What John The Revelator ACTUALLY Saw

Shocking new discoveries may change the way we view the Book of Revelation. Google "Revelation 12 + September 23, 2017" for added insight on what John the Revelator saw an what this means to those of "The House of Israel" and all who were adopted into this covenant be it Christian or otherwise... days of Tribulation are happening now. The great Tribulation is NOT yet but maybe 23 months away. Watch and be vigilant. (Revelation 16:15; 18:4)

To watch the Heavens preview from now till September 23, 2017, click this YouTube video below and continue watching. https://youtu.be/aH0SYG6OQXA?t=6h38m19s Start the space time lapse video, click: 1 day after Yom Teruah - "The Day of Trumpets" is the Revelation 12 sign (September 23, 2017) where many are now saying COULD be the beginning days of the "Great Tribulation" - the children of light will not be overtaken as a 'thief in the night." #greattribulation #rapture

What is an LDS General Conference?

About General Conference What is general conference? General conference is a semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During general conference weekend, Church members and others gather worldwide in a series of two-hour sessions to receive inspiration and instruction from Church leaders. When is the next general conference? Conference sessions are held the first weekends in April and October. They are held Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain time. What should I expect? Click the graphic below to learn more about this global event. All members of the Church are invited to participate in the 184th Annual General Conference of the Church, which will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, 2014, with general sessions each day at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT), and the general priesthood meeting on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. MDT.

For conference details, visit this link: https://www.lds.org/church/events/watch-april-2014-general-conference?lang=eng

The Case For Restoration

I have had various questions placed before me about the need or their opinions that there is lacking the need for restoration when we speak of Christianity or Christianities church. Let me see if I can bring an example about that could illustrate what I feel is a good case for restoration. I will do this in a certain language and there will not be much talk over a church... you'll have to use your spiritual ears on this one.

If someone told you that this is a Porche, would you get excited enough to ride in it? (And I don't mean just so you could laugh about it and take a 'selfie photo' while in it to share with your friends.) Seriously though, if someone told you that this is a Porche, would you believe them?

Now if anyone could find a Drivers Manual for this Porsche, then nothing about the above image could convince me that it was being operated under its proper intended use.

Agree or disagree, the only thing that could restore this Porsche to its original glory and intended use is by the Master Mechanic or the car's creator. The car owner here might not think it needs restoration to meet his needs and besides, there really isn't any gasoline (priesthood) where he lives so it's going to run a bit differently than it's intended use. Some prefer to walk everywhere they go, have no car or belong to. (ie, no organized religion) Having a vehicle capable of taking the hopefuls to their eventual destination has just gotten a brief lesson on picking the right vehicle. To the well trained eye, one may say that this isn't a Porsche at all and they're probably right if their expectation of the Porsche is different than the one presented here.

Some may ask, "an you find that anywhere outside of LDS literature? Is there any extra-LDS documentation to show that was there originally and needed to be restored?"

One might not believe me that this is a Porsche. Likewise, when people show me this Porsche, I have a perfect knowledge of what a Porsche should look like based on seeing the newer working model. I can tell that this was once a car. It is evident in the body and the two wheels that remain and from what I read in the owner's manual. I have a "Porche Perspective" and I don't have any Non-Porsche literature available to tell me that this porsche needed restoration. I just have my own observations.

When I say that this is the Porsche which was the original Porsche, one would also say no way. I am not saying that it is an exact copy of the one that fell into ruin. I'm saying that it is made by the Manufacturer, Porsche. In like manner, people will disagree and say, "I don't see where the engine is necessary. We have a mule. This is sufficient." Not that we're trying to make that older Porsche run again... but the name Porsche has been restored. And anyone can see compared to the two images, that both were cars and meant to run on Gasoline.

Now what the world says (who only knew of the further above image currently only using the above mentioned model) "I should suppose that this new car is unnecessary because there is no place to put the mule to name just one reason why this restoration of the Porsche should be necessary."

I don't have to look into much Non-LDS published material but if I can use the Bible (also LDS used) then perhaps this is something that can shed some more light on the awareness that there would be an Apostasy and its accompanying restoration needed and foreseen. Scriptures:

Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Isaiah 11:11 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Joel 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 28 ¶And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Matt 17:11 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Revelation 14: 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

1 Nephi 15:13 - And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—

Isaiah 49:22-23 - Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

I testify that God has done this thing. That upon the Lord's return, this vast effort to prepare the earth for his coming has been under way for the past 200 years, thereabouts. This would be necessary for both prophecies about his coming and the further fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy about Elijah's return to the earth and our work to remember our kindred dead. We will be quite busy in the temples, night and day, to finish that all important work for the dead. (Revelation 7:15) - this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Visitors Center @ The Portland, Oregon Temple Is Now Open

Like Us On Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/portlandvc

Physical Address

13600 SW Kruse Oaks Boulevard Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035-8602 United States

Mailing Address

13600 SW Kruse Oaks Blvd Lake Oswego, OR 97035-8602 Telephone: 503-639-7066 Fax: 503-620-8093 Distribution Services: 503-639-6359

Announcement: 7 April 1984

Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 20 September 1986 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Public Open House: 15 June–8 July 1989, Dedication: 19–21 August 1989 by Gordon B. Hinckley

Site: 7.3 acres.

Exterior Finish: White marble walls and slate roof.

Ordinance Rooms: Four ordinance rooms (stationary) and fourteen sealing. Total Floor Area: 80,500 square feet.

Temple Locale

Rising elegantly among towering Douglas-fir trees, the six spires of the marble-clad Portland Oregon Temple create a beautiful sight for motorists traveling Oregon's I-5, situated about 8 miles south of downtown Portland in Lake Oswego. On the east side of the temple is a serene reflection pool sitting at the base of the main spire. Visitors are welcome to walk among the gorgeous gardens that decorate the temple grounds and to obtain additional information at the public visitors' center that features films, displays, multimedia presentations, and a stunning reproduction of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue.

