Shadows of the Groundhog

It has been several weeks since I have written anything. Many topics have been filtering there way through my mind. Here are four that occupy some of my energy. They are pieced from four smaller entries, I almost deleted, but now have decided to publish together to honor the last six weeks of winter as predicted by a beloved rodent. I can relate to the groundhog shadows are terrifying things, (Psalm 23) The current story of my life is to wait for the spring a little longer. With the snow continuing to pile up, I am reminded that snow is nothing more than evidence of God’s storehouse and future provision of life (water) for us.

Ignoring a reformer.
Utah culture does not give praise to Martin Luther King, jr because of the influence of past Mormon theology.

In the state of Utah, for the Mormon majority, Martin Luther King, jr. is meaningless to its history or culture. It is why the State Legislature ignored the national holiday and began its session. It is why only recently the state even acknowledged his existence replacing their human right’s day. For one, He was a Black Christian pastor, in 1964, the LDS church still held their revealed truth that blacks were cursed by the sin and mark of Cain. In the 1960’s blacks had no right to the complete presence and glory of the Lord, especially a black pastor from one of the illegitimate daughters of corrupted catholicism.

They were only allowed to be dimly lit from afar by others. They were only allowed to pick up the crumbs from the white and delightsome race.

They could not hold the sacred priesthood or work out their salvation, as taught by the Mormon church. They were not even allowed to baptism each other into the church, only by the good works of their white brethren could they be ushered into the true church. It was only 10 years after the murder of Martin Luther King, jr that stubborn leaders of the church-among them the recently deceased Hinckley and now Monson- finally received new revelation from God, that the curse of Cain had ended and Blacks could once again after 5000 years of punishment be allowed to enjoy the full glory of God to worship him as priests.

Given another 20 years, perhaps the culture of Utah maybe ready to venerate the work that Martin Luther King, jr did to remind everyone what the bible teaches in Genesis that all men are created in the image of God; but it would then have to acknowledge at least in part the work of another reformer Martin Luther who challenged the universal church with the simple gospel that it is by faith in Jesus Christ not by working through a religious system that offers entrance into the Kingdom of heaven.

Praising a dead false prophet.
The end of last month brought the passing on the president of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Once again, I glanced at a piece of my former life. My life when I was blinded by my religious fervor. I listened as the sister of the dead false prophet give the final benediction for his life in a prayer. I was reminded of the unique doctrines of men that the LDS church has that are contrary to the words God has spoken.

In that short prayer, she praised the work of her dead brother and spiritual leader. She imagined him walking the halls of heaven with his eternal bride. It was not until the final ten or twelve words that God was even mentioned. It was her hope and faith that he was in a better place. It was her faith in the deeds of her brother that are not unlike her own that set him in his place of honor. It was only mere afterthought and habit to invoke the name of Christ, but only at the end.

This short prayer told me that the doctrine and fundamental belief of the LDS faith are the same as when I turned away from them a decade ago. That men are gods in training and their works gain them reward in the life here after. That Jesus is not the way; He is merely the ending of their own way. That philosophy alone reverses God’s way. Jesus is the author and finisher of anyone’s faith. He is the beginning, middle, and end of the pathway of faith that alone leads to presence of God.

Waiting upon the Lord.
Last spring when I learned that Lifeway was going to be beginning a new series of teachings to cover the breadth and width of the Bible. I asked God to grant me the privilege to teach from His Holy Scripture for the entire series. Six months later, I was given the news that my job was not going to be supported any longer. The current grant was not renewed and would expire.

I spent the weeks and months since then applying for jobs. The lowest point was around my birthday in October, when after hearing once again that “although you have many qualifications, we have decided to hire another candidate for this position, thank you for applying and good luck in future career”. In my heart I still knew that God wanted me to stay in Logan and continue to grow closer to him and to share (teach) the Bible to others. I applied for a job the first week of November to work as the new Geographic Information Specialist for North Logan City. My supervisor even helped me in writing my resume.

I recently interviewed for that position, but before I went into the interview my supervisor had called me about a possible position for me coming up early next year that would allow for me to continuing working on campus at Utah State University. During the course of the interview for the job working for North Logan city, I learned that one of my co-workers had also applied. And God whispered to me that this was not my job.

The next morning, I did something I had not done since I was LDS. I fasted (this was not a random thought, I had recently read a chapter in a book about 12 spiritual disciplines for men that was about fasting), it was not a long fast it was only for 6 hours, but I did no just skip breakfast and my morning snack at work; I was deliberate in having my hunger pains remind me of God presence and my prayer was for him to close and open doors of employment for me. The door slammed closed on that job, but the position that my supervisor had told me about was beginning to crack open more.

