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”?
Joel Martin provides an interesting post, linking us right into Peter Leithart’s remarks on priestcraft.
Yes. Absolutely. I woke up with Isaiah 52:13 on my mind.
How else can one be faithful to those Isaianic Hebrew descriptions and the introduction of this fourth Servant song?
David Hesselgrave’s recent April paper evaluates heart issues among the world’s leading evangelical missiologists.
May all the Western missiologists please consider this.
HT: BB
Scott emailed me this testimony that he wrote back in 2001. It reveals the power and glory and love of our God:
I was born to unconverted parents and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Although I was natively religious, I grew up with no real knowledge of God or of the gospel of Jesus Christ. At the age of twelve, I chose to join the Mormon church largely out of a desire to integrate with the culture of Utah as well as to get closer to God.
John gives us the scoop on Martin Luther’s notorious beliefs.
So if Martin Luther lived today in the LDS I-15 corridor he would be rebuking Todd Wood for his positions on biblical inerrancy, faith alone, polygamy, deification, etc., and he would actually be tuning in to LDS General Conference broadcasts and perhaps even grabbing the opportunity to be an adjuct professor at BYU? 🙂
Really. Can you imagine if Martin Luther lived in the monolithic corridor – what kind of trouble he would be stirring up?
The so-called “believers” in Christ had this assumption in John 8. (more…)
Yes.
1. Let the best of the LDS Church media design your blog.
2. Decide how often you can post.
3. Be willing to engage directly in the thread over what or with whom you desire to address.
4. And when controversial topics surface, your critics are many and varied (from atheists to exmormons to devout, conservative Christians). The power of blogging is the open access and influence with candid, written words to anyone and everyone around the world. But select and provide interaction with your critics one by one – the ones who will display respectful conversation with you. Set a thread limit if you so desire. And start with the critics in your own backyard in the I-15 LDS corridor.
5. LDS members and professors have long been in the public dialogue and debate. It is time for you to take the lead.
As a pastor in Southeastern Idaho, I have a lot on my heart about the nature of God and His Gospel work. Which LDS apostle or general authority or even area authority will engage with me kindly and respectfully “live” on your own new, media blog? And where you are passionate to see others converted, allow me the freedom to be soulful about seeking your heart conversion to the God I wonderfully see and experientially know in scriptures.
Will one of you be willing to step up to the plate and talk to the Idaho spud in Ammon, Idaho or anyone else through this new media?
I would be eager to get into a God discussion with an LDS apostle over this topic.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 