Temple Facts

The Portland Oregon Temple was the first temple built in Oregon. The Portland Oregon Temple sits on land originally purchased in the 1960s for a Church junior college. Later when that decision was reversed, 7.3 acres were retained for the temple. The two-story Celestial Room of the Portland Oregon Temple features three chandeliers, long wall tapestries, and a grand staircase.

On the top floor of the Portland Oregon Temple are a collection of sealing rooms with white marble altars and a large assembly hall. The floor plan created for the Portland Oregon Temple was adapted and used for the Las Vegas Nevada Temple.

On May 11, 1988, the gold-leafed statue of the angel Moroni was set into place atop the 170-foot eastern spire to an audience of television cameras, newspaper photographers, and beaming Church members. A whopping 314,232 visitors toured the Portland Oregon Temple during its public open house. At the time, it was the fifth highest number of temple open house visitors in Church history.

President Ezra Taft Benson presided and offered remarks at the first three dedicatory sessions of the Portland Oregon Temple, though he extended the responsibility of offering the dedicatory prayer to his first counselor, Gordon B. Hinckley. In 1994, the Portland Oregon Temple was awarded first place by the Royal Rosarians of Portland, Oregon, in the category of commercial rose plantings. Portland is known as the "City of Roses."

On February 25, 2012, the Portland Oregon Temple Visitors' Center opened its doors to the public in the building adjacent to the temple that formerly housed Distribution Services—relocated a short distance away next to an operating Deseret Book store.

He Has Already Paid The Price

By BY ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Adapted from an address given at a June 2001 mission presidents’ seminar in Provo, Utah. "Christ’s atoning sacrifice was for “all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” (original article found at http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/04/the-atonement-and-faith?lang=eng)

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without this faith, the prophet Mormon said we are not fit to be numbered among the people of His Church (see Moroni 7:39). The first commandment Jehovah gave to the children of Israel was “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). We should always put the Savior first. This powerful idea—that we must have faith and put the Lord first in our lives—seems simple, but in practice many find it difficult.

The scriptures teach us that faith comes by hearing the word of God. The word of God, which comes to us by scripture, by prophetic teaching, and by personal revelation, teaches us that we are children of God the Eternal Father. It teaches us about the identity and mission of Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, our Savior and Redeemer. Founded on our knowledge of those things, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a conviction and trust that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with what is best for us.

Faith in the Lord is trust in the Lord. We cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. As a result, no matter how strong our faith is, it cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him in whom we have faith. Remember that when your prayers do not seem to be answered in the way or at the time you desire. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security and serenity in our lives.

We look first to our Savior Jesus Christ. He is our model. Our model is not the latest popular hero of sports or entertainment. Similarly, our most precious possessions are not the expensive toys and diversions that encourage us to concentrate on what is temporary and to forget what is eternal. Our model—our first priority—is Jesus Christ. We must testify of Him and teach one another how we can apply His teachings and His example in our lives.

The Savior Builds Us Up President Brigham Young (1801–1877) gave us some practical advice on how to recognize Him whom we follow. “The difference between God and the Devil,” he said, “is that God creates and organizes, while the whole study of the Devil is to destroy.” 1 In that contrast we have an important example of the reality of “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). Remember that our Savior Jesus Christ always builds us up and never tears us down. We should apply the power of that example in the ways we use our time, including our recreation and our diversions. Consider the themes of the books, magazines, movies, television shows, and music we in the world have made popular by our patronage. Do the things portrayed in our chosen entertainment build up or tear down the children of God? During my lifetime I have seen a strong trend to set aside entertainment that builds up and dignifies the children of God and to replace it with portrayals and performances that are depressing, demeaning, and destructive. The powerful idea in this contrast is that whatever builds people up serves the cause of the Master, and whatever tears people down serves the cause of the adversary. We support one cause or the other every day by our patronage and by our thoughts and desires. This should remind us of our responsibility to support what is good and motivate us toward doing this in a way that will be pleasing to Him whose suffering offers us hope and whose example gives us direction.

Suffering Is Part of Repentance The central idea in the gospel of Jesus Christ—its most powerful idea, along with the universal Resurrection—is the Atonement of our Savior. We are His servants, and it is critical that we understand the role of the Atonement in our own lives and in the lives of those we teach. Essential to that understanding is an understanding of the relationship between justice and mercy and the Atonement, and the role of suffering and repentance in this divine process. The awful demands of justice upon those who have violated the laws of God—the state of misery and torment described in the scriptures—can be intercepted and swept away by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This relationship between justice on the one hand and mercy and the Atonement on the other is the core idea of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon teaches that the Savior does not redeem men in their sins: “The wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death” (Alma 11:41). The Savior came to redeem men from their sins upon the conditions of repentance (see Helaman 5:11).

One of those conditions of repentance is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, including faith in and reliance upon His atoning sacrifice. As Amulek taught, “He that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption” (Alma 34:16). This obviously means that the unrepentant transgressor must suffer for his own sins. Does it also mean that a person who repents does not need to suffer at all because the entire punishment is borne by the Savior? That cannot be the meaning because it would be inconsistent with the Savior’s other teachings.

What is meant by Alma 34:16 is that the person who repents does not need to suffer even as the Savior suffered for that sin. Sinners who are repenting will experience some suffering, but because of their repentance and the Atonement they will not experience the full, exquisite extent of eternal torment the Savior suffered for those sins. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), who gave such comprehensive teachings on repentance and forgiveness, said that personal suffering is a very important part of repentance. “One has not begun to repent until he has suffered intensely for his sins. … If a person hasn’t suffered,” he said, “he hasn’t repented.”

Lehi taught this principle when He said the Savior’s atoning sacrifice was for “all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered” (2 Nephi 2:7). The truly repentant sinner who comes to Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit has been through a process of personal pain and suffering for sin. He or she understands the meaning of Alma’s statement that none but the truly penitent are saved. Alma the Younger certainly understood this. Read his accounts in Mosiah 27 and in Alma 36. President Kimball said, “Very frequently people think they have repented and are worthy of forgiveness when all they have done is to express sorrow or regret at the unfortunate happening.” There is a big difference between the godly sorrow that worketh repentance (see 2 Corinthians 7:10), which involves personal suffering, and the easy and relatively painless sorrow for being caught, or the misplaced sorrow Mormon described as “the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin” (Mormon 2:13).

