The Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper

It is often claimed by our detractors that we worship a different Jesus. As absurd as this claim is, I think it merits a closer look to understand how they feel they can say that. Don't worry, the closer we look the more ridiculous that assertion appears; in fact, it could be said that it is we who could say of them that they do not know who or what Jesus is! Of course, we would not do that, but in this episode I will show you how unsupportable their claim is. 

What makes man a little less than the angels? What is the difference between Man and the animals? Why does the rest of the world consider it to be blasphemy at best, or a heresy at worst, that we believe we are children of Heavenly Father...as the Bible says? Let's look at that today!

Throughout the Old Testament every prophecy of the last days foretold of the eventual gathering of the scattered remnants of the house of Israel. This same expectation is echoed in the New Testament as well as in the Book of Mormon. So What's the big deal? Why is that gathering so important? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it going to be brought to pass... and by whom?What if I said the only reason our church exists is to provide the pathway to the celestial kingdom for all the world, by means of the holy temples; and that this is the only means by which the scattered remnants of the house of Israel can come back to the Lord and activate their promised blessings as participants in the blessings of Abraham?Is that too much of a stretch? Listen in, and let's find out together.

Heaven and Hell...the ultimate destinies of all humans...not really! How do the doctrines of heaven and hell fit with the revelations on the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms?Turns out they fit very well; it's just a matter of timing and perspective. Join me as we discuss the future that all of us will one day face. And let us realize that a loving Heavenly Father truly does have our best interests in mind and an eventual glorious future awaits us all.

It is said that the only constant in life is change. Apparently, this holds true for our Church as well. Does this present a threat to our standing as the Lord's Church on earth? Hardly. Change has been going on since 1830 and it will continue until the Lord makes His glorious return. So fear not. We are OK

The Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not just an amazing event in human history but THE pivotal event for all of humankind. Today we are going to talk about the Atonement; why it was required, and how it was accomplished; and how and why it unlocked the chains of death so that the Savior could take up his glorified and immortal body...and why that will allow us to do so also.I hope you will join me 

There seems to be a disconnect between accounts in the Bible and the corresponding secular histories of the times. For example, critics love to point out that there is no real evidence that Moses and the Israelites ever fled Egypt nor wandered in the desert for forty years. That is, no evidence other than the biblical account. The same with Abraham; The Pearl of Great Price says explicitly that Abraham went to Egypt to teach the Pharaoh, personally, the principles of Astronomy, and yet there is no corresponding secular account of that. So what gives? Is the Bible just a book of fables, or wishful thinking on the part of Jewish historians? Well, I don't think so; and I am anxious to show you why I know these stories are true; and why they specifically don't show up in secular histories. 

If you are weary of diving into Isaiah because you think his words are confusing, you are not alone. Isaiah is probably the most feared set of scriptures to tackle in the Bible...or in 2nd Nephi. and even Nephi was forced to comment on his people's lack of understanding of the words of this great prophet. and yet, the Savior commanded us all to search them and study them. So how do we do that? I invite you to listen in and find out.

Detractors of the Church often like to throw scripture bombs at us thinking that they can somehow prove to us that we are wrong and blow up our testimonies. this can sometimes work with members who do not have much depth to their beliefs but for any true Latter-Day Saint with a real testimony of the gospel, these efforts can prove futile at best, and often, actually help boost our faith in the restored gospel. one such 'Bomb' that is often thrown our way is Galatians 1:8, which speaks of havens and other gospels. the implication is that Moroni was a false messenger and the resulting Book of Mormon is evil. So today let's take a look at this verse and associated writings and see just  what all the fuss is about.

Temples are places of learning; but what may go unnoticed by many patrons is that every element of the temple is a lesson, not just the ceremony and instruction given there. The very structure of the temple itself, the lighting, the decorations, the landscaping, even the fence around it, all point to elements of Father's kingdom and all can teach us important truths about the universe and our place within it.

For a body of faith that follows a Man/God who taught the nobility of humankind, and the virtues of Christian values such as  kindness, patience, temperance, forgiveness, charity, understanding and love, oh, and don't forget non-judgment, it seems paradoxical that so many wars and conflicts, and persecution and discrimination, have been put upon people in the name of Jesus Christ. Certainly, there was nothing within His teachings that would have inspired such behavior and certainly there was nothing 'Christlike' within those actions. So why has so much suffering been foisted upon the world in the name of Jesus? Maybe, just maybe, we are doing it wrong.

