The Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper

The book of Revelation has always been both fascinating and confusing to virtually all the people of the world. Joseph Smith, while working on the translation of the Bible, was likewise confused and took his questions to the Lord. We received Section 77 as a result. It is a wonderful clarification of some of the more mysterious elements of Revelation. But I think, equally fascinating is the whole...

Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants is, to my way of thinking, the beginning of the real differentiation of the doctrines of our church with the rest of the Christian world. True, the claim of a living prophet and modern revelation was intriguing, but the unveiling of the nature of heaven, and the mysteries of God's kingdom was something for which much of the world was unfamiliar with. ...

Life is tough...just ask anybody.  Most will tell you that life is a constant battle of one challenge after another. But is this the joy that we are all meant for?  Why does opposition seem to always be ever-present with any project or task we undertake. Could it all be part of the plan? If so, how can it lead to joy and happiness? Let's find out together, shall we?

Today we are taking the opportunity to learn about the man who gave us the Book of Mormon. Mormon was the General of the Nephite army for at least 58 years, and much of that time was marked by the frustration of leading a faithless people destined to be destroyed. Mormon though, was a remarkable man and I'm privileged to tell his story. Sadly though, it will have to include the complete and u...

The geography has long been a subject of curiosity for many, and a taboo for others.  But the fact is, the Book of Mormon authors felt it was necessary to put in as much detail as they could in order help orient us as to the lands they were speaking about. In the 1800's common knowledge of the world didn't keep up with the Book of Mormon, but modern research and discovery has moved the b...

A continuation of my testimony and reasoning for believing that Joseph Smith was truly a Prophet of God.

This podcast is presented so I can tell you why I know Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, and why I know the Book of Mormon is true.

The King Follett discourse or King Follett sermon, as it was prompted by the death of King Follett, a Nauvoo Latter-day Saint—has been hailed by historians both in and out of the Church as a landmark moment in Church history and “one of the truly remarkable sermons ever preached in America.” 1 Excerpts from it frequently appear in Church materials,  and it remains popular among Church members, his...

As the church moved to Ohio great changes were in store; but here was where the Church really became a church, as revelations were given and doctrines solidified. This is also where the Law of Consecration was first given, and its precepts are still an integral part of the church today. Though details have changed, the basic idea of serving the needs of the members as a whole, and the needy in par...

The Shakers in North Union Ohio were the only church to have a revelation from Joseph Smith directed specifically at them. This as unique and not repeated again in the Doctrine and Covenants. However, it was a special circumstance, and it provided the Lord the opportunity to clarify and restate the importance of what are today some basic gospel fundamentals.

The balance between the spiritual manifestations found in the old revival tents and true gifts of the Spirit can be a fine line between true and false spirits. this was the problem the early Saints had when the church was just formed. Manay of the Saints in Kirtland were happy to have the 'enthusiastic spiritual exhibitions more commonly found in Pentacostal churches of the day, but this seem...

Believe it or not, a Chinese earthquake had an effect on the early Saints. In this episode we will tell that tale and also read the Lord's own explanation for his comments in Matthew 24 on the Mount of Olivet.

The move to Kirt6lanad marked a fundamental change for the fledgling church. The Lord had promised he would deliver then law of the church once the prophet got to Kirtland and so it was delivered. But st5range doings were going on in Kirtland and thy provided some good opportunities to truly establish the pattern of the Church. these were interesting times.

We focus on section 38 today because of its broad reach across numerous points of doctrine and guidance. The primary message of the importance of being united is manifest throughout and we learn a bit more about the true nature of Christ. We also get to hear a  wonderful story about Lucy Mack Smith and the miracle she called down from heaven to help the starving and freezing Saints gathered on the...

Once more we come upon Easter next week. Please join me as we engage in this discussion of what should be and is the single most important celebration we fete. it seems all people love Easter but perhaps few of us realize just how pivotal this event we celebrate was. The future of our entire eternal existence hung in the balance and the Savior's sacrifice and resurrection made our continued e...

Throughout the Book of Mormon concerns of the prophets and prophecies of the ultimate fate of the Lamanites was a primary concern. Great promises were made to their descendants. As soon as the Church as organized, the very first missionaries were sent out to preach and teach the various Indian tribes notwithstanding the opposition from other settlers around them. Amazing success and wonderful stor...

This wide -ranging revelation was given during the time that Joseph Smith was revising or re-translating the Book of Genesis and as such, it shares many common threads.  it deals with the Second Coming, the Millennium, the resurrection and the final judgement, and also the Devil and his hosts. lots of stuff to discuss so I invite you to join me for this episode.

This is a recording of the live presentation I made to the members of the Florene So. Carolina ward on Sunday March 23rd. Accordingly, the recording and audio quality may be somewhat less than perfect, but I invite you all to have a listen.

Important issues remained to be settled as the early Church began its mission. Whether or not Angels could eat earthly food was not one of those issues, but the matter is addressed, nevertheless.  What was an important issue was just who could receive revelation and how was revelation to be handled. This came after confusing and conflicting revelations by Oliver Cowdery and also Hiram Page. Join m...

We discuss the beginnings of serious persecutions and also, a special calling for Emma Smith

Known aa the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, Doctrine and Covenants 20 contains the foundational history, beliefs and ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Parts of Doctrine and Covenants 20 were given by revelation, and other parts came from a close study of the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon. Join me as we take a closer look at this interesti...

The Book of Mormon had now been fully translated, and the brethren were tasked with the challenge of getting it published. But that was no simple feat; the type- setting and the actual printing of 5,000 copies was an enormous ...and very expensive job and suddenly, the effort to form a new church was becoming very serious and very real. How was this going to be accomplished? Where would the money...

While Joseph Smith was busy working on the Book of Mormon and getting ready for its publication as well as the formal organization of the Church, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, on the occasion of the revelation known as the 18th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, received their own commissions from the Lord. Their task was to search out and choose the twelve men who would become the first o...

The story of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon is a fascinating one. Not only were the circumstances surrounding the wonderful vision amazing, but the three men themselves each have a story to tell, and their remarkable lives serve as an additional testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon.  

The 10th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants deals with the Loss of the 116 pages of the original Book of Mormon manuscript and the plans and designs of those who stole it...and how the Lord subverted those plans two thousand years ago.  Drama and Intrigue and the best laid plans of the Satan could not stop the work.