We Must Make a Mighty Change Why is it necessary for us to suffer on the way to repentance for serious transgressions? We tend to think of the results of repentance as simply cleansing us from sin, but that is an incomplete view of the matter. A person who sins is like a tree that bends easily in the wind. On a windy and rainy day, the tree bends so deeply against the ground that the leaves become soiled with mud, like sin. If we focus only on cleaning the leaves, the weakness in the tree that allowed it to bend and soil its leaves may remain. Similarly, a person who is merely sorry to be soiled by sin will sin again in the next high wind. The susceptibility to repetition continues until the tree has been strengthened. When a person has gone through the process that results in what the scriptures call “a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” the Savior does more than cleanse that person from sin. He gives him or her new strength. That strengthening is essential for us to realize the purpose of the cleansing, which is to return to our Heavenly Father. To be admitted to His presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed from a morally weak person who has sinned into a strong person with the spiritual stature to dwell in the presence of God. We must, as the scripture says, become “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 3:19). This is what the scripture means in its explanation that a person who has repented of his sins will forsake them. Forsaking sins is more than resolving not to repeat them. Forsaking involves a fundamental change in the individual. King Benjamin’s congregation described that mighty change by saying that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). Persons who have had that kind of change in their hearts have attained the strength and stature to dwell with God. That is one definition of what we call being saved. Repentance has been the message in every dispensation. The risen Lord emphasized this to the Nephites in explaining what He called “the gospel which I have given unto you” (3 Nephi 27:13): “Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:20). In modern revelation, the Lord explained, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, are damned, and shall not come into my Father’s kingdom where my Father and I am” (D&C 84:74).

Forgiveness Is Certain I conclude with a message of hope that is true for all but especially needed by those who think that repentance is too hard. Repentance is a continuing process needed by all because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Repentance is possible, and then forgiveness is certain. President Kimball said: “Sometimes … when a repentant one looks back and sees the ugliness, the loathsomeness of the transgression, he is almost overwhelmed and wonders, ‘Can the Lord ever forgive me? Can I ever forgive myself?’ But when one reaches the depths of despondency and feels the hopelessness of his position, and when he cries out to God for mercy in helplessness but in faith, there comes a still, small, but penetrating voice whispering to his soul, ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee.’” When this happens, we have the fulfillment of the precious promise that God will take away the guilt from our hearts through the merits of His Son (see Alma 24:10). How comforting the promise in Isaiah 1:18 that “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” How glorious God’s own promise that “he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42). I testify that these words are true, that this message is the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the plan of God our Eternal Father, of which our Savior Jesus Christ is the author and finisher. I testify of Jesus Christ and of His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and of the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days through the instrumentality of Joseph Smith.

We cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. The truly repentant sinner who comes to Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit has been through a process of personal pain and suffering for sin. The state of misery and torment described in the scriptures can be intercepted and swept away by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When a person has “a broken heart and a contrite spirit,” the Savior does more than cleanse that person from sin. He gives him or her new strength.

Thy Faith, © by Judith A. Mehr Above: Detail from Godly Sorrow, by Douglas M. Fryer. Right: Detail from Christ in Gethsemane, by Heinrich Hoffman, courtesy C. Harrison Conroy Co. Inc.Christ in a Red Robe, by Minerva Tiechert, courtesy Church History Museum

You can ask Heavenly Father in prayer to increase your faith. You can help your faith grow by reading the scriptures (see Romans 10:17; Helaman 15:7-8). Your faith will increase as you strive to live the teachings of Jesus Christ (see Alma 32:28-29).

Praise to the Man?

Praise to the man, Joseph Smith? Why do Mormons worship a man when they should be worshiping Jesus?

In a closed discussion between myself and a "Jen Johnson" I get this final bid for my repentance. Before she said adieu, I get this final thought from her.

Jen Johnson Praise to the Man is what the song is about. The whole song is a hymn to Smith praising him. I have seen 'Christmas bulletins' with Smith on the cover and all about Smith. I have SEEN them, from a ward in CA I'm not narrow minded, I know the truth. I was where you are and God opened my eyes. It was hard to leave Mormonism, I loved it, but I couldn't live a lie. And LDS place their faith in 'the church' rather than Christ. You must choose between Mormonism and Christ of the Bible. They are not the same. I pray God will open your eyes to the lies of Mormonism. Life is SO much better outside of it and with a personal relationship with Christ - and Mormonism will not give you taht, or salvation> I know you think I am harsh, but I am harsh because I care enough to want you saved and out of Mormonism. I love Mormons enough to tell them the truth, but they are so brainwashed that they only want warm fuzzy feelings and run and hide every time someone challenges their faith in the Mormon church. Been there, done that, read the book, saw the (endowment) movie, wore the garments...and Christ broke those chains. I will pray for you.

First of all, I appreciate the thoughts and prayers that all have made on my behalf and I too, shall pray for you as well. Unfortunately, at the heart of this matter, we need to address this very important consideration. I think that people like Jen have been lied to by folks who will lie because to them, the end justifies the means.

Let's examine the hymn, right now.

Then also we will examine a few quotes that were taken out of context. “27: Praise to the Man,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 27

Vigorously

1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. [Chorus] Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain. Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again.

2. Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.

3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood. Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven; Earth must atone for the blood of that man. Wake up the world for the conflict of justice. Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again. Text: William W. Phelps, 1792–1872

Music: Scottish folk song

Doctrine and Covenants 135, 2 Nephi 3:14–15

So according to some Christians and probably 99% of all ex-mo's (Ex-mormons) they have their grievances with this hymn. They will swear that it is in this hymn, and that Mormons value Joseph Smith over Jesus but please read the words of the hymn? Does anyone derive that he is anything more than the law giver himself?

