Becoming a More Christian Christian

Are Mormons Christians? That is a question I heard asked countless times and personally in 4 different languages on 4 different continents. I'm not a world traveler but in my few travels I've had the opportunity of discussing this very core question. The questions began as a primary age child: my best friend used to come to church with me occasionally until his mother falsely accused us of not being Christian and made us choose our friendship if I persisted in inviting him to church. They continued as a youth as I invited friends who were struggling with their own beliefs or life in general to meet with the missionaries and discover for themselves what our church has to offer the world. The pattern of these question will continue, likely until the day I die and hopefully will never be a question to those that know me for they will know Him who I profess to believe as my Savior and the One I serve and worship.

A couple of years ago during a work lunch the topic of Mormons being Christians came up and of course I was on one side of the controversial debate with around 7 other Christians on the other. The odds were definitely not in their favor, not because I'm one with solid debate skills or overwhelming social graces that decisively sway others to my position, but because I have the truth and Spirit of the Lord on my side with nothing to fear in my life. Certainly areas of weakness exist in my life that could have been beneficial in the discussion (for example a more solid skill of quoting exact passages of scripture like B. Tallmadge so eloquently is able to do) but a testimony based upon the revelation of the Spirit cannot be shaken even amongst highly intelligent co-workers. While I didn't intellectually convince any one of the co-workers, the areas of doctrine we discussed and I was able to testify concerning held lasting impressions with them and one day I pray they'll further develop the curiosity necessary to seek additional light and knowledge and gain their own witness of the truths discussed.     

So let's define what a Christian is and whether a Mormon meets the fundamental criteria.

A Christian is:

• a believer in Jesus Christ, having faith that He is the Son of God, the Eternal Father in Heaven.
• a Christian believes Jesus died and atoned for our sins
• through His grace we can repent, forgive others, keep His commandments and inherit eternal life
• a Christian denotes taking upon ourselves the name of Christ
• a Christian believes in the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ

In a Google search on "What is a Christian," the Christian Post had an article by one of their authors Dan Delzell that had this to say about a Christian:

"So what exactly is a Christian? Is it a person who believes certain things? Or maybe a person who does certain things? Or is it perhaps a person who experiences certain things? Yes. Bingo. That is correct....on all counts. All three of those characteristics describe what it means to be a Christian."

While this definition is pretty generic, it allows for the distinction of an individual that not only know/believes something, but feels and does according to the belief and feeling. 

"Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son aJoseph.

 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: "

And so begins the account in John 4 of the woman of Samaria at the well. Having a basic knowledge of God, the customs and traditions of her people and the covenant promises of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, she somewhat spars with Jesus over the drawing of water from the well. But in this interchange, she takes what she knows, allows Jesus to build upon her belief by receiving personal revelation of the divinity of Jesus and then acts upon this witness. Upon Jesus' declaration that He is the Messiah and the source of the Living Water, she goes unto her countrymen and have them come to join Jesus at the well where over the course of 2 days they learn from the Master.

1. Know/believe
2. Feel/receive revelation through the Spirit
3. Act according the belief

So, anything controversial with those belief statements? Does a Mormon hold those core doctrines to be true. Everyone should be leaping within themselves and self-audiating a resounding "YES!"

Prophets since the world was created have testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ and of his sacred mission to ransom our souls and provide the only way back to the Father. They continue to do so. A Christian believes in the words of the prophets, seeks them for their personal study and learning, feels the love of the inspired doctrine and does according to the Word for the Word is Jesus Christ as state in the gospel of John.

So if a Mormon is a Christian, and while I haven't exhaustively tried to debate or prove this truth (we'll just go on the internally, undisputed fact that we are), does this make a difference in our lives and how can we become more of a Christian Christian? Notice I didn't say a better Christian than all others. Just, a more of a Christian Christian. What kind of Christians are we? In other words, how are we doing in our quest to follow Christ?

