I was excited to learn today that the Joseph Smith Papers project can now be accessed online for free, for all those who cannot afford the somewhat pricey print additions of the project (like me). I love the Joseph Smith Papers because they prove those wrong who insist that the Church hides/covers up/lies about its founding and history. With this ambitious project the Church is supporting the production of ALL of the major papers relating to Joseph Smith (including original manuscript and printed versions of early revelations, journals, official documents, church meeting minutes, etc.) for all the world to see, in an organized series. These papers are very interesting and a great way to begin to understand the heart and mind of the Prophet of the Restoration, in his own words. Through Joseph's personal journals and letters you can learn what his inner thoughts on certain matters were and discover his inner spirituality, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness. Through the church minutes you can see what church was like for the earliest members. Plus, you can learn further background about all of the Church's revelations by viewing their original editions. I am glad for this opportunity to learn much more about the Prophet Joseph Smith and this oft-misunderstood period of Church history.
The Joseph Smith Papers can be found online at josephsmithpapers.org
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Why Alma Would Have Liked Buddha and Confucius
This is an article I enjoyed reading very much today that affirms that the True Church has no reason to be afraid of other religions, but can only gain from them. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we embrace all truth wherever it is found, even if it comes from Mohammed (gasp!). It's even in one of our articles of faith (#13):
" . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
That is the joy of belonging to a Church which is run by revelation. We have our standard of Truth, and all other things can be compared to it. We can look at the good coming from all the world's philosophies and religions and learn and benefit from them all, while eschewing the bad.
But anyway, here is that article, written by Grant Hardy (whose book, Understanding the Book of Mormon, has been on my reading list for some time now): http://www.ldsmag.com/church/article/8058/page-12-5?ac=1.
" . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
That is the joy of belonging to a Church which is run by revelation. We have our standard of Truth, and all other things can be compared to it. We can look at the good coming from all the world's philosophies and religions and learn and benefit from them all, while eschewing the bad.
But anyway, here is that article, written by Grant Hardy (whose book, Understanding the Book of Mormon, has been on my reading list for some time now): http://www.ldsmag.com/church/article/8058/page-12-5?ac=1.
My Mission Call!
Well, the big news is in . . . I got my mission call last Friday. When I saw it in the mailbox I got VERY nervous/excited. I didn't know it would freak me out that much. It is a very important letter, after all! Inside that letter contained the information of where I will be spending two years of my life. Well, after waiting for my mom to get home, I went downstairs and couldn't wait to open it anymore. My girlfriend Sannah was with me and my friend Stephen, who baptized me, was on speaker phone from BYU-I. He was called to the Perú Arequipa Mission but unfortunately had to come home after only about two months. But he came home just in time to baptize me, so it all worked out! But he kept saying (jokingly) that I was going to be sent to Peru to "finish his work."
Anyway, as I opened the envelope, my hands were shaking, which I also didn't expect. I pulled out the paper and slowly read, "Dear Elder McDonough: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the . . . (I paused for dramatic and effect and because I couldn't believe what I was about to say):
. . . Perú Piura Mission!
Peru! Of course, Stephen was ecstatic. He is sure it is no coincidence, and I agree. At first I was a little surprised I was going to Peru, considering that because of my extreme gringo-ness I am going to be fried to a crisp in Piura, which--I'm not kidding--is called the ciudad de eterno calor, or the city of eternal heat. But now I believe the Holy Ghost has confirmed to me that Peru is exactly where I need to be. It seems strange that I'd be sent anywhere else. The Holy Ghost has a funny way of completely changing your way of thinking like that. In fact, that's how it was when I first gained a testimony of the Church, I could no longer even understand how I didn't believe the doctrines of the Church before. But anyway, I've been researching Piura quite a bit, and I am excited to be serving a mission there, but also sad for those who I will leave behind, especially my wonderful girlfriend of over two years. But the Lord has always required sacrifices of those who serve Him, and even taught that those who lose their lives for Him will gain them in the end. I believe Him, and I am happy to serve Him, because I know all the good that He can bring to people's lives through His restored Church.
Anyway, as I opened the envelope, my hands were shaking, which I also didn't expect. I pulled out the paper and slowly read, "Dear Elder McDonough: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the . . . (I paused for dramatic and effect and because I couldn't believe what I was about to say):
. . . Perú Piura Mission!