A servant of the Lord forever... crowned with glory. These are all things that WE MAY do and participate in as we also overcome the world to sit down by our heavenly father's side; clothed with honor to sit on thrones and to inherit all that our heavenly father has!(See Revelations 3:21, 21:7, Romans 8:13-19)

Setting all of this aside, what is the definition of the word, praise?

Praise: 1)the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

2) the state of being approved or admired: The king lived in praise for many years.

3) to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

...Kings shall extol him, and nations revere. It's all about reverence towards and respect to the man, who despite all odds, was able to help God restore the truths regarding this plan of happiness which was prepared from the foundation of the world. Is he NOT worthy of someone's praise or respect seeing that this should all pan out?

Men on earth, certainly get praise. Such political figures, as of late, are being praised for the things that they have done or the things that they may be capable of doing in advance, or before the fact.

I have heard songs of praise directed towards Barrack Obama.

Now, I do not share those same thoughts and I don't sing any praises to that man but about 51% of Americans do. Would some say or have some considered Obama to have been more important than God? I'll let history decide this one but let's return to the matter at hand.

WHO IS PRAISEWORTHY?

I suggest it is someone that is worthy of our praise. See this video representation about earthly praise. Some have called the LDS church, a cult... but in the next sentence, seem to praise and honor other things which have less worth or ought to be worth less of our time and devotion. Enjoy this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqr_09-Z5fU , ...thank u for taking a moment to watch this video.

Can you see where the world praises the accomplishments of men? Who is deserving of our praise?

If one must praise God only and nothing of men, then do not praise your child that comes home with an A+ on his work.

If a child graduates? No more clapping. This constitutes as "praise" and we ought not to praise men above God.

If a husband gets a promotion at work? (A husband is just a husband, and is not God.

Should we praise a mother for giving birth? Maybe. She is a co-creator with God but it is to give God glory and honor and should not be given to women? Really?

Summary Conclusion

President Gordon B. Hinckley, prior president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement in 2005 about Joseph Smith:

“We do not worship [Joseph Smith] the Prophet. We worship God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ. But we acknowledge the Prophet; we proclaim him; we respect him; we reverence him as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring to the earth the ancient truths of the divine gospel, together with the priesthood through which the authority of God is exercised in the affairs of His Church and for the blessing of His people” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Joseph Smith Jr.—Prophet of God, Mighty Servant,” Ensign, Dec 2005, 2–6).

Joseph Smith is reported as saying: “I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam... Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” (History of The Church, 6:408–409. BYU Studies This attitude strikes some as boastful, and unbecoming a prophet.

Summary Conclusion

The quote in which Joseph Smith seems to boast is an interesting one. To understand the issues, we must remember: Public and private statements by Joseph Smith indicate that he was in fact a humble servant of God, and this particular statement should be interpreted in light of that fact. Joseph was using a scriptural passage by Paul, and applying it to his own situation--the idea of "boasting" was Paul's, not Joseph's.

It is not based on Joseph's own writing; it is an account written after his death. It may not be accurate.

Boasting?

The critics' second error is to take Joseph's quote out of context. What was Joseph's intent, and why did he use this approach? As it turns out, he was drawing from the Bible and applying its lessons to his own situation. In the original context, Joseph was facing intense persecution by many people, including some he had previously considered to be his friends. The statement about "boasting" was supposedly made about a month before he was killed. He made it after reading 2 Corinthians 11: to the congregation. Note the following statement by Paul, in this scripture: Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, that I also may boast a little. That which I am speaking, I am not speaking it as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. For you, being so wise, bear the foolish gladly.

I report, you decide! Bibliography: http://mormon.org/faq/worship-joseph-smith http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/praise?s=t http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith/Narcissism/Did_Joseph_Smith_'boast'_of_keeping_the_Church_intact http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=7d0a723ffec20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD

The Church's Official Position on "Gays and Lesbians."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign (broadcast quality video (.mov) and audio (.mp3) is available for media use. A YouTube version can be viewed or embedded here) : My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign. While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men. We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society. This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another. As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down. Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment. The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves. The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation. There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God. Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood. God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity. We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another. We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.

Message From Scott Gordon, President of FAIR LDS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
-----------------------------------
When most members of the Church think of anti-Mormonism, they
immediately flash on sign-carrying protestors outside of Temple
Square, or they visualize a debate on whether faith or works leads
to salvation. The problem with those visualizations is that those
types of protests and discussions aren't the kind of anti-Mormonism
that has any real impact on members of the church. Some are lulled
into a false sense of security believing that their testimonies are
unshakable. It is with that attitude they venture onto the Internet
to read what others have to say about our beliefs. They may soon
discover that the Church and its history is often conveyed in a
fashion that is totally foreign to what they have learned.

Emails to FAIR have included phrases such as, "I recently became
aware of some things from church history I have never heard before,
"or "Joseph Smith doesn't appear to be the person I learned he was
in Primary."

There are things written in books and on the Internet that sound
very damaging to Joseph Smith and others in Church history. Some
members get very upset when they read it and realize they have not
heard it before. They sometimes come to believe that the items have
been hidden from them through some grand conspiracy of deception and
find their testimony shaken.

The truth is that many of the allegations are taken out of context,
are presented with a negative spin, come from less reliable sources,
or are simply false. While some feel they "should' know about it,
there really should be no expectation for the Church to teach things
about Joseph Smith that aren't true, simply so people are familiar
with those claims. False allegations remain false, even if they are
from a long time ago.

For example, perhaps you will read the common claim that there was
no record of the First Vision prior to 1870. The claim is usually
made with absolute certainty and bravado. The average reader doesn't
know that there are over 62 recorded instances of the First Vision
stretching from 1840 to 1870.

http://en.fairmormon.org/First_Vision/Seldom_mentioned_in_LDS_publications_before_1877_(long)

Perhaps you may read that Brigham Young said that he lives "above
the law." What the average reader doesn't know is that Brigham was
talking about living better than the law, not escaping from it.

http://en.fairmormon.org/Quote_mining/Journal_of_Discourses/JoD_1:361:Analysis

There are numerous other examples that can be cited. But, know that
the arguments and negative treatment put forward by the various
books and anti-Mormon websites have been examined and found to be
unconvincing and often dishonest. FAIR exists to continue to expose
those dishonest claims and to help members of the Church find
answers without having to become research specialists.

