LDS Corner

Governer Jesse Ventura is lending credence

2011-02-28T11:20:00.003-07:00

Ever read the dream John Taylor had about the terrifying scene of the last days? If not, go here to read it:

http://www.latterdayconservative.com/articles/john-taylors-last-days-vision/

After becoming familiar with this dream, watch this TV show http://www.trutv.com/video/conspiracy-theory/full-episodes/secret-societies.html (45 min) and tell me if you are not scared.

This specific episode will not be around for very long, if you find the link doesn't connect to the episode anymore, simply Google "Bilderberg" and your find more than enough to literally terrify you.

President Taylor's dream is the events, Jesse's show confirms the how and the why.

Get your food storage in order so you can hide out in your home when everyone around you is sick and dieing off. http://manditaylor.shelfreliance.com

It's not up for debate.

2010-10-08T13:59:00.006-06:00

During the recent LDS General conference, President Boyd K. Packer made pro-heterosexual remarks, that came under fire:

"Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good? There are both moral and physical laws “irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world” that cannot be changed.

History demonstrates over and over again that moral standards cannot be changed by battle and cannot be changed by ballot. To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil will not prevent the pain and penalties that will follow as surely as night follows day."

He also made comments, refuting gays who assert that same-sex orientation is a natural biological occurrence, he said:

“Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn temptations toward the impure and unnatural. Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember, he is our Father.”

Some in the media refute President Packer’s comments saying they are a stance of anti-science & anti-experience that come from medieval times, much like when Catholics rejected Galileo’s discoveries. The Utah gay community has also said that President Packer's comments could add emotional distress to youths as they come to terms with being gay.

President Packer also has advice for those struggling with such inner temptations:

"If you are bound by a habit or an addiction that is unworthy, you must stop conduct that is harmful. Angels will coach you, and priesthood leaders will guide you through those difficult times."

These comments prompted gays to initiate a Protest around the LDS church's Temple Square, in Salt Lake City. From the Temple Square protest, Organizer and Salt Lake City blogger Eric Ethington stated

“Tonight, we are symbolic of all the children who have been killed by messages like Boyd K. Packer’s. When you hear nothing from [church leaders] but that you are nothing but evil and you need to change the unchangeable nature of yourself, that is only a message kids can take for so long.”

That's odd, I never heard President Packer say that people are evil, I heard and read that he said "...inborn temptations toward the impure and unnatural." & "If you are bound by a habit or an addiction that is unworthy, you must stop conduct that is harmful."
Seems that gays are feeling personally attacked, when no attack is being made to them. President Packer attacked a behavior, not people. Universally, when people are guilty, truth exposing their guilt will cut them to the core. And these protests are an expression of ignorance towards God and eternal law.

Going back to President Packer's comment about gravity: just as gravity cannot be changed by popular vote, nor can the values and standards of heaven. This is because they are not God's laws to change, He simply abides by them.
These are eternal laws He follows and when He follows these laws the elements obey Him, because the elements are order and only can do what God says when He follows the order of the elements. The elements then respect God when He follows the natural order of the universe and obey him, allowing God to part the Red Sea, and perform other such miracles.
Just as everything in nature has a natural order and cannot be changed, so is sexual preference - in the kingdom of Heaven, as is illustrated by God destroying Sodom and Gomorrah.

Finally, I came across this blog post:

Boyd K. Packer doesn't speak for me. I'm sorry and embarrassed by the damage my church has done to countless gays and lesbians both within our little flock and outside of it. With a leadership that is all white, all male, and all old, and that the membership accepts as "prophets, seers, and revelators," I don't know how much of an effect dissenting voices within Mormonism will have. But there are dissenting voices.

It's this attitude that exemplifies how quickly people forget to follow the Lord and His prophet. If you are a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Boyd K. Packer merely re-stated the Lord's position on same-sex attraction, therefore President Packer speaks for you.

For more reading on previous occasions the LDS church has been in the news regarding gay issues, go here:
Politics promotes or exposes you
No convincing, just stating my position
I applaud Larry H. Miller
Defend Marriage...as God intended it.

Think you are immune?

2010-04-23T12:27:00.001-06:00

"SEC Porn Investigation Nets Dozens"
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/04/eye_opener_porn_and_federal_wo.html?referrer=emaillink

Goes to show that NO ONE is immune from temptation. How much is peace of mind worth to you? http://familyfilter.googlepages.com

The world is silently changing...

2010-02-18T12:11:00.008-07:00

The majority "market share" of religions are most likely going to start tipping in the favor of the Muslim faith.

The below video articulates perfectly what... well frankly, what scares me terribly. Not for my sake and probably not for the sake of my kids, but for their kids and their kids and so on.

Watch this 7+ minute video to understand the comments below the video.

This means that Christianity and every other faith will soon be in the minority and could very easily become extinct if people simply keeps subscribing to the whisperings of Satan and only continue to have 0-3 children per family.

Satan doesn't want people procreating, especially not in Christianity. Why else would mankind start taking a stance that procreating just isn't cool and should be delayed as long as possible? We don't react to things unless we are enticed by good or evil, regardless of how subtle it is. And yes, Satan is very subtly whispering to people to delay having children or to not have them at all. To illustrate this, lets look at the Bible.

The succession of events in the Bible points to Christianity as the religious system God wants the world populace to follow. And I'm not going to say that people that follow the Muslim faith are bad. I simply do not find the Muslim faith as a religious system that... in short, gets you back to heaven. As any Christian obviously wouldn't either.

To sum up my feelings on this video: God has children that haven't been born on this earth yet. If the relationship between God and Satan has been portrayed accurately in the bible, this also means that Christ was indeed real, he did die for us. And generally speaking, Christianity would then be the religious system to follow if someone wants to get back to heaven. (which Christian sect is true is a different conversation that I'll be happy to discuss with anyone.)

So, if Christianity is the true and only religious system to follow, that means - according to this video - by default Satan is winning. Again I don't believe that people not following Christianity are bad, satanic or evil in any way shape or form. I'm merely speaking the in new form of bold: politically incorrect. I'm simply stating that if you want to get to heaven, Christianity is the only religious system on earth that is set up to get you there. Plain and simple.

If the general world populous keeps subscribing to these whisperings of Satan and keep following the trend of "it's uncool to have children" or if people only continue having 0-3 kids per family Christianity and any other faiths that have families that poorly procreate, those faiths will die out, by default.
Then those that still subscribe to the belief that procreation is important -important enough to have 4+ kids per family - will be the people that dominate the world with their religion. If nothing changes then the Muslim faith will reign as the dominate faith of the entire planet.

In short, if you are a Christian and are married. Don't delay children any longer. If you have less than 4 kids - as the video suggests - increase your children count to 4+. If you can't have more kids, then adopt. The faith you cherish dearly will die out for your grandchildren and so on if action doesn't start with you.

One of the most damning influence's on earth

2009-10-05T11:32:00.035-06:00

This past weekend at the 179th Semiannual General Conference Elder Richard G. Scott said "Pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging." He also referenced to the innocent beginnings of it's ensnaring nature, urging those that are in the bondage of a pornography addiction to seek help and never give up.

In 2004, the late Gordon B. Hinkley, warned against the addicting influence of pornography. Sharing a tale of what seemed to be a traditional LDS couple that had a husband quietly suffering from a porn addiction. This information didn't come out almost until the man's deathbed, because he wanted his wife to know that many problems and indifference's in their marriage were tied to his silent task master.

In 2005 Dallin H. Oaks referenced to President Hinkley's 2004 pornography remarks. He even went as far as to admonish young women of the LDS church: "And young women, please understand that if you dress immodestly, you are magnifying this problem by becoming pornography to some of the men who see you." He added that we need to install protections against this spiritual threat as we would a smoke alarm or other similar forms of protections against deadly menace's.

I'm a big advocate for anything anti-porn, from encouraging modest dress and language in my family - especially with my children - to using protections against spiritual threats, as Elder Oaks suggests using in the home. I'm so much an advocate that I'm an affiliate for both ClearPlay, Inc and Content Watch, Inc. I even took the liberty of creating http://familyfilter.googlepages.com. I did this in an effort to have a quick and easy way to refer people to the 2 filtering products I represent, as an affiliate.

Shortly before General Conference, I posted on Facebook the following "Let's protect our homes & families from unsavory movie & Internet content before General Conference reminds us to do so. Be pro-active and learn more about stopping questionable DVD & Internet material from: http://familyfilter.googlepages.com/" in an effort to get people to take advantage of a means for stopping content that we didn't want in our home in the first place.

My Facebook network consists of mostly LDS church members and thought if no one made a purchase through my Google Pages site that I'd at least get positive praise for promoting such family oriented products. No, I was criticized for recommending people watch movies with the bad parts skipped. As if to suggest people should get the ClearPlay DVD player as means to have free license for watching any movie in the MPAA spectrum of G-rated to R-rated.

As a teenager I heard the following story in regards to terrific movies that had "just that one part."

Upon a trusted friend throwing this story at me in an effort to criticize me, I then pondered on the matter and after some time I came to the following conclusion: Watching movies with ClearPlay can enhance the viewing experience for the movies you already watch.

In other words: Watching movies you weren't willing to watch before, because of larger degrees of violence, swearing, sexual content or nudity will still get skipped - as long as skipping the content isn't at the expense of the continuity of the story - will more than likely not be any better an experience, it will more than likely prove to be distracting and ruin the viewing experience.

I christened my DVD player with The Matrix, which I had previously avoided because of the R rating. I generally avoid R-rated movies all together. I was thoroughly enjoying Matrix, until near the end where there is a shoot out with fully automatic weapons. ClearPlay was a distraction to Matrix, because it "swiss cheesed" this 1 scene, which was by far the "worst" scene that was the largest reason for the R-rating. ClearPlay kept skipping past people getting shot and it simply ruined watching the scene. Contrast Matrix with Outbreak.
I had previously watched Outbreak without ClearPlay and couldn't figure out what the MPAA considered R-rated to begin with. The only noticeable part ClearPlay skipped in Outbreak is fresh corpses that have essentially rotted away due to a virus that causes the person to die and the flesh starts rotting away.

For those movies that have the story line built on violence, swearing, sexual content or nudity ClearPlay cannot do much to skip through related content without ruining the movie and will therefore still give you the dog poo in the brownies. On the other hand watching Transformers 2 will remove the humping dogs, which is not related to the point of the story.

Fund Raiser in the Salt Lake City, Ut Region

2009-07-29T14:49:00.001-06:00

July 22, 2009
Dear Community/Business Owner:
We represent a small group of friends and family from Grantsville organizing a fundraiser for local residents Jared & Dwayne Perry.

Jared and his family have been long time members of the Grantsville community and as you have undoubtedly heard were involved in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday July 18th by Saltair. Jared and his son Dwayne were transported to the University of Utah Medical Center in Critical condition. They have both undergone several surgeries to repair injuries sustained in the accident.

Because of the tremendous costs that will be incurred for the required medical treatment, and his inability to return to work, we are hosting a fund-raising event which includes a Car Show, Car Wash, Food and silent auction.

The fundraiser will take place August 8th at 9:00 A.M. at the Grantsville Fire Department located at 26 North Center Street, Grantsville Utah 84029.

We are looking for both monetary donations for this event as well as items in the form of goods or services to be auctioned off. All proceeds will go to the Perry family for medical expenses as well as everyday expenses until Jared can return to work.

Thank you for your donation considerations in advance. If you have any questions please contact Chris Trowbridge at rpmfloocoatings@yahoo.com.

