Consider the Lilies

This morning I went out earlier than I usually do.  Abinadi and I went down to the garden and then to the dog tree. It was still quite chilly as the sun was still low in the east and the neighbor's trees were shading much of the path we took. I noticed that the yellow wildflowers that are so abundant in our field were all closed up for the night.

After sitting by the garden while Abinadi wandered the field sniffing around like a good bloodhound, we went up to the dog tree.  It was there I noticed the wildflowers had begun to open up gradually.  I contemplated how amazing a simple wildflower is.  The wildflowers that were in the shade were mostly still closed.  But those in the sun opened up in their full glory.  It was beautiful.  All this took place in less than an hour.  I kept my eye on a few specific flowers that I watched unfold over about 30 minutes. It was a simple everyday occurrence yet something absolutely amazing that most people don't notice. It brought to mind this Scripture.

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."  -- Luke 12:27

Even a simple wildflower is evidence of the intricacies and beauty of God's creations.  Even a simple wildflower follows a specified lifecycle and reacts to environmental conditions.  Opening its blossom when the warm sun shines upon it. Even a simple wildflower is evidence of a Supreme Creator.

"... The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."  -- Alma 30:44

Yes, even a simple wildflower denotes there is a God.  Consider the lilies, consider the wildflowers, how they grow...

That's my two cents.

Scripture of the Day

I listened to this Scripture this morning.  It's a classic so I thought I would post it.  From King Benjamin's address.  I added the emphasis to verse 17.

Mosiah 2:14-18

14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

Fake News

I'm wise enough to avoid poisoning my mind with the fake news fabricated by the mainstream media (Democrat party).  In fact I haven't watched any television news since 2012.  I get my news from more reliable sources.

I've become aware that the newest ploy by the Democratic Party (MSM) to tarnish President Trump is this whole separation of families at the borders.  Okay just to get a few facts straight -- these people are criminals trying to enter our country illegally.  And the policy in place which separates children from their criminal illegal alien parents has been in place since 1997.  Clinton, Bush and Obama have all enforced this law. I've also learned that most of the pictures the mainstream media (Democrat party) are using to further their agenda are from Obama era detainees.

I wasn't going to blog about this but I read something in American thinker.com this morning that I decided I should share. Because obviously the Democrat party (MSM) will not share this willingly. The following quote from American thinker.com reveals the truth about the photo of the toddler girl bawling her neck off that you've probably all drawn the wrong conclusion from:

"Best of all in this feeding frenzy, there were the photos: The crying toddler, crying as toddlers do, wildly, for all the universe to hear them. The big one on that front was the one shot by Getty Images photographer John Moore, showing a one-year old crying in front of Border Patrol agents, as her mother was apprehended for illegal entry and searched for weapons or drugs by the lawmen. The photo was a highly edited one, showing only the huge legs of the neutrally clad, utterly depersonalized Border Patrol officers, and the crying one-year-old, Yanela Sanchez, clad in a brand new bright pink toddler jacket and bright pink, brand new pink sneakers."...

"Now the facts come out, and pretty quickly, too. Someone tracked these people down and asked them about it, and now we learn the real story: 

"Turns out the kid was never separated from her mother, not once. The girl's father, Denis Javier Varela Hernandez, was located by the always-on-the-job Daily Mail, and told a very different story from what the press had been reporting. 

"One, the kid wasn't separated. 

"Two, family separation indeed occur, from the Honduran illegal immigrant's side. The girl's mother had actually abandoned three other children and her father, to take the one-year-old toddler, through the hands of smugglers, to the U.S. illegally, without the father's permission. She in fact didn't tell anyone. 

"Three, this was no poverty story: The kid's expensive shoes and jacket offered a hint of that in the photo, but now it turns out the mother apparently lived a very wealthy life, her spouse or babydaddy a sea captain over in Puerto Cortes. She had a spare $6,000 handy to pay a human smuggler for the crossing, according to the father. 

"Oh, and she's been deported before, in 2013, a multiple entry case with little regard for U.S. law, as so many of them are. 

"And instead of inhuman treatment, the father says she's comfortable and well-cared for by Americans over in McAllen, Texas. 

