Celestial Thoughts

Ashamed of My Own

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:53:45 GMT

The other day I had a conversation with a neighbor, at the conclusion of which I was greatly saddened. Let me set the stage. We’re been friendly neighbors for nearly two years, since we bought our home in Snowflake, Arizona. Our move from Mesa was traumatic, to say the least. As adults well past the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, we have not the energy which once characterized us. But we found a beautiful brand-new home that fit our needs and the price was right. We recovered quickly.

It was both refreshing and revitalizing to discover friendly neighbors all around. I have had numerous conversations with the neighbor in this episode, and all were just delightful. I found him to be knowledgeable in his work and willingly helpful to me with that knowledge. He and his wife, (who we also find delightful), are not LDS. In this conversation he mentioned that the LDS missionaries had dropped by and that they were friendly but a bit young for this kind of work. I added that when Joseph Smith sent out missionaries, they were mature men, not boys. He knowingly nodded recognition of a better idea.

Then he said something that cut me to the quick, as in deeply sorrowful. I asked him if he was busy in his business of earth-moving and preparing for building with his ample machinery. He responded that he had work in other areas but never did much business in the local area because he is not Mormon, and they don’t use his services. I responded that the local LDS people don’t like me much, either, because I tend to point out things about the church as Brigham Young reinvented it, and his successors continue the charade. He told me that, as a life-long Protestant, he was not predisposed to change. I respected his position.

Since that conversation, a few days ago, I have been sorely dismayed. I’ve wanted to say something to someone, in the ward, that might make a difference but, over and over again, realized that I couldn’t change iron necks and brass brows. It saddens me greatly to compare that attitude with that required for Zion. It’s a million light-year gulf but those who cause it are the same people who profess to be well on the way to it’s realization. Well, they do have the bank.

Hence the title of this piece, I am deeply ashamed of my own. I was baptized in the church at 8. I grew up being told that LDS were kind people. In early 2007, I read a book about “Conversing with the Lord through the veil.” Bishops and stake presidents recommended the book. The message was clear and concise. I read another and another by the same author, all pointing directly to our Savior. The author had been on his stake high council and was a regular teacher of the Gospel in various settings. Then he wrote a book that told historical truth and they excommunicated him for that.

Since that time I have realized that the evil brought about by Brigham Young, and his cadre of prophetic assasins, has metastasized into an organization that mixes ample philosophies of men with a tiny bit of scripture in the hope that it will purify those evil philosophies. It works for those who value false, but faith-promoting, history and strict social structure, over truth. For me, that has never worked.

Today, there are thousands world-wide who agree that truth is worth more than social approval. In joining with these others of like mind and heart, I have gained faith lost in the realizations of evil all around us. My solace found anchor in those others. They are not perfect, but neither am I. Most of the time, we do our best, to do our best.

The conversation I had with my neighbor reminded me of innocence lost. I hate that feeling. I know I’m not alone, but I do so long for a place of equality and our Savior’s love and administration. I’ve especially grown increasingly weary of blatant hypocrisy.

And they wonder why I don’t attend their corporate church meetings.

Notes On My Unvarnished Geopolitical News Post

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 13:11:52 GMT

These are the original notes on my list of Unvarnished Geopolitical News sites:

The deluge of nonsense drenching our minds is exhaustingly constant. From our Prussian-inspired schooling, (read more John Taylor Gatto for an indepth look at our disastrous school system), to the constant warmongering and state thievery, we are soaked in evil without much, if any, recognition of any of it, even in our closest organizations. Hold an election, and nothing changes. What's up with that? Do you really think it's wise to rain hell on a population because they sell oil to a country we don't like? Regime change? Who in all eternity do we have the arrogance to think we are, anyway?

Oh yeah, I forgot God's assessment: "...but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood...Among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren...Satan shall be their father, and misery shall be their doom;” (LDS Moses 7:33, 36-37; RE Gen. 4:17)

"Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!" (LDS 2Ne 15:20-21; RE 2Ne 8:15-16)

"Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

"These should then be attended to with great earnestness. Let no man count them as small things..." (LDS D&C 123:7-15; RE T&C 139:14-16)

Welcome to our world. Now it's up to us to expose hidden darkness. The links in my Unvarnished Geopolitical News post should help shed some much needed light for those with eyes to see.

Washington and Jefferson would not recognize how we have destroyed what they attempted to build. Entangling alliances, indeed! Well, for certain we are people who have made a mother's womb a fairly unsafe place for a baby. What would a pile of 65 million tiny dead bodies look like, do you suppose? Our Lord knows, their blood cries to Him. I wonder how that sounds? He knows every one.* And the band plays on. This is madness on a global scale and we think all's well in Zion. Well, maybe the bank...

*Amberli Peterson's Ripened is a worthy read.

Do we believe our scriptures? The Book of Mormon repeatedly warns against false traditions. Then why are we not anxiously engaged in exposing the false traditions of our day? (Many of the people on this list are doing just that.) Those false traditions enslave us. Whose chains, again? Mousetraps, mousetraps, everywhere! Our rulers vehemently dislike the idea of our pulling back the curtain and exposing them for the charlatans they are.

"...once someone breaks the script, the response is rarely answers, it is punishment....it's an old guard that mistakes credentials for leadership....it's the truth that gets you in trouble, not lies."
— Michael William Lebron, aka "Lionel Nation"

"The hero of The Matrix did not defeat the machine by force. He defeated it by seeing through the illusion."
— Mark Gerard Keenan, The Matrix Is Talking to the Matrix: How AI Is Replacing Human Thought

This formula of evil is not new. The historian Montesquieu and Lord Acton separately detailed the following truth we easily find apparent in today's world. We summarize here: "When an organization becomes more important than the principles upon which it was founded, corruption occurs." — Anon

So what can we do? Somehow we must escape the Perfect Mousetrap so courageously, and accurately, defined by Denver Snuffer. Some things that are truthful, are not accurate. Slimy tactics from below seek to obfuscate, mis-direct, and cunningly convince against all good. "The philosophies of men, mingled with scripture" well describes our spiritual and organizational predicament.

There are, remember, two churches only, as Nephi and D. Christian Markham reminds us. We seek the church of the Lamb of God. How? As we become more rational, intelligent, and charitable, our Lord can further light our way. More light, more truth, more progress.

"Mental sovereignty under the empire of lies means purging all the malignant indoctrination from every level of your cognition and perception until you are able to think freely and perceive the world with clear eyes. It's a long, difficult process, but it's necessary if you want to form a truth-based relationship with reality and learn to see things as they actually are."
— Caitlin Johnstone, The Lies Get So Tedious

My list is not comprehensive but contains enough to lead you to good info. Enjoy, but understand that some perceived "sacred cows" might be dashed on the rocks of truthful and accurate persuasion. Be ready and unafraid of peace. Opposition is the Adversary's tactic. He wants people fighting amongst themselves, any way he can get it. Quit fighting and soak up learning, and most of all, enjoy the journey.

Jr. Sunday School Agreements

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:48:29 GMT

A pop-culture relic of 1997 is making a comeback, as they sometimes do. It’s title and author are: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. He has since published a fifth agreement on which I’ll also comment. I review this work not to offend anyone’s sensibilities but in an effort to establish its better suitability to a young audience, hence the title of this exercise.

The principles taught are not false, but I was taught these things as a child, and would like to move on to deeper, more mature issues. Our online fellowship has found the book worthy of weeks of discussion which I find stale, flat, and unprofitable, to quote the Bard. If you are offended, please refer to Item 2 below.

Here are the four agreements. My comments in [brackets].

1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say what you mean, avoid gossip, and use your words to spread truth and kindness.

[This is just a bit confusing. So I’m to be flawless with my words and speak them with integrity? Does that mean perfect grammar, enunciation, and diction? “Avoid” gossip? So some gossip is okay as long as…(fill in your favorite gossip justification). What if truth is not kind? What do I speak then? “Impeccable” is not applicable since we are flawed beings incapable of perfection. Clarity and precision are more achievable.]

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
What others say and do is a reflection of their own beliefs and experiences, not a judgment of you.

[Anything? If someone I love expresses love for me, I am not to take that personally? Is that not a judgement of me, and a good one? Since when is “judgment” always negative? You offer vanilla but I choose chocolate, instead. Is my judgment of vanilla negative or preferential? You have agency to consider anything you like about me, true or false. It is up to me to be mindful of truth and appreciate its help in my growth. Falsehoods can be discarded without further discussion, attention, or harm, so calm prevails. Words, contrary to pop-culture conjurers, are not violence. They are simply vibrations in the air, and nothing more. Paraphrasing Schopenhauer: Do not mirror the fool's frenzy.]

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Ask questions and communicate clearly instead of guessing what others think or want.

[Uh, what? Like judgment, assumptions are a valuable a part of life. We assume the car will start when the key is turned or button is pressed. We assume the food we eat will be valuable to our body’s processes. We assume we will wake up in the morning. We assume our autonomic systems will keep us breathing, and physically alive, even though we contributed nothing to the R&D, engineering, or production of the organism. Life is one humbling assumption after the other. The statement makes no sense unless you complete the sentence with what a particular assumption assumes. Illogical general statements with no possible resolutions are not profitable.]

4. Always Do Your Best
Your “best” will change from moment to moment; simply do your best in each situation without self-judgment.

[How do we know if we’ve done our best without self-judgement? Perhaps the meaning is better explained with, “without self-condemnation.” As imperfect mortal beings we are incapable of performing at the level of “best.” Our potential, (our best), extends far beyond our current capabilities. You could effectively say this to a 7-year-old but maturity desires considerably deeper understanding and wisdom.]

In a subsequent effort he adds the fifth:

5. Be skeptical, but learn to listen.

[So are we to approach any situation, or person, having convicted the source of some unnamed guilt? Our legal system might disagree. Negativity is often born of insecurity, self-doubt, and fear of failure, rejection, or loss of control. The point is simple, by their nature, skeptics don’t listen. How does listening solve the underlying personal issues which have little or nothing to do with the subject of our skepticism? Inherent in skepticism is the seed of accusation. Skeptics are accusers. Accusers tend not to listen. Can you spell, S-i-s-y-p-h-u-s?]

And there we have it! Finally, we have the answer to mortality’s salient questions!! What would we do without pop-culture and its mesmerizing word salads. Cited as Toltec in origin and shrouded in supposed mysticism, the author presents this possible ancient wisdom in a format most appealing to children. I don’t mind the wisdom, I’d just like it a bit more…well… It’s like always swimming in the shallow end of the pool. Nothing of any significance happens in the shallow end. It’s the safe move. And it sells books.

In response, here are my Five Meditations:

1. Speak truth with maturity, and wisdom.
Avoid the noise of the world, and dig deep for true facts not revealed by mainstream or social media. “Seek deep,” to discover those who “hide their counsel.” Then, judge righteously the object of your gifts, that they may be edified. Deeply consider how your world-view is unique. Explanation is better than defense. Seek commonality. Persuade with empirical evidence and shun coercion.

2. Be rational and intelligent With Others
Treat others as you would be treated. Deal justly. Be harmless. Consider other’s opinions as valuable, if they are, and worthless if they aren’t. Exercise emotional resilience and calm indifference to aggression. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Wise words from The Christian Recorder (March 22, 1862), a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

3. Be Careful of the Assumptions You Make.
Perspectives differ. Baggage may conflict without fault. Allow for correction and bend like the reed. Like Moroni, qualify assumptions with if-then-else structures. Most of all, humbly hold the notion that, "I could be wrong."

4. Always do your best, to do you best.
“Be ye perfect,” when translated more precisely, means finished, or complete. We are commanded to finish the course, learn all we can, and to grow accordingly. Mortal perfection was only possible for one man. For us, it’s mission impossible for reasons we’ll learn after. So we do our best, to do our best. Such constant effort is entirely attainable in mortality.

5. Trust, but Verify.
Begin with the positive until proven wrong. With humility and a desire for understanding of circumstance, be enlightened by the Spirit. Reflect honor with your trustworthiness. Justly consider evidence and act accordingly, with confidence. Be gentle, but fearless.

We’re wading toward the middle of the pool now so let’s dig deeper. Social interaction becomes easier the more like our Savior we become. He is affable, but He isn’t a pushover or glad-hander. Our salvation is serious business. It is His business and He's very good at it!

The explicit invitation in James, trusted by Joseph Smith, began the Restoration. That was truth. Our Lord is trustworthy and His honor is impeccable. You can count on Him without fail. Now we have our example. “For the spirit speaketh the truth, and lieth not; wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” (RE RC Jacob 3:4; LDS Jacob 4:13)

Now the trick is to be meek, (meaning teachable), to enable the Spirit to teach truth. The Spirit will not teach truth which will be used as a weapon. We’ve all seen those who are convinced they are led by the Spirit, and insist on it. They’re led by a spirit, all right, just not the one you want. Be guided by “things as they are” not as others might have them be, but which are false.

An important point to remember is about spiritual gifts. We are unique in so many ways and gifts of the Spirit are just as unique. A search of the scriptures for “gifts of the Spirit” will provide ample evidence. All have gifts we bring with us. Not all have the same gifts. Why, then, do we envy those with gifts we lack while we fail to develop our own?

Not recognizing the spiritual gifts of others may lead to unrighteous judgements. We may not know that a person quickly judged as being inferior, is, in fact, one to whom God gave the very gift we seek for help. Never, ever underestimate the value of another human being, who might just be the answer to your prayer.

Life is, without question, complicated. I have found, that offense, is often a misunderstanding based on false assumptions which we find offensive. That’s the long way around. I rather like the phrase: If someone offers offense, don’t take it. If we are weak and insecure, it might be easier to take offense where none is intended than to think it through with rationality and intelligence. Weakness and insecurity can only be cured with study, realizations, (as in world-view paradigm shifts), sacrifice, and work.

