Truth is restored

Question: Why do Mormons Have Another Book?

2010-12-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

Question: Why do Mormons Have Another Book? In the Doctrine and Covenants (A sacred text in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) it states that the Bible AND the Book of Mormon contain the "fulness of the gospel". If the Bible contains the "fulness of the gospel," then why do they need the Book of Mormon?

Answer: I believe the Doctrine and Covenants verse you referred to is D&C 42:12, which states:

And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel. [Emphasis added]

You interpreted this as meaning that the Bible

and the Book of Mormon individually contain the fulness of the gospel as opposed to the Bible and Book of Mormon collectively containing the fulness of the gospel. In actuality both statements are correct, but to answer your question we'll use the first interpretation (individually containing the fulness).

In order to understand this verse we need to understand what is meant by the term "fulness of the gospel." My favorite explanation of this term is provided by Joseph Fielding McConkie in the book "Revelations of the Restoration":

"In saying that the Book of Mormon contains "the fulness of the gospel," what is meant is that it contains those fundamental truths upon which all saving principles must build. These are the principles one should understand before baptism. To be baptized we need not understand all there is to know about the gospel. We simply need to have laid a foundation of faith and understanding upon which we can continue to build until we have received a fulness of all that the Father has."

The Book of Mormon serves as another testament of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. If you come to know the Book of Mormon is true through reading and pondering its message, then praying about it's truthfulness and receiving an affirmative answer, you simultaneously accept two truths:

1. Jesus Christ is really the savior of mankind and the Bible is a true record of his dealings with those of the old world—because the Book of Mormon supports the Bible's history.

2. Joseph Smith was really a prophet of God and hence his teachings are true.

"But I already believe the Bible is true and that God is real, why does it matter if the Book of Mormon is true?"

Though the Bible contains the fundamental truths upon which saving principles must build, there is much of God's eternal plan that we cannot hope to understand solely through the Bible. Not only does the Book of Mormon strengthen the foundation of our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but other truths brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith build upon this foundational understanding and fill in the details of where we came from, why we're here and where we're going.

Haven't you wondered what existence consisted of before you were born? Wouldn't you want to know if you are really living in harmony with God's will? Don't you want to know what people really do in heaven, or do you just think they just sit there in a robe and play the harp all day?

I hope that answers why the Book of Mormon is needed and why it is so important to those who believe in its message.

Head over to mormon.org to learn more.

Best Wishes

Rusty

Accusation: Mormons Don't Understand Grace or the Unnecessary Pursuit of Good Works (Part 3)

2009-03-01T15:45:00.001-08:00

Accusation:
“With that said, I must say that of course someone who has lived a horrible life and accepts the grace of Christ 2 days before he dies deserves the same heaven as someone who has lived an almost perfect life. Why? Because NONE of us actually deserve heaven. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and none of us are perfect therefore we do not deserve to live with a perfect God. But that's just the thing that is so amazing about grace. It is not about us. It is not about what we do to deserve it or to deserve heaven. Grace is about God. It is about Jesus and the sacrifice he made so that we could spend eternity with him. By saying that one person deserves more than another in heaven is like slapping Jesus in the face. Jesus died for everyone so that everyone could be with him, no matter how good they are or when they come to accept His gift to us.”

Accusation (Part 1):
“With that said, I must say that of course someone who has lived a horrible life and accepts the grace of Christ 2 days before he dies deserves the same heaven as someone who has lived an almost perfect life. Why? Because NONE of us actually deserve heaven. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and none of us are perfect therefore we do not deserve to live with a perfect God.”

Response:
I think we’re in agreement that there was only one perfect life lived on this earth. Anything short of perfection would disqualify a person from returning to a perfect Father in heaven and His perfect Son, except it were for the Christ’s sacrifice and atonement. So I absolutely agree that none of us “deserve” heaven in and of ourselves.

Now, as far as who will enter into certain levels of heaven, I’m not the judge. We know that Jesus Christ is the ultimate authorized judge of mankind (John 5:22).
With that said, how will He judge us? “And death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” -Rev 20:13
Here’s one more for good measure:
“28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” -John 5:28-29
We also know that there is more than one heaven—”I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” -2 Cor. 12:2

So far we know that Christ is our Judge, we will be judged according to our works, whether good or evil, and we will be granted access to at least one of three heavens.
As to which heaven the person in your scenario goes, that is not our place to say. There are always circumstances to consider and judge, which we as mortals are ill-suited to do.

Accusation (Part 2):
“But that's just the thing that is so amazing about grace. It is not about us. It is not about what we do to deserve it or to deserve heaven. Grace is about God. It is about Jesus and the sacrifice he made so that we could spend eternity with him. By saying that one person deserves more than another in heaven is like slapping Jesus in the face. Jesus died for everyone so that everyone could be with him, no matter how good they are or when they come to accept His gift to us.”

Response:
I’ve had concerns about how to respond to these statements. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe in the grace of God, and that it is only by the grace of God that we are saved.
My problem with your statement is that I see it as more of a slap in the face of the savior to say that someone can be as horrible as they want in life and completely disregard and trample under their feet the commandments of their Savior, to give a lip-service confession of belief and feel entitled to the the choicest blessings of eternity.
“19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 ¶ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” -Matt. 7:19-27

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Accusation: Mormons Don't Understand Grace or the Unnecessary Pursuit of Good Works (Part 2)

2008-12-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

...continued

Accusation (Part 3):
“Good works, keeping the commandments, or being a good person do not get me into heaven. Salvation requires of me to believe in Jesus' sacrifice for me and if I truly believe that, one will see it in the way I live my life.”

Response:
We’ve already established, and you have mentioned again, that belief is essential for salvation.
Here is where I see a “disconnect.” Many “Christians” think of their belief in Christ as a noun and treat it almost as a possession. Christ did not say that those who have “a belief” in Him and don’t act on it gain everlasting life, but those that “believe,” (remember it’s an action word).
How does Jesus Christ define believing in Him?

“12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
-John 14:12-15

What do we learn here? If we truly “believe” in Christ, we will do the works he did (good works) and if we love him we will keep his commandments. So, if believing is a requirement for salvation, that includes doing good works and if we believe loving Christ is essential (which I do - “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart” -Deut. 6:5, Matt 22:37-39) then we know that keeping the commandments is essential for salvation.

You are right: “if I truly believe that, one will see it in the way I live my life.” They will see it because you will keep the commandments and do good works.

17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
-James 2:17-20

Accusation (Part 4):
“But the way I live my life after that salvation moment is not what brings me salvation. Only Christ can give salvation. Nothing I do can make me deserve more than another.”

Response:
Somehow, somewhere people started to think that because Christ saves us, it does not matter what we do after we accept him. My response to that, is why on earth did Christ give all those commandments then? I’m not referring to the Old Testament commandments. Christ didn’t say “It’s written thou shalt not kill, but I say that you can kill, as long as you accepted me, and you will still be saved even if you don’t repent.” Nope. This is what he said:

21. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matt 6:21-22

These verses are found in the Sermon on the Mount. He was addressing his followers (I imagine there were just curios bystanders as well), but he was giving his followers these commandments. He didn’t make the commandment easier, he made it harder. He also said if you call someone a fool, you’re in danger of hell fire. So, yes, what we do after we accept Christ does not bring us salvation, but it can disqualify us from salvation. Here’s what Paul said about it:

4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
-Heb. 6:4-6

Two times, Jesus made an authoritative (obviously) statement on this subject:

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” -Matt 10:22

“13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” -Matt 24:13

If ye endure to the end, you will be saved. Which means if we don’t endure to the end, we will not be saved.

So what does endure mean? When we study the context of both of these statements we see that it means to endure the hardships associated with being a follower of Christ. What does being a follower/believer in Christ entail? We discussed that earlier. Now, when is “the end” that we have to endure until? The end of the day or week that we accepted Christ? Nope. Until the end of our lives.

“Nothing I do can make me deserve more than another.”
We know that only Christ ultimately saves us, but why is it so hard to believe that he expects us to keep His commandments and that he rewards those who do? The ancient prophets and patriarchs (as well as the modern) were blessed because of their righteousness and obedience to God’s commandments.

Another passage from James-
21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
-James 2:21-23

Summary:
We believe that we are saved by grace through faith and belief in Jesus Christ (and all that entails —obedience to commandments) and that it is necessary to live how Christ asks us to live after we have accepted him.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Accusation: Mormons Don't Understand Grace or the Unnecessary Pursuit of Good Works (Part 1)

2008-12-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

I received an interesting series of comments/accusations to various articles I wrote a few months ago. I have a little time on my hands, so I thought I would take some of that time to respond to one of the lengthier accusations. I will break it into three separate articles so as not to bore you and to keep each article a little more focused.

Following is the entire section of the accusation I will address in this and the next article. I will then break it down and respond to the various accusations/comments.

Accusation:
“You say that you believe that you are saved by grace but how are you saved by grace if you still have to do things on your own accord to reach the highest level of heaven?
Grace, by definition, is unmerited, meaning you have done nothing to deserve it and nothing you can do can make you deserve it. Therefore, truly being saved by grace is accepting that because of my sin I deserve death but Jesus chose to die in my place and believing in that truth allows me to live eternally with God. The end. Good works, keeping the commandments, or being a good person do not get me into heaven. Salvation requires of me to believe in Jesus' sacrifice for me and if I truly believe that, one will see it in the way I live my life. But the way I live my life after that salvation moment is not what brings me salvation. Only Christ can give salvation. Nothing I do can make me deserve more than another.”

Response:
In order to appropriately -and thoroughly- respond to these comments, it would be best to start with a proper, fundamental understanding of what “grace” is. We will then be much better positioned to address the issue.

“Grace” comes from the Greek “Charis” (Khar-ece) and means “graciousness in manner or act”—especially the divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life (Strong’s concordance). The “grace of God” then, is the graciousness and influence of God in his dealings with his children (“saved by grace”) and/or the direct effect of that grace in an individual’s life (“I succeeded by the grace of God). One of my favorite descriptions of grace is it’s “enabling power” in the lives of the faithful. Also, Peter puts it well: “But the God of all grace... make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” -1Pet. 5:10

Yes, we’re talking semantics here, but it is important to have a correct understanding of what the concept of grace actually means instead of parroting certain phrases in the Bible without knowing their true meaning.

Now, are there varying amounts or degrees of grace someone can have in their life? Yes. Again, I will refer to the words of Peter. -I think it’s fitting that two versus before the one I want to focus on, Peter warns the Church (since he was leading it) to be careful in dealing with Paul’s writings because some believers got mixed up in doctrine and fell away from the Church because of them. For Context’s sake I will quote the four versus here:

15. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
-2 Pet. 3:15-18

So Peter commands the members of the Church to “grow in grace.” He is not saying to grow “into” grace, but increase in degree of grace as well as the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I think it’s logical and probable that Peter and the other apostles had more of the Lord’s grace with them than a half-hearted member of the Church who just went through the motions. -It's not necessarily an "either you've got it or you don't" thing.

***Thus-far we know that grace is the “graciousness,” “influence” or “enabling power” of deity and that this influence can be had in varying levels or degrees in our lives.

On to our focus.

Accusation (Part 1):
“You say that you believe that you are saved by grace but how are you saved by grace if you still have to do things on your own accord to reach the highest level of heaven?Grace, by definition, is unmerited, meaning you have done nothing to deserve it and nothing you can do can make you deserve it.”

Response:
I agree that the human family does not really “deserve” to receive Heavenly Father’s grace; after all, Adam and Eve did eat the fruit, right? I do however believe that God’s plan included sending his Son, that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting ilife.” -John 3:16

You will agree with me then when I say that we need to believe in Jesus Christ in order to gain everlasting life (be saved) because you already said “believing in that truth allows me to live eternally with God.” Believing is a verb (which describes an action), which means believing is doing something. So, we do something (believe) in order to gain everlasting life (be saved).

It seems like a safe assumption (to me at least) to say that believing in Jesus Christ not only gains us eternal life, but the grace of God. That seems reasonable, right? -If we’re saved by grace, and if belief gains us eternal life (salvation).

Belief qualifies us for grace, not because we deserve it, but because God is bound when He makes a promise. It is obvious then that we do have to do things of our own accord (believe) in order to reach the highest level of heaven (Eternal life).

Accusation (Part 2):
“Therefore, truly being saved by grace is accepting that because of my sin I deserve death but Jesus chose to die in my place and believing in that truth allows me to live eternally with God. The end.”

Response:
More or less. We will clarify “belief” in the next article.

continued...

Accusation: Mormons don't understand the Spirit or the Atonement

2008-10-15T19:49:00.000-07:00

Following are some random accusations towards Mormon beliefs on the ministry of the Spirit and how the Atonement works accompanied by my responses. This is a continuation of the same correspondence mentioned in the posts on 9/30/08 and 10/05/08.

Accusation:
We were born in sin and have a natural instinct or desire to sin but He also gave us a conscience and when we do something wrong He “reminds us” or “tells us” in that little voice. The closer we are to Him the louder that voice is. It’s not a feeling because feelings are not the voice of God but a true knowledge.

Response:
-I assume that you will agree with me that the fruits of the spirit are granted to those who are close to God. I also assume that you believe the Spirit is a teacher (John 14:26).
Paul defines the “fruits of the spirit” as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering...” -Gal. 5:22. I don’t know what your particular experiences have been, but when I learn something from the Spirit (who is a teacher), and experience the fruits of the spirit, I experience love, joy, peace, etc.; which, are feelings. I do not think you believe love, joy, and peace aren’t feelings.
So, often when the Spirit teaches something, there are feelings involved.

Accusation:
When we sin we need to confess it and ask for forgiveness. Not like a revolving door like “I’ll sin now and confess later and everything will be alright.” God knows our hearts.

Response:
-I absolutely agree. One of my favorite biblical verses on this subject is Heb. 6:1 - “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (*there’s that “perfection” word again); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God...”

Accusation:
The “restored gospel” is full of do’s and don’ts. Mostly do’s. You can’t “buy your way into heaven” by going to church, paying tithing, and doing temple work. You can’t get a better seat in heaven by having lots of children, becoming a missionary, or being a bishop.

Response:
-The Church of Jesus Christ does not teach that people can buy their way into heaven. The only “buying” that ever happened in the gospel is Christ buying us with his sacrifice (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23, 2 Pet 2:1). People who have not studied the truths that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints teaches do not realize that the Book of Mormon harmonizes with the Bible in stating-

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved.” - 2 Nephi 10:24

We know that if we believe the Lord, we strive to keep his commandments, and he will reward us as He sees fit. Without the atonement of Jesus Christ, we would all be lost, no matter how righteous we were.

“yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement...”
-Alma 34:9

Accusation:
God loves all of us and desires a true relationship with us. He is a great friend, and wonderful father. You can get to heaven if you accept Him as your personal savior.

Response:
-I absolutely believe if we accept God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and do what he asks us to do, we can return to live with Him in heaven.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Accusation: Marriage is not a commandment

2008-10-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Accusation:
I'm sorry but Gen. 1:28 says nothing about marriage being a comandment. It says to be fruitful and increase in number and to rule over the earth and the fish in the sea, etc. Yes, procreating does seem to reference marriage but it doesn't actually say that one needs to be married and no where does it say that doing anything that was mentioned was a commandment.

Response:
I appreciate that you care enough about this subject to take the time to express your opinions.
“God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it”
-Gen1:28
I think we can all agree that when God says to do something, that constitutes a commandment. He commanded man to have children. How could he have children without having sexual relations? Having sexual relations outside of marriage is called fornication, which is a very serious sin.
It would appear to me that in order to keep God’s commandment (be fruitful, and multiply), man would need to have sexual relations with his wife (who he was married to), otherwise it would be fornication.

Accusation:
God does not say that people HAVE to be fruitful and multiply, let alone be married.

Response:
As we just established, when God says “do this,” or, “do that,” or, “be fruitful, and multiply,” it is a commandment. A command is to “give an authoritative order” (Oxford American Dictionary), hence, it is something you “have” to do. If you do not, it is sin that needs to be repented of.
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
-James 4:17
I can see that this subject is one that you care about, so the most helpful thing might be to turn the page of our bible (from Gen 1:28) and read Gen. 2:22-25-

22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

I don’t think the Lord could be more clear than this. This is obviously not a commandment to only Adam and Eve because Adam and Eve were the first of the human family, therefore they could not leave their father and mother. It is a commandment to all of us, in every age.
In fact, one of the signs of the “latter times” is that “doctrines of devils” would be taught, including “forbidding to marry” (1 Tim. 4:3). So the devil doesn’t want us to get married. Why is that?

Accusation:
If he did, then what happens to people who are infertile and cannot have children? Are they not keeping God's commandments because they cannot have children? This argument just simply does not work.

Response:
Ahh.... This is another beautiful truth that the true gospel of Jesus Christ simply explains. If we are physically unable to keep a commandment, how could a just God condemn us for not doing so? He doesn’t. It’s the heart and the motive that count.
I think Paul’s words will work here: “for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15).
Another scripture I like (which does not necessarily refer to marriage) will fit nicely here as well:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.” -Doctrine & Covenants 124:49

I do agree that God punishing those who could not keep his commandments would not be a good argument. But people cannot use this as a cop-out to half-heartedly “try” to keep a commandment and then quit because they think they can’t do it or don’t want to make the necessary sacrifices.