"What's more, she was not coming up here under a credible fear of persecution, as has been reported from the asylum-promoting crowd, but here to make money, as the child's dad said, dead set on taking a job from an American."

-- Monica Showalter, June 22, 2018, American thinker.com, Fake news: Crying migrant child in photo never separated from her mother

So there's the real story.  I don't know why people can't understand that illegal aliens are criminals.  How many criminals do you know who get to keep their families with them in prison?  Is that really better for the kids?  My understanding is that the first time someone tries to cross into this country illegally is a misdemeanor.  The second time is a felony.  Felons go to prison.  The mainstream media (Democratic Party) keeps referring to these illegal aliens as immigrants.  They are not immigrants.  Immigrants come here legally.  They are illegal aliens breaking the laws of our country. They are criminals.

I can understand people wanting a better life.  But do it legally.  And all this nonsense about families being separated by mean border patrol agents because of President Trump's immigration policy is just a bunch of malarkey.  It's not his policy.  The angry Liberal Democrat mainstream media is just using another ploy to try to get rid of President Trump.  That has been their goal since they lost the election to him. They are still very angry about that.  In fact, liberals are always angry.  Just look at Peter Fonda or Kathy Griffin.  They can't speak without profanely spewing anger and hatred.  Very sad.

Why would the MSM (Democratic Party) manufacture a false crisis that they report as news?  Well, in this case it is to make President Trump look bad in an effort to get rid of him.  And in an effort to drum up more Democratic voters they are always trying to let as many illegal aliens into this country as possible.  So they create this crisis in the media in hopes of the government granting all of the illegal aliens asylum. They need voters and they want to destroy America.  Kill two birds with one stone I guess.

A month or two ago the MSM (Democratic Party) agenda was gun control.  With camera Hogg -- as Rush Limbaugh calls him -- as their poster child.  Now they've turned their agenda to focusing on immigration.  And their poster child is a bawling toddler brought here by her illegal alien mother.  I wonder what will be next?  One thing's for certain, the mainstream media (Democratic Party) will come up with another manufactured crisis to present as news to further their agenda.

Don't believe everything you see or hear on TV or in any of the mainstream media.  In fact, don't believe any of it.  President Trump is right, it's all fake.

That's my two cents.

Two Sparrows

For any of you who may be feeling forgotten or perhaps not valued, this post is for you.  Whenever I think of sparrows the following Scripture comes to mind:

Matthew 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I've always loved this particular scripture.  It's a good reminder that  Heavenly Father is very mindful of each of us. 

Emphasizing the lowliness of a sparrow (a farthing is a miniscule amount of money) Jesus says that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing about it.

If our Heavenly Father cares about a sparrow falling to the ground, how much more does He value each of His children?  He certainly does know each of His children (you), even that the hairs of your head are numbered.

This Scripture is a beautiful reminder of Heavenly Father's awareness of each of us and of His love for us.

Always remember how much you are loved and valued by your Father in Heaven.

That's my two cents.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Happy Father's Day To My Wonderful Dad!

Thanks for always being there for me.  Thanks for all you've done for me throughout my life and continue to do.  Thanks for understanding what a father's role is in a child's life.    Thanks for doing your best to fulfill your role as a father.  A father's influence is so important in shaping and molding a child into a confident and well-adjusted adult.  You must have done something right because I turned out great!  :-)   I love you, Dad!  Happy Father's Day!

"Norms Have Really Changed"

As you're probably aware Bill Clinton has been on a book tour with some famous author he supposedly wrote a book with.  Anyway he does nothing but put his foot in his mouth.  He and Hillary are two peas in a pod. They are both clueless.

A few days ago he was doing another book tour interview on PBS I believe.  Anyway here is a direct quote from that interview of Bill Clinton.

"I think the norms have really changed in terms of, what you can do to somebody against their will" 

-- Bill Clinton

Seriously?  Did he really say that?  Yes he did!

Let me explain something to you, Bill.  Just because you were able to get away with doing things to people "against their will" doesn't mean that the norms have changed.  It has never been okay to do things to people "against their will".  Talk about Lala land.  Liberals live in Lala land.  They have no concept of reality.  It's disgusting.

