3000-year Old Hebrew Text Found: Revealing?

An Israeli archeologist discovered a purported 3000-year old Hebrew text on a shard of pottery dating back to King David's era. The location is supposedly the site of a fortress used by David. Though the shard has yet to be translated, one must wonder what significant thoughts or messages may be encoded on the pottery. Could it be that the pottery maker disliked the King? Could it be a message to the enemies? Additional psalms? Time will tell and thanks to the site revelation time will truly tell a new story about this era.

More than Just Missionaries: Success of the LDS Church

Many individual's first contact with the LDS church is with the famed white shirt-wearing, black name tag donning, bike riding, clean cut young Elders, or missionaries. Many first reactions are to close the door (hopefully politely) or not open it at all. This pattern is not unique to the U.S. but is standard throughout the world. In a church that is one of the fastest growing religions in the world, and with a core of 55+ thousand missionaries, it's no wonder that contacts, even if just by sight alone, are made.

What is it that the missionaries are preaching and why do they do it? When Christ gave the charge to go to all the world and proclaim His Gospel (or the good news), it wasn't figurative or relative to time or convenience. The Word never changes and it's still a command that is in force today and taken very serious by the LDS Church. The missionaries proclaim Christ's message of repentance, hope, faith in Christ, salvation and baptism.

But is the proclamation of the gospel enough to build a church that adds approximately 1 million members every 3 years? It certainly helps. In an article in the Wichita Eagle, the mission of the church, beyond just missionary work, is well described. Fellowship with the saints (or members), meaningful worship, endurance and long-suffering in the Word are also beneficial. The church, as an organization, fills this purpose for each individual. Once the Word is accepted and a covenant is made through baptism, it is the responsibility of the member to continue in the faith. It is the church's obligation (read members of the church) to foster and nurture that faith through service, preaching, spiritual manifestations and love.

What has been your experience with the LDS Church?

LDS Church Announces More Temple Locations

It's always exciting to hear announcements about new temple locations and to see urban location sites announced shows just how necessary the higher ordinances of the temple are to all peoples in all lands. Temples are becoming more accessible and this is in direct fulfillment of prophecy.

Temples announced:

• Philadelphia, PA (USA)
  
• Kansas City, MO (USA)
• Córdoba, Argentina
• Calgary, Canada
  
• Rome, Italy

Do you have a temple nearby? Which one and how far away is it from you?

Media Always Tries to Spin News In Opposition Direction From Truth

I find it interesting that most forms of media, especially news outlets, attempt to build drama in the interest of selling articles. The reality of reporters writing articles that spin seemingly indisputable facts in the opposite direction from actual truth seems to be a job description.

Case in point, the AP recently reported that LDS missionaries posed shirtless for a calendar. There were a number of seemingly accurate details in the article yet the LDS church points to some contributing details that debunk the article. While the premise was correct, the fact that LDS missionaries posing shirtless is actually false. the models were former missionaries, the calendar's creator is no longer a member of the church and the AP falsely reported the story.

Is this an isolated case? No. As readers, as members of organization where impacts may be felt, and in the interest of accepting higher quality reporting we need to express our concern with this type of lazy reporting.