I hope that helped answer your comments/questions. I promise you, from personal experience, that following the Lord’s plan is where true happiness is found.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Question: Why don't Mormons believe all you have to do is say you believe in Christ to be saved?

2008-10-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Question:
Why is it so hard for one to believe that God loves us enough to die for us and that all He asks is that we believe in Him?

Response:
-The truth that God sent his only begotten son, that whosoever should believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) has caused many to stumble. Many of Christ's early disciples left him because he taught them things which were “hard” (John 6:60). Many “christians” error today, because they suppose that a mere verbal profession of belief is all that is necessary to achieve salvation. Jesus Christ himself defined what a believer should do:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” -John 14:12

Remember, devils also believe in Jesus as the Son of God; think of Legion who proclaimed the divinity of Jesus (Mark 5:7), and the spirit that the sons of Sceva tried to cast out, stated, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?” - Acts 19:15

If we truly believe in and love Jesus, we keep his commandments. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” -John 14:15.

“3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” -1 John 2:4

So, yes. With everything in context, all that God asks of us is to Believe in His Son.

Comment:
Communion is a way for us to renew our commitment to give Him our lives in return for the Him dying for us.

Response:
-Agreed, mostly. I know you did not mean this, but it’s not realy a barter. It’s not that “he did that, so we will give him this.” We all owe the Lord everything that we are, and “communion” is a reminder of this.

Comment:
He does not ask us to become perfect, He says to turn away from sin.

Response:
-Actually, he does “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” -Matt 5:48. That wasn’t just him asking us to be perfect, he commanded it.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Question: How could God take the gospel from the earth?

2008-09-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

I received an interesting email recently from someone who had many questions about the Church. In order to best answer her questions, and share the responses with all of you, I broke apart her email and will post her specific questions/comments accompanied with my responses.

Question:
I would like to ask why a loving god would remove the gospel from the earth for so many years and then have it restored?

Response:
It might seem wrong for a loving God to take away the gospel and leave his children in darkness -I agree. His children, however, are often ungrateful and forgetful, and sometimes downright spiteful.
Without going into much detail, it was man that corrupted the Church and caused the Lord’s spirit and guidance to be withdrawn from the early Church. All that was left was a shell of the divinely inspired organization that the Lord himself set up. Many of the original apostles expressed concerns about what would happen to the Church and it’s teachings after their departure (Acts 20:28-30, Gal 1:6, 3:1, 2 Thes. 2:1-3, etc.). I especially appreciate the writings of Peter (who was the appointed leader of the early Church):

2 Peter 2:1 -
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

Also, you can find interesting writings of Peter in “The Apocalypse of Peter,” found in the Nag Hammadi Library. -This was a volume of early religious writings (similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls, but date in the first two centuries) found in Egypt in the 1940’s. *Note that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not uphold the Dead Sea Scrolls, Nag Hammadi Library, or other apocryphal writings as part of our offical canon. Interesting things can be discovered in them, however. In the Apocalypse of Peter, Peter speaks about many who would set themselves up as leaders of the early church and oppress those who try to follow the correct path and teach incorrect doctrines. These “pure ones” (those that follow in the correct paths) will look forward to a “restoration,” in the future. Peter spends a fair amount of time identifying how the false priests and teachers would usurp power over the early church. If you are familiar with the Bible, you will recall how Jeremiah laments frequently over how the leaders of Israel caused the people to stray and deny themselves of the blessings of heaven.

The Illustration to the right is a depiction of the crucifixion of Peter, who, according to legend, was crucified upside-down because he felt unworthy to be martyred in the same way that his Lord was. The fledgling Church was left not long after without any of the original apostles to guide it. Leadership was diluted and different factions arose in attempts to seize control and governance of the church. The confusion only increased until the Day the Lord saw fit to restore the truth.

Accusation: The Truth About Mormons - Part 4

2008-07-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

ACCUSATION
"It doesnt bother you that joesph smith went to jail murdered 2 people and was killed himself and now they have changed the story trying to say.."this is where joesph smith shed his blood for our sins."?"

RESPONSE
I understand how absurd much of what is taught in The Church of Jesus Christ may sound, after all... I am a convert and use to make fun of Mormons myself. Does it bother me that Joseph Smith went to jail (on more than forty occasions I might add)? It might if he had done anything worthy of imprisonment.
The sad truth about many accusations that flutter around regarding the character of Joseph Smith is how woefully erroneous they are. For example, the accusation you just gave against Joseph Smith did not have any reference attached. Much of the anti-mormon literature out there is the same, not bothering to give any references. -Especially on the more extreme claims.
One of these extreme claims is that the story was changed to say, "this is where joesph smith shed his blood for our sins." I'm sure that you mean well by writing these things, but the problem in doing so is far-reaching. Those who are curious about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints might read a statement like this and accept it as true without "doing their homework." Then, they will perpetrate those falsities to others, thinking they are informed and so on. I know, I did the same thing.
To put this statement of yours to rest, I will only reference one verse in the Book of Mormon:
"And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men." -Mosiah 4:2
This statement was made by a group of people in roughly 124 B.C. Whether or not you choose to believe that this actually happened, you're the one that's accountable for that. What you can't deny is that the Book of Mormon clearly testifies that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us, not Joseph Smith. The story has never changed. Those who say otherwise have not "done their homework."

ACCUSATION
It doesnt bother you that in Revelation 22:18-19 says " For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall ADD UNTO THESE THINGS, GOD SHALL ADD unto him the PLAGUES that are written in THIS BOOK: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of prophecy, GOD SHALL TAKE AWAY HIS PART out of the BOOK OF LIFE, and out of this city, and from the things written in this book."
Does that bother you?

RESPONSE
It does not bother me that this statement is recorded in the Bible. It is disappointing to me though, that so many people still quote this verse in hopes of discrediting the Book of Mormon. I've already written a more in depth article on this subject (the holy bible is very specific bout adding to or taking away). To put it simply (and succinctly), "this book" is referring to exactly that -the Book of Revelation. Remember, Bible comes from the Latin, "biblio," which means books, or library. John's statement is referring only to the Book of Revelation. In case you're interested, John wrote the Gospel of John 15-25 years after the Book Revelation. I don't think he wanted to invoke the plagues upon himself.

ACCUSATION
have you ever looked into your own beliefs and others? I'm not here to lash out..I'm here to help you from this great deception of lies. Do some homework and ask yourself questions. I pray that the TRUTH is what you see.
GOD BLESS

RESPONSE
I appreciate your concern for my welfare and thank you, I have researched the beliefs I've subscribed to. I am a convert, and I can say with a certainty that I have seen and tried what else is out there. NOTHING has brought me anything close to or resembling the happiness and peace I have felt since joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And thank you for your advice to pray about these beliefs. I have done so in and have felt the peace and joy that come only from a loving Heavenly Father, through the Holy Ghost, confirming that these beliefs are true. I also hope that from my responses you have been able to tell that I have done a little bit of homework. May you be blessed as well.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Accusation: The Truth About Mormons - Part 3

2008-07-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

ACCUSATION:
“Although the bible stays the same as today (word for word when the sea scrolls were found)- dont you ever questions why the mormon book has been changed 100's of times? Do you realize that the bible is the only book EVER to have 40 different authors, 3 languages, 3 contents, over 1500 years and none contradicted itself?”

RESPONSE:
I can appreciate your earnestness in defending the Bible and it’s divine origin. Most people in the world don’t realize that the one of the main purposes of the Book of Mormon is to serve as “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Unfortunately, many pastors and religious teachers dismiss the Book of Mormon without actually reading what it has to say. This is how many misnomers are promulgated about the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We also defend the Bible because, quite simply, if the Bible is not true, neither is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon testifies of the divinity of Jesus Christ and his role as the savior of mankind. We however recognize that the Bible has gone through many translations and has undergone many modifications over the past 1900+ years. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered they did not correlate “word for word” as you said, but did however have many of the same writings. Curiously, there were many other books of scripture discovered with the Dead Sea Scroll cache that are not in our current version of the Bible. This is no big surprise, seeing that even today protestants and other non-Catholics exclude the deuterocanonical texts that are found in the Catholic Bible.

Interestingly enough, if you take the time to study the dead sea scrolls (I own a great version called “The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls,” by Geza Vermes), many teachings actually support what Mormonism teaches.

Now, as far as changes to the Book of Mormon, I’m surprised you low-balled the number that much. There have been thousands of changes to the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon. And if I left it that, I would be doing exactly what many ill-informed critics do. –Not clarifying what that means. We have most of the original hand-written manuscript on record and it is actually printed for all to see and compare to all who wish to see it (see The Critical Text Project for the Book of Mormon, Royal Skousen). Those changes were mostly punctual or grammatical. Much to the chagrin of nay-sayers, the doctrines and stories found in the Book of Mormon have not changed.

Next, let’s talk about your following comment: “Do you realize that the bible is the only book EVER to have 40 different authors, 3 languages, 3 contents, over 1500 years and none contradicted itself?”

It’s important to recognize that the Bible is not one book, but a collection of books. Bible comes from “biblia,” which is the Latin word, meaning library, or books. So, it is not ONE book that has the qualifications you just mentioned.

Just to humor you, the entire Book of Mormon (which is also a collection of books) has many authors too. It also contains fragments of at least 3 languages, spans at least 3 continents, and covers at least 2,600 years. –By the way, the Bible covers much more than 1,500 years, more like 4,100 years.
Hope that cleared things up a little bit.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: The Truth About Mormons - Part 2

2008-05-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

continued from "Accusation: The truth about mormons - Part 1"

ACCUSATION
“and asked about what church to go to..and that angel of light said none…”

RESPONSE
Joseph wanted to join a church because he thought it the right thing to do. He asked God which church to join because he was confused by all the different teachings from the different churches (happens a lot, right?) and he wanted to know which church God approved of. Jesus Christ (not an angel of light), told young Joseph to join none of them.

ACCUSATION
“they are ALL WRONG..which states that EVERYTHING about them and beliefs arnt true-then your calling GOD a LIAR! THAT MEANS GOD WAS WRONG>>>>GOD IS NEVER WRONG.”

RESPONSE
This was one of those moments when I was shocked. Jesus Christ, said that the Churches were wrong and that Joseph must not join any of them. This does not mean that “everything about them and their beliefs aren’t true.” I’m not sure how this naysayer made this jump, but it was a big one.
We believe that almost all churches have pieces of truth in them. We invite others to take what truth they have, and come and see what truth can be added to that, as our late beloved President and Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley said. So, this would not make God a liar, but Satan and evil men would be the liars.
“God is never wrong.” No argument from us on that one amigo.

Best wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: The Truth About Mormons - Part 1

2008-04-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, a comment comes along that leaves me, well… speechless; actually, shocked might be the better word. After reading your comments on Mormonism, I feel it my responsibility to shed some light on the subject for the benefit of whoever may find themselves reading this, and/or possibly the actual naysayer and author of these comments.

ACCUSATION - Part 1
"If you believe that GOD is the same "today, yesterday and forever" then why would you need a mormon bible? If you believe what Joeseph Smith taught that when he was drawn to an angel of light (which means= Devil) and asked about what church to go to..and that angel of light said none..they are ALL WRONG..which states that EVERYTHING about them and beliefs arnt true-then your calling GOD a LIAR! THAT MEANS GOD WAS WRONG>>>>GOD IS NEVER WRONG."

ACCUSATION
If you believe that GOD is the same "today, yesterday and forever" then why would you need a mormon bible?

RESPONSE
We absolutely believe god is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) and that is one of the main reasons that we believe we need the Book of Mormon. The Bible records God speaking to his prophets for 4,400 years, if he is the same “yesterday, today, and forever,” don’t you think he would also speak to his prophets today? The prophets of the Book of Mormon had our day in view when they wrote their records. It serves as a second witness to the Bible in bearing testimony to the truth that Jesus is the Christ and that salvation is to be found in his gospel.
If you think it’s not necessary to have another book that supports the Bible’s teachings, you might well take Mark, Luke, and John out of the Bible because they basically say the same thing. Preposterous, right?
–By the way, the Mormon Bible is the King James Version, meaning the Bible we read from. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

ACCUSATION
“If you believe what Joseph Smith taught that when he was drawn to an angel of light (which means= Devil)…”

RESPONSE
Two things jump out immediately in this comment that show this naysayer’s lack of study on the subject:
First, Joseph Smith did not claim to be “drawn to an angel of light.” His claim was even more amazing in that God the Father and Jesus Christ visited him in response to his humble prayer when he was fourteen.
Second, angel of light does not mean “devil.” I assumed when reading this that the naysayer was referring to 2 Cor 11:14 which reads, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” In context, this verse is saying that in order to deceive, Satan can transform into an angel of light (or imitate, because Satan obviously can’t be a righteous angel). The proceeding verse (2 Cor. 11:13) mentions deceitful workers that transform themselves into apostles of Christ. I think we can agree that wicked men cannot literally transform into the Lord’s chosen apostles.
Just for added good measure, let’s mention that “transformed” in these verses is translated from the Greek “metaschematizo,” which means to disguise.

to be continued...

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Question: Was Jesus Married?

2008-04-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

QUESTION:

Dear Rusty,

I have a question do mormons believe Jesus was married? I was also wondering about their thoughts on the virgin Mary. If they believe Jesus was married do they believe he had more than one wife. Thank You so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

RESPONSE:

Sorry it took a couple days for me to get back to you. I actually wrote a short article on this topic on my site truthisrestored.blogspot.com.

My answer is my own opinion from my own study over the years. I have no problem believing that Christ was married. As a matter of fact, I am more disturbed by the belief that he was not.

Marriage is and always has been a commandment of God (Gen 1:28). Christ was perfect in every way, including keeping every commandment of God. Therefore, if someone professes that Christ was not married, they're also saying he did not keep the commandments, which would make him not perfect. See what I'm saying?
As far as him having more than one wife, it would not surprise me one way or the other. Polygamy was a common practice then and was approved by God (Think of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David (2 Sam 12:8), etc...)

Mary, the mother of Jesus was one of the most righteous of Heavenly Father's daughters. How many others would be trusted with the role of being the Mother of the Son of God? the exact details of Christ's conception are not nearly as important as the fact that he was conceived by miraculous means and was literally the Son of God. Some people unwisely get hung up on the means of his conception instead of the reason for it.

"We believe in God the eternal father, and in his son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost" -Articles of Faith, Joseph Smith: 1

"There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." -Mosiah 3:17 (in the Book of Mormon)

I hope I've been able to answer your questions satisfactorily.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Accusation: Mormons follow the devil. They even sing it in their hymns

2008-03-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

ACCUSATION:
Mormons deny that they follow the devil. In their hymn book, on page 116, they declare that they do: “Is it enough alone to know that we must follow him below.” How can any Mormon deny that they follow the devil when it is in their very so-called “hymn book?”

RESPONSE:
Yet again, another marvelously misinterpreted passage, taken royally out of context. Well, I have come to expect no less from nay-sayers.

I believe quoting the rest of the verses would help shed some light on the real meaning of this hymn.

1. “Come, follow me,” the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God’s own loved, begotten Son.

2. “Come, follow me,” a simple phrase,
Yet truth’s sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.

3. Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him below,
While trav’ling thru this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.

4. Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we’re freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.

It appears that, if our friend had read (or at least acknowledged he had) the rest of the verses, we might not have had to address this subject. It is obvious the hymn is praising Jesus Christ and expressing the importance of following the Lord (Jesus Christ) below (on earth) throughout this life.

It would well behoove our friend to take a few moments and read the March Ensign (Church Publication) as well. That might better inform him of our beliefs about Jesus Christ.

I hope to get back to my normal posting schedules (1-2/week). Suggestions for new topics are welcome.

Till next time…

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Question: Why don’t I feel the “burning” of the Spirit anymore?

2008-03-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

I’ve also pondered this question in the past. It seems like you’re basically doing everything you’re supposed to be doing (going to Church, reading your scriptures, praying morning and night, etc…) and yet, you don’t feel that same burning of the bosom, or spiritual high that you’ve experienced before. I don’t think there is necessarily one universal answer for this question, but I will present one reason I think applies to many, if not most, in this situation.

Every week in Church, members of the Church make solemn covenants to take upon them the name of Christ, keep his commandments, and remember him. In accordance to those covenants, the faithful are promised to “always” have His Spirit to be with them. So… if we are promised we’ll always have the Spirit, and we’re doing what we can to keep our side of the covenant, why do we sometimes feel that we don’t have the Spirit with us?

I’m suggesting the answer is often that we are simply used to it. If we are really living the way we should be, and doing the things we’re supposed to, and have been for a descent amount of time, we are so accustomed to the companionship of the Spirit that it is not so striking or noticeable to us anymore. When I first joined the Church, I felt on fire every time I read the scriptures. Now, I occasionally feel a more powerful presence when I have one of those “Ah ha!” moments. Normally I just feel confident and peaceful. –What the scriptures refer to as the “rest of the Lord.”