The list of Biblical and Book of Mormon prophets, includes a number of men who once displayed questionable character or judgement. Some might say that all men are flawed and so this is the only pool the Lord has to draw from, but I think it goes deeper than that. As Saul, the apostle Paul was a terrible man. So too, Alma the younger when the angel stopped him on the road. It seems the Lord has never had a problem calling flawed men into his service, and invariably those men rose to the calling which they were given. In our dispensation the pattern continued. Certainly, early church history was filled with amazing men, but they were men who had to overcome personal weaknesses of their own. And  they did, and they served effectively for the Lord. so what is the lesson we can learn from this and how can this heal and grow our own faith? Tune in and find out.

This episode explores human potential and the worth of a soul. I believe that most people do not fully realize the wonderful destiny that awaits them when this life is through. Many philosophers, thinkers and holy men have commented on the soul and the greatness of it. Among people who to have had encounters with UFOs and alien beings, they claim that the message they receive is that we have no idea of the potential we hold...and this is born out as well by our scriptures and the words of the prophets.You are a child of God...ponder that! Let that sink in...and don't ever forget it! 

An honest effort to apply the proper elements of critical-thinking  to the content of the Book of Mormon - Something which the outside critics and scholars refuse to do.

Dispensations are an interesting element of the gospel. One would think that the word of the Lord would come to earth and stick around for all time, but that is not how it happens. every new dispensation follows the apostasy of the prior one. But it is not that clean. Seems the old dispensation likes to hang around and confuse those who have embraced it rather than accept the new one. We will discuss the consequences of this overlap in this episode. I hope you find it interesting.

the enemies of the early church tried desperately to destroy the narrative and the impact of the Book of Mormon. to a degree they were successful by pointing out all the inconsistencies they felt they had discovered within its accounts. But Anachronisms have a funny way of turning around with a little time and effort. Over the last almost two hundred years since its publication, many of those anachronisms have turned to testimonies of its truthfulness. Today, we'll take a look at some of them and see where they stand now.

It seems life today is full of contention and disputations. We see it everywhere, most particularly on the T.V. News. But that may not be the best measure to use. The News needs contention and disputations in order to hold the public's interest. Hopefully your life is not as full of drama as the world seems to offer. In any event the question remains...is it possible to live in a world without constant contention, , and disputations, and drama, at every turn?Well, yes, it is. The Book of Mormon tells us of many times that the people lived in peace and prosperity. It clearly shows us how they achieved that, and also, how they lost that. So, are those lessons we can learn today? And if so, how can we apply them? The Book of Mormon was written for us, so the lessons in it must be for meant for us as well. Let's see if we can take them to heart. 

They say that timing is everything...in almost everything that we do. I believe that when it comes to the Book of Mormon, the timing of its appearance to the world was and remains one of the most impressive elements of it. To say the things it says and to realize that it said them well before the rest of the academic and scientific world caught up is one of the things that makes it great as well as unique. Today we are going to explore some of those things. I hope you enjoy it and find it illuminating.

We can be stubborn creatures. We tend to get set in our ways  and firm in our opinions, leaving little room for ways we are not familiar with. In the Book of Mormon this was exhibited by the pride of the people and their unwillingness to humble themselves before God. But as Alma encountered the Zoramites he found a people who had been compelled to humble themselves, not because of the word of God but because of their extreme poverty. but this gave him the wonderful opportunity to teach them about faith and humility...true humility.I suspect there are some lessons in there for us. I invite you to listen!

Both Nephi and Paul cried out, "O wretched man that I am". these were two of the most righteous and valiant men of the scriptures, and if they are wretched men, then what hope do we have?As we were sent to earth, it was with the understanding that we would have flaws and weaknesses built in. We know that because the Lord himself told us so. As a result, we find ourselves committing sin on occasion, even as we know the right thing to do. Why is that? Well, be of good cheer; there is hope for us all. 

The book of Helaman is a rich source of history and intrigue as the Nephites and the Lamanites approach the Meridian of Time and the birth of the Savior. here is where we see the introduction and early gains of the Gadianton Robbers, the large migration of many of the Nephites and Lamanites to the lands to the far north, even as far as the Great Lakes...and we are introduced to Samuel, the Lamanite and his precise and profound prophesies concerning both the birth and the death of the Savior. I invite you to join me for this discussion as we see if there is anything that we might apply to our lives today.

Resurrection... our resurrection, is at the heart of the plan of Salvation. But it turns out to be one of the hardest elements of the gospel plan to believe in.  Today we are going to take a hard look at the doctrine and nature of resurrection and see if we can figure out why that is.We are also going to examine the nature of the resurrected beings that have helped restore our gospel in this last dispensation and see what we can learn about them...and hopefully, what we can look forward to for ourselves when the time comes and we are resurrected. 