I hope that you continue to support us in our efforts by spreading
the word about FAIR and letting people know where they can find the
truth about disturbing claims they may hear.

--Scott Gordon
President of FAIR

Finding Strength And Hope Through Christ

How Jesus Christ is Both the Father and the Son

Josoph Smith's First Vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ clarified almost 2,000 years of debate over the nature of God in an instant. Joseph Smith said, "[he] saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” This is exactly what Stephen described in Acts while being stoned to death, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). However, if Jesus Christ is a separate being from God the Father (Eloheim), why does the Bible in many instances call Jesus Christ, the Eternal Father? How is Jesus Christ both the Father and the Son? And, if a separate being, how is Jesus Christ "one" with the Father?

Jesus Christ is the rightly called the Eternal Father of Heaven and Earth because:
1. Jesus Christ existed with God the Father in the beginning as the first spirit Son of God and became the only begotten Son of God (John 1: 1-10, John 3: 16).
2. Jesus Christ volunteered to perform the Atoning sacrifice for the salvation of mankind in a grand heavenly counsel before creation (Rev. 13: 8, Isa. 6: 8, Abr. 3: 27).
3. Jesus Christ, under directions of the Father, created both the heavens and the Earth. Therefore, just as the writers of the Constitution are considered the Fathers of the Constitution, Christ is considered the Eternal Father of the Heavens and the Earth (John 1: 1-10).
4. Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament (Ex. 3: 14, John 8: 58).
5. Jesus Christ gave the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments to Israel (3 Ne. 15: 5).
6. Jesus Christ speaks on behalf of God the Father though divine investiture of power, which is akin to a divine “ durable power of attorney” (John 5: 19, 30).
7. After accepting Christ as Savior, He becomes the granter of, or the father of our eternal life. The righteous are considered his sons and his daughters (Rom. 8: 16-17, Mosiah 5: 7).
8. Jesus Christ received all that the Father hath (Rom. 8: 16-17).
9. Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God the Father (John 14: 6-11).
10. Jesus Christ is one in purpose with God the Father (John 17: 19-23).

Posted by David B at 10:26 AM
Original Post Found At http://ldsdoctrine.blogspot.com/2006/10/jesus-christ-father-and-son.html

LDS Doctrine :

The Work of Righteous Women

The work of righteous women ought never to be discounted or ignored. Their roles as Queens and Priestesses unto the most high God ought never to be forgotten. The role of Mother and Wife is the most important one in our heavenly father's plan for all of his children.

The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

Angels are coming to visit the earth... the Lord is preparing to return for the 1,000 years of peace during this millennium that has been awaited and hoped for now going on 6 Millennium. The Fullness of the everlasting gospel is now being taught upon the earth and the fullness of the Gentiles is blossom as a flower on a tender new plant. Truly, the marvelous work and a wonder has already begun to come forth for decades now in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!

The everlasting Gospel has been brought back as promised
(Revelations 14:6-7)and it came in the form of an ancient record un-touched by human hands for nearly one and a half Millenniums of time to reach our eyes and ears in these final days. Just as "Stones and Arrows" were slung at the Lord's servant Samuel, so it will be that men shall symbolically throw stones and arrows at the Book of Mormon and none shall touch it. It will stand as a witness for righteousness and as a witness against wickedness and will testify against those who would not believe in the words which were written by true prophets of our father in heaven... and like Samuel, it will be an instrument in the hands of the Lord until such time that the Lord see's fit to withdraw his word from among the people. And in the latter-days, the gospel will be removed in like manner from the Gentiles, who will reject this restored gospel as a whole and it will once again be given unto the Jews; remnants of the house of Jacob and it will be taught to them so that they too will believe that Jesus is and WAS the promised Messiah since the foundation of the earth.

"Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."
Isaiah 49:22-23

It is my belief that Samuel, the Lamanite, showed us the manner in which this record, The Book of Mormon, would be received by the world.

Helaman 16:2-7
2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.
3 Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.
4 For behold, Nephi was baptizing, and prophesying, and preaching, crying repentance unto the people, showing signs and wonders, working miracles among the people, that they might know that the Christ must shortly come—
5 Telling them of things which must shortly come, that they might know and remember at the time of their coming that they had been made known unto them beforehand, to the intent that they might believe; therefore as many as believed on the words of Samuel went forth unto him to be baptized, for they came repenting and confessing their sins.
6 But the more part of them did not believe in the words of Samuel; therefore when they saw that they could not hit him with their stones and their arrows, they cried unto their captains, saying: Take this fellow and bind him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil which is in him we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows; therefore take him and bind him, and away with him.
7 And as they went forth to lay their hands on him, behold, he did cast himself down from the wall, and did flee out of their lands, yea, even unto his own country, and began to preach and to prophesy among his own people.


I believe this to be an Allegory for our day. As in verse 2, we learn that stones and arrows could not slay Samuel... in like manner, the Book of Mormon has had its share of Stones or Arrows flung at it and in NO way has anything been able to hit it. As much as they try, it will JUST NOT happen. There were they who were converted unto the Lord and went seeking Nephi... and they were baptized. In our day, there would also be many who would seek after baptism as they discover the testimony of this record to be true...

But in the end, the people became wroth with Samuel and seeked to destroy his life but in that moment, Samuel departed... and in verse 7, we learn that Samuel went to preach among his own people. Likewise, in modern revelation, we learn that the gospel will be removed from all other nations in preparation to bring this message to the tribe of Judah as the Gentile nations will reject the gospel, as a whole, and it will be removed from among them.

What If?