We also ask that you keep Jared and Dwayne in your prayers for a complete recovery

Angels and Demons 2.5/4 stars

2009-05-14T00:03:00.003-06:00

I got out the pre-screening earlier tonight. Below is my rating system and I explain why I rated the movie the way I did. I then totaled all 8 categories and divided by 2.

Where I won pre-screening passes, I'm glad I didn't spend money on this. I'd probably feel like I didn't get my money's worth.

I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to see this should probably wait for the DVD so they can watch it on ClearPlay.

I can honestly say that if I never watch this again, I'll be ok.

1 = Excellent
.75 = Good
.5 = Mediocre
.25 = Bad
0 = Unforgivable

Plot 1
Religious history, with a mixture of fictitious mystery and peril while Rome stands to be destroyed by an Anti-Matter bomb...is pretty intriguing, to me.

Storyline .75
Dan brown did, what I felt is an excellent job of laying out the storyline in the book, I felt the movie delivered on this in an very clear manner, even though at times the Robert Langdon character often has to speak fast to get the information to the audience, but ti still works.

Due to the amount of information flying past you in the movie, as opposed to the book, where you can take your time to re-read and let the information soak in, I couldn't give this aspect a full point.

Acting 0.5
Meh, overall it was pretty mediocre. No gripping character development, until the last 7 or so minutes of the movie when the villain comes out and we learn his motive. While admirable as his motives are having this come out right at the end, didn't save the acting of the over all film.

Dialogue 1
I found myself fascinated by all the historical facts they could squeeze into this movie. Now mind you I haven't done my Illuminati homework, so I can only trust that the information in the movie is fact. I really am too lazy to look up how much fact there was in the movie.

Special effects 0.75
Here's a small spoiler, if you haven't read the book, or didn't catch this in the trailers, the anti-matter bomb does go off, and the explosion looks really pretty. However we can only assume this is what an anti-matter explosion looks like, because...well, theoretical anti-matter cannot be harnessed.

Action 0.5
Not really too much action in this film. You have a movie that has Landgon solving the puzzle of where each Catholic Cardinal would be killed. There's no room left to wonder if what is going to happen next. 20 minutes into the film Ron Howard has Robert Langdon laying out what you are going to see over the next hour, plus. So nothing really left to the imagination.

I didn't even find myself worried if they were going to find the bomb in enough time, even though we all knew they would...otherwise Rome would have been removed from the face of the earth and we know that wouldn't have been a good ending to a movie. Perhaps that's why "Knowing" is going to the dollar theaters soon.

Sound 0.5
Again, meh. Nothing really spectacular that you are dying to listen for.

Tone 0
Here's the kicker to the movie: there is relatively nothing positive about this movie! It's dark, literally lots of scenes happen in the dark, but there is brutal killings and martyrdom happening in the movie. This is gory for a PG-13.

Ron Howard, I feel really pushed the gore factor to the limits. He did just enough to make it hard, but soft enough to miss an R rating.

I'm going to give some spoilers: An eye ball that has been cut out of the socket, you see the eye ball for a good 2, maybe 3 seconds and the head it's been taken from.

People are being seared with branding irons. Near the end you get to finally see someone branded on camera.

A man that has died within the day has rats crawling on him and they are eating his flesh.

You see 2 men perish by fire, and this doesn't look like a stunt guy in a fire suit, it looks so real that this drove me to also give the special effects a higher than mediocre rating, because it was convincingly real.

A man has been killed, and when someone attempts to perform CPR on him blood spurts on to someone's face, then they realize the dying man's lung have been punctured.

Based on the overall tone and gore, I'd have to recommend this be viewed on ClearPlay, instead of theaters.

Very Safe Browsing

2009-04-22T10:31:00.000-06:00

We know how much undesirable content there is on the the web. We know how important it is to protect your home from pornography with an internet filter, like Net Nanny.

But technology cannot make a moral decision on images or video you need to go 1 step further than any internet filter can offer, you need a way to stop undesirable images and videos from continually accessible.

What you need to:

1 - Regardless of what internet browser you are already using, download and install the Firefox internet browser.

Install the following Firefox Add-ons (Add-ons extend Firefox, letting you personalize your browsing experience.)

2 - Install ProCon Latte 1.7.9.5
This Add-on will allow you to filter web pages, but if you are already using an internet filter you can turn everything off in ProCon, except the Profanity Filter.

I know Net Nanny is going to stop my children from getting on to sites, but if you're an adult and you have pages you are comfortable with and you tell Net Nanny not to filter you, but you don't want the filthy language from those pages, you can build your own word list; so that any undesirable words are masked with "***"!

3 - Download and install the following Add-ons:
Adblock Plus 1.0.1
Remove It Permanently 1.0.6.4

I've found both of these very very helpful when I don't want to see parts of a page that I don't need to see. Especially where no internet filter in existence can make a moral decision on an image or video, you need to empower yourself in a way that will allow you to see your favorite page without nasty images or ads loading up on your page.

You right-click on an undesirable image and select to AdBlock it. Or in an extreme example let say you frequent a favorite site that has lots of good stuff on it, but there is a part of the site that invites you to click on it to see girls in swim suits, (or less). You can right click this and "Remove it Permanently."

4 - Install IE Tab 1.5

With as amazing as you are quickly realizing the Firefox browser is, you'd probably be surprised to find out that not everyone makes their web page Firefox compliant!

Well, someone was smart enough to realize this and they made this beautiful Add-on. If a page you were frequenting before installing Firefox doesn't load properly in Firefox, you can right-click your favorite page and use "View page in IE tab."

One caviet to using IE tab: all Firefox add-ons are disabled when using a page in IE.

To summarize: with Firefox, you can pretty much do anything you want, as apposed to IE where you have add-ons, but you have to pay for some add-ons, and they aren't as powerful. Combine that with the Net Nanny Internet Filter and you are going to have a very happy browsing experience!

Tackling the Porn Problem

2009-04-13T14:13:00.000-06:00

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-1032-35,00.html

From 179th Annual General Conference, April 2009, President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is quoted:

Now, a word of caution to all—both young and old, both male and female. We live at a time when the adversary is using every means possible to ensnare us in his web of deceit, trying desperately to take us down with him. There are many pathways along which he entices us to go—pathways that can lead to our destruction. Advances in many areas that can be used for good can also be used to speed us along those heinous pathways.

I feel to mention one in particular, and that is the Internet. On one hand, it provides nearly limitless opportunities for acquiring useful and important information. Through it we can communicate with others around the world. The Church itself has a wonderful Web site, filled with valuable and uplifting information and priceless resources.

On the other hand, however—and extremely alarming—are the reports of the number of individuals who are utilizing the Internet for evil and degrading purposes, the viewing of pornography being the most prevalent of these purposes. My brothers and sisters, involvement in such will literally destroy the spirit. Be strong. Be clean. Avoid such degrading and destructive types of content at all costs—wherever they may be! I sound this warning to everyone, everywhere. I add—particularly to the young people—that this includes pornographic images transmitted via cell phones.

My beloved friends, under no circumstances allow yourselves to become trapped in the viewing of pornography, one of the most effective of Satan's enticements. And if you have allowed yourself to become involved in this behavior, cease now. Seek the help you need to overcome and to change the direction of your life. Take the steps necessary to get back on the strait and narrow, and then stay there.

May we say, with Joshua of old, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Since the days of little Timmy going over to little Johnny's house looking at Dad's hidden stash of x-rated magazine's is over and the internet is the new magazine, learn how to empower yourself and protect you, your home and family.

Instead of trying to Navigate your way through the mentioned site, click on the below option for your PC or Mac to receive 25% off the first year of the yearly sign up fee:

Net Nanny for PC
Net Nanny for Mac

The Oscars, Hollywood, and You

2009-02-23T10:08:00.002-07:00

I just received this email from ClearPlay, Inc.

Whether you enjoy watching the Academy Awards or not, the yearly celebration of Hollywood’s finest at the very least provides an opportunity to reflect on the movie industry and its trends, its successes and its failures. As we examine box office totals and the Academy’s choices for 2008, the numbers provide interesting insights and some fertile ground for discussion. Take the following statistics:

•

A Thirst for the Family Friendly
The numbers indicate to me that America has a thirst for movies in the “family friendly” G/PG category. I think the statistics show that people enjoy clean movies and want to see films with their families. But despite the overwhelming success of non-rated R movies, Hollywood still makes as many rated-R movies as it does all three of the other ratings combined! From a purely business perspective, sense would seem to dictate that studios need to shift resources away from the raunchy, profane, and violent. So why don’t they?

While the answer is likely complicated, the number of rated-R movies released and the Academy Award nominations may suggest that one factor is a values gap: those within the industry simply don’t share the same values, perspectives, and goals as the movie going public. The statistics demonstrate that we want more quality, clean entertainment, while some directors and studios may want to generate buzz by pushing boundaries, seeking for prestige among their peers, or releasing films that reflect their own morals and interests.

What To Do?
While studios have every right to release what they want, those of us who would like cleaner, values-oriented entertainment must voice our opinions. While every industry wants to reward its innovators and visionaries and be successful, we need to send a message that more graphic sex, violence, and profanity do not innovation, a vision, or even good business sense make. Until Hollywood understands this, or perhaps until they understand us, ClearPlay will have plenty of work to do.

Brian Fuller

You can get your ClearPlay DVD player here!!

Crimes via Text Messaging

2008-12-09T09:44:00.005-07:00

A woman has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc.was stolen. Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our PIN number and I replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cellphone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the PIN number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson: DO NOT disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey,Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc... and very importantly, when sensitive info is asked of you through texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also, when receiving a text from your friends or family to meet them somewhere that is not planned or usual, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them.

If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you. PLEASE PASS THIS ON. I never thought about THAT! As of right now, I no longer have 'home' named on my cell phone.

No convincing, just stating my position

2008-11-14T15:46:00.021-07:00

Feel free to watch:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx/?mkt=en-us&vi d=1d93ac16-bd4b-49a7-bbef-89dba72ee49c&fg=rss &from=im_m_25-34

This gentleman speaks of love, "do unto others...," etc. Let's put the whole issue of gay-equality into a perspective that not only includes God - as the news man suggests - but let's include God, in the appropriate and correct context, in relation to the issue of gay marriage.

Yes, let's all do unto others as we would like done unto us, but let's not forget that God has established order in the universe and in the human family. I will preface the rest of this post with the following: No one that fears and worships God with conviction and is an advocate for traditional marriage will desire anyone to be unhappy, however those that love and worship God with conviction know that he has bounds that have been set in order to obtain true happiness...happiness that can only come from living within the bounds he has set.

I'm not commenting from the perspective of an active member of the LDS church, I'm commenting as one that can read the bible and understand the character and nature of God, just from reading the Bible.

We read that God destroyed 2 entire cities: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gen/19/24

Gen 19: 24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;God destroyed 2 cities with hundreds and possibly thousands of people...his own creations...his children.

Let's go back to the previous chapter: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gen/18/20

Gen 18: 20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;Just to make sure that this is actually a credible story, here are other parts of the bible that verify this story:

("Know" is the biblical way of saying "have sex with.")

We have now established that the Bible indeed states that homosexuality is evil in the sight of God. Now, let's put this in the equation that the news man suggests, let's treat everyone with love.

Let's not persecute others for their choices. Just as God has given everyone the freedom to choose to steal or not, lust or not, fornicate or not, seek material things over God or not, exercise our right to choose a same sex partner (and all that such a relationship entails) or not, commit sin or not.
Let us treat others with kindness and let's always remember too: we can always treat anyone that sins with dignity and respect and more importantly with love. The same love and respect we would hope others to give us.

