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Tuesday, January 16, 2018

"Order in All Things"

Photo Copyright © 2018 mci
Something to pass along – I’ve numerous non-member friends who receive my daily messages – and they’ve great questions about the passing of President Monson and what happens next. Below some of my responses:
Over the history of the various dispensations of the Church there’s always only been one called as Prophet – but they too need help – therefore they call two (sometimes very rare) they can call a 3rd as counselors – thus the 1st Presidency is the Prophet and his 2 councilors – then there’s still the Quorum of the 12 Apostles – which as of today is down the 11 – until a new member is called. Want some more confusion? – The 2nd Councilor in the new 1st Presidency is also the next senior Apostle – which means he’s also the President of the Quorum of 12. Therefore – the 3rd Senior Apostle – President Nelson – President Oaks (also President of the Quorum of 12) and then the 3rd Senior Apostle is M. Russell Ballard who’s now the Acting President of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Smile – simple stuff – there are many who can’t figure it out. But the Lord’s Church is a Church of Order (common sense).
Having allowed me to have some clarity of thought to share with others – just think of the Apostles as 1-15 - #1 living is always the President of the Church! All of the 2-15 have the same keys of authority but not activated. I’m sure Pence has a little black bag (but not activated). #2 living is always the President of the Quorum of 12. This is because when #1 dies – he becomes the acting President of the Church. Here’s not a good example but might suffice – if #1-7 were killed in a terror attack – then #8 automatically becomes the acting President of the Church. There are other organizations – which next in line is the 1st Presidency of the Seventy (of which there are 7). If this were to occur - #8-15 would meet and prayerfully inquire of the Lord for those who should now fill the empty seats in the Quorum of the 12 (first) then reorganizing the 1st Presidency.
Here are the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12:

President Russell M. Nelson was sustained and set apart as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ on Sunday, January 14, 2018 in the upper room of the Salt Lake Temple. Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church’s leader. He has served as a member of the that quorum since April 7, 1984. An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, Dr. Nelson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 47). Honorary scholastic societies include Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his Ph.D. Degree in 1954. He also received honorary degrees of Doctor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1970, Doctor of Medical Science from Utah State University in 1989, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Snow College in 1994.
His professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Author of numerous publications and chapters in medical textbooks, President Nelson lectured and visited professionally throughout the United States and in many other nations prior to his call as a General Authority. A host of awards and honors have come to him, including the Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Utah; the Heart of Gold Award from the American Heart Association; a citation for International Service from the American Heart Association; and the Golden Plate Award, presented by the American Academy of Achievement. He has been awarded honorary professorships from three universities in the People’s Republic of China.
Dr. Nelson has served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, a director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association, and president of the Utah State Medical Association.
He is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in Religion.
President Nelson has held numerous positions of responsibility in the Church. He served as stake president of the Bonneville Stake from 1964 to June, 1971, when he was called as general president of the Sunday School. Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, he was serving as a Regional Representative assigned to the Kearns Utah Region. He had previously served as Regional Representative for Brigham Young University.
Born September 9, 1924, President Nelson is the son of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have ten children. Sister Nelson passed away in February 2005. In April 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson.


1st Councilor President Eyring previously served as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric from April 1985 to September 1992 and as Church commissioner of education from September 1980 to April 1985 and also September 1992 to January 2005.
President Eyring was president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1971 to 1977. He was on the faculty at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University from 1962 to 1971.
He holds a B.S. degree in physics from the University of Utah and master of business administration and doctor of business administration degrees from Harvard University.
Born in Princeton, New Jersey, 31 May 1933, he has served the Church as a regional representative, a member of the general Sunday School board and a bishop.
President Eyring is married to the former Kathleen Johnson, and they are the parents of four sons and two daughters.

