LDS Alive in Christ

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I first became acquainted with the Bloggernacle in the summer of 2007. My initial hope in coming to the internet was to mingle with LDS who were diligently seeking to draw near unto God. I had assumed that with the vastness of the internet’s reach, I’d find sites where church members were excited about the plan of salvation and were making progress in the things of the Spirit. I thought I would find church members testifying of the blessings they experienced as they focused on the doctrine of Christ (faith in Jesus Chris, repentance, baptism, and seeking the gift of the Holy Ghost).

I did find some excellent LDS internet sites where they write essays on doctrine, defend the church, and do missionary work. These members possess strong vibrant testimonies, I’m grateful for them, they stood out from those that revel in the precepts of men (2 Nephi 28:26).

But where are those members who are like Alma, and the four sons of Mosiah, Enos, Abish, Aminadab, Mormon, Moroni, and the brother of Jared, to name a few?

I’ve had enough experience with things of the Spirit to know there are church members like them. I think it would be wonderful to be able to communicate and learn from them. Maybe I was naive in what I’ve hoped for. If so, at least I tried. So, what does one do? Continue reading →

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As I see it, the world we have known for the last few decades is in the midst of change. The prosperity Americans have grown accustomed to appears to be in jeopardy. The “portent of stormy weather” is gathering momentum. Some are saying that an era of economic depression like the 1930’s could visit this generation.

On top of the economic challenges, the tension of domestic and international politics creates a climate of uncertainty and fear. Americans don’t trust one another or their elected officials like they used too.

Internationally, some observers are saying that the power and influence of the American Empire is ebbing, and the dawn of the Chinese Empire is emerging. Some of our elected officials are even saying the Constitution is antiquated and the source of our present day difficulty. There are other voices advocating one world government and one world currency.

These kind of things shouldn’t surprise church members, we have the scriptures and have been given the “signs of the times” to help us recognize and prepare for the difficulties of the last days. The scriptures teach the importance of preparation saying, “gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief” (D&C 106:5). Continue reading →

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God is Love, and You are a Beloved Son or Daughter

The prophets teach that each of us lived in the Father’s presence at one time.  We also know that we left his presence to be tried and tested in mortality. We further know that we can return to his presence by means of the plan of salvation.

These basic teachings are summed up in a short, but very meaningful scripture:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:39 Continue reading →

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Elder Uchtdorf asked the men of the church: “Are we as priesthood holders living below our privileges when it comes to the sacred power, gifts, and blessings that are our opportunity and right as bearers of God’s priesthood?” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April Priesthood Meeting 2011

I hope all members of the church took notice of Elder Uchtdorf’s concerns about the men of the church. He is telling the men of the church that we’re not experiencing all the sacred powers that God wants us to have. He went on to say: “Brethren, we are faced with a choice. We can be satisfied with a diminished experience as priesthood bearers and settle for experiences far below our privileges. Or we can partake of an abundant feast of spiritual opportunity and universal priesthood blessings.”

Living below the spiritual possibilities the Lord has for his followers isn’t just a problem for the men. Elder Neal A. Maxwell used the image of a fruit-ladened tree to illustrate how both men and women of the church live below their privileges:

“Happily, many of us have already picked and been greatly nourished by the low-hanging fruit from the gospel tree. Yet, on the higher branches, much fruit still remains, unreached for and unplucked.” Neal Maxwell; Whom the Lord Loveth P 7-8. Continue reading →