Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics
Providing thoughtful and faithful responses to criticisms and questions of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ
The purpose of a refiner's fire is to take ore and purge out all impurities through a process of refining. This is done with both fire and water. The ore is heated up and shaped into a metal object. It is thrust into the water. And it is a process repeated until the metal that is cleansed and purged. Here, the Prophet Malachi uses such imagery and symbolism that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we shall be purged and cleansed of all impurities and natural undesirable elements.
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 with faith and purpose is also a call for us to gather in small groups. This is the reason for Sunday school classes, weeknight youth activities, scripture study groups like those for single adults studying the Old Testament. Men gathering together in fellowship. Women gathering together in fellowship. Doing so, we experience the presence of Christ because when we are gathered in His name - he is there in the midst with us (Matthew 18:20).
When we turn our thoughts and minds over to Exodus 14:13-15 - there is a reason God wanted to bring Israel out of bondage. To bring them out of a foreign land. To no longer experience the burden and labors of Pharoah. It runs much deeper than God preforming miracles as great signs and wonders unto Pharaoh. Goes even deeper into the blessed hope of bringing the Children of Israel into the land of promise. The simple truth is that the salvation of the Lord we shall see unfold is about reconciling us to Him.
Much like the Israelites, we are wandering in the wilderness and desert of life. Seeking freedom from those things that have us bound. Sin enslaves us, pressing upon us, and the more we resist, the weaker we seemed to become. Our Heavenly Father sent His Only Begotten Son to free us from the snares of sin and death. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin so also does life come from the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-19).
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?
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.”
All these teachings helps us understand the central truth of the Gospel - Jesus is the Christ by whom we are saved. Salvation comes when we place our initial faith and trust in Him. It comes when we humble ourselves and enter into the waters of baptism for the remission of our sins. This is accomplished when we come to the awareness of our natural state and disposition. Through repentance, we receive the first principle ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This psalm provides wisdom to change my attitudes. It shows the way out of the wilderness of misery and discontentment. Instead of affirming my areas of need, it turns my focus to those blessings I've already received. It tells me to acclaim Him, to verbally acknowledge who He is. When I do, His presence becomes a greater reality to me - greater than it once was, and greater than all of the sources of my dissatisfaction. Those who learn to acclaim Him learn the reality of the God of all sufficiency. In short, I become joyful and blessed.
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.
I had often resorted to lesser means of wisdom because I stood unaware and ignorant of the mind of Christ and how accessible it truly was. I did not have the courage and willingness to accept the reality of such extravagant promises. Because I did not believe, nor accept its reality, I did not possess it. The mind of Christ is available to each of us through the Holy Spirit, who comes to us only through faith. The spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to His people. Such things are foolish to the world, yet they are truth nonetheless - truth that I am able to know and base my life upon.
Wisdom in recovery begins when we come to realize the love God has for us and are able to confidently find rest and peace. I know the truth of this reality. Such true understanding had to come by my own overwhelming awareness of His greatness, holiness, and power as they contrasted with my own sinful and carnal nature. There was nothing more fear-inducing than this. It is where I needed to begin. It is where healing and restoration of my mind, heart, and soul had to begin.
When I am strengthened by the faith and grace of God, I find that I am able to look at things in their proper perspective. I don't let my past get too close, lest it take on fearsome proportions that do not reflect my true character. I pray to accept, with a peaceful mind, the things I know are out of my control. Things I have no power to change. Knowing it is futile to be obstinate about the inevitable. I pray to be resolute to take decisive action in things that I know must need changing. Things that stifle my true character in Jesus Christ.
How do we come to understand our sense of worth, know who we are, and how does this matter? Today's society has consistently defined and redefined what it means to be someone. In this message, I explore the idea of identity in Christ by looking at the two questions Christ asks. Focusing on our identity… Continue reading Finding our Identity through Christ
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4, KJV ~ JANUARY 1, 2020 DEVOTION ~ We all desire the abundance and success God has promised. The first principle of a spiritual life that is influential and impacting is faith:… Continue reading A Person of Faith
True freedom comes as I lay down my old self and take up the cross. To walk daily in humility, gratitude, and submission to my Heavenly Father's will and desire. No other attempts have proven satisfying. With this freedom comes strength.
True Christian spirituality is the foundation of a strong and resilient faith. Ever reminding me to place principle truths above all others. The tradition of spiritual giants I encounter in God's word gives me the guiding light of a true authentic Christian spiritual path to grow and mature. I strive to do my best to live and keep in mind, at all times, the secret of authentic Christian living.
When we trust in our own strength, understanding, and will to make it through our suffering - we may inevitably become lost, hurt, betrayed, bitter, and resentful. This leads to us being separated from God's divine love and grace. Through the Gift of Faith that is offered through Jesus Christ, accepting this offer, we need to put aside our own will and desire. Surrendering to God's will and trusting in Him to strengthen us and walk with us through our struggles is where we find peace that surpasses all understanding.
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.
It is through Christ's infinite and profound atonement that we are able to come to a place where we place our hope and trust in God. This hope and trust provides for us an assurance for whatever challenges may lay ahead in our spiritual journey. We may face desperate circumstances. Personal adversity. And seemingly impossible social upheavals to contend with. Yet, He is faithful toward us because he has called us into a fellowship with his Son - Jesus Christ (See, 1 Corinthians 1:9, paraphrased). And, his promise stands to protect us and strengthen us (See, 2 Thessalonians 3:3).
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you… seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:1-17 ESV Spiritual awakening is a process of becoming authentic and genuine. Moving from… Continue reading Spiritual growing pains
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, ~ Luke 4:18, ESV ~ The most difficult act of our will and… Continue reading Ready to change
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14, KJV ~ As we deepen our commitment to a strong and mature Christian spiritual experience and life, we see a conflict between our old self and new way of living. When we drop our… Continue reading Being of Good Courage
We all have certain fears. However, when it comes to living authentically, living mindfully, and living out a genuine spiritual life - there is an inherent fear of stepping out in faith and living completely and totally surrendered to God. In fact, one of my biggest resentments I've held against God is asking Him to draw me… Continue reading What is your greatest fear?
To live a rule of life is to choose God, and to place God at the center of your world, rather than focus on yourself. At the same time, the rule we establish helps us to seek God with every single part of our life, not just with prayer, but in all our relationships, in… Continue reading For the Love of God is Our Rule of Living
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ~ 2 Timothy 4:7, ESV ~ Our innate desire to control may lead us to an overemphasis on achieving certain outcomes. This may be related to our need for competitiveness and belief that winning is everything. No matter how we… Continue reading Fight the Good Fight
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ~ 1 Peter 1:3, ESV ~ Recovery and spiritual growth may sometimes feel quite overwhelming in the beginning. We may feel… Continue reading Hope in the New Way of Living
Today's Reading ~ 1 Nephi 2 ~ And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea a land which is choice above all other lands God calls us out of our captivity and… Continue reading Through Our Obedience We Shall Prosper
Today's reading: 1 Nephi Chapter 1 ...I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. ~ 1 Nephi 1:20 ~ A mindful and spiritually focused recovery program empowers an… Continue reading Mighty Power Unto Deliverance
Our journey began exploring what it means to focus ourselves toward a more mindful and spiritual Christian experience and journey. This is accomplished through daily devotions, engaged in reading through the scriptures each day, and discovering ways to begin implementing guiding principles toward a more meaningful spiritual Christian life. This required us to commit to saying… Continue reading On the Path of Mindful Spiritual Living
Mindful Latter-day Saint Apologetics 
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