But wait, let's not forget why prop 8 was an issue in the first place. People that are living a lifestyle contrary to their creator say they want their alternative lifestyle to be seen as equal and treated as the institution that God set forth. People that live a homosexual lifestyle, a way of life in total contradiction to God's established order we now call traditional marriage are expecting to be seen equal in the eyes of God, how can this be? How can anyone expect something that is contrary to traditional marriage expect it to be treated or seen as the equal to something that is quite opposite to that which God established?

Lucifer has successfully whispered in society's ears and convinced those that are willing to listen that there is an alternative form, an imitation, of love that is completely acceptable.
Yes, homosexual love is an imitation to what God established with the first man and woman.

Satan seems to have established all forms of love-imitations designed to trick people into thinking they are getting a full satisfying amount of joy from. When in reality we have all heard of one story or another of someone that was hurt in a one degree or another and was left spiritually and emotionally scarred because of a relationship they thought they were in that gave the appearance of love. This isn't to say they were not in actuality enjoying the relationship, but it ended up for the worse.
If only those people had the self control to not settle for something less or had not been impatient and gave in to their urges, etc. Those people could have been in a better emotional and spiritual place today.

However homosexuality seems to be...different. In contrary to giving in to the urge to have pre-marital sex or adultery, stealing, or lying gays have said that they are "born gay," or they are simply attracted to the same sex. So it's hard to say what exactly is the truth and mechanics behind why and what causes someone to choose to be gay.

Yes, gay is a choice. It's a choice, just as it is my choice to be interested in women, and not men. The thought of myself choosing to be interested in men is appauling to me. So therefore I choose to like women, more particularly my wife. I choose to fulfill my wants and needs for female companionship. Regardless the reason for choosing homosexuality, as hard as this is for some people to read: homosexuality is wrong, plain and simple.

No one ever instructed you to act on homosexual thoughts/urges/tendencies/temptations, etc. And no, it's not the same as telling me to apply that logic to my heterosexual nature. God hard-wired it into everyone to be heterosexual, otherwise the Bible wouldn't condemn homosexuality as a sin: a willful rebellion against God.
Also, let's not forget our sex, that is is another witness that we were designed from birth to be heterosexual, but those that are gay are choosing to be with people that are in contradiction to their physical design.

Imagine if we tried to apply this contradiciton in physical design to something like stereo equipment. Those that chose to have there stereo's be gay would never fulfill the design of the equipment and never have a funcitoning stereo!!

I've heard the following:
-homosexuals claim that that those that are for prop 8 feel their love is more real and meaningful than that found in a homosexual couple.

This is an attack tactic, much like the child who is disciplined when caught doing something wrong, they yell at their parent that the parent hates them. In reality it's an act of defense with the intent that those bringing a mistake to light will cave in to pressure to accept the mistake.

-"I am not "promoting" the gay life style. I am fighting for equality." "Allowing gays to marry wont effect your marriage in any way shape or form. The only one that can do that is you. It truly is an argument of discrimination."

Yes, you are fighting for equality. Everyone wants to know and feel they are accepted as equals in all facets of life. The problem with modifying society's view, as a whole to accept gay as an acceptable lifestyle is that it affects and destroys (yes, I said destroys) the God-established institution of marriage. No it will not affect those that have been married traditionally, it will however have an impact upon the institution of it, permanently.

This destruction has already begun in states where Gay marriage is legal. The school systems are indoctrinating our young impressionable children with "diversity" curriculum. They are being taught to recognize all forms of family units. They are being fed a lie that this lifestyle is acceptable (but because it's school religion cannot play a part in this education.) They are being told that what is said in school is the end-all be-all for what to expect for the rest of their lives.

This cannot be what the rising generations are to expect to be the norm. If society continues to accept those things that are contrary to God, he shall unleash a degree of wrath the world has never known. I personally don't want to be around to see such a day, nor do I want any of my family legacy to either.

In conclusion, let us not make people feel bad for any decision that may be contrary to God, for God will judge us all fairly. Let us however tremble at the very thought of sin and avoid it at all costs.

Politics promotes or exposes you

2008-11-05T14:41:00.009-07:00

I watched a KSL news clip with Steve Young on Proposition 8 "Steve Young corrects involvement in Prop. 8." I have no respect left for him, as a church member. I now have a better understanding as to why the Lord hates the luke-warm people.

Young said his wife's actions and statements are not his own. Which I find to be a fair stance. She's for gay marriage due to a family member. Basically she fears man more than God.

Carol Mikita got a phone statement from him she played on the air that also went on to state that he loves his church and has the utmost respect for it's leaders, but stated he will not make a public statement on prop 8.

I'm upset that Young won't stand up for his core belief system. He's setting a bad example for the rest of the church, showing that it's ok to be afraid to state your true feelings, I no longer view Steve Young as an upstanding member. He fears man (more particularly his wife and her gay siblings) than God.

Which brings me to something a friend of mine emailed me. The following are excerpts from a talk given by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in...ready for this? 1978!

This is further evidence that Heavenly Father is real, that he does exist and truly can see the beginning and the end. I'm just glad traditional marriage is safe, for now.

You can find this talk "A More Determined Discipleship" on LDS.org

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions.
President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ.
. . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as unready and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.

There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.
Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

-- Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Learning the Hard Way

2008-09-08T08:39:00.015-06:00

The council to not see r-rated movies was first introduced by President Ezra Taft Benson, in April Conference 1986, general priesthood (Ensign, May 1986, p 43):

"We counsel you, young men, not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic." (Ensign, May 1986, p 43)

I've heard many people for the last 5-10 years state that "PG-13" is the new "R." The church has answered this concern with updated council in For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. (Refer to page 17)

We are no longer instructed to avoid R-rated movies, but to basically do your homework, before watching a movie:

Offensive material is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music, videocassettes, DVDs, books, magazines, pictures, and other media. Satan uses such entertainment to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal and exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone is doing things that are wrong.
Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.

The ratings alone cannot be the sole means of deciding if one should go to a movie. Hopefully we all have people close by that hold our value's or at least understand our standards as LDS church members, and provide a fair and balanced review\report on the content of the latest and greatest movie.

Hopefully we have all been following the council in the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet already, regardless of the fact that the pamphlet is directed at the youth, it can still be a guideline for us as adults.

This past weekend I purchased the ClearPlay DVD player, which filters out nudity, violence, gore, language etc. As long as the content is not vital to the story, so as to not disrupt the continuity of the viewing experience, not cutting out vital parts of the movie so that the story stays intact, the ClearPlay DVD player will filter it.

I decided to test out how well ClearPlay filters an R-rated movie. Yes, I know, I'm going against council. However logic says that if the content that caused the MPAA to give the movie an R is no longer viewable it's not an R anymore.

After watching 3 R-rated movies (mainly rated R for violence) this weekend I walked away feeling that even though the restricted content was not seen the general tone of the movie was not altered. I still got a very violent undertone.
Thus my conclusion is: the restricted content may be skipped while watching on a ClearPlay DVD player, you'll still have a spiritually dampening experience. Just follow the prophet, instead of finding out the hard way and don't use ClearPlay to justify watching an R.

The Rules of Chocolate.

2008-06-25T11:09:00.001-06:00

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and you'll eat less.

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?

Money talks. Chocolate sings. Beautifully.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. Therefore, you need to eat more chocolate.

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Now, isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

What was he thinking?!?!

2008-06-03T12:09:00.002-06:00

Kirby Heyborne, star of such films as The RM, Singles Ward I & II, and The Best Two Years has recently been recognized by multiple people in a Miller beer commercial!

We know the Lord does prompt people to do the unorthodox from time to time, so I can only hope that this kamikaze maneuver as an LDS actor was prompted by the Lord himself.

If Mr. Heyborne decides to make an honest public statement that explains his tenetive career-suicide was motivated by anything other than inspiration from the Lord, he'll be done in LDS films. If it was motivated by direct heavenly revelation, god bless him in going forward in his LDS career.

Let's just hope he's not pulling a Richard Dutcher: silently denouncing his faith by participating in commercials and media that is completely contradictory to the LDS church's standards.

Let's set the record straight Part III

2008-04-25T10:52:00.003-06:00

THE APOSTASY

The dictionary defines Apostasy as: a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.

What makes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stand out in the Christian religion is The Apostasy, and all things related to it.

When members of the LDS church refer to the Apostasy they are referring to the Apostles Jesus chose not able to pass on their Priesthood keys (which includes revelation) to a faithful successor, because the successor strayed or the Apostle either died a martyr or from old age.

As a result if they died, they didn't pass on their priesthood keys to another. Or they passed the priesthood keys on to a successor that strayed from the teachings of Jesus.

How could a successor possibly start teaching false doctrine? For starters Jesus was hated for his new thinking, his teachings of love, etc. So, his teachings weren't widely accepted in the first place.

2nd For those that did accept his teaching, namely the apostles, they are recorded numerous times being corrected by The Savior on many points of Doctrine. Apparently only after his ascension did the Apostles start teaching doctrine without needing correction from the resurrected Lord (because correction from the Savior is not recorded, as far as we know.)

With only 3 years in a “crash course” on the Law being fulfilled, versus 4000 years of Old Testament ways it’s really not much time to get all the membership on the same page…compared to today where we have all sorts of nifty stuff to keep us all on the same page: the web, mass publications, etc.

So when the Apostles are journeying around from country to country for months and even years before going back to different groups of followers is it any wonder that false doctrine and misunderstanding crept into the Church?

On top of false doctrine creeping in between visits and letters from the Apostles, they were martyred; preventing them from continually teaching pure doctrine. Thus the philosophies' of men started finding there way into Christ's doctrine, and being passed off as Christ's doctrine.

Because of this Apostasy there were very vital things that were lost. Priesthood, the authority to act in the name of God: the power that enabled Moses to perform the miracles he did. It’s what allowed Jesus to perform miracles, rise from the dead, etc.
Revelation was lost too. It's that which is what keeps the church in line with what God wants taught.

This brings us to a short subject about the Catholic Church, related to this Apostasy.

Despite what many believe, even though Peter possibly had an unbroken line of successors, they didn't continue teaching what Jesus and Peter taught. Thus his successors lost their priesthood authority and everything associated with it, like Revelation.

Losing Revelation kept his successors from receiving continual guidance from God. They continued leading how they thought things should be taught.

Also, The Catholic church wasn't formed until 300 B.C., It wasn't formed when Christ died, leaving peter as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ.

So, if the Catholic church isn't what Christ established, then none of the break-off's, protestor churches (Protestants,) are the true church either.
Neither can any of the church's since then, because they were all started by men thinking some church before them isn't quite getting it right. They think they can do just a little better than the church they think isn't getting it right.

Which is the whole reason Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord which church was true, and was told none of them.

Let's set the record straight Part II

2008-03-17T22:24:00.005-06:00

POLYGAMY
Early in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith to introduce polygamy. 3rd President and prophet of the church, Wilford Woodruff was instructed by the Lord to discontinue this practice.

As foreign a practice this is in our day and age this was practiced in the Old Testament. So, Joseph Smith didn't take initiative to start polygamy for the heck of it, the Lord Jesus Christ instructed him to do it.

Joseph Smith was not happy that this was implemented, in fact Brigham Young 2nd president and prophet of the church said this about polygamy

Again, Jehovah (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) of the Old Testament instructed the Lord's people to practice polygamy, from time to time, for whatever reason He chooses. It's His perrogative.

GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS ARE SEPARATE BEINGS
Genesis has God saying let us make man in our own image. Not I'll make man in My own image. God the Father and Jesus were both involved in the creation of the planet and the human race.

