light

withstanding god

2011-10-25T14:51:00.001-07:00

Paul was the subject of this past Sunday School lesson, particularly his unfailing testimony of Christ in the face of persecution. We read these verses from Joseph Smith—History...

"It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitterpersecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

"However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

"So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

choice and abortion

2011-07-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

"A prominent basis for the secular or philosophical arguments for abortion on demand is the argument that a woman should have control over her own body. Not long ago I received a letter from [someone] who analyzed that argument in secular terms. Since his analysis reaches the same conclusion I have urged on religious grounds, I quote it here for the benefit of those most subject to persuasion on this basis:

"'Every woman has, within the limits of nature, the right to choose what will or will not happen to her body. Every woman has, at the same time, the responsibility for the way she uses her body. If by her choice she behaves in such a way that a human fetus is conceived, she has not only the right to but also the responsibility for that fetus. If it is an unwanted pregnancy, she is not justified in ending it with the claim that it interferes with her right to choose. She herself chose what would happen to her body by risking pregnancy. She had her choice. If she has no better reason, her conscience should tell her that abortion would be a highly irresponsible choice.

"'What constitutes a good reason? Since a human fetus has intrinsic and infinite human value, the only good reason for an abortion would be the violation or deprivation of or the threat to the woman’s right to choose what will or will not happen to her body. Social, educational, financial, and personal considerations alone do not outweigh the value of the life that is in the fetus. These considerations by themselves may properly lead to the decision to place the baby for adoption after its birth, but not to end its existence in utero.

"'The woman’s right to choose what will or will not happen to her body is obviously violated by rape or incest. When conception results in such a case, the woman has the moral as well as the legal right to an abortion because the condition of pregnancy is the result of someone else’s irresponsibility, not hers. She does not have to take responsibility for it. To force her by law to carry the fetus to term would be a further violation of her right. She also has the right to refuse an abortion. This would give her the right to the fetus and also the responsibility for it. She could later relinquish this right and this responsibility through the process of placing the baby for adoption after it is born. Whichever way is a responsible choice.'

"The man who wrote those words also applied the same reasoning to the other exceptions allowed by our doctrine—life of the mother and a baby that will not survive birth" (Dallin H. Oaks).

it is there

2011-06-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

A college professor of mine said, "for those who seek an argument against homosexual behavior in the Bible, they will not find it, because it is not there." He then addressed Leviticus 18:22 (see also 20:13) arguing that condemnation of homosexual behavior was part of the Law of Moses that was fulfilled in Christ, and no longer in force. I see three problems with that argument.

One problem is that the other commandment from the Law of Moses regarding chastity, a forbidding of adultery (Exodus 20:14), transcended the law, and was enhanced by Christ in the higher law (Matthew 5:27–28). Another problem is that homosexual behavior was condemned again in the New Testament, after the coming of Christ (Romans 1:24–27, see also 1 Corinthians 6:9). A third problem is that Christ taught the marriage relationship as being between a man and a woman in both the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–5).

Rather than being unable to find an argument against homosexual behavior in the Bible, we find them in abundance. It is one thing to say we do not believe in the teachings against homosexual behavior found in the Bible, it is another to say they do not exist. And of course we should also remember the biblical teaching of love, kindness and humanity toward all people (Ephesians 4:31–32, see also Luke 10:25–37).

negative view

2011-06-26T08:22:00.001-07:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be a restoration of the early Christian Church. I have been asked if this were true, why is there a prevailing negative view of the church among the rest of Christianity?

A force exists that combines to destroy good, distort truth, and darken light. Many prophets of the Old Testament were rejected and persecuted, Christ was considered blasphemous, the church he organized false, and the Apostles he left to lead were slain. Most of this persecution came from those who should have been friends of the church. If the church of Jesus Christ (A continuation or restoration of the early Christian church, as established by Jesus Christ, possessing divine authority and a fullness of the gospel) was on the earth today, should we expect the prevailing view of it to be any different than before? While because a church is persecuted does not mean it is the church of Jesus Christ, if his church was upon the earth it would suffer persecution, and most heavily from those who should be friends (the rest of Christianity), just as before.

