Pornography & the Ten Commandments

I would like to preface what I am about to say by declaring that I always have, and always will feel that pornography is bad, harmful, and opposed to the laws of God.
But I have an odd character trait: I often take something that I firmly believe to be true, and then ask myself, why is this true?  More often than not, this process solidifies my belief.
So today the subject of thought was why is pornography (which I know from the word of God to be bad) bad?
I decided for the sake of argument to use the world's oldest and most widely accepted (in theory) religious code of conduct, the Ten Commandments, as a measuring stick.
Note: For the sake of this blog, pornography is defined as any form of media (print, music, digital images, etc.) that is used or intended to be used to excite sexual feelings.

The Ten Commandments

Thou shalt have no other gods before me:
To have another god is to have any priority be higher than worshiping Heavenly Father and furthering His work.  Pornography definitely does that. 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image:
This commandment is connected to the last one in that someone worships something of their own making in place of full devotion to God.  Again, pornography is guilty of breaking this commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain:
By the strictest sense I am not sure that this one is directly broken though our topic, but it is certainly not defended either.  It is not enough for something to not do bad, it must do good in order to be considered good.  There is no morally contested issue that is morally neutral, all are either of God or of the devil.
However, if you view the taking of God's name in vain as not just words, but acting as if you are in the right (following God) when you are in opposition to it, this commandment would stand against pornography as well.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy:
Like the last, while this commandment may not be broken directly by pornography, it is certainly not protected by it, and how many viewers or purveyors of that filth take the Sabbath off?

Honour thy father and thy mother:
Pornography is in direct conflict with this commandment in that it focuses the viewer on themselves and their own passions, rather than on serving and honoring others.  It undermines proper authority and respect for such.  Every victim of this is someone's child, parent, or sibling.

Thou shalt not kill:
This filth is very often violent in nature, and thus encourages and glorifies violence.  The first step to destroying life is to decide that it is of little value outside of satiating one's appetite.

Thou shalt not commit adultery:
The Savior had the strongest words on the subject, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."  Enough said; no justification, pornography is in direct opposition to this commandment.

Thou shalt not steal:
When you take an offspring of Divinity, someone with unlimited potential, and turn them into an object with the sole proclaimed value of being sexually appealing, what else have you done if not stolen?  And stolen the most precious of all commodities at that: a human soul.

Thou shalt not bear false witness:
To bear false witness is to lie, proclaiming as true something that is not.  The lies of pornography are countless.  They claim it doesn't hurt anyone, that it is a good thing to be involved in, that it makes you better in some way; nothing could be farther from the truth!

Thou shalt not covet . . . thy neighbour’s wife . . . nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s:
Do I even need to comment here?  Of course pornography breaks this commandment!

Well, the count is in:  Pornography directly breaks or encourages breaking eight of the Ten Commandments of our Creator and Father, and at the very least indirectly breaks the other two.

As if all the above wasn't enough, pornography is scientifically proven to be extremely addictive.  Anything that creates an addictive habit inside of us lessens our ability to follow God, or even live a life with continuing options for choice.
I believe the Bible when, in its first chapter, it states that we are created in the image of God.  Yes, that does make the human body a creation of supreme beauty, but it also imbues in us a great deal of sacredness.  As something holy, we are to respect our bodies, not flaunt them before the world as tools to bring attention and fame to ourselves.
Please help refute the lies of this degrading filth.  There is nothing good about it.  I have seen it destroy lives, marriages, families, and careers.  While we must always love the sinner caught in the net, that very love requires of us that we do all we can to destroy that net and free them from its grasp!
We can fight against this plague, and protect our families and loved ones from it.  Just as no organization comes under more attack from Satan, so no organization qualifies for more help and protection from Jesus Christ than the Divinely created organization of the family.

"[We] can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us]." (Philippians 4:13)

What if they die before they are baptized?

The Savior declared, "Except a man be born‍ of water‍ and of‍ the Spirit, he cannot enter‍ into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)  He further clarified that the authority by which baptism was performed mattered (Luke 20:4).  Now, have you ever wondered, what if someone dies before they are baptized, or if they never even hear of Christ?  Is Jesus' statement false, or are they excluded from heaven for something outside of their control?  The first assumption would make God a liar, and the second would make Him unjust.
What if there was a third option, one which allowed the Savior to be absolutely correct about baptism, and for God to be totally just?
It would only seem Christian to be as concerned for the welfare of our departed family as we are for the living.  In the temples built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we perform proxy baptisms; allow me to explain.
First, those who enter have themselves been baptized by authority (I will go into the origin and need for authority more in another post), and as baptism is a promise to follow Christ and act in His name, they need to be keeping some of the basic laws of God (the same ones Christ taught when He walked the earth).  Then they stand in the place of someone who died without authorized baptism (often a family member) and are baptized for them.  It is then between God and that soul to decide whether or not they want that baptism; it is no more forced on them than it was when they were alive.
This beautiful experience serves at least two purposes.  First, by doing something for another that they cannot do for themselves, we are made a little better, and become more mindful of Christ.  Second, the soul that did not have the chance to choose Christ in this life is put on an equal standing with us.  What could be more Divine and loving?
This was a scenario that the ancient Christians understood.  As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:29, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for‍ the dead, if the dead rise‍ not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?"  Besides, it just makes sense.  God is unchanging, and He loves every one of His children, no matter when or where they lived, and He wants all of them to choose to come live with Him again.