It's pretty scary that this guy ran our country for eight years. It's absolutely disgusting that somebody so vile as Bill Clinton who thinks it's okay to do things to people against their will is revered by so many people.  It's sickening that so many people would help to cover-up Bill Clinton's not only moral indiscretions (adultery) but criminal (rape) activities as well -- all in the name of politics.  Hillary was one of his biggest accomplices with her "bimbo eruptions" task force.  It's apparent that the "bimbos" were most likely victims of sexual assault.

It is well documented that Bill Clinton lied to each and every American while he was a sitting president during the Lewinsky scandal.  Wagging his finger at us.  Apparently that was back when he thought the norms were different.  Now he's either more deranged than he was back then or he's been living in Lala land for so long that he's completely clueless to reality.  Probably both.  Otherwise why would he go on national television and make such a ridiculously disgusting comment? 

Once again, Bill, it has never been okay -- nor will it ever be okay -- to do things to people against their will.  The norms have not changed at all.  Try to get that through that thick skull of yours.

That's my two cents.

Scripture of the Day

Alma 34:8-9

8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

A House of Order

I've heard many people say throughout my life that a loving God would not keep them out of heaven just because they haven't been baptized or received certain ordinances.  That's what most people who don't understand the gospel believe.  But that is not true.  The Scriptures make it very clear that baptism and certain ordinances are necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Something I heard on my mission a lot was members of other Christian religions claiming they didn't need to hear our message or be baptized because they were already baptized in their own church.

I feel the need to explain why being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is necessary as are ordinances performed in the temples such as sealing families together.

I love teaching by analogy so I will start with a story.

There are two people who want to become podiatrists. To make it easy to differentiate,  lets say one is a woman and one is a man.  First let's talk about the woman.  The woman has the goal to become a podiatrist.  She realizes the steps she must take to obtain that goal.  After graduating high school, she applies for and is accepted into a university.  She studies for four years taking the necessary courses and graduates with a bachelor of science degree.  She then applies for podiatry school.  She is granted some interviews and is accepted into podiatry school.  She works hard and meets all of the course requirements and clinical requirements of the school.  She takes and passes the board exam making sure she has the required general knowledge a podiatrist should have.  She graduates having earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree.  But she still is not able to practice without a license.  She is accepted into a residency program and obtains a limited residency license working under a licensed podiatric physician.  Finally having completed the requirements of the residency program, she is able to apply for and obtains a license from the state to practice podiatric medicine. She sets up her practice and begins practicing podiatry.

Now let's look at the man.  He also wants to become a podiatrist.  But he thinks there is an easier way.  He believes he can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to practice podiatry without having to go through all the formal training and without having to obtain the necessary degrees and licenses.  He decides he will buy the same textbooks that that the podiatry students use.  He will watch some lectures on YouTube.  And he will follow a licensed podiatrist around until he feels like he has gained the knowledge and skills necessary to practice podiatry. So that's what he does.  He worked hard and after a few years he feels like he knows as much as a licensed podiatrist and sets up his own practice and begins practicing podiatry.

When the state finds out that the man is practicing medicine without a license, they immediately shut him down and throw him in prison.  The man thinks he should be allowed to practice medicine, after all he worked hard to learn the skills of podiatry.  And he feels like he was a good podiatrist -- and perhaps he was.  BUT the state has laws.  You can't just break the laws without consequence.  You certainly can't practice medicine without a proper license.  Even though you may have the skills to do so.  Society has laws.  God has laws.  Both must be followed.  If not, there are dire consequences.

The woman followed the rules of society.  She followed the laws of the country.  She did what was necessary to obtain her goal.  She can legally practice podiatry.  The man didn't follow the law of the land and therefore was denied the privilege of practicing podiatry.  Why would the state do that?  Why would the government discriminate against its citizens?  After all, both the man and the woman had the knowledge and skills necessary to practice podiatry.  Why would the state prevent the man from realizing his goal of practicing podiatry?  Now he is sitting in prison without a profession.  That mean old state/government! It's just not fair.

