Are we creating situations in our own homes that allow our family to feel the spirit? “Do I feel and recognize the spirit often? Can I utilize any of what I just learned at the FIRM Conference to assist myself and my family?
Just over a few years ago President Nelson prophetically shifted the focus of the church to home based worship and study. We were all encouraged to study and teach in our own homes, allowing our testimony to grow because of spiritual experiences had at home. Little did any of us know that just 1 year after these changes were made, church would be cancelled all together and today, we have adjusted some of the ways of our worship, with the new two hour block and the Ministering program.
I invite all of us to seek spiritual moments in our homes. I hope we can all recognize and treasure some sacred moments of spiritual growth. I pray that our just completed Firm Foundation Conference (Oct 2022) has given you more opportunities to share inspired information with your family.
I promise that as we seek the spirit in our home, we will find peace of mind and a deep sense of appreciation for everything we have. I testify that President Nelson is a prophet, seer, and revelator who holds and properly exercises all the priesthood keys. And because he does this, we can all benefit from the blessings and guidance of the Holy Ghost in our personal lives at home. Personal revelation is very possible.
President Nelson at the October 2018 General Conference also said, “The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.”
Many thanks to all the Vendors and Speakers for a fantastic conference. All Oct. presentations were recorded, and will be available by subscription early December. Subscribe or watch all 800 Current Videos NOW! bookofmormonevidence.org/streaming.
Understanding Apologetics
Apologetics cannot prove that the Church is true, but it can show you answers that may help you in knowing the Church is true, especially through personal revelation. Our group called FIRM, along with FAIR, Book of Mormon Central, The Interpreter, More Good Foundation etc., are similar organizations made up of great spiritual people who love the Lord and the Book of Mormon. All claim to have answers to many challenging or even difficult gospel questions that may encourage or assist people to better understand the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No Apologetic organization speaks in behalf of, or for the Church however. Doctrine in the Church only comes from the Prophet and Apostles who all organizations support.
The purpose of LDS Apologetics is to provide solid or well-reasoned information that makes sense in answering supposed church related difficult questions, so that a conclusive decision of the truth of the Gospel and Church can be determined by study and prayer through the Spirit.
Austin Farrer, an English Anglican philosopher, theologian, and biblical scholar wrote, in the mid-19th century, “Though argument does not create conviction, lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.”
Truth and Spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. A personal witness from the Holy Ghost must be the primary evidence for the reality of God, the divinity of Christ and the authority of the scriptures. “No man can say that the Jesus is the Lord,” wrote Paul, (I Corinthians 12:3) “but by the Holy Ghost.” Faithful, reasoned and rational argument, however, can open hearts and minds to the witness of the Spirit. As I mentioned earlier, apologetics cannot prove that the Church is true, but it can show you answers that may help you in knowing the Church is true, especially through personal revelation.
Personal Revelation
As our dear Prophet said, “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! “As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course … as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.
You don’t have to wonder about what is true. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.
I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation, for the Lord has promised that “if thou shalt [seek], thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Russell M. Nelson
“No one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true.”
The Truth of All Things
Moroni 10:5″And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
Head and Heart
“But it should be noted that truly rock-ribbed faith and uncompromised conviction comes with its most complete power when it engages our head as well as our heart…
Truth borne by the Holy Spirit comes with, in effect, two manifestations, two witnesses if you will—the force of fact as well as the force of feeling…
I believe God intends us to find and use the evidence He has given—reasons, if you will—which affirm the truthfulness of His work…
Our testimonies aren’t dependent on evidence—we still need that spiritual confirmation in the heart of which we have spoken—but not to seek for and not to acknowledge intellectual, documentable support for our belief when it is available is to needlessly limit an otherwise incomparably strong theological position and deny us a unique, persuasive vocabulary in the latter-day arena of religious investigation and sectarian debate…” Jeffrey R. Holland Greatness of the Evidences Brigham Young University August 16, 2017
Ye Cannot Deny Them
“And now, . . . ye know these things and cannot deny them [because of the] many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true.” Heleman 8:24
“Individual members are encouraged to independently strive to receive their own spiritual confirmation of the truthfulness of Church doctrine. Moreover, the Church exhorts all people to approach the gospel not only intellectually but with the intellect and the spirit, a process in which reason and faith work together.” LDS Newsroom 4 MAY 2007
What I learned at The Book of Mormon Evidence Conference
-Our Nation is hanging by a thread and I must do more to help. I love the Constitution.
-God Lives and through Christ, I can know even more than I know now.
-Science in the world is flawed and I must study harder to learn truth.
-The Book of Mormon truly was translated using the breastplate and spectacles that came in the stone box with the gold plates, not some stone in a hat.
-My physical health is so critical to my ability to feel spiritual things.
-Government is working against us, and the only hope is Christ. I can however do more at the local, school, and community level to help.
-A solid base of knowledge in the scriptures includes my belief that the United States is the Promised Land spoken of in the Book of Mormon and it began in the Heartland.
-Investing in gold and silver are very important in today’s world.
-The Phoenicia Voyages really did open up the possibility, that Lehi’s and Mulek’s route to North America can and did happen.
-The Lord has provided Bee Balm, and other amazing herbs and healing plants for our benefit.
-Anything that seems odd, or hard to explain about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, happens because we as individuals have not taken the time to truly read, study, and pray, about the gospel’s truths. Russell M Nelson and Joseph Smith were and are Prophets of God.
-I learned even more about the false teachings about Evolution, Darwinism, and especially about the evils of Satanism.
-I felt so happy to hear from the dozens of attendees that shared how this conference has changed their life, helped their life, or helped them to focus more on the important things of life.
-I felt a sincere and deep love from so many guests, about their love of this FIRM event, and how thankful they were to Rod, Tonya, myself, and many others for organizing and sharing this event with them, and I thank you so much for your support.
Second Harvest
I learned at the FIRM Foundation Event that without a doubt the Gadianton’s are alive and well, and they will stop at nothing to hurt and defeat the Children of Israel. We MUST work harder and strengthen our spiritual self and share all we can with others. We can’t do this alone. I pray for a soon to come “Second Harvest“, as I call it, where we as a world are given the freedom to share the Book of Mormon with others who have never had that opportunity in places like Israel, Iraq, China, North Korea, Ukraine, and many other nations. I believe we are in the heights of a spiritual storm today, and the Lord will show his love for those of us who love Him and repent. Some special patriots have been prepared to win this battle. In my opinion, our evil government leaders of today, will be replaced with a more perfect union of these patriots.
I hope and pray that each one of you who participated in, or attended the conference, will be blessed. I love sharing the gospel with others and Rod and I truly appreciate your dedication to our mission of bringing all unto the Savior.
