TAKING THE GUTTER OUT OF THE PERSON

 One of the latest DoC talking points is that they try to drive a wedge into those who are suffering financially (which is most of us, as inflation bites into earning power and buying power and threatens even the robust double income household budget), in order to get them to lash out against the Church for sending funds to Africa to push the schitt schatt, or by building ever-increasing numbers of temples - while having a cool $110billion in a kitty, while many members are on the edge financially.

Many will appeal to the Church to solve the homeless problems with the windfall.  I happen to feel this way.  With just a few billion, nationwide homelessness could be stamped out and even the issue of clean drinking water in Africa could be brought to an end.  What a lofty and amazing goal that would be.

Of course, the Church could just simply give all of the kitty away until the balance sheet showed zero dollars.  This would be utter foolishness - given what has happened historically to the Church when she was allowed to be put between a rock and a financial hard spot at the turn of the last century.

So, the critics just love to rail on the Church in how moneys are spent.  All I care, is that they are being used wisely and fairly and according to the law of the land so they are not seized.  I also feel that there will be enough backlash at some point in the future, that they (the wicked) will come and attempt to clean out the kitty just as the Romans did with the Jewish kitty, etc.  Same analgous concept.

So when it comes to this, instead of attempting to fling the poo and accusing or railing on a Law of God, why not just confess that you are not able to live the Law of Tithing?  You are too weak with a feeble testimony, that you are waiting for better times, that you are____________ (fill in excuse blank).  Same thing with the Law of Chastity, Consecration, the Law of the Lord, etc etc.  It is not hard to do - and it removes the need to lie to yourself.  The more we create a delusion around ourselves by self-lying and performing mental and spiritual gymnastics, the harder it is to be in a humble or "raw" state.

Here is something I had to say to a FB peep who is falling for the lies of the DoC:

I maintain that you cannot take the gutter out of the homeless guy until he learns to overcome addiction and anti-social behavior. The best tool for overcoming addiction is a hope in Christ. That comes through preaching of the word. The only way you would know that is by the preaching of the Word as a missionary or as a vocal member sharing what you feel. Same thing applies to our temples. You could take the same dollars used to build temples, and build very large "projects" to house the people. However, chances are VERY good (just as with the "projects" in NYC), you would have a run down, rat-infested hell hole just a decade later. However, if all of those occupants were able to embrace the Gospel and attend the temple and continue to make higher and higher covenants, you would find a similar place 10 years older, but in impeccable shape with peace and harmony abounding. No midnight outbursts of gunfire, bronze plaques or copper wire missing, no graphiti tagged on every wall? Why? Because the gospel elevates and ennobles a person. The opposite (vacuum formed by the withdrawal of the Spirit) leaves a trail of infidelity, drug and alcohol abuse, and despair which leads to suicide and dysfunction.

A TESTIMONY OF PLURAL MARRIAGE

 This is one of hundreds heart-felt witnesses out there that I have read.  And yet, many will say that this was a creation and wicked notion of Brigham Young.  Sorry; the sketchy "evidence" you present holds no water.  Did people deny polygamy?  Yes, they did just as I might soft pedal or even deny some of our less-pleasant doctrines such as our belief that we can progress to Godhood one day.  Not exactly something you want to say in front of a wicked and adulterous crowd that is intent on slandering you in any way that they can because they are infuriated at your self-control and desire to accomplish something, that - in their heart of hearts - they know they never will, but really need to in order to secure eternal bliss in Father's presence.  Crabs in the bucket.  I endured it in high school and had to throttle back my stated ambitions because I was physically threatened by the drinking crowd and the crowd that thought homework was a waste of time.  Quite frankly, just a disgusting revelation about human nature.  And then there are those who would tear a man down for a successful marriage, when theirs had not been successful.  Why not take a few notes and celebrate when someone accomplishes the impossible or near impossible - and then go and do thou likewise?  People truly are disgusting - and they reveal who they are by their petty actions, back-stabbing, attempts at belittling, etc.

The fact is this:  plural marriage, if it is lived in it's pure form, is nearly impossible in this life where scarcity and hardship is a thing.  So, if it is done with any modicum of success, praise the couple who was able to pull it off!  Do not tear it down or criticize it as a thing of a repugnant and foul nature.  Because you WILL have to answer your criticisms to those beings who made it work properly, including Jesus Christ himself.  That will be just a little uncomfortable and I pity you:

https://josephsmithfoundation.org/lucy-walker/

A WOMAN WILL HAVE HER CHOICE

 This is absolute fact!:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith often referred to the feelings that should exist between husbands and wives, that they, his wives, should be his bosom companions, the nearest and dearest objects on earth in every sense of the word. He said men should beware how they treat their wives, that they were given them for a holy purpose, that the myriads of spirits waiting for taberenancles might have pure and healthy bodies. He also said many would awake on the morning of the resurrection sadly disappointed; for they, by transgression would have neither wives nor children, for they surely would be taken from them and given to those who should prove themselves worthy. Again he said, a woman would have her choice; this was the privilege that could not be denied her.” (They Knew the Prophet, pg’s 157-158).

For the male who thinks it is all about unlimited sex in some orgiastic setting or even somewhat less crass, he is mistaken.  A male of that calibre will be passed over as something of naught by a woman who merits the blessings of being able to move up as far as she has the ability.  The woman is to be cherished and basically put on a pedestal by her man.  A good woman will not take advantage of this, and the divinely-appointed roles will be revealed.  Another great quote/testimony for the DoCers out there who deny that polygamy was ever a thing with Joseph or that it was just a construct of BY:

“It was near dawn after another sleepless night when my room was lighted up by a heavenly influence. My soul was filled with a calm sweet peace that I never knew. Supreme happiness took possession of me and I received a powerful and irresistible testimony of the truth of Plural Marriage, which has been like an anchor to the soul through all the trials of life. I felt that I must go out into the morning air and give vent to the joy and gratitude that filled my soul. As I descended the stairs, President Smith opened the door below, took me by the hand and said, “Thank God, you have the testimony. I too have prayed.” the first day of May 1843, I consented to become the Prophet’s wife, and was sealed to him for time and eternity at his own house by Elder William Clayton.

Today I have but one regret which is that I have not been a more worthy representative of the principle of Plural Marriage, and that I have not lived a more perfect life. I can also state that Emma Smith was present and did consent to Eliza and Emily Partridge, also Maria and Sara Lawrence being sealed to her husband.”

Letter by Lucy Walker Smith, Church Archives

A PERSIAN KING ADMITS TO PRE-FLOOD BUILDINGS

 Very interesting on many levels....  I am a strong believer that the pyramids were leftovers from an antedeluvian people:

https://youtu.be/sP8lsJS2zrU?t=110

Enjoy!

TRANS - GOING BACK AND FORTH FROM MANUAL TO AUTOMATIC

 So, I just posted quote by Joseph Smith on Agency.  Here is a tough thing; watching the predators twist the minds of our younger generation and then watching that generation stumble through really poor choices.  The devil laughs and rejoices...:

https://dnyuz.com/2024/02/02/as-kids-they-thought-they-were-trans-they-no-longer-do/

The fallout of all of this mind-bending molarkey will be enormous.  Utah is at the forefront of this because leaders refuse or cannot speak boldly against the insanity of all of this.

JOSEPH SMITH QUOTE ON THE TRUTH SPEAKING FOR ITSELF

 Love this quote!:

"If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up... if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way."

Joseph Smith

I believe the hardest thing to endure as a parent is to watch children develop their own ideas that sometimes can be so far afield (at least from commonly-accepted reason).  But, if we are to be as God is one day, then we must accept the spirit and principle of Agency and not only encourage, but accept the ability to make mistakes and recover from them on their own terms and in their own way at the time they decide.

However, I would never discount the power of prayer in calling on Father to help shape their lives as efficiently as is possible, so as to not waste what precious time of mortal probation still remains.

GREAT VIDEO ON THE HEARTLAND MODEL

From David Lindsley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itlH3cyBzT4 

A ROMAN LIGHTHOUSE IN ENGLAND, CONTEMPORARY WITH JESUS' TIME

Many people cannot believe that Joseph of Arimathea was so wealthy and that his source of wealth was in the trade of stategic metals of the day (tin was an alloy of bronze making). I tell people that Jesus was likely trained in the best schools of the day that were located in England and that one of his wives and the resulting children went back after the crucifixion and resurrection when it was no longer tenable to remain in the Holy Land.

Interesting stuff:

This Roman lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in England and one of the oldest in the world. It is located on the south-eastern side of Dover, Kent.

It dates from around 46–50 AD, during the reign of Emperor Claudius. In comparison to modern lighthouses, its height of just 25.4 metres is quite short, but in its day, it was a towering landmark.

