Can't Tell If Troll... Or Actual Anti-Mormon

Everyone has one! A troll is a person who sows discord on the internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.

Yes, if you have seen trolls online, this is probably what they look like! LOL I love this picture because it seems like he just saw an opening discussion and said to himself: "Oh goody!! I found a perfect way to stir up the pot." 

Usually, this is a person who has no life and has nothing else to do, but hurt people. What amazes me the most is that they probably wake up early  in the morning just waiting to see what someone has posted online so they can say something negative about it or they're probably in bed at night just thinking, "hmm what should I post tomorrow?"

As a Latter-day Saint - I am a "HUGE" magnet when it comes to trolls! It's ridiculous how bad it can get. I'm so amazed how someone is so dedicated to their motives - it's almost scary...

... And then we have Anti-Mormons. Could you tell the difference between the two? No. Not really. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is attacked by quoting from Journal Discourses, Mormon Doctrine, Book of Mormon, Comprehensive History of the Church, or quotes from various other diaries and sources. Then we are challenged to explain that quote or statement. The quote is presented because it gives the required impression even though that may not be a correct interpretation when the context is fully understood.

Parley P. Pratt said: "Why do the Elders of the Church hold their peace, instead of contradicting the various falsehoods, which are published concerning them and their principles? The answer is, it would require a standing army of writers and printers in constant employ; for no sooner are our enemies detected in one falsehood, than a thousand more are put in circulation by them: and there are many who love a lie so much more than the truth, that we are quite willing they should enjoy their strong delusion." (Mormonism Unveiled, 1838)

From its beginnings, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members have been targets of persecution and criticism.

Though sometimes well intended, anti-Mormon publications have often taken the form of invective, falsehood, demeaning caricature, prejudice, and legal harassment, leading to both verbal and physical assault. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism)

In other words, our critics are not very truthful or nice people. This persecution is not unexpected, for the Savior told us:

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:22-23)

However, like the Apostle Paul, "none of these things move [us], neither count [we our lives] dear unto [ourselves], so that [we] might finish [our] course with joy, and the ministry, which [we] have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

The scriptures teach: "...the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The validity of Latter-day Saints claims is a question of faith and is a personal issue between an individual and God. 

The truthfulness of the claims of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fall into the realm of faith, and can neither be proven true nor false by human means. One must seek the answers directly from God. Always remember what the Savior taught:

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Matthew 7:15-18) 

If you have been troubled by anti-Mormon propaganda and cannot find any answers, ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is the critics presentation of LDS reflective of who we are and how we live our lives? As you ponder LDS beliefs on family, morality, and service, do these things taste good to you? Don't these things make you feel happy and closer to God? Is this not good fruit?

2) What techniques do the critics use? Do they lie, distort, or sensationalize? Is this the type of behavior you would expect from true servants of Jesus Christ? Do these things taste good to you? Do these things leave you with bad ugly feelings? Is this not evil fruit?

Ask yourself - who brings forth the good fruit and who does not?

Click here if video doesn't work: What is an anti-Mormon?

What is this Magical underwear that Mormons wear?

Really? Is this like a serious question? Actually, I had people tell me otherwise. News Flash! It's not magical! Sorry to burst your bubble :(

To most people, undergarments or underwear are thought of only as another article of clothing. However, if you mention the word "garments" to your Mormon friend or neighbor, you'll get an entirely different reaction. To millions of Latter-day Saints around the world, garments are special piece of clothing worn as a symbolic gesture of the promises that we have made to God. The garment is always worn under other clothing, touching the skin. For this reason, some people refer to the garment as Mormon undergarments or as Mormon underwear, Most Latter-day Saints prefer simply using the term "garment" instead.

The garment is directly related to Mormon Temples. It is there that faithful members first receive the garment after individual instruction on what it stands for and how it should be cared for. The garment is worn as part of a special ceremony called the Temple Endowment. The garment is worn at all times (day and night) by members as a constant reminder of the promises they have made to God in the Temple to be honest and faithful to the commandments of the Lord.

Stephen R. Gibson explained it very well. He said: "The idea of having special clothing that is to be considered sacred and dedicated is not foreign to the Bible, for both the Old and New Testaments contain references to garments of special significance. The Old Testament specifies, "Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment" (Eccl. 9:8). The New Testament declares, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Rev. 16:15)."

