Free Republic

The more I read this thing, the more appalling it becomes. The lurid adjectives continue, of course, but I will not delay you long with that. It is enough to know that his “dark golden eyes” continue to pierce (p. 208), and his “liquid topaz eyes” continue to penetrate, which is all you can ask of them, I suppose. No need to point out the sexual metaphors here. We are worldly wise readers, we are. No, let us not get distracted with that. The point to emphasize is how this book trains young girls to lust after the wrong thing...

I thought LDS FReepers would find this website interesting. This website is the work of Daniel C. Peterson, Scott Gordon, and Tanya Spackman. Mormon Scholars Testify One of the unique characteristics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its emphasis on education and scholarship. Studies have shown that among Latter-day Saints (Mormons), higher levels of education are strongly correlated with higher church attendance, and higher levels of devotion. (see footnote)In LDS scripture, Mormons are encouraged to study and learn. In the book Doctrine and Covenants, a book considered to be a collection of modern day revelation from...

An International House of Prayer in Independence was searched overnight...new details are still coming in. We've been told that authorities are still on scene investigating. The raid began about 9:00pm Monday and included the church as well as the pastor's house nearby. A member of the church was reportedly arrested on federal fire arms charges.

Throughout history humans have worshiped nature in many forms. More recently they have become better known as environmentalists. We are grateful that their love for nature has overcome greedy humans exploiting the environment and has been able to persuade governments to set aside numerous national monuments for remembering natural wonders. However, environmentalists have been able to stop even sensible exploration and development for the good of humankind. In fact, environmentalism has become a predominant "religion” around the world today. Their purpose is no longer saving a natural wonder for posterity to enjoy. Their love for nature has grown into a...

The Vatican has published the names of all the missionaries who died violently in 2009. In all 37 people were killed on active duty, the highest number in the past decade. Among them, is a lay person, 2 seminarians, 2 nuns and 30 priests. One of them could be considered a martyr since it appears he died a victim of a religious hate crime...read more...

The Mormon Media Observer looks back at the year filled with LDS newsmakers. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tops the list, based on a newsmaker's frequency in the news as well as the significance of their stories. 1. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada The Senate Majority Leader led the battle to push through health reform in the Senate. News coverage of Reid made a household name and the divisive debate made him out to be both villain and saint. He may still face a tough battle in his home state of Nevada to save his seat. On Christmas The New...

Prepare the Church ! Prepare the Bride , There is no place for mankind to hide ! For the eyes of the Lord look to and fro , And The Spirit of God knows where his breath goes , Job 33:4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life So fill your vessels and trim your wicks , For a suddenly is coming quick ! The Bride and the bridesmaids shall soon be as one , Pure and spotless not undone , The Groom awaits the striking of the hour ,...

Your going to see " Yeah " witness a new Regime come into the church and body worldwide , My angels carrying the "Fire" of My Testimony in deliverance and freedom setting the captives free \o/ , releasing My glory upon the Earth for where ever I place My footstep so My glory shall show and accomplish ALL I have set out to do " Yeah " every Jot and Tittle ! My Spirit of Deliverance (Psalm 34:7) is here for you " Today " ! Merely raise your hands \o/ and repent call , call out My name so...

I have been impressed to speak about God’s love and God’s commandments. My message is that God’s universal and perfect love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan, including the fact that His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His laws.1 These are eternal principles that should guide parents in their love and teaching of their children.I. I begin with four examples which illustrate some mortal confusion between love and law. A young adult in a cohabitation relationship tells grieving parents, “If you really loved me, you would accept me and my partner just like...

The "tight control" theory for the Book of Mormon translation suggests that Joseph dictated a fairly literal translation of the Nephite text into the scriptural language of his day. According to several witnesses, Joseph actually spelled out proper nouns the first time he dictated them to his scribe. One interesting example is the name "Coriantumr." Dr. Royal Skousen, the foremost expert on the original Book of Mormon manuscript (the text written by scribes as dictated by Joseph), explains that when Joseph dictated "Coriatumr" to Oliver Cowdery, Oliver wrote "Coriantummer," crossed it out, and then wrote "Coriantumr." The first spelling makes...