"…[P]eople can usually find whatever they are looking for[.] Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything. People have done the same with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its beginning. Those who look for the good will find a kind and compassionate people—a people who love the Lord and desire to serve Him and bless the lives of their fellowman. But it is also true that those who look for the bad will certainly find things that are not so ideal" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

believing

2011-06-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Many of us believe in Christ, who has taught us how to live our lives, and set bounds on our behavior. He has said he will provide a way for us to obey his teachings, all of them. But many of us feel a desire to behave in a way he has taught against. And we feel that desire so strongly that it is either an intrinsic biological feeling, or as strong as one. Now we must decide if we believe Christ. We believe in him, but to we believe him, do we believe the bounds he has set on our behavior are real? And do we believe he can really provide a way for us to live within those bounds? Or do we believe that because we feel that desire so strongly, it must be his will that we behave that way? Have we come to believe in him, but not believe him?

science and my faith

2011-06-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

I have been asked before how I reconcile conflicts between science and my faith (especially as someone with a graduate degree in a science/engineering field). My response is usually something to the effect that all truth comes from God, and so there is no conflict between a truth revealed through a prophet or one discovered through the scientific method. Apparent conflicts can and do arise when either the religious teaching is incomplete or misunderstood, or the scientific teaching is incomplete or misunderstood, or both.

Apparent conflicts that I am aware of are the age of the earth and the origin of man. The Hebrew word used to describe the creative periods can mean literally a day or it can mean an indeterminate length of time (see The Creation). Abraham taught that the Gods merely called the creation periods days (Abraham 4:5,8). So each era or day of creation could have lasted for millions or billions of years. No revelation has been given detailing the age of the earth so what science tells us is all we know.

As to the origin of man we know from archeology/paleontology that there were men (about 200,000 BCE) well before our best guess of when Adam, who the scriptures teach was the first man (Moses 1:34), left the garden of Eden (about 4000 BCE). So my best guess is either Adam was not a descendent of those men, or our guess of when Adam left the garden of Eden is quite wrong.

The scriptures teach and modern prophets confirm that man was created in the image of God (Abraham 4:27) and did not evolve per neo-Darwinism (The Origin of Man). Evidence I have seen is not convincing that the naturalistic mechanisms we are aware of could produce macroevolution (speciation). Usually the arguments for macroevolution are centered around microevolution (variation within species) which is something quite different. Also, the fossil record indicates sudden appearance and stasis rather than decent with modification. If neo-Darwinism were true, there would be an innumerable amount of transitional or intermediate species along the lines of decent. The fossil record is obviously incomplete but it is unlikely selectively incomplete with regard to intermediate species. We rarely find a fossil that might be an intermediate species whereas they should be what we mostly find if neo-Darwinism were true (see Why Darwinism is False).

how could he

2011-01-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

I once heard someone say they could not believe God would condemn any of his children to a hell. Whether hell refers to outer darkness or spirit prison, any of God's children who reside therein will do so because they chose it rather than because he condemned them to such a place.

"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

"And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

"And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom" (2 Nephi 2:26-29).

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened" (C.S. Lewis).

marriage

2010-07-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Both Paul and Moses taught that homosexual behavior was against God's law (Romans 1:24-32, Leviticus 20:13). And Christ taught the marriage relationship as being between a husband and wife (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-5). Modern prophets teach that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God…"

We often cannot choose what we feel, but we can choose our behavior, we choose which feelings we embrace based on the foreseen consequences of the behavior. Feeling same-gender attraction may not be a choice, but homosexual behavior is. Being tempted is no sin. Christ himself suffered temptations of every kind (Alma 7:11). Sin begins when we allow a temptation to become a behavior. What this means is that feeling same-gender attraction by no fault of our own is not a sin. God has condemned homosexual behavior, not being tempted with such. We all feel temptations, they are integral to this life, but God wishes for us to live within the bounds of the gospel.

"…[A]ny sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.

"Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.

"The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves" (Newsroom Statement).

women and men

2010-07-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

"…fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners" (The Family).

equality

"Our Father in Heaven loves all of His children equally, perfectly, and infinitely. His love is no different for His daughters than for His sons. Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, also loves men and women equally. His atonement and His gospel are for all of God’s children. During His earthly ministry Jesus served men and women alike: He healed both men and women and He taught both men and women.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ can sanctify both men and women in the same way and by identical principles. For example, faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost are requirements for all of God’s children, regardless of gender. The same is true of temple covenants and blessings. Our Father’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children (see Moses 1:39). He loves us all equally, and His greatest gift, the gift of eternal life, is available to all.

"Even though men and women are equal before God in their eternal opportunities, they have different, but equally significant, duties in His eternal plan. We must understand that God views all of His children with infinite wisdom and perfect fairness. Consequently, He can acknowledge and even encourage our differences while providing equal opportunity for growth and development.

