"What I Believe" (reply to Rev. Graham)

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“What I Believe”

cji
2/22/12

Seems to be misunderstanding
somewhere things changed
what seemed quite simple is not
confused and misunderstood;

Read the Scriptures very young
cover to cover in the Bible (age 11)
discerning great treasures there
awakening questions unasked;

Turned away at most every door
none to answer just explain away
nothing black or white but grey
sadly seeking unable to find;

Simple truths were to be mine
a Father, Son and Holy Ghost
three separate – one in thought
understandable at least to me;

Questions continued to be asked
the Scriptures more clear became
true and literally to be taken
my understanding to awaken;

What do I believe I can tell all
the Bible literally to be known
thus I’m a child of God in flesh
love, hope, faith all to mesh;

Prophets, Apostles here to know
revelations and prayer answered
the same yesterday, today, forever
eternal our lives never to sever!


Copyright © 2012 – cji


For those who don’t understand or know a Mormon – or better a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – here’s a quick note – chuck (I’m one)

Guess the Rev. Graham hasn’t read the Bible lately – or the Dictionary! It clearly states in both – one the name of the Savior’s Church is The Church of Jesus Christ (and with the Restoration – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – and in the Bible the definition of a Christian is one who professes a belief in Jesus Christ – which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does at all times. Would guess he might be upset that we’ve a lay ministry (none are paid); we’ve a welfare programs and Priesthood and Relief Society which sees to the needs of the homeless, widows, orphans or indeed James 1:27. That indeed we believe Literally in the Holy Bible (not just part and parcel) – we do not believe or one cannot even understand the Creeds of men/women which were written in council and voted on by those with a vested interest over 200-1700 years ago. We don’t believe in mixing Greek Philosophy or other gnostic teachings with the Scriptures.
And unlike Rev. Graham – we believe all men/women who profess a faith and belief in the Savior are indeed Christians.
Sadly – Rev. Graham speaks as one who’s not done his homework very well – and I doubt he’s seriously read the combined Scriptures to discern who might or might not be a Christian.
Is this relevant to Intel – yes in that when one discounts a Prophet of God – the Quorum of the Twelve – either from prior dispensations or today – they put grave concern on exactly what’s wrong in today’s world – a lack of beliefs – playing to the tune of men/women and not Heavenly Father – or His Son. Even Islam recognizes Allah – as do those who’re Jewish.
But of course Rev. Graham is in good company – just recently Tom Hanks said Mormons are non-American; and in the 1830’s/1840’s the then US had extermination orders against anyone who was a Mormon and drove those who would not deny their belief in the Father and the Son from the then boundaries of the US.
And then again – most of you know me – and honest I do keep my tail and horns out of sight (smile) - chuck

"Arrogance" (short essay)

Over time I receive a number of emails based on what I’ve written.

This was included in a recent email received - “As well the Mormon headlines regarding certain rituals are not very helpful subjects. Strong beliefs can be acceptable and as well arrogant”

My reply: I’ve thought about your email most of the day – Strong Beliefs are never arrogant if they are true – every one of every faith should believe there Church is the only Church as there can only be one if it is the Church of Jesus Christ – not many! Certain rituals are not known in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – we’ve sacred covenants we make in the House of the Lord – which are the same made whenever the House of Lord has been upon this earth. These are not ‘rituals’ but covenants! As far as Baptism – it’s by immersion which was the way the Savior was baptized by John. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is by the laying on of hands by two (or more) who hold the authority to do such – i.e. the Melchizedek Priesthood,

There is nothing else performed – the Baptism for the Dead was and has been practiced whenever the true Church has been upon this earth; Sealing for Time and All Eternity was and has always been performed in the House of the Lord since the days of Adam – again whenever the True Church has been upon this earth.

As far as the politics and the corruption found in government and in the world today – that was foretold by every Prophet who ever walked upon this earth – and those who are on this earth today! They saw and see the events of today – tomorrow and forever. It is all in the Old Testament – even with some 3400 books missing and untold editing and deleting of many plain and precious doctrines.