A media campaign has been launched in eastern Idaho against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The "Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons" campaign was started by the Truth in Love Ministry... Five billboards have been placed in heavily Mormon southeastern Idaho... SNIP The "Feeling Worthy?" message "targets a foundational fact of Mormonism, the need for all Mormons to achieve worthiness in order to receive eternal life," according to campaign literature. The campaign says God's truth is "the concept of free and full forgiveness through Christ" rather than the "earned forgiveness taught in Mormonism." "There is an...

It's a call to the Elders of Israel. Idaho's gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell exclusively invites Mormon men to a meeting where he'll discuss Joseph Smith's prophecies regarding the constitution. Critics say it's merely a way to use his faith to further his campaign. Rammell believes it's his duty to rally the troops, his fellow LDS elders who he claims responsible for saving the nation's constitution. But some say his Mormons-only invitation may end up hurting him when it's time to go to the polls. Blurring the lines between politics and religion, that's what some call Rex Rammell's exclusive Elders of...

Beware of men...men and their ideas about God or no God have always sought to change yours. Sometimes by dialog but often by force of law or violence. We see this on the world stage... read more...

IDAHO FALLS -- Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell will be mixing what he calls doctrines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his gubernatorial campaign in a series of meetings slated for LDS elders only. In January, Rammell will kick off a series of special meetings targeted specifically at "faithful priesthood-holders of the LDS Church" to discuss the so-called "White Horse" prophecy. The first meeting will held at the Hampton Inn in Idaho Falls between 7 and 8 p.m. on Jan. 19. Subsequent meetings will be held in Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Boise, and only...

"Who is going to control My children? Who is it that will control what's gonna happen for the youth? Who is it? Though they legislate," God said, "I will break it down. In 2010 there will be a change in the middle of the year, an assassination attempt against your President, which I will cause to hold back three groups that shall rise up. But," the Spirit of God said, "I will be merciful. Then there will be changes in the man's heart, huge changes. There will be a turn to the true Christ, not the false Christ; not the...

As Mormons join with all of Christendom in commemorating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ this time of year, the thoughts of some might turn to observance of an event of lesser magnitude, but nevertheless vital to the unfolding of God's purposes among His children: The birth of Joseph Smith Jr., just two days before Christmas on Dec. 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vt. In noting the birthday anniversary of the Prophet, some may feel uncomfortable, not wishing to detract in any way from the veneration due the Advent of the Christ in mortality and the commencement of His mortal...

According to some of Joseph's closest associates as well as those who saw Joseph translate the Book of Mormon, when Joseph looked into the Urim and Thummim he was able to see the English translation. Some witnesses even claimed that Joseph spelled out proper names and the English text remained in view until it was written down correctly. Most of the accounts that describe the translation process were recorded long after the fact and are often second or third hand. Because Joseph did not share the details himself, however, it is from these other reports that scholars attempt to deduce...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Rosalynde Welch says the Conan O'Brien was both right and wrong about Mormons during the recent Mormon Song segment: "The joke is not at the Mormons' expense, really; it's making fun of the notion that 'Big Love,' 'Witness' and 'Children of the Corn' are sources of information about Mormonism... SNIP BYU's Daily Universe got the "Typo of the Year" award by Craig Silverman, writer for Huffington Post and whose blog chronicles the mistakes of the news industry. Silverman writes: "'The Daily Universe, a student paper at BYU, recalled and trashed 18,000 copies of an edition after...

PROVO — He's been to LDS general conference and sacrament meeting, given a family home evening lesson and shared his beliefs during fast and testimony meeting. But the one thing that still puzzles Talha Siddiqui, 19, a Muslim from Islamabad, Pakistan, is why Latter-day Saint students at Brigham Young University are so anxious to get married. "It's kind of funny how to an outsider … everyone is talking about getting married," he said. "How can you all think about the same thing? That kind of felt a little weird for me. Other than that, things have been great." SNIP "Whenever...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce...