It’s important for us each to remember that those called to the Quorum of the 12 – need be holding no other leadership position in the Church.  President Nelson when called was one of the world’s leading heart surgeons – here are the other members:
President M. Russell Ballard has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since October 6, 1985, traveling throughout the earth to instruct Church members and direct day-to-day affairs of the worldwide Church. On January 14, 2018, he was sustained and set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on 8 October 1928 to Melvin R. and Geraldine Smith Ballard. He attended the University of Utah.
As a young man, he served a mission to England for the Church where he was a counselor in the mission presidency. He has also served as a bishop twice.
In 1974, he was called as president of the Canada Toronto Mission, where he was serving when called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April of 1976. As a member of the Seventy, he supervised and trained leaders in his assigned geographic regions. He later served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy from February 1980 to October 1985, overseeing the Church’s Quorums of the Seventy. Much of his ministry has been focused on missionary work.
Prior to his call as a full-time Church leader, President Ballard had interests in the automotive, real estate and investment businesses. He has served on many Church and civic committees and boards.
He married Barbara Bowen in the Salt Lake Temple on 28 August 1951. They are the parents of two sons and five daughters.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 23 June 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on 1 April 1989.
From 1980 until his call as a general authority in 1989, Jeffrey R. Holland served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
A student leader and varsity athlete at Dixie High School and Dixie College in his native St. George, Utah, he received his bachelor and master degrees in English and religious education, respectively, from Brigham Young University. He obtained master and doctor of philosophy degrees in American studies from Yale University.
Elder Holland was active in professional educational activity prior to his call to full-time Church service. He served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU), on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Presidents Commission. For his work in improving understanding between Christians and Jews he was awarded the Torch of Liberty award by the Anti-Defamation League of B'Nai B'rith. He has served on the governing boards of a number of civic and business related corporations and has received the Distinguished Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America. He is the author of eight books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia.
Elder Holland was born 3 December 1940 to Frank D. and Alice Bentley Holland. In 1963, he married Patricia Terry. They are the parents of three children.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf was called as second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 3, 2008. He served in that position until January 2018. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church on October 2, 2004. He has served as a General Authority since April 1994.
Elder Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, to Karl Albert and Hildegard Opelt Uchtdorf. His family became members of the Church in 1947 in Zwickau, Germany. They fled to Frankfurt/Main in 1952 where he received an education in engineering. He joined the German Air Force in, 1959 and served for six years as a fighter pilot.
In 1965, Elder Uchtdorf began working for Lufthansa German Airlines as a pilot. From 1970 until 1996 he flew as captain of the B737, Airbus, DC10, and B747. While also working as training and check captain, he received several management responsibilities. These positions included Section Chief Pilot B737, head of Lufthansa pilot school in Arizona, head of all cockpit crews, and finally Senior Vice President Flight Operations and Lufthansa Chief Pilot. He was also chairman of the Flight Operations Committee of the International Air Transport Association.
Dieter Uchtdorf and Harriet Reich married in 1962. They have two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. With his call as an Apostle, the Uchtdorfs left their homeland and now live permanently in the United States.
Dieter and Harriet Uchtdorf enjoy outdoor activities, cherish the arts, and are happiest when spending time with their family.
(he was the pilot of plane hijacked and not only saved the plane and all of the passengers)

David A. Bednar was ordained and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 7 October 2004. Prior to his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Bednar served as an area seventy, area authority seventy, regional representative, twice as a stake president and as a bishop.
Elder Bednar was born on 15 June 1952 in Oakland, California. He served as a full-time missionary in southern Germany and then attended Brigham Young University, where he received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. He also received a doctoral degree in organizational behavior from Purdue University.
After completing his education, Elder Bednar was a professor of business management at Texas Tech University and at the University of Arkansas. He then served as the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho (formerly Ricks College) from 1997 to 2004.
Elder Bednar married Susan Kae Robinson in the Salt Lake Temple on 20 March 1975, and they are the parents of three sons.