My continued prayer and for each day and especially Wednesday morning since then, when I fast and pray for God to open the door for me to get a job here in Logan that would last long enough for me to continue to teach the Bible to others as long as God wanted. Even if this job does not work out, I know that God will provide. I continue to have my strength rise as I wait upon the Lord.

Considering a new president.
This will be and has been the least productive thing that I spend energy on. But I can not stop considering the great dilemma I find myself in. I am a conservative. I have been since I first heard Rush Limbaugh’s radio show in 1988 (at age 14) I have not always listened to it, and recently I find myself spending more time listening to on-line bible sermons from oneplace.com, than listening to the guru of conservative radio. I do split with him on most all things related to God. He may be a Christian, but his speech lends him to be a leader of a political movement more than a devoted follower of Jesus.

Anyway, I can not and will not vote for Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States. The main reason is religion. He is Mormon. I will not place a Mormon in position of that much prominence that would place his church in a position to blind more people and snatch them away from the word of God-which is God’s special revelation about Jesus Christ. It is a matter of conscience.

On the other hand, Could I vote for Governor Huckabee simply because of religion? I am not sure. He would likely lead the nation about 90% of the way that I would like for it to run. But the United States of America is a secular state. Secular states needs secular leaders. I always feel uncomfortable when an America President has to make politically correct statements about other faiths or philosophies that I know are false. Again, I am uncomfortable putting fellow Christians in that position.

Also, I can also feel the pendulum of the pulse of America swinging from the conservative end of the spectrum back toward the liberal side. For me a liberal human secularist like Obama or even Hillary Clinton would do harm to the American culture and nation. That is why I stop in the center and currently support John McCain as the next president. It is the practical and logical choice for me. Not the one my heart would first pick, but an acceptable choice, when I factor and weigh every point and position.

Personally, I would like to see a constitutional amendment to protect marriage and to define it as a union between One man and One woman. I would like to see a constitutional amendment to protect the life of every unborn child, the only exception being the LIFE of the mother. I would also like to see strong action taken to secure the borders of our nation, with physical barriers, and the arrest and deportation of all illegal immigrants and the change of the the requirements to become a citizen, not allowing mothers do give birth to children that are automatically citizens. I understand these actions are harsh, but if America is going to be a nation of laws, we can not begin making exceptions for immigration, what is next, are we then going to have safe havens for pedophiles, rapists, drug abusers, when will it stop, It would not. The laws of the nation would then be meaningless.

Not voting for Satan’s brother

Another Web log has a much more thoughtful response to this same event. It is written by Bill McKeever, The Relationship Between Jesus and Lucifer in a Mormon Context. My response here is more emotional.

There are two items from a news story about Governor Huckabee commenting on Governor Romney’s beliefs that I wish to comment on. They relate to the progressive truth revealed by false Mormon prophets that all humans are spiritually begotten by the Mormon God and that Jesus was first among this spiritual offspring and that Lucifer (the Devil) and every other human are among them.

One.
Why is acceptable to have LDS define what Christianity believes, but not for Christians to define what LDS believe? I am not going to sit in silence at allow for the LDS church spokesman (I thought it was the prophet’s responsibility and duty to lead the church not a spokesman) to define what Christians believe. Their definition has all ready been given by their founding false prophet, Joseph Smith, jr. He basically said that they all Christian denominations and beliefs are false. If LDS really believe that all Christianity is false then why try and have the same beliefs when it comes to trying and place Mankind as equals to Jesus. I will not allow Christ to be stripped of His divinity, nor will I allow for man to be elevated as equal to the Son of God. I am not going to let them talk out of both sides of their mouths. Maybe Mormons should read past James chapter 2 and see that He also warns us from having a tongue of fire (speaking in vague half-truths). Christianity acknowledges the Triune God as the Creator of all things. Jesus, the Son of God as spoken by John was with God in the beginning, and is not a created being. Mankind is created in the image and likeness of God, but is not an exact copy. Humans are not of the same species as God.

Two.
Angels are not Humans either. Again the founding false prophet of the LDS church states that a heavenly messenger or angel appeared to him in his room to reveal that their were some hidden golden plates that he had written some 14 centuries before. This basic belief that angels were once men or women that have died or have not yet been born is a fundamental teaching of the LDS church. By connecting the dots of the belief that LDS have of all humankind being spiritually created before birth including the devil and his angels, Jesus, and all the rest of us. Again this fundamental belief is still maintained and its tangled branches reach into the concept that Jesus and the Devil are spiritual brothers both begotten spiritually by the God of Mormonism with one of his heavenly wives. So by default that would make Mitt Romney the brother of the devil, why would anyone want to vote for Satan’s brother to be President of the United States?