What if Men ceased relying on their own understanding and turned their trust towards God above trusting in the arm of flesh?
2 Nephi 4:34

What if Men starting reading the scriptures as if they were not just words on paper reading them with real intent while praying to the Lord for understanding and having faith that God would give unto them the "gift of prophecy" and of "revelation?"
Moroni 10:3-5

What if Men ceased to read them and interpret them privately using their own wisdom? 2 Peter 1:19-21

What if men began to have unshakable faith in the Lord that he could understand all things and all points of truth free from the opinions of others? Mormon 8: 24

What if men could be found humble enough for the Lord to show them all things? Ether 4: 1, 8, 13

What if when the Lord were to show them all things that these men would actually dedicate their life to God following him with exceeding faith and not just KNOWING the path but were willing to walk the path doing all the Lord's commandments?
1 Nephi 3:7

What if men had the faith to refute the godless; the greatest of those who subject themselves to the will and power of the Devil?
Jacob 7: 5

What if men such faith that it gave them power to move mountains?
Ether 12: 30

What would it do to Satan's dominion if we were all like unto Captain Moroni? Alma 48: 17

What if those who fight against this restored church are also fighting against God? Acts 5:39

What if they fight against Zion under the guise of fighting for God? Isaiah 29:8

What if the Book of Mormon is true and the subsequent restoration of the Gospel that Jesus Christ had taught was now being taught in its fullness and purity? "
I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
Joseph Smith, Jr.

The question you need to ask yourself is, "What if?"

What if I'm missing out in the Lord's blessings because of my unbelief? What if Angels are returning to the earth visiting others and not me? What if this Christ I believe in is coming back to a people more prepared than I? What if all the things that are spoken against the church is influenced by Satan? What if there was an Apostasy and I'm on the wrong end of it? What if there are prophets today and I am rejecting them because of my own lack of understanding regarding warnings given by Jesus Christ about future prophets? What if I deny the miracles of God based on my own unbelief because I think that visions and miracles and healings and the visitation of Angels ceased long ago? What if families can be together forever and I'm steering clear from this? What if it's not about Mormonism but its about the restored Church of Jesus Christ? What if this church has been reestablished in the same way it was anciently? What if authority to perform such sacred saving ordinances like baptism has been made available once again? What if I leave life without receiving this sacred ordinance? What if I can just never see myself becoming Mormon? What if I never find the strength to quit smoking, drinking, pornography, or any other vices non-conducive to the spirit of God? What if I remain just a casual follower of Christ obeying some commandments while submitting to other weaknesses... will that be enough? Last but not least... What if I disqualify myself from eternal blessings because I would rather hear the opinions of men never giving thought to ask God for myself if these blessings have truly come to men on earth through his marvelous work and a wonder? (Isaiah 29:11-14)

We all have to make a choice in this life and it will be based on our actions.
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
...And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom."
(2 Nephi 2:27, 29)

The Lord has commanded that his people be perfect. (Matt 5:48) He has made it abundantly clear that he will not support a slothful and unwise servant as mentioned in the "Parable of the Talents." He will not recognize those who have not had a proper baptism for there will be many which say, "Lord Lord" but will not enter in.

Do what Moroni suggests...
"...Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."
Moroni 10:32-33

And IF you do these things, you will become mighty men and women unto God; even like unto the Brother of Jared, of Nephi, of Captain Moroni, of Mormon and Moroni, of Joseph Smith, of Ether, of Paul and Peter, and you will be like unto ALL the best examples that the world had to offer as they followed Jesus Christ. If you follow the Lord Jesus just as they did, in nowise would you NOT receive this heavenly gift of Eternal Life. This I testify to you, in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rome is burning with the "Spirit of God" - Announcement of the Rome, Italy Temple

(Original article at; http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/rome/)

Announcement: 4 October 2008

Construction Status

On December 6, 2009, another special fast was held by members and friends of the Rome Italy Stake for City approval of the Rome Italy Temple. While significant progress has been made, the process is not over. Additional meetings are expected in the month of December. A beautiful design has been completed for the temple, but it is not available for public view. An Italian residence that once stood on the temple site and housed full-time missionaries has already been razed in preparation for the temple complex. (1)

On September 6, 2009, a special fast was held for the temple by members in Rome and many former missionaries and friends in anticipation of a review of the Church's request by City officials later that month. Plans call for a complex of buildings that include the temple, a meetinghouse, and a patron housing facility. Although just a small section of the site was originally permitted for construction of the temple, recent zoning modifications—a miracle in itself—allow the entire parcel of land to be used for construction of these buildings. (2)

On February 24, 2009, Elder Dallin H. Oaks met with all of the missionaries of the Italy Rome Mission in a spiritually charged meeting. That evening, he was the speaker at a special member and investigator fireside. His comments focused on preparing for the temple. He spoke of paying tithing, preparing to be ordinance workers, and of receiving what the temple offers: knowledge, covenants, and promised blessings. He urged all in attendance to pray daily that the hearts of the government officials would be softened in regards to the temple. Elder Oaks had already met with these officials to discuss its construction, which he said went very well. (3)

Temple Site

The Rome Italy Temple will be built on an elevated 15-acre site in northeast Rome near the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the circular road (beltway) that surrounds the city. The picturesque country site, punctuated by an exiquisite stand of olive trees, sits on the outskirts of the city at a freeway interchange. (4)

Building sites in Rome must be examined for Roman ruins before construction is permitted. The inspection is carried out by digging trenches every 10 to 15 feet across the property. The day the temple property was to be inspected, Church members in Rome held a special fast. No ruins were found over the entire property, yet an old Roman village was discovered just 100 yards beyond the property boundary line. The Church purchased the property in the late 1990s. (5)

Temple Announcement

Italian members met the announcement of the Rome Italy Temple with the animated cheering and enthusiasm you would expect to see in a sports arena during a last-second win, explained President Massimo De Feo, president of the Rome Italy Stake, in a recent interview. He also added that since the temple announcement, the Stake is seeing the baptism of full families for the first time. In just the past five years, the number of stakes in Italy has grown from three to six. And temple attendance at the distant Bern Switzerland Temple has been much higher from the Saints in Italy than from any other country in the temple district. (6)

President Thomas S. Monson's announcement of a temple to be constructed in Rome was met with an audible gasp and smiles from the congregation gathered in the Conference Center for the Saturday morning session of the October 2008 General Conference. (7) The Rome Italy Temple will be the first temple in Italy and in the Mediterranean region.

