Oh, wow, have we been blessed. This past week, to expand on our knowledge of Church history through the ages and the works of God throughout it all, we visited the Crandall Historical Printing Museum. (See their website) It was a fabulous experience that taught us a ton about how God's hand has moved through history, inspiring the works of many important men.
We started in a room with a replica of Gutenberg's printing press, and we saw how the first instruments were made that made printing possible. We saw how his press revolutionized the world and brought about the Renaissance. Next we entered a room where we could see a replica of a printing press from the American Revolution era, and learned how the printing of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" and The Declaration of Independence among other publications were the real reason that the colonies could be united under the strength of wise individuals seeking freedom, like Benjamin Franklin. Following that, we entered a room that let us envision the exact print shop that was used by Joseph Smith, Jr., the first modern prophet, to publish 5000 of the first copies ever printed of the Book of Mormon. It was amazing to feel the spiritual energy and amazement as we saw that the process could all work out in the Lord's time.
Today, it amazes me that my thoughts, words, and testimony of this true gospel can be processed and broadcast to an unlimited number of viewers at no extra cost. Type has come a very long way. I'm grateful for this gift of the Internet, and all the inspired advanced that make such things possible. I know that all this was not just a natural process of man, but foreseen and foretold by God through his prophets, and through this and other media will all people hear the word of God and be given the choice to live. Have any questions inside you? Find the answers: www.mormon.org
23 February 2009
16 February 2009
How Much I Love My Wife
It's true. She's a gem. We got married almost two months ago and have already been through a few jams. Although there have been tiny struggles, we are extremely happy at the point we are at and are working hard for a big bright future. Now let's apply that to doctrine and history. To highlight the comparable elements, we were married in a temple.
Temples are very special places. God first ordered his people to construct special places from the time of Adam, mandating him and his sons to build altars and offer sacrifices and prayer by them. This practice and commandment continued for thousands of years, and when Moses liberated the Hebrew slaves from Egypt and they were organized again in their twelve tribes for the trip to the promised land, God gave more instruction. He ordered Moses to build a tabernacle, or a "floating temple" of sorts, fully collapsible using many tents and curtains, while still employing altars and sacred areas. This was so that they could worship while on the move, on their trek back to Israel. When the Israelites were established and prosperous under the reigns of King David and his son King Solomon, the Lord ordered Israel to build a temple. It was possibly the grandest, most luxurious building ever constructed, taking many years and large amounts of precious cloth, stones and metals to complete. In every instance, God commanded them to build these structures to that He (God) could have a house. It was meant to always be clean, majestic, and the very best His people could portray to glorify their Father.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we also build temples. We are commanded by God through his authorized servants (prophets, apostles) in these days to do so. And so, in 1836, the first new temple in these last days was completed and dedicated. It was there that Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, accepting the temple, as recorded in Doctrine & Covenants Section 110.
After Christmas, but before New Year's, we were married in a temple. It was a special ceremony that God has revealed again in our days that a man and a woman can be married, or sealed, by His authority forever, not just "til death do us part." It is pure, sacred, personal, and special. Now we are honoring covenants that we made in that ceremony to seek our eternal happiness mutually.
The gospel has always beena fabulous blessing in our lives.
Temples are very special places. God first ordered his people to construct special places from the time of Adam, mandating him and his sons to build altars and offer sacrifices and prayer by them. This practice and commandment continued for thousands of years, and when Moses liberated the Hebrew slaves from Egypt and they were organized again in their twelve tribes for the trip to the promised land, God gave more instruction. He ordered Moses to build a tabernacle, or a "floating temple" of sorts, fully collapsible using many tents and curtains, while still employing altars and sacred areas. This was so that they could worship while on the move, on their trek back to Israel. When the Israelites were established and prosperous under the reigns of King David and his son King Solomon, the Lord ordered Israel to build a temple. It was possibly the grandest, most luxurious building ever constructed, taking many years and large amounts of precious cloth, stones and metals to complete. In every instance, God commanded them to build these structures to that He (God) could have a house. It was meant to always be clean, majestic, and the very best His people could portray to glorify their Father.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we also build temples. We are commanded by God through his authorized servants (prophets, apostles) in these days to do so. And so, in 1836, the first new temple in these last days was completed and dedicated. It was there that Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, accepting the temple, as recorded in Doctrine & Covenants Section 110.
After Christmas, but before New Year's, we were married in a temple. It was a special ceremony that God has revealed again in our days that a man and a woman can be married, or sealed, by His authority forever, not just "til death do us part." It is pure, sacred, personal, and special. Now we are honoring covenants that we made in that ceremony to seek our eternal happiness mutually.
The gospel has always beena fabulous blessing in our lives.
09 February 2009
Drawing Parallels-
I've instantly decided to run a mini-series through my blog, drawing specific parallels through the doctrine, the history, and the present reality we all are here to experience. Some of these parallels will be direct and so you probably shouldn't read any deeper into them than is written here. Other parallels will be more deep, and they will have a strong bearing on the subsequent posts, and you are free and invited to do further study and see how they can apply to your life. Again, any mention of world events or of historical events is not to invite discussions of politics or opinions of any sort. Here, I don't talk about opinions, but about the truth: what was, is and always will be. I'm here to speak from my heart... about truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let's start with today. President Obama mentioned in his first media press conference that if the US Government does not stimulate the economy with billions of dollars, then there could be permanent damage to certain sectors, and by consequence, the livelihoods of thousands or millions of people for many years to come.
Just to compare it to something important in doctrine (true religious teachings)... we are here on earth, and all throughout the history of it, God has helped man when He has had spiritual need. Since the beginning, He announced that He would send Jesus Christ, His son, to earth to save us from the sin (imperfection) that keeps us from returning to Him. In Amos 3:7 (KJV) it states: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." So when He tells prophets what to tell us (the rest of His children) he's trying to save us from permanent damage to our souls if we continue to sin or reject His gospel, the only hope for stimulating our spiritual growth, and getting to go live with him in Heaven.
Now in history, in April 1836, something amazing happened in Kirtland, Ohio as is described in Doctrine & Covenants Section 110. Just like something amazing happened in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ appeared gloriously to a modern prophet named Joseph Smith, Jr. He spoke with him just as he had thousands of times with hundreds of his prophets over the millenia, telling them what we need to know to get closer to him, to happiness, and to heaven. I know that this is true, and I know that anyone can ask God about it to know the same.
Let's start with today. President Obama mentioned in his first media press conference that if the US Government does not stimulate the economy with billions of dollars, then there could be permanent damage to certain sectors, and by consequence, the livelihoods of thousands or millions of people for many years to come.
Just to compare it to something important in doctrine (true religious teachings)... we are here on earth, and all throughout the history of it, God has helped man when He has had spiritual need. Since the beginning, He announced that He would send Jesus Christ, His son, to earth to save us from the sin (imperfection) that keeps us from returning to Him. In Amos 3:7 (KJV) it states: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." So when He tells prophets what to tell us (the rest of His children) he's trying to save us from permanent damage to our souls if we continue to sin or reject His gospel, the only hope for stimulating our spiritual growth, and getting to go live with him in Heaven.
Now in history, in April 1836, something amazing happened in Kirtland, Ohio as is described in Doctrine & Covenants Section 110. Just like something amazing happened in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ appeared gloriously to a modern prophet named Joseph Smith, Jr. He spoke with him just as he had thousands of times with hundreds of his prophets over the millenia, telling them what we need to know to get closer to him, to happiness, and to heaven. I know that this is true, and I know that anyone can ask God about it to know the same.
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