"Our Heavenly Father assigned different responsibilities in mortality to men and women when we lived with Him as His spirit sons and daughters. To His sons He would give the priesthood and the responsibilities of fatherhood, and to His daughters He gave the responsibilities of motherhood, each with its attendant functions. …

"Both men and women are to serve their families and others, but the specific ways in which they do so are sometimes different. For example, God has revealed through his prophets that men are to receive the priesthood, become fathers, and with gentleness and pure, unfeigned love they are to lead and nurture their families in righteousness as the Savior leads the Church (see Eph. 5:23). They have been given the primary responsibility for the temporal and physical needs of the family (see D&C 83:2). Women have the power to bring children into the world and have been given the primary duty and opportunity as mothers to lead, nurture, and teach them in a loving, spiritual environment. In this divine partnership, husbands and wives support one another in their God-given capacities. By appointing different accountabilities to men and women, Heavenly Father provides the greatest opportunity for growth, service, and progress. He did not give different tasks to men and women simply to perpetuate the idea of a family; rather, He did so to ensure that the family can continue forever, the ultimate goal of our Heavenly Father’s eternal plan.

"We need to recognize the hard mortal realities in all of this and must use common sense and guidance by personal revelation. Some will not marry in this life. Some marriages will fail. Some will not have children. Some children will choose not to respond to even the most devoted and careful nurturing by loving parents. In some cases, health and faith may falter. Some who would rather remain at home may have to work. Let us not judge others, because we do not know their situation nor do we know what common sense and personal revelation have led them to do. We do know that throughout mortality, women and men will face challenges and tests of their commitment to God’s plan for them. We need to remember that trials and temptations are an important part of our lives. We should not criticize others for the way they choose to exercise their moral agency when faced with adversity or affliction" (M. Russell Ballard).

partnership

"The concept of interdependent, equal partners is well-grounded in the doctrine of the restored gospel. Eve was Adam’s ‘help meet’ (Genesis 2:18). The original Hebrew for meet means that Eve was adequate for, or equal to, Adam. She wasn’t his servant or his subordinate. And the Hebrew for help in ‘help meet’ is ezer, a term meaning that Eve drew on heavenly powers when she supplied their marriage with the spiritual instincts uniquely available to women as a gender gift. …

"Genesis 3:16 states that Adam is to ‘rule over’ Eve, but this doesn’t make Adam a dictator. A ruler can be a measuring tool that sets standards. Then Adam would live so that others may measure the rightness of their conduct by watching his. Being a ruler is not so much a privilege of power as an obligation to practice what a man preaches. Also, over in ‘rule over’ uses the Hebrew bet, which means ruling with, not ruling over. If a man does exercise ‘dominion … in any degree of unrighteousness’ (D&C 121:37), God terminates that man’s authority. …

"In the little kingdom of a family, each spouse freely gives something the other does not have and without which neither can be complete and return to God’s presence. Spouses are not a soloist with an accompanist, nor are they two solos. They are the interdependent parts of a duet, singing together in harmony at a level where no solo can go. …

"…equal partnerships are not made in heaven—they are made on earth, one choice at a time, one conversation at a time, one threshold crossing at a time. And getting there is hard work—like patiently working through differing assumptions" (Bruce C. Hafen).

priesthood

"From the beginning the priesthood has been conferred only upon the men. It is always described in the scriptures as coming through the lineage of the fathers (see D&C 84:6, 14–16; D&C 107:40–41; Abr. 1:3–4).

"While fathers and sons bear the burden of the priesthood, it was declared in the very beginning that it was not good for man to be alone. A companion, or ‘helpmeet,’ was given him. The word meet means equal. Man and woman, together, were not to be alone. Together they constituted a fountain of life. While neither can generate life without the other, the mystery of life unfolds when these two become one. …

"The separate natures of man and woman were designed by the Father of us all to fulfill the purposes of the gospel plan. …

"Only a woman can bestow upon man that supernal title of father.

"She in turn becomes a mother. Can anyone dispute that her part is different from and more demanding than his? The mother must endure limitations while nature performs the miracle of creation.

“Through her sacrifice, once again another spirit clothed in a mortal body crosses that frail footpath of life to experience mortality and the testing required in the plan of salvation.

"The well-being of the mother, the child, the family, the Church, indeed of all humanity depends upon protecting that process. The obligations of motherhood are never-ending. The addition of such duties as those which attend ordination to the priesthood would constitute an intrusion into, an interruption to, perhaps the avoidance of, that crucial contribution which only a mother can provide.

