Lamps and Lightbulbs

So this one time I was trying to explain how priesthood Authority works, and why it is important.  I came up with my own story, and it goes something like this.


     Once upon a time there was a Lamp.  That Lamp was the Gospel.  Then Christ came to teach the Gospel, perform the Atonement, and establish His church.  The church Christ established is like a LampShade, it holds all the 'Light and Knowledge' of the Gospel.

     However, after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the church was persecuted, and the Apostles who received Priesthood Authority were killed.  This means that the Lamp was broken, because no one had the Authority to direct Christ's Church.

     Less than 500 years later there were a small number of churches that had pieces of the broken Lamp.  People knew that something had been lost and they tried as best they could to reform the Lamp.  Roughly 1000 years later there were many churches, or many Lamps, that all claimed to be the "True Lamp".  That they each had part of that Lamp it is true, but none were the Lamp of the Gospel as it was supposed to be.

     Now we have a world where we can choose from many churches, almost like going to the store to buy a Lamp, there are planty of options.  Some Lamps are tall and flexible, some are short and round, others may be there more for looks than for light.

  

 


But even if the Lamp came close, the Lightbulb of Authority was still missing.  You see Christ is the 'Light of the world', and so even if you have all the components of a functioning Lamp only when He puts in the Lightbulb does that church give Light.

     In 1820 Joseph Smith asked God in prayer, which church to join.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and called him to be a new Prophet to restore His church to the Earth, exactly as it was when Christ was on the Earth.

     The same Lamp of the Gospel, with the same church organization or LampShade, was once again found on the Earth.  God gave the Authority of the Priesthood to Joseph Smith, who ordained others, and the Priesthood has never again left the Earth.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "Love and law"

General Conference is coming up on the 31st of March and the 1st of April.

Here is a previous Conference Talk from Elder Oaks.

182nd Annual General Conference

So....for those of you who don't know it is time for the 182nd Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Messages will be given by the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and General Officers of the Church.

General sessions will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., followed by the priesthood session at 7:00 p.m. Central time. Two more general sessions will be held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Central time; the morning session includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.

Anyone can watch conference in local church meetinghouses, or in their homes.

For viewing conference at a local meetinghouse, check with local church leaders on availability of the broadcast by Satellite or Internet feed.

Live broadcasts will be available at the following locations:

• Conference.lds.org: video and audio in multiple languages
• Mormonchannel.org and Mormon Channel mobile apps: video and audio in English only
• BYU.tv: video and audio in multiple languages
• Facebook.com/LDS: video in English only (Choose “General Conference” from the left menu.)

In addition, many cable and radio stations will have the conference available.
Visit http://www.bonneville.info/ for broadcast information or check local listings.

The opportunity to listen to a Prophet of God doesn't happen very often. 

Everyone is invited to listen as Apostles of the Lord speak and teach.

Stargate - Replicators and Energy Weapons

"Overconfidence in our technologies has been our undoing. The entities learned from the very means that were employed to stop them. They have become a plague on our galaxy that is annihilating everything in its path."

— Thor

This is Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet.

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This is a Replicator.

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This post is for those who don't know or are not aware of  what might be dangerous.

If we are to put ourselves in the position of the Asgard, we could say that we have discovered how to use natural resources to help ourselves have a better quality of life.

However, those same technologies which we have become so accustomed to in our daily lives, may prove to be our undoing.

About fifty years ago if someone had mention the World Wide Web, everyone would have simply thought that they missed an episode of Star Trek.  Cell Phones are common even among teenagers, when only twenty years ago they were expensive 'Cellular Telephones' that only business men would have. (not to mention they were huge bricks back then, making a great self defense weapon)

Now we have all these great items: the Internet, Cell Phones, Video Games, Calculators, Computers, Tablets, Automatic Garage Door Openers.

These are all very useful technologies, but as the Asgard found their Energy based weapons had very little effect, if any, on the replicator swarms.  It wasn't until they teamed up with SG-1 that they began to turn the tides of the war.  While the Asgard were using their Energy Weapons, the Tau'ri (Earthlings) used Projectile Weapons which were much more effective at killing Replicators.

Likewise our efforts must be of a different type.  We need to change from just ignoring those things which might harm us and actively prepare ourselves against the oncoming attacks.
In one particular episode there were three Replicator ships headed for an Asgard planet.  The Asgard were in the middle of building a brand new Warship named the O'Neill. This particular ship was intended to be the first of its class and would be bigger and better than all other Asgard war vessels.  Nevertheless, they would not be able to get the weapons system online before the Replicators showed up.