Skipping ahead 4000 yeas is the next recorded instance where Jesus and God are in the same place at the same time, Jesus's baptism: God the Father states that Jesus is his beloved son.

Jesus states he cannot do anything except what He sees the Father do.

Jesus is Praying to God, in the Garden of Gethsemane. He doesn't pray to himself.

Jesus, on the cross asks why God has forsaken him. He didn't forsake himself.

After Jesus is resurrected he tells Mary that he hasn't ascended to His Father and her Father. His God and her God.

Ok, we have 5 specific examples that Jesus himself states that he is not God the Father. God the Father is Elohim. Jesus is Jehovah. Jeremiah himself states that Jehovah is his salvation. Peter in the New Testament states that there is only one name under heaven whereby man can be saved. Jehovah is Jesus, plain and simple, not God the Father.

A modern-day example that Jesus and God the Father are seperate beings is the account of Joseph Smith.
It was the Spring of 1820 when 14 year old Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Shortly before this time Joseph Smith was impressed upon to find which church was right.

Here is Joseph Smith's own words about this time of his life.

Go here to read the experience in it's entirety: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/1

Let's set the record straight Part I

2008-03-16T23:46:00.006-06:00

First off, let's define a Christian. Dictionary.com defines a Christian as:
of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.

By definition a group of people declaring themselves a church do not have to subscribe to the creeds written by groups of men that came to a compromise on their beliefs of God & Jesus Christ. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s clear up a few more things.

“THE MORMON CHURCH”
The name of the church is not “The Mormon Church.” The name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are Christians, because we teach the teachings of the Savior. Thus this is the church of Jesus Christ (because we teach His teachings, as defined by the dictionary.) Also, we are the saints of the latter-days.

We do not profess this to be the church of the Mormons, Latter-day Saints, or Joseph Smith, because Christ Himself said:

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.
This is not a church started by a man named Mormon. It was started by Jesus Christ.

MORMONS
“Mormons” This is a nick name given to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because we use a companion book of scripture: The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.

Before you go off and thinking anything negative about our use of another book of scripture, it was just stated it is a companion book, not a replacement. You can read further details here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/introduction

Can not God have people record dealings anywhere else in the world, other than in Jerusalem? If you say no, you limit God.

To be continued...

I've seen it so you don't have to

2007-07-05T12:59:00.000-06:00

I give Transformers 2.5 our of 4 stars. And I'm going to give you some spoilers that will give you plenty of information that will allow you to be very cautious in letting your kids see it, however I don't think you should see this at all, unless on DVD with a language filter.

Obviously the action made this a PG-13, however I feel that the action was the smallest element that made this PG-13. This movie is full of sex! Yes, Transformers is unnecessarily full of sex. No, the Transformers do not have anything to do with sex, it's the main human character, Sam. He's a porn loving teenager. Twice, Sam refers to his nude magazines.

The writers took time to deviate from the whole reason of the Autobots introduction to Sam and his friend, who is a girl to have one of the Autobots say that he detects that Sam's ferramone level is quite high and he (the Autobot) detects that the human (Sam) wants to mate with the girl.

The biggest detraction from the movie is Sam's parents are trying to see if he is ok, but his bedroom door is locked and after they get inside his mother asks if he's been masturbating.
This scene felt very uncomfortable to watch and the writers didn't just drop it after Sam exclaims that he was not. The writers keep having the mom egg the subject on: she thinking he's not being truthful and tries to play the subject down, making Sam feel this is an acceptable activity, but this only makes the problem of this scene worse. She keeps babbling on about different ways such an activity can be acceptable and Sam and his dad keep telling her to shut up, and she doesn't.
The writers keep this awkward moment going for a good 60-90 seconds, maybe even 3 minutes. Then to top it all off, they find a girl in his bedroom and commend him for her being there.

The funny thing is they are all playing it cool with the possibility of him pleasuring himself and a girl being in his room, but all of this came after the dad told him "you now the rules, no locked doors in this house!" This scene was full of all sorts of confusing moral messages.
If there is a "No locked doors" policy in this house why are they so calm about him possibly having his "fun time" as his mom calls it and even worse why are they so calm about a girl in his bedroom?!?!

The writers, or Bay, or whoever is responsible for the sex in this movie they need to be kept away from Hollywood and need to go flip some burgers.

I liked the action and the story line but the sex made this a very disappointing movie. It had all I was expecting from a live action Transformers, except the sex...the sex was completely unnecessary, a total distraction from the point of the movie.

Seriously, you are better off waiting until this is on DVD, and watching with a language filter. At least you can be spared from the dialogue of such an embarrassing 3 minutes.

The "Secret"...is that there is no "Secret"

2007-06-27T10:04:00.001-06:00

I will be short and to the point. The Secret is a farse and it's not my opinion, Jesus Himself tells us by completely contradicting one of the most talked about aspects, philosophies, concepts...whatever you'd like to call it.

The Savior completely makes this claim by "The Secret" fall flat on it's face. The Secret claims if you say, for example, "I want to be out of debt" according to The Secret by saying this you attract debt by the mere mention, even by the mere thought you will attract debt.

You can read in Matthew 7: 7-10

What more can I say other than "ask and ye shall receive."

So, we now have been reminded that the "Universe", as they call it, does not hand out trials, tribulation or even wealth and success, just by the mere thought or audible mention.
The universe...ok, let's get real, God will give you what you ask, not single out one word in a thought or sentence and give only that to you. God is a thinking, feeling, emotional individual that cares for us. He's not some mystical being, without parts, passions, etc, just...out there as The Secret depicts the universe. Actually, it's a strange coincidence that The Secret's depiction of the "universe" is also how the Nicene Creed describes God.

What I find even more funny about everyone in the video is, most especially, they have a reverend...preacher, religious leader, saying the "universe" is responsible for all this. It's as if he doesn't recognize God's hand in all this.

Also why is it that 2 people in prison, in the exact same environment, one can be completely miserable and the other can be the happiest person? It's all about perspective, not the universe dealing out a bad hand to one prisoner and the universe dealing out a good hand to the other prisoner.
So for The Secret to say the "universe" is giving the homosexual man in The Secret all the flaque, that is crap.

The Secret almost contradicts itself. Mark Victor Hansen the "expert" at this concept of the law of attraction, he claims that it's the "universe" giving him all this crap, but then he goes right into personal responsibility.

Mr. Hansen tells him to look at all the things this man is focusing on, the homosexual man is focusing on all these negative things. The man changes his perspective from "I'm the minority that is being picked on" to someone that is just an ordinary person and boom, all the troubles that the "universe" was dishing out have disappeared.

This concept of the "Universe" being responsible for the fate of peoples' everyday events is crap, it's almost like people are believing in Greek gods again.

This truly rings of something that is deceiving the very elect.

Fabulous Weekend!!

2007-06-11T12:59:00.000-06:00

I've just come back from the ACN International training in Detroit Michigan. I know some might think this is a solid weekend of raw raw, fun, and excitement, but it's not like that...it's far more! I can't over "sell" this event enough!

I was first approached about going to the training events and I thought that training couldn't build my business, but the services, and any announcements about the services would be what built my business. I had already been exposed to the business for 9 months, collectively, and really didn't see the sense in spending the money for the $100.00 entrance fee and the cost of a plane ticket and hotel fee's. Not to mention the money it would take to not starve.

I was also worried that the whole point of going was to get an excitement that would make my business grow, quickly, but I was afraid that would fade. It did fade, but when I came away from the Sept 2006 International training (in Baltimore Maryland) I had a far greater understanding of the direction of the company and it's vision. That description does not come close to touching what it's actually like to experience an International ACN training event!

Getting a vision of the direction of ACN is just a small piece of what you learn while at this 3 day event. You get to hear from the co-founders of the company and the top producing representative's. This is exciting because it's the people at the top of the company teaching you what they have done to get to the top...in other words you are being trained on what the best in the company do to be successful. It's like this, the people at the top of ACN don't make dimes until the people below them make quarters. So, the co-founders and the top executives have every incentive to help out everyone below them.

That is an ACN international training event ,in a nutshell...however you have to experience this to believe it. I have come away from the International training in Detroit excited and ready to tell everyone about this, because everyone needs this opportunity.
ACN is how you can make money from people paying for something essential that they use everyday, it's phone service! This could only be simpler if you were getting paid for people flushing their toilet, drinking water, or breathing!

Seriously, you have to be with me and about 10,000 others in theACN International Training in Baltimore, MD This September

Al Sharpton to Meet With Mormon Leaders After Slighting Religiosity in Debate

2007-05-18T09:18:00.000-06:00

This is a wonderful sign. Hopefully Mr. Sharpton walks away from the experience more enlightened.

I'm getting excited

2007-05-16T07:41:00.001-06:00

Congratulations Utah Jazz! Here's hoping they get to the finals and finally win it all.

Religious bully's

2007-03-30T00:46:00.000-06:00

It must be time for General Conference again, because anti-Mormon propaganda is in nation wide circulation.

If you aren't familiar with what I'm referring to...well, I hate to bring attention to it, because the best way to fight against a bully is to flat out ignore it. What I'm talking about is an anti-Mormon DVD being distributed, 300,000 copies of this particular pontificating garbage.

The group "Concerned Christians" (ironic name, isn't it) created this DVD in order to sway "Mormons" to leave the LDS church in efforts to help "save" us.

First off, when did it become anyone's duty to "save" us "Mormon's"??? I thought this country was a place where religious freedom was a privilege. I guess for everyone but the "Mormon's."

Second, when did producing deceitful fountains of mis-information fall in line with "love thy neighbor as thy self"? I guess Concerned Christians feel that they are doing us a..."favor"??? They are determined to ensure they can take the credit for correcting the brain-washing 12 million people have been through. I guess they can help us see where we've all gone wrong.

This is just plain laughable and annoying. Why are the LDS always getting singled-out? Why are we the only ones that get chosen to be shown how incorrect our beliefs and doctrine are? I would never condone this treatment for anyone else, but why aren't they sending DVD's around to Jew's Buddhist's or Muslim's? Surely if a Christian sect can be so blindly wrong, well non-Christian religion's must also be just as false, why not be equal opportunity faith-destroyers?

The people behind this behavior are just as bad as Caiaphas and all that sought the life of the Savior. People aren't bad, it's their decisions that are poor.

I look forward to the day when people can more sincerely seek to know if the LDS church is true, because I know they'll find it is.

They'll come to find that there is more than just what is contained in the Bible, that a loving Heavenly Father is not a mysterious being without parts or passion's, that He literally is our father and he wants us to return to him.

That he's provided a Savior for all mankind to overcome sin and death.

That he has provided prophets throughout all time and didn't just stop with Jesus christ, he continues in this dispensation...even today, March 30, 2007 he has a prophet on the earth today: Gordon B. Hinkley who leads and guides His church on earth, even as Adam, Enoch, Moses, Noah, and Jesus did, so does President Hinkley do so in our day.

I would encourage all to listen to President Hinkley and the other General Authority's during this weekends conference address, which can be found at www.lds.org.

New credit card scam?

2007-03-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

Snopes.com cannot verify if this is a false e-mail going around, but what the hey, why not be ready for anything?

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "Master Card".

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". ; There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. [B]The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card![/B]

If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.

I have my family!

2006-12-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Lord has humbled me, yet again.

I got home last night and a I had learned that a business deal I was for sure (as of Saturday) was going to happen, actually fell through.

I was devastated, because I felt I had worked hard to get the deal closed and now everything was falling apart. This deal was supposed to put me in a good position to start bringing in some good money so my wife and I could start paying our debts off.