"The limitation of priesthood responsibilities to men is a tribute to the incomparable place of women in the plan of salvation. …

"Men and women have complementary, not competing, responsibilities. There is difference but not inequity. Intelligence and talent favor both of them. But in the woman’s part, she is not just equal to man; she is superior! She can do that which he can never do; not in all eternity can he do it. There are complementing rewards which are hers and hers alone. …

"It was not meant that the woman alone accommodate herself to the priesthood duties of her husband or her sons. She is of course to sustain and support and encourage them.

"Holders of the priesthood, in turn, must accommodate themselves to the needs and responsibilities of the wife and mother. Her physical and emotional and intellectual and cultural well-being and her spiritual development must stand first among his priesthood duties.

"There is no task, however menial, connected with the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the home that is not his equal obligation. The tasks which come with parenthood, which many consider to be below other tasks, are simply above them" (Boyd K. Packer).

culture and gratitude

"The purpose of priesthood authority is to give, to serve, to lift, to inspire—not to exercise unrighteous control or force. In some cultures, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, unproductive, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The scriptures confirm that Father in Heaven saved His greatest, most splendid, supreme creation, woman, to the end. Only after all else was completed was woman created. Only then was the work pronounced complete and good. …

"By divine design a woman is fundamentally different from a man in many ways. She is compassionate and seeks the interests of others around her. However, that compassionate nature can become overwhelming for women who identify far more to accomplish than they can possibly do, even with the help of the Lord. Some become discouraged because they do not feel they are doing all they should do. I believe this is a feeling that many worthy, effective, devoted women of the Church experience.

"Therefore, as a husband or son, express gratitude for what your wife and mother do for you. Express your love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer, more pleasant and purposeful for many of the daughters of Father in Heaven who seldom hear a complimentary comment and are not thanked for the multitude of things they do. …

"God will hold us accountable for how we treat His precious daughters. Therefore, let us treat them as He would wish to have them treated" (Richard G. Scott).

academia

2010-06-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Academia treats neo-Darwinism and the Book of Mormon the same. Neo-Darwinism is beforehand assumed true and therefore all non-supporting evidence is ignored as inconclusive and only supporting evidence is considered. Anyone suggesting that the theory might be false is dismissed without argument.

Joseph Smith's explanation of the origin of the Book of Mormon, on the other hand, is assumed false and therefore all supporting evidence (see also here and here) is ignored and only non-supporting evidence is considered. Anyone suggesting that the Book of Mormon came forth as Joseph Smith claimed is dismissed without argument.

No matter how much evidence is against neo-Darwinism or for Joseph Smith's explanation of the origin of the Book of Mormon, academia affirms they must be true and false, respectively, because the alternatives are to them unacceptable.

science and religion

2010-06-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

We do not now know all things pertaining to this earth and the laws and principles governing the physical world. However, the Lord has promised that when he comes again all such things shall be known.

"Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven" (DC 101:32-34).

All truth comes from God, and so there is no conflict between a truth revealed through a prophet or one discovered through the scientific method. "Within the gospel of Jesus Christ there is room and place for every truth thus far learned by man, or yet to be made known" (James E. Talmage).1 "…One truth never conflicts with another, no matter what fields or categories the truths are put in for purposes of study" (Bruce. R. McConkie).2

Apparent conflicts can and do arise when either the religious teaching is incomplete or misunderstood, or the scientific teaching is incomplete or misunderstood, or both.

"…God who created this earth is the same God who inspired the prophets. A conflict [between science and the scriptures] arises only when we assume that God has revealed all he is going to reveal on the subject or forget that scientific theories change as new discoveries are made. We also need to remember both the purposes for which the scriptures were given and the objectives of the scientific method.

"Foremost, the scriptures testify of Jesus Christ and how we may receive the blessings of salvation and exaltation through his atonement. They reveal why (not necessarily how) the earth was created, and what laws and principles a person must follow to obtain eternal life. The goal of science, on the other hand, is to learn how (not why) the world was made and to understand the laws and principles governing the physical world.

"Of course, the findings of science and the statements made in the scriptures are not entirely exclusive of each other. Often, the one augments knowledge supplied by the other. …

"The relationship between scripture and what is currently understood in science is ever changing. Science continually learns more about the history of life on earth, and we have every reason to believe that much more will be learned as research continues. …

"Fortunately, we need not know all the details of the [earth] to take advantage of the essential saving ordinances of the gospel and conform to divine standards of progression. The scriptures and the inspired counsel of the prophets are sufficient to lead us back to God" (Morris S. Petersen).

Notes

1. "The Earth and Man," Deseret News, 21 November 1931.

2. Mormon Doctrine (2000), 681.

curse and mark

2010-05-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

"…[W]e must be cautious and careful not to go beyond teaching true doctrine. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. His confirmation is invited by our avoiding speculation or personal interpretation" (Henry B. Eyring).