Truth exists. It is independent of our abilities or knowledge. Truth is not dependent on our acknowledgment of its existence. Mortals have no capability over truth, either to create, modify, or destroy it. Truth existed before any of us were mortally born and it will continue after we exit. Truth is not dependent on any of us. And yet some fall victim to an illusion of their own making, and develop a savior complex. Other’s skins are purposefully thin as they move from suffering one offense after the other.

We seem to fall into three very general camps; those who are absolutely rock-hard sure they’re right and won’t budge, those who are emotionally fearful and respond to every advance with a defensive spirit or a need to qualify truth with inaccuracy, and then there are those who have realized and are repentant of their wicked ways, and seek rationality and intelligence. The first, is either unaware or uncaring of their offensive nature and the second, is unaware of their default to offense-suffering. Neither is a particularly satisfying approach to truth. The third, on any issue, always holds out that they could be wrong. Our current society has lost it’s reverence for truth. Truth is treated like a kindly myth. Today’s truth is always subjective and subject to modification. Have we adopted such grossly false philosophy?

Then there is illusion, an opposite of truth. Gary Null, PhD, describes our situation with a valuable and instructive summary:

“We live inside an illusion-industrial complex—a coordinated ecosystem of marketing, media, entertainment, psychology, and now artificial intelligence—all designed to sell us a version of happiness that has nothing to do with the real thing.

“Modern unhappiness is not an accident. It is the predictable outcome of a culture engineered to keep you dissatisfied—because dissatisfaction keeps you consuming. A happy person is a terrible customer; a centered person is an unresponsive target; a grounded person is immune to manipulation.

“Illusions don’t just fail to nourish you—they drain you.
They create a hunger that can never be satisfied, because the hunger itself was manufactured.

“There is only one cure for illusion, and it isn’t more striving.
The cure is truth—truth about who you are and who you are not.

“But most people fear that truth. They fear the stillness that would reveal it. They fear the responsibility that comes with it. And so they stay in motion, hoping constant activity will distract them from the quiet, honest voice inside.

“It never works.

“You are not the sum of your labels.
“You are not the sum of your wounds.
“You are not the sum of your illusions.

“You are something far more enduring, far more luminous, and far more capable of happiness than the world has led you to believe.” (Gary Null, PhD, Happiness in The Age Of Illusion, https://garynull.com/happiness-in-the-age-of-illusion/)

Today’s social fantasizers seek our attention with emotional propaganda designed to make us think that evil really, really likes us, and has our best interests at heart. We have examples of beings in white bidding us follow only to trapse around for forever on literary walks to nowhere until the Lord rescues us. Why is white the default for “good?” Our Lord descended to the Nephites at Bountiful dressed in white. Oh yeah, Satan copies and then brings chains.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in abominable heresies…and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.” (RE 2Peter 1:6; LDS 2Peter 2:2)

I’m not suggesting that The Four Agreements is an abominable heresy unless it puts you to sleep, ending the search for deeper, more satisfying truth. And if you’re not certain there is deeper, more satisfying truth, let me suggest that as mortals, we really don’t have much of a clue about much of anything. So we pretend.

“Up to us is laying down prideful emotion, and releasing the need to control. Control, after all, is another illusion, along with privacy. We are in an ongoing movie starring ourselves. All we can do is humbly offer our will. That is all we really own—our agency. After that, it’s all His. This process of learning and growth will continue for a bit more until we reach a point of substance. Rationality and intelligence are characteristics of substance.

"May we understand that we are not yet able to offer anything of substance to the Lord. We are like a five-year-old who wanders into a physics lab and asks to be useful. About all the physicist can do is hand the child a broom and dustpan and hope for the best.

“We do not know enough nor are we capable enough to please the Lord any more than that 5-year-old could contribute anything worthwhile to the physicist’s efforts in the lab. And yet we fancy ourselves learned. And we use vain emotion to justify our efforts as meaningful. While, objectively, we are less than the dust.

“A rational and intelligent being understands these things. A rational and intelligent being seeks the most understanding and knowledge regardless of the emotional cost. A rational and intelligent being is willing to lay all on the alter of sacrifice for the Lord, to gain knowledge and intelligence. A rational and intelligent being seeks the face of the Lord, as he promised and commanded we should. A rational and intelligent being seeks truth, as deep and satisfying as mortality will allow. And never stops digging.” 1

"...care for the soul and for the life of the soul. And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience you may possess your souls, and you shall have eternal life."
(LDS D&C 101:37-38; RE T&C 101:6)

“Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you, for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. ... I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness, but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.” (LDS 2 Nephi 9:40; CE 2 Nephi 6:11)

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath — for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.”
(LDS James 1:19-20; RE Ep. Jacob 1:5)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits — whether they are of God — because many false prophets are gone out into the world...They are of the world, therefore speak they of the world and the world hears them.”
(LDS 1 John 4:1-6; RE 1 John 1:18)

1 (Michael George, quoting from Rational and Intelligent Beings, and Inerrancy vs Reality, https://www.celestialthoughts.com/index.cfm?RP=3&PstRef=74 https://www.celestialthoughts.com/index.cfm?RP=3&PstRef=44 )

Unvarnished Geopolitical News

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:19:49 GMT

If your desires are for unvarnished geopolitical and social news from around the world, and you're understandably unsatisfied with the usual suspects, consider the following list. These are favorites of mine. (Updates are added to the top of the list.)

The List
(In no particular order.)

All-Source Intelligence
https://jackpoulson.substack.com/

Celestial Thoughts, Michael George's blog
https://www.celestialthoughts.com/

Lew Rockwell
https://www.lewrockwell.com/

Natural News, Mike Adams, Health Ranger
https://www.naturalnews.com/

Focal Points, Courageous Discourse; Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH, et al.
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/

Mark Gerard Keenan
https://markgerardkeenan.substack.com/

Gary Null, PhD, Health • Happiness • Longevity; Essay: Happiness In The Age Of Illusion
https://garynull.com/happiness-in-the-age-of-illusion/#

A Midwestern Doctor; The Forgotten Side of Medicine
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/

Max Blumenthal, et al.
https://thegrayzone.com/

Strategic Culture Foundation
https://strategic-culture.su/

Caitlin Johnstone
https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/

The Burning Platform
https://theburningplatform.com/

Helena Glass
https://helenaglass.net/

Larry C. Johnson
https://sonar21.com/

Moon of Alabama
https://www.moonofalabama.org/

Lional Nation
https://lionelmedia.com/

Chuck Baldwin (Israel, The Scofield Bible, etc.)
https://chuckbaldwinlive.com/

Armageddon Prose
https://armageddonprose.substack.com/

Consortium News
https://consortiumnews.com/

MintPress News
https://www.mintpressnews.com/

Global Research
https://www.globalresearch.ca/

SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence
https://southfront.press/

AntiWar.com
https://www.antiwar.com/

Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/

South China Morning Post
https://www.scmp.com/

One America News
https://www.oann.com/

Book of Mormon Perspectives
https://www.bomperspectives.com/

Rob Fotheringham
https://www.youtube.com/@robfotheringham2289

Resistance To Evil

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:23:38 GMT

My understanding of the last days time period, (since the Spring of 1820), includes an increasingly significant influence of evil. No surprise there. This is not a subject deserving of much dwelling, but the evils that relentlessly bombard us, demand at least, some attention. This is especially true in the current last days timeline of our mortal earth where false spirits abound and obfuscation rules the day. In our analysis, the two primary metrics of evil are, quantity and quality.

We can see the obvious quantities of evil all around us. It is pervasive but not always profligate. We should be cautious of judgement, shades of gray, and all that. Some err because they know not where to find truth. What is often more difficult to determine is the level of capricious viciousness feeding conscienceless psychopaths and their organizations, masterfully using evil to their own ends.

Quality is important because it determines the intensity of the suffering. Evil has mutated from the days of Cain, to a level of Machiavellian, and Hegelian, proficiency which renders truth as a target for destruction in the hands of those proficient in evil practices.

Like an agile jet boat deftly rounding the tight turns of a narrow river canyon, evil is deft at negotiating the twists and turns of moral expediency. The truth becomes whatever benefits evil's cause. All else is ignored, dismissed, deflected, ridiculed or, if possible, destroyed.

I weep for Noah, who suffered among a similarly wicked people. He acted and endured in service to God and family, as few have ever done. Noah could have gone the way of Enoch, before him, or Salem, and his son, Shem, (Melchizedek), after him. There have been few that meet their measure, Joseph Smith being one of those few. I wish their mortal visits could have been more pleasant but they certainly met the measure of their creation.

I weep for this world also. It is immensely confused, and foolishly looks to falsehood for relief. I marvel at how easily so many are deceived and manipulated. And they go right along, willingly, with all of it.

Can I truly blame them, though? After a coerced course of Prussian-style government schooling and expensive advanced conditioning, (as in university), many never recover. Others, enthusiastically enter the matrix of a perceived saving organization, and ignore the truths of the real world. They have been robbed of the ability to, independently and rationally, believe in anything larger than themselves, other than the state, or their selected organization. God is dead, for them, because they killed the very idea of Him, opting instead for dependence on the leadership of men. God becomes, at best, a kindly thought somewhere out in the distant celestial ethers, completely unnecessary in the practical world.

For many in our mortal world, the meaning of life is that life has no meaning. They are programmed with falsehood, which leads to frustration, which leads to anger, which leads to a source of relief, which leads to dependency, which, of course, leads to slavery. They have been obedient to their mentors. Perhaps the CIA's MK-Ultra and similar projects were more successful than we could possibly have thought.

Corporations, churches, political groups, and other organizations use emotional conditioning to similar ends. A young man without purpose hears the Army's order, "Be all that you can be," and joins up. The words and phrasing are carefully selected and arranged according to precise emotional conditioning techniques. The same is true about toothpaste and prophets.

LDS church members live by the mantra, "Follow the prophet, he knows the way. Follow the prophet, he won't lead you astray."

Question: If, in fact, the modern LDS institution is led by a prophet, seer, and revelator, why spend millions on focus groups and polling? The gathered data is analyzed and contributes to the latest conditioning program of the church. Why would a prophet of God need focus groups and polling to know what to do?

But we never ask such questions. We are programmed to obey, not think. No one would dare add one-plus-one and conclude that LDS prophets, seers, and revelators certainly have the sustained titles, but lack the actual gifts from God. Does the Lord help and inspire them? I hope so. That depends on whether the things of this world and the honors of men are more important to them. It appears the PR budget bumps right into that question. Sad? Yes. The truth sometimes is. Nonetheless, one-plus-one remains the same.

This same emotional conditioning, which allows us to put up with defective math, affects virtually every buying decision, every vote, every relationship, and most thoughts. Obedience to those thoughts is a paramount characteristic of any good citizen of Babylon. But wait, isn't obedience a good thing?

Isn't obedience the first law of heaven? Ol' Joseph F. thought it was, and said so, in his general conference talk in October 1873. Elder Bruce included the pronouncement in Mormon Doctrine.

Some disagree and say the first law of heaven is order. The Lord declared his house to be one of order. If you don't have order, what have you?

But then, the first of the First Principles of the Gospel, is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Is faith the first law of heaven? Our Savior was very clear that the greatest commandment was, love God. Is Love the first law of heaven?

We could continue down this "investigative" TV-program-style path with other possibilities, but this shallow line of thinking is precisely the problem. How can obedience be the first law, when obedience requires laws to which obedience can be directed. Those laws would have to have been established. Obedience would come after those laws, so it could not be the first.

If by first, you mean, most important, obedience loses again. If we don’t exist, how important is anything else?

"All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man..." (LDS D&C 93:30-31; RE T&C 93:10)

We begin to have clarity. As usual, it comes from scripture. If there is a "First Law of Heaven," it must be agency. If we have not agency, we will not exist. An interesting thought, however, not particularly useful. Relevant, is the irrefutable fact that we do exist.

These mortal bodies of ours, high-maintenance as they are, testify of our existence, as do scriptural references to our spirits and intelligence. We just read one. Therefore, we have agency. We have the ability to choose one thing, instead of another. Because we exist, we have to choose. Choosing, quite frankly, is the gig.

Many would rather not have to choose, preferring, instead to simply follow a set of philosophies of men, mingled with scripture, laid out for them which, they are told, will lead them to success. Whose plan, from our pre-mortal existence, was that? Oops. And back we come to obedience. The Adversary demands obedience. Our Lord persuades with love and light and truth.

To say that obedience is the first law of heaven, is to exhibit shallow thinking, a dependency on emotion for relevance, and a perchance for cliché. This is not a firm foundation.

Obedience is like a wet bar of soap, slipping away at every grab. Obedience is not a target but a by-product of careful behavior and devotion. But devotion to whom? There are only two choices. You must choose. Now, we're back to the recognition of evil. Choose Christ and light and the path of growth, (and change, for the better), and family, or not. If not, it really doesn’t matter what you choose, does it?

Christ added additional clarity for those in history, and those today, who would choose obedience to evil and then seek to kidnap our children.

"O fools! for you have said in your hearts, There is no God. And you pervert the right way; and the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence of you; and you persecute the meek; and in your violence you seek to destroy the kingdom; and ye take the children of the kingdom by force. Woe unto you, ye adulterers!" (JST Luke 16:21)

There is little difference between "force" manifested in covert emotional conditioning, and "force" by gunpoint, or scalpel. If we follow the instruction in the Lectures on Faith, (LoF, 3:2), and become rational and intelligent people, we will more easily recognize evil, and false spirits, as we become more sensitive to the light.

Even with a partial recognition of truth, we can still fall for the carefully crafted script our leaders feed us. We almost can't help it. We appear to be on the same dishonorable and self-destructive path since Cain's tantrum, except with better tech and weapons. Whether the weapons are explosive or digital, evil is pervasive. The media amplifies it. The government makes laws out of it. We can never lower our guard. We follow Christ, and no man.