Elder Quentin L. Cook was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 6 October 2007. Called as a general authority in April 1996, he served in the Second Quorum, the First Quorum, and the Presidency of the Seventy.
As a Seventy, he served in the area presidency in the Philippines, as president of the Pacific Islands and the North America Northwest Areas, and as executive director of the Missionary Department.
At the time of his call to be a general authority of the Church, he was vice chairman of Sutter Health System. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of a California healthcare system. Prior to that, he was a business lawyer and managing partner of a San Francisco Bay Area law firm. He has been a board member of several profit and not-for-profit corporations.
He has served the Church as a bishop, stake president and counselor in the San Francisco California Stake, and regional representative and area authority in the North America West Area. As a young man, he was a missionary in the British Mission.
He is a native of Logan, Utah, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utah State University, and a doctor of jurisprudence from Stanford University.
He married Mary Gaddie on 30 November 1962. They are the parents of three children.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 5 April 2008. At the time of his call, he was serving in the Presidency of the Seventy.
During his tenure in the Presidency of the Seventy, Elder Christofferson had supervisory responsibility for the North America West, Northwest and Southeast Areas of the Church. He also served as executive director of the Family and Church History Department. Earlier, he was president of the Mexico South Area of the Church, residing in Mexico City.
Prior to his call to serve as a full-time general authority of the Church, Elder Christofferson was associate general counsel of NationsBank Corporation (now Bank of America) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Previously, he was senior vice president and general counsel for Commerce Union Bank of Tennessee in Nashville, where he was also active in community affairs and interfaith organizations. From 1975 to 1980, Elder Christofferson practiced law in Washington, D.C., after serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge John J. Sirica (1972-74).
Born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, he graduated from high school in New Jersey, earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, where he was an Edwin S. Hinckley Scholar, and earned his law degree from Duke University.
Among other callings, he has served the Church as a regional representative, stake president and bishop. As a young man, he served as a missionary in Argentina.
Elder Christofferson and his wife, Katherine Jacob Christofferson, are parents of five children.

Elder Neil Linden Andersen was named an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 4 April 2009.
Elder Andersen was serving as the senior member of the Presidency of the Seventy prior to his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve. He was named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1993, at age 41. He previously led the work of the Church in southern Brazil and, again as a member of an area presidency, oversaw the Church in western Europe. He has also assisted in supervising the work of the Church in Mexico and Central America. In addition, he supervised Church audiovisual production, including the filming of The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd and managed construction of the broadcast facilities in the Conference Center as the executive director of the Church Audiovisual Department. He speaks French, Portuguese and Spanish in addition to his native English.
Prior to his call as a general authority, Elder Andersen served as a mission president in the France Bordeaux Mission and as president of the Tampa Florida Stake.
Elder Andersen was born in Logan, Utah, and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, on a dairy farm where he remembers doing "typical Idaho farm work, from morning to night.” In high school, he excelled in student government, serving as governor of Idaho Boys State.
He graduated from Brigham Young University, where he was a Hinckley Scholar, and earned a masters of business administration from Harvard University. After completing his education, he settled in Tampa, Florida, where his business interests included advertising, real estate development and health care.
Elder Andersen and his wife, Kathy Williams Andersen, are the parents of four children.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He had been serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since 2005 and was serving as the senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy when called to the Twelve. Elder Rasband was named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 April 2000. He has served as a counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, president of the Utah Salt Lake City Area, executive director of the Temple Department; and has supervised the North America West, Northwest, and three Utah areas as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
  