A Tale of Two Prophets

The testimonies of others about two prophets.

The words of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, concerning John the Baptist.

Luke 7:28
“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (NKJV)

For those who like to have more than one witness to events.

Matthew 11:11
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (NKJV)

The words of John Taylor, 3RD President of Mormon Church, concerning Joseph Smith, JR.

Doctrine and Covenants 135:3
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it…”

Whose testimony do you trust as being the greatest prophet?
Jesus speaking on behalf of John the Baptist or John Taylor speaking for Joseph Smith, JR.

Modern Prophecy-Part Two

Originally I had intended to give many verses found in the Bible relating to various passages about what prophets did both in past and present ages, but instead I will keep it simple. Countless other scholars have made it their life’s work to look at biblical prophecy. Some explore fulfilled prophecy like the birth of the Messiah and others compare them to modern events. I simply want to explore a few passages from the bible. One from the old testament found in Amos 3:7 and one from the new testament Hebrews 1:1-2. These two passages really point to the purpose of prophets in any age, past or present.

Although, I did point out, in part one, a single incidence where a prophet stated a specific message from God that did not happen. He is not alone in making future predictions. Many from all backgrounds, philosophies, and religions have staked their honor and name upon these predicted events occuring and their message being authored by God. When the event does not happen it ruins the credibility of all the prophet’s words. Even today many ministers appear in the media asking for aid in a noble God given project and promise judgement if not met. Others used catastrophic events to point to God’s fulfillment of judgement against a certain group. Also, like my example in part one, many others predict the return of Jesus in body, spirit, or other form appearing by a certain time. All have been false. Jesus still has not yet come to claim His people both Jew and gentile.

What the Bible says about prophets?

Amos 3:7
[New King James Version]
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets

A prophet is a servant of God that recieves messages from God about His secret. He proclaims the actions of God. First, What is God’s secret or mystery?

Romans 16:25-27
[New King James Version]
(25) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began (26) but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— (27) to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

The secret made known, at the time this letter was written, to everyone is is the gospel of Jesus. The good news that He came into the world and died on the cross for the sins of the world in fulfillment of all things. So there is no hidden or secret knowledge for a prophet yet to be reveal which Jesus has not all ready spoken or done. A prophet simply points all to follow Jesus.

Second, What are the actions of God, that need a prophet to reveal?

John 21:28-30
[New King James Translation]
(28) After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” (29) Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. (30) So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

The action of God was to redeem His people. To be the High Priest offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to pay the debt all incurred through both their sinful nature by Adam’s fall and their own disobedience to God’s Law. Jesus did it. We have been redeemed. Our faith in Jesus demonstrated by our fruits gives us access to this redemption. Regardless of what anyone thinks the actions of God are. By his own mouth Jesus told us, It was finished.

This is further comfirmed by the passage in Hebrews 1:1-2.

Hebrews 1:1-2
[New King James Translation]
(1) God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son

This passage simply states that God spoke to us through prophets in the past, but now since the coming of His Son, Jesus, He speaks directly to us. I do not want to claim that there are no more prophets out there any more. The definition of a prophet can also be applied to modern believers of Christ. Again a prophet points to Jesus and has testimony of Him. Individuals, male or female, Calling people to turn from their selfish or sinful ways, pointing others to the saving Grace of Jesus, and other general warnings about living a life without the direction of God. This call to God can help people. Prophecy is one of the gifts of the spirit found in 1 Cor. 12:1-13:13 or Romans 12:3-8 and should be used by those God has given it. Again, I want to emphasize that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, the perfect sacrifice and the fulfillment of prophecy, fortolded by the prophets. There will be no new revelation about God. He has spoken to us by His Son there is nothing else to be said. If God had wanted to tell us he would have when He dwelt among us. Search the bible; all we need to know about God, our relationship to him, and our relationships to each other is in there.

In our modern age there is more need for teachers and students of the Word (the holy Bible) than false prophets trying to add more to it.

Modern Prophecy-Part One

One philosophy contrary to Christianity is that of Gnostic Christianity. This enemy has been around since the first century and continues to this day. Groups of believers that claim to have secret knowledge related to the salvation of mankind mixed with the biblical teachings of Jesus and that only by listening to, believing their doctrines, and joining them can anyone be saved.

One of these Gnostic Christians groups is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is their belief that modern prophets give them guidance and an anchor in the storms of the modern age. Advice and insight into scripture and God’s will that no one else has. Christianity understands that the only anchor for any age is the Word of God revealed by the LORD Jesus and exclusively found in the sixty-six books of the Bible.