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Psalm 22:3)

Punished as a result of relying on false traditions. Things are easier that way. I don't have to think. The lighthouse/paradigm-shifting credible historical evidence, currently available is overwhelming. At its heart, all we've learned verifies the true prophetic calling, given by Jesus Christ, to Joseph Smith, Jr. as a new dispensation head, prophet, seer, and revelator. In addition, the evidence verifies Joseph as a virtuous man.

Unfortunately, true history will not speak kindly about Brigham and his Secret Chamber group. At the core were Heber C. Kimball, Brigham’s boyhood chum, William Clayton, and others. They all had a lovely time in Maine, preaching, baptizing, and obtaining lessons in spiritual wifery from the followers of Jacob Cochran. (Cochran was in prison, at the time, for gross sexual misconduct.) Then to their mission in England, the merry band went off to start a new church with polygamy, at the very least, as the center "sacrament."

Brigham and the boys returned from England with a posse of polygamous wives. Long story short, they tried slander when neither Joseph or Hyrum would go along with the new "sacrament." Then they tried false witness in civil court. That didn't work either.

So they killed Joseph and Hyrum, and later, Samuel. It took Brigham three-and-a-half years to fully accomplish the transformation of the Lord’s Restoration, into Brigham’s Little Shop of Adultery. I know that's hard bark to chew but it is shamefully true.

"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." (Psalm 22:2)

"...for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;" (D&C 29:36)

Much has been written about true riches and the intricacies of life. But how important is honor? Apparently, honor fuels the very Power of God, and agency is the Prime Directive. God is not capricious. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever in His perfect devotion and adherence to eternal law. God is the measure of honor for us. We can count on that. Nonetheless, I'm sure our Lord laments, with Amulek, the consequences of agency. Even He, could not escape it.

Sad, also, is the realization that a third of our family were bamboozled by the smooth-talking eloquence and George Clooney smile of the Wicked One. We had to be subject to the lies from the dark side to learn and choose, there. It was a fundamental characteristic of our pre-mortal environment, and it remains so now. (My heartfelt apologies to Mr. Clooney. I think he makes the perfect Satan character, and I loved his Aunt Rosemary's music!)

Equally sad, here, in our very midst, are many who work to satisfy the lusts of the great Lucifer, Son of the Morning. He reigns still, upon this earth, with blood and horror. He fell further than we could ever imagine. And he hates us with a passion we, also, could never imagine. Why do we so underestimate his capabilities and knowledge? Oh, he is good, isn't he?

If the devil can so successfully hide himself, what else has he hidden?

Joseph Smith was a virtuous man in every way. Polygamy, or any form of adultery or licentious behavior was abhorrent to him. And he said so, repeatedly. Evil has continued to rally around him so his name may continue to be held in derision by so many, especially latter-day saints. These froward saints will not even consider the mounting, credible historical evidence before them. And, if they don't believe Joseph, what is the rest of the world going to think? Yeah, he really is good...

It isn't that the average Mormon thinks of Joseph as a liar, hypocrite, and an adulterer. Most don't have the first clue what the fuss is about. They are ignorant of what happened in Nauvoo and they've never been properly taught about the adoption ordinances Joseph performed with both men and women. This was not about marriage or procreation. It was about connecting us to the Fathers in Heaven, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as the angel who visited Joseph that night prophesied. They do not understand that the choice is between Joseph's church, or Brigham’s church. They are very different churches. None of this was the fault of a "mob."

These, otherwise good people, allow the Usurper, and his false spirits, to thrive right under their noses all the while wailing in counterfeit emotion that they are led by a prophet who cannot lead them astray. And all without a shred of scriptural support for the infallibility idea. I thought that was a Catholic thing?

God gave them a true prophet who they hold in derision. And they wonder why they're floundering.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (1 Tim 1:1-2)

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them." (Psalm 22:5)

We've all known people who were simply cranky and belligerent, obstinate, willful, and unwilling to consider the possibility of their error. It is as if their consciences were "seared with a hot iron." These do not play well with others. Here is Christ, quoting the Father to the Nephites, and describing the smallest part of the problem of the, then, future Nauvoo residents. These problems have become an integral component of the modern LDS culture.

"...shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy..." (3Ne 16:10)

"Nations," here, is a reference to family rather than "state." Mormons think highly of their genealogy work. They link backward but not forward. They killed the guy who had the authority to do that. They ignore the teaching of the angel who instructed Joseph in 1823. They have no interest in the identity of "the fathers" or the "promises" to which we are to “turn our hearts” to avoid a curse. I'll leave that homework to you. It's a fascinating ride.

If there is one characteristic of Zion I most admire, after the presence of our Lord, it is the complete absence of guile and the froward. Hearts, there, are sensitive and slow to speak, counting words carefully, and always willing to consider other points of view with meekness, and a desire for truth.

Many, today, cannot function without a strong vertical hierarchy around them to follow. It's as if they need a constant organizational hug. They are weak and lack knowledge. Wisdom flees from them. False spirits speak softly and justify their froward nature and allow them to be easily taken by the Adversary. All the while, their testimonies take a deft turn around the dangerous canyon of moral expediency with their Zoromite wail of a true church, and chosen status. The Father, through our Lord had a different testimony.

Zion has no such organizational structure or justification. Even though evil will balk, Zion is about giving others the benefit of the doubt and looking with soft, forgiving, and patient eyes.

Our relationship with Christ is personal, not organizational. Evil prefers the opposite, being far easier to oppress and make afraid by simply capturing leadership, and then preaching their infallibility. Leaving the religious, governmental, and societal Matrix and pressing on with Christ by our side, is a winning formula for resisting, and ultimately defeating evil.

Here, I'll coin a phrase inspired by the late Austrian economist and libertarian, Robert Wenzel: Resistance to evil is life!

Resistance to Evil, Part 2

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:23:38 GMT

In Part 1, we laid out our dependance on hierarchies which are often lead by those aspiring to power, and who are the last who ought to wield it. How then do we attempt to walk with Christ, and also recognize, resist, and ultimately, defeat evil, and most importantly, remain harmless as the Lord advises?

Why does it seem like society is always divided and quarrelling? Important to remember is the notion that most "sides" are calculated to divide. Our Lord, on the other hand, has suggested a better course of action—to be one. For that to effectively happen, we ought to be able to find solutions, together. For the rational and intelligent, a Ben Franklin Pro/Con chart is a profitable exercise. The results will demonstrate where agreement lies.

If we can find agreement, we can find solutions. If the intention is to pit society against itself, creating and taking sides will do the trick. This latter method, uses Hegelian dialectic propaganda to fabricate emotional attachment to one side or the other, making agreement and solutions nearly impossible. Certainly, our leaders, whether they are corporate, pharmaceutical/medical, governmental, or religious, wouldn't lead us astray with such tactics! Would they? Or have we already picked a side and its associated hierarchy? There are no "sides" in Zion. Our Lord has the one and only societal solution worth considering.

Since we're discussing evil, let's dive into politics just a bit. I am not any politician's fan boy. They tend not to be champions of liberty, as is Ron Paul, or a very few others. And those who currently are, depending on lobbying efforts and payoffs, may not be, tomorrow. Generally, our political leader's adherence to godly moral principles, or even Constitutional principles, is thin as is their understanding of sound monetary theory and economics, and effective foreign policy. The last president to have a handle on that last issue, was our third:

“Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.” (Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, 1801)

I wholeheartedly concur! Compare that with our current economic and foreign policy. Pardon me, do these people even read, let alone constructively think? Oh, I get it, erase history, and you erase thinking. Interesting thought, eh?

Here are two different but connected thoughts about liberty and a personally satisfying life. These are thoughts not taught in modern schools, but should be. History is being erased along with the notion that a truly fulfilling life is within the reach of each of us. Here are the thoughts:

► "Freedom is not usually lost all at once through force. It is more often weakened first through forgetting...freedom survives only where judgment is actively exercised. By judgment, I mean the human capacity to pause, discern meaning, and take responsibility for a decision in context...When contemplation and judgment are displaced, something essential is lost long before it is noticed." (Mark Keenan, When Judgment Is Forgotten, 12/30/2025, https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/12/mark-keenan/when-judgment-is-forgotten/)

► "Sometime around 340 BC, Aristotle gave a series of lectures at the Lyceum in Athens in which he presented a theory of how humans can cultivate a good life and take deep satisfaction in it. He described true flourishing as a state of the soul that he referred to with the Greek word eudaimonia (from eu for “good” + daimon for "spirit").

"Eudaimonia is a deep satisfaction that one takes in the well earned belief that one consistently behaves and orders his life in accordance with the moral virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and liberality, and the intellectual virtues of wisdom, understanding, and prudence. Eudaimonia is not a means to an end but an end in itself.

"Obtaining eudaimonia is what enables one to live without shame, guilt, or regret—to go to bed at night with a clear conscience that one has done the work, fulfilled his duties, and always acted like a reasonable man.

"As Aristotle pointed out, becoming virtuous and obtaining eudaimonia does not come naturally, but must be acquired through repetitive action. Actions repeated become habits, and through virtuous habits, one becomes a virtuous and therefore flourishing person.

"As Carl Jung echoed this idea over two thousand years later, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” (John Leake, On New Year's Resolutions, 01/02/2026,
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/on-new-years-resolutions) (Emphasis mine.)

With such wisdom available to all, why does society wallow in immaturity, depression, and ignorance? Let's dive deeper...

Our current president is a pompous media personality, New York real estate tycoon, and bullying negotiator. He is a Faustian buffoon. And yet, he is our president, like it or not, and his general lack of homage to traditional Washington politics, is refreshing to many. It is not new to have such bizarre characters in the White House. Unfortunately, like the overwhelming majority of politicians, he made lots of promises but kept only a few. And the bombs continue to drop, enriching the warmongers.

We suffered through the CIA Bush, intern-for-lunch Clinton, cow-hand Bush, and Slimy-Barry Obama presidential abominations by the skin of our teeth. We continued to suffer through a short theatrical presentation of Keystone government with the first Trump enrich-the-lawyers snipe hunt. Then came the corpse and the doctor. Mary Shelley would be proud.

Amazingly enough, we suffered through it all without the political and childish temper tantrums exhibited, (and funded), by our Marxist opponents today. This is a sophisticated kettle of slimy, two-headed, political barracudas. I support liberty, no matter who proffers it. These days, very, very few do, so we have an abundance of evil from which to choose. And evil, mixed with immaturity, depression, and ignorance, rules with severe unrighteous dominion, which breeds our current world.

Scripture well describes our current situation:

"My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword." (Psalms 57:4)

"There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men." (Prov 30:14)

"A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." (Prov 25:18)

For "...them that are set on fire..." the Adversary is the fire's source. Those who burn with that fire are deceived into thinking they are lions. Fire consumes and destroys its fuel. Conversely, our Lord quickens and provides the power of life. He is creative and productive. Our salvation, is His success. He is a Maker. (See Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" series. Card is a favorite.)

Our life among the lions is not entirely unique, of course. During his first rodeo, the unison gang-beating of Orange Man was extraordinarily well coordinated. All this reminds us of another leader who was treated with tantrums, slander, and violence. Read the following description of Trump's treatment, and see if you have a similar recollection:

This is from Sally Zelikovsky from her essay, "Who Targeted the President," American Thinker Magazine, Oct 6, 2020:

"They've tried to impeach and remove him, force him to resign, discredit him, undermine his accomplishments, embarrass and ridicule him; they've wished him dead umpteen times; they've relentlessly threatened his life; and they've been clear they don't care about his family or his health."

If our dear prophet, Joseph Smith, comes to mind, we're on the same page. The above description is dead-on for both men. Today, it's Soros, Shumer, Pelosi, AOC's posse, et al. For Joseph it was Samson Avard, George Hinkle, and Brigham's Secret Chamber with his long-time friend, Heber C. Kimball, first-cousin Willard Richards, and William Clayton, among others.

The difference between our two examples is simple. Trump plays political footsy for his entertainment and lust for power while obeying those pulling strings from higher up the globalist food chain. When you've made and lost billions, what else is there to do but go be president for awhile and play like I'm somebody.

Brigham faced a huge monkey-wrench in things when he, and the boys, returned from their mission to England all set to add "spiritual wifery" to the church's sacraments. Joseph denounced polygamy as adultery thereby blocking Brigham's lustful desire for church-sanctioned harems. The boys couldn't have that, so when nothing else worked, they just murdered Joseph. Look up "adoption" if you have doubts about what Joseph was doing. He sealed both men and women to him and, therefore, the Fathers in Heaven, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Sealing backward benefits no one without the forward sealing ordinance, and they killed the last guy who had the authority to do that.

This mortal world is stuck in a vicious, evil swirling mire it can't seem to shake. It has become tiresome. Life is exhausting, living in a world of lies, psychological propaganda, and calculated interactions. We are born into it. We are taught by it and ruled by its "laws." We work in it and can recognize much of it, if we try, but we do not have to choose it. We can be harmless as our Lord advises: (All emphasis mine.)

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation — among whom you shine as lights in the world..." (RE Philippians 1:8; LDS Philippians 2:15)

Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee. (LDS Alma 18:22; RE & CE Alma 12:14)

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men..." (LDS Matthew 10:16; RE Matthew 5:3)

In the midst of turmoil and chaos, we can choose a different path. Agency is always a component of our journey. When I was a child and a parent would say, "You have to do..." fill in the blank. I would respond, "I don't have to do anything." And I was almost right.

What I didn't understand was that, "I have to do SOMETHING!" Either this or that, or sometimes, the other thing. Even doing nothing is doing something. It's still a choice. There's no getting around that. We always have a choice, even if the choice is uncomfortable, or even painful. Agency can be the toughest nut you ever had to crack because the consequences of the choice are yours along with the responsibility. What makes the difference is honor.

Profitable examples of extraordinary honor, emotional stability, and true leadership exist in both secular and scriptural accounts and are worthy of study. Those we study used their agency for honorable purposes.