Elder Rasband attended the University of Utah. In 1995, Utah Valley University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Business and Commerce. In 1976 he joined Huntsman Container Company as sales representative, and in 1987, he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Huntsman Chemical Corporation.
When he left Huntsman Chemical Corporation in 1996 to serve as a mission president in New York, he was also serving as a member of the Board of Directors.
Elder Rasband has held numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Eastern States Mission (1970-1972), Temple Square missionary guide, bishop, and member of the Church’s Sesquicentennial Committee. He presided over the New York, New York North Mission from 1996 to 1999.
Elder Rasband was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1951. He married Melanie Twitchell in 1973. They are the parents of five children and have 24 grandchildren.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson, 56, was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He was serving as the presiding bishop of the Church at the time of his call to the Twelve, a position which he has held since April 2012. He was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 2008 and served as president of the Asia North Area. His previous Church service includes full-time missionary in the Japan Fukuoka Mission, high councilor, bishop, stake president’s counselor, president of the Japan Nagoya Mission and ward Sunday School teacher.
He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Utah State University. He cofounded Icon Health & Fitness, Inc., where he served as president and chief operating officer until 2008. He was involved in civic activities and served on boards and advisory councils. 
Elder Stevenson was raised in Cache Valley, Utah. He is married to Lesa Jean Higley, and they are the parents of four sons.

Elder Dale G. Renlund was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy at the time of his call, to which he was called on April 4, 2009. He previously served as president of the Africa Southeast Area.
After receiving B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah, Elder Renlund received further medical and research training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Utah and the Medical Director of the Utah Transplantation Affiliated Hospitals (UTAH) Cardiac Transplant Program.
Elder Renlund has served in numerous church callings including full-time missionary in Sweden, stake president, bishop, and Area Seventy.
Elder Renlund was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November 1952. He married Ruth Lybbert in 1977. They are the parents of one daughter.

“Order in All Things”

cji
1/17/18

From the dawn of creation
traversing into our day
order in all things done
ways of the Father and Son
could be said for clarity
order and organization
common sense and reason
eternal and thus forever
unchanging in all things
implicate in God’s Law
from the dawn of creation!



Copyright © 2018 – cji
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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

"To Continue Comments" (Creeds of Various Churches called Christian)


Over time and space I’ve written much concerning religion starting at a very young age of 11-13, and continuous ever since the middle 1950’s. Indeed it was after reading the Bible cover to cover at the age of 11 years old that my search began to find a church which matched the literal teachings found in the KJV Bible of that day and time. (Note: the revisions of the Bible since 1955 have been fast and furious and continue even today to meet the definition of someone’s current belief which supplants that of the original Prophet’s and Apostles – and indeed even the Father and the Son.) Current teachings in almost every church defined by men/women either reformed or otherwise (with one exception) do not take the Bible literally any more except to say two things: 1) what’s in the Bible (their version) is all that there is in Scripture and that there is nothing more ending with the final verses of Revelations; and 2) that there is no longer Revelations and or Miracles – indeed that the heavens are closed and have been for quite some time.

The first of these two statements from almost every church begun or controlled by men and or women – denies almost everything taught in the Scriptures and denies facts about the Books in the Bible as well. Most importantly Revelations was written far before some of the other Books of the New Testament and second – the same verse is found in Books of the Old Testament; and third we know in the Old Testament that commandments were given to the tribes of Joseph and Judah to keep their own records of Revelations from the Father and the Son. The findings of the various deposits of records all over the world testify that there were more than one record being kept to include but not limited to: the Dead Sea Scrolls; the Nag Hammadi  Scrolls (which are mostly gnostic); The Book of Mormon (which almost all of the leaders of world Christendom deny vehemently as being a fraud – while otherwise being unable to produce any documentation of the same); the Shabako Stone (3000BC writings placed on this stone in about 800BC); the Lachish Letters (about 588BC); and many more too numerous to mention. It must be remember in the many captivities of the various Jewish Nations – much was destroyed of the writings of the Old Testament – and with the exception of the records kept by Ezra – who when returning to Jerusalem in the era of Cyrus. Further after the teachings of Malachi there is a void of over 450 years with no records being kept until the time of John the Baptist and then the Savior. In 70AD the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed – but the religion and sacred texts available were taken by the Rabbis who gained permission from the Roman leaders to supplant all of the religious responsibility for the Jewish people. In total it is estimated that over 3400 Books of the Old and New Testament are missing and presumed lost. (Note: from time to time some of these Books show up having been found in the tombs of various monastery’s in various parts of Europe, Asia or the Middle East. It is well known that Syria has volumes of records that no is allowed to translate.