Temple Facts

The Rome Italy Temple will be the twelfth temple built in Europe and the first built in Italy.

A charming home, which stood at the highest point of the temple site, was razed to make way for the Rome Italy Temple. It served for a time as an apartment for the full-time missionaries.

Temple History

The growth of the Church in Italy has not been without its opposition. Just three years after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, the first missionaries arrived in Genova, Italy, on June 25, 1850, including Elder Lorenzo Snow, who would become the fifth president of the Church. Over the next three years, 221 people were baptized and organized into three branches. But most proselytizing in Italy stopped in the early 1860s in the face of local opposition and because of a request from Church leaders for Italian members to immigrate to Utah. An attempt to reopen missionary work in Italy in 1900 was refused by the government.

The Church was finally reestablished in Italy in 1951, following the conversion of Vincenzo di Francesca, who happened to find a burned copy of the Book of Mormon with a missing cover and title page. Italians who had joined the Church in other countries began to return to Italy during this period. They attended Church with LDS serviceman stationed in Italy in various branches. By the end of 1964, Church records showed 229 members in Italy. That same year, Elder Ezra Taft Benson, an apostle who would become the 13th president of the Church, petitioned the government for permission to resume missionary work. Permission was granted, and missionaries began to proselyte on January 27, 1965. By 1978, membership has grown to over 7,000 and increased to 14,000 by 1990. Today there are over 22,600 members organized into 6 stakes and 7 districts. (8)

Although missionary work had been allowed in Italy since 1964, the Church began in 2000 the lengthy process of seeking a concordat with the government that would grant it state-sponsored status. This status was granted to the Roman Catholic Church in a concordat signed by Mussolini—a relationship that was perpetuated into Italy's post-fascist constitution. Since 1984, however, the Catholic Church has had to share this level of government recognition with other religions operating in Italy. Approved churches become concordates, which receive tax funds and other rights from the government similar to those received by the Catholic Church. (9)

At a London fireside, Elder Kenneth Johnson of the First Quorum of the Seventy related events that have contributed to the Italian government's official recognition of the Church. In October 2006, he accompanied other high-ranking Church leaders, including Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, to a meeting in Rome to make a case for the Church to the government. President Uchtdorf noted the Church's longtime presence and reputation in Italy, but the presiding government official seemed unmoved. Instead, he related that he had traveled—without announcement—to Salt Lake City in preparation for the meeting. Two Italian sister missionaries had served as his guides on Temple Square. He noted the deep impression left on him by these two Italian citizens, and then inquired when the Church might build a temple in Rome. Once these papers are signed, Elder Uchtdorf replied. The officer signed. In April 2007, Prime Minister Prodi gave his signature, and then it proceeded to Parliament. (10)

With legal recognition still stalled in Parliament in late 2009, the Church took the step of hiring a Washington, D.C., lobbyist to help push through the approval. A. Elizabeth Jones, a former high-level State Department employee and ambassador to Kazakhstan, who is now an executive vice president at APCO Worldwide, is lobbying the U.S. embassy in Italy to support the Church's application. The intesa—an Italian term referring to an "understanding" with the government—would carry certain privileges including facilitating the authorization of bishops to perform civilly recognized marriages and making the renewal of visas for missionaries easier. (11)



1. President and Sister Pacini, "Special Fast December 6, 2009," Facebook 3 Dec. 2009, 7 Dec. 2009
2. President and Sister Pacini, "Fast for Temple," Facebook 28 Aug. 2009, 29 Oct. 2009
3. Karen & Will, Online Posting, e' Felice Italian 28 Feb. 2009, 29 Oct. 2009
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "New Temple Site Locations Announced," 7 Oct. 2008
5. "Rome Italy Temple News," Online posting, 9 Nov. 2008
6. Massimo De Feo, "Massimo De Feo—Stake President in Rome, Italy," Mormon Channel: Into All the World 29 Apr. 2009, 13 Jun. 2009
7. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "Church Continues Temple Building Throughout the World," 4 Oct. 2008
8. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, "First Temple Announced in Rome," 4 Oct. 2008
9. Peggy Fletcher Stack, "LDS Church Wants to Be Official in Italy," The Salt Lake Tribune 9 Sept. 2000: A1
10. John F., "Two LDS Senators in London," Online posting, 21 May 2007, 6 Oct. 2008
11. Carrie Levine, "For Italian Job, Mormons Ask a D.C. Insider for Help," The National Law Journal 6 Oct. 2009, 29 Oct. 2009

(Story Update!!!)

Jane Parker, who is the late Elder Wirthlin's daughter, told us the following story today in Relief Society. She went to a talk by a lawyer for the European Area (each area of the Church has a legal department.) The talk was about the ability to have a temple built in Rome, Italy.

He stated that they knew they needed to have contact with the cardinals of the Catholic Church to see if they would approve or go along with our desire to have a temple built there. He heard of a reception at which the cardinals would be present, and the legal department for the church was also invited. He approached one cardinal
and talked to him about the issue.

The cardinal said, "We will support you in any effort you want because of your support of Proposition 8 in California."

Jane's comment was that she doesn't think the Church people in California who worked so long and so hard on getting that proposition passed and many even suffered persecution probably know that they were the instruments in getting a temple built in Rome, Italy.

Please allow me to add a little more to this inspiring story. (Joseph I. Bentley)

The lawyer mentioned was John Zackrison -- a friend of mine who told LDS attorneys attending our Annual JRCLS Leadership Conf. about this last month. John told us that the Church has owned this temple site for several years. But it was close enough to the Vatican that in order to build a temple there, it required consents from both the Mayor of Rome and the Pope.

