Doctrinal Essays

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                            ...

As an educator, a learner, and a father, I am often directly involved in one of the most miraculous processes this world has to offer – the process of gaining knowledge. I have observed that every miracle that has ever taken place involved change of some kind, and gaining knowledge is truly a miraculous process (see my blogpost on the power of change). With regard to the way we seek truth and knowledge, we are all like sailors, crossing the ocean of life in pursuit of a paradise where we can finally rest once we have made the grand discovery. I have this tendency with each new finding of thinking that I have discovered the ultimate location, only to find a better view just around the next corner. How damning to myself it is to think that I have arrived, and how confining it is to the Lord to believe that no greater view could be found anywhere! I remember thinking to myself in third grade “I understand math, reading, writing, and art – I know everything!” In my mind I had a...