So, what's the big deal about honor, anyway? Glad you asked! Many years ago, W. Cleon Skousen used to ask his BYU students: What is the source of God's power? Then he'd unload this on them:

"...for, behold, the devil...rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power..." (D&C 29:36)

All of a sudden "My honor is my power" takes on a whole new meaning. W. Cleon covered that years ago in his talk, "The Meaning of the Atonement." Honor is a very big deal. It is a component of the oil in your lamp. Honor breeds courage. Honor is the foundation of courage.

Honor Among Men; Forgotten Examples

Without George Washington's patient, clear-headed, and peacemaking leadership, the odds would have been slim-to-none of our Constitution being created out of the vastly divergent opinions being debated at the convention of 1789. The mechanics of governing were disputed, even among those who cherished and desired an environment of liberty. But his honor was the catalyst for their trust. George Washington was a noble hero, and indispensable component, in the history of liberty. Men of great honor are worthy of our study.

All, everywhere, ought to be familiar with Washington's command at the Battle of Monongahela, and the importance of honor and the power it provides. I expect Ol' General George and Captain Moroni are getting along quite famously.

In fact, another favorite moment in the history of honor finds Moroni facing significant challenges, on multiple fronts from Lamanite aggression. He sent a scathing letter to Pahoran, the chief judge, accusing him of all manner of malfeasance in not supplying needed supplies and replacements.

Unbeknownst to Moroni, Pahoran had been run out of town and the king-men had taken over. Pahoran could not help Moroni. After Moroni had scolded Pahoran, not knowing his grave situation, Pahoran responded with kindness, understanding, true leadership, and honor. He didn't have to. Nevertheless, Pahoran chose to use his agency with honor.

Here's a snippet from Pahoran's response to Moroni's anger:

"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart...let us resist evil...that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God." (Alma 61:14)

Fortunately today, according to D&C 63, "...the wicked shall slay the wicked..." Our task is not to “lock and load,” but to become a Zion people. Pahoran's entire response to Moroni is a study in Christlike thinking and honor.

Patrick Henry, with noble boldness, uttered some uniquely remarkable, and historically unequivocal principles of liberty and honor. His rational and intelligent words inspired many:

"The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." Henry would complete his speech declaring death as preferable to a life without liberty." (Second Virginia Convention, 1775, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other signers of the Declaration of Independence were in attendance.)

Resistance to Evil, Part 3

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:23:38 GMT

Sons of Liberty No More

We've established that honor is an important catalyst for courage. Honor, courage, and liberty are godly traits. Okay, honor and courage, but libery? How important, really, is liberty?

To walk with Christ is to walk with Liberty. Our Lord verifies that principle with our agency. Christ's success is your redemption, and that success is your choice. And your choice always requires sacrifice. Liberty requires sacrifice and responsibility. Underlying those requirements is the foundation of maturity born of wisdom. Knowledge without wisdom just spins its wheels and goes nowhere.

Wisdom, both societal and personal, has been relegated to the dustbin of inconvenience to agendas of evil. It isn't even much of a myth anymore. Humble seekers can find both knowledge and wisdom with effort. At the end of his speech, Patrick Henry defied the odds with the question: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!"

We could continue this historical escapade for volumes. No people have had the scope of history that stands before us today. The nobility of man is clear, as is his wickedness and iniquity. We see this expanse with an historically unique perspective. This is extremely valuable to our very culture. Enemies of liberty would erase the honor and nobility of those who sacrificed for liberty. Our perspective, and the wisdom it provides, is being erased. On purpose. Evil abhores competition.

Who cries for liberty today? Many hope for liberty but fail to see the ubiquitous grasp of the Adversary's chains in every nook and cranny of our society. Patrick Henry's observation was a timely warning about those who "...indulge in the illusions of hope..." and "...are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth..." Our only hope is in Christ, and the true light and wisdom He provides. Liberty exists because of agency.

Sadly, liberty has slowly been inverted to mean safety. Liberty is dangerous and risky and requires all the attributes of Zion to be successful. Zion cannot be legislated, hence man's continued failures at the effort. Consider this about our current governmental authority:

"The way things are supposed to work is that we're supposed to know virtually everything about what they do: that's why they're called public servants. They're supposed to know virtually nothing about what we do: that's why we're called private individuals.

"This dynamic - the hallmark of a healthy and free society - has been radically reversed. Now, they know everything about what we do, and are constantly building systems to know more. Meanwhile, we know less and less about what they do, as they build walls of secrecy behind which they function. That's the imbalance that needs to come to an end. No democracy can be healthy and functional if the most consequential acts of those who wield political power are completely unknown to those to whom they are supposed to be accountable." (Glenn Greenwald, On whistleblowers and government threats of investigation, The Gardian, 2013)

Caitlin Johnstone reduces the problem to its essence with this:

"The American people have no control over what their government does under the current political system. They vote for one oligarchic puppet, then they vote for the oligarchic puppet in the other party when that doesn’t work out, going back and forth without realizing that at no point are they changing the actual power structure under which they live.

"That power structure is called plutocracy. That’s only real political system the United States has." (Caitlin Johnstone, Zionist Billionaires Openly Acknowledge Manipulating the US Government, January 20, 2026)

The concept of "We the People," as the source of governmental authority, has gone missing. Society has become political theater. Moral corruption has become the rule, not the exception. In some circles it is a requirement. Immense wealth rules over all else in this mortal world. "You can buy anything in this world, for money," including blood, horror, and politicians.

Only the globalist miscreants of evil, have mis-identified a lighthouse, they thought was a mythical rowboat. The degree to which virtually every aspect of modern society, and its leadership, underestimates God is, by orders of magnitude, astounding.

"...God hath set his hand and seal to change the times and seasons, and to blind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; that he may prove them also and take them in their own craftiness;" (D&C 121:12).

Identifying current examples of immoral, power-seeking individuals, and liberty-robbing concepts, being proven and taken "in their own craftiness" is not difficult. From the earth's climate, to the common flu, mountains are made of molehills for liberty-destroying control over we, the people. And the slaughter of the unborn continues. What about their liberty?

Choices have consequences. If you have discarded that notion and proceed, anyway, your craftiness will not support you in the end.

"I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth. I have sworn in my wrath, and decreed wars upon the face of the earth, and the wicked shall slay the wicked, and fear shall come upon every man;

"And the saints also shall hardly escape; nevertheless, I, the Lord, am with them, and will come down in heaven from the presence of my Father and consume the wicked with unquenchable fire." (D&C 63:32-34)

Walk With Christ

On the opposite side of the unbeliever's tired, old argument, God does not desire a bunch of mindless zombies around Him. Rather, I think, He would like life-experienced beings, whose history is of successes, repentance, and increasing meekness. All have been through a refiner's fire, at their level. All recognize our Savior’s advanced level of existence as being far purer and more intelligent, but nonetheless achievable. He is the opposite of coercion. He is eternal liberty. He can save, but only with your permission. The rain falls on us all, but your walk with Christ, might just lead to a dry towel. After all, His success is us, redeemed, and that requires us to be like Him.

To walk with Christ requires a foundational and internal resistance to evil, which leads to more success in defeating evil. To that end, an understanding of evil is essential. We do not dwell on evil. We ought to shun it as entertainment, but we understand it enough to recognize when it is being proffered as good. If I expect to defeat evil, I must recognize it. Even though the majority embraces evil, those who walk with Christ reject it with empirical certainty, and never look back. Experience clearly demonstrates that "wickedness never was happiness." The wisdom of that concept is deep, and clarifying.

I am obedient to the will of our Lord not for fear of punishment. My obedience is grounded in the faithful surety that His path for me provides exactly the challenges and puzzles I need to grow and progress toward His example. It is an eternal reward of joy and rejoicing. I am obedient because I want Him to be proud of me.

I enjoy others who also seek Christ's approval. Sincere fellowship produces resilient and lasting friendships. Those in need of help, are helped, and are blessed. Those with the resources to help are also blessed for their recognition that helping is better than having. All are blessed with knowledge that God is the source of all that is good.

"...for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord..." (Omni 1:25)

Our Lord provided a lesson in organizational management unheard of in Babylon as He instructed the highest leadership quorums of the Restoration. This is a recipe for a walk with Christ.

"The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long-suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity;

"Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord." (D&C 107:30-31 and for more in-depth study see Mosiah 4&5. Highly recommended.)

How sad most of the early leadership had other things on their minds. In a true Zion community, all are fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord and gather in an environment filled with virtue, justice, and wisdom. Mercy is seldom needed, but when it is, it is freely given. Such people, together, attract the Heavenly Gift as the veil thins between the spiritual and mortal worlds.

We have limited detail about Adam's gathering of his righteous posterity where Christ visited, the City of Enoch, or the Salem of Melchizedek. Such historically momentary examples of Zion are inspiring but not entirely satisfying. I read those accounts without really knowing how to recreate what they had.

After His Nephite visit, Christ left a remnant of people who had been given the incredible gift of His presence. His presence! Can you imagine anything more delightful and refreshing? They had experienced something purer and more satisfying than mortality, and they did not want to lose it. They knew exactly what to do next. And because we have the Book of Mormon, we do too.

Read 4th Nephi for, arguably, the most detailed textbook on Zion we have. I could list the bullet points but such is a profitable exercise. Highly recommended. To have that list in your head identifies positive behavior, where the last verse of 3rd Nephi is about the negative. They are very much the bookends of behavior.

We cannot think for one moment, however, that it is our behavior alone that brings Zion. Our Lord is a necessary component. His Spirit provides the catalyst which combines with our behavior and desire, resulting in Zion. Christ can dwell in such an environment, and He lives to bring us safely there—to liberty, honor, peace, love, and wisdom. With such people, our Lord can make the gifts of heaven available to all. I don't think anyone has better expressed the concept of Zion and the Heavenly Gift, than this:

"...there were no rich and there were no poor, and there were no bond, and there were no free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift. This is NOT a description of a social-economic order alone.

"The foundation of Zion shows up here yet again - it's the heavenly gift. It’s the presence and the abundance of the things of the Spirit. It’s not that we have now solved the social-welfare state, because the social-welfare state is the arm of flesh effort to try and imitate something that we all, in our gut, think is probably a fair thing to do, to have everyone be on an equal plane and have everyone deal with one another so that there are no rich and poor, or bond or free, but it doesn’t work and it doesn’t work, because to get where you need to get in order for the things to work, it has to be the heavenly gift.

"It has to be people in harmony with each other, because they are in harmony with the Lord. By getting in harmony with the Lord you find that, well, YOU are a lot more tolerable to others and others are suddenly more tolerable to you.

"Even defective others are more tolerable to you, if you’re in harmony with the Lord. Because if you can see them as the Lord sees them—they are beautiful, they are wonderful! Every one you have ever met is a child of your Heavenly Father and if you can get the heavenly gift then you stop seeing things through the lens of this world and you start seeing things as they really are.

"...look at verse 5 at what happens once you have the presence of the heavenly gift. In verse 5 you find that they healed the sick, they raise the dead, they cause the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus. It is about Him and it is about His work and is about bringing about His will.

"And why was it then, His will that the sick among them be healed and the dead rise again? Why is it that during this period of time it was in conformity with His will that the lame walk and the blind receive their sight and the deaf hear and all manner of miracles occur?

"Why during this time period, when they’ve got the heavenly gift, and when you would say, you know, that’s sort of unfair, I mean, they got all things in common, they’ve solved the problems of the social-welfare state, they’ve got this great societal thing going on, you know, don’t they need cripples? Don’t they need the blind? Don’t they need people to whom they ought to be ministering? Shouldn’t there be a group of them, who, unlike the verse mentioned earlier, are in bondage to the ailments of the body?

"And the answer is — well, apparently not. Apparently, we need it. Apparently it serves an extraordinarily useful purpose for us, but in their setting they’ve got bigger things to do, they’ve got more important things to do and it will tell us what that is, tell us about it repeatedly." Denver Snuffer, Zion Symposium, Feb. 23, 2008, Provo, UT Marriott.

What could possibly be more important than healing the sick and caring for those who are infirm? The better question might be, if you could heal those who are infirm, what would be the next order of business? What has God been attempting, with us, since the days of Adam?

To quote Denver again, the simple answer is, "family life." That, of course is a theme for another day, but suffice it to say that all that we've been discussing regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ, always returns full circle, to family, and family-building. So that's where we start. We do our best to create Zion, in our own family. If we can do it there, Heaven takes notice and evil diminishes its influence.

And you thought this would be easy. It seems my walk with Christ led right into my own living room.

Honor Among Men; Forgotten Examples

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:48:31 GMT

Honor Among Men; Forgotten Examples

So, what's the big deal about honor, anyway? Glad you asked! Many years ago, W. Cleon Skousen used to ask his BYU students: What is the source of God's power? Then he'd unload this on them:

"...for, behold, the devil...rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power..." (D&C 29:36)

All of a sudden "My honor is my power" takes on a whole new meaning. W. Cleon covered that years ago in his talk, "The Meaning of the Atonement." Honor is a very big deal. It is a component of the oil in your lamp. Honor breeds courage.

Without George Washington's patient, clear-headed, and peacemaking leadership, the odds would have been slim-to-none of our Constitution being created out of the vastly divergent opinions being debated at the convention of 1789. The mechanics of governing were disputed, even among those who cherished and desired an environment of liberty. George Washington was a noble hero, and indispensable component, in the history of liberty. Men of great honor are worthy of our study.

The Battle of Monongahela provided Washington the nickname "Old Bulletproof." Well, maybe not exactly, but the sentiment and reputation were certainly there, for such a young officer.

On July 9, 1755, 1,400 British troops commanded by General Edward Braddock, were on their way to seize the French Fort Duquesne. Eight miles from the fort they were ambushed by French regulars and Canadians accompanied by Potawatomi and Ottawa Indians. (https://m.middlesboronews.com/2020/02/18/indian-legend-of-george-washingtons-divine-protection/)

Twenty-three-year-old Colonel George Washington was the last officer on horseback. Stupidly, but according to British military tradition, Gen Braddock had ordered his troops to head straight into the battle while the Indians hid behind rocks and trees. Washington rode back and forth amid a hailstorm of musket balls delivering General Braddock's orders. Washington never received even a scratch.