For centuries, Priests and teachers have lectured us and warned us of the horrors of Hell, and the terrible judgements of God that await the sinner. But latter-day revelation has shed new light on the subject and I think, perhaps, it's time to modify our thinking on those subjects just a bit. How does Hell fit in with our understanding of the three degrees of glory... and... does God really punish us, or are we just victims of our own actions and the consequences that follow?I invite you to join me for a discussion on these interesting topics.

The book of 1st Nephi is an extraordinary tale of the departure of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem into the wilderness and the eight year saga that ensued. The rich detail that accompanies this tale is remarkable for its specificity and the fact that almost two hundred years of research have only strengthened its claim of authenticity.I hope you find it as interesting as I did. 

For some, the challenge to balance obedience to a commandment against the exercise of our God-given agency can be a tough road to navigate. But it needn't be. The Lord and the modern-day prophets have told us clearly how we can do this and they are very consistent. All we have to do is listen very carefully.

The Word of Wisdom is so much more than a revelation about coffee, and tea, and alcohol, and tobacco. I invite you to tune in and listen for yourself. You just might hear something new!

Finding peace in an unpeaceful world

So many people say the we think we are the only ones going to heaven. Are they right? Do they have reason to believe that? Just what do we believe with regard to our final eternal destination...and who is invited?And just what is heaven? And, what will we do once we get there? Tune in and find out.

Secret societies of evil doers have been on the earth since Cain slew Able. They show up in the Bible as 'Priestcrafts' and in the Book of Mormon as both Priestcrafts and Secret Combinations with both the Jaredites in the book of Ether and also throughout the Nephite history. We are told there that they have always existed, and when I consider the effort Mormon and Moroni made to include their accounts in the records we have, that leads me to think just maybe they are around today as well. That being the case, what should we know about them, and how can we recognize them in our society? More importantly, how can we protect ourselves from their evils. I invite you to listen in as we discuss Secret Combinations in the Book of Mormon.

Why are there biblical scriptures in the Book of Mormon? What was so important about Isaiah that he occupies one quarter of the first hundred pages of a book who's authors all spoke of the difficulty of writing, and that only the most important words should be included. Why take up valuable space to include words that would be available elsewhere?Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the Bible. He is even quoted more than the Savior himself so, apparently, what he has to say must be very important. At least Nephi thought so!But, so too did the Savior! He quoted Isaiah during his visit to the Nephites and even commanded them to read Isaiah on their own. Let's find out why.

Latter-Day scriptures have revealed to us that there is much more to heaven and earth than is at first apparent. As scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe, we are tasked with unravelling the mysteries of God and Heaven. thankfully, we have the scriptures both old and modern to help us in that challenge. and I wonder, is there any crossover between Science and our doctrines? I believe there is; I see God's hand in everything we encounter all around us. And I believe that science has a big part in that as well. So, today, let's call this episode a fusion of Science and Religion!

Three of the greatest questions that confront humans today are: Why am I here? Where did I come from? and, Where am I going after this life is over? For some, these are consuming questions and they generate a lifetime of searching. For others, they seem unimportant...more curiosities than anything else. But could it be that there is important information to be learned that might very probably give direction to our lives if we understood the answers fully?So, how do we find those answers, and what do we do with them when we find them? Well, I guess that is left up to the individual, but i have always believed that the wise person makes good use of all the knowledge they possess, and the answer to these questions just might be life changing to many. 

How can we say the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel when it does not mention those things we consider the basics? It does not mention the Pre-existence, nor the Three Degrees of glory. It does not mention temples in the context that we see them, nor does it mention the everlasting covenant of Marriage and the continuation of the family. And yet, right in the Title Page it claims to contain the fulness of the gospel. How can that be? Well I invite you to tune and join me as we find out together! 

Two curious prophecies are found in the Bible that have the world puzzled; one is from Ezekiel about the Stick of Joseph; the other is about a sealed book and is mentioned by the prophet Isaiah. Today we are going to see of we can decipher those two prophecies. I hope you will stick around and find out how we do.

Are LDS people Christians? Probably one of the silliest questions in the public conversation today. Of course we are, and we shouldn't have to prove that to anybody; but we do. So let's take a look at the critics and what their arguments are. I'll bet they all revolve around the doctrine of the Trinity. Let's see what that's all about!

With God having our back, who can stand in front of us? Well, it turns out the whole world can stand in front of us. One would think that being partnered with the Lord would ease our way and smooth the path, but that is hardly ever the case. The followers of the Lord have always been tried and tested and opposed by the world. So, why is that? And why not just give up and take the easy way? if that is the way you are tempted to take, hold on a minute before you do, and listen to, and consider this.