There are times when the well of Living Water seems to overflow and fill our lives so completely that drought is an impossibility, peace and joy are complete in our lives and the shadows of misery and despair are blotted out by the eternal light emanating from the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There are other times in all of our lives where the flow of living water that Jesus Christ promises to us and we drink from liberally seems to run dry. Why is that? What are we doing/not doing, feeling/not feeling, believing/doubting that may cause the tap to close itself or the well to taste a bit full of dirt or minerals. 

Alma the younger asks the question this way in addressing the people:

5:26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a ^achange of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the^bsong of redeeming love, I would ask, ^ccan ye feel so now?

He then goes on to ask whether the following are issues:

• walking blameless before God
• sufficiently humble
• cleanses through the atoning blood of Jesus
• stripped of pride
• stripped of envy
• mocking his brethren
• sufficient repentance
• partakers of the tree of life
• puffed up in the vain things of the world
• turning backs on the poor and the needy

Elder Robert D. Hales in our most recent conference address suggested the following attributes that if cultivated will help us to become more Christian Christians.

Christian love. The Savior valued everyone. Kind and compassionate to all, He left the ninety and nine to find the one,12 for “even the very hairs of [our] head are … numbered”13 to Him.

Christian faith. Despite temptations, trials, and persecutions, the Savior trusted our Heavenly Father and chose to be faithful and obedient to His commandments.

Christian sacrifice. Throughout His life the Savior gave of His time, His energy, and ultimately, through the Atonement, gave Himself so that all of God’s children could be resurrected and have the opportunity to inherit eternal life.

Christian caring. Like the good Samaritan, the Savior was continually reaching out to rescue, love, and nurture people around Him, regardless of their culture, creed, or circumstances.

Christian service. Whether drawing water from a well, cooking a meal of fish, or washing dusty feet, the Savior spent His days serving others—lifting up the weary and strengthening the weak.

Christian patience. In His own sorrow and suffering, the Savior waited upon His Father. With patience for us, He waits upon us to come to ourselves and come home to Him.

Christian peace. Throughout His ministry He urged understanding and promoted peace. Especially among His disciples, He taught that Christians cannot contend with other Christians, notwithstanding their differences.

Christian forgiveness. He taught us to bless those who curse us. He showed us the way by praying that those who crucified Him would be forgiven.

Christian conversion. Like Peter and Andrew, many recognize the truth of the gospel as soon as they hear it. They are instantly converted. For others it may take longer. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Savior taught, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day,”14 the perfect day of our conversion. Jesus Christ is “the light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth.”15

Christian endurance to the end. In all His days, the Savior never gave up doing His Father’s will but continued in righteousness, goodness, mercy, and truth to the end of His mortal life.

 What suggestions would you make or additions would you add to become more of a Christian Christian?

Healing Blessings: Faith of the Giver and Receiver

Recently I've experienced the fruits of healing blessings and wanted to share not the details but the reality of Christ's power in our lives. He said that signs of those that believe "shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mark/16/18#18). The individuals that he referenced as those that believe should be clarified as two sets of individuals: the ordained that is authorized to exercise Christ's name and the receiver of the blessing. Both are required to have faith for the efficacy of the blessing to be fully realized.

In the past month I've seen where blessings have been administer in faith and been received by faith to the healing, sometimes immediately, of the receiver. I've also seen where an unauthorized believer laid hands on an individual and the effects were negligible. God has a pattern and working contrary to that pattern yields no fruit. The pattern of which I write is embodied within his Holy Priesthood.

Why do we seek blessings of health and how does it help our spiritual, which more explicitly is eternal, progress? When our temporal, or physical needs are met, do we not begin to draw upon spiritual matters, insights and look to God for more light and knowledge? When we're ailing can we effectively carry forth His kingdom and work His work? Ailments are at times for the trial of our faith, both those that care for the sick and the sick themselves. How we acknowledge our God and believe in His Son is what enables our faith to overcome our trial.

