I believe that everyone has seeds of divinity deep within. Each human on earth has divine potential and spiritual gifts given to them from our Heavenly Father. I believe that mine in part, are shown through my desire to always improve and progress in life spiritually, professionally, emotionally, physically, and relationally.
From a very young age, my parents taught me about prayer and of reading from the word of God. From an early age I remember praying to God for answers and receiving them in faith and gratitude. Since a young age, I have felt of the love of the Lord in my life and feel that He has carried me and sustained me through all the ups and downs that life brings. In order to help others learn of these truths, I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two years. I truly feel that we all have been given a gift through the atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and all we have and will ever have are given to us as a gift through His mercy. I am grateful to know that I can pray to Him and recieve answers to my prayers.
My professional history starts at the age of 7, where I started my career by chopping ice in the horses watering trough during the winter months in southern Idaho. I was taught the purpose and benefit of working hard and owe my father the credit for that trait. My father has a degree and my mother does not. After my parents’ divorce, I personally witnessed and felt the effects of not having a degree as my mother struggled to support us with low-income jobs. I knew at a young age I needed an education and have gone on to earn an MBA, which has significantly helped me economically. I am passionate about helping others earn an education as well, and this is my profession.
Since an early age I have been very physically active. When I was very young, I wanted to become a Wide Receiver for the Seattle Seahawks and tried to emulate Steve Largent. In junior high and part of high school, I did play football and even wore the jersey number 80 (Largent’s number). However, it became apparent that I wouldn’t be a professional athlete, so I started ballroom dancing instead. I danced through college and even made it onto a touring dance team that toured through Europe in 1999 with Ricks College. After my dancing days were over, I ran triathlons for a couple years and now my wife and I work out daily and enjoy hiking, skiing, and traveling.
Finally, I feel that the most important things we can do in this life have to do with our relationships with others. Jesus discusses in the Bible about not being able to take material possessions with us to Heaven and I believe Him. Other than the Lord, my favorite and most prized relationship is with my wife. She inspires and motivates me to new heights. She supports me and loves me and I do the same for her. We are able to accomplish and feel great love for each other only by involving the Lord in our relationship as well. My relationship with the Lord also affects all other areas of my life including my relationship with my two children, Dad, Mom, Step-mom, grand-parents, 7 siblings, numerous cousins, grandparents, and essentially all of God’s children. I strive to love a little more and serve a little more each day.
34 comments
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January 23, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Tammy
This is a great blog. It’s light, but at the same time, hits some very interesting points. Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts down.
I’m writing to tell you about a little project I’m working on with Chris Heimerdinger. He’s the author of the “Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites” books. He also has a new movie out you may be interested in blogging about…
After a solid run throughout the state of Utah, Chris Heimerdinger’s first feature film, Passage to Zarahemla, opens outside of Utah starting this Friday. He will be coming to an area near you very soon.
Chris is available for interview and would love to discuss with you his incredible journey from best-selling novelist to award-winning filmmaker. Many people do not realize Chris was a filmmaker first and received the Sundance Film Institute’s Most Promising Filmmaker award, and others awards as well.
Feel free to contact me at tams8275@yahoo.com to set up an interview with Chris. You can also contact his PR manager Bettyanne Bruin at bruinpr@yahoo.com.
I appreciate your consideration of this e-mail and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
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February 6, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Dorrie
Sorry, Aaron, but Mormonism is NOT Christian. If you visit this website, you’ll find out how and why they aren’t.
I believe Dr. Dobson is wrong to underwrite Romney for president because anyone who belongs to a cult is obviously not fit for the office of President of the United States.
May God make His Truths known to you this very year!
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February 7, 2008 at 12:34 am
Billy Budd
That explains why you will not allow “criticism” of another’s faith.
Even though you presumed as a Mormon missionary to tell people they did not believe rightly or properly in the same way you did — Is that not criticism by your own definition? — and that they needed to become Mormons and accept the Book of Mormon as the prophetic word of God given only to Joseph Smith, you refuse to let anyone here challenge the belief of another. The appearance is that you are protecting others, but, indeed, you are unwilling and unable to defend your own faith and wish to have no challenges to it — which sounds like your faith is very tenuous and fragile. You would claim to be a Christian, but you apparently and overtly refuse to live by the biblical mandate: “BE PREPARED ALWAYS TO HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THE FAITH THAT IS IN YOU.”
Then again, Satan wants no challenge from the Christian (world) and, thus, puts on the lamb’s clothing of being a “protector” of “true believers” and all “people of conscience.” Well, if you are a true believer and persona of conscience, then why are you unable, unwilling and/or afraid to stand firmly for your faith, to be persecuted for it, and to defend it openly.
