Do LDS still believe and maintain this in 2008?  When I googled the above title entry,  TT at Faith Promoting Rumor appeared as the top entry (way to go, TT), which then led me to Kevin Barney’s paper.  I read it and noted especially pages 17-18.

This weekend, our church family entered the new territory of John 9.

Evangelical men have weighed in on the subject of John 9:2.  Here is a sampling from a half dozen. (more…)

The Barnes & Noble bookstore in Idaho Falls features two new books.

1) Stolen Innocence (2008 ) by Elissa Wall

There are (at least) some similarities between LDS and FLDS:

Priesthood in the FLDS is a hard concept for outsiders to understand.  First, to “hold the priesthood” is to hold the power and authority of God, delegated to men (17).

We follow the prophet.  – FLDS Parable (22)

To be an apostate was even worse than being a gentile.  Gentile was the term given to all non FLDS people, no matter their religion, but an apostate was someone who had lost faith or had left the church, turning their back on the priesthood.  Apostates were viewed as one of the worst kinds of evil (82).

For time and all eternity.  – FLDS wedding vow (90)

I am just overwhelmed and grieved by Elissa’s story.

2.  When Men Become Gods (2008 ) by Stephen Singular

I wish this was all just fiction in America, rather than non-fiction.  Stephen picks up Elissa’s story and the events of others.

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Here is a recent, interesting post on LDS and FLDS differences as explained by an LDS lifer. 

LDS fundamentalism seems drastically different to the fundamentals of Christianity in so many categories of belief.

I like the label “Latter-day Saints”. But it will take the sweeping power of God to infuse biblical truth as I am being taught by the Spirit into that label. (more…)

First Question

We just finished John 8 in our Sunday morning studies.  One friend told me before the worship service that Jesus is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament.  He expressed ideas like this post.

My friend told me I get the idea of the Trinity from Constantine and not from the Bible. 

He said there is a clear distinction between Jesus as Jehovah and His Father.  I smiled and agreed on this assertion after my polite disagreement over his first point.

But then I told him that in the Old Testament, there is clear distinction between Father as Jehovah and the divine Servant/Son.

Would you accept this latter biblical proposition?

Second Question

In looking at scripture text, I think amen is an attribute used equally of both Father and Son, but not for anyone else.  Do you? 

Third Question (Just for kicks)

“Verily, verily” – is this expression utilized by anyone other than Jesus Christ in LDS scriptures and commentary writings?

I would like to hear from one of the wordpress community atheists.

He has dedicated a whole post to someone I like, creationist Ken Ham of AIG.

But the last paragraph in his comment #5 rises to the top for me as the most eye-catching:

I suppose I should also add that I am an ex-Christian. My younger years in the Catholic church, then Fundamental Baptist for about 8 years or so (KJV all the way! lol). Read the Bible cover to cover many times. So, for those who may think I’m speaking out of ignorance, I did “give it a shot.”

In this thread, is there a way that I could hear from the young atheist a synopsis of this 8 year story as a Fundamental Baptist?

I am one of those Fundamental Baptist preachers who uses the KJV.

Is godkillzyou game for this?

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And his email address: godkillzyou . . . hmmm, this sounds like what God did to me in Romans 6.  It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  The old Todd Wood buried.  And that is only the beginning of my story.

Clyde D. Ford, a physician in SLC, sent me a twirlin’ and a whirlin’ with his May 5, 2008, Dialogue paper on alternative trinitarianism.  And it’s 11:17 p.m.  I need to go to bed;  I’ve got a big day tomorrow.

But doesn’t he know “what is the Book of Mormon doctrine of the Trinity?”

After working all the way, page after page, through ancient backgrounds, to early 19th century opinions, and key issues and questions, now, who am I suppose to turn to for an authoritative answer on this vital question?

I am hushed and quiet, meditating in the Holy of Holies of Isaiah 53, especially verses 4-6.

First, let me introduce my question with a few margin quotes from The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford University Press, 2004): (more…)

For the first time last, my wife and I popped on to the new Skyline 1988 website – wow, what a rush of memories in looking at all our classmates.

I married my high school Idaho Falls sweetheart.

We will try to fill you in our pictures of “then” and “now”.

The title of my future post will be, “How did that guy end up with that girl?”

Taken from Mormon Beliefs and Doctrines Made Easier (2007) by David J. Ridges:

BEGINNING  In a technical sense, there is no beginning, since we have always existed as intelligence or intelligences–we don’t know what quite what to call it (D&C 93:29).  However, “beginning” often refers to our premortal existence as spirit sons and daughters of our heavenly parents (Job 38:7; D&C 93:21, 23).  It also refers to the initial stages of the earth’s creation (Genesis 1:1).

ELOHIM  As used by members of the Church, this is a name for Heavenly Father.  It is a very sacred name and should be spoken of with reverent care.  The First Presidency taught:  “God the Eternal Father, whom we designate by the exalted-title ‘Elohim,’ is the literal Parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of the spirits of the human race (MFP 5:26).

GOD AS A SPIRIT  Because John 4:24, as given in the Bible, states that “God is a Spirit,” many Christian religions have developed false teachings about the nature of God.  Joseph Smith corrected this verse to read, “For unto such hath God promised his Spirit.  And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth” (JST, John 4:26). (more…)

Taken from The Christian World:  A Global History (2007):

Martin Marty writes on page 244 in the glossary,

Mormon  Another name for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded in the 1830s by Joseph Smith, who claimed direct divine revelation of a new covenant, one which most other Christians regard as a new tradition far from orthodox Christianity.  It grows rapidly in many parts of the world.

Here is a good question:  Does liberal scholar, Martin Marty, the man with some seventy-five honorary doctorates, think of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “as a new tradition far from orthodox Christianity”?