God also has laws that must be followed.  Many times in the scriptures it says that people must be baptized to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Here are just a couple examples:

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  -- John 3:5

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"  -- 2 Nephi 31:5 

God has made it very clear that baptism is necessary.  Going back to our analogy, baptism by someone holding the proper priesthood authority is necessary to live with God in His kingdom.  Just like obtaining a license from the state is necessary to legally practice medicine.

 In both instances though, that is not the end.  To continue practicing medicine, the state requires continuing medical education.  To keep your license to practice you must periodically take and pass continuing medical education courses.  To stay up to date with current medical practices.  If you don't, the state will not renew your license to practice.

Similarly, getting baptized is not the end.  It's really just the beginning.  After baptism we must continue to educate ourselves spiritually by studying God's word through Scripture and modern revelation.  We must continually strive to follow Him and keep His commandments.  If we don't, we will lose the privilege to live with God in the hereafter.

Baptism isn't the only necessary ordinance. For instance, if families want to be together forever in the hereafter, they must be sealed together in the temple of the Lord, by someone holding the proper priesthood authority to perform that ordinance.  Families are not automatically sealed together just because they want to be.  Or just because they love each other.  No, sorry it doesn't work that way.  Just like the man who wanted to practice podiatry but did not obtain the proper license.  He was not allowed to practice podiatry.  Nor is the family who is not sealed together allowed to live together as a family with God in heaven unless they are sealed together by priesthood ordinance.

"18 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, which is my law, and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, neither by my word; when they are out of the world it cannot be received there, because the angels and the gods are appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory; for my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God.

"19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever."

-- Doctrine and Covenants 132:18-19

The above Scripture makes it very clear that the Lord requires men and women to be sealed together in His holy house -- by someone who has been "anointed and appointed unto this power", in other words by someone who holds the proper priesthood authority -- for their marriage to be valid when they are "out of this world".  The vows people take in civil marriage even say so.  "Till death do us part" or "So long as we both shall live".  Why would people just assume that marriage continues after death?  It doesn't.  The vows they take even say it doesn't.  Unless God's laws are followed and that marriage was sealed by priesthood ordinance in a temple of the Lord, that marriage ends at death.  The laws of the land say so.  The Lord says so.  It's very clear.  The Lord even says at the end of verse 19 that His house is a house of order.

The Lord continues to explain in the following verses:

"21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

"22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

"23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

"24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law."

-- Doctrine and Covenants 132:21-24

The Lord says at the end of verse 24 "Receive ye, therefore, my law."  It doesn't get much more clear than that. 

Just out of completeness sake I should explain that ordinances such as baptism and temple sealing must be performed by someone with the proper authority.  The restored priesthood -- the authority to act in God's name -- is only found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

This is something that my fellow Christians didn't understand when they told me they were baptized in their church.  Therefore they didn't need to listen to us or be baptized again. Unfortunately my fellow Christian friends do need to be baptized again, by someone holding the proper priesthood authority.

Thankfully, the Lord is merciful and fair.  Anyone who did not have the opportunity to listen to and accept His Gospel in this life will have the opportunity in the next.  Everyone will be given the opportunity to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Everyone will also still have their God-given agency and may choose to reject the gospel if they so desire.

And conversely, not everyone who covenanted with God through baptism or temple ordinances will choose to keep those covenants.  Those who break their covenants with God, thereby reject Him and those ordinances become null and void.  Just like our licensed podiatrist friend, if she chooses to not take the steps necessary to keep her license valid, her license to practice medicine will become null and void.

Governments have laws that must be followed.  If laws of the land are not followed, there are detrimental consequences.  God has laws that must be followed.  If God's laws are not followed, there are detrimental consequences.  It's a simple concept to understand.

The difference is, most people have been taught and understand the laws of the land.  Many people have not been taught and don't understand God's laws.  At least not all of them the way we, as members of the Lord's true Church do.  That's why missionary work is so important for those of us who have been blessed with the Gospel in our lives.  It's important for us to share our knowledge of the gospel with our fellow men.  So that they may also enjoy the marvelous blessings that we enjoy.

