Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
So, the question stands do we truly know what happened prior to Genesis? From my point of view, studies, discussions, research, and personal revelation - yes, we do know exactly what happened prior to the creation of our world, the purpose behind the fall, and the plan of Salvation and purpose of the infinite atonement.
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.
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.
Studying Lamentations, mindfully and prayerfully, may not bring about easy answers to our season of sorrow and suffering. Yet, it will help us rest our faith in knowing that God will still meet us in the midst thereof. It teaches us the heart and contrite humble language of prayer. It does not offer easy answers, cliche's or inspiring quotes and messages for what we may be facing.
Psalms 2 is a good reminder for us to reflect and meditate on the powerful nature of God's divine mercy and grace toward those who are blessed. It is also a powerful consolation of God's just divine judgment and condemnation upon those who set themselves up as heathens. It is a royal messianic promise to us. It also reminds us that we are not to judge those - this is only reserved for God alone.
James appears to sum up all the truths of scripture with verses 16-18. These verses focuses on the Divine love and Knowledge of God's Sovereign Grace and how it is bestowed upon us. Christ is the good gift that has been brought forth from Heaven. Through Christ, we are brought into a new way of living. It is through our Heavenly Father's loving kindness and mercy that we experience a spiritual awakening and rebirth.
What then is the recipe to get on the other side of our wrestling match with God? First, we ought to remember to always seek after truth in our own lives. Not only seek after it, live it out as authentic as possible. Remember that just as God validates our own sorrows, our own struggles and our own doubts and fears, we too must validate other's who are going through their own season of wrestling with God. Secondly, we ought to be ready to be of service to those who are wanting to find their own personal revelation. Though, we are not able to give to them their own revelation about God, or receive answers for them. We are, instead, able to encourage, empower and support their ongoing means to find their own blessing, testimony and faith in God. Much like Jacob had to wrestle with God and receive the blessing afterward, we too must do this alone - not without the support of others around us though.
Today's reading: Genesis 43 - 44; Ps. 11:107, Prov. 4:10-13; Matthew 14:22-36 Take Courage and Know it is God Spiritual growth is not something that happens over night. As we approach the scriptures and read the experiences of each individual, we are enlightened to their own journeys. Each one of them face difficulties. Each one… Continue reading Growing in our Faith
Today's reading: Genesis 41-42; Ps. 10:12-18; Prov. 4:7-9; Matthew 14:1-21 God's provision during times of famine Spiritual maturity and growth is established with our trust and faith in God. His grace is sufficient for us in all seasons. As we walk in sincere obedience, faithfully devoted to God, we will experience peace of mind. Today,… Continue reading When God delays for the greater purpose
Today's Reading: Gen 37 - 38:30; Ps. 9:11-20; Prov. 3:31-35; Matthew 13:1-30 Hated because of God's favor on our lives There is a quote circling around Facebook and Twitter social medias. It comes from an October 5, 2018 teaching from The Church News and it is regarding Strong Faith. It appears that it is an anonymous - or no… Continue reading Favored by God
Personal Sermon Notes from August 10, 2014 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. ~ Matthew 9:9 NIV ~ People are always seeking after something in order to find fulfillment in their… Continue reading “Come Follow me” – The Call of Christ
Today's reading: Gen 33 - 34:3; Ps. 9:1-5; Prov. 3:21-26; Matt. 12:1-21 Let us exalt and praise His Holy Name God is gracious toward us in all things. It is because of who He is, we receive blessings. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As we read in the scriptures, we notice the… Continue reading The worthiness of God
Today's reading: Genesis 23 - 24:67; Ps. 7-1-5; Prov. 3:7-8; Matt. 9:1-17 I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to Follow Me A simple and poignant command. Follow Me! Throughout scripture, we read how God has called people out to follow Him. To enter into an intimate relationship with Him. God is still calling… Continue reading Come follow me
Today's reading: Genesis 21 - 22:24; Ps. 6:6-10; Prov. 3:5-6; and Matt. 8:18-34 The Lord Will Provide We are called to endure. The fulfillment of God's promises only come when we walk in accordance to His will. By being obedient, we come to understand how our God will provide us for what we are in… Continue reading Our God will provide
Today's reading: Gen. 19- 20:18; Ps. 6:1-5; Prov. 3:1-4; Matthew 8:1-17 God remembered Abraham Approaching the scriptures, we learn how our Heavenly Father shows grace and kindness toward those who walk according to His will. The many encounters of Jesus shows the compassion and love toward their disposition and suffering. Authentic kindness is a Godly character… Continue reading The quality of grace and kindness
Today's Reading: Genesis 15 - 16:16; Ps. 5:1-7; Prov. 2:6-9; Matthew 6:19-34 "Do not fear, for I am a shield unto you" One of the greatest, and simple, truths is this: Our very own lives do not belong to us. Our life belongs to the Sovereign God who created all things. It is too Him… Continue reading The shield of our faith rests in God
Today's reading: Gen. 11 - 12:20; Ps. 4:1-3; Prov. 1:28-33; and Matt. 5:27-48 Abraham's faith came through his obedience to God The major characteristic of a truly mindful Christian is their obedience to the sovereign will of God. We grow, through our obedience, by establishing our faith in God and His promised blessings. Our confidence… Continue reading Clothed in obedience for promised blessings
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
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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