Gay unions and homosexuality is a perversion of natural law and of the institutions that bond men, woman, family, and society together in a positive functioning unit that nations are built upon. These delicate God given bonds enable a nation of people to unite and stand up for the good of the nation against those who wish to impose their will, choices, and life-styles on the nation in order to corrupt it, control it, or destroy it. People who wish to undermine, control, or destroy the social bonds that hold a nation together in peace, love, truth, and harmony (as...

Twelve years ago, the president of the Gilbert Arizona Stake thought that the Gilbert community would be benefited and community relationships strengthened if his stake and the local parish of the Catholic Church could interact and build a bridge of friendship using an interest common to both, music. The first three years of this relationship saw each congregation prepare separate choral numbers and sing at the other's building. After shedding concerns and apprehensions, the choir directors for the parish and the stake combined their efforts to create a joint choir comprised of both faiths. They chose to prepare numbers to...

"Every Church member is expected to understand the doctrine of the Church intelligently. There is no place in the Church for blind adherence." -- John Widtsoe, LDS Apostle It was long ago, two thousand years, when sweet baby Jesus was born. Although every baby is cherished by his parents and grandparents and siblings and cousins, this little boy was precious to all the world. The story began in Nazareth…The Old Testament patriarch Noah, who had died long ago and been resurrected as an angel named Gabriel,1 was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. There he appeared...

Ostentatious orchestration is when you walk in the fullness of my will nothing missing , nothing lacking ! It is then the wonders of my love are fully exposed and miracles begin in a manner pleasing to me , for mine is the kingdom , the power and the glory forever and all I do is eternal in those I call my own . So be the light at the end of the tunnel for I am coming soon and even now my day is upon you for as you discern the times you will see my glory moving even...

SALT LAKE CITY -- A conservative think tank is hoping the Legislature can help protect people of faith living in Salt Lake City after two discrimination ordinances were passed. The ordinances protect gays and lesbians from discrimination in housing and employment. Sutherland Institute president Paul Mero says churches and some organizations have exemptions. The exemptions are for religious freedom and expressive association. That means a church corporation doesn't have to hire someone who is gay if they don't want to. Expressive association means the company doesn't have to hire someone who does not fit into their culture - for example,...

The Lord just gave me this word for the body of Christ . . . for your discernment , Oppulent people will not acquire the kingdom of heaven yet their place will be with man . Detestable practices are of great concern now for as the time grows short so those found "in" sin shall be left behind yet to the repentive in heart theirs shall be the Kingdom of God . Be forthwith then and repent from all iniquities for your time has come my children and I am at hand ! Poor and solice people shall not be...

San Angelo, Texas » Jurors heard more from a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Monday in the trial of Allan Keate, who faces charges of sexually assaulting a child. Rebecca Musser explained why she moved away from her FLDS community. Having been married to FLDS prophet Rulon Jeffs in her late teens, she was pressured along with younger wives to marry the new prophet, Rulon Jeffs' son Warren Jeffs, and she refused, Musser said. Musser said Warren Jeffs told her, "I will break you. I will make you a good wife....

One of the basic tenets of gospel living has always been to set a good example for our neighbors. "Let your light so shine before men," the Savior said. "That they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Trouble is, some of us seem to think that guideline doesn't apply when we live in "Zion." Case in point: My wife, Annie, works at a bank in Utah valley where a significant number of the customers are active Latter-day Saints. She knows this because they frequently come in to cash checks from The Church of...

My facets have many sides , Each one is a key to my abide , These eyes I share with you , So that my fullness you may view , Merely look ito the pool (Laver) of my Word , Then gaze into my light (Menorrah) that it may be heard , For my eyes (7 spirits) of understanding is what you will need , So that on my Hidden Mannah you may feed , But do not stop there , For have I not called you a priest in my Presence and care ?! Then do not be afraid...

In 1833 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that contained a strong rebuke to several leading brethren of the Church to set their families in order (see D&C 93:40–50). A specific phrase from this revelation provides the theme for my message—“more diligent and concerned at home� (verse 50). I want to suggest three ways each of us can become more diligent and concerned in our homes. I invite you to listen both with ears that hear and with hearts that feel, and I pray for the Spirit of the Lord to be with all of us. Suggestion Number One:...