At the reception John met the one Cardinal who was charged with approving the temple on behalf of the Pope. The cardinal arranged a followup meeting and John invited the European Area President to attend. He could not attend, but sent his counselor. At the meeting the cardinal soon discovered that both he and the counselor spoke French.
Then they discovered that both of them were from the same city(Bordeaux). And, then, they learned that both had gone to the same school!

Who can deny the Lord's hand in all of this?

Joseph I. Bentley, Director
Orange County Public Affairs

Proving Colossians - Scriptures are not meant for "Private Interpretation" or to be read out of Context

On one of my YT video threads, I had just a Book, Chapter and verse to review. I'm not criticizing him for leaving the scripture. It's a wonderful verse but it, in kind, is an example of 'scripture mining' and reading them out of context. In this blog entry, I attempt to bring this scripture to life as it was left on my comment thread as still born.

Take Col 2:8 for example; let me give you a full and complete background for it.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col 2:8

Who: Paul is writing. To whom? The Church in Colossae, or the Colossians.
Why? Or what problems were they facing in that early church?

The warning was written to the saints or members of the church as Colossians and in this verse, he counsels them to avoid the traditions of their day; from the article, "Unearthing Ancient Colossae in Southern Turkey: theology and archaeology in dialogue." by Michael Tanner, we learn,

"Some Colossian Christians had become very attracted to the ascetical and religious practices of local folk religions. The exact nature of these practices is uncertain though it is clear that they contained a mixture of pagan elements and Jewish ascetical practices, combined with the worship of local and foreign deities."
(ie, Roman or Greek Gods... Zeus, Jupiter, etc...)

Let's apply this apples to apples comparison to our day;

What Paul warned the the Colossian Church about could very well equate to our celebration of Christmas and Easter. Now I like both Christmas and Easter but not for the reasons we see them portrayed.

Christmas = Family and Presents ... or it is a time to reflect on Jesus Christ; his birth, life and resurrection.

Easter = A bunny who hides eggs for the world to find?
or we take time out to reflect on Christ's suffering for our sins, his death, and resurrection on the 3rd day.
Or we celebrate this to the "Letter of the Law" like Orthodox Christians do and reject it altogether... but I see no harm in having special days of the year to reflect on the life of Christ...

In addition:
The thinkers who lived in Colossae were into philosophy, science, astronomy and all manner of intellectual thinking. Paul wrote this letter to the church in order to help them fortify against the ideas that were espoused by those men of the City which did not support God as being the supreme being.
They thought they knew of themselves and their wisdom of the cosmos trumped the understanding of God's people and his prophet, Peter... or the 12 Apostles, as well.

Such "Theorists" of Evolution, "Big Bang" and other non-creationist ideas prevail in our world today compare to the "great thinkers" in Colossae and is an "Apples to Apples comparison."

However, the more powerful the "telescope," the more support through evidence proves that the universe is "Galaxies without End" and denotes the hand of a "Great Creator" vs a big bang.

http://www.compassreview.org/summer02/8.html

Conclusion;
Scriptures are not meant for private interpretation. They are not just words you can apply as a "Blanket CoverAll" over things that disagree with your assessment of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I invite you to read scriptures in context. As I've said before, they are not just words to interpret. It was written for the church and canonized in scripture. Canonization does not mean blanket cover over all themes based on the understanding of the "reader." You were neither alive during their day nor are you a member of Paul's congregation. The Church of Jesus Christ of "Latter-day Saints" claims to be a modern counterpart to the early church & of the same organization. Just because your understanding of the gospel differs from Latter-day Prophets does not mean that we are not a modern extension of the early church.

I could do the same thing for you about Galatians 1:6-9... just about any other with proper preparation and study into the "context." What happens when people actually read the scriptures in the proper context, is they lean towards accepting the "True Gospel of Jesus Christ." as it is taught by modern prophets because those folks quickly realize that understanding prophecy is beyond them and an accurate understanding of the scriptures were best held by the prophets who wrote them. Those people yearn for the understanding of the prophets and imagine what it was like to sit down at Peter's feet to learn doctrine... and then they question to themselves, "Could those guys [Mormons] really have a prophet or not? But as long as you rely on your own understanding, which is limited to the understanding of men, it's a never ending cycle of "I know better because this verse says this..." or "My pastor says this..." never putting your own credentials or the credentials of others in check.

But if you interpret them privately or accept the private interpretations of your pastors and colleagues, they are just words that are hoped to befuddle or debunk the LDS church given without power or precedent. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the face of the earth that claims revelation from God through his prophets. I testify that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of the Lord and the prophet of the restoration. That Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and the current steward in Zion. I know that I learn the Gospel at the foot of prophets and I testify that priesthood authority is held by those men as well as myself, being an Elder in this church... the same sort of Elder found mentioned of in James 5:14

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

From Malachi to Joseph; the Prophecies of Malachi have been and are becoming fulfilled

http://en.fairmormon.org/Temples/Elias_and_Elijah_at_the_Kirtland_Temple



Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6

What do we know about Malachi's prophecy about Elijah coming back? The Jews suggest that he is still supposed to return by setting an extra plate at their table during the "passover." ... but only one Church has recorded a visit from this prophet as he came to the temple in Kirtland, Ohio to visit the prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith was the promised messenger also mentioned by Malachi!

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1, 2-5)

Some suggest that this messenger was John the Baptist but they do not understand the scriptures;
Nahum and Malachi used the same words to describe the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" which we know as the second coming;

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:6)

This prophecy of Malachi indeed is a "latter-day" prophecy for he used words such as,
"Who shall abide the day of his coming?" and "Who shall be able to stand?" in reference to the massive destruction predicted shall happen shortly before the return of the Messiah.

The full account of Jesus Christ coming to the temple and the visitation of Elijah is as follows;
Doctrine and Covenants Section 110

The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.
5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the ablessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.
11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.

...he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Acts 3:20-25

Joseph Smith is that "said prophet" which should come to prepare the way of the Lord; This restitution of all things has been under way for decades. Malachi 3:1-2 This latter-day work has moved forward and continues to fill the whole earth.
(See also Daniel Chapter 2)