A more poignant example comes from the experiences of Joseph Smith. When “The Vision” (D&C 76) was given to Brother Joseph and Sidney Rigdon, brother Rigdon was overcome with the Spirit and power of the manifestation. Brother Joseph smiled and said “Sidney is not used to it as I am” (Philo Dibble Recollections, Juvenile Instructor 27, 303-304). Brother Joseph was able to endure the vision calmly and collectedly, though obviously feeling the power of God.

What I tend to notice more distinctly is the absence of the spirit. A long time ago my best friend pointed out something in his family’s scripture study. Many think when we don’t feel the Spirit it is because He has left us. King Benjamin remarks that those who to contrary to the will of God withdraw themselves from the Spirit (Mosiah 2:36). At the beginning of my conversion (which all must go through) the strong presence of Spirit was striking and unusual whereas acting the way I had previously felt normal. Nine years later with a little bit of seasoning has altered things so that when I am in the wrong, the withdrawal or decreasing of the Spirit’s influence is more striking and unusual.

As we strive to live the right way, our natures change. We become “new creatures in Christ,” as Paul says (2 Cor 5:17-18). I pray that the long-suffering and loving-kindness of Heavenly Father, and the patience and refining nature of my wife will help stay me on the course.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Online Missionary Success (Part 2)

2008-03-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

Recently, I wrote about a friend a made on lds.net who joined the Church a while ago, but was driven out by her mother (of another faith). She always retained a deep (though tender) testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

She contacted me through lds.net and my blog (Truth is Restored) and asked me many questions about the Church and it’s teachings. I have been following her progress and steps backs towards the Church.

Earlier this week, I had been thinking about how she was doing and I wrote to check up on her. Following is a paraphrase of her response:

“Hey Rusty, guess what ? My mom is moving out, she just cant take it that I am LDS. I wish her all the luck!
My husband is going to church with me and said yesterday (all on his own, out of no where) that he was thinking about joining the church. He loves what he has learned so far. Our gospel principles teacher (Brother Bailey) has gone in great depth, from A to Z every thing about the church.
I’m so excited! When we are in class you can see my husband hanging on every word and nodding his head "yes" when every thing is explained.
As for my seven-year-old daughter, I have explained every thing from being spirit children to agency and the Atonement of Christ. She is highly intelligent and was asking me before we started going back to church 4 weeks ago about getting saved and baptized. On September 19th she will be 8-years-old, so I want her to understand exactly what it means to be saved and the importance of it all. Waaah-Hoooo!!! Can you believe it? My little family of Mormons!!! Gotta love it!
I just want to say thank you for all your studying and your blog, “Truth is Restored.” That was a big part in my going back to church. Now my family is going to be saved, baptized, and members of our Church.
God bless you and your wife!

-My husband, Keeley (my daughter), and me”

It is amazing how big of an impact we can make when we take a little time and apply our efforts in the cause. I would have been satisfied if my labors had done nothing more than keep some of the false and negative materials about the Church out of the top spots on web-searches. I have now had the joy of helping precious souls find the truth only found in the restored gospel of Christ.

Let’s carry on in this great cause brethren and sisters!

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: Polygamy is evil and is not biblical

2008-02-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

I’ve been thinking lately about writing an article on polygamy. It will be somewhat exhaustive, and dealing with a very sensitive subject, so obviously it will take some time to feel comfortable publishing it. As for now, I’ll just write a few comments on the subject.

For one, I’m always a little bit alarmed at how viciously “bible-believing Christians” attack the Church for this part of its history. Are not the very covenant people descended from Father Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? They were righteous above those of the earth to the point that the Lord kept his promises made to them and established them as his people.

Polygamy was not part of the Mosaic Law and hence was not abolished when Christ fulfilled the Law. It is a practice condoned by the Lord when he needs to “raise up seed” unto himself (Jacob 2:30).

If someone believes the Bible, then they have to believe that the Lord approved of the practice. Even during the time of King David the Lord approved of the practice. In fact He gave wives to David as a blessing. When Nathan came to David and reprimanded him for his sin against Uriah, speaking in he name of the Lord he said, “And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s WIVES into thy bosom….” -2 Samuel 12:8

Now, polygamy is currently prohibited in the Church, not because it is wicked (indeed it could not be if the Lord’s chosen people come from the practice) but because the Lord does not deem it necessary at the moment. The policy did not change because of pressure from the government. They had been persecuted almost a half-century for the practice before the LORD commanded it to cease for the time.

The Lord is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If someone says the Church is wicked because they once practiced polygamy, they are calling the Great God of Heaven wicked for commanding it.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Psalms 119 and Scripture Numerics

2008-02-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

As I was reading through psalms today, I noticed an interesting pattern. Some of you may have heard of a branch of scriptural study called “scriptural numerics.” Many believe that the numbers and patterns found in the scriptures are ubiquitous and meaningful. I lend some credit to the theory, but not as much as others. For instance, three has to do with perfection, completeness, and God especially. Six is a number dealing with the weaknesses of man, satan, etc….

The number that caught my eye today was eight. Previously, I had loved psalms 119 because it dealt with the importance of scriptures and their importance. It took on a whole other dimension today for me when a few things caught my attention.

I have been curious in the past about why this chapter (psalms 119) is subdivided into sections headed by the Hebrew alphabet. I tried to think of some reason that the author would divide it thus. Letters of the Hebrew alphabet can double as numbers, so it’s not unusual that they are used. I thought for fun I would check if the sections were evenly divided.

There are 176 verses in Psalms 119. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet.
176/22 = 8. Interestingly enough, each sub-section in the chapter contains exactly 8 verses. Most that study this subject believe 8 to point towards new beginnings, creation, and the word. I also believe it has to do with water (flood story found in Genesis 7-8, 8 on the ark, baptized at 8, etc...). Water has to do with the “living waters,” or the words of life (psalms 1:3-4, John 4:14), which would agree with the last of the generally agreed upon meanings of the number 8.

I also noticed that every single verse used one of 8 words that describe the scriptures; namely: law, testimonies, way/s, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, and word/s. All but 4 of the 176 verses of Psalms 119 use at least one of these eight words to emphasize the importance of the scriptures. I decided to get geeky and make a diagram just to show it (just to save anyone time who would care enough to see this).

Nobody’s salvation is going to hinge on these semantics, but it is interesting. I don’t find it to be an internal evidence for the Bible. We must remember that not only is the Book of Mormon on trial in the world’s eyes, the Bible is as well, and maybe even more so than the Book of Mormon.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Rusty Curtis' conversion story

2008-02-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

February 27th marks my ninth year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It surprises me to think about how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learned in so short a period of time.

I am often asked about my conversion story. I have given it so many times, that I generally make the story very short so as to not bore the unfortunate asker to tears.

Many of you have become regular readers of my Truth is Restored blog. I thought I should take the time to re-write my conversion story for you, as well as anyone who might happen to stumble upon it. I will try to include the pertinent details, and spare you the superfluities.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. My father was a glass-blower who converted to Judaism around the time I was born, and my mother was Presbyterian (which I was baptized as when a baby). We moved to Big Bear, CA when I was about five. My parents were divorced shortly thereafter.

My mother and I moved to live with her Mother in Townsend, MT. We then moved to White Sulphur Springs, MT. Within two years we were back in Las Vegas where my mother planned on teaching. She soon started working two jobs and we did not see each other that much. At seven years old I would have to wake up in the morning and go to school because my mother would still be working her swing shifts. I grew up very independent and learned how to take care of myself for the most part. I also learned at a young age how to get into a fair amount of trouble. By the time of my conversion I was considered one of the party kids.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) make up a sizeable percentage of much of the Southwest; Las Vegas is no exception. I had good Mormon friends going up and I always liked and respected them. Fortunately I had a descent enough head on my shoulders to recognize that those who did not live their teachings should not be used to judge the organization to which they belonged. –The term “jack-Mormon” was even known and understood by those not belonging to the Church. I still teased LDS friends and I’ll always appreciate a certain day when a member of the Church called me on it.

I had two LDS friends whom I sat next to in one of my classes (HS Sophomore English). One day (Wed., Feb. 3rd, 1999 to be exact), in the middle of some of my jests about the Church towards the Church, one of these friends turned to me and said “Why don’t you just come to seminary with us?” I had known that the LDS kids went to seminary and said I would like to go.

We went that afternoon (some kids could not make early morning seminary, so they held an afternoon class to accommodate). I can’t recall what was the subject, but I remember that I enjoyed myself and wanted to come back. Well, two days later (Friday), the seminary was holding a six-hour Book of Mormon “Read-A-Thon” for the seminary students, followed by a dance. For those of you who are LDS, you’ll get a kick out of it that I really enjoyed myself during the read-a-thon. I was fascinated with the Book of Mormon. I had pretty much made up my mind that night that I wanted to be Mormon.

One of those two friends (who later became nearly as close as a brother to me) invited me to Church for the coming Sunday (two days later). I remember standing outside my apartment complex in -what was then- my Sunday best and wearing my earring. At Church, the missionaries approached me, and I asked them what I needed to do to get baptized. Needless to say, that somewhat made their day. They gave me a Book of Mormon, asked me to read 3 Nephi 11 and set up our first discussion for Wednesday night.

This is where my conversion truly took place. I went home from Church, locked myself in my room and started reading, and then I kept reading. -From this day forward I started studying the gospel about 3+ hours a day (sometimes more, sometimes a little less). When I met at my friend’s house with the missionaries three days later, I had read 3 Nephi 11, and then from 1 Nephi to the end of Jacob. Nearly every page I read brought tears to my eyes. My deepest questions were being answered and I came to know my God. The Holy Ghost bore powerful witness to my soul of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

About two weeks later (if I remember correctly) I attended the baptism of a young man slightly younger than I was at the time. I was struck, powerfully, at this event. After the baptism, everyone left the room, except for me. In those few minutes alone, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that there was a God, that he was very aware of me and loved me, and that I now knew who my real father was. I did not have the opportunity to be around my earthly father very much because of divorce and distance. I now knew who my real father was, and have since then tried to do whatever was in my power to do his work. –Not so I could claim rewards, but more out of love and gratitude to Him.

One week later I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have never regretted that day; I only feel deep gratitude to my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ for their sacrifice on my (and everyone else’s) behalf.

**I'm the second to left (red hair). Standing next to me is a man I deeply respect and who has become a type of "father-figure" for me in my life.**

I prepared with vigor for my mission. Three-and-one-half years after my mission I hit the streets of the Missouri St. Louis Mission. I worked and gave it my all. I wanted to share the joy and peace I found in the Gospel with anyone, and everyone I could. After my mission, I continued to study and serve in whatever capacity I could.

I know that the blessings promised by the Lord are real, and that He truly is no respecter of persons. I was not born into the Church, and I had no money or fame. I have a beautiful wife, I am financially taken care of, and feel that I am generally on the right track in life. Through obedience to the commandments of the Lord, and my best efforts, he has helped me come this far. And I will continue the course laid before me and strive do do whatever I can to advance the causes of God.

I have now found an outlet where I can reach out and help others who are looking and yearning for the truth. It’s a great and glorious work we’re involved in, and there’s no other work I’d rather be helping to move along.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: Joseph Smith had a vivid imagination and made up the Book of Mormon

2008-02-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

I wrote and answered this accusation, just because I had the time and haven't had any questions asked in the last couple days that I felt like making a post of. Enjoy...

ACCUSATION:
Joseph Smith made up the Book of Mormon, and the supposed Hebrew/Egyptian names and words therein. He just copied some names from the Bible and made up a couple words and called them Hebrew. -“Liahona”, for instance. Who’s to say that Joseph Smith didn’t just make that word up?

RESPONSE:
The story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is understandably difficult for many to accept or even consider. Many nay-sayers of the Church espouse many theories for it’s unexplainable appearance. One, is that Joseph Smith copied it from another manuscript and changed the names and some of the story. Another is that Brother Joseph was delusional and hallucinated his experiences. Some even claim that he just flat out made it up. Even if any of these were reasonable explanations, it would be a far cry to claim he made up words, claiming they were Hebrew, providing a translation of them, and then have them turn out to be correct. That doesn’t just happen.
Though you could not necessarily “prove” the Book of Mormon authentic by analyzing names, words, and phrases used, and finding them to be accurate and contemporary with Biblical Hebrew, it would give the record some additional credence in a scholarly light.

The word “liahona” is used only once in the Book of Mormon to describe the curious object Lehi found outside his tent one morning (1 Ne 16:10). Alma calls it the Liahona centuries later:

“38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.” -Alma 37:38-40

Nephi described it thus:
“a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.” -1 Nephi 16:10

Alma (or Joseph Smith, claim the nay-sayers) defined the Liahona in Alma 37:38 as a “compass.” Let’s take a look at what the Hebrew might have looked like.

The first use of compasses were mentioned in Chinese and Western European records in the 12th Century AD; so obviously, ancient Hebrews did not have a term for something they had never seen or heard of before. -Joseph Smith was familiar with what a compass was, and could therefore render a plainer translation when he used the word compass in the translation of Alma 37:38.

Naturally then, they (Lehi’s party) would do the best they could do to describe the object, and probably by what it actually does. It showed the course they should take, and pointed the way (or pointed whither, as Nephi said -1 Ne 16:10) they should go (Alma 37:39-40).

I imagine it’s safe to assume that the English spelling of “liahona” is meant to phonetically resemble or represent the Hebrew word, just like the Hebrew names used in both the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Now, Liahona is not one word. I believe it is a combination of three words.

L, in English is the equivalent of ל (lamed), in Hebrew. By itself, ל means “to.” Like “to” eat, or, “to” the store.

יה, or yah, is God.

הנה (hanah), means “hither” or “thither.” It also means “thitherward.”

When a ל (to) is used before another word (like “to” study) it is connected. ללמוד is the conjunction of ל (to) and לומד (study), meaning “to study.”
ל'ההנה would roughly sound like “li-yah-hana,” coming close to liahona, and means “to” + "God" + “thither” = “thither-to-God”.

I’d say that comes pretty close and would be a pretty darn good guess for an uneducated farm boy. I don’t believe that Joseph was guessing or making things up.

Little textual evidences like this example can’t literally prove the Book of Mormon to be true, nor can they be the basis of someone’s faith. But, they are fun to find and use in defense of the gospel. Till next time…

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: Mormons live in a burning house

2008-02-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

INTRODUCTION
The other day I happened to run across a web site that purported to be a ministry to reach out to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and teach them the truth. As expected, I didn’t see anything new except the same old weak and “recycled” (a term one of my friends used) accusations used against the Church. It’s especially obnoxious when these people try to use the Book of Mormon text to teach us what we believe.

As I perused it’s content, a few statements caught my attention:

“If you saw a house on fire with someone trapped inside, what would you do? Would you drive by without doing anything? If you knew you could help the person, would you try? Nothing stimulates a sense of urgency more than a life and death situation.
When you see a Mormon, do you recognize that that person will suffer the everlasting fire of hell for eternity? Do you believe that Mormonism places its members inside a burning building that collapses into hell at the moment of their death?
Like followers of Judaism, Mormons believe their own works will give them righteousness. In truth, every Mormon who doesn’t trust in Jesus as his or her substitute, relying solely on Christ's righteous works, is living in a house that is on fire.”

My reaction was probably similar to yours: I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I decided that if this author’s true motives were really to reach out in truth in love to mormons (this is the site by the way, truthinlovetomomormons.com – You might not want to go there, by doing so they will start to move up in search engine rankings and that’s a bad thing), then they would probably be willing to make corrections if their assertions were shown to be incorrect. I emailed the author and asked if their statements were implying that Mormons don’t believe they are saved by grace. Following was their reasoning for their accusations. Following that is my response.

*Disclaimer – I hope no one is offended by my response. I was a little facetious in my response email to hopefully impress upon them the “silliness” of their accusations.*

ACCUSATION
“Dear Rusty,

Thank you for taking the time to send us an email. We appreciate your comments!

You asked if we were correct in our assertion that LDS people do not believe in being saved by grace. The LDS Bible Dictionary states, “This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (p. 697). Also, 2 Nephi 25:23 says, “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” The book True to the Faith says that “The phrase ‘after all we can do’ teaches that effort is required on our part to receive the fulness of the Lord’s grace and be made worthy to dwell with Him” (p.77). How do you interpret these quotations? Doesn’t it say that grace is the power God gives people to save themselves only
after they have done everything they can do? So according to these
sources, LDS people do not believe in being saved by grace. Can you cite sources that tell me otherwise?

The LDS sources contradict what Jesus says in the Bible, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Heavenly Father has given us a free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. All we need to do is believe, just as the Bible says.”

RESPONSE
Thank you so much for your speedy response! I also appreciate the thoroughness of your response.

In answering your question, I will assume that you have read the Book of Mormon many times, cover to cover, and really studied and pondered it’s message in order to more fully be able to show “truth in love to Mormons.” After all, it is souls your trying to save, and you would definitely not want to bear false witness about your brothers and sisters.
In my reading I’ve run across a couple interesting verses in the Book of Mormon. I imagine that you have also run across the same verses from during your deep and objective studies of the Book of Mormon.