I was upset and frustrated, my wife could see this and didn't need myself being angry with our kids and I didn't want to be either. It was really difficult to separate my frustration from my ability to happily interact with my family.

Just when I had been toughing out my internal battle for almost an hour I received a phone call from a family that their daughter in-law had been in a car wreck, and was 5 months pregnant and she lost the baby.

In short, I quickly realized how petty my concerns were and that others had lost a loved one. I then realized that even though I have some financial difficulties I have my family.

Joseph Smith: an awesome story teller or a Prophet?

2006-10-23T16:13:00.000-06:00

I came to a discovery last night about Nephi. I came to realize he's one that has lots of faith, but not the type that probably a lot of people think.

I'm specifically referring to how he asks the Lord where ore can be found to molten the tools he needs to make the boat.

I remember growing up hearing people say that he had such awesome faith that he didn't even ask the Lord how to make the tools, he just asks "how do I find the materials to make the boat?" which sounds like pretty awesome faith. To not even ask how to make the tools, but to ask where's the materials to make the boat...it's just an awesome amount of faith.

Let's take a closer look at Nephi, and why he doesn't need to ask how to make the tools.

I believe he was a type of metal smith. I believe this because of 2 things.

1 - This should be the most obvious to anyone...what store now days can you find a steel (archery or hunting) bow? Ok, Why would Joseph Smith include this easily overglossed detail like someone carrying around a steel bow, unless a real person that worked with metals wrote about his steel bow? This detail doesn't do anything for Nephi later on in the story of their journey through the wilderness, other than play a part in a faith building trial.

2 - Nephi finds a drunk Laban and pulls out his sword. Then Nephi takes the time, in the dark (because remember he crept into the city after it was dark), to admire Laban's sword...and not only admire it, but he makes the effort of writing about it on the plates, which aparently is not an easy task. So it would appear Laban's sword meant something to him, or at least impressed him.

9 And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.

So, it would also appear - from this instance - that his passion for temporal things was metal, else why would Nephi make the effort to tell all that would read plates about his fascination with Laban's sword...he was taken back at how beautiful the sword was, it was probably something he would have loved to have made himself.

Not to mention all the swords he forged after his family landed in the America's and they seperated.

So, back to this: an amazing show of faith on Nephi's part; it's really not so amazing after all that he asked where to find the ore...he just didn't know where to look. But he did display amazing faith in asking how to build the boat, he built bows, swords and metal things, not boats.

The Endorsement Of A Lifetime

2006-10-06T10:21:00.001-06:00

I've been way busy lately with starting back to school and other things, so I haven't had much time for blogging.

My time has also been taken up with a new part-time job. Before I tell you about my part-time job lets go back a few years.

Some time ago the Donald Trump/Network Marketing rumor arose.

Apparently Trump was on Letterman and Letterman asked him what he would do if his fortune and everything went away. Trump's rumored response was he'd go into Network Marketing.

Go here to see the proof, that Trump does indeed endorse Network Marketing.

I doubt Trump will ever endorse another network marketing company ever again, and this is why: What I'm specifically talking about here is making money from people paying their bills, you know those things everyone pays once a month anyways.

If you (and the rest of the world) are going to be paying bills for the rest of your life, why not make money while you are at it?! To see more of this awesome opportunity go here.

Parenting, with love.

2006-08-21T11:50:00.000-06:00

Just recently my mom intriduced me to the G.O.L.D. Standard from www.FirstRateFamily.com, and let me tell you this is awesome!

No, I have no affiliation with this website or the creators of this program, I'm just an excited parent that has read through the book offered on the site and applied it in my family and, oh boy, this really works!

In one weekend we had far fewer tantrums and far more willingness to be helpful around the house. I couldnt restate or paraphrase how this system works any better, than a quote, right from the site.

The “G.O.L.D. Standard” is a “token economy” program where children can earn tickets for demonstrating good behavior, doing chores, and for developing and utilizing desired values. They also pay tickets for certain privileges such as watching TV or playing video games. They lose tickets for misbehavior, not doing their chores, breaking family rules, and acting inappropriately. It's great to have a neutral system in place that my children don't feel that we, the parents, are directly threatening their "fun time" and or privilages.

Just plain sick and wrong

2006-07-31T09:30:00.000-06:00

17 year old Harry Potter star, Daniel Radcliffe...has some issue's, to say the least.

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5223520.stm:

Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe is to appear on the London stage next year, playing a stable boy who has an erotic relationship with his horses.

What is wrong with Daniel? This decision leads me to believe one of the following, which of the following I'm not quite sure:

A) He's not a religious person.
B) He's got a religious upbringing, but is not actively practicing his faith.
C) He's a practicng young man of his religous faith, but has severe confusion and cannot see that beastiality is, in any form wrong. Be it real or intended to make the audience of a play imagine he is engaged in such an act, this is also wrong.
D) Regardless of his religious activy he does not see portraying an act of beastiality as inappropriate...no that's not a strong enough term, it's just plain sickeningly wrong!

Please, don't misunderstand me, I don't think Daniel is a bad person I just question his motive, or reasoning, for participating in such a play as horribly disgusting as this one.

Who? Mx?

2006-06-01T11:19:00.000-06:00

I was handed this in a recent church meeting. It's old, but you get the point.

Who? Mx?

So, next time you are in a group setting be it at work, church, home, or pretty much in anything or anywhere, we all need to do our part to ensure everything goes correctly.

Defend Marriage...as God intended it.

2006-05-30T15:36:00.000-06:00

I am sure all of you heard the letter from the First Presidency. I want to add my emphasis on how important it is that we support passing this marriage bill.

It is critical for all of us as church members to make our voices known to our senators this week. We all have a chance to step up and "Follow the Prophet" in the request that has been made of all of us.

Please call your Senator's office this week and ask him or her to support the bill that makes a marriage legal for only a man and a woman.

Those Less Fortunate

2006-05-15T13:29:00.000-06:00

My homepage opened up and the headlining article is of the flooding on the East Coast.

Regardless of your faith, and what supreme being you believe in, please keep those that are in the hard-hit area's of the country in your prayers.

Better to be safe than sorry

2006-05-05T09:41:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week, riding the bus home from work I witnessed a person riding their bicycle through the intersection and got gently jolted by a car. The person on the bike was shaken up a bit, but not seriously injured.
Luckily his (un-protected) head landed a foot or so away from the base of a traffic pole, where his head, if it was any closer would have landed on one of the large bolts that keep it secured to the ground.

Later that same night I witnessed two kids, not more than 6-8 years old. One was riding a BMX style dirt bike, and had a friend of his on the stunt pegs on the front. They passed by me and in a few moments I heard a child crying badly, because he'd been hurt. I ran to where the commotion was coming from and it was the the child on the front, holding his head, because apparnetly the driver lost control of the bike and his friend fell off and landed on the back of his head.

The fall couldn't have been to hard, because he wasn't even bleeding. It appeared to be hard enough of a fall that it really shook this kid up, but not much more damage happened than that.

On 2 seperate occasions I've been riding my bike and wrecked twice, to the point it broke my helmet. Both occasions damaged the helmet bad enough I had to throw the helmet out.

All these combined experiences have futher confirmed my belief to always wear a helmet, and now to always walk your bike across the intersection.

I will always thank God and the person(s) he inspired to invent bicycle helmets, if not for them, I could be dead or worse today.

All these combined experiences have futher confirmed my belief to always wear a helmet, and now to always walk your bike across the intersection.

I will always thank God and the person(s) he inspired to invent bicycle helmets, if not for them, I could be dead or worse today.

Just a reminder to be careful and watch your surroundings....

2006-05-03T10:21:00.000-06:00

We can now add to the list of victims the retired 77 yr. old TCU professor from Ft Worth whose body was found last week in Oklahoma--and the 11 yr. old in Sarasota, FL. Because of these recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know.

After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM.
Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER
DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side
floor, and in the back seat.

B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably ! in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP. It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

****** Here it is *******

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door."

The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer
in Louisiana.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.
A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Romney, being put to the religious...test???

2006-04-26T15:47:00.000-06:00

I was reading at http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=14345 about how other "Christians" refuse to vote for Romney, just because of his faith.

First of all I find this a bunch of bantha fodder! Second, I put Christians in quotes for the same reason I find this a bunch of bantha fodder.

What happened to the Bible those "Christians" supposedly profess to believe in and actively profess? Did they just decide to ignore Christ's message of tolerance. What about love the sinner hate the sin?

No, I'm not saying Romney is a sinner, but a lot of other "Christians" might think he is, regardless, why not show tolerance for a "Mormon"? Why is a "Mormon" the exception to the tolerance Jesus taught, or is there something in the New Testament that I am missing here?

If he's the better candidate than Clinton, why vote for Clinton, just because her opponant is a Mormon? This is illogical and could do more harm than good, all because some "Christians" out there don't want to have a "Mormon" running the country.

Did you miss General Conference?

2006-04-04T11:43:00.000-06:00

If, for whatever reason had to miss any part of General Conference you can go here for the video archive.

What did you think of Conference, what are your thoughts?

Down with Love...Big Love that is.

2006-03-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

HBO's new series, "Big Love", is about a polygamous family and is set in a Salt Lake City suburb. About the likely impact of this sexually driven show, the New York Times said, "We may never look at Utah and think white bread again."

Parodies of beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occur- belief in priesthood by a man blessing his hunting rifle, belief in personal revelation from the Holy Ghost by dramatic visions that the polygamous leader discusses casually with a friend. Talk of "celestial kingdom", "free agency", and the "Choose the Right" slogan are included.

There is a brief disclaimer stating that the polygamists don't have an active connection with the LDS Church. But if the writers don't intend for viewers to make the connection, one wonders why they set the show in Salt Lake City, the Church's world headquarters, and why they included distortions of LDS beliefs.

NBC recently cancelled a show about a dysfunctional Episcopal priest who saw "Jesus," after almost 700,000 people emailed and complained.

Couldn't we do the same for this show? If you agree, will you:
- forward this email to at least 8 people
- email a polite protest to HBO:

Go to this link.

Then enter your information, specify it's about Big Love, and leave a message asking them to cancel this offensive show.

One or two sentences is all it takes. Or feel free to copy or edit this message:

For "extra mile" effort and effect, call HBO's operator at 1-212-512-1208 from 9am to 5pm Mon-Fri EST and ask to leave a message asking them to cancel Big Love.

Thanks!

Source of info: www.lds.org click on Newsroom for News Media

You can go here for an additional article on this issue.

Got Milk?

2006-02-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

1 Cor. 3: 2
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Heb. 5: 12
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

I have come across an article from PublicOpinion.com that just...disturbs me.

Mormon teachings are disturbing to me

The Dec. 31 Public Opinion had an article about the Mormons with quotes by Mormon president, Gordon Hinkley. I take issue with a couple of things he said.

In response to the belief the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) isn't a Christian denomination, Hinkley says, "Of course we're Christian. The very name of the church declares that."

Saying so does not make it so. And that goes for anyone who calls themself a "Christian."
Hinkley says, "No one believes more strongly in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ." They may believe that, but what they do not believe is that Jesus is God.

Jesus himself declared he was God.

I don't know how this is possible, Stephen, while being stoned, declared that he saw God the Father and Jesus - 2 seperate beings (Acts 7:59.) Also Jesus himself declared to Mary (John 20: 7) "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

The Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers.

Did not God himself create all beings and life? I can't expect many to believe in this concept, because they have to believe in modern-day revelation...which all goes back to believing Joseph Smith was a prophet. When you can believe and know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, then you can believe and know that modern revelation tells us that Jesus and Satan - and ourselves for that matter - are siblings.