Arrogant – interesting term as this has always been the attitude of those who’ve fought against simple – common sense truth. Humble and meek and willing to share precious doctrine are much different when one who knows a valuable truth – shares it with others. That some will listen and some will not – some will follow the teachings of men/women and not those of a living or dead Prophet is all part of the Plan of Salvation – there will be no coercion – everyone has the right to choose for themselves what they will do or not do – however, agency only comes through obedience to the Commandments of God – when one chooses not to be in 100% compliance with Heavenly Father and the Son (our Savior Jesus Christ) then they have abdicated their agency along the way. Repentance is not arrogant but meek and humble – with a contrite spirit – a broken heart in comprehending the Atonement – and their part in what took place and the suffering they cost the Savior to endure.

It’s really simple stuff – the Church has been Restored – there is a Prophet on the Earth today with 12 Apostles. Whether one chooses to accept this or not is up to them – but it doesn’t change the truth of it being a reality. If it is not true – then the Scriptures are all wrong – and there is no need for a God – and Satan wins. The idea of the ‘big bang’ or Creatio ex Nihilo and even the teaching of Darwin’s Evolution then become the abstract men/women build their lives around and literally live without any meaning at all – or like Bertram Russell. When someone can ever convince one that something can be created out of nothing – then indeed – there is no meaning in anything. To me this would be the teaching of being arrogance – and not one where someone claims to have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – and that it is once again been restored to this earth.

Remember we must that when Joseph Smith, Jr. went to the grove to pray – he went under the direction of one of the local ministers. He went to ask which Church he should join – nothing more or less. When he came out of the grove and told the minister he did what he was told and this is what happened – that he saw two personages standing above him in the air – one calling him by name said pointing to the other, “this is my beloved Son – hear ye him!” He was 14 years old – and the arrogance of the world of ministers, preachers, media, learned men/women – from that moment on ridiculed him – belittled him – harassed him – beat him – tried to poison him – tarred and feathered him – arrested him – imprisoned him (repeatedly) – because they refused to believe him – not unlike Paul – until as Paul was murdered – they indeed murdered Joseph Smith, Jr. – and then bragged about it throughout the world and media. The idea was that the Restoration would then be over – and things would all return to normal – Greek Philosophy mixed with some Scriptures. Yet this did not happen – for the Restoration was true – it’s what everyone who says the Lord’s Prayer asks for over and over – Thy Kingdom Come – and without the Kingdom being Restored the Savior cannot return to His Kingdom.

Arrogance - ?? – would guess it would be in the attitude of those who either accept or reject truth without having really prayed – read the Scriptures – by themselves (including the Book of Mormon – for surely no man/woman could have written it) – and learned for themselves whether they’re true or not – remember if one rejects some of the truth and accepts only some of the truth – they only deceive themselves and thus are found in the worldly sense – arrogant!

If I were a mathematician and found a new theorem – proved it over and over – and yet the school of old masters rejected it – would it be any less true? Yet men and women of math and science reject new truth’s in each of their fields if it doesn’t fit within their structured school of thought. They’ve pretty much proven DNA – yet when the same science shows that our current edition of men and women only goes back about 6500 years – they then reject this finding – same math – same science – but it doesn’t fit what they want to teach or believe. Religion is much the same – with the sole exception of only One Church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which is the name the Savior gave his Church when he Restored it to the earth for this last dispensation).

Enough – the Church is True – all of the arguments of men and women to the opposite have never held any water and never will – but it isn’t about argument – it’s about prayer – reading and understanding by oneself – which many simply will not do – for they really don’t want to know one way or the other.

c/ork


“Arrogance”

cji
2/18/12

Demanding and forthright
unwilling to bend or break
being like Paul the Apostle
having a sure witness true
yet an unbelieving listener
many found in a mob’s mass
denying and decrying of all
wanting only the status quo;

How much there is to know
standing in oft humbled awe
through the mysteries to pass
seeking as the Savior’s follower
and having a disciple’s view
being found meek and docile
in light and knowledge awake
the veil thin within my sight!


Copyright © 2012 – cji