This last year my wife struggled (and still struggles) with the passing of her mother who fought the degenerative disease of Multiple Sclerosis for 35 yrs. As a recipient of healing blessings, the most gracious blessing of all for her could be categorized as the release of her mortal body from her spirit from this earthly existence. But those of us that have remained behind can certainly wonder why the effects of healing blessings didn't alter her divine destiny. With her trial came enormous blessings that far outlive her mortal existence. With her trial she literally touched hundreds of lives. Caregivers were preached to, given opportunities to come unto Christ. Faithful friends and family saw firsthand how her life was turned for good through a debilitating trial. One could see that the work of healing was more spiritual than physical and the effects of the healing were far reaching.

As my father's health fails him (he's back in the hospital fighting respiratory complications), I wonder what healing experiences he's had. I know he's blessed my life many times and provided for me a pattern in the Priesthood to exercise faith. I've seen the miracles extended from my hands in Christ which effected not only my faith but the well-being of others, both physically and spiritually. Will he receive the effects of Christ's love for his mortal healing? I pray so.

Healing blessings are one more evidence of Christ's love and goodness in our lives. Not only is His love shown through the receiver of the blessing, but through the faith of the giver can His love be felt.

Highlight Pictures of Trip to Nauvoo

Some have asked to see pictures from our trip to Nauvoo, IL so here you go. Will blog about it later.

View all

Get your own

An Apostle's Easter Thoughts on Christ

Yes, I know it's a bit late but I just came across this YouTube video on the lds.org site and had to share.

Why Mormons Build Temples

Seminary, the Bosom of Abraham, and Me

Ask sleepy eyed high schoolers what "bosom" mean at 6AM and you're sure to get more than one raised eyebrow. Such was my experience this morning as we ventured into a religious discussion with co-ed freshman/sophomores on Luke 16:19-31 which covers the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Thankfully I had done my homework (no, I'm not a seminary teacher but our teacher is sick and asked if I could cover for him) and was able to respond with some appropriate dictionary-based descriptions of what the biblical term "bosom" means. What was more interesting to most of the students was not the effects of the separation of Lazarus and the Rich Man at the end of their lives into hell and paradise but the descriptive literature found in the versus regarding the characteristics of both men. The conversation led to near nausea at the description of Lazarus and utter contempt for the waste that was the Rich Man.

What I took from the lesson was less centered on the descriptive nature of the parable but a personal insight into how easy it is to fall for veneers, facades and cloaks. People generally do not show their true selves until they feel comfortable with you on a personal level. However cool and calculating, even impersonal one individual may appear, there's always more to the story.

Recently I took a co-worker to lunch. I could sense a detachment, maybe even a bit of disdain towards me and I desperately wanted to find a connection with this individual (and the whole team for that matter). Lunch and the time away from the office, the personal connection time, presented an opportunity to break down barriers and get to know each other individually. While I'm sure some masks may still be present by either of us, the time we spent afforded us the opportunity to see each other more clearly. Like Lazarus that may have been full of sores, troubled and downtrodden, or like the Rich Man where everything seemed to be going his way with all of the riches, power and glory of the world, when stripped away and taken from this life their true identities were revealed. Hopefully our lunch was just as enlightening and the office culture that tends to hide true personas was buffeted just a bit and our connection will transcend the office hoopla.

Amazing how each time you experience scripture from reading, studying and reflecting, the meaning comes alive and is relevant in so many diverse ways. Had a recent experience with a passage of scripture lately? Share it below in the comment section.

Elder Wirthlin Passes Away

At age 91, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin quietly passed from this life into the next last night, Dec. 2nd, 2008.