The garment worn by Latter-day Saints that is given them in the temple is a symbol of covenants, purity and faithfulness to Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that, as Adam and Eve were clothed by the Lord "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21); so we too are clothed as a reminder of our promises to the Lord. It should not be surprising that clothing which represents promises to the Lord should be regarded as holy, especially to those who understand the role of the temple in ancient Israel.

The Lord commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and others in the making and wearing of clothing that was to be regarded as holy. Speaking of Aaron the Lord told Moses, "Bring his sons and put shirts on them; put sashes around their waists and tie caps on their heads" Exodus 29:8-9, Good News Bible; see also Ex. 29:8-9 KJV). These garments were designated by God and considered sacred (Exodus 28, 39:4)

Elder Boyd K. Packer, a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, had some interesting comments about the undergarment received in the Temple. In on address to the non-members faculty and staff of the Navy Chaplain's Training School, he reminded them that as chaplains, they too wear articles of clothing that set them apart from everyone else. He added that the religious clothing meant a great deal to us and that likewise we draw something of the same benefits from our special clothing "as you would draw from your clerical vestments. The difference is that we wear ours under our clothing instead of outside. For we are employed in various occupations in addition to our service in the Church" (The Holy Temple, p. 76).

The wearing of the garment, although seen by some non-members as a peculiar practice, is for the devoted Latter-day Saints an activity which symbolizes a life devoted to Christ-centered activity. "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment" (Rev. 3:4-5). Certainly it is practice for which there are several significant Biblical precedents.

A website named "Ask Gramps" shares a little more light onto this particular subject. He said: "Jewish men at the time of Christ wore five articles of clothing: a headdress, shoes, inner/outer garment, and girdle (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 1:820). These articles were augmented according to the Mosaic covenant passed to Israel. They wore little blue fringes on the hem reminding them to observe strict obedience to the commandments they were given (Num 15:37-40)

Additionally, some Jews and early Christians from this period and little later marked their garments with capital rhos and gammas (Greek R and G), as seen in the image I've included. I have personally seen one such cloth augmented with this so-called gammadia from a Masada excavation. The purpose of these markings was not well documented, but some scholars currently speculate that they have religious or ritual significance. 

Out of respect for today's holy temple clothing, I will not embark on a direct comparison between these sacred clothes and the ones we wear today. I do, however think I have made it clear that the principles behind sacred vestments date back specifically to both New Testament and Old Testament times, with general themes playing out as early as the Genesis period" [close quote]

So - as you can see - garments are from the beginning of time. The clothing is not secret, but sacred. And I say these things in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Click here if video doesn't work: Magic Mormon Underwear: What do they really mean?

Click here if video doesn't work: Secret Underwear

A Drug Deal(er) Gone Right!

Warning: this blog is said with plain words with good intent. 

I would like to begin by saying this is very difficult for me to write. As thoughts run through my mind and memories that I wish I've never had - this here brings tears down my face. For those who don't know me - congratulations, you will get to know me a little more here on this blog. Previously, I wrote: "Things Can Change If You Want Them To", my testimony of my conversion. Now - I would like to talk about my past. Why would I like to do that? Well - I feel inspired to do so because I know deep inside it may help someone else.

I was about 20 years old when I met a friend who I will not mention. We became very close friends - even like brothers. At first we were huge pot smokers. There wasn't a day that past without smoking a joint or two - or three - or - well you get the point. Unfortunately, things got boring and we decided to add unto our habit with alcohol. Great! Alcohol and weed. How bad can it get right?

One night we were pretty much wasted and decided to have a little fun (so we thought). That night we did a lot of dumb things, but to make a long story short - The police were knocking on my door and pulled us out of my house and threw us in jail. We were charged with grand theft auto (GTA). Do I remember that happening? No, but I'm glad they dropped the charges because they didn't have any hard evidence.

You would think I would have learned my lesson from that experience, but wrong! I was probably thrown in jail at least 6 to 7 times in my lifetime. You think I would remember how many times, but believe me - I have reasons to forget all this.

Within a 4 year period - things got really bad. My friend and I began doing drugs with his father and uncle. We eventually graduated to cocaine - from cocaine to crack cocaine - from crack cocaine to methamphetamines. We also did a few other drugs, but meth was our drug of choice.

My friend decided to move to San Francisco to make a new life. From my understanding, things got worse for him. He ended up stabbing someone and ended up a fugitive. He came back to California to hide, but that didn't last long. Within 2 weeks, we were taking a drive and was pulled over by police. We were surrounded by patrols and the last words I heard from him was: "it's over." Indeed it was over. I lost my friend and never seen him again.