SALT LAKE CITY -- David Austin's two-day visit to Utah was packed with meetings, presentations and discussions about finding and producing Mormon-made films that might appeal to the general Christian inspiration market. A blizzard hit on the first day, Dec. 8, messing up the tight schedule. But Austin didn't mind. "I'm from Michigan, so it feels like home," Austin said of the weather. Austin is vice president of sales and marketing at Bridgestone Multimedia Group and was here at the invitation of filmmakers including Lyman Dayton and BYU's Dennis Packard. Bridgestone distributes family-friendly Christian movies and music to Christian bookstores...

As finals are quickly approaching, students sometimes joke about living in the library. But when author Matthew Brown says he lives in the library, he’s not joking around. Brown, who recently released the book “Exploring the Connection between Mormons and Masons,” does most of the research for his books in the BYU library. “I live here in the BYU library and I’m not kidding,” Brown said. “I have done research at other universities around the country but for the most part, when it comes to LDS subjects, this is my primary research library.” “Mormons and Masons” is Brown’s 10th book,...

Compassion for the elderly and infirm that has come to characterize Thomas S. Monson's ministry soon will be embraced more fully by the worldwide church he leads. The LDS Church is adding "to care for the poor and needy" to its longstanding "threefold mission," which is to preach the LDS gospel, purify members' lives and provide saving ordinances such as baptism to those who have died. This mission first was coined by late LDS President Spencer W. Kimball in the 1980s and since then has been repeated as a mantra by the church's more than 13 million members. The new...

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Vision : God’s Pendulum of Perfect Harmony and Time , But Are you in his time or Yours?? ! ! Today the Lord showed Me A huge Pendulum swinging by Me and Told to jump and hold onto it tightly . My pendulum swings for you , When it comes by what will you do ? For in it's moment is My timing , Will you reach out and grab it in time with its swing ? For it moves in rhythm with My kingdom , And its pulse with My heart of things to be...

Thursday, February 5, 2009 TIME AND TIME AGAIN ~ ~ ~ Ordinarily I would " TAKE " you on a trip but I desire to converse with you first as we ~ maneuver ~ through time ! For through time my tapestry fulfills itself ; There is no shread missing or time lapse yet time itself is a thread onto Me in that I quicken its movement through my will and it appeases my purpose as I allow its indwelling to my response . Therefore its depth , intention , meaning, seismic dimension or even its relevancy is no matter...

The substantiality of my wealth is in abundance that exceeds paradise for truly where ever I AM in you this quotient exists in a udepleteable manner and such is my Grace for those in my will . So watch now as I dress my children of light as Job and reward them even now for the trials and tribulations , " Yeah " the pathway of fire they have surrendered to for my name sake . Did I not say buy from me gold and silver that has been tested and purified by My Holiness alone ?! Then surely what...

As a Romney supporter and blogger I have very seldom written about faith and religion, whether in the general sense or as it applies to Mitt Romney as a presidential candidate. I’ve always known Romney’s religion to be a stigma to some. I’m sure it is even a boon to others, especially those who share his faith. Today, in remembrance of the 2nd anniversary of Romney’s speech “Faith in America”, I’m going to take a rare moment to share my thoughts on subject. Full disclosure: I am a life-long member of the LDS (Mormon) church. Now let’s proceed. I consider...

They came wanting to say their Islamic prayers, and ended up praying to Jesus for salvation!

I AM The 7 eyes of The Lord . My eyes GIVE The Father's perfect Will , Life , Breath and light . Where I AM you Shall witness The Father's Hand ! Do you see ? This IS the "other side of the Scroll" as in Zechariah and the opened scroll of My Son ! You see dimly now but this revelation is forth coming and Extruded ( forced , pressed, shaped, forced through ) and Extrapolated ( projected , extended expanded , unfolded , ) Yet Woven into The Tapestry of My Son's Testimony of Me . And...

One day while serving as a mission president, I was talking on the phone to our oldest son. He was on his way to the hospital where he worked as a physician. When he arrived at the hospital, he said, “Nice talking to you, Dad, but now I’ve got to get out of my car and go save some lives.� Our son treats children with life-threatening illnesses. When he is able to diagnose a disease properly and give the right treatment, he can save a child’s life. I told our missionaries that their work is also to help save lives—the...