“24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is ONLY in and through the GRACE of God that YE ARE SAVED.” -2 Ne 10:24

“17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be NO OTHER NAME given nor any other way nor means whereby SALVATION CAN COME unto the children of men, ONLY in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” -Mosiah 3:17

Sounds like a similar teaching to that found in John 14:6, right?

It might be interesting to read 2 Ne. 25:23 and instead of trying to interpret it, let it speak for itself:

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is BY GRACE that WE ARE SAVED, after all we can do.”

I did not read anywhere in this verse that we save OURSELVES with the grace of God. I see that it is by grace that we are saved. I observe no disharmony between the Bible and the Book of Mormon on this subject. PAUL states that we are saved by grace, Nephi states that we are saved by grace.

I believe then that we are agreed Mormons believe they are saved by grace.

What then does “after all that we can do” mean? Maybe in your studies of the Book of Mormon you have also run across an insight into this phrase. A group of wicked Lamanites had converted and joined the believers stated, “it has been all that we could do… to repent of all our sins….” -Alma 24:11

Surely we agree that the Bible teaches repentance of sins.

Well, I hope this clears that up. I would appreciate it if you altered your web site content to reflect what Mormons really believe on this subject, and maybe, if you have the time and care to be correct, study out your other accusations made against the church and update accordingly. I don’t think you want people thinking that your accusations were not thoroughly researched.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

-PS
I have not heard back from them and their site has not been updated, last I checked.

Online-Missionary Success

2008-01-31T23:22:00.000-08:00

I made a new friend, not too long ago, on lds.net. One, day, I had a message in my inbox from a woman who had some questions about the Church. I answered them as well as I could at the moment. The next day, I had more questions from my new friend (I have been getting a lot of questions lately from people curious about the Church). One of her first messages shared her past history with the Church (I have quoted it mostly word for word):

“Hi Rusty.
Thank you so much for answering my question….
So far, the little bit of info I have acquired about the Mormon beliefs has been answering my questions that nobody else (other religions) has been able to. Like the female aspect of god, once saved always saved, one true religion, one true doctrine, and one true God.
I’ve always known the Bible to be true, but I felt there was more, like where are the prophets of today?
I once was baptized into the Mormon Church but caught so much adversity from my mom (a pentecostle) that I basically had a nervous breakdown and just quit going.
The only time in my life I have felt at peace, full of joy, and truly loved was the short time that I was in the Mormon Church. My mom currently lives with me, I feel led to do more research in the Mormon Church. Of course I am facing extreme hostility from my mom but told her I will continue my search, and she has no right to judge without all the facts.
There are always two sides to a story. She only knows the world’s view of Mormonism, not the actual Mormon side itself. She refuses to seek the answers as to what and why the Mormons believe what they do, but will make fun of the beliefs and say they are all liars and doomed for hell.
I love and respect my mom with all my heart. I do not want to argue with her. I want her to leave me alone in my search, without the mockery and hostility.
Thank you to you and others who are seeking truth and actually researching and helping enlightening others who are too!”

From what our friend has told me, I get the feeling that she was once deeply touched by the Spirit, and recognizes the void that was left when she stopped going to Church.
I answered her questions as they came, and did the best I could to help her.
I signed into my account tonight to check what new messages or questions I had waiting for me. I felt deep gratitude and joy as I read her most recent message (again, mostly word for word-just grammatical edits):

“Hello Rusty,
I thought I had burned you out on questions? I have been studying a lot in the King James Bible. All is starting to make since now that you gave me insight; now I just cannot wait for my new Book of Mormon! -And to read the Articles of Faith & Doctrines and Covenants. My family and I are going to the Rockport branch this Sunday. Can you believe it?!

Complete Gratitude,
…”

Elder Ballard has recently suggested that those who are able should start doing what they can to use new media to share and defend the gospel. I was just recently asked by my ward to give a fireside on this topic. People were amazed at how big of an impact regular members of the Church are making (I showed results of many people's efforts). Not only will my new friend be going back to Church, she is taking her family with her.

“12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.”
-D&C 123:12-14

I am so grateful to be involved in the work. Carry on brothers and sisters! We are making a difference.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Question: What was Satan up to in Heaven?

2008-01-29T16:01:00.000-08:00

QUESTION:
What did Lucifer mean by saying to God, "I will be your son," when asking God to use him to be savior of mankind? Why didn’t he just say, "here am I, your son" or did I just misinterpret the verse?

RESPONSE:
I appreciate that this question was asked. I have thought about this question before and felt like I understood the “what” before, but I never really thought about the “why,” as I have when reflecting on your question.
First, let’s talk about what Lucifer meant by “I will be your son.”

WHAT:
“That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.’
‘2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.” -Moses 4:1-2

This question requires a basic understanding of what happened in the pre-mortal realms regarding this earth. Heavenly Father presented a plan to his spirit children that offered them (us) an opportunity to experience life, with all its hardships and trials, and also it’s beauties and joys. In this life we would learn, grow, and become more like Heavenly Father. Because would be away from the presence of God and act independently, there would obviously be many sins committed, everyone would fall “short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Hence, the plan called for a savior.

Our eldest brother, Jesus Christ (Jehovah as we knew him), was all-wise and knew that this role would require the ultimate sacrifice and suffering. Because of his great love for our Father and us, he volunteered to fill the role that was his to fill.

Lucifer also volunteered to fill this role, but with a few addendum. He too knew that the plan called for Father to send an “only begotten son” to the earth. This is what Lucifer meant when he said “I will be thy son.” All of us are spirit sons and daughters of God, but there was ONE who was to be the only begotten of the Father “after the manner of the flesh” (1 Nephi 11:18).

WHY:
This answers “what” Lucifer wanted to be, but let’s talk about “why” he wanted to do the things he did. Keep in mind, the following is the philosophy of Rusty Curtis (except for quoted scripture). It is strictly speculative and probably won’t mean one iota to someone’s salvation. It is interesting however.

Let’s start with what we know about his pre-mortal motives as found in the passage we’ve been discussing:
1) Satan declared “I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost….” –Moses 4:1
2) He then said, “I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.” –Moses 4:1
3) Father told us that Satan sought that “I should give unto him
mine own power….” –Moses 4:3

It is not hard to see at that Satan is audacious in his proposal. But, it was not stupid. If we have learned anything through our own life experiences and our personal war against the adversary, we know that he is not stupid. He is not wise, but he is clever. He knew how much Father cared about all of His children and sought to tempt Him by promising to return all Father's children to Him (Satan is the great tempter).

Let’s give the adversary the benefit of the doubt (for this seemingly simple plot), because it is always better to overestimate an opponent rather than underestimate.

I believe this offer was double edged. He was trying to trap Heavenly Father. Guess who else was there when Satan made his offer? Heavenly Father’s children, meaning US. Satan positioned himself as somewhat "altruistic" to Father’s children by promising that they would all return to Father after mortal life and that he would "bear the burden" to make this possible. He knew our great love for our Heavenly Father. With this move Satan drove a wedge in the Heavens. He manipulated the deepest, profound affection and love that Father had for children, and that children had for Father.

Father was then in a position where he either accepted Satan’s plan (which of course he would not do) and gave up his power and glory to an unworthy son, or rejected his plan and effectively told many of his children that he did not love them enough to do what could save them (as Satan positioned it). Do you see how Satan manipulated the situation? Satan thought he set himself up with two ways to get what he wanted.

Satan’s bargaining chip of “returning all of Father’s children to him” was a decoy. Of course Heavenly Father knew what Satan was doing and chose Jehovah (Jesus Christ) to fulfill the plan.

Many of us have wondered how it would be possible for Satan to be so persuasive that he could convince a third of the hosts of heaven (Revelations 13:4) to rebel against Father and actually commence a war against him. Yes, he had to be persuasive, charismatic, and authoritative, but what leverage did he have to be so persuasive? I think he played off the emotions of Father’s children and convinced many of them that Father did not love them enough to save them. By rallying support from those he persuaded, he thought to enforce his way. A war is not fought usually unless both sides think they can win. He had a third of the hosts of heaven so persuaded that they actually fought against the God of Heaven thinking they can win. There would have to be very powerful motivation to do this.

What is even more audacious about Satan’s offered addendums to Father’s plan was how he tried to pull an unbelievable “sleight of hand.” He wanted to attain godhood (however he could) with no sacrifice on his part. He not only tried to usurp the role that was Christ’s to fill, but alter it in a manner that he would not have had to experience anything unpleasant. If his desires had been granted, man’s agency would have been abolished (Moses 4:3). Hence, there would be no sin, hence, Satan would not have to sacrifice anything to return Father’s children to him and would claim the throne of God. Satan tried to pull the ultimate fast one. Either Father granted Satan His throne with no sacrifice on his part by accepting Satan’s proposal, or Satan would commit mutiny in Heaven and seek to seize Father’s thrown by manipulating His children to war against him.

Satan thought he was cleverer than the eternities and cared only for himself. This one individual (as far as we know) initiated the tearing apart of the heavens and the family of our Heavenly Father in the pursuit of his own desires and lusts. He cared not for us then, and cares not for us now, and he still tries to enslave those who did not side with him in heaven.

I think it's important to have an idea of just how subtle the adversary is. We must be wise and not underestimate the enemy of our souls.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: Joseph Smith Fabricated the Book of Abraham

2008-01-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

ACCUSATION:
It's now been proven that the Book of Abraham was basically made up by Joseph Smith. It's my understanding (and the church seems to be agreeing it's a false hood), that he "translated" ancient text off of old scrolls, now, more then a century later those translations have been proven to be completely false.
So...
How do you believe the BoM?

RESPONSE:
Thanks for asking me this question.

I haven’t seen this criticism in a while.
It’s an old and false argument that was prevalent in the late 60's. It all started when an old Egyptian manuscript was re-discovered in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1966. The document was identified as belonging to the Church. It was also of authentic Egyptian antiquity, but when translated, it was not the Book of Abraham.

Nay-sayers of the Church jumped on this immediately and stated emphatically that this proves Joseph Smith was a fraud. They make two (actually more, but two to keep it simple) huge mistakes in this assertion (as opponents of the Church are usually hasty and don’t take the time to really research their claims):

1. Joseph Smith and the Church had SEVERAL Egyptian manuscripts all bought from the same source (Michael H. Chandler in Kirtland Ohio, in 1835). Nay-Sayers neglect to mention this, or didn’t bother researching it, and automatically assume that the one manuscript discovered had to be the one from which the Book of Abraham was translated.

2. Some (in the time of Joseph Smith) had given a description of the manuscript from which the Book of Mormon was translated. The manuscript which the nay-sayers would love to claim is the manuscript that the Book of Abraham was translated from, is NOT the manuscript that the Book of Abraham was translated from.

So this whole argument against the Church is built on a faulty premise. It is an incorrect assertion thrown against the Church in efforts to discredit it. Where the Book of Abraham manuscript is, is not certain. Many things were lost or left behind when the early saints were forced to leave Nauvoo, IL, and made their way to Salt Lake City.

The follow-up question is, “well, if the manuscript isn’t the Book of Abraham, what is it?” Great question. One of the most brilliant men to walk the earth (in my opinion) actually wrote a book on this subject. Hugh Nibley, wrote “The Message of the Joseph Smith Papyri.” In it, Nibley translates the entire manuscript and shows that it’s not the Book of Abraham, it is what is called, by Egyptians, a “Book of the Dead,” which contains instruction for the deceased on how to progress on their eternal journey. Many of the things taught therein are similar to what we believe as true doctrine, and which we believe Abraham knew and might have shared with the Egyptians.

So…
As to how I can still believe in the Book of Mormon.

I believe in the Book of Mormon because of the peace it brings to me as I read it. I believe it because I have sought to practice the principles it teaches, and have experience the tangible blessings it promises. You mentioned to me before that both of us had similar experiences and grew up confused. This is true. I was not indoctrinated by the Church or it’s members. I read the Book of Mormon on my own time, and in it, I found not only God, but answers to many of my unspoken questions. I have felt the warmth, peace, and inspiration from the Spirit that are promised to those who read it and pray about it. These evidences are stronger to me than any accusation against the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith, even if I did not know the incorrectness of the accusation/s.

You would think that many of our accusers, so called “Christians,” would be able to do a lot of good in their own church and helping people that could use it. Instead, they poor tremendous effort into trying to bash another faith and discredit it. When the issues they present are researched further, what they originally thought discredited the Church, turns into a support and evidence of the Church’s truthfulness.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

What is "Blood Atonement?"

2008-01-25T01:25:00.000-08:00

Question:
Did Brigham Young preach blood atonement? -Christ’s blood was not enough?

Response:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or “Mormons,” are often slandered because of a misunderstanding concerning statements made by early church leaders, particularly Brigham Young. As a matter of fact, they never even used the term “blood atonement.” The true meaning of Blood Atonement (If we are to use this term) refers to the atoning powers of Christ’s blood and sacrifice. Through this act man may be cleansed “through the blood of the lamb.” Some have twisted the words of early, and recent church leaders to say all sorts of inaccurate things and brassly proclaim that that’s what Mormons believe.

What God (and the early church leaders) did teach, is a form of capital punishment for grevious crimes (such as murder murder). The teaching states if a person has been received into the Church and received a fullness of truth, if they shall sin against this greater light by murdering, the atonement of Christ alone will not “absolve the person of the consequences of the sin.” -Encyclopedia of Mormonism: Blood Atonement The offender would need to voluntarily suffer the will of the Lord will the atonement take effect upon the offender. The doctrine is found in the Old Testament:

“Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man”
-Genesis 9:6

Some believe that this is a wicked teaching. Those who believe the Bible to be the word of God accept this teaching as divinely inspired. This was a commandment given before the Law of Moses, hence, when the law of Moses was fulfilled, this commandment was not nullified.

It is important to note that the Church does not, and has never enforced this law on their own accord. Offenders are delivered up to the courts of our country to be judged according to their crimes.

I hope this answered your questions.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
Truthisrestored.blogspot

Accusation: Mormons teach they can become Gods. This is not biblical.

2008-01-24T11:35:00.000-08:00

The following remarks were comments to one of my earlier posts (copied exactly as written by commenter) : “Do Mormons teach that we can become gods?”. I though that I might not only respond to his comments, but make his comments and my response a new post, so that others might have the opportunity to enjoy the discussion. So following the section entitled “Accusation” (right below) is my response.

ACCUSATION:
Jesus used the term “gods” to describe how they presented themsevles. Look at the very next verse; Psalm 82:7; “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” God says that although you present yourselves as "gods", you are really just mere men! The word "god"(note lower case G) is used to describe those who have authority over people in certain circumstances.

We must remember:
Isaiah 44:6; "I am the first and I am the last apart from me there is no God.”
Isaiah 46:9; "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."
Isaiah 43:10; "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."
Isaiah 45:21-22; "...there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."

Furthermore; you and I cannot become a god; no matter how hard you try. God does not have a god-wife. God has always been God; He was not a man from another planet before He became God. If He did, where did it all start? And if it had a start then it has to have an end. God is timeless; He has always existed and will always exist. Jesus did not exist separate from God before the creation of the universe. Lucifer is not the brother of Jesus; he is a fallen angel. I could go on but I won't. I pray that the lies of the Mormon truth would be revealed to you. I pray that God will give you the strength to step away from these lies and see the truth.

RESPONSE:
Ani ohev ze Tanakh. Ve Atah?

Sorry it took me a day to get back to you. I just now have the chance to sit down and respond to your comments. Before I do though, I just wanted to let you know that I have studied Hebrew, and you and I will be using a little bit of it to work out your assertions. I understand that you mean well, but I hope that when we’re done, you won’t rush to make the same comments. This will not be an argument. This will merely be a discussion of these topics, so that other readers will have an opportunity to review the subject. I would also like to emphasize that I speak on my own accord, not the Church’s, and I submit that my following comments are from my limited knowledge.

ACCUSATION PART 1:
“Jesus used the term “gods” to describe how they presented themsevles. Look at the very next verse; Psalm 82:7; “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” God says that although you present yourselves as "gods", you are really just mere men! The word "god"(note lower case G) is used to describe those whot have authority over people in certain circumstances.”

RESPONSE:
-“gods” in this example is translated from אלהימ (El-o-heem) This is the same exact word translated as “God” in nearly every instance throughout the Old Testament, including “In the beginning “God” created the heaven and the Earth” (Gen. 1:1) An important thing to know about Hebrew is that adding the “im” or “ot” is usually how to pluralize. –Depending on word gender and context. A literal definition would be “Gods.”

-Capitalization is not relevant because there is no such concept (no capital letters) in Hebrew. The differentiation between “Gods” and “gods” is a moot point. Any interpretation based of this reasoning (a difference between “Gods” and “gods”) is an interpolation in something that doesn’t even exist.

-The Lord saying “I have said, Ye are gods,” In a sarcastic or facetious way, followed with “and all of you are children of the most high,” in a truthful way (Acts 17:29), doesn’t make sense (in my opinion). Both parts are either sarcastic/facetious, or both parts are true. Since holy writ states we are all the “offspring of God” (Acts 17:29, also Romans 8:16) I am lead to the conclusion that both statements in this verse are true and literal.