They also believe God was once a man ... and that we can become God, "As man is, God once was, as God is, man may become." (Journal of discourses Vol. 2, page 345).

Again, this is an issue of believing in modern revelation.

Apostle Paul writes, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned."

The Mormons have another gospel, as Hinkley states, "...the Book of Mormon is another witness...of Jesus Christ."

When did anyone in the LDS church declare the Book of Mormon is "another" gospel? It's a 2nd witness that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

The only true test of someone's teachings is if it lines up with the Bible. If not, it is a lie and should be discarded. The book of Mormon is not even close.

I seriously wonder if this gentlemen has even read the Book of Mormon.

From 2 Ne. 25: 26
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our cchildren may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Sure sounds to me that The Book of Mormon is in line with teachings of the Bible.

Other disturbing Mormon teachings include: baptism for the dead, the belief that the book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible, God the Father had a father, God had sex with Mary etc. Those teachings and others can be found on Web sites. ...

The problem with deception is that the one who is deceived does not know they are deceived. The founder of the Mormons, Joseph Smith, and his false revelation has deceived many.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been around for over 150 years so it's eaither the most brilliant lie - that leads people to do nothing but good, which Satan doesn't do - or it's the one and only true gosepl of Jesus Christ, taught in it's fullness, as it was when Christ himself walked the earth.

True Christians should pray that God would open the eyes of the Mormons so that they would truly know him.

The Rev. Stuart Payne

Fayetteville

Ok, the problem with what the good Rev. has posted here is that he's done nothing but put "prime rib" on the table, when it should be "baby formula."

Anyone that is not familiar with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of course is going to see this information and think the LDS are a cult, or a way off in left-field group of church go-er's.

Rest assured, to anyone that has heard these "accusations" about the LDS church, please, do yourself a favor and learn more about the LDS church from the source:

-www.lds.org
-www.mormon.org
-Call and have the full time LDS missionaries in your home so you can have someone - face to face - directly answer your questions: 1-888-LDS-7700 (1-888-537-7700).

The Sabbath, keeping it holy

2006-02-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

When did Christians lose sight of "Keeping the Sabbath Day holy"?
For example, when did cheering for a big sweaty lineman making a touchdown conform to keeping the Sabbath day holy? I'll give more explanation for this in a moment.

Let me explain, just stick with me please.

After I got married my wife and I didn't really know what to do with our Sunday's, but we wanted to still conform to keeping the Sabbath Holy (because as far as we are aware that is a comandment that is still in effect, in fact last I checked the Lord hasn't rescinded any of the 10 commandments.)

Ok, to get to the point...

LDS Bible Dictionary: Sabbath

Assuming that you do agree with this definition, completely, where is the line drawn when trying to keep the Sabbath holy?

From Mormon Doctrine: topic Sabbath

Again, even though this is from an LDS source why wouldn't any/every Christian agree with this definition? So, going back to my football example: when did cheering for a big sweaty lineman making a touchdown conform to keeping the Sabbath day holy?

I'm only using Football as an exmple because of the Superbowl from 2/5/06, however this applies to all things that detract from focusing on the Lord: sports, camping, etc.

So, what is your take on this.

Now, I do understand their are people that do have to do things that keep them from completely focusing on the Sabbath: hospital workers, police, etc.

MySpace: a place for friends?

2006-02-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is from a local news station. Click here for the Real Player video.

Staying Safe: The Dangers of MySpace.com

It bills itself as the place for friends. But many parents, once they learn what it is, are shocked to find out what goes on among "friends."

One of the hottest fads among teenagers could potentially invite predators and identity thieves right into your home. It's the enormously popular website called "Myspace.com"

Myspace.com has more hits than Google. It bills itself as the place for friends. But many parents, once they learn what it is, are shocked to find out what goes on among "friends." You should know too, to help your kids Stay Safe.

The pictures, the gestures, even the names they call themselves are so suggestive that we can't show many of them. Surely this isn't how our kids would interact.

Actually , these are our kids, teen sites pulled from the Sandy zip code 84093.

It just so happens a parent group from the same neighborhood is meeting this night to get safety tips about Myspace.com.

"How many of you who have heard of "myspace" know whether your kids have a site? How many of you have looked at your child's site?"

When we showed them a sampling of the teens in their neighborhood, their faces revealed their horror.
"This is an invitation for any predator to come right on in."

"They need to be educated, they need to know this isn't fun, this isn't safe."

One mother in class suspected her daughter had a site. At home, she put her training to work, and sure enough...

Donna Jacobs, Mother: "I don't know what to think to tell you the truth."

Though Myspace.com advertises for teens over 18, Jacob's daughter is 12.

Donna Jacobs: "I'm really shocked, I'm kind of bummed."

It's not shocking to this trainer from the Attorney General's Office,. It's her job to get out the warning. As she visits schools, she finds teens and pre-teens naively post pictures and private information that could put them in jeopardy.

Meredith Mannebach, Internet Crimes Against Children: "When they tell me, 'I only talk with my friends,' I tell them, 'you don't know who's looking at your information.'"

She is finding that the target age group is getting younger.

Meredith Mannebach, Internet Crimes Against Children: "This week I've had two elementaries where I've had 4th graders admit to me they have accounts and pages set up on MySpace."

Traci Jones, 6th Grade: "I was just chatting on my computer with one of my friends when this guy popped up and said, 'Do you want to have Cyber XXX?' It was shocking. I was, like, scared."

While many kids innocently try to have fun, it's important for parents to know enough so they can be involved, as this mother found out.

Mother: "She says she knows these people. There's no way."

Meredith Mannebach: "I challenge every parent to go out there on MySpace and browse."

Here's your sign

2006-01-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

At first glance I couldn't believe this sign, but then I noticed what is on the top of the sign. Needless to say, regardless of your faith you could make some pretty funny stuff with this.

Just go to http://churchsigngenerator.com.

In Memoriam, W. Cleon Skousen 1913 - 2006

2006-01-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

From Salt Lake City's Deseret News

W. Cleon Skousen, author, leader, dies

W. Cleon Skousen, 92, died Monday, Jan. 9. 2006, at his Salt Lake home of causes incident to age.

W. Cleon Skousen, He was surrounded by his wife of 69 years, Jewell, and many family members. Known by millions for his understanding and knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, his love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his insights into politics, religion, good government and human nature, he leaves behind an exhaustive work of scholarship created over three-quarters of a century that covers dozens of specialties.
Among the 46 books he wrote are the best sellers "The Naked Communist," The Naked Capitalist," "So You Want to Raise a Boy," "The Making of America," "The Five Thousand Year Leap" and "Fantastic Victory" about the Israel-Arab war of 1967.

His books on religion, such as "The First 2,000 Years," "Prophecy and Modern Times," reached millions of readers in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic communities. And his speech titled "A Personal Search for the Meaning of the Atonement" is one of the most widely distributed audiotapes among members and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Skousen served 16 years in J. Edgar Hoover's FBI as an agent and the communications director and had been Salt Lake City's police chief.

He taught at Brigham Young University for 16 years. His study of the U.S. Constitution led to the creation of The Freeman Institute that later became the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

Skousen was born in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. on Jan. 20, 1913, and was educated in Canada, Mexico and the United States. He earned his doctorate at George Washington University.

Aside from his wife, he leaves eight children, 50 grandchildren and 67 grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

Go here for Brother Skousen's official website.

I applaud Larry H. Miller

2006-01-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

For those who don't Larry H. Miller, click here for his biography.

I found this on culture vulture blog:
Brokeback has Mormon mountain to climb
Having waited quite some time, the world is obviously now finally ready for cowboys whose showdowns involve the unsheathing of a little more than just guns. Most of the world, that is, but the residents of Salt Lake City may well have to wait a little longer yet, as the owner of one of the city’s largest cinema complexes has pulled Ang Lee’s tender tale of spur-crossed lovers, Brokeback Mountain, from the schedules, writes Guy Dammann.

Although the move was not accompanied by any official comment on the part of the cinema’s management, there seems to be little doubt that the multiplex owner, Larry H Miller, a prominent member of the Mormon church – which is against homosexuality – was responsible for the decision.

You can click here for the entire story.

If your not already familiar with "Mormons" here's an exerpt on the "Mormon" church's position on homosexuality, and this is why I applaud Mr. Miller's decision. This comes from my blog post I Swear, This Church Gets True'er Every Day

Now, to explain why Homosexuality is wrong. The following is from the book The Miracle of Forgiveness (found in the seciton titled "Unatural and Wrong"), written by the late Spencer W. Kimball, former President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and one the Lord's prophet's on the earth.
Unnatural and Wrong
All such deviations from normal, proper heterosexual relationships are not merely unnatural but wrong in the sight of God. Like adultery, incest, and bestiality they carried the death penalty under the Mosaic law.

13 If a man also lie with mankind, a she lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death....
15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death.... (Lev. 20:13, 15-16.)

The law is less severe now, and so regrettably is the community's attitude to these grave sins, another evidence of the deterioration of society. In some countries the act per se is not even illegal. This "liberalizing" process is reflected in the United States by communities of homosexuals in our larger cities who demand acceptance of their deviate beliefs and practices as "normal," who sponsor demonstrations and draw up petitions to this end, who are formally organized, and who even print their own perverted journals. All this is done in the open, to the detriment alike of impressionable minds, susceptible urges, and our national decency.
But let us emphasize that right and wrong, righteousness and sin, are not dependent upon man's interpretations, conventions and attitudes. Social acceptance does not change the status of an act, making wrong into right. If all the people in the world were to accept homosexuality, as it seems to have been accepted in Sodom and Gomorrah, the practice would still be deep, dark sin.
Those who would claim that the homosexual is a third sex and that there is nothing wrong in such associations can hardly believe in God or in his scriptures. If God did not exist, such an unnatural and improper practice might be viewed differently, but one could never justify it while accepting the Holy Scriptures.

That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, Justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. (D&C 88: 35.)

Take control of your internet

2005-12-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been browsing the internet and thought, I wish I could do this or that with my browser?

About a year ago a friend of mine introduced me to Mozilla Firefox, a free downloadable Internet Browser, that actually can do 'this or that.' Along with the internet filter I use I've also wanted a way to take control of the specific aspects of the pages I browse, and with firefox extensions I can do that.

One specific extension I realy like is AdBlock; Once installed, it's a snap to filter elements at their source-address (like porn images, or the Sports Illustrated girl of the month.) Just right-click: Adblock: done. But that's not all, you can add all sorts of extensions, the possibilities seem almost endless.
This is a handy tool if you use or don't use an internet filter, especially if you do and a site with questionable images doesn't get blocked by your filter.

There's also themes that you can use. I personally like iFox Graphite, a Mac/iTunes skin.

Dangerous Obsession

2005-11-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

This comes from a local news site: (ABC 4 News)

pornography is a drug like addiction, tearing apart both families and lives.

Addiction starts early

boys between the ages of 12 and 17

It caused me to look at women as an object of arousal

I would see women as a hunt,

I always wanted to get better.

Pornography has a far reaching effect

like a cocaine addict

it can destroy lives

To remind everyone of the words of President Gordon B. Hinkley:

Let's also remember Elder Oaks comments about what we can do to be proactive in fighting against this evil, in our own homes

Don’t accommodate any degree of temptation. Prevent sin and avoid having to deal with its inevitable destruction. So, turn it off! Look away! Avoid it at all costs...

