I had a dream last night—one of those long, lingering dreams that doesn’t feel like a dream at all, but more like a memory from a life I haven’t quite lived yet. In it, I was hiking again—through the Grand Canyon or somewhere like it. The desert Southwest. Familiar ground. Sacred ground. I’ve walked there […]
The Tavern at the Edge of the Canyon Read More »
We have an informal study group in our ward called Empty Nesters. We are a group of seasoned adult leaders whose children are adults and no longer at home. In our group there are former and current bishops and Relief Society presidents, high council members and seminary teachers. Our numbers were recently reduced. Eight members
The Logical Fallacy of the LDS Church Read More »
I have been trying to be more deliberate about sharing appropriate things already recorded in my private journal onto my public blog, which, although the readership is small, invites feedback, almost all of which comes via personal emails and text messages. This blog is still open to public comments. Always has been. I have been
Thoughts on Personal Revelation and Sealing Power Read More »
Recently, Carol was assigned new ministering brothers. For those who aren’t familiar with the change in nomenclature, that would be home teachers. I was pleased to learn she was assigned a couple in our ward we greatly admire, who previously served as the President and Matron of the Los Angeles temple. We have been in
As I Have Loved You Read More »
Elon Musk has been in the news lately (when has he not been in the news lately?) roundly warning of the dangers of ChatGPT from OpenAI, a company he co-founded, but from which he distanced himself in 2018 (resigned from the Board of Directors). Microsoft is the driving financial force behind OpenAI now. I have
ChatGPT Writes a Blog Post for Latter-day Commentary Read More »
I was assigned by my bishop to study and report on Anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon. This post is the result of that study and much prayer.
Anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon Read More »
In a recent email exchange with a reader, we discussed the idea of being led by the spirit, particularly in regard to what we choose to read and to study. It is a fascinating topic and worthy of consideration.
My reader had asked me for some additional clarification of my positions on a few doctrinal and historical questions. I provided links to some of Denver’s papers and a few of my own posts. He responded he had read my posts but felt constrained by the spirit to not read any of Denver’s materials, even though he said he tried.
You Do What You Want Read More »
First of all, YOU determine your mission in life. Nobody else can do it for you. YOU decide what you want to do with your life. YOU decide what it is that God would like you to do with your life. If you feel God would like you to be a faithful member of The
Determining Your Mission in Life Read More »
Over the past week there has been a great deal of misunderstanding and accusation concerning the Remnant Family Reunion. It is time for this drama and divisive contention to end. It is time to clarify truth amongst all of the chaos and rumor. For the purpose of placing our focus back on the Lord Jesus
The Truth about the Retreat Read More »
One of the binding ties all human beings can have in common, if they want it, is the sharing of spiritual experiences. Because we are children of God, we have His promise and an opportunity to approach Him in prayer, obtain revelation for ourselves, and, when appropriate, share it with others. This has always been
Sharing Spiritual Experiences Read More »
To start off I want to thank Tim for following the Spirit. He has received the assignment that he claimed he received. I know it. He knows it. Many wonderful things are happening in the world right now, and many wonderful things are happening in the hearts of individuals. This is where Zion is built,
Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ Read More »
The Lord woke me at 3am the other morning. I wasn’t sure what He wanted. I prayed, felt led to search and ponder some recent email communications. He asked me to respond to a good brother with whom I had been conversing about the sacrament. The dialog had turned to keys. I wrote him an
Wresting the Keys of the Kingdom Read More »
When I turned in my temple recommend I didn’t expect it to upset so many people. It might have had something to do with blogging about it. There is wisdom in keeping some things private. But blogging about the issue paid off in droves. I received countless emails with advice and ideas on how
Answering the Affiliation Question Read More »
I shared my testimony in our regular monthly testimony meeting this morning. I wanted to make sure the Bishop and a member of the Stake Presidency present – he’s also in our ward – heard me say I sustain the general authorities and local authorities of the church. Of course these words were in addition
Concluding Testimony at my Disciplinary Council Read More »
I do not speak for Denver. He needs no spokesman. Go read his blog. These are simply questions I have been asked since I have done a few reviews on his books over the last year or two. They seem to keep coming up over and over as new people discover my blog and want
Arguments Against Denver Snuffer Read More »
In a private email from Denver Snuffer earlier this year, I had an epiphany about myself and my writing style. I was surprised when he answered my email directly and pleased that he would do so. He shared some advice and an observation which stopped me in my tracks. He said I had a “fair
A Moderate Approach to Denver Snuffer Read More »
This is a talk I prepared a long time ago for an occasion just like this. It’s a talk I’ve always wanted to hear from the pulpit and one I hope is helpful. It has to do with encouragement. Paul said, “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
The Encouragement Talk Read More »
Richard Bushman is a highly respected historian who probably understands the beginnings of Mormonism as well as or better than anyone else. Besides being the co-general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers, he chairs the board of directors of the Mormon Scholars Foundation. He knows early church history.
