By chance, my daily Book of Mormon reading this morning was Alma 36. In it is the fatherly counsel Alma gave his oldest son and it included his account of the angel’s visit many years prior. Alma describes to his son the repentance process and the why of repenting. His experience, though expedited from the normal process, is a good study because it shows the arc from unrepentant soul to a heart in full contrition. Continue reading
repentance
Peter’s denial vs Judas’ betrayal
A few months ago, while we finished our study of the four Gospels in the Come, Follow Me lessons for the New Testament I had the thought, “what is the difference between Peter’s denial of Christ and the betrayal by Judas that led to the arrest of Jesus?” Is Judas synonymous with betrayal because his actions ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus or was there something more I was missing? I do not claim to be a gospel scholar or scriptorian. These are simply my thoughts as I pondered the difference between these two men and why one is honored and one is sullied. Continue reading
A Fixable Flaw
In April 1990, to much hoopla and fanfare, I remember the Hubble Telescope being launched into orbit. For nerds and those of us with a layman’s fascination of space this was an exciting time full of promise. While we weren’t actually going into space we were going to get glimpses of it never before seen. I may not have understood the particulars but I did get the gist. The expectation was thrilling. And then, as it was in space beginning to do its job there was a problem. To be exact, a flaw 1/50 the thickness of paper distorted the images being sent back. By this time, there was a lot of time and a whole lotta money invested in this telescope. It couldn’t be thwarted by a minuscule flaw. Three years later, a mission launched to fix the problem. Since then, the Hubble telescope has being performing its mission beautifully. It performed at its full potential. Continue reading
My Pride Cycle
There is a pattern
that comes into view
when I look back
at what I’ve been through. Continue reading
General Conference thoughts: He That Shall Endure unto the End, the Same Shall Be Saved
by Elder Claudio D. Zivic
This is a word we are taught in primary. And in primary it seems like a fairly simple idea. Why wouldn’t you hold on to the gospel forever? Why would you ever let go? Continue reading
General Conference thoughts: Even as Christ Forgives You, So Also Do Ye and Until Seventy Times Seven
by Elder Larry J. Echo Hawk
and Elder Lynn G. Robbins
Due to space and time, I am combining two talks in this post.
When I watched conference last April I thought one of the major themes was forgiveness. I was surprised when I received my Ensign and looked at the topic guide in the front of the issue and discovered it wasn’t as big of theme as I thought it was. In fact, only three talks were linked to the topic. Obviously, it was a personal message I needed to hear. Continue reading
BACKSTORY: Come Home
As promised, this week has had a theme. It’s been about our wayward or lost angels that we want to come home or at least find happiness. I have been thinking of this theme for some time but here are the tidbits of inspiration I thought of as I tried to pull it together and do it some justice. Continue reading
General Conference thoughts: Repentance Is Always Positive
by Stephen W. Owen
I’m the type of person that has always hated getting into trouble. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind making trouble every now and then I just don’t want to be called out on it. To this day, I still have trouble with being lectured or scolded for wrong doing. I just don’t like to be in trouble. Continue reading
General Conference thoughts: Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives
by Russell M. Nelson
With each trial we go through and every sin we overcome we access the Atonement of Jesus Christ on some level. Every time we need to access it we gain a new level of understanding of its depth and power. Continue reading
Repentance: A Joyful Choice
by Elder Dale G. Renlund
Below is the link to the General Conference talk by Elder Renlund. Between the link and here I share a few of my personal thoughts on the subject. Continue reading