As a following observation to the above paragraph – it is impossible to believe that the only group of people being taught by the Prophets or the Savior would be located in one (very small) location. In the New Testament the Savior tells the Apostles he has other sheep to feed which are not of this fold – and surely He knew where the Ten Lost Tribes had been scattered throughout the world. Also, it was prophesized that the tribe of Joseph would leave Jerusalem before the Babylonian captivity (approximately 600BC). What happened to the people at the time of the Tower of Babel – surely when they were scattered they too had sacred records. It is also known that from the time of Adam and Eve written records were kept – while to the knowledge of mankind these records are not available – but surely the Father and the Son know where these records are. To pretend that there are no more records and that no one but the people of the Middle East could read or write requires more faith than could be expected of anyone.

Secondly the idea of no more Revelations and/or Miracles needs to be understood in a meaningful way. How would any of those reformers of the Church as established by the Savior in the meridian of time know that there would be no more Revelations and/or Miracles? This would indicate that no child or adult would get an answer to prayer – for is not an answer to prayer individual and personal revelation? It would mean that whoever began this ‘false teaching’ had to have had revelation to know that this was the case – yet they deny that there is any more revelation. As for the miracles – one must clearly understand that what the Father and the Son did – the Apostles and Prophets could also do – why? The Prophets and Apostles held the Priesthood of Melchizedek – and therefore had the power and authority to act in the name of the Father (the same as the Son had).

Next in the acts of men/women and not the Father and the Son – they introduced false gods from the days of Adam and Eve – for the most part much of what we have in the Holy Bible is about an unrighteous people – who even upon seeing great signs and some even hearing the voice of the Father and or the Son – continuously strayed (as much of the literate world of today has) – paying priests and others to provide religion for them – rather than accepting the words of living Prophets and Apostles – instead stoning these men called of the Father and the Son. If this is difficult to comprehend one of the greatest Prophets of the Old Testament was taken by his grandson who’d become king of Judah – and murdered – some records indicate that he was placed inside a hollow log and cut in half. And the Bible tells of the deaths of many Prophets and Apostles especially those in the New Testament that most men/women know something about. Due to the unrighteousness of the Jewish people they had at the time of Malachi 613 Commandments which they were supposed to obey.

As of these 613 Commandments – when the Rabbinical school took over the Jewish religion they decided the best way to obey the commandments was to make an additional set of commandments. i.e. if one was not to take the name of God in any profane way – then they made a law that no one could ever mention the name of God – this way they could never take His name in a profane way! Another commandment was they could not “boil a (kid) goat in its mother’s milk,” therefore, the Rabbis made a law that they could not eat meat and drink milk at the same meal. Thus, they made laws to make breaking of a commandment impossible. They in fact were overriding the Commandments of God with their own. The list could continue but the Rabbinical laws soon overrode the Commandments of God. (Note: most have no idea why these laws are in effect – and why they continue today.)

Returning now to the creeds of men/women – if you belong to any organized religion – then you must be responsible for knowing what you have agreed to believe and practice in your life! These creeds and the theology taught in the various schools of divinity (to become a priest, rabbi, minister, cleric, nun, father, and any other title to be a licensed preacher) you must abide by these teachings. It matters not what you might personally believe – what these schools teach you must follow. In addition, those who lead all but one of the churches in this world are bound by the laws of their respective governments and only have authority in their local areas of practice. Thus the laws of men/women override the laws, statutes and commandments of Heavenly Father and his Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

As an example you and I can both read the Scriptures. We’ll take a very simple one – Stephen is about to be stoned – Acts 7:55-59:
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the fright hand of God,
 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
First off many forget that Stephen had just recounted the history of Israel to the people – so they knew what he had said was true! What do you see in the above five verses? Maybe you see and read the same thing I do – that Stephen saw Jesus Christ in a physical form standing at the right hand of God (meaning Heavenly Father) in a physical form.