Eventually I found another friend who was doing the same thing I was. We never got into any problems with police, but we did a fair amount of drugs to the point he ended up falling asleep while driving and getting into a car accident which had him end up in the hospital in a coma. Good thing I wasn't in the car with him that day. Since then, I haven't seen him either.

At one point I didn't sleep for days. It seemed weeks. I started to hallucinate and see many dark shadows as if they were demons. Where they real? I'm not sure, but I wouldn't doubt that they were. The day has come that I did way too much within 2 days. I ended up overdosing with a heart rate of 180 bpm. I remember the paramedics saying: "Yup, he's gotta go." Meaning I need to go to the hospital - Now!

The paramedics injected me with something (who knows what it was), but it felt very very weird. Supposedly it slows down your heart rate in an instant. Well - it didn't work. So they did it again. It seemed to work and I was on my way to the hospital. I don't remember anything else until I went home that same day and hallucinated the whole night seeing stuffed animals walking towards me and fishes swimming in my room. I wasn't scared or anything - I was actually having a laugh over the whole situation.

Don't get me wrong - this to me is very scary now. I didn't know any better. I'm only telling you how I felt and how it went. I'm being very honest and believe me -- this isn't easy for me to write. It seems as if it were yesterday and I dislike thinking about the whole thing.

After my overdose - you would think it would be enough for me to stop. Well - it wasn't. A week later I did it again. Well guess what? It happened again. I overdosed, but this time I was able to control it and wait for it to pass. That there was my wake up call. Well - for the next 5 to 6 years it was.

After several years I thought it was over. I thought I will never - ever go back. Wrong again! I met yet another friend. We became very close and ended up the best of friends. This time, it was different. We were hanging out with the wrong crowd. A VERY WRONG CROWD. To make a long story short - It got to the point that I had many sources to go to and I thought - why not make money off this? I was able to get it for cheap and make a fair amount of money from it. So I did.

At that moment I thought I had it all. I had friends, money, a nice car and for the first time a lot of attention. When I was going to high school I didn't have many friends at all. As a matter of fact I was a nerd. I did all my school work and never missed a day. Getting all this attention felt really great until things began to get loud. What is loud? It's when everyone begins to know who you are and what you're about. There was this one time that I went inside a bar and the girl bartender there came up to me and said: "So you're the guy." I asked "guy?" She said: "Yeah, the drug dealer for this joint." When she said that, I knew I was in trouble. This wasn't good at all. It's one thing that your clients know you, but people you don't know very well? No. Not at all!

At one point there were a few of us trying to gain clients. One will try to steal one from me and I will steal two from him. It began to be a battle of clients. It wasn't even for the money anymore, it was about power. This was silly too because it wasn't like we were Scarface or The Godfather in any way. We were pussycats compared to real drug lords. The point was that we were the main guys in our neighborhood and we always had it. 

There was a huge investigation going on and many were going to jail. I decided to stop everything because I didn't want to end up like everyone else. I was clean for a few years and I was doing good for a while. I began to hang out with my friend again and things went back to the way it was, but this time, I was using a lot more and wasn't selling anymore. I began to be very addicted to the point I wasn't paying my rent or bills. I lost everything, including my family. I was sleeping in my car for days until my friend (who is my wife now), took me in. I stayed with her and I stopped the drugs for a while. 

It didn't take long that I went back hanging out with my friend and began doing the same o thing. As you can see - there has been a lot going on and all this happened within a 22 year period. If you can imagine all the stories I have... I'm just telling you the basics. This is nothing. 

The day has come that I lost my best friend from a drug overdose. This was a wake up call for me, because it took my friends life to make the decision to stop doing meth. For a long time I had a guilty conscience because I felt it was part of my fault. Now, I pretty much forgave myself because we are responsible for our own actions, not someone else's.

I came a long ways my friends... a very long ways. Indeed anybody can change - anybody! Nobody in this planet can tell me otherwise. For those who say that someone can't change - it's not true! That is something that Satan wants you to believe. I remember I use to wonder how I managed to stay out of jail or even stay alive. Now I know why. Because God made it happen. He has a plan for me and I haven't completed it yet. And I know that I am part of His plan. What is His plan? His plan is to bring all His children back home. He needs ME - He needs YOU! - He needs us ALL! Because He Loves Us! Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all can be transformed, cleansed and freed from addiction!