To learn more, visit www.mormon.org

The Divine Institution of Marriage

I write this article carefully, aware that some may read the first part and misunderstand my position.  Therefore I ask that you finish the whole post before commenting on it.  The first half states that truth cannot change, and the second half affirms that neither should love and kindness.
Disclaimer: my position is not to be taken as a statement of the official doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For more information about their standing on this subject, please visit www.mormon.org

Marriage is an institution created by God, and as such, it is up to Him to outline the parameters for its practice and application.  He did this at the marriage of our first parents, and has not changed or altered it since.  A marriage is the divine melding of a man and a woman, with no expiration date.  This is what marriage is in God's eyes, and He holds the patent on that institution; mankind has no right to remold or redefine it to fit their own preferences.
Now, as to the matter of sexual relations outside of this equation, God has also stated His unequivocal disapproval of such, and I cannot say it better than He has.  Suffice it to say that He who created the human body and human sexuality did not do so without specific warnings and consequences for their misuse.
The relationship between His children is also an institution of God, nearly as old as that of marriage.  This is that, whatever our disagreements with the feelings or actions of another, we are to love them as a child of God, with divine potential, no matter who they are.  We are to show kindness, even when we cannot, on principle, show approval.  In the account of the woman accused of adultery, Christ condemned the sin, and in the same breath refused to condemn her (the sinner), though He was the only one with the right to do so.
So I declare both my support of traditional marriage, since this is the only kind sanctioned by God, and my love for (though not necessarily approval of) all my brothers and sisters.  I will not and cannot rewrite or redefine what God has declared marriage to be, but I will love, show kindness to, and pray for all, regardless of their sexual orientation.  Inasmuch as any of them are sinning, are they not even more in need of my compassion?

What is a Prophet?

The words of the Bible are, for the most part, the words of God spoken to His prophets.  A prophet was someone He personally called to share His Gospel with His children, prepare them for the coming of Christ, and remind them of their duty to remember Him.  These were righteous (though of course imperfect, as only Jesus Christ was perfect) men, and were never self-appointed, but were called by God personally, or by His voice through His previous prophet.
I believe in a God that does not change.  Because He is perfect He doesn't need to change, and is the same from eternity to all eternity.  The prophets of ancient days were beacons of light to a wicked world.  Do we not still need that?  Do we not still need a living source of God's Gospel in these turbulent days? Christ is coming again; could we not be blessed by one to help us prepare?  And in a world that is constantly trying to pull us away from God and His Christ, would we not benefit from being reminded of our duty to God, and of His loving plan for our happiness?
For these and many other reasons I believe that God would send a prophet in these days.  But, lest we be deceived, the Savior counseled you and me that, "ye shall know them by their fruits," or the words and works they gave.  Below I am including links to listen to the words of the men that God has confirmed to my heart are His called and chosen prophets in this day and age, proof to the world that we are not forgotten or abandoned by our Father and Creator.
I thank Thee, oh God, for a prophet, to guide me in these latter days!

#LDSconf
#ShareGoodness

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch?lang=eng

https://www.youtube.com/user/LDSGeneralConference

Works

In my last post I spoke about grace.  Before I continue today concerning its oft-connected subject of works, I wish to reiterate what I stated last time - we would be nothing, in this life or the next, without the atoning grace of Jesus Christ.

Now to restate my closing question from last time, what would your reaction be to someone who saved your life, and the lives of all those you love?  The only possible answer - you would love them, and be profoundly grateful.

To put works in perspective with grace, there are four things I shall state that they accomplish, and three things that they do not do.  So as to end on a positive note, I will start with what works do not do:

1. Works do not earn you a place in heaven.  More on this later, but no one, not even the best of us, can claim that we are "good enough" to dwell with a perfect God, in complete happiness, for the rest of eternity.  Our presence there is only made possible through the payment of a price far beyond our power to give - the blood of our Redeemer.
2. Works do not make you "better" than another.  Each of us is at a different stage in our path to God, and if we seek to exalt ourselves above those around us, we will one day find we have actually lowered ourselves from Him who we claimed to seek.  Remember - all are God's children, from the loftiest saint to the lowest sinner.  All have a spark of the Divine within them.
3. Good works - and this point is perhaps the most painful for me - do not "repay" for bad deeds.  Surely you, like I, have done many things for which you are profoundly ashamed.  You wish that you could somehow erase those stains from your soul.  While good acts may serve to make a good man or woman, it is not our merits but Christ's that wipe the slate clean, and makes our "crimson stains" as "white as snow."  Fallen man cannot be reclaimed solely through his own willpower.