Samantha Carter had been brought to help come up with a plan to stop the Replicators from getting to the O'Neill and assimilating it into their technology.  Her plan was referred to as a 'stupid idea'.  However, the plan was to use the ship with higher technology to bait the other three ships into a hyperspace jump and then self destruct the O'Neill, thereby blowing up the other three ships as well.

Her idea worked, and the Asgard admitted that they never would have thought to Sacrifice the ship in order to eliminate the others.

 

This is the Anti-Replicator Weapon.  

It was designed to disconnect the electrical bonds between individual Replicator blocks.

The only Energy Weapon that had any effect on the replicators was not designed to merely 'shoot' them.  It was designed to deactivate them.  It had to be told the code for the specific breed of replicators that was being fought.

For instance, you don't need to worry about how much time you spend using the Automatic Garage Door Opener.  You might however need to worry about becoming prideful if your neighbors don't have Automatic Garage Door Openers.

You usually don't need to worry about which cell phone you are going to use, or which company to have the contract with.  However you do need to make sure that the texts you send and the pictures you look at are appropriate.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said,

"Tragically, the same computer and Internet service

that allows me to do my family history

and prepare those names for temple work could,

without filters and controls,

allow my children or grandchildren access

to a global cesspool of perceptions

that could blast a crater in their brains forever."

(Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul)

For years I have had fun playing many video games.  While many argue that some should spend less time playing video games, I argue that time spent doing something you enjoy, whether it be gaming or knitting, should simply follow the rule of, "Would I do this with my Mom?"

So find that code that will deactivate the terrors of technology, and the target that part that should have 'place no more' in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It might even require a 'Dumb Idea' or two.

 

What would YOU like to hear ? ? ?

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So I sit here and type stuff about the Gospel all the time.


Sometimes I don't know if what I say really helps people.

So here is your chance,

What is Something about the Gospel

that you have questions about,

or maybe just something

that you would like me to write about?

Just leave a comment below and a blog post shall pop up sooner or later. :)


This Blog is here to help you anyways, not me.




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Armor of God - Six of Six - Sword of the Spirit

"the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"

-- Ephesians 6:17

"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency

to lead the people to do that which was just—

yea, it had had more powerful effect

upon the minds of the people than the sword,

or anything else,

which had happened unto them—

therefore Alma thought it was expedient

that they should try the virtue of the word of God."
-- Alma 31:5

The Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the Armor of God.  It is therefore somewhat imperative that we use it daily and become accustomed to its use.

The idea of using a Sword instead of a battle ax or some other ancient weapon, brings out the idea of piece through the heart, or penetrating the very soul, instead of actually chopping up your enemy.

This means that we not only have to wield the Sword of the Spirit against the enemy but that we must allow the Spirit to enter into our hearts as well.

There are many different types and styles of swords in the ancient world, and each has its own purpose and form of combat.

The Claymore is a long broadsword used in western Europe.  The main purpose of this sword was shear size and weight.  Someone who could use one effectively would be able to slice deep wounds into the enemy fairly easily.

The Katana is a shorter slightly curved sword from Japan.  It was used by the Samurai, the curve made for a faster draw and better balance.  This was a much faster weapon but did not have overwhelming force.

Both of these Swords were two-handed weapons, which means they would not have allowed the warrior to use a shield.  However, it is written that the Shield of Faith is the most important piece of armor we should have.

Always make room for your Faith to help you, as you follow the Spirit.

Armor of God - Five of Six - Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation is a piece of Armor we can acquire pretty much by ourselves.

"He saved others; himself he cannot save.

If he be the King of Israel,

let him now come down from the cross,

and we will believe him."

-- Matthew 27:42

"O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men!

When they are learned they think they are wise,

and they hearken not unto the counsel of God,

for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves,

wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.

And they shall perish."

-- 2 Nephi 9:28

The Pharisees always thought they had the answers, and so they rejected the teachings from Christ.

Remember, you cannot be saved in ignorance.  There is something in the Gospel of Christ you have to KNOW for yourself.  You can't rely on everyone else to have the answers for you when the end comes.

Even the Turtles cover the melon.