We must also act to protect those we love. Parents install alarms to warn if their household is threatened by smoke or carbon monoxide. We should also install protections against spiritual threats, protections like filters on Internet connections and locating access so others can see what is being viewed. And we should build the spiritual strength of our families by loving relationships, family prayer, and scripture study.

It's true, it's all true!

2005-10-22T19:39:00.000-06:00

The Elder's asked me to attend an apopointment with them this evening. This is the first time - since 1999 - I've been involved in a missionary discussion since my mission.

Because the Church changed the missionary discussions in October 2004 conference - and since I didn't find the time to learn it - the first discussion was a bit on the foreign side to me.
They (the Missionaries) now teach the restoration as the first discussion, which in all honesty felt a bit choppy. But as the conversation progressed I began to understand how the 1st discussion is to be taught.

When they Elder's testified of their calling as Christ's representative's the spirit witnessed to me (again) that this Church is God's church on earth; that it is led by a prophet today, and everyone can know - for themselves - that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true and only living church on the earth today.

Walgreens Gives $100,000 in Support of Gay Games

2005-10-20T14:40:00.000-06:00

I got this in the e-mail today, from A.F.A. (American Family Association)

Let Walgreens know that their $100,000 donation to the 2006 Gay Games is an indication of their commitment to homosexuality and the activities it encompasses.

Walgreens has given $100,000 to help sponsor the Gay Games in Chicago next year.

Oddly enough, Walgreens says they agreed to sponsor the Gay Games under the guise of helping prevent AIDS. But the official Gay Games web site has the following promotional statement, which promotes the very type of activity Walgreens says they are trying to prevent.

"The Gay Games Social Committee is currently in the process of gathering together Chicago's best bars and clubs, and some of the biggest and best party promoters in the country to create a Social Schedule unlike anything you've ever seen. Chicago's LGBT scene is fierce no matter what time of year it is, but during that one week in July 2006, we are committed to making sure you have the time of your life."The gift, made to placate homosexual activists, puts Walgreens in the very top Premium Category of sponsorship. To make their sponsorship appear to be a good thing publicly, they say they are providing AIDS education. If any group should be aware of the dangers of AIDS and how to prevent it, it should be homosexual activists. Billions of tax dollars have been spent to educate the public about AIDS.

We have acquired photos taken at the last Gay Games that clearly show what kind of activity occurs during these games. To see the photos, click here. (WARNING: THESE PHOTOS ARE EXTREMELY OFFENSIVE and are provided only as proof of what we are saying.)

Send a letter to Walgreens, asking them to withdraw their sponsorship.

Click Here To Send Your Letter Now!

Sincerely,

Don

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!

A funny thing happened on the way to work

2005-10-18T12:14:00.000-06:00

With the high cost of gas these days, I've been taking the bus to work. Well yesterday I had just got on, and about 2 stops into my ride a couple of kids got off, next to the high school, and I was reading the Book of Mormon and one of the kids verbally made it known that it was his stop, by talking to his buddy "I'm glad I can get off the f****n' bus."

Just as he said this, I was reading Mosiah 4: 30

Mosiah 4: 30

30) But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

At the moment he made his colorful statement, I, ironically enough, was reading this specifically: if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words.

Needless to say, I was quietly laughing about this for a few minutes.

Faith vs Works

2005-10-13T09:11:00.000-06:00

I've been having conversations with "non-mormons" in a discussion forum that I frequent.

Well, in the many conversations about Faith vs Works, many people I've talked with have said it's grace that gets us to heaven, which is what the LDS church teaches, but many people that profess that grace gets us to heaven also profess that grace is a free gift.

Doesn't the term free mean that nothing is required for said gift?

Well, after thinking about it, I've realized that I'm not aware of anything in the Old or New Testament that explicitly teaches that grace is a free gift...or free in any way shape or form.

If you have any comments on the matter, please feel free to contribute.
Also if you have a verse or verses that explicitly teach that grace is free please share, because I'm don't think there is any verse that teaches such a thing. If you know of one, please share.

175th Semi-Annual General Conference

2005-10-03T15:44:00.000-06:00

This weekend was the 175th Semi-annual General Conference. Well, on July 25, 2005 I blogged about people protesting a new Temple in dedication, in a post called "What did we do to you?" Well, when it comes time for General Conference in Salt Lake City, they all come out, and some can be annoying, and others are downright hilarious.

Here's some snapshots and video of the conference.

•Video #1: The Street Choir.
•Video #2: Bagpiper playing "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet."

First shots of the day

People here have been waiting in line for
overflow tickets since about 4-5 am.

Welcome to the Conference Center of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-dat Saints.

This is from the inside of the Conference Center
behind the water fall in the picture below.
LDS conference "ticket scalpers."

The droves arriving to attend Conference

Inside the Conference center...1930's style architecture.

Before Conference

Conference, immediately after closing prayer

And now...the comedy relief...

I'm glad this guy was there to tell everyone he had the Mormon lies, because everyone ignored him and went inside to find the truth.

This is one of the "sidewalk choir's" in this picture (same choir from the video at the beginning of this post); the same guy (above) skulked across the crosswalk and walked right through the choir, staring everyone of them down, unfortunately I was across the street when I took this picture of him staring the choir down.
I almost felt bad for this guy. He's the only one on the corner, it looked like the crowd almost swept him away a couple of times.

In this shot, it's the same guy (above) and as you can see I wasn't joking about being swept away...it's almost like playing where's waldo..."where's the street preacher?"Here's another "preacher". (click "preacher" for some video)

Oh, I saved the best for last...click here to hear what he had to say.

The internet, a danger no more.

2005-09-23T15:20:00.000-06:00

As you enjoy your evening, little Johnny, concerned, asks you to come see what has happened on the computer. You go to see that one wrong click, while Johnny was doing his internet homework, has caused pornography websites to engulf the screen.

Walking through the office, you notice Dave has stepped away from his desk. Something unusual on his monitor catches your attention. As you walk closer you notice the current month's Playboy bunny. Suddenly, the boss turns the corner and within seconds you know Dave will be doomed.

Pornography, it's addicitve and emotionally & socially destructive:

These statistics can be intimidating, even scary. I'm a parent myself, with children that aren't old enough to browse the net, but one day they will be. I personally want them to get the best protection from the aforementioned evils.

I can now provide that protection with the latest internet filter from ContentWatch.

ContentWatch Inc. has just released their latest internet filter, ContentProtect 2.0.

From personal experience, I've found what ContentProtect 2.0 can offer:
-This powerful new internet filter does the job right, by letting me browse the net, without fear of something questionable accidentally popping up. And, it won't block out more than I want it to.
-No additional setup was required after I installed it. However, after it's installed, if I want to keep track of individual internet browsing for each member of my family I can take a few extra moments to quickly, yet easily set that up.
-While I'm away from home ContentProtect 2.0 allows me to go online and remotely check up on what is happening on the computer at home.

In short, I've installed and used this awesome protection tool, and it does as advertised: it blocks the bad stuff, and is very customizable.

If you have any questions you can call (1-800-485-4008, Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Mountain Time [USA]) or e-mail ContentWatch's customer support at support@contentwatch.com.

Random thought's

2005-09-22T15:30:00.000-06:00

•Ward Mission Leader

Little did I know that I'd be deeply involved with the retention efforts of the ward. The Bishop wants retention efforts made with 40+ names of families and individuals in the ward. When I first heard this, I was feeling just a bit overwhelmed, and reflected back to a scripture that left an impression on me in my mission, regarding retention:

Jacob 5: 48

have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves

is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?

When this jumped off the page (while on my full-time mission), it told me "How are the wards I'm working with supposed to be blessed with converts if they can't even keep their own active and coming to church?"

Needless to say, I've got a lot of work ahead of me in this calling, and I'll keep you posted.

•Book Of Mormon Challenge

When I heard this read over the pulpit in August, I thought "Oh good this gives me plenty of time to get the word out tom my hometeaching families, so they can start the challenge, starting September.

Yeah, well litle did I realize that I was oblivious to my procrasination...and didn't see my error until I found this half way through August.

Needless to say, as soon as I realized my calendar blunder I made sure I started reading. I'm still not caught up, but I'll be in Jacob in a couple of days...where are you?

Support the Katrina relief effort

2005-09-01T10:52:00.000-06:00

We can support the Katrina relief effort through your local church. Most denominations are working to help victims.

For churches which do not have a relief effort going, it's suggested you support the relief effort through the Salvation Army. You can support the Salvation Army by calling 1-800-725-2769 (1-800-SAL-ARMY) or on the Internet at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Also, I got this in the e-mail today: http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/050901katrina.html

By Maurine Jensen Proctor

Katrina’s devastation may be the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. Over a million people have been displaced from their homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama by savage winds and murky, rising floodwaters contaminated with sewage and bodies. Eighty-five percent of New Orleans is under water and rescue workers are marking X’s on houses that contain the dead.

Martial law has been declared in the city and all residents are being asked to leave. All the lanes on all the roads around New Orleans are one way—leading out. Coastal cities and towns in Mississippi and Alabama have been devastated by the tidal surge.

Yet for Latter-day Saints, Ole Christensen, President of the Denham Springs Stake and chairman of the regional welfare committee, gave the most graphic description, “It reminds me of the chaos in 3 Nephi.” That completes the picture. Utter catastrophe. The face of the world changed.

“I’m sure the people then were probably numb too,” said President Christensen. You really don’t have time to think about it because the phone never stops ringing.”

“This is something you think will never happen,” said his wife, Joyce.

Most of us are experiencing Katrina’s wake through television images of desperate people who have become refugees with no place to go, huddled in the Superdome or climbing, drenched out of water, saying they have no food, no water and no one to tell them what to do.

Remarkable Welfare System

Thanks to the remarkable welfare system of the Church, for Latter-day Saints the situation is very different.

Latter-day Saints knew immediately knew what to do. When the storm hit, Priesthood leaders began what is an ongoing assessment of the whereabouts and well-being of the members. The Church has announced that all missionaries were evacuated before the storm hit. There are no reported deaths or injuries of members although many have not been accounted for.

President Christensen said the Baton Rouge temple was undamaged, though it lost its power for a period of time. Of the 43 buildings in the five stakes of his region, most of buildings sustained little or slight damage, except for those buildings in the areas hardest hit—the New Orleans Stake and the Slidell Stake. Because communications has been nearly impossible with those regions, the fate of many of those buildings is still uncertain.

“My best guess” said President Christensen, “is that two of the buildings in the Slidell area have some water in them. We do not have reports out of some areas—even by satellite phone.

“The New Orleans Stake is a whole different story. We believe that the New Orleans stake center has water in it We have no idea what has happened to the chapel in Port Sulphur. The worst scenario is that it is now part of the Gulf of Mexico, but, of course, we just don’t know.

“We received a report that some members were stranded on the west bank of New Orleans and that President Scott Conlin has organized a caravan of vans to see if he can go pick them up.

As of Wednesday, approximately 10 meetinghouses throughout the disaster area were being used as emergency shelters for members and their neighbors. Many of these had two or three hundred people or more in them.

President Conlin had also developed a warning system and evacuation plan for the New Orleans stake which was put into place this past weekend. This stake has an automated phone system so that the stake president put in a prerecorded message on Saturday and again on Sunday morning that rang into 1700 homes. The message was to evacuate the city. If they weren’t leaving their homes, they were given an 800 number so they could report where they were going to me.

The evacuation plan called for people to go to three different stake centers—two in Mississippi and one in Lousiana that were near the three major arteries that lead out of the city. A member knew which one to go based on the highway that was closest to him.