Food Pantries Across the County Receive Peaches & Apricots from LDS

As the economic uncertainty looms for many across the US, food pantries, shelters and assistance ministries, whose own shelves are taking huge, depleting hits, receive a fruity stimulus from the LDS church. Regardless of faith, the LDS has given from it's excess to those that have little. As orchards in northern and southern Utah experienced bumper crops, the Church has given to those that have little, shipping enough fruit to fill 18 semi-trucks. Let the goodness roll forth from those that have to those that have little.

Self-Reliance From a Can?

OK, maybe not from a can but from a cannery. Last week I posted on the positive effects of service at the storehouse and a little on the church welfare system. This article in the Seattle Times paints a well rounded story and is a great example of accurate journalism. It's also a great showcase of the goodness of the Church's self-reliance, or Provident Living attitude.

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.

LDS Political Neutrality

In case anyone was wondering:

Political Participation, Voting, and the Political Neutrality of the Church

As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future.

Latter-day Saints as citizens are to seek out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are wise, good, and honest. Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties.

Therefore, in this election year, we urge you to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then to vote for and actively support those you believe will most nearly carry out your ideas of good government.

The Church affirms its neutrality regarding political parties, platforms, and candidates. The Church also affirms its constitutional right of expression on political and social issues.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The First Presidency

Standards Jeopardy

As a part of our yearly emphasis on youth standards, our bishopric took a teaching approach that was meant to be light, fun and engaging. I suggested we play a game to teach the youth and interact with them. The purpose would be to get them thinking about the doctrine and principles rather than being lectured to. We would at a minimum reach some through a medium that otherwise would have been wasted through over-the-pulpit preaching. The game: Standards Jeopardy.



As with the regular Jeopardy format, I, as the game show host, provided the answers to which the contestants supplied the question in proper question format (What is..., Who is...). The effect was a little confusing at first as apparently the game is a little antiquated for many of the youth (my own son was clueless). But after a while the excitement of the game took over and the three teams were at it, competing for points and more or less paying attention as some of the question/answers were quick and obvious.

What I noticed from planning, hosting and reviewing the event was the expectations of the event were not what I had expected. Chaos seemed to have been the theme and the planning of the teams certainly could have been more appropriate (many immature youth were teamed together rather than separated with more mature youth). I asked my son what he thought of the game, hoping for a more positive response and he admitted he didn't like it, was bored and confused.

Gratefully, the Bishop followed up the game with a set of clips from Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS church, on the standards of the youth. This provided a dialog opportunity though by this point the youth had already wiggled and now were complacent, yet mostly reverent. What was meant to be an open discussion quickly turned to preaching.

So the dilemma, for which I yet do not have a good solution, is our youth are either stimulated or bored but the spiritual sensitivity is often lost unless all the elements of perfection align. Many of our youth earnestly do attempt focus on learning but many are content to text each other, side-talk, act immaturely and otherwise rather than reaching their potential.

The jeopardy of the evening was balancing between fun, a different teaching medium, preaching and spiritual enlightenment. I'm not sure we succeed in enlightening their minds last night and while it was a different approach it's not likely one we'll return to. Regardless, the standards haven't changed and hopefully the youth understand them a little more.

Are Biblical References Unconstitutional in our Courts and Government?

AGREE OR DELETE

< /FONT>Andy Rooney

DID YOU KNOW?

As you walk up the steps to the

Building which houses the U S Supreme Court

You can see near the top of the building a row

Of the world's law givers and each one is

Facing one in the middle who is facing forward

With a full frontal view ... It is Moses and he

Is holding the Ten Commandments!

. DID YOU KNOW?

As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the

Two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments

Engraved on each lower portion of each door.

DID YOU KNOW?

As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see

The wall, right above where the Supreme Court

Judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are Bible verses etched in stone all

Over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in

Washington , D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?

James Madison, the fourth president, known as

'The Father of Our Constitution' made the

Following statement:

' We have staked the whole of all our political

Institutions upon the capacity of mankind for

Self-government, upon the capacity of each and

All of us to govern ourselves, to control

Ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to

The Ten Commandments of God.'

