Friday Quiz: How Are We Reconciled to the Father?

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Can you complete the following Book of Mormon scripture to answer the question: how are we reconciled to the Father?

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him…

Click here for the answer.

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The Priesthood Ban for Dummies

Posted on by Jared

Click here for Table of Contents

One of the Bloggernacles’ frequent topics is the priesthood ban. I haven’t paid much attention to this issue because it was resolved in 1978; at least that’s how I see it. But for others; many who weren’t even born, or were children in 1978, the priesthood ban seems to be a source of difficulty—a stumbling block to their faith.

Before moving forward, I don’t claim to have any special insight into this subject. My sources are the scriptures and the words of the living prophets—sources all church members have available to them. If someone can use the scripture to show me that what I’ve written is in error, I invite them to do so; I am interested in the truth.

First, a few question to orientate our thinking:

1. Who is the head of the church? Continue reading →

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Friday Quiz: Does Suffering Bring Forgiveness?

Posted on by Jared

Before clicking the following link, I hope you will take a piece of paper and write down your answer, and then write a sentence or two explaining to yourself why you answered as you did.

Does suffering for our sins bring forgiveness?





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Friday Quiz: Book of Mormon Question

Posted on by Jared

Please go to Friday Quiz: Book of Mormon Question to view the quiz


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Friday Quiz: Easy Book of Mormon Question

Posted on by Jared

The Book of Mormon contains the word “Christ”  319 times according to my computer search.  It appears on the first page (preface), where does it appear next?

A.  1 Nephi 1:7

B.  1 Nephi 15:5

C.  2 Nephi 10:3

D.  Jacob 4:2 Continue reading →

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Quotes from General Conference–Three of my Favorite

Posted on by Jared

Today the church put up the written version of the talks given during the most recent General Conference. Following are three quotes from my personal favorites.

Did you have a favorite? If so, how about sharing it.

I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit…The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Elder Richard G. Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance, Oct 2009 General Conference

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 Continue reading →

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Commentary on 2 Nephi 31:17

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Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter.  For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 2 Nephi 31:17

“…do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me…” Apparently, Nephi was shown in vision some, or all of the life of the Savior[1].  He admonishes the reader to do the things your Lord and your Redeemer should do. In other words, we are invited to follow in the footsteps of the Savior.

“…that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter…” The word gate, as used in this verse, means entrance. What is it we’re entering? I answer: a relationship with Jesus Christ—our Lord and Redeemer, through the gift of the Holy Ghost.

“…the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” The gate he describes is familiar to all members of the church: Continue reading →

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Commentary on 2 Nephi 31:13

Posted on by Jared

Not all scripture is of equal value. For example, as valuable as the vision of the three degrees of glory is, it pales in importance to scripture that teach the doctrine of Christ. Why? The doctrine of Christ reveals truths that allow us to access the power of the atonement of Christ. The vision of the three degrees of glory is explanatory. One saves, and the other explains. In other words, a starving man would find more help in a hand full of rice than he would in a cook book about rice.

The following verse of scripture provides those who hunger for salvation in the Kingdom of God a hand full of doctrine to get them started in the right direction.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. 2 Nephi 31:13

Continue reading →

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I’m Going to Shoot Old Joe Smith

Posted on by Jared

The following is taken from a talk given at BYU by Robert H. Daines, 20 June 2000. Click here to read the talk.

The Prophet Joseph was a great exemplar, not only of this principle but also of having total faith and confidence in the promises of the Lord. I should like to share with you an entry from the diary of my great-great grandmother. This is a record of a little-known experience of the Prophet Joseph–little known because this diary was lost for 30 to 40 years in my mother’s home in New Jersey. It was only rediscovered as they were preparing to move back to Utah in the late 1970s. This is a diary entry of Sister Sarah Stoddard. Her son Charles, my great-grandfather, as a boy of 14, was asked by the Prophet Joseph to serve as a houseboy for William Law, an enemy of the Prophet, and to inform him of any of the Laws’ devious plans. It was, I guess, an early form of counterintelligence.

Note the date of the diary entry: April 1844. It was just two months before the Martyrdom of the Prophet.

Dear Diary, Continue reading →

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Each of Us Will Face Trials and Hardships in This Life

Posted on by Jared

The following General Conference talk was given by  Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Oct 2008. It was titled, “Hope Ya Know, We had a Hard Time”,  Ensign, Nov 2008, 102–6. For a shortened YouTube version, click here

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Last winter my daughter had a white-knuckle experience driving in a severe snowstorm. She reminded me of a similar situation I had with my two sons many years ago. My youngest son, Joe, was three years old, and my son Larry was six. We were traveling by car from San Francisco to Utah in June. The weather had been very good.

Continue reading →

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