Avoiding contention?

He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; … Read more

An open letter regarding the 2024 election

An open letter to the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelveof the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Dear Brethren, We are drawing close to two very important dates for our church and for our country. On October 5, 2024, we will gather for General Conference and November 5, 2024, is election … Read more

Pride and class division

Alma chapter 31 introduces us to the Zoramites. The Zoramites were divided into 2 societies. There was a strict class division based upon wealth. In particular, Alma notes that the upper class had strict dress standards. And the poor people were not allowed into the synagogues that they had built. Latter-day Saints all know the … Read more

Is your source of information reliable?

For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. – Doctrine and Covenants 45:57 Learning to recognize and use reliable … Read more

Flattering words

The accounts in Alma 30–31 clearly demonstrate the power of words—for evil and for good. The “flattering” and “great swelling words” of a false teacher named Korihor threatened to bring “many souls down to destruction” (Alma 30:31, 47). – “The Virtue of the Word of God,” Come, Follow Me, Book of Mormon 2024, July 15-21. The … Read more

Are your beliefs true?

I want you to do a brief thought exercise. It consists of three questions. The purpose of a thought exercise is to help you see something that may be familiar from a different perspective. The three questions are about your beliefs – your personal convictions. For the purposes of this exercise, let’s include ALL types … Read more

Wicked King Noah: A story for our day

The Sunday School lesson I taught on the third Sunday of May was on Mosiah chapters 11 through 17. These chapters tell of a wicked king (Noah) and a prophet (Abinadi) who was sent to call the king and his people to repentance. This story is alarmingly relevant to our lives today. (As you will … Read more

Don’t just follow the rules

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-And when we receive any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it was predicated. Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 In an Elder’s Quorum lesson recently, we were discussing the scripture above … Read more