DID YOU KNOW?

Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding

Father of our country said:

'It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too

Often that this great nation was founded not

By religionists but by Christians, not on

Religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ'.

DID YOU KNOW?

<>

Every session of Congress begins with a prayer

By a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid

By the taxpayer since 1777.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the

Constitution were members of the established

Orthodox churches in the colonies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would

Overstep their authority and instead of

Interpreting the law would begin making law

An oliga rchy

The rule of few over many.

DID YOU KNOW?

The very first Supreme Court Justice, John

Jay, said:

'Americans should select and prefer Christians

As their rulers.'

How then, have we gotten to the point that Every thing we have done for 220 years in this

Country is now suddenly wrong and

Unconstitutional?

Lets put it around the world and let the world

See and remember what this great country was

Built on.

I was asked to send this on if I agreed or

Delete if I didn't. Now it is your turn...

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.

Therefore, it is very hard to understand

Why there is such a mess about having the Ten

Commandments on display or 'In God We Trust'

On our money and having God in the Pledge of

Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other

14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!

If you agree, pass this on

Charitable Contributions of Nominee's Well Under God's Tithing Law Percentage

According to tax records reported from up to the last decade of presidential and vice-presidential nominees from the country's two major parties, there is a serious deficiency in charitable contributions. One can look at the small percentages and see that none of the nominees, with the exception of perhaps McCain, if he contributed his tithes, are following God's law of the Tithe. God requires a tenth (10%) of income to be donated to the building up of His Kingdom. All 4 nominees are "god-fearing" individuals yet none are following this sacred law that has existed since at least the time of Abraham.

So here is my concern: in a time when leaders profess to follow God's commands and profess Christ's name, what does it say about their personal integrity when they do not follow such a basic law of sacrifice and charitable goodness? How can we expect these leaders to rule over us when they themselves do not follow the same laws they profess to uphold? What does it say about a candidate that is unwilling to contribute to charitable offerings, especially God's Kingdom, yet claim to have the answers to our nation's poverty and welfare problems?

I think it should be interesting to hear responses to their neglect in the charitable donation category especially when each are in the highest income brackets and none are struggling financially, nor will they in their lifetime. The people, us, must hold them responsible for their neglect.

What's your opinion on the obvious lack of interest in charitable contributions by our nation's nominees for the highest executive offices in the land?

What Not to Expect in a Mormon Meeting House

So yesterday was an adventure in the unexpected. For anyone that has visited an LDS church service, exciting is not a word that usually comes to mind to describes the proceedings. At times there are some unexpected comments made and I've sat through some pretty unusual witnesses of nothing in particular. But yesterday had to have topped all previously acknowledged strange experiences.

The first Sunday of each month a typical LDS congregation worships together having prepared themselves through prayer and fasting. After the holy communion, or sacrament, has been administered, lay members of the congregation bare witness of the truths or tenets of the Gospel, of the Living Christ and of the Restoration of the Church of Christ. Testimonials include baring witness of the Book of Mormon and Bible, of living prophets and apostles and of personal faith promoting experiences.

As yesterday's meeting was drawing to a close with just 10 minutes left, the members of the church (at least 2 congregations) were shockingly jolted by the piercing sounds of the fire alarm and the annoying flashing of the strobe lights (glad we don't have any epileptics). The Bishop and I bolted to the side door to find out a young feller had pulled the alarm. Without even taking a 2nd breath we bolted for the system to shut off the alarms (in retrospect I probably should have gone back to the microphone and notified the congregation that there was in fact no fire and to remain calm).

Through the remainder of the testimonies, the alarm hiccuped another 3 times, jolting the listeners to attention and forcing mass amounts of adrenaline to pump voraciously through our veins. All-in-all the meeting ended well and I'm sure we'll not soon forget the excitement we felt at the meeting as well as the calming influence of the Holy Spirit before and afterwards. Quite a contrast!