BREAKING: Diocese of Los Angeles Elects Non-Celibate Lesbian As Suffragan Bishop

PROVO, Utah -- Significant misperceptions shape the LDS church's image and standing in America, said a church apostle Friday. Speaking during Women's Conference at Brigham Young University, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve, asked more than 16,000 women gathered in the BYU Marriott Center to dedicate themselves to strengthening the image of the church. SNIP Offering the conference's closing general address, Elder Perry said that church leaders have been looking at the church's image to better understand how the organization approaches its missionary efforts. "We have employed some professional...

For 27 years I have had the opportunity to visit vast and varied regions of the world because of my employment with an airline. I can travel virtually free anywhere my airline goes, and practically free on most other carriers because of generous reciprocal agreements. This perk has afforded me the opportunity to be an ambassador for my country and my "peculiar" state. No matter where in the world I go, when people ask me where I come from and I tell them Utah, the next words out of their mouths are almost always the same: "So you must be...

SALT LAKE CITY 3 December 2009 Since the launch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Mormon Messages channel on YouTube in August 2008, its influence has grown to reach millions. Situated among the endless variety of videos available on YouTube, the dozens of videos currently available on Mormon Messages have been viewed a total of 7.5 million times. During the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, the Church posted a Mormon Messages video showing random people on the streets of New York City sharing a variety of responses to one simple question: “What are you thankful for?”...

As we continue our discussion about the Book of Mormon translation, some members may be troubled that the process doesn't match their conceptions of how they thought the process worked. For members who were unaware of the seer stone in the hat, at least two questions or concerns may arise: 1) Is it strange that Joseph used a stone in a hat? 2) Why have we have always been told that Joseph used the Urim and Thummim? To answer the first question we might also ask: Is it strange that a man could rise from the dead, walk on water,...

Helen Radkey sits in her tiny Millcreek apartment amid images of Buddha and Egyptian sun gods, good-luck charms, sacred texts, tarot cards and a makeshift shrine to a Catholic saint, complete with a relic. Her refrigerator is awash in photos of children, grandchildren and friends from around the country and across the globe. Both bedrooms are piled high with box after box of file folders, evidence of her decadeslong drive to undermine the LDS Church's temple ritual in which living Mormons are baptized for a person who has died. Each folder contains the name and personal information of an individual...

The LDS Church now has in place a computer program it believes may halt -- or at least slow -- the submission of incorrect, inappropriate or dubious information into its massive collection of genealogical records. "The new version of FamilySearch is a technological deterrent to improper submissions," LDS spokesman Scott Trotter said Thursday. "For example, users must certify that the names they are submitting are of family members." Mormons submit the lion's share of the historical data, either from private or public sources, typed singly or "extracted" from a list. Thousands of names are entered into the system every day...

REXBURG -- A large media campaign involving billboards and mass mailings has been launched in eastern Idaho. Its goal is to draw women away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The "Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons" campaign was started by the Truth in Love Ministry in Nampa, and its focus is on "witnessing to Mormons" and showing them the "truth of God's words" through "loving means." This week a billboard was placed at the intersection of Yellowstone Highway and Seventh South in Rexburg showing a woman holding her head next to the words "Feeling Worthy?"...

Communist Zealots: the Anabaptists Sometimes Martin Luther must have felt that he had loosed the whirlwind, even opened the gates of Hell. Shortly after Luther launched the Reformation, various Anabaptist sects appeared and spread throughout Germany. The Anabaptists believed in predestination of the elect, but they also believed, in contrast to Luther, that they knew infallibly who the elect were: i.e., themselves. The sign of that election was in an emotional, mystical conversion process, that of being "born again," baptized in the Holy Spirit. Such baptism must be adult and not among infants; more to the point, it meant that...

Many years ago I walked at dawn through the narrow cobblestone streets of Cusco, Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. I saw a man from a local indigenous group walking down one of the streets. He was not a big man physically, but he carried an immense load of firewood in a huge burlap sack on his back. The sack seemed to be as big as he was. The load must have weighed as much as he did. He steadied it with a rope that looped under the bottom of the sack and circled up around his forehead. He gripped...