 That's why I wanted to do this blog post today.  I wanted to clarify and teach gospel principles that many do not understand.  If any of you have further questions, send me a comment or an e-mail and I will get back with you to answer your questions.

Yes, the Lord's house is a house of order.  The Lord knows each one of us by name.  In His house (Church) meticulous records are kept.  Laws are given that must be followed in order to return to live with Him again someday.  It's not because he's mean or unloving -- quite the contrary.  It's because he runs a house of order.

That's my two cents.

John Adams Quotes

I thought I would share with you some great quotes I like from one of our founding fathers and second president of the United States of America, John Adams.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people”.
– John Adams

“When legislature is corrupted, the people are undone.”
– John Adams

“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”
– John Adams

“Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.”
– John Adams, letter to John Taylor, 1814.

 “Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.”
– John Adams

 “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.”
– John Adams

 “Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
– John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, Jul. 17, 1775

“Human passions unbridled by morality and religion…would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.”
– John Adams

“Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.”
– John Adams

“Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.”
– John Adams

“Always stand on principle….even if you stand alone.”
– John Adams

Scripture of the Day

2 Nephi 26:33

"For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."

Increasing Suicide Rates

I just read an interesting article about the dramatic increase in suicides over the past few years.  The CDC just recently published some statistics about suicide.  Here are a few of the more interesting statistics published by the CDC:

45,000 people committed suicide in the United States in 2016.  That is the size of many cities in the United States.  It's about the same amount of people that live in Puyallup.

54% of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition. More than half of all suicides were committed by people who were not mentally ill.

Suicide rates went up more than 30% in more than half of the states since 1999. In some states, the rate increase was much higher than 30%.  A few were lower than 30%.  But in only one state did the rate decrease, and that was by only 1% in Nevada.

The CDC report included some contributing factors as to why people committed suicide.  The majority (42%) were because of relationship problems.  Next was a past or upcoming crisis (29%).  Closely following that was substance abuse (28%). Then physical health problems (22%), financial/job problems (16%), criminal legal problems (9%), and loss of housing (4%).

Interestingly a week or two ago I just read an article written by a psychologist/therapist.  Just going off memory here but the article stated that since 2012 (when smart phones came into widespread use) that suicide rates have skyrocketed.  He claimed it was not a coincidence.  There was a direct correlation between increased use of smart phones -- especially among teenagers and even younger kids -- and the jump in suicide rates.  The psychologist reported that social media and increased access to pornography and other vices are to blame.

This correlation makes complete sense and helps corroborate the CDC's findings.

It's a sad world we live in when people can't live without their smart phones yet those are the very things that make their lives miserable.  Interestingly everyone I've talked to or heard about who has either fasted from social media or gotten rid of it altogether all say the same thing.  The key word they use is freeing.  They feel like their life is freer because they are not tethered like a ball and chain to social media/smart phones.  Isn't that interesting?  People easily become addicted to social media and other aspects of smart phone use.  It rules their lives.  They become slaves to the very thing that they think makes their life easier or more convenient.  It's interesting they use the word free or freedom when talking about getting away from social media and smartphones.

It's easy to see the correlation between people basing their entire self-worth on how many "likes" or views or followers they have on social media and increasing suicide rates.  Especially with youth who don't have fully developed brains yet.  When your self-worth is based on fake, you don't understand reality. When your self-worth is based on the knowledge that you are a child of God and He love you unconditionally, it brings you back to reality and you don't care so much about how many people "like" you on social media. Also, when you're living right you feel better about yourself.  Self worth and righteous living are directly correlated.

The number one reason people commit suicide is because of relationship problems.  This is a big problem not only because of fake relationships on social media but a big factor is divorce.  Specifically children of divorce.  When children see their parents choosing someone else or something else over them, it's devastating.  The parents choosing the floozy/floozer or selfish free lifestyle will deny it but their selfishness is a big huge factor in many children choosing suicide.  Being abandoned by a parent is psychologically devastating.  This is why many children of divorce choose drugs and alcohol to numb their pain.  But it's a slippery slope.  The top three reasons people commit suicide -- relationship trouble, crises, and substance abuse.  All three are easily related to children of divorce.