Of course, there is no way to estimate at this point how many people have lost their homes. “These people are displaced,” said Joyce Christensen. They can’t go home. They have nothing to go home to. We’re still just processing what has happened.”

Bishop’s Storehouse

Though Slidell was one of the hardest hit areas, the Bishop’s Storehouse, which is nearly new, only suffered a bit of water damage when water from the storm leaked through the waters and doors. The power grid was badly damaged and it may take as many as eight to twelve weeks to restore electricity.

At the storehouse, a generator was immediately put to work and commodities continued to roll out the door.

Kevin Nield, director of Bishops' Storehouse Services, said that to this point the Church had responded with 14 semi-trailers full of necessities like water, tents, sleeping bags, tarps, chainsaws, generators, canned food and hygiene kits. When the Church saw the storm danger, “simultaneously we sent supplies to be pre-positioned in those locations to be close to the needs.”

Needs are assessed by priesthood leaders with some guidance based on the experience of the welfare department. Every evening priesthood leaders have been on a conference call with officers in Salt Lake so that the Church can be appropriately responsive.to needs.

Bennie Lilly, Area Welfare Manager for the North American Southeast Area, talked to Meridian from the Slidell bishop’s storehouse. “It’s hot and humid here. People are tired. About 10,000 members live in this area who have been affected by Katrina.

“Where I am standing, I see a tree that has fallen through the roof of a house and just beyond that a church that has lost its roof. There is no water, but still Bishop David Navo of the Mississipi Picayune Ward is here getting commodities for his hard-struck members.”

Housed in a Church

Bishop Navo had one central message when Brother Lilly handed the phone to him, “ I am so grateful for the Church. I am grateful that Salt Lake had supplies on the way before the hurricane even hit. When you are involved in a catastrophe of this magnitude, you get a whole new picture of the services of the Church.”

Bishop Navo’s ward members have no communications whatsoever. No cell phones. No pay phones. No electricity. Stores are closed, but Wal-Mart is letting a few people in at a time to buy items with cash.

Limbs, trees and branches are down everywhere and many of the roads are nearly impassable. Katrina’s eye passed over Picayune and so they were hit hard.

“Oak trees so big that you couldn’t put your arms around their trunk went down,” he said.

Bishop Navo cannot contact every ward member, so the night before the storm hit, he and his family moved into the Church to be there in case any members had to find shelter there. Come they did, by the scores. They pooled what food they had. The storm hit and the next day misery set in with soaring temperatures and no water and food.

Thus Bishop Navo came to the Slidell bishop’s storehouse for food, water and generators to supply the needs of those living in the church.

What especially pleased him, however, was that a woman who had adopted two special needs children received something she desperately needed. When the children got too hot, they had a tendency to go into seizures, and she needed a generator to keep them cool. Bishop Navo made sure she received the first generator from the Church’s supplies.

Of course, members will need more than commodities as the awful realization bears down day in and out of what they’ve lost. LDS Social Services is sending help into the area to support member’s emotional needs—almost a kind of grief counseling. People are reaching out to each other with open homes and open hearts.

And in the long run? How will Latter-day Saints rebuild lost homes and opportunities, swallowed under floodwaters or howling winds? That will take a longer assessment.

For New Orleans to be habitable again, they will have to start from the ground up with a completely new infrastructure—including roads and power. For Latter-day Saints who lived there, they can turn to a deeper infrastructure—a Church that is ready to help them when disaster strikes.

I'm back!

2005-08-23T21:56:00.001-06:00

Two weeks ago I was called to Ward Mission Leader. Boy, lemme tell ya, after being on the shelf for 6 years, it's good be be back! It's really cool to be involved with full-time mission work again, but this time around I can watch movies.

Seriously, it's really good to be back in the work. The ward I'm in is really good. We have two sets of Ward Missionaries, and two sets of Service Missionaries; that's 8 missionaries, that means 8 times the assistance.

The full-time elders in our stake had a baptism of a 9-year old boy, just this past Saturday; and they tell me they have some decent prospects in the wings, so we'll see what happens.

Keepin' Track

2005-08-17T17:02:00.000-06:00

Recently the First Presidency, in connection with the First Presidency Message: A Testimony Vibrant and True members have been challenged us to read the entire Book Of Mormon, by December 31st.

Well, I came across a cool pdf download, a chart to mark your progress!

Feel Free to download it!

What did we do to you?

2005-07-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

I recently read the article "Crowds Drop In on Mormon Temple's Open House" describing the open house for the Newport Beach Temple in Orange County, CA.

Also, from the article, I was just disgusted to find: "The only disruption to the staid affair was at the entrance on Bonita Canyon Road, where a handful of protesters carried signs reading "Mormon Lies Found Here" and "Jesus Warned Against False Prophets" and urged drivers not to enter.

The demonstrators argued that Mormonism is not a true form of Christianity.

Protester Paul Mitchell of Los Angeles got into a dispute with a young woman who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"Have a nice day," Mitchell said as the woman walked away, carrying a petite dog. "It's going to cost you your soul. This is not a game, kiddo." "

Why do people protest againt us so much? We don't protest them! Why aren't Protestants standing in front of Catholic cathederals protesting that they are false? Why aren't Catholics persecuting protestant groups? Why don't you ever see Christians protest and persecute the other religions, or visa versa?

Why? Why is it that groups like this have to gather in front of an LDS Temple, or the LDS General Conference and mock and defame us and our beliefs?

Is this a spirit of Christ? Did Christ teach his Apostles to argue with others, "proving" that they were right and non-beleivers were wrong? Christ taught that contention is of the Devil, and people that do these things are full of contention.

We've had persecution, since Jospeh Smith; the first prophet and President of the church.

I know that Jospeh Smith was a prophet of God, and that this Church can only be true and it receives the pesecution that is does because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an "annoyer and disturbance" to Satan.

For those that are not familiar with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (it's beginings), or Jospeh Smith, please read below. Yes, this is lenghty, but in order to have a better understanding, it's worth the read.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I 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 MyBeloved Son, Hear Him!

the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?

how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age

should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling

I had beheld a vision

Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying

Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

I Swear, This Church Gets True'er Every Day

2005-07-21T08:16:00.000-06:00

I recently read a truly disappointing, disgusting article in a local newspaper. Much like the "The Tree of Life" describes people letting go of the rod, and leaving the tree & white fruit behind for darker, worldy paths, it's apparent that most Christian churches might start accepting homosexuality.

I refuse to give the name of the Article I read or anything that spcicifally references back to it, but I will give excerpts from it.

You are probably asking yourself "Why doesn't this guy just give me the link for the article?" or "I'm an adult, I am secure in my sexuality; why not let me see this?" or even "He is acting as if reading this will turn me gay.", "How can reading about homosexuality be a threat to me in any way"

Yes, you might think I'm being very predjudice even narrow-minded, towards homosexuality. Perhaps you think I'm opressive in not giving you the link for the article I've read.
Think about it in this perspective for a moment: Is it oppressive or predjudice to keep a child from injesting a harmful drug? Even if it makes them feel wonderful, and allows them to be socially accepted by most? No. Just because they don't understand why you are keeping them from the drug, or because the bad decision makes them feel good or accepted, still doesn't make injesting the drug a correct decision.

I will explain why I'm not giving this Arcitle any advertising.

First of all, homosexualty is an evil practice (For the sake of those that read this and don't feel the same way, I'll explain later in this post.) However, I still find that people are generally pure in heart and good, even though we can make bad decisions.
Second of all, I find no reason to give anyone the URL (for the article I read) that justifies homosexuality as acceptable, or give the URL mentioned in the article that the Christian churches (mentioned in the Article) are using as an arguement to biblically justify homosexuality.

No, you might not turn gay from reading homosexual material, or you yourself might not be threatened from it; but for that one person that might be struggling in their sexuality, if I give them a link to a site that "biblically justifies" this, and they decide to experiment (or just go completley bi, or totally gay), I couldn't live with myself. Also, that person's standing with God is threatened.

Said article mentions the following:

Now, to explain why Homosexuality is wrong. The following is from the book The Miracle of Forgiveness (found in the seciton titled "Unatural and Wrong"), written by the late Spencer W. Kimball, former President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and one the Lord's prophet's on the earth.

13 If a man also lie with mankind, a she lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death....
15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death.... (Lev. 20:13, 15-16.)

grave sins

right and wrong, righteousness and sin, are not dependent upon man's interpretations, conventions and attitudes. Social acceptance does not change the status of an act, making wrong into right.

That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, Justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. (D&C 88: 35.)

Maybe, just maybe.

2005-07-14T08:51:00.000-06:00

It was this past weekend that my 2 yr old daughter was watching the Living Scriptures cartoon "The Tree of Life."
I was not around to witness this, but when I came back home my wife told me that during and after the cartoon, my daughter was asking all sorts of questions, and actually having a discussion (within the confines of her 2 year old vocabulary) with my wife about what she saw on the cartoon.

What particularly caught my daughter's attention is the people in the great and spacious building having fun, and she (my daughrer) pointed out that she liked the people having fun.
Then after the spacious building fell, my daughter was just at a loss for words. Then my wife explained to her that Heavenly Father didn't like what the people in the spacious building were doing, and that those holding on to the iron rod were making Him happy.

From then on, my daughter has said that she always wants to hold on to the iron rod, and to not go into the dark mist.

Well, it's been 4 days since then, and whenever she acts up (back talks, yells for at us for no reason, etc...), we try to gently remind her to not do what she's doing, because that is letting go of the rod, and it makes Heavenly Father unhappy.

All I can say is that, even though the price of ensuring we have something worth watching in our home was expensive (we bought the entire Living Scriptures collection) if this is what gets through to my daughter to help improve her behavior, it will be worth it.

No amount of money is too much to ensure that my daughter (and all my kids for that matter) stays on the straight and narrow.

This is OUR chance

2005-06-20T13:34:00.000-06:00

I never thought it could (or even would, for that matter) be done, but someone finally had the money and desire, and made The Book of Mormon movie Volume I.
Well, upon seeing it I saw the challenges that come from being a first time movie maker that edits, writes, and directs his own movie. This movie lacked in a lot of places: editing, costumes, writing...which is a shame, because this is the movie I (and a lot of people for that matter) have been waiting for, for years.

The Book of Mormon movie had only a 1 million dollar budget, and I have to give Mr. Gary Rogers credit for undertaking such big project for a widely revered book.

Unfortuantely, in today's age we've come to expect movies that have an epic reputation, like Lord of the Rings, to turn out like LotR (Lord of the Rings.) Well, Peter Jackson couldn't have made one of the best movies in cinematic history on 1 million dollars.

In my opinon, a movie, or a set of multiple movies that portray the Book of Mormon could look as good as LotR in editing, acting, costumes, & CG, if the budget was there.

Well, Gary Rogers is ready to go forward with the next installment in his Book of Mormon movie saga (Book Of Mormon Movie Voulme II.) But as I just mentioned above, he could do it, if the budget were there. It sounds like on the Book of Mormon movie Vol. I he spent more money than he got back in ticket and home movie sales, which is unfortunate, but now he's looking to make the budget with our help.

I honestly, would love to help Gary, but I am unable to. Maybe, just maybe, if the word gets out, someone (A LOT of someone's) can.
To understand what I'm talking about click here to read what Gary Rogers is offering. This is worth it in efforts to get the Book of Mormon movie Vol II (and the restored gospel) to the world.

Welcome EVERYBODY

2005-06-20T12:38:00.000-06:00

Welcome to LDS Corner!

I have created this blog with the intent to make LDS related posts regarding comments on General Conference, anything about missions, even movie reviews (LDS & Non-LDS movies)...basically anything/everything LDS.