Peru! Of course, Stephen was ecstatic. He is sure it is no coincidence, and I agree. At first I was a little surprised I was going to Peru, considering that because of my extreme gringo-ness I am going to be fried to a crisp in Piura, which--I'm not kidding--is called the ciudad de eterno calor, or the city of eternal heat. But now I believe the Holy Ghost has confirmed to me that Peru is exactly where I need to be. It seems strange that I'd be sent anywhere else. The Holy Ghost has a funny way of completely changing your way of thinking like that. In fact, that's how it was when I first gained a testimony of the Church, I could no longer even understand how I didn't believe the doctrines of the Church before. But anyway, I've been researching Piura quite a bit, and I am excited to be serving a mission there, but also sad for those who I will leave behind, especially my wonderful girlfriend of over two years. But the Lord has always required sacrifices of those who serve Him, and even taught that those who lose their lives for Him will gain them in the end. I believe Him, and I am happy to serve Him, because I know all the good that He can bring to people's lives through His restored Church.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Mission Papers Submitted, School Over, Back in Missouri
So... I've been so busy I just feel dazed. The last week of school I did my finals, went to the dentist, got a physical, got sized for suits for my mission, spent a couple days in Southern Utah at the San Rafael Swell, and drove from Logan all the way back to Missouri. In one week! Of course, the most exciting thing of all this is that I officially submitted my mission papers. They were submitted to SLC from my Stake President on Friday, the 7th. It was so nerve-racking when I finally hit that "submit" button at the bottom of the online missionary application... I knew I'd finally know where I was going so soon after that! And, it's true. My bishop texted me today and told me my call has been mailed, just a week later. I can't believe it! I can't believe I'm going to know where I'm going to spend the next two years so soon, because it feels like I have been waiting for and thinking about it for so long. I've been considering a mission since I joined the Church at the beginning of 2010, and now it is so close to actually happening. I have been praying fervently that I will be sent to the place where I will do the most good, where the Lord wants me to be sent. So, now I just have to accept that call and promise to do the best that I can for those people, wherever that will be. I cannot wait to make a difference in people's lives. I cannot wait to share with others what has become one of the greatest joys in my life. All over the world, this Church is misrepresented as something that it is not. I know that it is the Truth, and I cannot wait to show others what I know. It will be a great sacrifice, but I know it will be worth it, even if I help just one person to find the truth.
So, now school is over and I had to leave beautiful Cache Valley. I will miss it. I've already posted about how highly I think of that place, and the wonderful people there. It was nice to be around so many good, happy people. It is a blessed place. But now I'm back to my parents house for the summer, or until I leave for my mission. My family is having problems with the current church they are/were attending, and are now trying to find a new church. As my mom said to me the other day, she's been there four years or so, and that means it's about time to find a new church. Why does it have to be that way? How can I express to her that Christ has re-established a church that is not controlled by the wills of men, but by He Himself? She does not have to run from church to church, searching for something that will fit what she thinks a church should. There exists a church out there that is concerned with what is true, and not what is trendy. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one does not skip from ward to ward because one dislikes what a ward is doing or teaching. There is unity, and that unity exists because every ward is under the leadership of one Being, and that is Jesus Christ. I am sorry that she continues to reject such good news.
But anyway, those are just a couple of things I've been thinking a lot about in the few days I've been home. Very soon, I'll post where I'm going for my mission! Cheers.
So, now school is over and I had to leave beautiful Cache Valley. I will miss it. I've already posted about how highly I think of that place, and the wonderful people there. It was nice to be around so many good, happy people. It is a blessed place. But now I'm back to my parents house for the summer, or until I leave for my mission. My family is having problems with the current church they are/were attending, and are now trying to find a new church. As my mom said to me the other day, she's been there four years or so, and that means it's about time to find a new church. Why does it have to be that way? How can I express to her that Christ has re-established a church that is not controlled by the wills of men, but by He Himself? She does not have to run from church to church, searching for something that will fit what she thinks a church should. There exists a church out there that is concerned with what is true, and not what is trendy. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one does not skip from ward to ward because one dislikes what a ward is doing or teaching. There is unity, and that unity exists because every ward is under the leadership of one Being, and that is Jesus Christ. I am sorry that she continues to reject such good news.
But anyway, those are just a couple of things I've been thinking a lot about in the few days I've been home. Very soon, I'll post where I'm going for my mission! Cheers.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Easter is a great holiday to celebrate. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly an incredible event. Thanks to His glorious sacrifice, we too can be resurrected and forgiven of our sins, so that we can return to be in the presence of our Father in Heaven. Our latter-day scriptures provide further witnesses for the reality of the Resurrection of our Savior. I am grateful for these additional witnesses, and I testify that they are true. Here is just a very small sample of such scriptures:
In the Book of Mormon:
In the Book of Mormon:
In the Doctrine & Covenants:
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father." –D&C 76:22-23
And from the mouths of living prophets in this year's First Presidency Easter Message:
The message of Easter is that the Savior lives! And because He lives all shall indeed live again. This knowledge provides the peace for loved ones of those who have passed on, "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'"
It is great to know that we worship a God who lives. I hope everyone has a happy Easter.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Nephi's Psalm
by Wallace Goddard, Feb. 23, 2011
Taken from LDSMag.com
It seems to me that great rejoicing in the Atonement is often evoked by great challenges in life. And Nephi’s Psalm in 2 Nephi 4 is a great case in point.