Couple family problems and abandonment issues with the added pressures of social media stresses such as bullying, pornography, peer pressure and just plain fake relationships and you can see how easily people,  especially young people, get overwhelmed and turn to suicide to escape.

It's a difficult world we live in.  This is why having the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so important.  It gives people hope.  It gives people structure in their lives.  It gives people happiness in their lives.  It helps keep people grounded in reality and concerned with what's really important in life.  It basically gives people a reason to live.  When you know who you are, why you're here, and where you're going, life makes more sense.  Life is more easily navigable.  Sure, no one is immune from struggles.  We all face plenty of hardships and trials in our lives.  But having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your life, believing it, living it, makes dealing with hardships and trials easier.

I believe that's another reason why suicide rates continue to increase.  More and more people are turning away from religion and God. That's not a coincidence.  When people lose hope, what is there to live for?

Just today I heard of another celebrity suicide.  There was one yesterday or the day before also.  It seems like celebrity suicides are increasing even faster than are suicide rates in the general population.  At least we hear about them all the time.  Why are these celebrities, who seem to have it all, so disgruntled and unhappy with their lives that they take their own lives?  I can tell you why.  Because they are not living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are living contrary to God's commandments.  And they are miserable.  Only in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true happiness found.

It's extremely sad news to hear how rapidly the suicide rates are increasing in this country.  But, unfortunately, with the destruction of nuclear families, the decline of morality, the turning away from God and religion, and increased use of social media and smart phones, it makes total sense.

That's my two cents.

We talk of Christ

In my daily Book of Mormon study I just listened to this scripture again.  It is a well known scripture to those familiar with The Book of Mormon.

To anyone who doesn't believe that Mormons are Christians, just read the following scripture from The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is subtitled Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  Rightfully so.  It certainly fits that description.

Last week or so I read about an experiment being conducted in various cities across the world.  If I'm not mistaken it was a BYU sponsored study.  Anyway what they are doing is asking random people they meet on the street to read one page in The Book of Mormon.  And they asked them to highlight any reference to deity mentioned in that particular page. The people conducting the study used every page from The Book of Mormon in their experiment.  I saw about 10 different profiles of people from all walks of life who participated.  People from all different religions and even atheists.  Anyway it was very interesting that most of them were surprised that they agreed with the doctrine they read in their page from The Book of Mormon.  And every example that I read showed multiple highlights on each page referencing deity.

Anyway, I didn't intend to say all that.  I just wanted to post this scripture.  So here you go:

2 Nephi 25:26

"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 children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

That short scripture succinctly sums up our views on Christ as members of His true Church.  Everything centers on Christ and His atonement.

That's my two cents.

The Gathering of Israel

President Nelson (our living prophet) gave a very powerful talk at the worldwide devotional on Sunday.  It was directed towards the youth (12-18-year-olds) and invited them to join the Lord's youth battalion in the effort to gather Israel.

It's obvious that the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is going to be soon.  The work is being hastened in preparation at breakneck speed.  There is no time to waste.  If your life is not in order, I highly suggest you do what you need to do to get it in order pronto.  Before it's too late.

President Nelson explained that the gathering of Israel, which we've heard about our whole lives as members of the church, is basically doing missionary work.  Helping others to take steps towards making covenants with God and receiving essential ordinances for salvation.  Basically helping people progress towards baptism into the Lord's true church and to receive essential temple ordinances.

President Nelson said:

“There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing,”

“This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.”

Those are very powerful words from our living prophet of God.  As members of the Church we have a great responsibility to share the gospel with others.  As president Nelson said, there is nothing of greater consequence.

President Nelson went on to give the youth five things to do that will help them change themselves and change the world by helping to gather Israel.

Without elaborating, these five things are:

1 -- Go on a seven-day social media fast.
2 -- For three weeks in a row make a weekly sacrifice to the Lord.
3 -- Keep on the covenant path.
4 -- Pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
5 -- Stand out and be different from the world.

To elaborate on a couple of points.  President Nelson gave the example of a golfer going without his weekly golf game and instead doing baptisms in the Temple.  For number two.  He and Sister Nelson both urged those who have wandered off the covenant path to not waste one more minute.  He pleaded with those who have wandered to repent and return.  Sister Nelson said talk to your bishop tonight.  It is that important and that urgent.

We are here on earth to receive a body, be tested -- which often times includes learning to control our bodies and their appetites, and to keep our covenants.  And for those who haven't made covenants yet, it is our responsibility to help them along the path to making and keeping those covenants.  So they can also progress towards exaltation.

I hope we will listen to our living prophet and heed his counsel.  He counseled us that there is nothing of greater consequence than the gathering of Israel and that we were sent to earth to fulfill the mission of gathering Israel.

Let us all join the Lord's battalion in helping our fellow man to receive the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That's my two cents.

Religious Freedom Victory

Today the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a baker from Colorado protecting his religious freedoms.  To sum up the story, the baker owns a cake shop in Colorado.  Two homosexual men came in to his cake shop -- masterpiece cakes (or something like that) -- and asked him to bake a cake for their upcoming "wedding".  The baker refused on grounds of doing so violating his religious beliefs.  So the two homosexual men sued him.  Now, this baker did not refuse to sell these men any cake already made in the glass case.  He told them he would sell them any cake already made if they chose to select one.  He just refused to bake and decorate them a cake for their "wedding".

I think that is why the Supreme Court sided 7-2 for the baker.  Because he was not refusing them service.  He would gladly sell them a cake.  He just didn't want to make a cake and decorate it for their homosexual "wedding".

This is a huge victory for religious freedom.  Religious freedom is being attacked more and more lately.  This decision by the United States Supreme Court is a gigantic win for religious freedom.  For protecting our First Amendment rights.

Here are a few quotes from Rush Limbaugh with his take on the situation:

"If the court had ruled that this baker was required to bake this cake for a gay couple in violation of his constitutional protections, the freedom to practice his religion, if he had lost this, you don’t think the left would be out there saying, “Well, it’s not that big a deal. It’s just pretty narrow.” They would be dancing on graves right now. This is a huge deal and don’t let anybody tell you it isn't. The left is just trying to provide solace to its lunatic, deranged base and to keep them from feeling entirely, totally defeated."

"But, you know, there’s another question here that needs to be asked, and I've asked this before. This was a fight that was provoked by the militant political gay movement. They targeted a religious baker and chose this guy to make a case. They could have gone any bakery in Colorado. They could have gone to any bakery in Denver. They could have gone up and down the interstate anywhere they wanted. They could have found somebody who would have happily baked them a cake.

"But they didn't do that. They targeted somebody that they knew wouldn't bake them the cake or thought wouldn't bake them the cake because this is how the left operates. The thing to take away from this is what the left wants. The left is anti-liberty. The left is very comfortable denying anyone who disagrees with them their freedom, including constitutional freedoms." 

"The guy’s name, by the way, the cake shop, Masterpiece Cakeshop, and one of the factors here is it was ruled that this guy is an artiste. He’s not just, you know, go getting a box of Betty Crocker and putting some flour and water in it and bake a cake. This guy is an artiste.

"As such, you could not compel, say, Degas to do a portrait of somebody he didn't want to do a portrait of. It was sort of relevant in this case where you can’t compel this baker/artist to create art for occasions he disagrees with. It really was a factor, because this is a custom bake shop. But I’m gonna… You know, where you listen to the left talk about how this is very narrow and not that encompassing. Imagine how you would feel today if it’d gone the other way, if by a 7-2 vote in the Supreme Court they had ruled that Christian religious freedom essentially doesn't exist or didn't in this case.

"I mean, the left would have been on this, and they would have been marching into every religious business they could find and challenging it, starting late this morning, certainly early this afternoon. They would have been out there doing everything they could to maximize this. So, as far as that — even though it’s just an individual case — the Supreme Court stood up for religious liberty, First Amendment in a major, major way."  -- Rush Limbaugh.com, June 4, 2018 

I think Rush Limbaugh summed it up really well.  This case isn't about refusing to sell someone a cake based on discrimination.  This is about making someone use their talents to create custom artwork against their religious beliefs.  What it's really about is taking someone's will away and forcing them to do something they don't want to do.  It's about agency.