Both Cain and the Lamanites were given a curse and a mark by the Lord around which have been much speculation and misunderstanding. We know the curse given to each was, in general, the same: they were shut out or cut off from the presence of the Lord (Moses 5:36-37, 41; 2 Nephi 5:20). Cain (and his decedents until 1978) was also denied the priesthood (Abraham 1:23-27). However, the reason for this has not been revealed and may or may not be part of the curse placed upon him.

The marks had different purposes. Cain was marked so that he would not be slain (Moses 5:40). The Lamanites were marked so the righteous would not mingle with them and believe in incorrect traditions (2 Nephi 5:21-23; Alma 3:6-10).

We also know the curse and the mark are separate, and that the mark may not be indicitive of righteousness or wickedness (Jacob 3:5, 8-9). And as with most blessings/cursings, the curse upon the Lamanites was conditional, the Lord promised that those who repented of their iniquities would be blessed and numbered among the righteous (Alma 3:11, 15-17).

garments

2010-03-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have recieved the endowment ordinance wear a white undergarment that "…symbolizes purity and helps assure modesty, respect for the attributes of God, and, to the degree it is honored, a token of what Paul regarded as taking upon one the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13; cf. DC 27:15). It is an outward expression of an inward covenant, and symbolizes Christlike attributes in one's mission in life. Garments bear several simple marks of orientation toward the gospel principles of obedience, truth, life, and discipleship in Christ. …

"A biblical tradition teaches that Adam and Eve, prior to their expulsion from Eden, wore sacred clothing. 'Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them' (Gen. 3:21). These were given in a context of repentance and forgiveness, and of offering sacrifice and making covenants" (Garments).

"The garment provides a constant reminder of the covenants made in the temple. …When worn properly, the garment provides protection against temptation and evil. Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior" (Temples).

endowment

2010-02-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able" (1 Corinthians 3: 2).

As to the most sacred teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the scriptures teach that we are given them when we are ready to understand them and willing to live by the principles they teach. Otherwise, they would serve only to our condemnation. It is understandable then, that those who have not recieved such teachings would call them secret, while those who have would call them sacred.

"Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. …

"Temples are places of learning. Their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him. Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything in the Church—the meetings and activities, the missionary efforts, the lessons taught and the hymns—all lead to the work done in holy temples.

"One ordinance received in the temple is called the endowment. The word endowment means 'gift,' and the temple endowment truly is a gift from God. The ordinance consists of a series of instructions and includes covenants to live righteously and follow the requirements of the gospel. The endowment focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father's plan, and the personal commitment of each member to follow Him" (Temples).

Four main aspects of the endowment are first, the preparatory ordinance, a cerimonial washing and anointing. Second, a course of instruction including a portrayal of the creation and the plan of salvation leading to our return to the presence of God. Third, the making of covenants relating to principles and laws of the gospel. And fourth, a sense of divine presence (Endowment).

And though references to the endowment may be found in the scriptures, and ancient religious texts show similar teachings were given by Christ to his apostles, the fullness of the endowment exists today because of the restoration of the gospel and modern revelation.

priesthood

2010-02-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

"Since biblical times, the Lord has designated through His prophets who could receive the priesthood and other blessings of the gospel. Among the tribes of Israel, for example, only men of the tribe of Levi were given the priesthood and allowed to officiate in certain ordinances. Likewise, during the Savior’s earthly ministry, gospel blessings were restricted to the Jews. Only after a revelation to the Apostle Peter were the gospel and priesthood extended to others (see Acts 10:1–33; 14:23; 15:6–8)" (Priesthood Ordination).

For reasons not fully revealed, Cain, and his descendants until this dispensation, were denied the priesthood. It seems Egyptus, the wife of Ham (the third son of Noah), was a descendant of Cain, thus preserving the lineage of those not allowed to hold the priesthood through the flood (Abraham 1: 23-27).

In 1978, the Lord revealed that the denial of the rights of the priesthood on this lineage was lifted. "He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple" (Official Declaration 2).

plural marriage

2010-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

"At various times the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, he gave this commandment to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon" (Mormon.org FAQ).

The standard doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is and always has been monogamy. "Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none. …For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things" (Jacob 2:27,30). Again, the standard of the Lord's people is monogamy, unless the Lord reveals otherwise.

