac. What we understand is this: Ishmael was the first born of a slave woman Sarah… Continue reading Reassurance in times of trouble
Read and meditate on Genesis 21:1-21 Pray and meditate on patience as we wait on the Lord to fulfill His promises Sarah laughed at the prospect of her ability to bear a child this late in life (see Genesis 17:17 and 18:12). However, at the appointed time, the Lord fulfilled his promise. Despite the ridicule… Continue reading Fulfilling His Promise
One of the most challenge things in being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is having to constantly be aware of one's on going work toward perfection. Many times, as a Mormon, the constant teaching of, "you have to do this in order for this to happen," came across the… Continue reading How God meets us where we are in the present moment
Questioning a Sovereign God Read Genesis 18:16 - 19:29 ~ Focusing on 18:22 - 26, ESV Last week, our study focused on Abraham and the visitation of three messengers. As we continue in our study of the life and person of Abraham, let us reflect on the nature of God's sovereignty. So the men turned… Continue reading Questioning a Sovereign God
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ~ Romans 1:16, ESV ~ Denzel Washington plays a blind character in a dystopian world. With him, is a book he reads through. Later, we find that this book… Continue reading A Rare Possession
And when they prevailed[over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him. ~ 1 Chronicles 5:20, ESV ~ Reason people struggle in their recovery is because they are faced with a… Continue reading Let’s Take the Time to Ask
give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. ~ Luke 6:38, ESV ~ When we think of abundance, wealth, and prosperity, we look to the materialistic things obtained. The greatest… Continue reading Sharing the Wealth and Abundance
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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