Okay now the next Scripture:

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

What do you see in this Scripture? That when those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ (this is the name which Paul was told to call the Church) that they do it the name of Jesus Christ and then give thanks to the Father – two separate individuals!

Mark 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
What do you see in this Scripture? That the Apostles understood after death there would be a physical resurrection in their next estate – therefore they could ask to sit at either the right or the left hand of the Savior. How can one sit without a physical body? Or sit at the right or the left hand without the Savior having a physical body.

Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Again what do we read? There came a voice (whose voice?) obviously it was the Father for he referenced his beloved Son! How then could the Savior and the Father be one? They are one because they have the same goals, same understandings, which is why we’re commanded to be one with each other – united under God’s Law – especially for a husband and wife – to be one is a commandment.

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

This Scripture is repeated many, many times in the New Testament – the Savior does the will of his Father – not his own – thus again testifying to two separate and distinct individuals!

After reading the above Scriptures – are these in line with what your religion teaches? Are the creeds found below for your religion teaching literally from the Holy Bible? If not – why not? Have you taken the time to carefully read and ponder the Holy Bible? This is each person’s individual responsibility! Most have no idea of the intense sacrifices made by so many that we might have this book of Scriptures. Little children were burned at the stake by many professing to be Christians between – 200-1900 (and in some parts of the world this genocide continues). Augustine approved of the massacre of any professing the beliefs of the Church as established by the Savior – as the only way to get them to accept his version of Christianity. Kings and Queens of all the nations of Europe, Asia, and throughout the world used genocide to convert – as does Islam today – allowing for no deviation of beliefs – even if without any authority from the Father or the Son.

A couple of last thoughts and questions for each to ponder and this will be ended. First: it is my fervent belief that everyone has the right to believe what they choose to believe. There is a caveat to this in that I also fervently believe that one should do their own homework and ask questions if something doesn’t make common sense (one could say even as Socrates’ did). He did not ask meaningless questions but ones which questioned why people believed what they did – and to think for themselves and not be a lemming heading for the cliffs. Second: everything I present is researched and have multiple sources to give credibility to what has been written. Why is this important – because it is factual – thus found in the doctrine of the Savior – and therefore ‘truth’. Remember if anything is not true it is not of the Savior but of the adversary. Thus if it is the doctrine of the Savior and therefore the literal Scriptures – one can easily go and find it on their own. (Note: it has been my long experience that most will never do this – so why do I continue to write – because those who receive this are good, honest, responsible, and most of all my friends. Why would I not share with you that which can lead you to eternal life and salvation with your progenitors and posterity?) Third: If anything is of contention, confusion, guile, misrepresentation, or any other untruth it is not of the Father or the Son. Therefore I try to be clear, concise and without enmity towards anyone or anything.

Questions one might want to ask are as follows: 1) What does my creed say? 2) Who am I and why am I here on this earth at this time? 3) Why did the Savior say I could become like him and the Father? 4) Why do I say or ask prayers if there is no more revelation or miracles (see James 1:5)? 5) Why would the heavens ever be closed? 6) if we ever needed a Prophet on earth wouldn’t it in this day and time? 6) if everyone is expecting the Second Coming – then isn’t the Church supposed to be restored in its fullness before this happens? 7) When will the Savior return – (remember when the Apostles enquired of him this – he simply told them he would return when the Father would come with him and only the Father knew)? 8) are the Father and the Son two separate beings (see all of the above Scriptures and John 13:23/28; John 17:21-24)?  Are the heavens closed, if so where then is John the beloved?