For now, the Lord has not revealed otherwise and thus there is no plural marriage in the church. "I wish to state categorically that [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] has nothing whatever to do with those practicing ploygamy. They are not members of this church" (Gordon B. Hinckey). See here for more information.

faith healing

2010-01-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

"Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements and/or heal the sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants. … Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for" (Bible Dictionary)

We can be healed by our faith and the faith of those who love us if it is God's will. God absolutely possesses such power and has healed many of his children of their infirmities. Faith, however, does not relieve us of responsibility. If we wish to be healed, and have faith that we can be, a manifestation of that faith would be doing all within our power to be healed, including seeking the help of physicians and medicines. God gives his children truth and knowledge so that they may bless each other. We cannot simultaneously ask for God's help with one hand and refuse it with the other (see James 2: 14-26).

Faith, without works, is not faith, and cannot heal us. We will answer to God for witholding help from someone with the false belief that God will heal them while we stand idly by and do nothing.

grace

2010-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25: 23)."

What does it mean to be "saved by grace after all we can do?" Salvation is possible only through Christ, through his mercy and grace, nothing we do could bring us closer to salvation without him.

"And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent (Mosiah 3: 17)."

What then, is "all we can do?" What has Christ asked of us?

"And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son. And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain" (Alma 24: 10-11).

All we can do is repent, repent of our sins, however great or small they may be, and allow the blood of Christ to wash us clean.

love

2010-01-16T21:13:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it may seem to us that God does not love us. And sometimes it may be because he loves us more than we wish to be loved.

"What would really satisfy us would be a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, 'What does it matter so long as they are contented?' We want, in fact, not so much a Father in Heaven as a grandfather in heaven—a senile benevolence who, as they say, 'liked to see young people enjoying themselves', and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, 'a good time was had by all'."1

"It is natural for us to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less."2

"Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal. …Of all powers he forgives most, but he condones least: he is pleased with little, but demands all.

"When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God loves man: not that He has some 'disinterested', because really indifferent, concern for our welfare, but that, in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love. You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the 'lord of terrible aspect', is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way, not the cold philanthropy of a conscientious magistrate, nor the care of a host who feels responsible for the comfort of his guests, but the consuming fire Himself, the Love that made the worlds, persistent as the artist's love for his work and despotic as a man's love for a dog, provident and venerable as a father's love for a child, jealous, inexorable, exacting as love between the sexes."3

"To ask that God's love should be content with us as we are is to ask that God should cease to be God: because He is what He is, His love must, in the nature of things, be impeded and repelled by certain stains in our present character, and because He already loves us He must labour to make us lovable."4

Notes

1. C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (2001), 33–34.

2. Ibid, 35.

3. Ibid, 39.

4. Ibid, 41.

saved

2009-06-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Now and again I am asked the question, "Why do you believe that only members of your church will be saved?" While I claim that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church restored to the earth, I do NOT believe and the Church does not teach that only its members will be saved. "God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them."1

"…[W]hile one portion of the human race is judging and condemning the other without mercy, the Great Parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard; He views them as His offspring, and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men, causes 'His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).' He holds the reins of judgment in His hands; He is a wise Lawgiver, and will judge all men, not according to the narrow, contracted notions of men, but, 'according to the deeds done in the body whether they be good or evil,' or whether these deeds were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India. He will judge them, 'not according to what they have not, but according to what they have'; those who have lived without law, will be judged without law, and those who have a law, will be judged by that law. We need not doubt the wisdom and intelligence of the Great Jehovah; He will award judgment or mercy to all nations according to their several deserts, their means of obtaining intelligence, the laws by which they are governed, the facilities afforded them of obtaining correct information, and His inscrutable designs in relation to the human family; and when the designs of God shall be made manifest, and the curtain of futurity be withdrawn, we shall all of us eventually have to confess that the Judge of all the earth has done right (Genesis 18:25)."2

Perhaps a misunderstanding of the Church's teachings on authority (the divine right to preach, act in the name of God and direct the Lord’s church) leads to the idea of only church members being saved. Although I believe divine authority was lost in the ancient church following the death of the apostles and restored to the modern chruch through divine intervention, salvation is not limited to the relatively few who are members of that church.

"Informed Latter-day Saints do not argue that historic Christianity lost all truth or became completely corrupt. The orthodox churches may have lost the 'fullness' of the gospel, but they did not lose all of it nor even most of it. Many Evangelicals caricature or overstate the actual LDS view, which is that the orthodox churches are incomplete rather than corrupt. It is their postbiblical creeds that are identified in Joseph Smith’s first vision as an 'abomination,' but certainly not their individual members or their members' biblical beliefs."3

Whether or not an organization possesses divine authority is an entirely different question than whether its individual adherents live according to the truth and light God has given them.