Angels, Demons, Anunnaki and Aliens. They are all entities of another dimension and space. But, are they all real? Seems like a simple question but the reality may just hold secrets of our own place in the universe. We are seeing a convergence of science and religion on these related matters. We have the stories, legends and myths of history, and now, we are being confronted with the very real possibility that there are alien life forms that are visiting earth. So many scientists, and military officials, and government officials are speaking on and off the record about extraterrestrial visitors and recovered space craft but we are waiting for the official words from whoever it is that gets to speak officially.All of this has ramifications for us and for our faith....and for the faith of the world in all it's forms.Today's episode may be a little different than what you are used to, but I hope it is interesting and thought provoking.

In the Doctrine and Covenants there are only two women ever mentioned...one is Ema Smith - of course - ands the other is a lady named Vienna Jaques. she is mentioned only once, in section 90, but the promise made top her indicates she was an extraordinary woman...a woman about whom most of us  know almost nothing. We hope to change that today. Please join me and my special guest, Shannon Taylor as we explore the life of this amazing woman.

Within the beauty of the Book of Mormon lie several oddities that I think are worth investigating and discussing. In the end, I believe understanding these oddities only adds to the testimony of the truthfulness of this great book. Come with me and let's explore them together.

We like to think of ourselves as good people, and we are. But, how good are we? Are we Nephites, or are we Lamanites? Or...are we somewhere in between? Well, let's find out together.

Do miracles still happen? It seems they happened all the time in the old days.  The Scriptures are full of them; so why don't they happen like that today? Well, maybe they do. Maybe there are miracles all around us. If that's true, what does it take to see them? How can we see the miracles that happen all around us and in our own lives?I invite you to listen and find out for yourselves. I hope you enjoy and are uplifted by what you hear.

The book of Revelation has always been both fascinating and confusing to virtually all the people of the world. Joseph Smith, while working on the translation of the Bible, was likewise confused and took his questions to the Lord. We received Section 77 as a result. It is a wonderful clarification of some of the more mysterious elements of Revelation. But I think, equally fascinating is the whole subject of Apocalyptic Visions; what are they? And how and when are they given, and to whom?  Join me as we explore this mysterious subject.

Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants is, to my way of thinking, the beginning of the real differentiation of the doctrines of our church with the rest of the Christian world. True, the claim of a living prophet and modern revelation was intriguing, but the unveiling of the nature of heaven, and the mysteries of God's kingdom was something for which much of the world was unfamiliar with. Section 76 showed us the mercies of the Lord and gave us all great hope for the mysteries that await us in the next life. i hope you find these revelations as comforting as I do. please enjoy.

Life is tough...just ask anybody.  Most will tell you that life is a constant battle of one challenge after another. But is this the joy that we are all meant for? Why does opposition seem to always be ever-present with any project or task we undertake. Could it all be part of the plan? If so, how can it lead to joy and happiness? Let's find out together, shall we?

Today we are taking the opportunity to learn about the man who gave us the Book of Mormon. Mormon was the General of the Nephite army for at least 58 years, and much of that time was marked by the frustration of leading a faithless people destined to be destroyed. Mormon though, was a remarkable man and I'm privileged to tell his story. Sadly though, it will have to include the complete and utter destruction of the Nephite civilization.

The geography has long been a subject of curiosity for many, and a taboo for others.  But the fact is, the Book of Mormon authors felt it was necessary to put in as much detail as they could in order help orient us as to the lands they were speaking about. In the 1800's common knowledge of the world didn't keep up with the Book of Mormon, but modern research and discovery has moved the book into the palm of modern thinking.I invite you to tune in an see what you think?

A continuation of my testimony and reasoning for believing that Joseph Smith was truly a Prophet of God.

This podcast is presented so I can tell you why I know Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, and why I know the Book of Mormon is true.

The King Follett discourse or King Follett sermon, as it was prompted by the death of King Follett, a Nauvoo Latter-day Saint—has been hailed by historians both in and out of the Church as a landmark moment in Church history and “one of the truly remarkable sermons ever preached in America.” 1 Excerpts from it frequently appear in Church materials,  and it remains popular among Church members, historians, and others researching Church history and Joseph Smith’s life.Even for people who were aware of Joseph Smith’s earlier teachings on the premortal existence, divine nature, and exaltation, the King Follett discourse stood apart as the defining moment when those key concepts powerfully came to life as a meaningful component of LDS doctrine and thought.