There could be so much more – as the Holy Bible is alive – and testifies of Jesus Christ – as does the Book of Mormon – which primary purpose is to be the second witness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without the Book of Mormon there is no second witness – and this is why the critic of the Holy Bible are destroying it verse by verse – which started after the death of the Savior (c. 30AD) and then the Apostles (about 150AD) (except John) – and then in the 3rd and 4th Centuries when Christianity became 90%+ philosophy and less than 5% Scriptures – and taught by those professing to be the new fathers of the church. Each has to consider or not these things – for each is individually accountable.

I leave you my testimony that Jesus is Christ – our Lord and Savior and that he came and did the will of his Father who sent him; and that the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. (a mere youth) as the Savior told his Apostles in the New Testament; further that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored and there  is a living Prophet on the earth today – Thomas S. Monson – and that there are twelve Apostles – in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – amen!  c/ork

There’s never a reason not to know what one professes to believe – there’s in never an excuse to justify what one believes – there is never any justification for not believing what the Father and the Son and the Prophets and Apostles (called by the Father and the Son) – therefore here are the beliefs of the worldly religions - c
  • The Apostle's Creed
  • The Creed of Nicaea as approved by the Nicene Council (A.D. 325)
    • The First Ecumenical council of Nicaea was called by emperor Constantine. The council met to deal with the schism created by Arianism. The Arians wished to avoid the heresy of Sabellius who believed in a divine monad which, by expansion, projected itself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit--a form of Modalism. The Arians separated the Son from God entirely so that they believed he was a creature having a beginning. "There was when he was not." The Son was but God's first creation, yet out of nothing and hence has preeminence over the rest of creation.
    • The symbol answers the question, "Who is Jesus Christ."
      Its answer: God
  • The Nicene Creed as approved by the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
  • -- The Nicene Creed -- Constantinopolitan Creed -- Creed of 150 Fathers
    • Usually associated with the Council of Constantinople this symbol is an expansion and revision of the earlier Creed of Nicaea with which it is often confused. This is the creed recited in churches. The council met to refute Apollinarianism. Apollinarius taught that Jesus was a combination of the divine Logos spirit, a sensitive human soul and a human body. He taught that Jesus did not have a human spirit. His views were based on the platonic tripartite view of human nature. The council condemned this view in order to show that Christ, as truly human, could redeem the whole person.
    • The symbol emphasizes the Trinitarian faith.
    • The symbol is very suitable for liturgical use and was used as an early baptismal and eucharistic creed. It goes beyond the Creed of Nicaea in its affirmation of the full deity of the Spirit though it uses biblical rather than philosophical terms to do so. The filioque clause found in the Western version of this creed is one of the major disagreements between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity. This clause was not accepted even by the Western Church until the turn of the first millennium.
    • Further Notes on the Nicene Creed
    • Notes on the Filioque Clause Controversy
    • The Church in the Nicene Creed
    • Other documents of the First Council of Constantinople
    • Notes from the ecumenical councils
  • The Council of Sardica Canon V (A.D. 343)
    • The council of Sardica was the first synod, which in some sense asserted Roman primacy.
  • Confession of Saint Patrick (A.D. 390-461)
  • The Definition of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
    • The council of Chalcedon met to resolve the Monophysite controversy in which Eutyches had refused to confess the existence of two natures in Christ both after the union as well as before. The definition summarizes the Church's teaching on the natures of Christ largely in negative terms.
  • Canons of the Council of Orange (A.D. 529)
    • The Council of Orange was an outgrowth of the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius. This controversy had to do with degree to which a human being is responsible for his or her own salvation, and the role of the grace of God in bringing about salvation. The Pelagians held that human beings are born in a state of innocence, i.e., that there is no such thing as a sinful nature or original sin. As a result of this view, they held that a state of sinless perfection was achievable in this life. The Council of Orange dealt with the Semi-Pelagian doctrine that the human race, though fallen and possessed of a sinful nature, is still "good" enough to able to lay hold of the grace of God through an act of unredeemed human will. As you read the Canons of the Council of Orange, you will be able to see where John Calvin derived his views of the total depravity of the human race.
  • Quicumque vult (Athanasian Creed) (ca. A.D. 500) (Encarta® article)
    • The fullest statement of the Trinitarian faith in abstract metaphysical terms.
    • Part one: Augustinian definition of the Trinity
      • Each persona of the Trinity is fully divine
      • Each is unique to itself
      • Each is within the other, in perpetual intercommunication and motion, coequal and coeternal.
      • Damnatory clause for those who do not accept this teaching.
    • Part two: The doctrine of Christ
      • Anti-
        • Appollinarian
        • Nestorian
        • Eutychian
        • Monophysite
      • Reaffirms Ephesian and Chalcedonian council decisions.
      • Damnatory clause for those who do not accept this teaching.
  • Anathemas of the Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 533)
  • Creeds and Statements - from the Period after A.D. 600
  • Later Creeds