What is a prophet?
According to the Bible Dictionary of the official standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints an ancient Hebrew prophet was:

to act as God’s messenger and make known God’s will. The message was usually prefaced with the words “Thus saith Jehovah.” He taught men about God’s character, showing the full meaning of his dealings with Israel in the past…It was also the prophet’s duty to denounce sin and foretell its punishment… a preacher of righteousness…In certain cases prophets predicted future events…In a general sense a prophet is anyone who has a testimony of Jesus Christ by the Holy Ghost.

Further information about modern living prophets can be found through exploring the frequently asked questions from the website of mormon.org. It helps to give a better understanding of prophets. The following quotation outlines what a prophet can do for us and defines the view of Latter Day Saints of both ancient Hebrew prophets as well as modern day prophets.

Throughout history, God has chosen prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others, to teach the gospel and direct His Church [Amos 3:7]. It is no different today. We all need God’s guidance in a world that is sometimes confusing. Because God loves His children, He continues to send living prophets. Joseph Smith (1805–44) was the first prophet of our time. Gordon B. Hinckley is God’s chosen prophet today. Just as God led the Israelites out of slavery and to a better place through His prophet Moses, He leads His children today into happier, more peaceful lives when they choose to follow His living prophet. We invite you to listen to the words of living prophets and consider how knowing God’s will can benefit your life.

Here I would like to examine and listen to the words of the first prophet of this modern age as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. I will explore a few of the words by this modern prophet and the guidance given from him and the benefit the words had on the saints. In 1832, the modern prophet Joseph Smith, Jun., predicted along with 6 witness with the authority of the voice of the LORD that a new temple and city would be built on the frontier of America within a generation and cloud with God’s presence would rest in that holy place. The revelation can be found in the 84th section of that book, one of the standard works of written scripture for the Church of Jesus Christ.

Doctrine & Covenants 84:1-5

(1) A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high. (2) Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. (3) Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the State of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, Jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. (4) Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. (5) For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house.

This prophesy of the building of a temple and city named New Jerusalem before the generation passes away has yet to be fulfilled and with the death of that generation can never be fufilled. There is no city in the state of Missouri with the name New Jerusalem. However, there are two such towns in the United States one in Pennsylvania and another in Ohio. Both in states not given in this prophecy. There is only one temple belonging to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the state of Missouri and it is located in St. Louis, on the other side of the state. It was dedicated on June 1, 1997. If this is the temple fulfilling this prophesy it was built on the eastern side not the western side of the state and was constructed about one hundred and fifty years later than proclaimed by Joseph Smith, Jun. The saints of his time did not recieve any benefits from his words. Their modern prophet and anchor was not secure.

This is not the first prophecy that Joseph Smith, Jun., would give about Zion being built and flurishing. Six months earlier the prophet made a similar prophecy about another land. The land around Kirkland, Ohio. The building project was much smaller scale than the ambitious plan in Missouri. The prophecy did take hold there, well at least for a few years, until 1838 when the flourshing and beautiful stake was abandoned.

Doctrine & Covenants 82:

(13 .) For I have consecrated the land of Kirtland in mine own due time for the benefit of the saints of the Most High, and for a stake to Zion. (14 .) For Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. (15.) Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.

For a time the pattern of Joseph Smith, Jun., marching around his kingdom making proclaimations about zion being built here and there were being fulfilled by his strength and his might. His devouted followers sweat, tears and sometimes blood went into building this zion. It was not in God’s Will, it was Joseph Smith’s, Jun., will. In the end they proved to be false with the incomplete work in Missouri. His words gave little comfort to his meager followers including promises given two years later of their protection in building the glorious temple and city on the frontier as found in the Doctrine and Covenants 103.

Doctrine & Covenants 103:5-7

(5) But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them. (6) Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour. (7) And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever.

The saints of Missouri did not prevail from that hour, they were forced to leave the promised land where their holy temple and city were to be built. And were the cloud of the LORD was to descend upon them. Instead their enemies forced them to Illinois again were another temple was constructed outside of this specific prophecy.

The stubborn nature and devotion to their founding prophet gave rise the belief now found in their ten article of faith, Mormons believe that this prophecy of building a city of God with His holy temple at its center will still be fulfilled. It will be, however, well after the single generation that their founding modern prophet proclaimed. Construction on this city has yet to be revealed to the saints. Perhaps their prophets know when, but the people are not yet ready to receive it.

Modern Prophecy-Part Two explores Prophecy: The biblical definition and practice.