George Washington described the Battle of Monongahela to his younger brother, John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755: “...by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!”

"Fifteen years later, Washington and Dr. James Craik, a physician who served as Surgeon of the Virginia Regiment, and close friend of his from his youth, were traveling through those same woods near the Ohio river and Great Kanawha river. They were met by an old Indian chief, who addressed Washington through an interpreter: “I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle.

“It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed with the streams of our forests that I first beheld this Chief. I called to my young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe – he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do – himself alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss – `twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you.

“Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you. I am old and soon shall be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the land of shades, but ere I go, there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy: Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man and guides his destinies – he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.” (http://www.alancurrie.com/2015/07/18/indian-legend-of-george-washingtons-divine-protection/)

All, everywhere, ought to be familiar with that story, and the importance of honor and the power it provides. I expect Ol' General George and Captain Moroni are getting along quite famously.

In fact, another favorite moment in history finds Moroni facing significant challenges, on multiple fronts from Lamanite aggression. He sent a scathing letter to Pahoran, the chief judge, accusing him of all manner of malfeasance in not supplying needed supplies and replacements.

Unbeknownst to Moroni, Pahoran had been run out of town and the king-men had taken over. Pahoran could not help Moroni.

After Moroni had scolded Pahoran for his lack of support, not knowing his grave situation, Pahoran responded with kindness, understanding, true leadership, and honor. He didn't have to. Nevertheless, Pahoran chose to use his agency with honor.

Here are two snippets from Pahoran's response to Moroni's anger:

"And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free." (Alma 61:9)

"Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God." (Alma 61:14)

Patrick Henry, with noble boldness, uttered some uniquely remarkable, and historically unequivocal principles of liberty and honor.

In early 1775, about 120 delegates gathered in St. John's Church in Richmond, for the Second Virginia Convention. King George had received a petition of grievances, from the first Continental Congress, including a demand for the repeal of the "Intolerable Acts." He was not happy with the impertinence of these defiant colonists. Ol' King George described them has having a "...daring spirit of resistance and disobedience to the law." Quite so.

Britain treated the colonies as a tax cash-cow and King George was particularly upset by the Boston Tea Party two years earlier. His retaliation stripped Massachusetts of its sovereignty and applied additional taxes and restrictions to all the colonies. Now the colonies were threatening to completely boycott British commerce—fighting words, for certain.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson along with a number of the future signers of the Declaration of Independence were in attendance at the Richmond meeting. Patrick Henry, a popular lawyer with a smooth delivery, rose to speak words of honor and clarity. They are as relevant today, as then.

Rational and Intelligent Beings

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:40:00 GMT

Audio File: Coming soon!

Scripture References:
(Note: No abbreviation=LDS.)
LDS=Standard LDS Scriptures
RE=Restoration Scriptures
CE=Covenant of Christ

The Third Lecture on Faith asserts an important prerequisite principle we often miss but which is essential to the process of gaining faith. It is a simple principle that has been bulldozed under mountains of emotional conditioning.

Verse 2 of Lecture Three begins: “Let us here observe…” How do we observe? Is observation felt? Or is it experienced, empirically, and then analyzed, becoming understanding? An apple and an orange on a table, empirically, become two pieces of fruit.

One plus one equals two. We can experience that and when that experience is shared with another they get it. Easily. Because it can be empirically demonstrated. When the invitation here is given to “observe” we are invited to a process whereby we may gain light and truth. “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.” (D&C 93:36) Some of that light and truth can be empirically shared and some is only for our personal knowledge but is, nonetheless, true.

Joseph, and the Lord, invite us, by our observation, to gain intelligence, light and truth, and the glory of God. I’d say that’s a pretty valuable invitation. Now let’s continue in Verse 2. We are informed that three elements are necessary to gain sufficient exercise in faith in God that we may attain unto life and salvation. Are we likely, then, to be in a hurry to know what are those three elements about God? Of course we are, so here they are.

“First, The idea that he actually exists. Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes. Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will.”

But, in our haste to get to the meat of the message, we must not overlook the prerequisites. Without them, the three elements will have little or no effect on us or our faith.

Here are the two prerequisites, (now we’re back at the beginning of Verse 2): “…three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.” (Italics mine.)

The invitation requires that the searcher for faith in God unto life and salvation must not be anything other than both rational and intelligent. These two prerequisite attributes are the catalyst which begins the spiritual process which is analogous to the chemical reaction between a catalyst and reactant.

When I was a boy, making skateboards, I mixed a “hardener” with epoxy resin and then poured and painted the mixture on the skateboard’s carefully shaped but soft mahogany wooden surface. Before long the resin hardened and the wheels could be added and the skateboard was finished. Without the hardener, or catalyst, the epoxy resin would have remained in liquid form and useless to the skateboard. With it, the resin hardened and the skateboard’s surface was well protected and pleasing to the eye with its glossy sheen.

A “spiritual reaction” occurs when the catalysts of rationality and intelligence are combined with the “three things” noted in verses 3-5 and ourselves seeking after these things. Without rationality and intelligence, the three things Joseph says are necessary to an exercise of faith unto life and salvation, will simply remain a useless liquid and never harden into faith within us. Feelings and emotion are irrelevant to that process. We, combined with the three things Joseph mentions, are the reactant. Rationality and intelligence are the catalyst. Without the catalyst, we remain outside of the ability for the three things mentioned to affect us with faith.

We cannot “feel” ourselves into faith. No amount of emotion can drive us along the road Joseph describes. Rationality and intelligence are the fuel which can power our journey to faith. We progress in no other way.

Is the answer, then, to become like those Epicurean philosophers and Stoics encountered by Paul in Athens? (Acts 17:16-22) These, and others, had, (and currently have), “itching ears” (2Tim4:3) and were “ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth.” (2Tim3:7) Are we to seek endless debate for the sake of intellectual exercise? Are we to embrace emotional detachment? Of course not, on all counts. Our emotions are as much a gift from God as are our rationality and intellect. Each, however, has its purpose. If we allow one to overshadow, we become unbalanced and unable to properly function in a mortal world that requires all in proper proportion.

In John 17:20-22, the Lord cries out to the Father as the disciples listen:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:”

Was this an emotional prayer? Of course. But, more importantly, it is filled with essential doctrine, (both rational and intelligent), about becoming one with both God and each other. And how do we become one? Do our bodies somehow merge together? Well, that would mean the Father and the Son had become one body and we know that hasn’t happened. They are two separate beings who have, in some way, become one. Joseph explains “oneness” in Lecture 5:2 (RE T&C 110):

“…being filled with the fullness of the mind of the Father; or, in other words, the Spirit of the Father, which Spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on His name and keep His commandments; and all those who keep His commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; possessing the same mind…being filled with the fullness of His glory, and become one in Him, even as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.”

So it is the Holy Spirit, or the mind of God, that is the connecting link that makes us all one. We are invited to share the same mind which provides all knowledge, power, and glory. Again, from Lecture 5:2, Joseph describes the Son and His position in the Godhead:

“And He being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father, possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one;”

How can we become one with Father and Christ if we are not rational and intelligent? The simple answer is: We can’t. If we allow emotion to overshadow rationality and intelligence, we become blind to light and truth, and an easy target for the Adversary. He understands this and uses emotion to obscure the true glory of God and wrap us in his obfuscating chains and binding us to his will. All the while we think we are learned. Joseph once made a remarkable statement in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pg. 349-350) that ties all this together:

“When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us.

“Now, I ask all who hear me, why the learned men who are preaching salvation, say that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing? The reason is, that they are unlearned in the things of God, and have not the gift of the Holy Ghost; they account it blasphemy in any one to contradict their idea. If you tell them that God made the world out of something, they will call you a fool. But I am learned, and know more than all the world put together. The Holy Ghost does, anyhow, and He is within me, and comprehends more than all the world: and I will associate myself with Him.”

The “learned men” referred to by Joseph are emotional in their response. Joseph is one with the mind of God and, therefore, is calm and self-assured. That is one of the effects of being one with the mind of God. Another is the melting away of the mortal differences between us. When we understand that the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, is not a who, but a what, the journey toward the comprehension of all things really begins. The Lord provides a perfect description of the “what” in Moses 6:61:

“Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.”

This is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, the Mind of God with which we may become one. It is all rational knowledge, all intelligence, and the power in all things to make alive and keep alive with every breath. The who in the equation is the Father and His Son, our Savior. To become fully one with this Spirit is to become fully rational and intelligent. Upon the realization that we have achieved even a sliver of this oneness, we will likely be filled with an emotional gratitude that may cause the fires of the Holy Spirit to shower us with an inability to speak or move but during which grateful tears flow in abundance and a feeling of God’s immense love will overtake and banish all our mortal cares and fears. Emotion can be wonderful and cathartic.

Our understanding of such doctrine as the true composition of the Holy Spirit does not come easily when we have been immersed in fanciful emotional traditions for all our lives. I used to ask the question: When does the Holy Ghost get to have a body after all he’s done for us? That question is like asking why ice cream has no bones. It is a non sequitur. The conclusion both questions seek does not follow any logic. But when we’ve been fed a diet of emotional inferences wherein the Holy Ghost is described as a kindly fellow who, because of his lack of body, can dwell with each of us, the question means something.

We are like a five-year-old who wanders into a physics lab and asks to be useful. About all the physicist can do is hand the child a broom and dustpan and hope for the best. We do not know enough nor are we capable enough to please the Lord any more than that 5-year-old could contribute anything worthwhile to the physicist’s efforts in the lab. And yet we fancy ourselves learned. And we use vain emotion to justify our efforts as meaningful. While, objectively, we are less than the dust.

A rational and intelligent being understands these things. A rational and intelligent being seeks the most understanding and knowledge regardless of the emotional cost. A rational and intelligent being is willing to lay all on the alter of sacrifice for the Lord, to gain knowledge and intelligence. A rational and intelligent being seeks the face of the Lord, as he promised and commanded we should. A rational and intelligent being seeks truth.

But how do we judge what is truth? First, we can separate what can be empirically known with those things that can’t. For instance, if I were to ask you to prove that God appeared to Joseph Smith, you couldn’t do it empirically. That’s by design. Belief is an important and necessary component in the process of discovering God for yourself as you, believing, ask Him, and He reveals Himself to you. Belief is not an empirical exercise. I cannot use my experience with God to prove anything to you.

But if I asked you to confirm that ten amendments were required to be added to the Constitution before it could be successfully ratified, you could easily prove that to be true through historical documentation. It is not difficult to prove that one plus one equals two. Both these latter examples are empirically provable by available evidence.

If, however, someone close to you has told you all your life that the Constitution is a racist document because it only counted three out of every five slaves for representational purposes, you might be angry and not be a fan of those who wrote the Constitution. When, in fact, the three-fifths compromise, as it was termed, was actually a partial victory for liberty because there were many in the North, who would not have counted slaves at all thereby weakening Southern representation. The North and wanted to bully the South into submission to the North's economic rule. What a surprise when you actually do the research and get passed the emotional conditioning.

The process of empirical proof by available evidence is relatively easy for a rational and intelligent being until emotional attachment to a tradition enters the picture. For example, if we have heard something repeated often enough by a group upon which we rely, socially, then we will tend to believe what is repeated, regardless of its truthfulness. In fact, we may deny the value of any historical analysis which may or may not establish the truth of the tradition.

For instance, a rational and intelligent being could not stand at a pulpit and testify that the current Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, when that church stands in direct opposition and disobedience to the commandments of God. One easy but disregarded example of this disobedience can be empirically and historically analyzed and proven using the very scriptures that same testifier also says are true, presenting an obvious conundrum.

Section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants describes, in detail, how the Lord’s church is to be administratively organized—four groups, equal in authority, but decentralized. A presidency tackles administrative and spiritual issues relevant to the whole church, and a stake high council deciding administrative issues for each stake. The twelve apostles, or travelling elders, and the seventy are two groups of missionaries with only missionary-related authority and only where stakes are not organized. Four groups, all equal in authority in a distributed power structure where no one person or group may coercively rule. This is empirical evidence of the Lord’s organizational commands; indisputable in black-and-white, in the very scriptures we prefess are from God.

Brigham Young unilaterally changed all that for his own purposes after Joseph, Hyrum, and Samuel were murdered.¹ If you rationalize that Brigham must have received a revelation to make the changes, you’ll be kind enough to read it to me. But you can’t. Because there wasn’t one. Brigham just did it. Through a series of shrewed actions, he consolidated all power and chuch authority into himself, contrary to the Lord's instructions in D&C 107. Brigham never received a calling other than as a travelling missionary with authority only where stakes were not yet organized. He was a usurper. If he wanted a different calling, he should have asked and then waited upon the Lord. Apparently, Brigham had little patience for such humility.

Today, the presidency remains dissolved and the apostle-missionaries have added three to a new presidency of their own who coercively rule the rest in a vertical hierarchy and do little, if any, missionary work. They simply can’t. They’re too busy managing a multi-billion dollar business conglomerate. The current church is blatantly disobedient to the Lord’s commandment about the organization of His church and, interestingly, no one after Brigham has bothered to fix it. And so, the fraud continues as our Lord waits for a people to become rational and intelligent, and follow His direction.