The fact is, the Mormons are hard hearted and thin skinned — possible proof of which would be your unwillingness to post this comment — and hope not to be challenged for their “faith in Jesus Christ,” which is not faith in Him at all, but in Joseph Smith and his self-serving false “revelation,” which contradicts Scripture time and again, which makes it no prophetic revelation, at all, but delusional rants, ramblings and efforts to glorify one man over the Son of Man and His Father.
Grow up, Grace, yours is no grace at all, but self-aggrandizement and vain glorious blasphemy and heresy. (Apostasy does not apply, since a Mormon is not a believer in Jesus Christ as the One True Son of God and Messiah whose Gospel shall not be added unto or taken away from…)
Good luck with that.
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February 8, 2008 at 12:50 am
ZeeZrom
Whoa. Aaron, dude, you’ve unleashed the wrath of the evangelicals. That’s another reason I’m glad I’m no longer Christian (I do see the LDS as Christians). Most are mean, un-Christlike people… at least in my experience. No offense to you, Aaron, as I do find you to be a very kind person.
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February 8, 2008 at 7:20 am
LdsNana-AskMormon
Hello my friend.
I have learned, that when opposition strikes… it is evidence that you have hit a powerful nerve.
Good work. Thank you for the balance…
tDMg
LdsNana
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February 9, 2008 at 2:13 am
ama49
Hey Zeezrom and LdsNana,
Thanks for your encouragement. As you can see and as you stated, Zeezrom, some friends of another faith have some deep-seeded hatred that needs to be rooted out somehow. It’s amazing how some can profess to be Christian and say such un-Christ like things…
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February 15, 2008 at 10:07 pm
thebenevolentdictator
WOW. I thought that I would peruse your “about” page and comments. I am non-Mormon, but have lived in Utah for three years and have done an extensive review of the LDS religion via the public library just to educate myself on the culture and history of the church. Obviously, I think that there is room for disagreement in such subjects as religion, but to have so called Christians spew such venom is appaling. I have not always enjoyed my Utah experiences, but I don’t think that what amounts to as name calling belongs in an adult dialogue.
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April 12, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Cal
Amen! I’m not a Mormon either, but Latter-day Saints believe in the same Jesus we do. If the whole truth were known, we non-Mormon Christians would realize that we agree with them more than we disagree. But we’ve been duped by the devil and by our Christian leaders who have judged on the basis of their incomplete knowledge, or their misunderstandings of Mormon doctrine, or even sometimes their own lack of revelation of the truths of the Bible. Wake up, believers in Jesus, shake off your pajamas of religion and put the clothing of humility, teachableness, and revelation from our Lord Jesus Christ. He’s coming back to reward those who will walk in love.
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May 20, 2011 at 12:57 pm
RWollard
Hey Cal, just to clarify, they do not believe in the same Jesus we do, they do not believe Jesus is God, they believe He is a God. That my friend, is a big difference.
If you have some time, check our http://www.carm.org.
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April 12, 2008 at 9:08 am
Angela
Some people who have commented on this blog are very un-Christ like people. I think if more people preached Christ’s teachings, there would be less name calling, less unkindness, and less hate in the world. There is no reason for people to spew mean things on other people’s blogs. People may disagree with what is said or preached in regards to religion, but how would Christ react? Meanly or Kindly??? Christ loves all of us, we are all God’s children. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all treated each other that way… BTW, I love the blog Aaron, keep up on the thoughtful topics. I enjoy reading them.
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October 6, 2008 at 11:38 am
Sharon in Tennessee
By their fruits shall Ye know them…
Out of the abundance of their hearts, their mouths speaketh..
Judge not, lest ye be judged…….
heavenly Father set the standards and bar for behavior and knowing peoples characters….
and they let everyone HEAR and SEE who they really worship and follow………..
Every blog speaks loudly, does it not?
God Bless Everyone in their search for truth and happiness.
When our brothers and sisters SINCERELY and truely WANT to know THE TRUTH and REVELATIONS available, they have to humble themselves, “lean NOT to their own understanding” and ASK GOD…person to person!!!
He NEVER fails. Only we do.
I KNOW that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. I asked. Many times. Tried the doctrine. NEver failed me. Always received SURE answers of YES, it’s true. YES, it’s ALL TRUE.
Love to you all out there!
Thanks for a wonderful website.
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November 27, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Jeff Lindsay
Billy Budd railed: The fact is, the Mormons are hard hearted and thin skinned — possible proof of which would be your unwillingness to post this comment . . .