Now for what works do achieve, and why it is so essential that they are part of your and my lives:

1. Works show gratitude for God.  How better to show our gratitude and love for one, than by doing that which they ask of us?  Even in romantic love, it is not true love simply for having declared it - the best of lovers, the sincerest of them, show their love by how they act.  As the Master Himself declared, "if ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
2. Works qualify you for the many of God's blessings.  While many things are yours from God freely (life, breath, sunshine, rain, energy, etc.), some things (like Divine protection from enemies) come only after we have done what God asks of us.  One need look no further for proof of this than the Children of Israel's journey out of Egypt; when they followed God's messenger (Moses) they were protected, when they didn't the protecting power of God was removed, and they suffered.  An example from modern life may be of use: as long as you drive on the correct side of the highway, you have some measure of protection from harm.  But watch how soon that goes away when you drive through oncoming traffic at high speeds!
3. Good works allow you the sacred chance to make a difference for good in the lives of others.  When the Savior of mankind said, "come, follow me" I believe that He truly meant it.  He wanted us to try our best, even if we would always fall short, to help others like He did and experience the same joy that He had in doing so.  Why would a loving God want anything less for you, His child, than the deepest of happiness?  And the truest joy comes when you serve another without thought of reward; if you do not believe me, try it for one week.
4. Good works narrow the gap between our lifestyle and God's.  This last point will take a bit of explaining.  You and I like to be around those like us.  Most of a smoker's friends are also smokers.  Soccer moms seek companionship with other soccer moms.  An avid fan of a certain sports team will gather in a room with fans of the same team to watch their games.  Have you ever noticed how if you are around someone who is far more accomplished than you in your field you feel slightly out of place and uncomfortable?  Why would this basic drive completely vanish the moment we die?  In other words, If I have spent my whole life trying to avoid God, how could I possibly be comfortable or happy when I am suddenly brought into His presence?  If I wanted nothing to do with Him in the here, why would I want Him in the hereafter?  I would be acutely uncomfortable.  Hardly a picture of heavenly bliss, huh?  God wants us to be ready to dwell with Him, as best as we can (remember, Christ takes care of our being worthy to be there), and so He tells us how He wants us to live, for that is how He lives.  It is His house, and He makes the rules.

In closing, I promise that God loves you; while you may not see it at first, He would not ask anything of you that was not designed for your ultimate happiness.  Think of a parent who tells a toddler not to cross a busy street, or encourages them to eat their vegetables; the child cannot see it, but who could doubt that the parent has their son or daughter's best interests in mind?

Grace

How many blessings does God give you and me each day?  I do not think that we could begin to count them.  From each breath of air, to family members, to food and shelter, to the very sunshine on our skin, each is a gift from God, not an innate privilege earned by right of being.  The words of God clearly teach that all good comes from God; the oft-neglected truth though is that God is not giving me something I have earned - everything that He gives is a gift; in the bookkeeping of eternity I am always in His debt.
Think about it with me for a moment: have you done anything today to specifically merit the breath of life?  Have you, through your actions, earned your family?  To say that I have would be not only presumptuous, but preposterous as well.  These are loving gifts of Mercy, not due rewards of Justice.
I have had some few, well-meaning people misunderstand me, and assert that I do not believe in the Grace of Jesus Christ.  Yet I look at my life, and all that is a part of it, and say, "how could I not believe in grace?"
I submit that Grace is just not some abstract, Divine "thing" that at the end of mortality covers my innumerable sins and grants me a seat in heaven.  It is a vital, living, active part of my very present existence.  I need Grace - without it I receive nothing.
For the truth is, I am nothing. I do not deserve any of my fondest hopes and dreams, from a loving spouse, to a family of my own, to a place with my Father in His Eternal Home.  I cannot say I have earned them, and so I cannot justly claim them as mine.  I am totally dependent on the grace of my Savior for all this, and so much more.  My only hope is in getting more than I deserve.
And thankfully, wonderfully, that is what Jesus Christ gives me; each and every day, and for the eternities as well.  He is the Redeemer, one who pays debts He did not incur for people who will never have the ability to pay Him back.  Every moment of my life is changed and made possible by His grace.  I owe Him everything - but He isn't collecting.  This is part of what Grace is to me.