Those who bristle at the previous paragraph and wrap themselves in their emotional traditions are unable to enjoy rationality and intelligence and, therefore, are unable to develop faith sufficient to life and salvation. They, acting of their own accord, damn themselves. We’ve seen it over and over in the scriptures and have learned nothing. Worst of all we deny the Savior’s own prophecy about us and our disobedience in 3Ne 16:10. Why do we continue to sin against the Gospel and even reject the fullness of the Gospel in favor of our emotionally-driven traditions? Or do we seek God and His forgiveness and let the cards of tradition and social position fall where they may? The Lord has given us a way out:

“But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.” (3Ne 16:13)

No man can save us. No institution can save us. Only the Savior can save us. It is our relationship with Him that is important to cultivate. And yet we irrationally place our faith in men and easily-corruptable institutions, and unintelligently expect them to pile us all in a train to Zion. And yet the Lord said, “I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion…” (Jer 3:14) This is His work and no man or institution can take credit for it or make it happen. Becoming one with God and each other is another prerequisite to being gathered by the Lord to Zion. Faith is required for that. And faith comes only to the rational and intelligent.

There is so much more to learn. So many questions to answer. And yet, without the prerequisites of rationality and intelligence, faith in God to life and salvation is impossible to attain. It is disheartening that so many value their emotional traditions rather than the glory of the Lord. The scriptures are filled with such examples and related warnings, and yet we continue down our current blind-man’s path of “all’s well in Zion” as long as we have a fancy mall in Salt Lake and billions in the bank.

I can picture the current LDS President, upon hearing that the Lord was approaching in the air, running out the front door of the church office building waving a ream of paper with charts and graphs and spreadsheets and proudly announcing: “See our portfolio? See what we’ve accomplished! We’re worth billions!!!” And then he bursts into the flames of iniquity and pride.

Let us learn the lessons the Lord, in His unimaginable patience, continues to attempt to teach us. Let us leave our false traditions of Nauvoo pride behind and become rational and intelligent beings. That is one of our two choices. The other may be more socially comfortable, but at the expense of truth. Let's see, pride in false traditions, or truth? Hmmm... Where have I heard that before? Oh yeah:

"Behold, the Lord hath shewn unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shewn you unto me, and I know your doing, and I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts. And there are none, save a few only, who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquity. And your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts."
(RE Mormon 4:5; LDS Mormon 8:34-36; CE Mormon 4:5)(Emphasis mine)

"...it is because of the traditions of their fathers that cause them to remain in their state of ignorance." (RE Alma 7:3; LDS Alma 9:16; CE Alma 7:3)

"And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers." (RE T&C 93:11 ; LDS D&C 93:39)

Okay, let's consolidate and summarize: "...at that day when these things shall come forth among you, I speak unto you as if ye were present. Jesus Christ hath shewn you unto me, and I know your doing that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted..."

This is a scathing rebuttal to the idea that "all is well in Zion." We don't have Zion yet. And a people whose organization is polluted and who walk in the pride of their hearts can do well in Babylon but are incapable of building the Zion the Lord requires be built before He comes. And lest you think "churches" means Lutheren, Catholic, Baptist, et al., read it again. Notice the word "your" before churches. This scriptural lashing comes to those to whom "these things," as in the Book of Mormon will come. In this context, "churches" means wards.

Particularly egregious are the "envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquity" heaped upon any honest seeker of truth. Trying to make sense of how a prideful multi-billion dollar organization with a minor part of its doings as a "religious society*," could possibly teach humility and faith in the Lord. Money making? Sure thing! But the Lord's Salvation? Not likely.

*See the 1923 LDS Utah State. Articles of Incorporation.

Undo all of Brigham's power structure and take us to the balanced, decentralized structure the Lord commanded in D&C 107, and we'll chat... Oh, I forgot one thing. A true prophet is necessary for that to occur and we, (as in those who lusted after their church-sanctioned harems), murdered the last one. Many have sadly learned that an organizational title is only a shallow counterfeit of actual Heavenly, prophetic, authority. Only God can bestow that, personally, as scripture testifies. And a new prophet always describes his experience and the message he is to deliver. Since Joseph, crickets.

Fall into the abyss of pride and false traditions, or live in light and truth. Dwindling in unbelief gets pretty boring after awhile. For some it may be socially comfortable, I understand, but it's up to each to investigate and make a choice. It's the choice that cannot be avoided. Agency is like that.

The choice to remain the same is still a choice. I thought growth and upward progression were a major part of this mortality experience? So why become weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable as Hamlet lamented. Light and truth, and a loving, forgiving, and entirely affable God awaits your opening of the door between you. True humility primes the connection, while rationality and intelligence provide the key to faith in Christ, and the salvation He offers.

Note 1. For an in-depth analysis of the Nauvoo period of the LDS church and the power-centralizing changes made by Brigham Young, please see these excellent resources:

The Exoneration of Emma, Joseph, and Hyrum by Ronald Meldon Karren. An intricately documented and unsanitized historical analysis of what really happened in Nauvoo regarding the origins of LDS polygamy and lots more. Highly recommended.

How Jesus Christ Was Ousted As Head Of The Church of Jesus Christ, a blog post on Pure Mormonism by Rock Waterman where he transcribes a podcast from Radio Free Mormon entitled “Apostolic Coup-D- Etat.” An analysis of how Brigham Young changed the LDS church into his own vision. You may listen, or read, or both. Highly recommended.

Rob Fotheringham has a number of excellent and worthwhile YouTube videos with thorough examinations and documentation of early Church history and its leadership. All are worth a serious look, including: Brigham's Priesthood Ban.

From a slightly different perspective, A Midwestern Doctor has published a brilliant essay with a medical slant, however his analysis of the "false tradition" issue and the unconscience filters we use as justification, is an eye-opener. Seeing Truth in the Age of Information Overload.

Rope Leadership and Clarinet Lessons

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:08:39 GMT

Many years ago, one of the primary lessons I taught the young men of the Boy Scouts was about rope leadership. What this has to do with clarinet lessons will become clear in a moment. Teaching 13-16 year old young men about leadership is tantamount to teaching a herd of cats about each waiting their turn. Not likely.

Here's how it went: I explained that Scout leaders would be given a rope and told to use that in their leadership role. Try giving one end of the rope to the group and then push on the other end to see if that will move the group in the direction you wanted them to go. Laughter ensues.

Okay, now take the rope and give the same end to the group, but this time go out in front of the group and pull in the direction you want them the go. This empirically establishes what you want them to do. You show them by doing the task. Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. The young Scouts understood that demonstrating leadership is much more effective than words alone. This understanding is part of the reason Eagle Scouts have usually been successful in life. They understand rope leadership.

My family had some musical talent. At seven years old, my parents saw some talent in me and thought I ought to play an instrument. Since Wednesday evening was family night for us watching the Lawrence Welk Show. My folks loved polkas and were avid square dancers. Dad thought I ought to play the accordion, like Myron Floren, Welk’s featured player.

Nope. Not for me. I was not a fan. But I was smitten with the jazz clarinet playing of Pete Fountain. There was my instrument. Dad agreed and through a family friend in the music business, found a barely-affordable advanced-student-model wooden clarinet. At the time, I did not realize the sacrifice my parents made for me.

Through the same family friend Dad found an accomplished professional clarinet player in Hollywood who would teach me. Jacques Robinson did not usually accept beginning students but had the reputation of a very patient teacher as well as an in-demand classical woodwind musician. I was a fortunate student to have been given such a brilliant teacher.

Why was he brilliant? Simple. He would assign exercises which I dutifully practiced every day. At my lesson, he would hear me play, critique the results, and then play the same exercise with perfect professional musicianship. That example demonstrated to me the nuances I was missing. Gradually, I learned those nuances precisely because Jacques, patiently, showed me how. Words were not enough. Words, alone, would have been pushing the rope. Jacques gave me one end and then pulled me along with his superior musicianship. My musicianship, therefore, grew quickly and soon I rose to the top of my band class at school.

My family moved to Torrance, California in the mid-1960s, from West Los Angeles, and I found another teacher there who was more jazz oriented and an excellent musician and teacher. I longed for what he could teach me and appreciated that his approach was identical to that of my former teacher. Assign, critique, then demonstrate perfection. I soared through my high school music education and went on to college music. Opportunities came to play in pit orchestras for community theater, various college productions, and private band gigs.

Viet Nam was still blazing away in 1968, and after my considerable time in a practice room during my youth, I was not about to spend two years traipsing around the jungle shooting at people who had never done anything to me. So I auditioned and gained a contract to join the Air Force Band program. That was mostly a blast, although I was not “military material” as I was repeatedly told.

After my enlistment ended, I enrolled as a music major at the California State University at Northridge. There I was assigned a clarinet teacher who had a very different teaching style. Roy D’Antonio was a brilliant and world-renowned clarinetist. He, like the other teachers, assigned lesson materials. However, during the time I studied with him, I never heard him play his clarinet, even once. I would play, he would critique, I would play, he would critique, over and over. He never once actually demonstrated what he wanted from me. I guess he thought words were enough. Pushing the rope never works. His lessons were required by my major, however, I did not improve much and really hated my lesson time with him.

I began to study the tenor saxophone, on my own, with a first-call studio woodwind player in Hollywood. Bill Green drove a new Mercedes-Benz and had a very busy and well-appointed studio, where he taught a very select group of students. I was fortunate to have been included. It was obvious Bill knew how to navigate the music business. Teaching, for Bill, was a joy and he delighted in every student’s success. Again, as with all my successful, previous teachers, he would assign, I would practice and then play, he would critique, and then play it for me. I learned that playing music was more than just pushing keys on an instrument while blowing air through it. Music was organic. It grows with the player and becomes an experience unlike any other.

Music is a healing art that cannot be taught with words alone. Example is a necessary part of teaching music. My successful teachers new this. The unsuccessful one may have had some kind of superiority complex which precluded him from actually demonstrating what he could do. The lowly student did not deserve his efforts to teach by example. Pride is a problem.

We have come full-circle back to rope leadership. Any worthwhile effort at teaching, or conveying some idea or principle, cannot be coerced by pushing on the rope. Demonstrating the idea or principle by example is the only way. Which is why our Savior calls to us to follow Him. He gives us the end of His rope and provides the example we need to become more as He is. He is not prideful in keeping what He knows from us. His entire desire is for us to become more like Him. He knows this cannot happen without the example. Words, alone, will fail.

Baby and the Bathwater

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:29:27 GMT

The reference to this common phrase will become apparent soon. Please bear with me. This year has been a whirlwind. Actually, the last several years have been a challenge but 2024 watched us sell our home in Mesa, AZ, and buy another home in Snowflake, AZ. Thankfully, we are done with urban nonsense and the acronyms, TMC (too many cars), and TMP (too many people). I felt the same way in April of 2008, moving from Diamond Bar, California to Gilbert, Arizona.

Moving from the Phoenix Valley, to the North slope of the White Mountains at a bit over 5,600 feet trades the blazing hot Valley summers, for pleasant winters with occasional light snow, and mild summers where 90deg is a hot day. Good trade. However, let’s get to the point of the story. I just thought I’d catch you up a bit. It's been awhile. I’m glad to be back here and writing. We’ll chat again, soon. I miss this.

Having been aligned for many years with the Remnant, and now Covenant Christian, movement splinter off the modern LDS organization, we have only sporadically attended our local wards, mostly for family events, or other special occasions. Our local Mesa fellowship was a great group! Up here, we decided to attend our local ward and see what it was like. We have LDS-active family here so it was an easy intro.

While my wife enjoys the social aspects of the ward, I treated the experience more like an experiment in cultural and societal conditioning. My tendency, as you have certainly guessed, is toward the stoic. (Mr. Spock and I would have gotten along very well.) I was surprised at the casual nature of the people, and their obvious sincerity was genuine. At a baptism we attended early on, the speakers wore casual clothes, and the bishop came right from work in jeans. I was both stunned, being used to more formal meeting attire, but pleased at the friendly approach. Nothing unserious about this essential ordinance here, but I never saw a scripture requiring a suit and tie. It was an enjoyable and spiritual baptism.

What I found was a kind people who were pleasant, and helpful. However, the same people were inflicted with TBM, (True Blue Mormon), Derangement Syndrome. For an indepth treatment of that subject see my post: Pavlov's Saints. A TBM, simply, is someone who has done little to no historical inquiry of their own, relying on the modern LDS institution for their historical understanding. Unfortunately, currently available historical information from primary sources, differs, sometimes dramatically, from the approved LDS viewpoint. Surrounding all this is an atmosphere of aspirations for the "honors of men," with increased popularity as the intended goal. Mix in hearts set upon the "things of this world," and you have a goulash of insidious flavors. Begin with Brigham and go from there.

I heard a bishop remark once, that the church is run by imperfect men, but that doesn’t mean the Gospel is not true. I think he’s on to something. The difficulty for many is the life-long emotional commitment they’ve made to the organization, rather than the Gospel of Christ. Missionaries don’t ask people to be baptized into the Gospel, they’re recruiting for the club. Spend a lifetime advocating for the club and you’ll find difficulty having a “rational and intelligent”* viewpoint on the subject. Now there’s a dilemma for you. Of course, the organizational answers about corrupt governments and power are all in the Book of Mormon, but we don't teach such things anymore. I wonder why?

Let me lay it out, plainly. I have a strong testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and as such, we owe Him everything, even our very breath. Further, Joseph Smith is a true prophet, having received that gift directly from our Lord and then recording the event. That’s the way all true prophets receive their calling. (You’ll be kind enough to show one of those recordings to me for anyone after Joseph. Oh, you can’t? That ought to be an obvious telltale sign of institutional corruption.)

“…I have appointed unto you to be stewards over my house, even stewards indeed. And for this purpose have I commanded you to organize yourselves, even to print my word, the fullness of my scriptures, the revelations which I have given unto you, and which I shall hereafter, from time to time, give unto you…” (T&C 105:13 RE; D&C 104:58 LDS)

So when the Lord selects a man out of society to be His prophet, and provides a revelation declaring such, the man is to write it down as evidence. Oh there’s an interesting thought. Where are all the revelations about all the “prophets” today? We have that evidence for Joseph. Where are the rest?