Come on, that’s incredibly childish. “I bet you are too evil and stupid to print my hostile rant” is an adolescent challenge that provides its own prima facie reason for deletion. Name calling and ignorant accusations – especially calling LDs scripture “no prophetic revelation, at all, but delusional rants, ramblings and efforts to glorify one man over the Son of Man and His Father” – reveals that the author has no working knowledge of the subject matter he flings around so thoughtlessly.
There is no reason why a blogger needs to put up with wasted bandwidth of this nature. Too much tolerance of such wasted breath can hinder discourse with the thinkers who read.
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March 3, 2009 at 7:27 am
Beth Murray
After reading the “trash talk” Billy Budd wrote on this Blog, I remembered why I have such a difficult time sharing the gospel with others who are not of my faith (LDS). I still do open up my very soul and let this light that has brought me such peace spill out of the core of my being even lighting a darkened path the world sometimes lays before me. Still is is so difficult to be so vulnerable to such reckless hatred. It is so puzzling to me how someone like Billy Budd, who is a child of God, as we all are, can be so spiritually ugly…he is a product of divinity. How can he become so saturated with hate and war in his heart against those people and things he really does not understand? We, LDS people and doctrines, have not struck you Mr. Budd with harsh words or deeds; yet you strike with such force. Sadness plagues my heart and soul with comments like these mingled with anger, hatred, and ignorance about a religion, the truth and light, that has saved my very soul. I have learned two very important things that I will always carry with me: (1) Never be disrespectful of another’s faith; debate, discuss, inquire, but never degrade another human being’s comfort, peace, and substance that their religious beliefs afford. (2) I pray for myself (lifting the burden of resentment) and Mr Budd and all those who are hating to have “a mighty change of heart.”
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March 26, 2009 at 7:51 am
Matt Hasselbeck Game Worn Jersey Owner
I am a Seahawks fan from Argentina. Very nice Seahawks information.
I miss the days of Curt Warner.
I hope to be in Seattle for a game this fall.
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April 18, 2009 at 2:19 pm
James Brian Marshall
Billy Bud,
As a minister for Jesus Christ, having been ordained by Jesus Christ into the office of Priest, I feel led that I must remind you of your Lord and Savior He who is the Prince of Peace……
Have you read James 1:5
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him…..
Billy Bud you’re apbrading people for their beliefs…..
You’re in oposition to Biblical law, not to mention the Book of Mormon and D&C also state man should not contend or browbeat their brother. 1 Corintians 13:1 from the mouths of two our three whitnesses every word shall be established! There are three books bearing whitness men should not contend and condemn other men over doctrine.
Even if it’s wrong doctrine…
I understand your unbelief of the Book of Mormon and Mormonism in general! That’s OK!
What’s not OK is your attacking other people upon this blog site.
Attacking people using the internet as your tool is verbal abuse. We cannot see your face, hear your voice, watch your body language to know what your heart really is trying to communicate. We don’t know you excepting as some words that get posted upon a silicon screen and the spirit your words carry.
Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace! Are you, even in your disagreements being like Christ? Are you being peaceful in spirit? Are you quiet inside or you mad sometimes?
Your words tell me you’re mad! Especially at me!
Or have you condemned us who believe in the Book of Mormon not having read psalms chapters 81,85, Isaiah chapters 28-30, Ezekiel chapter 37 Daniel 9:24-27, Daniel chapter 12, or Matthew 21:43 about another Nation who would recieve the Kingdom of God? ( words of Christ )
and I could name many more scripture. But to do so would require a monster post that would endanger me of being kicked off this blog.
I’ve already sent my monster post so I cannot send any more for a while. But please hear me!!! I’m begging you!
Don’t contend with an adversarial spirit! Disagreement is peachy keen! But listen Billy Bud, your calling someone I’ve never met evil makes me want to defend them and make war on you! In other words, you’re words turn me off! And make me mad!
Let’s suppose Mormon believers are wrong after all! Let’s suppose we don’t know our Biblical doctrine like we should and like many claim, we’re all brainwashed! You follow me?
What if you were the person who could show us our error, but because you offended everybody first before they really heard you and gotten to know you, you called us all evil! I’m sorry Billy Bud! I know my own heart! My heart is for Jesus Christ, even if I’m in error!
But if you had a chance to save my soul from erronious belief that would take my soul to the pit of hell, you just lost your chance because of your offensive tongue.
Most people are good people if you let them be!
Most people have the capacity to be completely honest with themselves and with us, if you let them. That is if we listen to them, try to learn from them.
You have accused Mormons of not defending scripture! But you have misinterpreted! We will not contend with the devil!
No Billy Bud you’re not the devil, but your words coming through your filters, (the way you see life), and in transit, are being hijacked by satan and twisted so when your words come through our filters,( the way each of us see your words ) we get turned off!!!