ACCUSATION PART 2:
“We must remember:
Isaiah 44:6; "I am the first and I am the last apart from me there is no God.”
Isaiah 46:9; "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."
Isaiah 43:10; "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."
Isaiah 45:21-22; "...there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other."

RESPONSE:
-We just mentioned above how the true rendering of “God” throughout the Old Testament, INCLUDING BEFORE THE CREATION, should be “Gods.” If evidence is wanted in the English translation, one need not leave the first chapter of Genesis:
“And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness….”
If we are to interpret the verses listed above (Isaiah verses) at face value, then we would have an issue. Who would it be that God was talking to? And who is the other person that God is forming man in the image of? I don’t want to sound condescending here, but I do not believe God is schizophrenic. From these findings I am of the belief that God was not alone in the beginning. Just for good measure, let’s mention God’s reaction when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit: “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become as one of US…” (Gen. 3:22).

-From the above I submit that God was not alone in the creation. There were “Gods” in the beginning (let us, our image). This would mean that Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 46:9, and 45:21-22 do not mean that God is the only God there is, though it might appear that way if isolated from the rest of scripture. I think the Lord is really emphasizing the importance of our commitment to and worship of Him in these instances (again, this is just my understanding, which isn’t much).

-As to the Isaiah 43:10 reference, I noticed something I hadn’t before that was very interesting. The Hebrew form of “god” here (in the Hebrew text) is not the same as the other three (and most of the other references in the Tanakh-Old Testament). It is translated from
אל, a short form of איל (ah-yil), which basically means a “chief”, or something/one very strong. This would be in harmony with a verse from Psalms 82 (which we quoted earlier). Verse 1 reads, “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
Again, this reference emphasizes to me the reverence due to God the Father, and recognizes Him as the “chief” or “head” among the gods, and holding a unique station.

ACCUSATION PART 3:
Furthermore; you and I cannot become a god; no matter how hard you try. God does not have a god-wife. God has always been God; He was not a man from another planet before He became God. If He did, where did it all start? And if it had a start then it has to have an end. God is timeless; He has always existed and will always exist. Jesus did not exist separate from God before the creation of the universe. Lucifer is not the brother of Jesus; he is a fallen angel. I could go on but I won't. I pray that the lies of the Mormon truth would be revealed to you. I pray that God will give you the strength to step away from these lies and see the truth.

RESPONSE:
-There is a spiritual mind-set that I call “Eternal Tunnel-Vision.” It basically means that some people only focus on a few small aspects of the eternal gospel and don’t consider or believe there is more to the big picture that is available or seek after it. I have wondered many times what other faiths consider heaven to be. I have wondered what other people consider heaven to be, and why they want to get there so bad. Is it really a place where saved people strum a harp and sing hymns everyday, all day, for eternity? Is there something more to it?

-Faithful saints are promised that, if faithful, they will receive a glorified body like Christ’s (Phil. 3:21), be like Christ (1 John 3:2), and inherit ALL things with Christ (Romans 8:17, Hebrews 1:2). So what are we if we are like Christ and possess ALL things? It’s overwhelming to think about, but I believe that would be a God. "St. Athanasius of Alexandria wrote, 'God became human so humans would become gods' (On the Incarnation 54:3, PG 25:192B)." -reference Interestingly enough, this same Athanasius penned the Athanasian Creed (description of the trinity) in the fourth Century AD, which is the basis for most Christians understanding of the Godhead. In the future, please, don't call this sacred doctrine un-Christian.

-I have not read in the Bible that God does not have a wife. I do however find him not alone before the creation, as discussed above. God also commands man to marry (not part of law of Moses) saying that it is not good for man to be alone. Is there conclusive proof in the Bible that God is married or not? I have not found it. I do however find more evidence pointing towards yay, than nay.

-Speculating on the ontological aspects of God’s life is fruitless. The fact is that we time-inhibited mortals cannot wrap our minds around infinity. The fact of the matter is that no mortal knows the whole story. The Bible is a woefully insignificant spec of a record in terms of what’s been happening in the cosmos for eternity. It would be rash for anyone to declare they know with certainty when and how any being came into existence. As for me, I am not concerned with these things. They will all be revealed at some point.

-As to Christ and Lucifer’s being brothers, there is already an entry on this subject posted on my site.

SUMMARY:
Thanks for bearing with me. I wanted to make sure we cover the points thoroughly. I also appreciate the genuine interest in my eternal well-being. By the way, my greeting at the top means “I love the Tanakh (Bible). And do you?”

I am grateful that the “Mormon truth,” as it was called above, has been revealed to me. I have studied and researched a lot. I have many physical evidences supporting my faith. But, the most powerful and compelling buttress of my faith is the still small voice, which fills my soul with faith, hope, and the pure love of Christ.

I do pray that my Heavenly Father will give me strength and grace to stand firm and undaunted in the truth. The Truth that has been Restored.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

What is salvation, and how do we achieve it?

2008-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

This post is the second part of a correspondence. The first part is under the post, “What is the difference between conversion and salvation?”

Question:
If the only heaven worth striving for is the one where we enjoy full fellowship with the Father, then what does it really take to live the kind of life where we can have the expectation of going there?

Response:
I think the key here is an understanding of what our whole purpose is for our existence. Why is it that God created us in his image? Why did he care about us so much that he sent his son to suffer beyond mortal comprehension for us. Why does he offer us all that he has if we are faithful (Rom 8:16-17, Heb 1:2)? These are BIG investments.

I believe it is because we are His children, literally. He loves us more than we know. He wants us to progress to our full potential, just as any of us would want our children to.

I mentioned before how salvation seems to be a pass/fail thing for many people. The saints tend to view it (from my experience) more like grade school. Everyone in the same school has the same opportunities to succeed as the next person. What they become in life depends on what they want to be, and the choices they make to get there. If someone just wants to pass and get through so they can get a decent job that pays the bills, it is their choice and they are welcome to it. If someone aspires to grad school and wants to keep learning and progressing and become the best they can possibly be, they are free to do so and can take the steps and make the decisions to get there. It is all about agency.

The LDS doctrine teaches that this life is a learning experience. We are trying to become more like our Heavenly Father. This is where eternal perspective comes in. If our final destination is to strum a harp and sing hymns for eternity, why all the commandments and trials? Shouldn’t we just take music and singing lessons? –I’m being a little facetious here obviously.

We are given agency and are presented with commandments. We are free to follow them, or take another path. We do not keep these commandments just to pass the test in this life, but they teach us the skills we need to succeed in our eternal career. -Accountability, responsibility, humility to listen to the Lord’s counsel and DO IT, etc…. We are trying to become like our Father. That’s what the commandments are (His book of etiquette, per se). We have a book we consider scripture called the Doctrine and Covenants. In it, the Lord explains why he gives commandments:
“8 I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
9 Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation.”
-D&C 92:8-9

I assume you know that LDS doctrine teaches there are three main degrees of heaven. It’s not about what religion someone belongs to that gets you into one of these degrees, but the choices we make with God.

That’s what the temple is all about (some non-Mormons get upset and freaked out about rumors they hear about what goes on inside). Temple ceremonies partly consist of making promises and commitments to God and returning frequently to remind ourselves of them. We also receive instruction on how to better live a better life. There is nothing dark or ominous in he temple, just fortifying and inspiring.

If in life someone wants to get better, they make a commitment, they keep the commitment, they are rewarded. Then they want to keep getting better, so they make bigger commitments, etc….
It’s a perpetual upward cycle.

Some take issue with the idea of different degrees of heaven. They say it’s not fair. I would ask them if they would consider it fair for someone who lives a horrible life, beats his family, and never helps anyone, who, if he “accepts Christ as his savior” two days before he dies, to receive the same rewards as faithful Abraham? In Christ’s Father’s house “there are many mansions” (John 14:2). Those who strive to live up to the highest of God’s standards will be worthy to continue on to eternal progression. –ONLY through the grace of Christ (this is important, most people don’t realize Mormon’s believe in being saved by grace -2 Nephi 10:24, 2 Nephi 25:23-).
This is the “third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2) mentioned by Paul.

Those who are good, but do not desire to reach this same degree will still be rewarded, but they will not continue to eternal progression. Have you ever wondered what the word “damn” means? Think of a river. A damn stops the progression of a river.
In the gospel context, being damned is the stopping of one’s progression because of their own choices. They have not proved themselves responsible enough to continue down the path of eternal progression. They are damned. You work with prisoners. You know that if someone does not act responsibly, they have privileges taken away.

In summary, this life is about making choices. Where we go depends on the choices we make. If we want to “pass,” we make the choices to get us there. If we want to go to grad school and become the best we can be, we make the choices, and follow through, to get there.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

What is the difference between conversion and salvation?

2008-01-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

I've started a correspondence with one of my new friends at lds.net. He is a prison chaplain (a great one probably) in the Northwest. This posting, and the one entitled “How does one attain Salvation?” are responses to some of his questions. Yes, he gave me permission to post them; he actually encouraged it.

Question:
What does it mean to be converted vs. achieving salvation? You are likely aware that evangelicals focus on conversion, whereas LDS tend to see salvation as having endured to the end (thus all the debates about where good works fit in).

Response:
Extrapolating from our previous correspondence and the context of this question, I’m assuming you’re saying “evangelicals focus on conversion” is “getting/being saved.” Hence, evangelicals generally teach being saved now, and Mormons generally refer to salvation as an end result.

I’m glad that I have the opportunity to address this subject. The truth is that LDS doctrine does teach a doctrine similar to being saved. It’s called entering the “rest of the Lord.” As far as I know, it is very similar to “being saved” for an evangelical. Joseph F. Smith gave one of my favorite definitions of the “rest of the Lord.” It is a little lengthy, so I’ll paraphrase: “Entering the rest of the Lord is entering into the knowledge and Love of God to such an extant, that we know we are right and are not swayed from it in the slightest by anything anyone does or says against the truth” (the quote is found in a great book called Gospel Doctrine, which contains some writings and sermons of Joseph F Smith -Joseph Smith’s nephew- pg.58). It basically means becoming 100%, fully converted. When we are truly converted, our souls rest even in the turmoil of daily life.

Christ put it this way:
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” –Matt. 11:28-29

The term “Rest of the Lord” is generally used in two main contexts, with others that are debatable (I’m actually doing a study right now on the topic of “Rest of the Lord” and will post it when I’m through). First, entering his rest now, and second, in the nest life.
One of my favorite versus that shows both is found in the Book of Moroni (in the Book of Mormon). Mormon (Moroni’s father) addresses the modern (latter-day) church:
“Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from THIS time henceforth until ye shall rest with him IN HEAVEN.”
–Moroni 7:3

We could call this “rest of the Lord,” we enter in this life, a temporal salvation (being saved-evangelical). And if we continue on this path, we will land our souls in his eternal rest (eternal salvation). Enduring is crucial. Christ taught: “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” -Matt 10:22, 24:13

“4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [entered into rest, or “got saved”]
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” –Hebrews 6:4-6

Semantically, they're different; but we can't have one with out the other.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

what does Science say about the settlement of the America's before the Inca

2008-01-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

"Science" is saying that the native inhabits of tis land got here many different ways. There have been studies finding that many of the Native Americans have Asian ancestors. Many ill-informed critics of the Church try to use this as evidence that the Book of Mormon is not true. They neglect to mention that DNA research is also finding that some Native Americans have primarily Near-Eastern and Israeli heritage (interesting article on this topic), which actually supports the claims in the Book of Mormon.

As far as science goes though, it has been my experience that science usually catches up with the Church, and not the other way around. For instance, when the "Word of Wisdom" (no alcohol, tobacco, tea, etc...) was given 170 years ago, many people actually thought tobacco was good for you. They had no clue what kind of horrible effects these things had until science snailed behind 150 years and figured out these things really weren't good for you.

That's one reason I'm not alarmed when reports come out about something that might shake someone's faith. Just give it a little while, and it will get straightened out.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

truthisrestored.blogspot.com

CNN links to Truth is Restored

2008-01-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

Imagine my shock yesterday when I discovered that people were linking to my site via CNN! I checked out what was going on and found out that they posted an article about Mitt Romney and his faith, and used my blog as one explaining the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
How's that for a slap on the back? More like a conk on the head actually.... This means I probably have to be responsible about what I say.

Here's the link (scroll to the bottom and click on "from the blogs"): CNN links to Truth is Restored

The point is neighbors, that we can make a difference. Lets add to or current efforts by putting our shoulder to the keyboard too.
I hope we done the Lord and you proud Elder Ballard!

Best Wishes,
Rusty

What do mormons believe?

2008-01-20T23:23:00.000-08:00

Question:
What do Mormons believe?

Response:
Many have wondered and asked what Mormons really believe in. We hear all sorts of horror stories from people of other churches trying to explain what Mormons believe. The fact is that you don’t go to A Chevy dealership to learn about Fords.

I myself was curious about what Mormons believed in. Then I took the time to find out. I discovered that the Church wasn’t made up of the crazies that people of other faiths said it was. I was always suspicious of all those pastors and preachers that fought against any church or organization so aggressively (Of course they’re going to fight against something that takes church member away from them, the bottom line is that is their source of income). I love that the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has an unpaid ministry. That in itself is so comforting. Even those missionaries that you see riding around on their bikes aren’t paid. In fact, THEY pay about $10,000 to go on their missions and share what has brought them so much joy. Think about that next time they knock on your door. They don’t get anything out of it when you or a friend joins the Church, just the joy of seeing someone find true happiness in life.

You’re probably thinking at this point that I have to be a Mormon. Great guess! I am. But, I have not always been. I grew up in Las Vegas. Most of you know enough about the world to know that Vegas is a crazy place. I was exposed to many different religions and many different life philosophies, but none of them ever seemed to answer the deep questions of my soul: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Questions that you have probably pondered. I found that the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) had the right answers.

So what do Mormons believe? In short, A lot! The most important and fundamental belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and the Savior of the world. Not what you expected? Many say erroneous things about the founder of the Church, Joseph Smith. These are words from his own mouth:

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
–Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 121

Mormons also believe that if someone goes to heaven, they do a lot more than just strum a harp and sing all day. They continue to progress and grow. We believe that we are children of God. Surely, God would want his children to accomplish more than practice music all day, for ETERNITY.

Mormons believe that there is an essential purpose in life. All of Gods children gain experience here that they could gain in no other way. Sometimes life is a school of hard knocks, sometimes it’s a little easier, but in the end, it always has a purpose.

There are many, many other things taught in the Church. I will give you a list of 13 short, main Mormon beliefs, called The Articles of Faith. Joseph Smith wrote them in response to questions like yours:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

If you have any more questions about Mormons, try visiting the official website at mormon.org.

If it is more comfortable for you, you can visit my site: Truth is Restored.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Did Jesus and Lucifer present different Plans of Salvation?

2008-01-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

Question:
Did God pick Jesus’ plan of salvation over Lucifer’s plan?

Response:
Another great question, Ken. First off, there were not two plans presented in the pre-mortal council. God the Father (Elohim) presented the plan of salvation (that’s what we call the overall plan and purpose of our existence). Jesus offered to fulfill the plan by being the savior of mankind in the Father’s plan. Satan also volunteered, but demanded the throne of the Father in return. He also wanted to pollute Father’s plan by taking away the agency (ability to choose) of mankind. This way no one could sin and none would be lost.

This might sound like a good thing, until one truly recognizes the importance of agency. Our omniscient Heavenly Father did. Father chose our elder Brother Jesus Christ to fulfill the plan. Satan rebelled and convinced a third of the hosts of heaven to do the same. This was the foundation for the “war in heaven.” Most of the account can be found in Moses 1:1-4 (Found in the Pearl of Great Price, additional scripture revealed by the Lord to Joseph Smith):

“1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.
2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.
3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.”

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

What is the Adam God Theory?

2008-01-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. I hope everything finds you well. I got a great message (in my lds.net account – it’s great) from a new friend from Pennsylvania named Ken. Ken has a sister that converted to the Church, and he now has some questions about the Church. He asked some good, honest questions about the church’s history and teachings. My next four posts will consist of his questions, and my responses.

Ken’s Question:
What do you know about the Adam-God theory? Was Adam a God? Will he become a god in heaven?

This whole fiasco comes from one misquoted Brigham Young statement found in the Journal of Discourses (a 26 volume collection containing discourses of some of the early leaders of the Church). I’ll quote it for you so you can see exactly what I’m talking about:

“When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body…. He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! About whom holy men have written and spoken—HE is our FATHER and our GOD, and the only God with whom WE have to do.”
-Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, pg. 50

So that’s the quote, Ken. What many “anti’s” have said regarding this passage is that Mormons believe Adam is God the Father. Absurd, right? Yes, it is. These nay-sayers don’t bother quoting anything else Brigham Young intentionally, or out of ignorance. And honestly, how many average people will go out and read a 26 volume series to put everything in context? Here is the very next paragraph following this last statement:

“It is true that the earth was organized by three distinct characters, namely, Eloheim, Yahovah, and Michael….”