Notes

1. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:401.

2. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:595–96.

3. Craig L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson, How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation (1997), 61.

children of job

2008-12-05T12:28:00.001-08:00

"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east" (Job 1:1-3).

After the many sufferings of Job he was restored twofold by the Lord of all that he had. "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters" (Job 42:12-13).

Job was blessed with the same number of children he had before, rather than twofold as with his sheep, camels, oxen, and she asses. May I suggest that this was no mistake, but that the relationship Job had with his children remained in force even when they passed beyond the veil, that is, they were still his sons and his daughters after they died. And therefore, being blessed with the same number of children as before, he was really blessed twofold as with his animals.

Jesus Christ gave such a power to his Apostles in the meridian of time. "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). Job's family had been bound together with this sealing power, they would forever be a family, only their own unrighteousness could separate them. "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mark 10:9).

Job was not alone. We read of Abraham, Isaac, and also Jacob being gathered unto their people, their families, when they died. "Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:8). "And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him" (Genesis 35:29). "And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people" (Genesis 49:33).

Modern prophets confirm the possibility. "And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy" (DC 130:2). "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally" (The Family).

The power to seal families together forever is real and has been restored to the earth. Along with Job of old, we may enjoy the blessing of an eternal family through Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

christmas

2008-09-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Following is a redaction of scripture presenting a prophecy and narrative of the birth of Jesus the Christ of Nazareth.

Prophecy
"I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and there is one thing which is of more importance than they all-for the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people. Yea, a prophet will the Lord God raise up among the Jews-even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

"For thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been told of old, from everlasting. For according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, the Messiah cometh and his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. For behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, (which, being interpreted, is, God with us.) And the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

"And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God, and she shall call his name Jesus. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld the virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And the angel said unto me: Behold the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! For unto you is born, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."1

Narrative
"Now, as it is written, the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God, unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin, espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou virgin, who art highly favoured of the Lord. The Lord is with thee, for thou art chosen and blessed among women. And when she saw the angel, she was troubled at his saying, and pondered in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel; How shall this be? And the angel answered and said unto her, Of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the Highest. Therefore also, that holy child that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

"And when Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a vision, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins. Now this took place, that all things might be fulfilled, which were spoken of the Lord, by the prophets, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (which, being interpreted, is, God with us.) Then Joseph, awaking out of his vision, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; And knew her not until she had brought forth her first-born son; and they called his name Jesus.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all his empire should be taxed. This taxing was when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one in his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) To be taxed, with Mary his espoused wife, she being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns.

"And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, an angel of the Lord appeared upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way you shall find the babe, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace; good will to men. And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. All they who heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds; But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had heard and seen, as they were manifested unto them.

"And behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard of the child, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests, and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, saying, Where is the place that is written of by the prophets, in which Christ should be born? For he greatly feared, yet he believed not the prophets. And they said unto him, It is written by the prophets, that he should be born in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus have they said, The word of the Lord came unto us, saying, And thou, Bethlehem, which layeth in the land of Judea, in thee shall be born a prince, which art not the least among the princes of Judea; for out of thee shall come the Messiah, who shall save my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had called the wise men privily, enquired of them diligently at what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found the child, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."2

Notes

1. Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 2:10-11; 1 Nephi 10:4, 11:13-21; 2 Nephi 25:19; Alma 7:7-10.

2. Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-35, 2:1-20.

light shineth in darkness

2008-09-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

We are often "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14). When we find truth, it is as if a light shineth in darkness (John 1:5, 1 Corinthians 13:12). May I share what has been witnessed to me as truth (1 John 5:6). For concision I have assumed a Christian reader who believes Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that the Bible is the word of God.

God has crafted a plan of salvation whereby his children can return to his presence through obedience to his will and by the power and mercies of Jesus the Christ (Hebrews 5:9). He chooses prophets to whom he reveals this plan of salvation that they may instruct his children in the paths of righteousness (Galatians 1:11‐12, Amos 3:7, Matthew 24:14).

God’s plan of salvation has oft been rejected, his prophets slain and the truths of the gospel lost to terrestrial men, leading to an apostasy which would end only with a restoration (Jeremiah 35:15). Sometimes the truth has been distorted or changed, mingled with the philosophies of men (Isaiah 24:5). Cyclically reclaiming his children from apostasy, after a season God chooses other prophets to restore truth and light to the darkened minds of men, beginning a new dispensation (Mark 12:1‐5).

