LDS Alive in Christ

I first became acquainted with the Bloggernacle in the summer of 2007. My initial hope in coming to the internet was to mingle with LDS who were diligently seeking to draw near unto God. I had assumed that with the vastness of the internet’s reach, I’d find sites where church members were excited about the plan of salvation and were making progress in the things of the Spirit. I thought I would find church members testifying of the blessings they experienced as they focused on the doctrine of Christ (faith in Jesus Chris, repentance, baptism, and seeking the gift of the Holy Ghost).

I did find some excellent LDS internet sites where they write essays on doctrine, defend the church, and do missionary work. These members possess strong vibrant testimonies, I’m grateful for them, they stood out from those that revel in the precepts of men (2 Nephi 28:26).

But where are those members who are like Alma, and the four sons of Mosiah, Enos, Abish, Aminadab, Mormon, Moroni, and the brother of Jared, to name a few?

I’ve had enough experience with things of the Spirit to know there are church members like them. I think it would be wonderful to be able to communicate and learn from them. Maybe I was naive in what I’ve hoped for. If so, at least I tried. So, what does one do? Continue reading →

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Often, children teach their parents about barriers to faith. I recall a story that illustrates this. Years ago in Arizona, church members were asked to fast and pray to exercise their faith so that Heavenly Father would bring relief to a drought that threatened the harvest. It hadn’t rained for a long time. A husband and wife saw the faith of their young daughter in action as they prepared to leave for church. As they were backing out of  their driveway, their daughter said, “stop the car daddy, I forgot my umbrella”. It was a hot sunny day, not a cloud in sight, but the little girl’s faith was focused on the purpose of the fast. She didn’t want to be without an umbrella. This is an example of the unbridled faith of a child. As adults, we need to relearn this kind of faith. 

The Lord taught David Whitmer, one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, about barriers to increasing faith: Continue reading →

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To begin, I’ll list a few random thoughts (opinions) I have on faith:

1. The words faith, belief, and trust can be use interchangeably. 

2. There are as many ways to increase faith as there are to lose it.

3. Faith exists in our minds and hearts.  Continue reading →

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Everyday we make many decisions, some decisions are without consequence, while others can change the course of our entire life. Decisions about religion have power to not only change the course of our life, but our after-life as well.

One of the fundamental teachings of the Mormon church is that God designed this life to be a proving ground (Abraham 3:24-26). Those who “will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” will receive greater blessings (opportunities) in the after-life than those who do otherwise. It takes faith to believe this doctrine.

The prophet Joseph Smith taught there are four basic principles church members need to embrace (4th Article of Faith):

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Repentance
3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
4. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost Continue reading →

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I’ve been working on some basic gospel question for a book I’m writing. This is the first draft of the questions. I hope you will take the quiz and then provide your thoughts on it. 

After taking the quiz, if you think of a question that should be included in this quiz or any other suggestion, please let me know. My email address to cut and paste is: diligentlyseek@gmail.com

Click the following link to get started.  Continue reading →

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As I’ve contemplated writing a book I find myself thinking similar thoughts as Moroni when he wrote: “the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing” (Ether 12:23). I am aware of my weakness in writing. Nevertheless, I am persuaded by an undeniable desire to testify of the necessity of “repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (3 Nephi 7:16).

My reason for writing a book is not academic, a church calling, or monetary. I am writing because of the tender mercies of the Lord I’ve experienced. I’ve learned God is no respecter of persons, answers prayer, forgives sin, provides the gift of the Holy Ghost with the attending gifts of the spirit to all those who love him and keep his commandments, and those that seeketh so to do.

The apostle Peter said, “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3:15. With Paul’s admonition in mind, I desire to do what I can (with the hope that is in me) to encourage church members in their efforts to heed the counsel of Moroni when he declared, “I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written…” Ether 12:41. This book is about seeking Jesus Christ. 

Sacred Experiences Continue reading →