Here, in the very next verse Brigham identifies these individuals as separate. –Meaning that Heavenly Father and Michael/Adam were not the same being. President Young was not dumb. -Through his leadership most of the western states were settled and developed.
President Young is simply saying that Adam is the Father of our race, he has become a God (I discuss this topic here: Do Mormons teach that we can become gods?), and he is whom we will be familiar with instead of those from other of God the Father’s creations (we believe Heavenly Father has created many other worlds besides ours).

To summarize: Adam (or Michael) is not Eloheim. Eloheim is God, our Heavenly Father. Adam is the father of the human race, not our spirits, and has become a God.

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Accusation: Mormons believe warm-fuzzies signify truth. This is not biblical.

2008-01-15T00:23:00.000-08:00

Accusation:
Mormon’s say that feelings signify the Holy Ghost is telling you something is true. This is not biblical.

Response:
Proof-texting is the term used for “proving” something by supporting your stance with “authoritative” quotes; e.g., God loved the world for “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). This is a popular practice amongst the religious debaters of the world. The reason I mention it is to point out a flaw in it. Many people can be passionate about a certain aspect of the gospel and quote one or several scriptures to support their belief in it. The rub is that so can many others on the same subject, and reach a totally different conclusion. They think they are just as positive and sure as the other guy. See the problem?

So, how does one discover the real spiritual truth of a matter? Here’s something interesting to do: Ask a evangelical “Christian” why he believes in Jesus Christ. You will probably get one of two answers, and one of them, if you ask again, will probably end up being the same as the other answer. So really, you’ll usually get the same answer: “I just know it in my heart.” That sounds a lot like feelings, doesn’t it? It is incredibly ironic that other Christians claim that Mormons teach an unbiblical method of recognizing truth.

Let’s explore a couple New Testament examples, and keep it short so you don’t comatose with boredom. This is where one needs to quote sources that are commonly accepted as legitimate (at least in Christian circles).

1. How did the early disciples truly know that Jesus was the Promised Messiah/Christ? Was it through a cognitive process? That was definitely part of the picture for some, but let’s look closely at Simon Peter. Many others were with Peter when they witnessed Jesus performing mighty miracles, yet many stopped following him when they did not understand Jesus’ teachings (John 6:66). Why did Peter believe and know that Jesus was the Christ when others saw the same miracles? Jesus answered this question himself:

“Blessed are thou Simon Bar-jona [Peter]: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” –Matt 16:17

How does the Father “reveal” things to his children? Through the Holy Ghost:

“But the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things….” –John 14:26

The Holy Ghost is the great teacher and converter. His whisperings are usually not audible, but are recognized as thoughts, impressions, or feelings in the heart. The Bible is replete with examples of this concept. When impressions are made by the Holy Ghost, they do not soon leave. Before accusing Peter of Denying Christ three times, remember that earlier in the same night he proved that he would fight to the death for Jesus (Matt 26:51). I don’t think believe that Peter was scared to claim discipleship of Christ because he already proved he was not. I believe that he knew he was the leader of the fledgling Church and had to carry it forward. This strong “testimony” was born of the spirit and feeling that he felt in his heart.

2. Two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus after the death of Christ discussing the recent events. Jesus appeared to them and they did not recognize him by sight. Christ taught them from the scriptures, and broke bread, at which time “their eyes were opened, and they knew him….” They recognized the savior at this point, but confirmed it when they said, “Did not our heart burn within us…?” –Luke 24:13-32

Remember, many hundred people saw Jesus perform miracles and yet turned away. Miracles and signs don’t convert. Can we say “Judas Iscariot?” It is a combination of mental learning and confirmation in the heart/feelings.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of scripture containing the revelations of the Lord to his prophets in recent history, we find this enlightening description of revelation:

“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
‘Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation….” –D&C 8:2-3

I know that Jesus lives and is my savior not because I have seen him or have taken a recent trip to heaven, but because I have 1) read of him and pondered his life and teachings and 2) the Holy Ghost has born witness of the truthfulness of these things to my
heart and mind. By this same process I have come to know the Book of Mormon and Bible are true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church established by Jesus Christ himself.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Saved by Grace and Perfected by Grace

2008-01-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

Saved by Grace and Perfected by Grace

I have not heard any questions recently that I have jumped out of my skin to answer, so I thought I would take a few minutes and talk about one of my favorite aspects of the true gospel: the effect grace has on our mortal lives and not just the saving portion (Though that is monumental).

I have been blessed/cursed to be extremely practical. One reason the Church was so appealing to me before, during, and after my conversion was how applicable it is teachings are in modern life. Our prophet and general authorities constantly give us inspired guidance (as given to them by the Lord) about how to not only reach our eternal goals, but to improve our day-to-day lives also.

I love the gift of agency. I am so grateful that I have the God given right to make of my life what I want it to be with his help. “His help” is what I want to focus on. Grace is a subject I have spent much time studying. I in no way claim to be the authority on it, but I think I have a slight grasp on a few of it’s intrinsic meanings.

Grace comes from the Greek “charis” (khar’-ece) ad has many definitions. A few that stand out to me in relation to this topic are graciousness, benefit, favour, and gift.
The LDS Bible Dictionary at one point defines grace as an “enabling power.” In context this definition was given in respect to the saving power of grace at the judgment, but I believe it is equally applicable as the enabling power in our everyday lives.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” –Phil 4:13

“I know that I can do nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.” –Alma 26:12

“With God all things are possible.” –Matt 19:26

No matter which way we slice it, that fact is that Jesus Christ said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” –John 14:15 He also commanded “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt 5:48). Perfect in this verse comes from the Greek “teleios” (tel’-i-os), which means “complete (in various applications of labor, growth, ment[ality], and mor[al] character, etc….” –Strong’s Concordance, pg. 90

I interpret all my study to show that the effect of grace in this life is not just helping us to get through the daily grind, but to constantly improve. Every day I want to be better than the previous day. I want to be a more “complete” person. The more I seek to learn of Jesus Christ, follow his teachings (and learn more about him through that process –John 7:17), and become like him, the more He enables me to do so through his grace. Every gift that he imparts is part of his grace.

I believe that those who feel grace is only applied at the judgment to save us, or that when we accept the savior and his grace we don’t need to do anything else are missing out on one the greatest blessings of this life: the joys of improving oneself everyday through the grace of God and being able to reflect and see how far we have come.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Reflections on the sacrament

2008-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints partake of the sacrament every week during normal worship services. Other churches often call this the “Lord’s Supper,” or “Communion.”
During the administration of the sacrament we reflect on the on the life and mission of Jesus Christ. I found myself pondering today on the significance of eating and drinking the sacred emblems. Catholics believe in what is called “transubstantiation” in which the bread and wine they drink literally transform into the flesh and blood of Christ. While we do not believe the bread and water (in our case) literally transform into the flesh and blood of Christ, we treat seriously the ordinance as a means of renewing our covenants with the Father and retaining a remission of our sins.
I find it interesting that often when we reflect on something we feel we know a lot about (especially in gospel settings) we catch nuances and subtleties that we did not notice before. It reminds me of something Hugh Nibley said: “If a symbol is truly eternal, we will be able to find endless meanings to it.” –paraphrased
As I sat pondering the significance of the sacrament I thought that the sacrament is a divinely mandated medium for those worthily partaking of it to internalize the power of the atonement and recognize the sacrifice of the savior.
This was not a new thought to me. It was however a new thought to the followers of Christ when he had his followers eat bread and drink wine, telling them that this was his flesh and blood. Many disciples turned from him and left, calling this “an hard saying” (John 6:60).
Insights into why this internalization of the sacrifice of the savior are so important are found throughout the savior’s teachings. Many of his teachings were purposed to wean the people of the pharisaic concepts of righteousness (outward performances) and to teach the people to be internally righteous which would naturally show outwardly. Many of us know people today, in the Church or out, who have all appearances of being pious and godly to only discover on closer observation it is a show.
The more deeply we internalize the sacrament, the more we allow our hearts to be changed and turned towards righteousness. This means people like me have lot of internalizing to do so the Lord can straighten us out.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Zion: What it is and isn't

2007-12-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

Before I wrote this article last year, I was under the assumption that the saints were to establish Zion, and hence, I could in my own way establish a little piece of Zion myself in my family and home. Figuratively, yes, I can do this. In specific actuality, I cannot. Zion is not a strip mall that I can invest in and put up on my own accord. After reading in Approaching Zion, by brother Hugh Nibley, it becomes obvious that it is not our directive to build Zion, but to prepare for it.
“We'd better say a few things about Zion here. Zion is a code word denoting a very real thing. Zion is any community in which the celestial order prevails. Zion is "the pure in heart" (D&C 97:21), but Zion is also a real city or any number of real cities. It is a constant; it is unchanging. There are Zions among all the worlds, and there are Zions that come and go. Zion is a constant in time and place—it belongs to the order of the eternities. We're not making Zion here, but we're preparing the ground to receive it. As the Lord says, "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom" (D&C 136:31). We must be prepared to receive this glory; we don't produce it ourselves. We must be ready, so that we won't die of shock when we get it.”1
The word Zion has many different meanings and interpretations. In Hebrew it is ציון, which is a mountain of Jerusalem. It also means a desert or dry place. The more symbolic meaning, which suits the point and purpose of this work, is a monumental or guiding pillar, sign, title, or waymark.2
Now my question is this: How do we go about establishing (or preparing) for Zion? What models do we have to emulate? I believe we have many examples to draw from, but I will place my focus on the people we are most familiar with who were refined to such a point that they were called Zion and were taken from the earth. In order to do this, I want to proceed with a small study of this people and their leader, Enoch.
Enoch at a young age was called upon to declare repentance to a Carnal, Sensual, and Devilish people. When he asked the Lord why he, who believed all the people hated him and he was slow of speech, was called to this work, the Lord basically told him that He was going to do as he pleased, and He would take care of the details. Though the Lord did not directly state why he called upon Enoch, I feel safe assuming that he acted similar to Seth, in that “God revealed himself unto Seth, and he rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice, like unto his brother Abel.”3 We also know that “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council.”4 We know that Enoch was worthy to and was foreordained to head a dispensation of the gospel and was successful in establishing a righteous people.
Enoch served an honorable full-time mission and did his part in declaring the gospel and teaching repentance. Many that he taught were not so happy with his diligence though. “And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him.”5 Any good active member who knows about Covey and how to be effective knows that these people chose to be offended. Why did they? It destroyed their craft!6 They reveled in their sin like pigs in mud. The Lord’s commands to repent and be righteous shook their societal structure and pierced them to the heart, yea “it cutteth them to the very center.”7
Now what I would like to suggest is that we don’t to do this. The blessings of heaven are promised to us if we but obey the voice of his servants and live in accordance to the spirit.8 It’s not that difficult of a concept. I think I hear a touch of frustration in the voice of King Benjamin when he pleaded with his people: “all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.”9
Ok, ok! So, I need to keep the commandments. But how obedient do I need to be?
Wrong question! We as saints need to get past the idea of obedience being an inconvenience and something that hampers our “fun.” Once we can do that, the Lord’s blessings and protection flow readily. To further the point, President Benson is quoted as saying “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.”10
I cannot picture the people of the Lord, or “Enochites,” (I’ll take credit for that one) griping to Enoch about having to read the scriptures every day or go to three hours of meetings on Sunday, or Saturday in the Enochites case. It is interesting that youth, and many adults that are still youths spiritually, think it is so hard to keep commandments and that the church requires so much have not considered what their pioneer ancestors had to go through, let alone the people of Enoch. They are not called upon everyday to lay down their life in the cause of the truth; they would probably flinch at the very thought of it. They do not realize, or want to realize, that obedience to the laws of God do not hinder but exalt men and free them from the traps of this world.
Dr. Victor Ludlow addressed this topic: “The people of Enoch practiced the law of consecration, having all spiritual and temporal things in common, which is the highest law of the gospel and the culminating covenant of the holy temple.” “Because the people of Zion lived the order of heaven on earth, they were literally "too good for this world" and were taken from it…”11
“I don’t know if I could live the Law of Consecration!” moans the natural man in most of us. That’s when we need to tell ourselves “That’s too bad carnal, sensual, and devilish natural man because I made solemn covenants to do so! If I really want eternal life, which I am so quick to claim that I do, then I know I must be willing to sacrifice all that I have because I know that ‘a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.’12”
I find it interesting that the very people that are called upon to sacrifice so much are the ones who are not only happy to do it, but are grateful to the Lord for the opportunity. I can see how those in the first century A.C.E. (AD) thought the Christians were loons when after Peter and the apostles were beaten they went away “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Christ’s] name.”13 This is the example we need to follow. We need to figure out how to get to the point where we are happy to do the Lord’s will.
How can we help ourselves and other people get the faith to keep the commandments and desire to be like the Enochites? Well, we can’t keep the commandments if we don’t know what they are,14 and they can’t have faith in the Lord unless they know about him and his commandments.15 It’s kind of a cycle…thingy. Paul probably had this in mind when stating that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”16 We see then that learning to believe and follow the commandments already given and the living oracles we have today provide a foundation on which we may establish, or prepare, ourselves to receive Zion.
So now we come to the point where we enjoy being obedient and seek to keep the commandments of God, making it “our quest.” We are another step closer to becoming like unto the Enochites. Once they were progressing in righteousness, what did they begin to do? Well, we read that they were to teach their children things of righteousness of course! Specifically, they were commanded to teach them that “all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence.”17 This command is followed up with an amendment to “teach these things freely unto your children.”18
After we strengthen our own ranks, it is then time to take the message to others. The Lord promises his blessings and protection to his servants as they forget themselves (cast off their CSD natural men) and build his kingdom.
So great was the faith of Enoch, and I have to assume that of his people, that “he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him.”19
We may not be separating into physically separate communities in our day, but we definitely should be a separate people in terms of our beliefs, lives, and habits compared to the rest of the world. We must be like unto the people of God (Enochites) of whom their reputation was that of a completely different nature than the so-called “great men of the world.” In short, we must be examples. President Joseph Fielding Smith advised the saints: “Our duty is to teach, to guide and direct the members of the Church in the path of righteousness. Our duty is to set examples before the world, that they seeing our good works may glorify our Father in heaven, and have faith and confidence in us. It is our duty to warn all men and endeavor to teach them the truth, so that those who will not hearken may be left without excuse.”20
I catch the same theme in President Smith’s command here as that of Enoch and every other righteous scriptural. First, we must strengthen our own members. Second, we must set a righteous example for those around us. Third, we must actively proclaim the gospel and it’s saving truths to the world. I do not necessarily claim that these are chronological steps always, but sometimes a perpetual process…thing, that we will carry on in this last dispensation until the Lord comes again with Zion.
What is our duty then? How then do we prepare for Zion? To put it simply, we must obey the commandments! “All that he requires of you is to keep his commandments [!]”21 This entails each of us individually becoming the best people we can be, and helping others become the best they can be. President Gordon B. Hinckley says it best: “We can improve, and when all is said and done that's what this is all about: improvement, changing our lives so that we can help people change their lives and be better. And let's build Zion in the earth. That's what it is all about.”22
That is what it is all about. I find great inspiration in the stories of the righteous patriarchs and how they went about establishing righteous peoples. It is my personal goal to establish a righteous family and posterity founded upon the true doctrines of Jesus Christ. –So much so that I have already determined our family motto to be the “Curtis Kingdom-Builders.” I know that these truths in their entirety are only to be found in the kingdom of God (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). I know that the atonement is real and that our Heavenly Father desires us who he has blessed with the gospel to share with his other children. I love the commandments of God and how my willing obedience to them brings me “peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.”23 I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

Footnotes
1. Nibley, Hugh., Approaching Zion, pg. 4
2. Strong, James. The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1996. Pg. 120:6724-6726
3. Mos. 6:3
4. Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols.
6:364
5. Moses 6:37
6. See Alma 35:3 and Acts 19:27
7. 1 Nephi 16:2
8. D&C 130:20-21
9. Mosiah 2:22
10. As quoted by Elder Donald L. Staheli, GC Apr 1998
11. Ludlow, Victor, Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel, pg. 505
12. Smith Jr., Joseph, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6 verse 7
13. Acts 5:41
14. See Mosiah 1:5
15. Smith, Jr., Joseph, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 3 verse 1. Also Romans 10:14
16. Romans 10:17
17. Moses 6:57, See also 2 Nephi 2:8
18. Moses 6:58
19. Moses 7:13
20. Smith, Joseph Fielding, Doctrines of Salvation, vol.1, pg. 310
21. See above
22. Hinckley, Gordon B., Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, pg. 726
23. D&C 59:23

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nibley, Hugh. Approaching Zion. Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1989.
Strong, James. The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Nashville,
Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996.
Smith, Joseph. History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1948.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. General Conference. Apr 1998
Ludlow, Victor. Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel. Salt Lake City, Utah:
Deseret Book, 1992
Smith, Joseph. Lectures on Faith. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1985
Smith, Joseph Fielding. Doctrines of Salvation. 3 Vols. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret
Book, 1954
Hinckley, Gordon B. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret
Book, 1997

Accusation: The story of Moroni and the Book of Mormon contradicts Gal. 1:8

2007-12-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Accusation: Galatians 1:8 "if we, or even an angel from heaven, should preach unto you another gospel than which has already been preached to you, let them be accursed".

