Doctrinal Essays

I love truth! Especially when it comes from unexpected sources. Several years ago I found myself in a bout of seasonal depression, mixed with a bit of despair from where I was (and wasn't) in life. I felt stuck, and as though life had dealt me an unfair hand. It was the end of December 2012, when I was directed to a Forbes web article , which I don't normally read. It featured ten suggestions for making New Year's resolutions. It was a good read, all in all, but suggestion number nine had a doctrinal ring of truth unparalleled from any secular source I've come across. Not to sound overly dramatic, but it changed my life. #9 - What is the outcome you want? What stands in your way? How do you overcome these obstacles? These three simple questions will keep you from being victimized by any situation. Creators change the world. Victims just bi*ch about stuff. ( Forbes ) I thought about apologizing for the expletive in the article, but to be honest, its raw boldness s

I love truth. In its lofty pursuit the seeker of truth must occasionally collide with false precepts which are all around us. These are the cultural and political beliefs that are touted as truth but which have no eternal footing, and by 'footing' I'm referring to doctrine - or better still, 'canon'. The purpose of scriptural canon, according to the LDS bible dictionary is, "A word of Greek origin, originally meaning a rod for testing straightness" . Canon gives us a foundation for comparing all philosophies against - a litmus test as it were - and if that ideal synchronizes well with canon, then it passes the test. Those with no canon in their lives are those described in Ephesians as " carried about with every wind of doctrine " ( Ephesians 4:14 ). Lucifer, who's pride led him to think more of himself than God, loves to set forth his own propaganda in every way possible. We see it in media, at church and in our societal culture. It oft

What is Scripture? 1. "And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon  by the Holy Ghost   shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."  Doctrine and Covenants 68:3–4 2. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost "  2 Peter 1:21 Our scriptures are a compilation of the parchments, scrolls, and animal skins over thousands of years. Glen Kimball said: "These documents were not written by the churches of the world, or by journalists, scientists or historians. They were written by the imperfect friends and family of Jesus himself -- those who wanted us to know Him as they did." [i] The Past of Scripture Sources of the Holy Bible

Word studies are thrilling for me. I feel like a single word has the potential of unlocking hidden treasures of knowledge ( Colossians 2:3 ; Doctrine and Covenants 89:19 ). I really enjoy finding those words which have evolved over the centuries and now have nearly the opposite meaning they once had. Hidden within those words is something the adversary no doubt recognizes as a threat to his plan, and thus is an important part of Father’s plan. Consider for example the words "prophet", or "prophetess" and adversary's intentions to minimize their sacred roles on earth. Worldly views, as demonstrated in media, represent prophets as crazy men dressed in tattered robes, with unkempt hair, and shouting doom and gloom from street corners. The prophetess is portrayed as a woman with a crystal ball, burning incense, and often using demonic voices. Hardly the kinds of people I would follow, and very different from how I imagine Moses, Isaiah, or Hulda, for exampl

The Greatest Gift of All April 4, 2018 One morning as I searched the meadow of my mind I gazed across its vistas hoping I would find, Wisdom to end dark patterns, and cycles that confound; from self-made weapons   forged in life that often hold me bound. Then a voice of softness, wise and firmly spake, "Not those who seek will find here, but those who come and make". I then created scenes from near and distant past; Scenes depicting choices made, and consequence amassed. The voice then said to look around, and see what I could see My mind created paths I've traveled, which then became the key; Above each path a word appeared, describing my desires, Thoughts and motives of my past and all that had transpired. The natural man and tendency from deep within then came And looking past the source of pain, sought someone else to blame. "Surely someone mean and vile hath brought to me this shame!" But reason spoke in pi

**“It has been the design of Jehovah, from the commencement of the world, and is His purpose now, to regulate the affairs of the world in His own time, to stand as a head of the universe, and take the reins of government in His own hand. When that is done, judgment will be administered in righteousness; anarchy and confusion will be destroyed, and ‘nations will learn war no more.’ It is for want of this great governing principle, that all this confusion has existed. … The Lord has at various times commenced this kind of government, and tendered His services to the human family.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith [1974] 250-51; emphasis added) 1.                Adamic Theocracy a.        Adam given dominion over all the earth Moses 2:26-28                                                                i.       Joseph Smith: The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in t