The Helmet also protects your head, which houses your brain, and you would want to make sure that it stays attached and covered in case of a zombie apocalypse. 

This is because without your brain, you can't do anything.  In other words, without the Helmet of Salvation, your brain doesn't know what to do in order to Live the gospel.


NEXT POST : Sword of the Spirit

Armor of God - Four of Six - Shield of Faith

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, 

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

-- Ephesians 6:16

The Shield of Faith is your most important piece of armor.  It says 'Above All' because even if you aren't righteous all the time, or you don't have a good preparation period, or sometimes you are not as 'True' as you should be, YOU CAN STILL HAVE FAITH.

"Jesus said unto him, 

If thou canst believe, 

all things are possible to him that believeth."

-- Mark 9:23

Faith is more than a mere belief.  Faith is an action word, if you have faith in something you are willing to DO something about it.  The first principle of the gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Without this faith it is not possible to have any form of progression Spiritually.

However, if you have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the second Principle of the Gospel becomes something that we desire almost daily, that is to repent for things we do wrong.  Faith leads us to Repentance.

Faith can be acquired and still be forgotten.  Sometimes it goes dormant and is not needed for a time.

"Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant"

-- Alma 32:34

This is when we need to continue to Study the Scriptures to increase of Faith in other parts of the Gospel, because Faith has a very short shelf life.

If we use our Shield of Faith, we can deflect and block all the attacks that Satan throws at us.

However, if we have that Faith in Christ, but we don't ACT on it, it is like having a shield and going into battle with it just hanging by our side.  No effort to lift the Shield and there will not be a deflection of oncoming attacks.  The shield then becomes this dead weight that instead of helping us, it actually hinders us.

"Thou believest that there is one God; 

thou doest well: 

the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, 

O vain man,

 that faith without works is dead?"

-- James 2:19-20

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,

 and not by faith only."

-- James 2:24

I know that by having True Faith in Jesus Christ we will come closer to our Savior and receive a fulness of Joy.  We will have more peace in our lives, and there will come a time when we shall see that our Faith has 'Shielded' us from the Fiery Darts of the Devil.


NEXT POST : Helmet of Salvation

Armor of God - Three of Six - Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

Having your feet shod pretty much means your wearing your shoes.

With the Armor of God they would probably be more like War Boots.

Your feet control the Movement of your whole body on the battlefield, and if the are not prepared for the charge you will find yourself stepping on rocks and things and they will hurt so much that the enemy won't have any need to actually fight you.

The Book of Mormon speaks of being "Steadfast and Immovable"(1 Nephi 2:10), which means you are steady and diligent in keeping the Commandments.  A youth leader once told me that sometimes you need to be "Steadfast and Movable", meaning that the Gospel of Peace, is a Gospel of Progression.  You must be Steadfast in keeping the Commandments, but still able to Move about the Spiritual battle when the Lord calls you to do something.

You cant stand around if you truly live the gospel, you have to use your feet to "go about doing good" and help others.  Stationary targets are also much easier to hit on the battlefield.

In the Book of Mormon the are two main peoples, the Nephites (good guys) and the Lamanites (bad guys).

The Lamanites were a people "dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow, and in the cimeter, and the ax."
Enos 1:20

They had a lot of wars between each nation and at one point the Nephites showed that by Preparing themselves with the Gospel, they had no need to fear their enemy.

In a particular battle the Lamanites charged forward to try and defeat a Nephite army,
"But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them."
3 Nephi 4:10

The best ways of Preparing yourself to Live the Gospel and keep the Commandments is to Read the Scriptures, Pray to God our Heavenly Father, and to Go to Church.  These will give you that extra Strength you need to withstand the trials of mortality.



NEXT POST : Shield of Faith

Armor of God - Two of Six - Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of Righteousness is the second piece of armor mentioned in Ephesians 6.

The breastplate covers your vital organs, protecting the heart and lungs.  It also stretches down to cover your stomach and sides, which are considered 'soft spots' on the body because they have no bones and they bleed much more than other wounds.

Righteousness is the continual act of choosing good over evil, and to always be looking for a way to serve others.  Part of this is simply keeping the Commandments, while it also includes being a good person.

There is much more Spiritually protective power in doing what is right because we want to, not just for the reward.

As the breastplate protects our heart, we must have our heart 'in the right place' or we will find that the breastplate isn't going to protect us the way it was intended to.


NEXT POST : Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace