Outcasts Of Israel

There are 2 things that I fear in myself, and subsequently in those I care about, almost above anything else and this is the principle reason I started this blog:

1. To reject as false something that is true

2. To accept as true something that is false

Avoiding these two things at all costs is one of the guiding forces in my life.

It’s OK to not know what it is that you have inherited as a system of belief. Many throughout the world grow up with religious traditions.  There comes a time or there should come a time at some point when it becomes necessary to know if and how much of these traditions are true.  This is the only way that one will ever be moved to search for more.  If you think that what you have inherited as a tradition is all that there is, then you have elected to limit what the Lord is willing to give you.  If you don’t see the need for more light and truth in your life, you will not feel the need to seek for it and subsequently will not receive more either.  This is how we stop our own progression or just as a dam stops water for flowing where it otherwise could.  Mankind many times damns themselves by being content with what they have inherited and not seeking more.  This is also how a religion can harm and not help you; by facilitating a belief that they have the answers for you and not encouraging you to seek the truth for yourself.  This is true for any system of belief including the 30,000+ different Christian sects (Mormonism included), Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and the countless other religions and non religions such as secular atheism etc.  Truth stands independent of anyone’s beliefs or opinions.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light
– John 3:19, KJV

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.
– D&C 88:33

Rejecting falsehood is tricky.  We come to this earth as a blank slate and immediately it is filled with the “traditions of our fathers” so to speak.  How are we to know which ones are true and good from which ones are good and false? (The ones that are bad and false are easy to discard.)

It is my personal belief that a sure way to get truth and have it be confirmed to you that it is true and good and of God is to be willing to lay down ones preconceived notions about what is true upon the “altar of truth” and to be willing to accept the fact that some of those ideas and closely held assumptions and beliefs may not be true.  Faith in a God who is intimately involved in the affairs of man should stay at the core, as should a desire to believe in His Son Jesus Christ; even if these are only a desires and not well rooted, that’s OK.  The Book of Mormon account of a Lamanite emperor, the father of Lamoni, is an poignant example of one who humbled himself and desired to believe a true message sent from God:

And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words [teaching the doctrine of Christ] , the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and ifthere is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.
– Alma 22:17-18, Book of Mormon

Because of this desire to believe in something that was actually true, the Powers of Heaven were activated and this led to this old king being converted to Jesus Christ and his gospel.  Eventually this action led to the conversion of countless tens of thousands.

The prophet Moroni gave a wonderful example of how we can search and know if something before us as candidate truth really is of God.  In this example he was referring to those who would come across the Book of Mormon, however this pattern works for evaluating many other potential teachings from God:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
– Moroni 10:3-5, Book of Mormon

By using this pattern of seeking, pondering and praying we end up losing the impurities, the philosophies of men that aren’t true, the traditions that are false.  What is left is that which is most precious, the pearl of great price that the Savior spoke of in the parable.  It is the only thing worth keeping.  For the proud and hard hearted this is an impossible task for they neither really want to know what is true, neither are they willing to change their ways or to repent however if one is humble, meek, and  lowly in heart, there is no limit on what you may be able to receive and the amount of truth you can obtain.  This is one of the first things the Savior taught when he visited the Nephite people in America and it echoes the teachings which were taught in Palestine:

Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
– 3 Nephi 12:3-6 selected, Book of Mormon

Lamentably in our culture we idolize those people who would never be willing to undertake such an endeavor.  We look to the experts in various fields and are content with what they have to say to us.  This may work for secular matters but with that which pertains to our salvation and of God and the treasures of eternity, YOU should become the expert, but in the Lords way.  As one who seeks, as one who serves, as one who sacrifices, as one who loves perfectly, as one who forgives, as one who is patiently waiting for more.  Those who embark on such a course can and will receive a promise from the Lord directly:

Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
– D&C 93:1-2

There is one who showed us the way and in whom we can must assuredly trust.  He came to his own and his own received him not yet those who received him he gave them the power to become the sons of God.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  At the great and last day when we will be brought to stand before Him we will know that His ways are just and true and there will be a torment of guilt as exquisite as a lake of fire and brimstone in our souls should we come to realize that we wasted the days of this life until it was everlastingly too late.  May we seek for the Lord and find him today. May we change our direction to face Him and enter into the strait and narrow path that leads to everlasting life, today.  If we seek him, we will find Him and we will be filled unto overflowing.

We sometimes use the term “apostate” as a weapon and the ultimate insult upon our fellow associates who may have different views than the orthodox one.  The word has Latin and Greek roots which means defection, desertion or rebellion.

There are two critical questions when evaluating the term and applying it to people as a justification for “casting them out of the synagogue”.   Let us reason together a few issues: 1) Can a person be a true apostate if they are following Christ or his light or doing what he has asked them to do?  Or in other words if a follower of Christ is rebelling against the commandments of men and is acting under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, can they truly be apostate?  2) What does that tell you about an institution who would cast out someone who is actually commissioned by or inspired by Christ (or in the case of the Jews someone who was the very Christ)?

If a man or woman be charged with apostasy and what they are doing is inspired of heaven, then might it be possible that the institution that is doing the judging may have shifted, defected or deserted itself away from God, even if only by small degrees at a time?  I am bringing up questions for reflection and careful pondering and do not claim to have answers for anybody.  You must seek the answers from the Author of truth.

You see we at times are blinded by tradition (especially religious tradition) so that if somebody with greater light and truth comes upon us teaching against our tradition, our first reaction is to not believe them; then we label them, then cast them out (which is akin to spiritually killing them if we believe that the keys of salvation of held exclusively in the institution) and ultimately we may seek their blood by physically killing them.  All this is done while thinking we are doing God’s work or preserving the integrity of the “true” religious institution.

Examples of this abound in the scriptures and this was clearly evident at the time of Christ.  In fact this sums up the Savior’s experience with the religious leaders of his day.  The inspired Christian reformers also experienced their share of persecution and death.  There are many examples from the Book of Mormon including Abinadi, a true prophet without any “bonafides” who came up against the corrupted religious institution of his day and was killed for his testimony and Lehi who also experienced similar reactions from his religious leaders.

Would Abinadi, Lehi or Christ end up being outcasts of Israel today if they would ever come among us in disguise and teach the truths of Heaven?  I have asked this to people and the overwhelming majority believe that of course we would receive them.  I myself have my reasons to doubt that to be the case.  There instead could be a church disciplinary action, the handbook of instructions opened and they could be excommunicated for apostasy and teaching unauthorized things without “authority”.

If what I am saying is true then this should be frightening and we are indeed in an awful situation (see Ether 4:13-17, yes this is talking about US not THEM).  If Joseph Smith told the twelve apostles of his day that if he told them all he knew that not one of them would stay with him, then what about the truths that Christ could teach or any other servant sent from God?  We must carefully consider if we would rather spiritually crucify an innocent man (or woman) than to consider that some of our traditions may be misguided.  I am not insinuating anything nor am I criticizing or making any accusation.  I could be completely misguided myself so that is why these things are framed as questions for your consideration and prayerful pondering.

So next time you hear of someone who is charged with apostasy, the question you should ask yourself is: Is this a Korihor, Nehor or Cain Apostate?  Or is this a John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, or John Calvin apostate?  Or is this is a Lehi, Abinadi or Jesus Christ apostate?  The importance of this distinction cannot be overstated for there is a terrible price to pay if we get it wrong.

We have cultural belief that we are all literal offspring of our Father in heaven and because of that we have the divine potential to become as he is.  This is true to a degree, however the scriptures teach us of what it takes to truly become His sons and daughters in a covenental sense so as to have the power through the grace of Christ to lay hold of these blessings. This is what is meant by becoming members of the Church of the Firstborn, which is an association not left to men on earth to corrupt or add burdens unto or to take away from. This is an heavenly association to which we are initiated to become members of in holy, set apart places here on earth. This initiation or initiatory ceremony is a “dry run” or a practice of sorts, given with the caveat that it is according to our own faith and diligence if we ever attain the real thing. There are no inherent promises made in these ceremonial invitations. The conditions for this membership are not controlled by men on earth. Nephi testifies:

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, andthe keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; andhe employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. (2 Nephi 9:41)

Here are a few scriptures from many sources that provide a key as to how we may become sons and heirs, daughters and heiresses of the Father just as Christ is. We first become sons and daughters of Christ and then He makes it possible to become sons and daughters of the Father.

10 And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord–I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
12 For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed? (Mosiah 15, Book of Mormon)

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ. (Mosiah 5)

There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. (4 Nephi 1:17, Book of Mormon)

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. (Ether 3:14, Book of Mormon)

But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons. (D&C 39:1-4)

And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 27:25-6, Book of Mormon)

But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. (D&C 11:30)

And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. (Moroni 7:2, Book of Mormon)

1 My son . . . , hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer;
2 The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;
3 Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son; (D&C 34:1-3)

I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. (D&C 45:8)

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given–
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;
53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.
54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.
55 They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things—
56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory;
57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son.
58 Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—
59 Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (D&C 76)

And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee? (Moses 1:13)

And it came to pass that Enoch continued his speech, saying: Behold, our father Adam taught these things, and many have believed and become the sons of God, and many have believed not, and have perished in their sins, and are looking forth with fear, in torment, for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God to be poured out upon them.
(Moses 7:1, Pearl of Great Price)

And Noah and his sons hearkened unto the Lord, and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God. (Moses 8:13)

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12, KJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
(Romans 8:14)

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Phillipians 2:15, KJV)

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3, KJV)

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6, KJV)

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7, KJV)

So from these verses it is apparent that becoming a son or daughter of God is something attained and promised us after some kind of effort on our part. To lay hold of the promises and the blessings that God has for us requires diligence and faith. It is to be born again and begotten of the father by being begotten unto Christ.  Just being born onto this earth doesn’t qualify us as sons and daughters of God.  Being a son of God is covenental language and is a covenental relationship.  It requires repentance in the true sense of what that word means; to turn around, to change our minds, our hearts and our very souls towards Christ and to receive from him what he in his loving mercy is willing to give us; which is to become sons and daughters so as to be legitimate heirs of the Father.

 Milk is a perfectly suitable food for a newborn in the beginning stages of life, in fact it’s all that they need to grow and thrive.  As the child grows older, a diet that is more varied is needed to provide further nourishment to sustain health and growth. If you tried to feed a person strictly milk into adulthood, they would become severely malnourished and permanently stunted in their growth.

So too in spiritual matters; when we were children we could thrive on the “milk” of the gospel. However as we mature spiritually we should be partaking of a more varied diet that can further nourish and sustain us. For this to occur we must awake and arise and pursue what it is that we need to in order to sustain our growth.

Seeking out the “meat” of the gospel is not looking beyond the mark like the Jews did (see Jacob 4:14) since when the mark came to them, they killed Him. Pursuing the meat of the gospel is the mark and that mark is Christ. It is Christ and what he wishes to give us. We should also not get discouraged when only milk comes from our church leaders in public discourses. The meat of the gospel is to be pursued on an individual basis and is not something that needs to be incongruent with maintaining association with the church. No criticism needs to be offered to those drinking milk or to those only offering milk. As we read in the revelations, no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by us but by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile (see D&C 121). The Savior said it beautifully when he taught:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: forwithout me ye can do nothing. (John 15, KJV)

Eating “meat” by coming unto Christ will invariably result in painful purging and pruning by the Father but it is for our own good so that we may bear more fruit. Trials and sacrifice are what we signed up for in coming to this fallen world.

Joseph Smith also taught that:

“the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God.” (TPJS pg. 145)

We could be seeking after the mysteries of God.  We could be seeking for greater light and truth from the Author of Salvation, who is Christ. This is the message of the restoration which began almost 200 years ago. If we don’t awake and arise and contemplate our own personal awful situation (instead of finding fault in others) we will be just as spiritual stunted as one would be who attempted to live just on just milk for physical nourishment.

Consider the wise counsel of Paul in his letter to the Hebrews:

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. – Hebrews 5:12-14, KJV

Even if you are tired of drinking milk, there is no need to point the finger at others who need it or at those who are providing it; but go and do, awake and arise, hearken and obey and become.  May I suggest that the meat that we need is in plain view and is contained in the scriptures, the inspired utterances by the servants of the Lord and from the Lord himself.

The most important man to ever walk the earth was the outcast of a Israel known as Jesus. His name means salvation. The condescension of Israel’s God to take upon himself a tabernacle of flesh and to perform an act of supreme sacrifice and love can scarcely be appreciated by even those who profess a belief in him. This is what the Gods do, they sacrifice for those on a lower level so that those for whom they sacrifice can one day rise up. This is what He did yet few recognized it. His atoning sacrifice, to which the outward ordinances of the law of Moses pointed to and typified, was the most important act in the history of mankind. Yet Isaiah says:

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. – Isaiah 53

(Now these verses also apply to another end time Messianic figure as well as Christ, but for my purposes I will relate them to the spiritual deliverer who was Israel’s god Jehova)

In my studies of the scriptures these are the names and titles that I have come up with that likely refer to Him. This is not a comprehensive list by any means, and some are the same words in different languages.  Some are referring to the Father of Jesus but since they are one, they are also included.  This list is just my own that I have been assembling over the past few months.  Feel free to send me any others I have overlooked.

Jesus
The Lord
The Anointed One
Adonai
Christ
The Life of the world
The Light of the world
The Holy One of Israel
Just and True
Messenger of Salvation
Fountain of all Righteousness
Messenger of the Covenant
I am
The First and the Last
Alpha and Omega
The beginning and the End
Redeemer of Israel
Stone of Israel
The Rock
The Anointed One
Lamb of God
Advocate with the Father
Sinless One
Master
Redeemer
Yeshua
Jehova
Yahweh
Author and Finisher of our faith
Almighty God (El Shaddai)
Word of my Power
Messiah
Most Holy
Most High
Holy of Holies (Tanakh translation of Daniel 9:24)
Lord of Hosts
Mighty One of Jacob
Founder of Peace
Christ the Lord
Eternal Father (see abinadi in Mosiah 16)
Jehova Omnipotent
Valiant One of Jacob
Bright and Morning Star
Root and offspring of David
Prince of Peace
Lion of Judah
Man of Counsel
Endless and Eternal
Man of Holiness
Rock of Heaven
King of Zion

I am another witness that He lives.  I am a witness to the restoration of truths from God in these latter days through a modern day prophet, even Joseph Smith.  I am a witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as a record of scripture and another witness of Christ.  Let me share in closing an exhortation made by a prophet who lived in the Americas many centuries ago. He was alone, the last of his kindred and wrote for the benefit of a future people; those gentiles who would come across the book that his father compiled, the Book of Mormon; and to the Jews who will be ministered to by those same gentiles.  These are the prophet Moroni’s very last words to us:

And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. (Moroni 10: 32-34, Book of Mormon)

As have many others who have been doing what I am attempting to do, I state unequivocally that I am nobody of import. I am an active member of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is married in the temple and have children born under the covenant.  I am a seeker of truth and the problem with truth is as the fictional character from Harry Potter stated, “It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.”  The great caution is to be careful what you ask for from the Lord because you will be held accountable for how you receive it. As one who is so imperfect and full of flaws, it is with humility and trepidation that I begin this blog under the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is not my intention to represent the position or tenets of any church including the one I belong to. It is not my intention to disparage or speak ill of any man.  My prayer is that we may be honest seekers of truth and light and grow together having our hearts knit together in unity and love. I mean no offense to anybody and readily have forgiven any who have offended me. I pray that those who read this will find some useful nuggets of truth to aid you in your life’s difficult journey. I also pray that we may do as Ameleki, an inspired man who lived in this land of America many centuries ago invited us to do:

And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. (Omni 26, Book of Mormon)

It is also my sincere hope and prayer to recover my brethren of the House of Israel and help lead them to their true Redeemer who is Yeshua HaMashiach  or in other words Jesus the Christ. May the Lord God have mercy on the House of Israel and bless those to have the desires to participate in His marvelous work and a wonder as the Lord gathers them again both temporally and spiritually according to the words of Jesus and his holy prophets.

Why Anonymous?
My initial intention is to share my thoughts and inasmuch as is possible, to reflect the light of truth which is in Christ to those who should be seeking it the most, those who profess to believe in the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored through a prophet in these latter days.  It would do no good to be hindered in the ability to post the things that I feel need to be said.  I seek to serve and maintain ties and a positive influence among my fellow church members.

Thank You
In my journey to find Jesus the Christ and his gospel, I am indebted to many people from the two co-workers GF and PG who shared with me the Book of Mormon and the restored Gospel, to the past and current church members who have tirelessly served me and helped nurture my faith.  I am greatful to all the successors to Joseph Smith; for what has been preserved and handed down to me has blessed my life tremendously.  I am not ignorant of the problems with our past however I do not wish to dwell on it in this forum.

Last of all I wish to dedicate this forum to the prototype Outcast of Israel, even Christ the Lord who came to his own but his own received him not; but as many as received him gave He them power to become the sons of God.  May we in our day and age do better than our spiritual forefathers.  May we not reject any truth that comes from Christ no matter if the messenger has no apparent beauty, no apparent bonafides that we should desire him.