I also have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and more recently, the Covenant of Christ, the modern English version. What I don’t have is a testimony of the modern LDS institution other than of it’s blatant corruption, and devotion to the things of this world, and the honors of men. Oh how it wants to be popular and sit at the cool kid’s table.

With those three principles and doctrines firmly in place, what do I need with a Handbook of Instruction written by descendants of disobedient Kirtland and Nauvoo residents who suffered the wrath of Almighty God for their defiance of the Lord’s commands. July 24th is a day of mourning. Or is it that we celebrate disobedience these days as we celebrate adultery? Our Lord was clear in his denunciation of those who held, and currently hold that Joseph was a liar, deceiver, and adulterer. And yet, TBMs ignore the Lord and honor Brigham, who made slavery legal in Utah and made single young teenage girls nearly extinct there. Don’t get me started on that bum.

Here’s what the Lord said about Joseph Smith: “The ends of the earth shall inquire after your name, and fools shall have you in derision, and hell shall rage against you, while the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under your hand. And your people shall never be turned against you by the testimony of traitors, and although their influence shall cast you into trouble, and into bars and walls, you shall be had in honor. And but for a small moment, and your voice shall be more terrible in the midst of your enemies than the fierce lion, because of your righteousness, and your God shall stand by you for ever and ever.” (T&C 139:7 RE; D&C 122:1-4 LDS)

I stand with God, by Joseph Smith, for ever and ever. If I am privileged enough to meet Joseph on the other side of the veil, it will be with a clear conscience, a pure heart, and knowledge of Joseph’s true nature as a virtuous and courageous prophet of God. That I have done so throughout my life, after learning the truth about Joseph and the slanderous testimony of early, and modern, traitors gives me confidence before the Lord, and Joseph. My anger remains kindled against those controlling a multi-billion dollar money laundering scheme that continues the slanderous propaganda against Joseph. Where is the credibility of that organization when it holds it’s mortal founder in such derision? Especially considering what God has said about such people, and Joseph.

Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a true and virtuous prophet, and the Book of Mormon is a true course in essential lessons. Everything else in the current structure, other than scripture and essential ordinances, is bathwater and ought to be discarded. Oh, you say, what about the temple? What about it? Ask Brigham, the tyrannical debaucher and control freak. No thanks, he concocted most of it himself to suit his own purposes. (That’s a subject for another day. I'm not suggesting that there is no value in current temple attendance. But until we are sealed, ahead, to the Fathers in Heaven, as Joseph instructed, sealing behind us lacks purpose. We look forward to the new temple in the coming Zion.)

What we need, and have, is a current messenger who God has called, to more fully direct our attention to Him. All you have to do is ask, and our Lord will lead you to him. Just be prepared to jettison the bathwater. We don’t follow men, we follow God and plead, “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.” Are you going to tell God who can or can’t be His prophet? I wouldn’t be so crass and arrogant. I just want evidence, and SLC is bereft of any supporting it's current stance.

Denver Snuffer does one thing, and one thing only. He points us to God, and only God. Denver is a true messenger sent from God with knowledge and understanding God has given him to impart to us. He uses his things of the world to bless others and further God’s plan. He has utterly no desire for the honors of men. I have worked with him and can tell you that everything you want in a true prophet, he exudes. Don’t believe me. Ask God. But be prepared to throw out the bathwater and bask in the light of our Savior’s love and understanding.

God has never called a true prophet from an existing hierarchical institution. Institutions, by their nature, become corrupted. God calls men to correct institutions. Why should it be surprising that He would do so now? Or do we simply believe in God, but we don’t actually believe Him, or a man He has sent? Are we just too afraid, and weak, to ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, that the truth will be manifest to us?

By now, it may have become obvious why I don’t socialize much with local LDS. First, I’m not into small talk. If we’re going to converse, let’s talk about something worth considering. And as soon as you start analyzing, you bump into paradigm-shifting landscapes which, for many steeped in traditional Mormonism, lead directly to cognitive dissonance. I have made a promise to myself and the Lord that I would not be the cause of contention and disputation in our new place. And so I don’t socialize much with local LDS. We don’t have a local Covenant Christian fellowship up here yet, but we’re working on that. I'll keep you posted...

2024 Fall General Conference

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 21:31:28 GMT

I feel to write a few thoughts about the recent general conference, appropriately held near Zion National Park, east of St. George, UT. The gathering was as close to an actual Zion community as could be had in our current society. Hearts were glad and hopeful. Many were hugs and genuine expressions of love. Those we had only seen as two-dimensional patches on a screen came to breathing, moving life!

The talks were inspirational and informative with practical advice and counsel. Several focused on psychological corrections helping us move forward with our quest to grow and progress in our relationships with each other and with God. Some youth presented a skit that reminded of our old roadshows and gave us inspiring thoughts. I miss roadshows.

Sunday, after the talks, I took the opportunity to chat with Denver about something I told him in March of 2020 at the conference in Hurricane, UT. Since I have been asked about this conversation, I present a description here. First the backstory: I was tasked with livestreaming the Hurricane conference and had my gear spread out on a table supplied by the hotel facilities. When Denver and Stephanie arrived, Denver recognized me from past conference livestreaming, and came over to ask if he could stash some personal items back with my gear where they would be safe.

After Denver spoke and the session was over, he came to retrieve his goods. We chatted for a bit and he was graciously thankful for our efforts to broadcast the meeting. I asked him if he’d like to know the two things he had taught me over the years.

Without hesitation he said he would like to know what they were. I told him that I had first read “The Second Comforter” in early 2007, not long after it was published and had read everything he had written since. For me and my closest Remnant friends, a new Denver book was like a new Beatles album. We read, analyzed, and discussed every one, intimately.

Both of the things I told him were his direct quotes so I knew he’d remember. I told him that the first thing he had taught me was that “Denver Snuffer doesn’t matter.” When I said that, he looked up at me as if to wonder what in the world was coming next. Then I finished with, “The message matters.” With that came a big smile and a look as if to say, somebody gets it!

Then I told him the second thing he’d taught me, again, a direct quote, “I love my wife, and I don’t want another.” We both laughed at that one. With final thanks on both sides, he grabbed his items and departed.

After the conference this past weekend, I asked him if he remembered that conversation in Hurricane. He did. I told him that I wanted to correct something I had said then. He looked interested and curious. I said, “The first thing you taught me over the years, I had said, was that Denver Snuffer doesn’t matter.” He nodded in agreement. I corrected the thought with, “Denver Snuffer does matter.”

I continued, “Your voice and demeanor are perfectly suited for the tasks you have been assigned by the Lord. It’s something in your DNA, or character, or something…” He interrupted and said, “It’s from the Lord.” Always gracious with just a smidgen of self-deprecation. “I know…” I responded, “…your voice is calming, sure, and soothing, and you make it easy to believe.” Denver is the epitome of affable, the direct opposite, for instance, of a Dallin Oaks. And all the while pointing us to our Savior. Always returning to that one, focused, point.

I told him that my wife, sometimes, has trouble dropping off to sleep so she often listens to one of your talks or podcasts to calm down. Denver chuckled at that, as if to say, “Oh, great. I put people to sleep.” I continued to assure him that this gift is perfect for the purpose God intended. He appreciated that. Denver is a ruler. That is, a standard by which we may measure our understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our behavior in response to it. No one living, of whom I am aware, has that gift like Denver, and I wanted him to know how the rank and file felt about him.

The last thing I told Denver was something about which I’ve written before. I said I once had a vision of the Savior in the Conference Center in Salt Lake at a general conference meeting. Jesus sat in the very back when, my words, “a bunch of yokels came walking onto the stage and everyone stood up.” Jesus sat with his face in his hands weeping. Denver added, “Priestcraft has that effect on Him.” I ended by saying, “Our Lord didn’t have that problem today, as he stood in the back.” Denver knowingly smiled.

In my occasionally humble opinion, Denver Snuffer is an honorable man. He is kind and seeks not the spotlight, fame, or fortune. He is also an intellectual giant. Uncharacteristically of such, he can think and analyze without his head growing into unnatural proportions and prideful puffiness. He is as Christlike a man as I know. There is no haughtiness in him. We parted as equals honoring God and I was a little ashamed that I was not keeping up my end of the bargain quite as was Denver. I look forward to our next conversation.

On Saturday evening, our Zoom fellowship, (a Brian Bowler joint), met at one of the beautiful and spacious cabins on the property. We partook of the sacrament in joy and hope, all experiencing the glory of the Spirit-filled occasion. Comments were made and discussed and I rose to present some thoughts I had written. I offer those thoughts below.

************
There is, generally, something pleasantly rational and intelligent about Remnant people. This is not about hierarchy. Is he a prophet? Only in a hierarchical society is such a question relevant. In a community of authority, titles matter. In a community of peace, all can be prophets and none are above another.*

"And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)

Relevant only are accomplishments. Don't tell me what you're going to do. Rather, show me what you've done. What does it say about a messenger who claims to be a prophet, or a prophet who claims only to be a messenger?

The chasm widens between Babylon and Zion. Soon, no amount of stretching will span the gap. Judge righteously with rationality and intelligence, and choose quickly. There will be no false traditions in Zion.
************

This kind of gathering is, perhaps, the best we can do, for now. It was a “Momentary Zion.” I will cherish many moments in the memory of my heart. Gratitude doesn’t hardly say it, but it’s the best I can do for now.

*( https://www.celestialthoughts.com/index.cfm?RP=3&PstRef=51 )

June 27th

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:06:25 GMT

I know it might be difficult to tell, at times, but I am alive and well. I’ve spent considerable time rewriting several of my longer posts and am satisfied that they are as good as my talent permits. I am happy with the work.

Lingering on my mind today, as been the death of dear Joseph. Not a word from LDS Corp. Nothing on their website about the date. Well, I understand, if you start thinking about Joseph’s murder, you might wonder who really killed him.

If you take the path that many have taken, and study the available forensics, you might come to a conclusion that a “mob” did not kill Joseph. And LDS Corp can’t have you thinking such things that might lead to Brigham Young’s complicity, along with his polygamous apostles and other church leaders. That’s a paradigm shift many are not willing to entertain. I understand. Light and truth are difficult, and almost blinding, when we have entertained darkness for so long.

Joseph Smith, Jr., was, perhaps, the purest man since Jesus only. His weakness was thinking better of a man than he should have. “Well,” you ask, “he wasn’t much of a prophet then, was he.” This misunderstanding stems from an incorrect notion of what a prophet of God does, and is. God selects a man from society and gives the gift of being a prophet. That gift is to benefit those the prophet serves, not himself. God uses men, among men, to further His work. This allows us to use our faith and the Spirit while in mortality. We grow by giving heed to the words of a prophet and then asking God for confirmation that the concepts, if not the very words, are His. And then we must act.

Our connection is with God. The prophet provides light and truth from God and we are free to accept and act on the light and truth, or not. For Joseph to misjudge men, from time to time, is evidence of his shared mortality. Prophets are men who learn from challenges just as everyone else. God does not provide an unlimited supply of fairy dust to a prophet to magically make everything okay. So, Joseph trusted some he shouldn’t have. Joseph was a mortal man who was given spiritual gifts only a pure and virtuous man could have successfully wielded.

Whether Joseph knew he was walking into a trap at Carthage Jail, we do not know for certain. I suspect he knew. Those close to him, brothers in the priesthood, in the jail with him, sang to him. Then, under the cover of the mob’s actions outside, those Joseph trusted, murdered Hyrum first, and then took Joseph. It had to be that way. Hyrum had the birthright. Hyrum fell first so Joseph would inherit the birthright. Father made sure of that.

Those to whom our Lord gave abundant light and truth, murdered their own prophet so they could be free to live a libidinous lifestyle of adultery, the things of this world, and the honors of men. They succeeded and built a church on honors and things. It should be called the Church of Honors and Things. Joseph would not be welcomed today in Salt Lake City. They’d have to eliminate him again.

I morn on this day for a man I respect in the highest degree. He was a virtuous man who had but one wife. The light and truth spread by Joseph Smith continues to enlighten my mind and heart. I am grateful for his life and sacrifice. No one has taught me more, save Jesus only.

Envy, Part 1

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 20:00:00 GMT

What, would you say, is one of the very first tales of woe in recorded history?

The inescapable answer leads us to a fundamental cause of all evil. (This is eons before money, so that isn't it.) Scripture reveals our pre-mortal history and the first instance of recorded treasonous rebellion. The ensuing shower of evil continues even now.

In our premortal life, we watched an advanced spirit of light and knowledge become impatient with his progress. He watched as Father's creations willingly obeyed him. Always by persuasion and longsuffering and, most of all, by faith.

"And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed." (LDS Abr 4:18; RE Abr 7:5, See also the Lectures on Faith 1:14-16)

Lucifer lusted to be obeyed by any means necessary. His methodology was rejected and he rebelled:

“…an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son, and was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him..." (LDS D&C 76:25-26; RE T&C 69:6)

But why the weeping? Weren't they getting rid of a mutinous rebel? Why not celebration?

Why the Heavens Wept

Misfortune, self-inflicted or otherwise, is not cause for festivity. Have any of Father’s children fallen further than Lucifer? As an appropriate answer to this question, the heavens wept.

"...he was Lucifer, a son of the morning…he is fallen…we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ—Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.” (LDS D&C 76:27-29; RE T&C 69:6)

Isaiah laments:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning…For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (LDS Isa 14:12-14; RE Isa. 6:6)

LDS members have been well taught about a particularly critical Heavenly Council in our premortal existence.

“In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it.” TPJS, pg. 349

Our mortal salvation was the primary topic of debate. Lucifer offered to lose no one at the cost of agency; Father offered His plan with agency, and risk.

Lucifer, “who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ” was not simply a tantrum-throwing teenager. He was guilty of treason and mutiny. His desire was to usurp Heavenly Father’s kingdom. He saw what Father had and wanted it, without the necessary effort, experience, and resulting character, perfections, and attributes.