What of works?  Well, that is a subject for another post; but in parting let me ask you this: what would be your reaction and attitude towards One who saved your life and the lives of your loved ones?  What would you give in return?

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

In my last post, I talked about our belief in an added book of scripture, the Book of Mormon.  A very understandable question some ask is "why do you have another book when you have the Bible?"  Before I answer that, let me just say that I love and honor the Bible as being Holy Scripture, and that I read it and try to apply it to my life.  It is a record of God's dealings with His children, and teaches of the life of Christ.
Now I want you to imagine something; I want you to imagine that Christianity was on trial - a trial to show whether or not it was true.  Well, that isn't so hard to imagine, it is on trial!  All throughout the world, in our schools, our political gatherings, and in many an individual's heart, Christianity is being doubted and dissected, made fun of and mocked, debated and declared irrelevant.  The Bible holds the stand as a witness in this all too literal trial (in fact, the word Testament can also be used to mean a witness).  And yet so many doubt this sacred witness.
Wouldn't it help if another witness took the stand, and supported what the Bible has already said about the divinity of Jesus Christ?  How could one have too many witnesses in defense of such a noble truth?  It is my belief that God has sent, at this most crucial part of the trial of the faith, another witness for us to hold up in defense of Christ and His teachings.  And who would want to tear down such a thing as this?
Now you may cross-examine the witness, in fact such is what you must do if you want to know for yourself if it is true.  Search it for yourself, don't just take someone else's word about it, and then ask God if it is a true witness of His Son, and if He sent it.  If you really want to know, why wouldn't He answer you?  If it isn't true, He wouldn't want you to follow it; but if it is a second witness, meant to back up what the Bible says, He would let you know.
Now in a trial, do two witnesses say the exact same thing, word for word?  No, if they are telling the truth they would each tell what happened from their own perspective.  So the Bible and the Book of Mormon each tells of Jesus Christ, and testify that He is the Savior and the Son of God, from their own perspective.
I add my witness that these two great witnesses, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, are both true; and that means that Christianity is not a dead religion, that it is also true, that everything that it teaches actually applies today!  I have read them both, their testimonies agree, and God has let me know that He sent them both to the witness-stand in the trial that the world is holding of His Gospel.  I speak the truth, so help me God!

(To have a free copy of the Book of Mormon delivered to your home, please visit http://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-Mormon)

So why the name "Mormons?"

When someone tells you, "I'm a Mormon," what runs through your mind?  Many have heard the term before, while some have not.  "Mormon" is a nickname, and one that I, as an individual member gladly accept (I will go into the why of this in bit).  The official name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; perhaps in another post I will go into the meaning behind the name, but for today's post suffice it to say that it has sacred meaning to us, and we are encouraged to use the full name when referring to the actual Church itself.  However it is perfectly acceptable to refer to an individual member as "a Mormon."
Over the course of this blog I hope to answer many of the questions about who we are and what we believe, but for now I'll focus on the origin and meaning of the name "Mormon."
At the same time as many of the stories in the Bible took place in Israel, another group of God's children, living in the Americas, spoke with God and recorded His teachings and direction.  Their history covers over 1,000 years.  Sometimes they followed God and were blessed, and sometimes they didn't and lost His protection.  Finally, around A.D. 400, they were destroyed by their enemies after rejecting God's protecting help. 
A righteous man and a devoted believer of Christ, named Mormon, spent his life gathering, protecting, and compiling the teachings of Christ to them.  These were then hidden to keep them safe, and centuries later God directed another man, Joseph Smith, to find, translate, and publish this record as an additional witness of Christ's Divinity and role as the only source of salvation.  This record is called The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  People who heard of our church in connection with this newly revealed book of scripture took to calling us "Mormons."  While some may use the term with derision, for me it serves as a reminder of the need to follow Christ, no matter what.
Mormon's role in giving us more knowledge from heaven gives us great respect for him as man of God, and so we welcome association with him.  I admire him as a man who gave his all for the word of God, and who made it possible for me to deepen my trust, belief, and faith in Jesus Christ.

For more on the meaning and use of the term, visit http://www.mormon.org/faq/why-mormons

In the Beginning...

This would seems a very bold undertaking, to attempt to outline the beliefs and teachings of a church with over 15 million members, if not for the fact that this about what I believe.  I will often include statements from holy scripture and from modern-day church leaders, but in the end this is about what it means to me, in my own words.
I hope that this blog ends up being more of a conversation than a series of lectures; and with this in mind I only ask what the Savior Himself entreated of us, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I promise never to attack the beliefs of another, and I ask in your questions and comments the same kindness.
I hope that through reading my words you may begin to draw closer to God and His Beloved Son, whether through learning more of what I believe, or discovering for yourself what you believe.