It was built using flint local to the area and mortar. It was an important feature of the Roman trade routes and military operations; its flickering light was critical in guiding ships safely to shore.

After nearly 2,000 years, the original Roman stonework on the seaward side is weather-worn, and today it stands at just 19 metres high.

WHEN IS THE LORD ON THE HOOK?

 We were all told to receive personal revelation in the matter:

I have posted this quote before, but I think it needs to be posted once again. Something that I’ve learned in my life is that God doesn’t protect you from the consequences of your own choices. This includes when you think you’re following Church counsel that turns out to be harmful like the po I son clo t shot. The following quote from Joseph Smith is interesting.

“Martin Harris having boasted to the brethren that he could handle snakes with perfect safety, while fooling with a black snake with his bare feet, he received a bite on his left foot.  The fact was communicated to me, and I took occasion to reprove him, and exhort the brethren never to trifle with the promises of God.  I told them it was presumption for any one (sic) to provoke a serpent to bite him, but if a man of God was accidentally bitten by a poisonous serpent, he might have faith, or his brethren might have faith for him so that the Lord would hear his prayer and he might be healed; but when a man designedly provokes a serpent to bite him, the principle is the same as when a man drinks deadly poison knowing it to be such.  In that case no man has any claim on the promises of God to be healed.” (HC 2:95-96)

I know many people have wondered how a mistake can be made such as recommending that members get the v@ x shun ation when it was a dangerous chemical. A lot of people have been sickened, mai med, and k ill ed because of it. This next quote from Joseph Smith also explains that. “This morning, I read German, and visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that ‘a prophet is always a prophet’; but I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such” (HC 5:265). This means that a prophet has his own opinions and feelings that may not necessarily be in harmony with the Spirit. To most LDS, at the least, this is horribly disloyal to suggest it and to many, it’s barely short of blasphemy. However, it’s the truth.

There’s also the belief that a person will be protected from their choices because they were “following the prophet.” That’s also not true. We are supposed to have the Holy Spirit as our guide (D&C 45:56-57) so that we cannot be deceived by anyone. If we do not have that relationship, that is our fault, and we cannot claim we were “following the prophet” to be relieved of responsibility for our own decisions and salvation. Brigham Young had something to say about this type of person:

“These persons do not depend upon themselves for salvation, but upon another of their poor, weak, fellow mortals. ‘I do not depend upon any inherent goodness of my own,’ say they, ‘to introduce me into the kingdom of glory, but I depend upon you, brother Joseph, upon you, brother Brigham, upon you, brother Heber, or upon you, brother James; I believe your judgment is superior to mine, and consequently I let you judge for me; your spirit is better than mine, therefore you can do good for me; I will submit myself wholly to you, and place in you all my confidence for life and salvation; where you go I will go, and where you tarry there I will stay; expecting that you will introduce me through the gates into the heavenly Jerusalem.’… Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another’s sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods” (JD 1:312).

Elder Orson Pratt also had some interesting things to say on the subject of deception. “…It may be inquired, how are the humble, honest souls to discern between truth and falsehood? Must they be condemned with liars, because they are deceived with lies? We answer, that all will be condemned who suffer themselves to be deceived: for there is a way for every person to come to the light of truth; and it is not in the power of the devil to invent lies so plausible as to prevent the really honest person from discovering the truth that pertains to his salvation. The scriptures have expressly declared, that ‘cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm’" (The Seer, Vol. 2 No. 3, p 234).

No one can guarantee our salvation except ourselves. Let me repeat that: no one – not any other person – no matter their calling in the Church, be it bishop or prophet, can guarantee our salvation. It is our choices that determine whether or not we return to God. We - only we - are responsible for creating a relationship with the Holy Spirit that will guarantee that we cannot be deceived by anyone. If you do not do that, no amount of following the prophet will save you. Remember what Brigham said.

THE RISE OF THE AMERICAN INDEPENDENT PARTY IS NOW COMPLETE

 Well, folks!  The numbers do not lie:

https://news.gallup.com/poll/548459/independent-party-tied-high-democratic-new-low.aspx

Now a full 43% of Americans identify as Independents.  With the Dems and Repubs sapping up the remaining 57%, neither party has as big a piece of the pie as the Independents.

Joseph Smith's statement that the Dems and Repubs will go to war and out of that will spring the American Independent Party, is now fulfilled.

Praise to the man!