Adventists

Baptist & Anabaptist

Christian Church - Disciples of Christ

Evangelical Free Church of America

Episcopal/Anglican

Lutheran

  • The Augsburg Confession of Faith (& a whole lot more) - Philip Melancthon (1530)
  • The Book of Concord
    The Book of Concord     (Link 2) - The Lutheran Confessions from 1529-1580
    • The Augsburg Confession(1530,1540) - Philip Melanchthon
    •  
      • Written on behalf of the Protestant territories of Northern Germany for presentation to emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg. Melanchthon's twenty one original articles were composed as a response to John Eck's attack on the Protestants as guilty of being ancient heresies. Thus the articles attempt to show that the Protestant faith is in line with the ancient Church. Many, but not all, of the articles were acceptable to Rome. In 1540 Melancthon revised the confession to be acceptable to Calvin. The Lutherans rejected this        revision and Melancthon himself. Melancthon's followers would then join the reformed camp.
      • Appendix - Catalog of Testimonies
    • Luther's Large Catechism
    • Luther's Little Book
    • The Smalcald Articles of Martin Luther
      • Written for Elector Frederick and the Smalcald League stipulating matters that could be discussed with Roman Catholics at a council they were invited to by Pope Paul III at Mantua. The Articles were written at a time when Luther felt death was near and hence they are a powerful expression of his personal faith.
    • Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope - (1563) Melancthon
      • When Luther's Smalcald Articles were added to the Book of Concord this small tract was attached to smooth over Luther's condemnation of the pope.
  • 95 Theses - Martin Luther (1517)
  • Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod (1932)
  • Confession of Faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • The Large Catechism - Martin Luther
    • The Large Catechism is an expansion of the Short Catechism through a collection and revision of several of Luther's sermons. Both catechisms were incorporated into the Book of Concord.
  • Luther's Small Catechism - Martin Luther
  • Lutheran and other Christian resources on the net - OK it's not a creed but it's a good link!
  • Porvoo Agreements with Anglicans
  • Project Wittenberg - Everything Luther(an)

Mennonite/Anabaptist

Methodist/Arminian

Orthodox

Pentecostal

Puritan &Pilgrim

Reformed

Religious Society of Friends

Roman Catholic

     Independent Old Catholic Church

United Church of Christ

Miscellany

Since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was omitted from this list of various Christian churches I’ve posted below – the Articles of Faith (Note: these are the reason Joseph Smith, Jr. was murdered – and in the Bible one will see they’re the same reasons the Savior was crucified):

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remissionof sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormonto be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith.

“To Continue Comments”

cji
1/11/18

Each day we’ve so much to learn
mountains to climb views to see
sunsets and sunrises even storms
feeling the winds of time/space
to continue searching always
questioning and answering
some point in time to know
divine truth and not hearsay
desperately to reach out
to say ‘here it is – touch’
to continue comments ever
each moment so much to discern
oceans to sail – pools to swim!

Copyright © 2018 – cji
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