Jesus Christ

In the English language, the word “disciple” can be used as both a noun and a verb. When used as a noun, the word refers to “one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.” In the realm of Christianity, the term suggests “a personal follower of Jesus Christ during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.” Used as a verb, to disciple someone means to “guide (someone) in becoming a follower of Jesus Christ or another leader.” And so, it follows that suitable synonyms for the word “disciple” are: follower, pupil, adherent, student, apprentice, and learner. The word “disciple” is very closely related to the word “discipline” which can be defined as “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior.” Therefore, it could be said that a disciple is a disciplined pupil or adherent. The prophet Mormon, in the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ), declared to the people,... Read the rest of this entry »

Why does the Savior Jesus Christ teach that we must be like little children? Funny, when I was young all I wanted to do was to grow up; now that I am “grown up” my whole life is dedicated to trying to be more like a child. I had the privilege at age three to have my grandmother live with me. To be honest, I don’t remember her being sick at all. I don’t remember her going through chemo and losing her hair. I don’t remember the hospital bed that took over our downstairs room. But I do remember that she was my best friend. I even remember my favorite white t-shirt of hers that had glittery fish on it. I remember calling the cops on her because she cut off the crust of my sandwich, when I wanted it on (true story). I remember playing with her, hugging her, and thinking that she was the bestest grandmother anybody could ever ask for. We need not fear death I did not fear her sickness, or her eventual death at my young tender age. I’m sure I felt... Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s world, people often wonder, “Who is God?” The next questions that often come up are: Does He know me? Do I matter to Him? These are age-old questions, and really the questions of life. If we know the answers to these questions, then we can put our life on earth into perspective. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church, I believe that God is my Heavenly Father. In the Articles of Faith (13 points of belief that outline basic teachings and ordinances in the Mormon Church), the first one is: “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” They are three separate and distinct beings. God is our Eternal Father, our Father in Heaven. If you look “God” up in the Latter-day Saint version of the Bible Dictionary, it says: “[God is] the supreme Governor of the universe and the Father of mankind.” ‘Our Father... Read the rest of this entry »

The word apostasy isn’t one widely used in Christendom. Within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often inadvertently called the Mormon Church), however, the term apostasy is familiar and key to our theology. In the simplest of terms, an apostasy is a falling away from faith. Both individuals and groups of people can experience an apostasy, and thankfully, apostasy is a condition from which we can all return. The Great Apostasy The entire world experienced an apostasy for hundreds of years. After Christ was resurrected, He left His apostles to safeguard and direct the church He had established. As the twelve apostles died, the Church Jesus had established during His mortality gradually became corrupted. The organization of the Church of Christ was distorted, and priesthood ordinances were administered without authority. As the world’s inhabitants grew more and more wicked, the Lord withdrew His power from the earth. (Mormons call this... Read the rest of this entry »

There is not much about Heaven in the Bible.  We know it’s a wonderful place.  The apostle Stephen’s vision showed God on His throne and Jesus at His right hand (Acts 7:55).  Paul spoke of being caught up to the third heaven, and though he also spoke of Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial glory, most of Christendom does not know what he is referring to (1 Corinthians 15:40-42).  Visions have shown angels singing praises to God, and Ezekiel saw heavenly beasts he could not identify.  The apostles of ancient times told us we could become co-heirs with Christ, and Christians everywhere see Heaven as being with God, and “hell” as being without Him. We, God’s children, are now blessed to have more information about the afterlife, and this has been  received through modern prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often inadvertently called the Mormon Church. The Spirit World When Christ hung on the cross at Calvary, he... Read the rest of this entry »

What is the definition of peace? I recently watched General Conference (a conference for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes mistakenly called the “Mormon Church”) and was impressed by one of the talks by a member of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Quentin L. Cook, who spoke on peace. He said the peace that he was talking about was “not a temporary tranquility” rather, he said, “[peace] is an abiding deep happiness and spiritual contentment” (Conference Report, April, 2013). How Can I Have Peace? About two years ago, I went through one of the hardest trials I have faced in mortality. It was one of those that you feel like the whole world is crashing down on you. The issue has yet to be resolved; but my heart has. How? I found solace not by buying expensive jewelry or seeking power, but by drawing nearer to my Savior Jesus Christ through prayer, scripture study, and service. I testify that as I sought Him,... Read the rest of this entry »

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to... Read the rest of this entry »

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to... Read the rest of this entry »

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to... Read the rest of this entry »

BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes. In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to... Read the rest of this entry »