Inspiration and the Ward Calling

As I ponder how to write this entry, I realize what I'm about to write may touch a sensitive nerve with some individuals (great lead in I know). But what I attempt to do with these entries is not mask my dealings with the church but give insight and a fresh perspective. What I want to emphasize is this is just my perspective, not doctrine or nearly authoritative. It is experience, not law. It is personal, not public.

Having served in my first bishopric for the past 1.5 yrs one could say my experience as a congregation level leader is quite infantile and I would agree. Though in that period of time I have gained some experiences which I would call unique compared with some that have never served in this role. Something that I continue to learn is the church is headed by Christ, inspired through revelation to men called of God and executed by men that do all they can in a voluntary role. Was that generic enough for you? What does it really mean?

What it means is the world wide church, the kingdom of God, is lead by a living oracle, namely a prophet, which receives revelation straight from God. Not through studying the Bible alone or attending myriads of theology conferences. Direct communion with the Omniscient One. The Word travels through him and through the Apostles which are likewise prophets to the various regions of the world. On a local level the keys to exercise the saving ordinances, namely baptism and sacrament, are bestowed and exercised regularly. This authority helps the church to grow. Yet through all of this, everyone involved, from leaders to regular members, is a volunteer.

The subject of volunteerism is one I enjoy in that what you give to the effort often is what you glean from the experience. If you give very little you can hope to obtain as little or less in return. Those that serve and do so faithfully do not always fully recognize the direct correlation of blessings received in return and often do not see it as a reciprocal relationship. Yet it has been my observation that the Lord is not withholding anything from those that love and serve Him. We just need to open our eyes to those blessings.

As serving in the church is a voluntary obligation, it must also be an orchestrated exercise else chaos and disorder take over and frustrate the object of the voluntary spirit. Where this gets complicated is finding a balance between accessibility and desire on behalf of those that are called to serve. In the early days of the church timetables and schedules rarely were a factor in how one served. If asked to do so, the member would walk 50 miles to milk the widows cow, cut some wood, mend a fence and return the next day. Would this create an imposition and hardship on the member? Likely. But if the call was extended, for the most part, the faith was matched to the task and eventually the blessings were realized.

In today's growing, bustling and often overscheduled church, the member sees the opportunity to serve as secondary to the worldly responsibilities they burden. I have had individuals state that their schedule just simply did not allow for the calling to be fulfilled. At to some degree I would concede that for reasons of health or familia duty this is rightly so.

In laying all of these individual concerns out on the table in trying to make sense of the complex chaos of membership responsibility, is it any wonder that inspiration is at times mired by logic and orchestration? What of inspiration and the individual calling? I've heard many people state that "if the calling was truly inspired..." And here is what I've learned (no big secrets here, just experience).

Inspiration, or revelation, is the duty, obligation, and right for anyone serving or having stewardship for another. For leaders it is essential. I have felt it's influence and seen the fruits of it's labors. I can also say that not all callings or assignments are thought to be inspired. Sometimes we have a position that logically needs to be filled by a warm body. But we hope when extending the calling that inspiration lead us to that point and by the same hope the individual will fulfill the assignment. I can also tell you that the Lord's Spirit whispers truth through the chaos when directing the saving efforts of his children.

Did I really answer what I had set out to reveal? Who knows. For me I'm satisfied. Maybe you have more questions. Feel free to ask them. But let me state unequivocally, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is led by revelation from the top to the bottom, in varying degrees mind you, and will continue in this order until the Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth whereby inspiration is replaced with direct knowledge from it Source.

What to Expect in a Mormon Meeting House?

The LDS church release a great news clip on what to expect if you visit a Mormon Meeting House, or chapel. The details are accurate and fair. I especially liked the following:

"Mormons tend to
have large families, so be prepared to see — and hear — a
lot of children. And though Mormon parents try to teach
their little ones to be reverent, children are also
encouraged to be involved."

Hit this link to read the rest.