Hmm, whose idea was it to take away our agency?  That's right, Satan.  God has given us our agency to make our own choices.  He does not compel us to be good.  He gives us our agency.  We can choose for ourselves good or evil.

Agency is such an important part of God's plan of happiness or plan of salvation, that a war in heaven was fought over it.  That's how vitally important agency is to God's plan.

We are blessed to live in a country where we have freedom to choose.  We have agency.  The divinely inspired United States Constitution guarantees us our God-given right of agency.  The First Amendment guarantees us freedom of religion.  Thankfully today, the United States Supreme Court upheld the Constitution by guaranteeing a baker's right to freedom of religion.

Despite this wicked world we live in and all of its attacks on our religion and our freedoms, today a victory was won for religious freedom. It reminds me of a favorite hymn:

Behold!  A Royal Army
Hymn number 251
Lyrics

1. Behold! A royal army,
With banner, sword, and shield,
Is marching forth to conquer
On life's great battlefield.
Its ranks are filled with soldiers,
United, bold, and strong,
Who follow their Commander
And sing their joyful song:

(Chorus)
Victory, victory,
Thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!

2. And now the foe advancing,
That valiant host assails,
And yet they never falter;
Their courage never fails.
Their Leader calls, "Be faithful!"
They pass the word along;
They see his signal flashing
And shout their joyful song:

(Chorus)

3. Oh, when the war is ended,
When strife and conflicts cease,
When all are safely gathered
Within the vale of peace,
Before the King eternal,
That vast and mighty throng
Shall praise his name forever,
And this shall be their song:

(Chorus)

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: Adam Geibel, 1855-1933

Today I am grateful for this victory for religious freedom.

That's my two cents.

Persecution of Their Brethren

Listening to the Book of Mormon this morning, this scripture resonated with me when I heard it.

Helaman 3:33-35

33 And in the fifty and first year of the reign of the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter into the church—not into the church of God, but into the hearts of the people who professed to belong to the church of God— 

34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction. 

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Even though this scripture was recorded over 2000 years ago, it is exactly what is happening today.  Persecution from nonmembers can be expected to some degree.  But persecution by those who "professed to belong to the church of God" tends to be more severe and somewhat shocking at first.  Especially when the persecution is directed towards "their brethren".

Sadly, it is becoming much more common place as once strong, solid members of the church are dropping like flies.  Deceived by Satan's cunning lies.

It's a wicked world we live in and getting worse.  In order to survive spiritually, it takes much daily effort.  President Nelson said:

"We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious.... If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.

"... in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation." -- Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference

The Book of Mormon warns us of what happens when we aren't diligent in living the Gospel.  It's uncanny how the Book of Mormon parallels exactly what's happening in our world today.  It certainly was written for our day.

We also have a living prophet to warn us of pitfalls ahead.  Our Prophet just warned us of what we need to do to survive spiritually in these troubled times.  We must increase our spiritual capacity and learn how to receive revelation by using the great gift of the Holy Ghost which we've been given.

If we don't, we won't survive spiritually.  We will drop like flies like many of our fellow saints.

Elder Holland warned that persecutions will increase.  It's disconcerting when your own family members persecute you.  But that's the reality of these last days. Helaman's ancient words of warning are becoming more and more pertinent as we near the Lord's second coming.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said in the Wentworth letter (March 1, 1842):

"Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added fuel to the flame. It has spread with increasing rapidity."

"persecutions may rage, ... but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent,... till the purposes of God shall be accomplished..."

As members of the Lord's true church, we will continue to face increasing persecutions from not only nonmembers but also from our own brethren.

May we heed the Prophet's counsel to increase our spiritual capacity that we may be strong enough to withstand the persecutions and subsequent adversity we will certainly face.

May we be like the church members of old who "yielded their hearts unto God" and became "firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ".  Despite the persecutions of their brethren. And perhaps because of them.

That's my two cents.