"I WILL BE ON YOUR RIGHT HAND AND ON YOUR LEFT,

AND MY SPIRIT SHALL BE IN YOUR HEARTS, AND MINE

ANGELS ROUND ABOUT YOU, TO BEAR YOU UP"

(DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 84:88)

And I say these things in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SEEKING A RECOVERY PROGRAM - PLEASE ACCEPT THIS INVITATION. NON-MEMBERS WELCOME. YOU'RE NOT ALONE: ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM

Click here if video doesn't work: Addiction: You Will Be Freed

Stones (lighting the Jaredite barges) by Eleazar

The Brother of Jared

Although his name is not mentioned in the Book of Mormon, in modern times his name was revealed as, Mahonri Moriancumr. He was a large and mighty man, a great prophet and highly favored of the Lord. He and his brother led a colony of people from the Tower of Babel to a promised land in the western hemisphere and founded the Jaredite nation. He was a man of such faith that he spoke to the Lord face to face.

The brother of Jared built eight unique barges (Ether 2:16-25) in which to cross the ocean. Then he prepared sixteen clear molten stones and asked the Lord to make them shine to illuminate the inside of the barges (Ether 3:1-5). As the Lord touched the stones, the brother of Jared saw the finger of the Lord and was "struck with fear" (Ether 3:6). Never before, the record states, had man come before God with such exceeding faith; as a result, he was brought into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and saw the premortal spirit body of Christ (Ether 3:9-13).

(TO GET A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT, PLEASE CONSIDER READING THE SCRIPTURES PROVIDED ABOVE.)

This is only a brief glimpse into allegories of the Jaredites. But now you may be able to go back and look at these Book of Mormon stories again with newer perspectives.

STONES (LIGHTING THE JAREDITE BARGES)

The Brother of Jared fashions (makes/creates) stones which he has God touch so that they give light when their barges are buried in the sea. Seas are symbols of people, the world, and barges are symbols of us.

Carnal man's heart is said to be like stone... hard, unyielding, and dead. Who makes it that way? Carnal man fashions his heart of stone. That is what is conveyed in the parable of (Brother of Jared) fashioning the stones. However, in a metaphorical sense, the Spirit (or light of Christ) can give light unto a heart made of stone by (a metaphor coming here..) touching it.

These stories are real-time parables for us to see. As carnal man is buried (a symbol of death) in the sea (symbolizing peoples of the world), his heart (of stone) can give him light if it is touched by the finger of God (Spirit).

Click here if video doesn't work: The Jaredites Travel to the Promised Land

Who is Angel Moroni?

The angel Moroni is the heavenly messenger who first visited the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1823. As a mortal named Moroni, he had completed the compilation and writing of the Book of Mormon. He ministered to Joseph Smith as a resurrected being, in keeping with his responsibility for the Book of Mormon, inasmuch as "the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim" had been committed to him by the Lord (D&C 27:5). Pursuant to this responsibility he first appeared to Joseph Smith on the night of September 21-22, 1823 (JS-H 1:29-49; D&C 128:20), and thereafter counseled with him in several reappearances until the book was published in 1830. During that time, he instructed Joseph Smith, testified to the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and otherwise assisted in the work of restoring the gospel.

Because of the angel Moroni's role in restoring the everlasting gospel to be preached to all the world (Rev. 14:6-7; D&C 133:31-39), the Church placed a statue depicting him as a herald of the Restoration atop the Salt Lake Temple, and later on the hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, where anciently he had buried the Book of Mormon plates. Copies of the statue have also been placed atop several other LDS temples.

Joseph Smith's Description of the Angel Moroni by LeGrand Richards, reads as follows:

We have never seen a person who has been clothed with "eternal glory," but the Prophet Joseph Smith described such a man, Moroni, who appeared to him:

"While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared to my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.

"He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.

"Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning... (Joseph Smith 2:30-32.)

This is the description of a prophet who lived in the land of America about four hundred years after the resurrection of the Christ, and who had been resurrected for the work the Lord had planned for him to do. There was nothing mystical about him. He was a resurrected man, endowed with "eternal glory," which we do not yet enjoy but which is promised to all faithful followers of the Christ, and which made his very personage and countenance defy description. It is easy to understand, therefore, how the "same sociality" which we now enjoy can be enjoyed by those who have been endowed with "eternal glory."