Do any Mormons recognize this verse? Don't they find it interesting it was included in scripture hundreds of years before Joseph Smith claimed to have a "vision" given to him from an "angel from heaven"? Hello?

Response: Hello.
Gal. 1:8. Yes, anti books do use that one a lot.
Are you concerned about the angel Moroni declaring the gospel? Or are you concerned about "another gospel?"

If it is an angel in the latter days declaring the gospel...read Revelation 14:6-7
"I saw another ANGEL, flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth...." -There's your angel preaching the gospel.
If it is "another gospel," that's an even more simple answer. It is NOT another gospel. It's the same one That Jesus and his apostles preached. If you do not agree it is because you have not read the answers that have been given already thousands of times.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Was Jesus married?

2007-12-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

Why was Jesus not able to commit to a marriage relationship with a woman?
Weren't unmarried bachelors 24 years of age and older in Judaism deemed to be over the hill?
Like weren't Joseph and Mary married as young teenagers, maybe at age 15 or 16?

Response:

Most likely.
Christ was perfect not only because he was the son of God, but because he kept ALL of his Father's commandments. -That's the reason why he was able to die for us and it be efficacious for our salvation (lamb without blemish). What's the first commandment God gave to man? "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it...." -Gen 1:26
Obviously, that requires marriage (Gen 2:24) because God wouldn't command them to fornicate.
Christ was perfectly obedient to Heavenly Father, hence he kept every commandment. If he was not married, then he did not obey all his Father's commandments and hence was not perfect. For all those who said Jesus was not married, you also say that he was not perfect.
It was also a commandment to have children (be fruitful, multiply).
For the life of me I don't know why this is so offensive to some people?

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Question: Does God no longer care about me?

2007-12-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

Question: Does God no longer care about me?

I feel as if God no longer cares about me. I have been a Christian for most of my adult life. I have always felt like God was with me and watching over me, protecting me. Last December I lost my job. I now have a job, but it is barely enough to pay my rent and utilities. I have nothing left over for food even though I work ten hour days. All attempts to find either a better job or a second job have failed. I am struggling with the feeling that God has abandoned me. I stayed faithful and trusting for a long time, but now cannot even bring myself to go to church. I feel as if God has given up on me and no longer cares if I survive in this world. I've trusted God to see me through this, but every time my hopes crumble to nothing. How can I get that hope back? How can I trust God when he leaves me hungry? I feel as if he is holding me back from getting anywhere. Does God really want me to live in poverty?

Response:

That's a tough one.
I feel your pain brother! I have felt as you have in the past.
Life is not a plateau, it continues to lift you up and drop you. The important part is that you fight the good fight, finish your course, and keep the faith. -2 Tim 4:7 If you can do this, your life should be an upward trend, even if there are big dips.
I think the Lord has many reasons that he allows certain things to happen to us in life which we can't always understand (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Even though it is not always comforting, we do know that the Lord chastens those he loves:
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
'If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?
'But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." -Heb 12:6-8

It's during the hard times, like the one your dealing with, why it's important to remember what Christ said: "he that ENDURETH to the end shall be saved." -Matt 10:22, 24:13

It's REALLY hard sometimes. You probably want to crawl under a rock and die sometimes. My experience is that the darker the night is, the brighter the day will be. Stay strong and you will come out ahead of those who did not have to pass through what you did.

Remember, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God...." -Rom 8:28

In the LDS Church, we often quote from a passage in the Doctrine and Covenants, which is part of our canon of scripture. The passage refers to Joseph Smith pleading with the Lord and asking why he and the members of the church at the time were being so viciously maligned at molested, and why he (the Lord) was not preventing it.
The Lord said,
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
'And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high...." -D&C 121:7-8
Also,
"and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." -D&C 122:8

It's tough, but the Lord will help you through it. You're a son (or daughter) of God. Remember that.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Why does the LDS Church teach there was an apostasy?

2007-12-15T23:57:00.000-08:00

Question:

Why does the LDS Church teach there was an apostasy?
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall, not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18

So if you believe there was an apostasy than one of the following must be true. (1) Jesus' words in the passages just cited were misreported; (2) Jesus did in fact say these things but didn't really mean them--at least not in the way they had been understood by Christians for the first eighteen centuries; (3) Jesus was a liar, or (4) Joseph Smith was wrong and Jesus meant what he said.

Matthew 24:4-12; Mark 13:21-23; Luke 21:7-8; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 4:1-4; 2 Peter 2:1-3; and Jude 17-19. Passages that say that "many" will fall away. This refers to apostasy in an individual sense. Not a complete apostasy of the entire Church.

The Lord established the position of Bishop to ensure that the church continued. There was no Great Apostacy. There is apostacy of individuals, and there is corruption in all man made institutions but the Church continued through the position of the Bishop.

Response:

Great Question!
It’s refreshing to see actual scriptures quoted. Let’s tackle this question together.

First, Peter comes from “petros,” which means “a piece of rock.” When you look at the Greek text (the best that is available because we have no original) you will find that when Christ says “upon this rock I will build my church,” that rock in this instance is “petra,” which means “a mass of rock.” –You can find this in a Greek lexicon and/or early greek manuscripts. Readily available prints of these are Strong’s Concordance and any Greek-English New Testament Translation. Now, it is a play on words (as was stated earlier) but it really draws a distinction. It reads "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (petros-a piece of a rock), and upon this rock (petra-a mass of rock) I will build my church….”
So, Peter is not the rock (petra) upon which Christ was to build his Church. What was the petra (mass of rock) then? Well, what is the antecedent of this last statement? It had just been REVEALED to Peter that Jesus was the Christ (v.16-17). Hence, Peter (who had just experienced personal revelation testifying of the divinity of Christ) was told that revelation (like he just experienced), was to be what the Church was built upon.
No discredit to Peter! He was an amazing man. He was the one willing to fight to protect Christ when he was taken to court (John 18:10). I personally don’t feel that Peter denied Christ “thrice” because he was scared, but because he knew that he was needed to carry on the Lord’s work and was not supposed to die at that time.

Now, as to your other scripture references, I found it interesting that you chose to quote some of them.

Acts 20:29-30 – Paul knew that after his departing (note: did not say “last days”) “grievous wolves” would enter in, and “many disciples” would be drawn away. This happened after Paul’s departure, 1900+ years ago.

As for the rest of them, we actually use those same verses to prove the apostasy and general falling away from the truth.

You also stated that, “The Lord established the position of Bishop to ensure that the church continued.” The Bishop was a shepherd that watched over “A” flock.
Now, which office was appointed to be the foundation for the entire Church? Let’s keep quoting Paul, he’s doing great.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
‘And are built upon the FOUNDATION of the APOSTLES and PROPHETS, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
‘In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
‘In whom YE ALSO ARE BUILDED together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” –Ephesians 2:19-22

If the foundation of Christ’s Church was to be apostles and prophets, which church has them today?

Some nay-sayers will say “Nay… hold on a moment. The office of apostle was only necessary for the founding of the Church and was not supposed to continue.”

Paul states that Christ gave “some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…

Until when?

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” –Eph 4:11,13

When “we ALL come in the unity of the faith,” and every “Christian” quits quibbling about their differences we won’t need apostles anymore. Until then, we’re all trying to come to that unity of faith. Where is that? I believe it is the Church that has apostles and prophets and that is built upon the “petra” of revelation.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

What are mormon garments and why do they wear them?

2007-12-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

Great question. I'll do my best to answer you're question briefly. To start, I will mention that my dad is Jewish, I have a great friend that was jewish who converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I myself am I convert to the Church (though I was not Jewish) and have studied Hebrew.
The wearing of symbolic garments has been a practice in Jewish culture for a very long time. Orthodox Jews today still wear "tzit tzit" (pronounced tseet tseet). These are frays or tassels that are attached to a tallit gadol, which is a garment Jews wear that have tzit tzit on the corners (Numbers 15:38, Deuteronomy 22:12).
Now here is the commandment God gave to Israel, the covenant people:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their GARMENTS throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
‘And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and REMEMBER all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
‘That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.” –Numbers 15:38-40
Wearing of the garments serves as a reminder to faithful Latter-Day Saints to keep the commandments and promises they make to God.
Wearing of these garments was a commandment, and wearing/seeing them was a reminder to do the commandments (or mitzvot).
We know that Jesus was perfect and kept ALL of the commandments. We just read that wearing these garments was a commandment. *So to those of you who mocked the garments are mocking a commandment that the Lord gave AND kept.
Nowhere in the New Testament, is this commandment revoked, but to the contrary, it is reinforced (See Matt 22:11-12, Rev 7:9, 13-14 –referred to as robes, also called raiment). The garments are sacred and symbolic, and not magical in and of themselves. Blessings are given to those who keep the commandments, follow the savior, and keep their garments spotless (spiritually). Again, they are not to be treated lightly.
As for those who commented on Masons, you should know that the masons copied the temple ceremonies from the temple of Solomon.
The temple ceremonies were practiced in ancient Israel by commandment. Yes Joseph Smith was a mason. He corrected (by inspiration) their corrupted form of the temple rites. Again, if anyone mocks them, they are mocking the Lord.
Washings and anointings took place at the ancient temple also (Exodus 29:4-7). Anointing with oil was still in effect after Christ’s resurrection (Matt. 6:17, James 5:14). Also, Christ MEANS anointed one. The Lord restored these sacred things in their purity today

Best Wishes,
Rusty

will someone go to hell if they were never tought christianity?

2007-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

Tough question, huh?
Many people struggle with this one.
Fortunately, truth has been restored on earth. Many religions will claim that if a person who has never had the opportunity to hear about Jesus or his gospel will got to hell. That does not sound like a just God, does it?
It is true that
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” –Mark 16:16
Also, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” –John 3:5

Just as you asked, what DOES become of those who have never heard the gospel and hence, never had an opportunity to accept or reject it?

Simply put, everyone will have an opportunity to hear the gospel and choose for themselves, whether or not to believe it. Thus, everyone will be judged fairly. Paul said “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law….” –Romans 2:12
Now, this does not mean that someone who has not had the gospel will not be accountable for anything they have done, it just means that provisions are made.
I’m about to reference a lot of scriptures, so please be patient with me and follow along.
After the death of Christ, he went and visited the spirits of those who had already died, but had not been resurrected yet.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
‘By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” -1 Peter 3:18-19
“For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” -1 Peter 4:6 (dead in this verse comes from the Greek Nekros, which means corpse, or dead-it does not mean alive and spiritually dead).
Christ essentially opened up missionary work to those who had not had an opportunity to hear the gospel yet.
So, when did Jesus have an opportunity to go preach to these spirits? Well, when he was dead is the answer. We know that Christ’s body was in the tomb for 3 days, but where was his spirit? He was not in heaven for those whole three days. After Christ’s resurrection, Mary ran up to him and was going to touch the savior, but he said, “Touch me not; for I am NOT YET ascended to my Father.” –John 20:17
This doctrine is not discussed much these days, simply because most churches and or believers don’t understand or believe it. It was a common belief amongst Christians. If you look at history, you can even find paintings depicting Christ opening the gates of those kept in captivity who had not heard the gospel (example above-this is a catholic depiction of Limbo, but it's close enough to suit this entry's purpose).

In conclusion, every person will be accountable for their actions, and all will have the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel, and thus all will be judged fairly. It’s a beautiful doctrine and shows how just and loving our Heavenly Father is.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Why am I getting no answers to my prayers? Is there no God?

2007-12-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is a paraphrased question asked on Yahoo Answers:
"So I guess I don't really have a strong testimony. I would pray to ask if god really exists and get no answer. I prayed so many times, with no feeling or anything. What could this be? I'm healthy, normal, and I'm not on any meds or anything; I'm just normal. I read scriptures and engage my mind before praying, so what am I doing wrong? why are there no answers to my prayers? Is there no God? I mean I did everything right. I'm so confused. Please help!

Response:

I'm a convert myself. Answers are received in so many different ways. For me, reading the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon, is where I felt my Heavenly Father's love and concern.
Alma talks about planting the seed, which is "the word," and continuing to nourish it. -Alma 32 You've probably heard the adage, "If you want to talk to the Lord, pray. If you want to hear from the Lord, read your scriptures."
True conversion and faith come from frequent and deep study, and the spirit bearing witness of the truthfulness of what you read/hear. Remember, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." -Romans 10:17
Once you have had the witness of the spirit (and even before), commit to continue down the path you have commenced (2 Ne 31:20) and follow the promptings of the spirit. Moroni emphasized that we must ask with "real intent." -Moroni 10:4
You will have confidence in your life and will see through the ignorance in the world, especially many answers given on Yahoo Answers by people who don't know what they're talking about.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

It can be a struggle. Remember what Thomas Paine said "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly...."

Do Mormons belive that Jesus rose from the dead in a physical body?

2007-12-08T00:17:00.000-08:00

-I have never heard or been asked, before I responded to this question, if Mormons believed in the literal resurrection of Christ. We have been criticized for believing that he was literally resurrected.
After Christ’s resurrection he appeared to his disciples and they were afraid. He said, “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” –Luke 24:39
Christ appeared to the ancient Americans shortly after his resurrection and commanded them to touch him (similar to Thomas, John 20:27).
“And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.” -3rd Nephi 11:15
We absolutely believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the creator of the Universe?

2007-12-08T00:14:00.000-08:00

I assume that if something is written in the Book of Mormon, most will accept that that is what we believe.
A group of Nephites (an ancient branch of the Israelites) declared this, “O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who CREATED heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.” –Mosiah 4:2 (right out of the Book of Mormon).
There are MANY verses similar to this throughout the Book of Mormon, which is a great read if you ever have the time. I’m reading it through for the 23rd time myself.
We believe that Jesus is “the Word” that was WITH God, and the Word was God… and all things were made by him. –John 1:1-3

Why do Mormons have another book?

2007-12-07T23:36:00.000-08:00

Why do Mormons have another book? Doesn't the Bible say there is "no other gospel?"

-Though it is true that there is only one true gospel, the scripture referred to, that is often misunderstood, doesn’t say there is no other gospel. What Paul said to the fledgling Galation church was,
“As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” –Galations 1:8
Now, I assume that by you stating that we have “another gospel” you are referring to the Book of Mormon and/or our other scripture.
First off, gospel doesn’t mean book. It means good news. I would also say that “gospel” encompasses true doctrines and principles.
We teach the same good news, doctrines, and principles that Paul did. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that God would never give additional light and knowledge to the world.
In fact, it says many times that revelation would continue (see Joel 2:28, Rev 14:6-7).

Best Wishes,
Rusty
truthisrestored.blogspot.com

Do Mormons believe that Jesus and satan are spirit brothers?

2007-12-07T23:33:00.000-08:00

Do Mormons believe that Jesus and satan are spirit brothers? Doesn't the bible say they are not?

We believe that we all lived with our Heavenly Father before we came to earth. So, here is what the Bible says. There was a great war in heaven in which satan (Lucifer) and 1/3 of the hosts of heaven were cast out of heaven down to earth (Rev 12:1-9).
Satan, or Lucifer, was a son of the morning (Isaiah 14:12). This denotes that he was once respected and beloved. Jesus, us, and Satan and his followers were all spirit brothers and sisters in the pre-mortal realms because we were all created by God. That is why his fall from heaven was so shocking and terrible. His flaw was not wanting to eventually become like God, but wanting to usurp his thrown from him, and take his glory (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Do Mormons teach that we can become Gods?

2007-12-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

Do Mormons teach that we can become Gods? Doesn't the bible say we cannot.

-We absolutely do teach that doctrine. Do you really think if you go to heaven to live with God (who is your literal Father) that all you do is strum a harp and sing hymns, forever? –I’m obviously being a little facetious here, but seriously, think about it.
Now here’s what the Bible does say:
Paul, speaking to the Romans, said,
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
‘And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” –Romans 8:16-17
Now, if we really are “children of God,” when we eternally grow up, who do we become like? Our Father. Also, if we are joint-heirs with Christ, what do we jointly inherit? Well, Christ said “All things that the Father hath are mine.” –John 16:15
So, if we are children of God, live forever in heaven, and jointly inherit all things that the father hath, what does that make you?
Jesus actually answered this question when speaking to the Jews:
“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
‘If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
‘Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” –John 10:34 (Christ quoted Ps 82:6: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”)
The scripture cannot be broken.

Accusation: “The book of Mormon contradicts the New Testament and takes away from what Jesus Christ did on the cross."

2007-12-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

Accusation: “The book of Mormon contradicts the New Testament and takes away from what Jesus Christ did on the cross."

-This is a statement made by someone who has clearly not read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover.
It speaks for itself:
Nephi, The author of the first two –books- in the Book of Mormon wrote (early 6th century BC) of what he saw in vision:
“And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.”
‘And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.” -1 Nephi 11:32-33
Jesus Christ himself said to a group of Nephites (ancient Americans)
“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil….” -3 Nephi 27:14
Regardless of whether you believe the Book of Mormon to be true or not, It still teaches about the same Jesus Christ you read about in the New Testament.