Jesus the Christ organized his church in the meridian of time ordaining prophets and apostles to lead through revelation (Ephesians 2:19‐20, Acts 4:33). Magnificent in their testimony of the resurrected Christ, nonetheless the apostles suffered the fate of preceding prophets (Luke 11:49).

With the death of the apostles the truth was again lost and an apostasy ensued greater than any before (Amos 8:11‐12). The philosophies of men polluted the pure doctrines of Christ (Matthew 15:8‐9). Suffering from persecution without and apostasy within the church disintegrated (Acts 20:29‐30). Men taught what was wont to be heard and trod mistaken paths without the illumination of a prophet (2 Timothy 3:1‐2,7; 2 Timothy 4:3‐4).

Receiving revelations from God and being instructed in the everlasting gospel by angels, Joseph Smith was chosen as the prophet whom would restore the church and truths lost in the apostasy before him (Isaiah 29:13‐14, Revelation 14:6). With the truth restored, still "many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2 Peter 2:2).

As another witness alongside the Bible that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was given a book of scripture and power to translate it—a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas (2 Corinthians 13:1, John 10:16).

Since Joseph Smith God has chosen successive prophets and apostles to lead the church breaking the cyclic occurrence of apostasy and restoring all truth and light of previous dispensations (Daniel 2:44, Ephesians 1:10).

"The evidence that will prove or disprove the [gospel] does not exist. When, indeed, is a thing proven? Only when an individual has accumulated in his own conscience enough observations, impressions, reasonings, and feelings to satisfy him personally that is so. The same evidence which convinces one expert may leave another completely unsatisfied; the impressions that build up to definite proof are themselves nontransferable. All we can do is to talk about the material at hand, hoping that in the course of the discussion every participant will privately and inwardly form, reform, change, or abandon his opinions about it and thereby move in the direction of greater light and knowledge" (Hugh W. Nibley).1 Nevertheless the Lord offers proof through the witness of the Holy Ghost for "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

Though there may be many faiths which possess much truth and do much good, only one possesses divine authority (the right to preach, act in the name of God and direct the Lord’s church) and a fullness of the gospel (Ephesians 4:4‐6). As we search for the Lord's church, "above all you must be asking which [denomination] is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door‐keeper'" (C. S. Lewis)?2

Notes
1. Since Cumorah (1981), xiv.
2. Mere Christianity (2001), xvi.

else what shall they do?

2008-08-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

Something vicarious, done by someone on behalf of another, is central to Christianity…

There are certain principles and ordinances men must adhere to if they are to obtain salvation; for God is holy and no unclean thing can dwell in his presence. One of these saving ordinances is baptism which Christ himself taught was necessary for salvation (Mark 16:15-16, John 3:5).

Those who heard Peter’s testimony of Christ on the day of Pentecost were touched by the spirit and wished to know the path they should now follow. Peter answered that the course they must now embark upon began with baptism (Acts 2:36-38).

If baptism is essential for salvation, what is to become of those who are not baptized that might have been so if the opportunity had been given them? And those who are never offered the gospel and its ordinances, are they to be damned for their geographical location? Or those who are blinded by others but would have accepted the gospel under different circumstances?

God is no respecter of persons; he is just and fair and loves all of his children. He has provided a way for the gospel to be preached to those who are dead that all might have an opportunity to hear and believe. Between death and the resurrection and judgment the souls of men reside in the spirit world. They are preliminarily judged on their obedience to the gospel and enter either paradise (the bosom of Abraham) or prison (hell), named such because those within are limited in progression. Before the resurrection of Christ there could be no traffic between the two sides (Luke 16:19-20, 22-26).

Between Christ’s death and resurrection he visited the spirit world and bridged the gulf between the two sides, making it possible for the gospel to be preached to those in prison, giving them the opportunity to repent and embrace the gospel (Isaiah 24:21-22, John 5:25-29, 1 Peter 3:18-20, 1 Peter 4:3-6).

Though they repent and have faith in Christ, the souls in prison cannot be saved without baptism. Baptism is an earthly ordinance, for how can a spirit be baptized? God gave to his apostles the power to perform ordinances on the earth that would be recognized and have force in heaven (Matthew 16:15-19).

Under the direction of this power and authority baptisms can be performed by the living members of the church on behalf of the dead to enable them, if they wish, to progress to paradise and ultimately be saved in the kingdom of heaven. Paul reasons that if there were no resurrection and judgment, baptisms for the dead would not be necessary. He testifies that there is a resurrection and therefore baptisms for the dead are performed that all might have an equal chance of receiving salvation (1 Corinthians 15:12-14,16-22,29).

Salvation is open unto all that will receive it—both the living and the dead.