Lucifer saw Father’s creations obey him because of Father’s honor. They trusted Him and knew He would never lie to them. Father administers His love, justice, and mercy with absolute equity and exquisite perfection throughout His kingdom. This is known throughout Father’s creation and is the reason for willing obedience. You cannot counterfeit honor.

Lucifer was impatient and lusted after a shortcut to being obeyed. He did not understand honor. Father explained what happened later when He told Moses:

"...for he rebelled against me, saying, give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency..." (LDS D&C 29:36; RE T&C 9:11)

And Father let them go. When God promises unconditional agency, it is unconditional. (He is not a politician.) Tragically sad as circumstances can be, at times, our agency is that important. Lucifer made his case the best he could:

"Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor." (LDS Moses 4:1; RE Gen 2:15)

Lucifer did not understand that honor is earned. Like the oil in the virgin’s lamps, honor is not transferable, or conferrable. Lucifer suffered envy for what Father had earned by His successful climb up Jacob’s ladder. And so, we find envy at the root of all the evil we suffer at the hands of Satanic forces. Envy is the angry fire behind it all. Envy is a fundamental cause.

Envy, Part 2

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:00:00 GMT

Envy is Complicated

Even though envy is a fundamental attribute of the natural man, can you completely separate envy from pride, greed, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth--the Seven Deadlies? Perhaps not. However, envy appears to be the sin pushing the prideful, greedy, wrathful, lustful, gluttonous, and slothful, over the edge.

Envy precedes, and is the engine of, jealousy. Envy is always comparing. Comparisons between Father's children can easily slide into the miserable abyss of envy and lust for the honors of men and their material goods.

Paul warns:

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number*, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (LDS 2 Cor 10:12; RE 2 Cor 1:34)

*(Strong’s #1469; i.e., Don’t sit at the cool kid’s table.)

In the quest for righteousness, our Lord has the answer to perhaps, the most critical question ever asked:

"...why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men..." (LDS D&C 121:34-35; RE T&C 139:5)

George Hinkle didn't understand any of this when he made his deal with Colonel Lucas to deliver Joseph Smith for arrest and prosecution, on the pretense of a negotiating pow-wow. The ruse used on Joseph was to enlist his help in bringing peace between the Mormons and the Missourians.

Hinkle’s betrayal of Joseph's trust condemned Joseph, and his comrades, to Liberty Jail for the cold months of 1838. It was more like a medieval dungeon. It is doubtful that there was room in George Hinkle's heart for much of anything but envy.

A favorite movie, (People Will Talk, 1951), more poetically teaches the point.

A short, envious, stiff-collared, hard-hearted, bureaucratic, university professor attempts to discredit a creative, compassionate, fair-minded, and financially more successful colleague.

The attempt failed, embarrassingly. The following was said to the envious failure:

"Professor Elwell, you're a little man. It's not that you're short. You're...little, in the mind and in the heart. Tonight, you tried to make a man little whose boots you couldn't touch if you stood on tiptoe on top of the highest mountain in the world. And as it turned out...you're even littler than you were before."

Such are my feelings about George Hinkle, Sampson Avard, and all the rest who bore false witness against Joseph Smith in the early days, and those who continue to deny historical and scriptural facts and order the lighthouse* to change course 10 degrees. *(Reference to the “lighthouse” story in Steven R. Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 1989.)

Envy, Part 3

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Beware of Envy's Path

The pathway to envy will likely consist of admiration, aspiration, and/or ambition. Any one will do. Multiples of them can escalate to a nearly psychotic, self-righteous state of calm, self-assured, but false security, with an insidious undercurrent of vainglorious pretension. We might call it the Chosen People Complex which is often supported by institutional emotional conditioning. Ironically, Dictionary.com lists the opposite of vainglory, as humility.

We've paid strict heed to the Francis Bacon, John Lock, and David Hume, empiricist bunch. It's as if we've broken through all that was restricting the limits of human knowledge and experience, and reached godhood on earth, all by ourselves. We pretentiously name our banks and department stores, "Zion."

I was stunned at the raw truth contained in the following quote about the effects of knowledge and its acquisition, “Epistemic humility doesn’t mean that you don’t aim high. It means you don’t pretend you reached it.” (http://www.spirithome.com/humility.html)

We are, indeed, like five-year-olds in a physics lab, thinking we can constructively contribute to God's plan. The kind physicist can only supply a broom and a dustpan, and we do our best. We lack what was practiced among the people of Enoch and Melchizedek. These days, few think enough to wonder and ask about such things.

Unbridled ambition looks for shortcuts rather than doing the work. There is no shortcut to the top of the ladder of competence. Anxiously desiring another’s capability with no intention of earning it, is envy. Envy wants something for nothing or very little. Ambition fueled by envy ravages dignity and honor, leading headlong into tests of moral integrity. Envy says, "You have to cut corners to be successful like ________." (Fill in your object of envy.)

Admiration and aspiration are more ambiguous. What you find will be what you expect to find. Both a positive and negative case can be made for either. However, admiration tends to be positive, while it is the opposite for aspiration. Hence our Lord's warning regarding aspiring to the honors of men.

Envy is selfish, while sincere admiration is essentially gratitude. And gratitude cools the fires of envy. Humility produces gratitude for the effort and sacrifice of others, resulting in beautiful art, inventions, and all worthy endeavors.

Envy only wants to be a celebrity, a show-off, with followers. Much of our entertainment is based on envy. That collective appetite supports billions in revenue for both the entertainment and advertising industries. Envy is big business.

Ambition tends to the negative as a result of moral weakness. In reality, ambition is neutral until we determine character, virtue, and self-mastery. Ambition at its core is simply, "an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction...and the willingness to strive for its attainment..." (Dictionary.com)

An earnest desire for some achievement is laudable as long as the achievement is laudable and the necessary sacrifices are worthy. The honors of men and the things of this world are not laudable achievements in and of themselves. Hence the difficulty with ambition and the Lord's warning about "vain ambition." It tends toward the visible and is envy-inducing.

After a concert, it is common to hear a remark like, "I would give anything to play like that." No, actually, you wouldn't. The thousands of hours of practice required to play, as did the concert musician, are beyond your willingness to sacrifice. If not, you would be a musician and not envious of a musician.

A more honorable after-concert comment might be more like: "I admire the effort and sacrifice required to produce such beauty. Truly beautiful music is made in no other way, and those who have worked to make it, deserve admiration."

A comment about a wealthy individual might be, "I would give anything to have that kind of wealth." Again, no, you wouldn't. If you knew the sacrifices of integrity, honor, family, relationships, health, or similar fundamentals regularly traded for wealth, you would reject the proposition outright. Envy, however, wants the reward without the sacrifice.

Envy of position can lead to a life of misery chasing after mortal honors. Here are some particularly cogent thoughts about fame, which I've paraphrased from the source:

"Neil Maxwell talked about it, he said, yeah, it’s out there, but you just don’t inhale. The perfect characterization is the curse of "celebritydom."

"We turn them into celebrities; we want to turn them into Brittany Spears, because that’s the ultimate end of celebritydom. It is hollow, it is stale, it is flat, and it is unprofitable—there is nothing to it. Why do you think Brittany Spears is the mess she is? Because fame and fortune are nothing.

"And I suspect those who enjoy the envy of position, who ultimately managed to weasel or brown-nose their way to where they thought it would be great, arrive at that point, look around and say, ‘Well this is just like where I was, nothing has changed,’ because the change has to be a change internal to the person and not a mere change in geography or topography—going from the third floor to the tenth floor, doesn’t change you. You’re still that same hollow, miserable, envious chap." (Transcript from the Zion Symposium, Denver C. Snuffer Jr., February 23, 2008; spelling and paraphrasing mine.)

Admiration, aspiration, and ambition are always available to us, and can also be used in a variety of positive ways. Admire with gratitude, aspire to goodness and charity, and let righteous ambition lead you to God. Envy is the "evil twin" of each of these attributes. A ready guard is always necessary. Question your own motives. Drive envy away with your lack of attention. Don’t inhale.

Envy, Part 4

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:07:15 GMT

Envy Hiding

A particular kind of envy is more difficult to see and diagnose. You have a talent. Someone you greatly respect has a similar talent, only more so. Their natural ability in this area is significantly greater than yours. In addition, they have worked more diligently to develop their talent than have you. By their natural, God-given gift, and exhaustive effort to develop it, they have achieved far more productivity and attention.

You conclude that by some fault other than your own, you have been cheated. This is perhaps the most destructive form of envy. It is everywhere, common. This is the form of envy from which Lucifer suffers.

Envy is insidious. It can sit just under the radar of awareness, where it drives emotion to a place of nagging misery. Envy may deceive you into considering the object of your envy as a mentor when your true objective is not learning and growth but the honors of men by association.

Blindness to envy enables and hides its insidious nature. Outwardly, you feel justified, while cunning envy cankers the soul and bleeds honor. Envy slides effortlessly into self-loathing. The resulting lack of self-esteem inhibits productive behavior and camouflages effective solutions. In anxious despair, it becomes easy to be convinced by the "friendly" scorpion to jump on his back to cross the stream to safety. Oh, yeah, that’ll work.

Envy eradication requires courage and an increase of faith in our Savior’s ability and willingness to help. Agonizing reappraisal* may require gut-wrenching realizations, sudden paradigm shifts, and other unpleasant but purifying spiritual emetics. *(The phrase, "agonizing reappraisal," is a lyric from Sea Level, That's Your Secret, 1977)***

Evil does not relinquish control without a battle. Only a courageous fight will gain eternal salvation and joy in this life. Turn away from envy and iniquity and face the Lord in repentance. Then face the conflict with honor. Do not let evil shoot you in the back because you ran from the fight.

Envy, Part 5

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:17:18 GMT

Envy, Emotions, and Evil Paths

Envy has played a pivotal role in history since our premortal life, when Lucifer envied Heavenly Father's honor and thus His power. Today, envy is a central component of the emotional conditioning techniques used by corporations, governments and their associated political organizations, academia, and religions. Envy has been a big deal in the profession of persuasion for a long time.

Having been rejected by the Lord, Cain envied Able’s position as the righteous one who would receive the birthright and the Holy Order. With the first murder, he sought to displace Able as the head of the genealogical line that would produce the Savior. How many times has envy been at the heart of murder or great loss?

Was there envy in the heart of Lot’s wife as she disobeyed and looked back at the great city she was leaving? How could Jared, son of the righteous King Omer, in the Book of Mormon, have conspired with his daughter to murder his father for the kingdom, if it wasn't for envy?

The people in Samuel’s day were envious of other nations that were ruled by kings. They thought a king would fight their battles and make life easy, making all their decisions for them. "...we desire a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us and fight our battles." (LDS 1 Sam 8: 19-20; RE 1 Sam 4:4)

This was their response, even after Samuel had rehearsed all the terrible things a king might inflict upon them. Envy is powerful. Samuel gave them a preemptive "I told you so" beforehand. Even so, they refused to listen.

"And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you, and the Lord will not hear you in that day." (LDS 1 Sam 8:18; RE 1 Sam 4:3)

The prodigal son* is a story about a young man who makes a disastrously shortsighted decision based on his envy of the world outside his own. After wasting his inheritance on "riotous living," and suffering in the drought that ensued, he "came to himself" and begged his father to take him back, only as a servant. Of course, the father threw a party and welcomed home his son. *(LDS Luke 15:11-32; RE Luke 9:13-15)

Upon hearing of his younger brother’s arrival home, and the celebration going on, the faithful elder brother became envious, from which anger ensued. "...he was angry, and would not go in..."* Envy convinces that the grass is always greener somewhere else and that another’s joy rightfully belongs to you. This double-edged sword cuts both ways. *(LDS Luke 15:28; RE Luke 9:15)

Poor Isaac was in for it from the beginning. As a child, Ishmael persecuted little Isaac: "Sarah watched the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne unto Abraham, mocking, and she was troubled."* The rest is history with the sons of Ishmael locked in a seemingly-forever envy of the younger brother. *(LDS Gen 21:9; RE Gen 82)

Treachery and envy don't care much about genealogical lines though. "...and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him..." (LDS Acts 7:8-9; RE Acts 4:3)

We could continue this romp down Envy Lane, but I think this horse is about dead. And so, sadly, were Joseph and Hyrum. Envy had three Smith casualties, if you count Samuel. We should.

Suffice it to say, without envy, the world would be a very different place, perhaps more like the Zion we seek. There is no higher honor than to be worthy of an invitation there. And thus, we have discovered the goal of our most immediate mortal career path.

"and I will bring you to Zion..." (LDS Jer 3:14; RE Jer 2:3)

We chain and bind Satan and make him a non-issue, by recognizing and rejecting his temptations. Understanding our role in this face-off is a primary task of mortality. The Lord cannot accomplish this for us. Nor can He learn algebra for us.

"Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;" (LDS D&C 46:8; RE T&C 32:3-4)

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." (LDS D&C 88:67; RE T&C 86:12)

Imagine an entire society of people living this way and striving for these things. In such an environment, more fluid organizations will arise with greater adaptability and effectiveness. At the same time, it will be messy and inconvenient for those who cannot leave behind the trappings of hearts set upon the things of this world and aspirations to the honors of men. Such people will not find it satisfying.

"Those who are comfortable with the way things are in this world will not be at ease in the spirit world." (TheNorthStarChronicle.com, Filling the Immensity of Space, January 27, 2020)

What we are attempting to create is a spiritual environment in the face of mortality, a daunting task. Daunting because we are swimming upstream in a world of aspirations and pressure. Zion is God’s to create, but He needs some folks who actually want to be there and are willing to sacrifice for that cause. It’s up to us to practice, practice, practice, like the eager young musician. Practicing Christlike behavior and opening our hearts to His law*, grooms us to be like Him. Those who are like Him will see Him as He is**. This is His will, and our path.

*( LDS Jer 31:33; RE Jer 12:9)

**( LDS Moroni 7:48; RE Moroni 7:9)