Accusation: "The Holy Bible is very specific about adding to or taking way."

2007-12-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

:Accusation: “The Holy Bible is very specific about adding to or taking way.”

-Don’t worry; this is a commonly misquoted passage. You are referring to Rev. 22:18-19:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of THIS book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in THIS book:
‘And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of THIS prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in THIS book.”
To interpret this as saying the Book of Mormon is adding to the Bible and hence going against the Bible is incorrect for many reasons. I will only mention three:
1. The word Bible comes from “Biblio,” which means library. There are 66 –books- in the Bible. The first Christian Bible was not put together until the 4th century AD. You will notice that I emphasized “THIS book” in the quoted passage above. -Meaning the book, Revelation. The Book of Mormon does not add to “the prophecy of THIS book.”
2. Chronology – You may look at any reputable encyclopedia or Bible commentary (if you care to) and find that most Bible scholars place the writing of the Book of Revelation about 20-25 years before the Gospel of John was written. If we interpret Rev. 22:18-19 in the context you put forth, then we have to toss John’s own gospel out of the Bible because he wrote that –book- after Revelation. Personally, I like the gospel of John and wouldn’t want to see it removed.
3. Also, in the –book- of Deuteronomy, the Lord commands “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” –Deut 4:2
Again, if we interpret that the way you suggest we should interpret Rev 22:18-19, we would have to throw 61 (of 66) –books- out of the Bible. Let us not be hasty.

Does mormon fall under the more general umbrella of christianity? is it christianity?

2007-12-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

With so many conflicting opinions it’s difficult to determine what the answer is, huh?
Well, the answer to your question is yes and no. Yes because we are Christians (believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ). No because we do not fall under the “general umbrella of Christianity.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is unique because we believe the Lord’s original church, which HE established (with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers… -Eph 4:11), fell into darkness and disarray, resulting in a general apostasy from the truth (and church) Christ himself established. The Lord restored his original Church and truth in our day.
Now this is a strong statement: The Church of Jesus Christ is not an “arm” (as someone commented) or appendage of modern Christianity, it is the Church that Jesus Christ himself organized in these Latter-Days.
I know that’s a lot to mull over (I’m a convert to the Church myself). If you want factual, from-the-source information, visit www.mormon.org.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Why do some people believe that members of the LDS Church (Mormons) worship Joseph Smith and not Jesus Christ?

2007-12-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

Great question. Interesting responses thus far also. As far as responding to the nay-sayers, I think Mickey P snubbed Schneb well enough. Peter Priesthood pitched a perfect prose response too.

Coming from a convert's (i.e., outside) perspective, I think there are two main reasons for this misconception:
1. Innocent Ignorance
2. Intentional Ignorance

Here's an example of the first. When I was in high school I asked a Mormon friend (I had not yet joined the Church) what went on in the temples. I don’t remember the exact details of that conversation because he was so excited to start talking about the Church he probably gave me the first 4 discussions. So I went away from that conversation thinking that Mormons baptized gold plates on behalf of the dead. No joke. If I had not studied it out myself I would probably still believe that as well as believe what anti-mormons, or anyone for that matter, told me.

“For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it “ –D&C 123:12

This next section is not meant to slight or offend anyone, it is my honest observation however.

There are many people who are against the Church, who have fallen away from the Church, and even some who are in the Church who willfully and intentional remain ignorant of the restored truths of the gospel. In all seriousness, in some ways that makes life a lot easier! We belong to a church with very high standards. Think about it from their point of view. “If Joseph Smith wasn’t a fraud, then the Book of Mormon is true, then I have been wrong, then I do have to do more than just confess with my mouth and believe (Rom 10:9), then I am accountable for every decision in my life, then I have to keep trying harder and harder every day to be the best I can be, then I have to stand strong against the millions of people who want to tear my beliefs and my religion down everyday, etc….”

-I know that this is not exactly most people in that categories cognizant thought process; I’m just making a point.

To summarize the intentionally ignorant: It mostly boils down to pride. Anti’s don’t want to think they might be wrong, apostates are usually offended at someone in the Church, and many members in the church think they know better –without having studied very much- and pick and choose which commandments to keep and which doctrines to believe.

It takes a humble heart and mind in order to truly follow the Lord throughout mortality.

Still, many intentionally ignorant will continue to slander the Church and accuse us wrongly. Let’s not forget what the Lord (that would be Jesus, not Brother Joseph) said to those nay-saying Pharisees: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matt 12:36

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Does God still speak to man?

2007-12-03T14:09:00.002-08:00

He absolutely does.
The common misconception is that the Bible is one book. The word Bible itself comes from Biblio, meaning library. The actual Bible, or the many versions thereof, was not compiled until the 4th century, A.D. -And that, after much contention. Another major change occurred when certain books from the Catholic version of the bible (Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, etc...), often referred to as the deuterocanonical books.

The bible was not one journal that one prophet would pick up, write their dealings with God, then hand it on to the next.
To assume that everything God has ever said or did is contained in the Bible is selling God short. The last verse in the Gospel of John states "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." -John 21:25

I believe the Bible, don't get me wrong. I'm just amazed that so many people that claim to believe in a living God say that he does not speak to his servants anymore.
Why would he not?
Does he not love us anymore?
Do we not need his continued guidance anymore?
If the argument is to be used that all we need is in the Bible, then we might as well say that if we have Matthew, we don't need Mark or Luke (the other synoptic gospels), because they contain similar information.
Yes, God still speaks. Yes he still cares. And in my opinion, the world is in more need of his guidance and inspired servants than ever before.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

Why Does God Love Us?

2007-12-03T14:09:00.001-08:00

Great question Yolanda. Sometimes it seems like there's not much to love. huh?

To give you a simple answer, God loves us because we are literally his children (Acts 17:29 in the Bible). He is our Father. Jesus Christ is our brother and his whole mission (living a perfect life, suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross, and his resurrection) was to enable us to return to our Heavenly Father and live with him. You have probably heard the term "grace of God" before. That is what it means. Grace is God's enabling power to help us through life and become the best we can be.

God did not make you to be his toy or entertainment. He cares about YOU just as an earthly father cares about their child (except infinitely more). He wants the best for you and he is happy when you are truly happy.

If you have the time, go to www.mormon.org.

This life is about making choices. You are the only one accountable for those choices. Don't let what others say dissuade you from following your heart. There will always be nay-sayers. Trust that YOUR Heavenly Father will lead you the right way.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

What is in the Book of Mormon that fulfills the Bible?

2007-12-03T14:07:00.001-08:00

This is a fun question. Unfortunately I only have time to mention a few things.

1. Jacob gave an interesting blessing to his son Joseph just before he died.
"Jacob is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.... The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills...."
-Gen. 49:22-26
Often scriptures referencing fruit refer to posterity; e.g., "fruit of thy loins" (which to keep this simple I will quote again shortly).
The posterity of Joseph will run over the wall of the well. Obviously Joseph is not literally a branch, and he will not literally grow over the walls of a well. Branches (or tribes) of the house of Israel were lead away (or captured and enslaved) from time to time. the general scattering of the tribes is usually referred to as the "diaspora." -dispersion.
A few families heeded warnings from the Lord's prophets and fled before they were forced to.
Lehi and Ishmael were two such men who departed from Jerusalem with their families and were led across the ocean (WELL) to the ancient Americas around 600 BC.
Lehi was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph (Alma 10:3). These families had great blessings bestowed upon them and were highly favored of the Lord, thus fulfilling in part Joseph's blessing under the hands of Jacob.
The "everlasting hills" mentioned in this blessing, where some of the fruit of Joseph were to travel to, may be realistically identified as the mountain range stretching from the North tip of Alaska, to the southern tip of South America. -The Rockies and the Andes combine for this string of "everlasting hills."

2. Our friend previously quoted Ezekiel 37:16-19. Summarized briefly, two sticks are to be written on. One by Judah, one by Joseph. A stick is a scroll, much like the Dead Sea Scrolls. So two peoples are to write on scrolls and bring them together. The Bible contains mainly the writings of Jews (those from the tribe of Judah). The Book of Mormon contains mainly the writings of those of the posterity of Joseph (those who grew over the well). These TWO records combine to testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ and his supreme mission. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." -2 Cor 13:1, Deut 19:15

3. John 10:16, is an interesting one also. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall here my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” Christ proclaims to the Nephites (descendants of Lehi-from the tribe of Joseph) that they and other scattered tribes are the “other sheep” he was to visit. See 3 Nephi 15:12-24.

Many nay-sayers have tried to make sense of this verse by saying that the other sheep were the gentiles. Here’s the problem, Christ specifically stated that these sheep were to hear HIS voice, and he also stated that HE was only sent to the lost (or other) sheep of the house of Israel (Matt 15:24). In fact the Apostles were not given the green light to preach the gospel to the gentiles until long after the ascension of the Savior when it was revealed to Peter in vision. See Acts10

I hope this helped.

Best wishes,
Rusty

LDS Question: Are Jehovah and Elohim seperate Gods?

2007-12-03T14:03:00.001-08:00

LDS Question: Are Jehovah and Elohim seperate Gods?

LDS theology teaches that Jehovah is the preincarnate Jesus Christ, while Elohim is the formal name for the Heavenly Father. LDS theology also teaches that they are not the same God, which is blasphemous, but two distinct Gods who both comprise two Holy Personages of the Godhead.

In the King James Version of the Bible, the word Jehovah is the Elizabethan approximation of the actual Hebrew word YHWH, which is also translated as LORD. The word "God" is almost always a translation of the word "Elohim" from Hebrew. How does the average Latter-day Saint reconcile the verse Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel! The LORD (Jehovah) is our God (Elohim), the LORD is one!" with his or her LDS understanding of the meaning of those words? Is Jehovah actually God, or is the Bible incorrect and not to be trusted? Note, also, that the phrase "the LORD (Jehovah) our God (Elohim)" occurs numerous times throughout the Bible.

My Response

Ma shlomcha? Ani tove maiod. Ani ohev ze tanakh.

Hello Ryan. I respect your zeal for doing what you think is
right. Some of the greatest missionaries in the world are those who exerted tremendous effort in doing what they believed was right and the Lord's work. When they were corrected they became very helpful and powerful. Saul of Tarsus comes to mind. Saul had trouble accepting Jesus as the prophesied Messiah (due partly to an extremely strong personality and very thorough training at the feet of Gamaliel -a prominent Jewish scholar of the time). He fought against the young church to the point where he sought their executions throughout the lands. On one such journey he was confronted by Jesus Christ himself who set him straight on whom he was fighting against. We now know him as Paul, one of the greatest missionaries to ever walk the earth.
I myself am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I mention this so it is understood that I know both sides of the argument.

Now, after my long winded introduction I will answer your question by showing that the answer is in the question itself.

I commenced my response with a little bit of Hebrew (which I have studied). Translated, "how are you? I am very good. I love the Bible."

El, Eli, Eloi, Eloah are all forms of the word "god."
*Christ, agonizing on the cross cried out "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani?" which is translated "My (God), my (God), why hast thou forsaken me?" -Matt 27:46
*Bethel - "house of God"
*Israel - "to prevail with God"

What's interesting is when the "im," or "him," is added to a word, it pluralizes it.

*Yehuda = Jew, or Judah
Yehudim = jews

The addition of "him" to El, or Elo, does two things: It makes it greater -god, the (almighty). It also pluralizes it. Hence, a more accurate translation would read "The gods created man in their image." This more accurate translation has partly come through in the King James Version:

"And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after our likeness..." -Gen 1:26

By the way, Elohim is not the "formal name for the heavenly father," though It is a title that is often used to refer to him. These are semantics, but you sound like you wouldn't settle for anything less than a thorough and accurate answer.

I personally do not believe that God is schizophrenic and that he refers to himself (one individual) as "us," as did the man possessed of an unclean spirit who referred to himself as "legion: for we are many." -Mark 5:9 It would also seem contradictory for Jesus to pray to himself and proclaim, "this is my beloved son" from the heavens when he was
baptized. -Matt 3:16-17 There was at least one other entity with God the Father at the time of the creation. It is strange that so many nay-sayers go up in arms at the thought of another god (not a pagan god or idol, but one just like Heavenly Father). Much of this opposition probably comes from a lack of true understanding of who God is and what his purposes are.

Let's tackle the second part of your question now.

Since the fall of Adam, Jehovah (Jesus Christ) has been the mediator between Heavenly Father (Elohim) and mankind (his children). It was already planned in what we refer to as “the counsels in heaven.” He was the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” –Revelation 13:8

I don’t believe you would disagree with me then that Jehovah was the God who dealt with man. -See Exodus 6:3. That Jehovah came to earth and took on the earthly name of Jesus (which is also a poor translation) is probably also agreed upon. –see Isaiah 12:2: “Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also IS BECOME my salvation.”

Jehovah is not properly translated as “the Lord.” YHWH, which you mentioned, is often referred to as the tetragrammaton. The ancient Jews considered the utterance of this name so holy that if used improperly it was punishable by death. “Adoni,” which does mean “lord” or “majesty,” was often substituted for it. It is a somewhat irrelevant point in this situation. What IS relevant are the words that follow. You quoted Deut. 6:4: “The LORD is our God, the LORD is one. I’ve just explained that “the LORD” is Jehovah. We both agree on this. However, “our God” is not translated from Elohim in the Hebrew text. It comes from Elohe-"NU,” which is first person plural. Adding “nu” to a word is simply saying “our.” And remember that El is not a name, but a title. The King James translators did a good job with this phrase. It is simply stating, “The LORD (Jehovah) is our God.” So, there is no contradiction.-and this goes for the other times this phrase is used as well. "God" in this situation is not referring to Elohim (God the Father).

Stating the “the Lord is one,” is saying that the LORD (Jehovah) is almighty/all-powerful. -As opposed to idols. Remember that this is directed to the Israelites (“Hear, O Israel!”) who frequently fell into false idol worship.

To sum up: “Jehovah is our God, and he is almighty.”

Yes, Jehovah (Jesus Christ) is a distinct, separate being from Elohim (Heavenly Father), and yes he is God, or “a” God if you want to be specific, and is equal, or possessing the same abilities and perfection as our Heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:5-6 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with God”

If you have plowed through this entire thing I thank you for your time. I wanted to answer your question thoroughly and satisfactorily.

If you’re still curious how Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost can be distinct personages and yet still be called “one,” I find the “Great Intercessory Prayer,” also called the “High-priestly Prayer,” found in John 17 to clear that up (especially v 11 and 21).

And yes Ryan, the Bible can be trusted. It is just important to keep things in context (and additional light from modern revelation definitely helps). The Bible has been through numerous translations and interpretations. One verse (or group of similar versus) can be confusing. For example, Exodus 15:3 states that God is a man of war….” 1 John 4:8 states that “God is love.” Someone who is not very familiar with the Bible might read that and think the Bible is not divinely inspired because it contradicts itself. You and I know otherwise.

Best Wishes,
Rusty

What exactly does the Book of Mormon teach?

2007-12-03T02:13:00.000-08:00

Great question.

I asked the same myself almost 9 years ago when I was curious what my friends (who were Mormon) believed. I have since become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have over the last 8.5 years studied the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon) about 2-3 hours a day. -I don't claim to know everything, but I am knowledgeable in this subject. Not to slight others who have responded to your question, but I don't think many of them can say the same.

Now, to answer your question. The Book of Mormon contains numerous discourses from various ancient prophets that were descendants of some of the "Lost tribes of Israel" spoken of in the Old Testament. These tribes were scattered across the earth, some of which were led to the ancient Americas (which is the setting of the Book of Mormon). It also contains fragments of the religious and civil history of these peoples.

Page for page, the Book of Mormon references Jesus Christ more than the Bible (a fact which those who have not read the Book of Mormon completely, or the Bible for that matter) are ignorant of when they accuse members of the Church as being "not Christian."

Key teachings include:
*salvation comes only through the name of Jesus Christ.
-Mosiah 3:17, 2 Nephi 25:20. Compare to John 14:6 and
Acts 4:12 in the Bible

*We are all children of God our Heavenly Father and he loves and knows each of us individually.
-1 Nephi 11:17. Compare to Acts 17:29 in the Bible

*Through faith in Christ and repentance, we can not only be
forgiven of our sins and weaknesses, but overcome them
completely.
-3 Nephi 27:20, Alma 26:12. Compare to Hebrews 11:6 and
Philippians 4:13 in the Bible

I can list many more topics and many more references, but the Book of Mormon's subtitle does the best job of summarizing its content: "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." I am currently reading the Book of Mormon through for the 23rd time and have read the Bible numerous times as well. I find rich insights in both as I combine what I have learned.

There will always be nay-sayers to listen to, but honest, intelligent, and truth-seeking people usually go to the source. You don't go to a Chevy dealership to learn about Fords. It is ironic that many of those who profess to be Christians are so quick to cast stones at a book that supports the canon (scriptures) they base their faith in.

If you are still curious about the Church and want official information, visit www.mormon.org.

Best wishes,
Rusty