When we consider this chapter in perspective, we see that in verse 12 Lehi died. Think about what that would have meant to Nephi. Lehi was not only his father, but also the prophet leader. He was Nephi’s mentor and guide. What a keen loss this would have been for Nephi.
Lehi died and, as you might expect, Laman and Lemuel promptly got angry along with those who followed them.
Then Nephi’s thoughts turned to the record he had been keeping. I wonder if in some ways that was a burden to him as well. After all, it was his father who taught him in language and culture and now his father was gone. His father mentored and tutored him in keeping a sacred record and now he felt the pressure to try to keep the people together, to keep the record and to do the work of God.
Sometimes the Atonement becomes more meaningful when we get desperate.
In verse 15, Nephi said, “Upon these I write the things of my soul… For my soul delighteth in the scriptures.” And then in verse 16, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord.” But even as he rejoiced, he observed, “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord…” (v. 17).
There is something about knowing the greatness and goodness of God that makes us more aware, more mindful, more burdened by our limitations and humanness. So he went on in verse 17, “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of my iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth…”
Nephi gave us no clues about those sins and probably we don’t need to know. We don’t know if he was burdened that sometimes he forgot to do his chores or make his bed in the morning. We don’t know if perhaps he failed to save his best energy for prayer. We don’t know whether he had a sensitive soul that became troubled by fairly small mistakes and failings when God had blessed him so abundantly. Or perhaps Nephi was more like most of us—someone who blundered and soiled his life time and time again. Was he burdened by anger, lust, selfishness and all the other common afflictions of mortality? We don’t know. And we don’t need to know because the principles that Nephi teaches us in this great psalm are the same if our sins are of the minor variety or the larger, more common variety.
So he confessed to us, “Despite the goodness of God, my heart sorroweth, my soul greiveth because of my iniquities.” But then there was a turning point: “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted” (v. 19). That word trust is going to turn out to be very important in this chapter.
“My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions... he hath preserved me… He hath filled me with his love… He hath confounded mine enemies…” (vs. 20-22).
I don’t know why it took me so long to notice that the real focal point had changed from what was so wrong with Nephi to what was so right with God. That’s quite a transformation isn’t it? Nephi was no longer focused on his little known and, to him, abundant shortcomings. His focus turned to God who time and again, in spite of all his weaknesses, blessed him, looked after him, magnified him, and enlarged him.
I think Nephi’s message is: God is able to do His work even with flawed, fallen, imperfect people like us.
Let’s jump to verse 26. “Oh then, if I have seen so great things...”
Have we seen such great things? Having seen great things, have we appreciated them? Having witnessed God’s work in our lives and in the lives of those around us, have we been mindful of that work and grateful for it?
“O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow… why should I yield to sin…? Why should I give way to temptations…? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?” (vs. 26-27)
These questions are not asked in the sense of, “If I have been given such great training, then why do I behave so badly?” These questions are really very different. The real issue Nephi seemed burdened by was: “If the Lord has been so gracious, then why do I keep myself so vulnerable to sin? Why do I allow myself to be snared by evil?”
Then came the call from his soul which said, “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (v. 28). Notice the theme of “awake and rejoice”. Be mindful of God and His goodness. Be mindful of His readiness to help and bless us. And then, having done that, rejoice.
“Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation” (v. 30).
Then came that plea for divine help because Nephi wanted very much to resist any incursion of sin into his life. “O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin” (v. 31)?
Make it so that sin is ugly to me and detestable and not the least bit attractive. Make it so that sin has no draw to me, but rather it is holiness that I crave. “May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite” (v. 32)! Isn’t that the recognition that all that we have and are is a blessing from God and due to His goodness?
“O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness” (2 Nephi 4:33)! In other words—my holiness ultimately is a sacred gift from Thee.
Let’s conclude with verse 34. “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.”
So Nephi really launched into this psalm in earnest as he said, “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.” He concluded by saying five times: “trust”. Trust God, not myself. Trust God, not any other human. It is God who must save us. And he ended by proclaiming, “He is the rock, the everlasting God”
May we follow the great example set by Nephi. May we trust in God and throw ourselves on the merits, mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah.