An Evening with Richard Bushman Read More »
One of the most important duties we have in this life is to learn how to interpret the impressions of the Holy Ghost. This gift needs to be exercised and developed until we can go before the Lord with confidence and ask in faith for what we want. Sometimes it takes years to fully master.
Interpreting Impressions of the Spirit Read More »
One of the ways to share the gospel online is to create a profile on Mormon.org and the answer the personal questions found there about how you live the gospel.
My Interview with Mormon.org Read More »
If you have read a few of my past essays, you may have noted that one of my favorite subjects is revelation, and specifically personal revelation. It is only within the last few years since I started blogging that I have come to realize revelation is a controversial subject even among members of the church.
Revelation and Emotional Response Read More »
I write a letter to a reader answering his questions about the burning of the bosom and of my experience at Ricks College
Letter to a reader Read More »
One of the delightful parts of a stake temple night is the opportunity to be taught by a member of the temple presidency. I once asked my stake president about divine manifastations in the temple.
Divine manifestations must have a purpose Read More »
In 1978, civil war broke out in Nicaragua, just after I left the country. My Mission President went from Costa Rica to Managua to help the missionaries get out of the country. As he was literally leaving the chapel where he had told the missionaries to gather, the Sandinistas came running in from the other door
Shades of Grey and relative truth Read More »
In the priesthood session of the April 2003 General Conference, President Hinckley delivered a landmark address on the subject of loyalty. In his remarks he said, “Each of us has to face the truth of the matter—either the church is true, or it is a fraud. There is no middle ground. It is the Church
There is no middle ground Read More »
Except for a year off for good behavior to teach Primary, I have been participating in ward leadership meetings every Sunday morning for the past twenty-five years. Sixteen of those years included Bishopric meetings, either as an Executive Secretary, a Ward Clerk, or a Bishop’s Counselor. I don’t know why I’ve been so blessed but
What they don’t tell you about Bishopric meetings Read More »
I could have sworn that I already wrote this essay but realized after some digging that the main points were developed as part of a long dialog with my Evangelical friend in the comments section of several of my early articles. I also thought about entitling this, “Why we say ‘I know’ and not ‘I
A different kind of knowledge Read More »
I have been intrigued by Blake Ostler’s 2007 FAIR conference presentation entitled, “Spiritual Experiences as the Basis for Belief and Commitment.” I have read it several times and have decided that Blake is on to something that I would like to develop further. As you can see I have modified his title a little bit
Spiritual experiences as a foundation for faith Read More »
Intelligent beings from other planets have been visiting the earth for many thousands of years. They have been communicating with us in their own way but we haven’t been tuned in to the right frequency or channels to hear.
Mormon visitors from outer space Read More »
As a follow-up to my previous essay about how difficult it is for some people to understand or accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because they intellectualize it way too much, I offer the following video clip of Elder Gerald Causse. It expresess beautifully how easy it really is to understand the gospel that
Even a child can understand Read More »
I know that some of my readers are lawyers, some are philosophers and some are very active apologists of our faith. I know this because I read your blogs and am much impressed by your sound reasoning and logical approach to questions of religion, both doctrinal and practical. I am not trained in rhetoric, argument
You don’t know what you think you know Read More »
I’m motivated to share this essay based on much recent dialog between myself and a reader who calls himself Evangelical. Mr. Evangelical seems to be intelligent and writes well but also seems to be under a false impression that Mormons can’t think for themselves and that they don’t know how to think critically or objectively.
Critical thinking among faithful Mormons Read More »
Introduction The Lord promises gifts of the spirit to members of his church. These gifts are given for the edifying and uplifting of those who are in need of strengthening and comforting. All members of the Lord’s church are entitled to either the receipt of these gifts or to be blessed by these gifts as
Eight Purposes of Revelation Read More »
Anybody who has researched The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to even a small degree has encountered this promise from the Book of Mormon as found in Moroni 10:4: “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ,
Burning of the bosom – feelings from God Read More »
When I was a young lad of seventeen, I attended BYU Idaho. No, I’m not from Idaho or even Utah. I was born and raised in California, where I still live. If you have been to Rexburg, Idaho in the dead of winter, you might wonder why anybody would want to leave the Golden State
A different kind of religious education Read More »
Back in January I mentioned that Carol and I started reading Elder Lund’s new book, Hearing the Voice of the Lord. This is one that we chose to read out loud together at the end of each day. We discuss what we read so we are only halfway through the book even though we have
Hearing the Voice of the Lord Read More »
I received an email this morning from a good friend who got it from a best friend who got it from a trusted friend who got it from…you can guess the rest. It was one of those sensational Mormon stories about some impending pandemic and how we need to rush out right now and buy
Personal Revelation and warnings to the Church Read More »