By LeGrand Richards, (A Marvelous Work and a Wonder)

I will now share two short videos. First video: Moroni writes that he had spoken to Jesus and received extensive visions of the future. Speaking directly to modern-day readers of the Book of Mormon, Moroni writes, "Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing" (Mormon 8:35.) Upon completion of the record, written on golden plates, Moroni buried the plates in a stone box in a hill in what is now Wayne County, New York, where they were recovered by Joseph Smith. A 12-meter granite and bronze monument to Moroni has been placed by Latter-day Saints on this hill, which they call Cumorah.

Click here if video doesn't work: Moroni Buries The Plates

2nd video: Shows Angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith and counseled him in several reappearances.

Click here if video doesn't work: The Angel Moroni and the Golden Plates

Teachings of the Creation

I would like to share something I found a couple of years ago. When we discuss the seven days of creation we may think of it simply as a story telling us of the creation of the earth, but it is really so much more than that. It is a lesson to teach of us. We must all personally go through the seven days of creation.

The First Day:
On the first day the Lord created the light and the darkness. What does this mean for us? We must each first learn to discern the light from the darkness. Elder Holland once said this is the biggest concern the brethren have regarding the members of the Church today. We are creating more and more of a grey area in our standards. With media, modesty etc. So we must discern the light from the darkness and know that's all there is black and white, nothing in between.

The Second Day:
On the second day the Lord created the waters. When reading in Abraham it tells us that the water obeyed God. Without fail it obeyed. We look at countless examples of this throughout scriptures. The parting of the sea, the brother of Jared and his people being guided along the waters to the promised land, Christ calming the storm at sea etc. We could go on and on. This is the second thing we must do. We must become as the water and obey the Master without fail or hesitation after we have discerned the light from the dark.

The Third Day:
Day three is the first appearance of dry ground. In Abraham chapter 4 it describes the seeds growing and also again obeying. The instruction this gives us is that if we are planted firmly in the right environment, we shall grow and become what our Father in heaven has meant for us to become.

The Fourth Day:
On the fourth day the sun, moon and stars are created. The sun being described as the greater light and the moon as the lesser light. We are to follow the Sun which is representation of the Son of God. We are like the moon, capable of lighting the dark and becoming like our Father in heaven and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Fifth Day:
On the fifth day the Lord created man and all creatures. At the end of Abraham 4:25 it says "and God knew they would obey". After we have gone through days one through four and have been tried and have endured those trials obediently continually growing in the gospel, then will our Father in heaven [know] he can trust us to obey without fail.

The Sixth Day:
On the sixth day there is continuation of the creation of man and animals, but in verses 30-31 of Abraham it says that they were very obedient. Not just casually obedient, or obedient when we felt like it but we must be stalwart in following the Savior.

The Seventh Day:
And finally the seventh day. We all know as the day of rest. We've always compared this keeping the Sabbath day holy but if you read D&C 84:24 you will find it has a much deeper meaning. Day of Rest = Fulness of God's Glory! How cool is that? After we have faithfully experienced these "6 days" in our lives we will come to know the fullness of God's Glory!

Elder Nelson explains the creation and it's importance.

Click here if video doesn't work: The Creation

The Oneness of the Father and the Son

There has been much misunderstanding regarding the oft-repeated statement that Jesus and his Father are one. A careful reading of the seventeenth chapter of John should clarify this matter fully. As Jesus was about to be offered up, he prayed unto his Father and thanked him for his apostles, saying, "that they may be one, as we are." (John 17:11) Then he added:

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:20-21)

Now it is very apparent that Jesus was not speaking of oneness of personage, but oneness of purpose, for he further prayed that they might be with him, which would be unnecessary if the oneness referred to was of personage instead of purpose.

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)

Again it is evident that the oneness referred to has no reference to oneness of personage, for if Jesus and his Father were one in person, how absurd to think that Jesus would pray unto himself, or that he would love himself before the foundation of the world. He said:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) 

This is true knowledge of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ, has come again to the world in this dispensation, not through a study of the Bible, but through the actual appearance of these heavenly personages to the young Joseph Smith, as he has so eloquently testified.

- By LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

Here is a short video that tells about Joseph Smith, a young farm boy who wanted to know what God wanted for the world, so he did the smart thing and asked! This is what happened.

Click here if video doesn't work: Joseph Smith's First Vision