To listen to Wally’s discussion of Nephi’s Psalm, click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaod4mqf1FY
Taken from LDSMag.com
It seems to me that great rejoicing in the Atonement is often evoked by great challenges in life. And Nephi’s Psalm in 2 Nephi 4 is a great case in point.
When we consider this chapter in perspective, we see that in verse 12 Lehi died. Think about what that would have meant to Nephi. Lehi was not only his father, but also the prophet leader. He was Nephi’s mentor and guide. What a keen loss this would have been for Nephi.
Lehi died and, as you might expect, Laman and Lemuel promptly got angry along with those who followed them.
Then Nephi’s thoughts turned to the record he had been keeping. I wonder if in some ways that was a burden to him as well. After all, it was his father who taught him in language and culture and now his father was gone. His father mentored and tutored him in keeping a sacred record and now he felt the pressure to try to keep the people together, to keep the record and to do the work of God.
Sometimes the Atonement becomes more meaningful when we get desperate.
In verse 15, Nephi said, “Upon these I write the things of my soul… For my soul delighteth in the scriptures.” And then in verse 16, “My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord.” But even as he rejoiced, he observed, “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord…” (v. 17).
There is something about knowing the greatness and goodness of God that makes us more aware, more mindful, more burdened by our limitations and humanness. So he went on in verse 17, “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of my iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth…”
Nephi gave us no clues about those sins and probably we don’t need to know. We don’t know if he was burdened that sometimes he forgot to do his chores or make his bed in the morning. We don’t know if perhaps he failed to save his best energy for prayer. We don’t know whether he had a sensitive soul that became troubled by fairly small mistakes and failings when God had blessed him so abundantly. Or perhaps Nephi was more like most of us—someone who blundered and soiled his life time and time again. Was he burdened by anger, lust, selfishness and all the other common afflictions of mortality? We don’t know. And we don’t need to know because the principles that Nephi teaches us in this great psalm are the same if our sins are of the minor variety or the larger, more common variety.
So he confessed to us, “Despite the goodness of God, my heart sorroweth, my soul greiveth because of my iniquities.” But then there was a turning point: “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted” (v. 19). That word trust is going to turn out to be very important in this chapter.
“My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions... he hath preserved me… He hath filled me with his love… He hath confounded mine enemies…” (vs. 20-22).
I don’t know why it took me so long to notice that the real focal point had changed from what was so wrong with Nephi to what was so right with God. That’s quite a transformation isn’t it? Nephi was no longer focused on his little known and, to him, abundant shortcomings. His focus turned to God who time and again, in spite of all his weaknesses, blessed him, looked after him, magnified him, and enlarged him.
I think Nephi’s message is: God is able to do His work even with flawed, fallen, imperfect people like us.
Let’s jump to verse 26. “Oh then, if I have seen so great things...”
Have we seen such great things? Having seen great things, have we appreciated them? Having witnessed God’s work in our lives and in the lives of those around us, have we been mindful of that work and grateful for it?
“O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow… why should I yield to sin…? Why should I give way to temptations…? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?” (vs. 26-27)
These questions are not asked in the sense of, “If I have been given such great training, then why do I behave so badly?” These questions are really very different. The real issue Nephi seemed burdened by was: “If the Lord has been so gracious, then why do I keep myself so vulnerable to sin? Why do I allow myself to be snared by evil?”
Then came the call from his soul which said, “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (v. 28). Notice the theme of “awake and rejoice”. Be mindful of God and His goodness. Be mindful of His readiness to help and bless us. And then, having done that, rejoice.
“Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation” (v. 30).
Then came that plea for divine help because Nephi wanted very much to resist any incursion of sin into his life. “O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin” (v. 31)?
Make it so that sin is ugly to me and detestable and not the least bit attractive. Make it so that sin has no draw to me, but rather it is holiness that I crave. “May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite” (v. 32)! Isn’t that the recognition that all that we have and are is a blessing from God and due to His goodness?
“O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness” (2 Nephi 4:33)! In other words—my holiness ultimately is a sacred gift from Thee.
Let’s conclude with verse 34. “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.”
So Nephi really launched into this psalm in earnest as he said, “Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.” He concluded by saying five times: “trust”. Trust God, not myself. Trust God, not any other human. It is God who must save us. And he ended by proclaiming, “He is the rock, the everlasting God”
May we follow the great example set by Nephi. May we trust in God and throw ourselves on the merits, mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah.
To listen to Wally’s discussion of Nephi’s Psalm, click here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaod4mqf1FY
Thursday, April 7, 2011
April 2011 LDS World Report
Between General Conference sessions, i always love watching the LDS World Report. They are a great way of keeping up with Church events occurring around the world. It reminds me how proud I am to be a part of a global, unified Church. It can be seen in convenient segments here, or in its entirety here.
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