Doctrinal Essays

I love truth. I have no use for fallacy in my life, unless it creates an obvious contrast to truth, and exposes itself and truth in a more illuminated and pronounced way. In the quest for truth finding I have always used the doctrines of the gospel contained in holy scripture, assisted by the remarks of modern inspired leaders.  As I have learned to drink deeply from the scriptures over the last several years, I have gained a true and steady friend in these books we call canon. They are a friend that has come to my rescue many times when I needed information, and comfort, and a friend I will continue to turn to. But in turning to this friend so often, I have begun to realize what has been happening all these years - this friend has really been trying to introduce me to someone else who can do a better job teaching and comforting. Where prophets of old have been limited in their abilities to write and convey complete understanding on the various topics we call doctrines, the ...

There are two kinds of life giving. The first is in selfishness, and the second is in selflessness. Giving life in selfishness is centered on a perpetual cycle of introversion. Their first breath was given to them by two who gave them matter, and their Maker who gave them life - a gift they received .  Then once indoctrinated in the ways of the material they came from, the pure giving they learned from others turns to a vile form of giving of their own making. The eyes of its possessor look to the tangible world in pursuit of the next stimulus, which heightened experience will take place entirely within themselves, and entirely alone.  These give their lives to themselves and are really takers . Some of them take for so long insatiably seeking gratification, when the true satisfaction in which they seek and are completely unacquainted with can come only from true giving .  Ironically, many of these ultimately give the one and only thing they have ...

I've noticed a pattern in any kind of frustration that I've ever experienced. It's an amazing discovery because when patterns are found in problems it is easier to find solutions for them - and I believe I have a solution to frustration or anxiety of any kind. It comes from an understanding of our hearts, minds, and will power. My eight year old came home one day from school with a book about idioms. He died laughing as he read the text and looked at the artists’ literal interpretation of the idioms contained in the book. You might imagine the literal cartoons that would go along with figurative expressions like ‘I laughed my heart out’, or ‘keep your eye on the ball’. Everyone in the family thought the book was very entertaining, and we still find that the images come back to our minds when we hear certain idioms. But I have since come to recognize the frequent use of idioms in American vernacular and now appreciate them for more than their entertainment value. Idioms ...

As I have awoken to the power of the scriptures and the doctrines they contain over the last few years, I've come to recognize some Taboo Doctrines among casual members of the church. These subjects are avoided in lessons, sacrament meeting addresses, and conversation because they are either controversial or have a tendency to invoke fear. There is one doctrine in particular that I have come to think of as the Elephant in the Room . We all know it's there, and no one talks about it. Ever. As I have tried to bring it up at different family or social gatherings over the last few years, I've observed some interesting and telling behaviors that indicate this doctrine is widely misunderstood, consequently leaving us in fear, and putting us squarely on the advesaries' turf. It's like what Hermione Granger said " fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself ". I write about this feared 'taboo doctrine' hoping that we can begin to acknowled...

Sometimes we feel the truth of certain principles and hesitate to share them because they may not be popular or may even be seen as false, or considered heresy. I'm afraid this post fits in that category, but I will go ahead and post it anyway. I love the story of William Tyndale . He bravely fulfilled his mission to translate the scriptures into English, and make the bible available to every plow boy, and he did it at a time when it conflicted the incorrect though seemingly correct dogmas that existed in the church in those days. He did it knowing it was a heretical endeavor. That is why I admire him, and believe the spirit of God lit a fire deep in his bones that made his fear of God greater than his fear of men. Now days it would seem foolish to anyone that someone should be excommunicated (let alone, executed) for translating holy writ into another language. There were men in Joseph Smith Jr's day who sought his blood and were eventually victorious. Two wonderful martyr...

Several months ago, Elder Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at a BYU Hawaii devotional. In his talk he declared "…my first recommendation is to learn for yourselves who you really are . Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, how He feels about you and your mission here on earth. If you ask with real intent, over time the Spirit will whisper the life-changing truth to you. Record those impressions and review them often, and follow through with exactness. I promise you that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him , your life will never be the same! (Russell M. Nelson. Becoming True Millenials ; January 2016). That 'glimpse' he spoke of really struck me as something I wanted - desperately. So I took his challenge seriously and have been seeking those answers ever since. I'm happy to say the answers have been coming. But the process of receiving ...

Dear Brothers and Sisters, For years I have believed a day of division in our church was coming, but I have always supposed it would be over some controversial political issue, like some of those we have seen in the recent past. Perhaps those issues have caused some division, but I believe there is another division taking place that is closer to the heart of the gospel than those issues. It tugs at the heart and soul of the latter-day church, and the experience of a young boy who knew he could receive divine guidance if he asked for it. Following his miraculous vision, he told his experience to his minister and got the following reaction: "he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them." ( Joseph Smith - History 1:21 ) I believe in a ch...

The teaching of Jesus concerning False Prophets in Matthew chapter 7 is intriguing. I have often wondered why he taught this peculiar doctrine. The dissenting votes of several of the past General Conferences shed some light on why. Clearly the movement to challenge the legitimacy of the Lord's ordained servants is increasing. But it isn't just dissenting votes of church leaders that compels me. In the last few years I've noticed a number of other warning voices. Many of these voices claim divine manifestations through dreams and visions, and the spirit of prophecy. Unfortunately, the vast majority of church members disregard these 'warners' as false prophets , even though their messages are consistent with core gospel doctrines. The disregard of these warners is an indication to me of a lack of basic doctrinal understanding in the minds and hearts of members, and particularly the doctrine of Prophets and Revelation  (see  9 Basic Doctrines of the Church ). I be...