Billy Bud, please remove stick from eye! Before you pluck big rock from my eye! I don’t want you blinding me because you’re trying to correct my course, without first being able to see yourself.
Men cannot see, unless first they carry Christ’s peaceful spirit!
I’m willing to listen and put up with you. As matter of fact, I was once very much like you! If someone said something the least bit off base I’d let them have it! After about 28 years of life, people, including my own family turned their backs on me.
Your honesty is refreshing and much needed! But your ire if offensive and difficult for me to wrap my head and heart around! Could you please modify how you present yourself online so I can better get over my own stumbling blocks and weaknesses? I want to better be able to hear you?
Regretfully
James Brian Marshall
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April 18, 2009 at 2:47 pm
James Brian Marshall
Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I must warn you all who have been given the truth.
You who have been Given the Law ( the Bible ) and ( the Testimoney ) Book of Mormon.
Billy Bud is in error for his lack of understanding! Any who upbraideth Billy Bud for his error should know better! Instead Ye who know enough to upbraid him should instead befriend and strive with him or her, to better understand what they’re saying!
We Book of Mormon believers have had it rough for nearly two hundred years now! No Christain understands persecution like Book of Mormon believing Christains.
Yes 2 centuries of being tromped on makes us thined skinned!
But Jesus didn’t say it would be easy did He? He said if you can last out long enough, you will get to see Him! That means the going is going to get rough! If you think it’s rough now, just wait till the Mexicans invade the USA as they are now. rising up like a lion who treadeth down and teareth in two…. If Book of Mormon believers cannot handle a person who is railing at them, you’re not about to handle the great tribulation which is about to come, yea is in the process of coming upon this land.
We must remember not to return offense for offense. But speak truth for offense, give love for hate, give food to those who’d starve us out, heal those who would sicken us, and above all put up with people who can be pains in the butt!!!
While authority has been given me to seal on earth and in heaven many things, as pertaining the gospel and the Kingdom, and having been given spiritual authority to condemn the wicked, we only should do that by the Holy Spirits guidance.
Only the Godhead knows a man’s heart truly!
And Truly Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Speaking the truth hurts enough for Catholic and Protestant believers.
They struggle enough with the idea the Book of Mormon could be true. We must not in our whitness of the truth, become the legit reason why they can later after death look God the Father in the eye and say, I couldn’t except Your truth because of the personal examples and testimonies of your whitnesses.
Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s not what we say only, but what we do! For every idle word man shall speak, he shall give an account thereof at the day of Judgement!
Sincerely
James Brian Marshall
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September 13, 2010 at 10:29 pm
James Brian Mrshall
Hey people, I just had to comment upon what I wrote. I cannot believe how I opened this post. I’m sorry I ever wrote this the way I did. I came off sounding very concieted and stuck up, I cannot believe I didn’t see that when I wrote this.
My opologies!
Brian Marshall
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July 26, 2009 at 2:17 am
Beth Murray
James Brian Marshall: It is hard to listen to your words when you make statements like this one: “If you think it’s rough now, just wait till the Mexicans invade the USA as they are now.” I agree that it is difficult to understand how we will all live on the natural resources we are blessed with in this country or how we will financially support us all when we have so many people flowing into the USA, but is it appropriate to refer to children of God in this irreverant manner? Are you heeding your own words, Brother Marshall in reference to our Mexican brothers and sisters. By the way, remember there is a large population of Mexican memebers who are doing much good in service to the Lord.
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September 3, 2010 at 12:48 am
James Brian Mrshall
Beth Murray:
Yes Beth those words may seem bombastic, but I truly mean them in a sincere way.
When you read your Book of Mormon carefully, it speaks of a people who are decendant of the house of Israel, who will be ” amongst the Gentile ” ( living among them )
who will ” rise up like a lion who treadeth down and teareth ausunder “! Meaning there will be some kind of revalution if the ” Gentiles do not repent “.
The Book of Mormon goes on to say ( 2 Nephi I believe ) that the Gentiles as a whole will not repent, they will reject the gospel taught by the Book of Mormon, and this people who live amongst the Gentiles will rise up.
Now I’m of gentile decent, I’m also of Lamanite decent. The Mexican/South American people are prophecied to rise up against the Gentiles in the United States.
Many people love the Book of Mormon, but do not read the Book carefully it’s contents.
As for the many Latino people doing a work for the Lord yes you’re right.
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September 7, 2010 at 3:32 pm
ama49
Hi James,
Interesting thoughts that I’ve never heard before. When you say “rise up against the Gentiles” how do you interpret that?
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September 8, 2010 at 2:57 am
James Brian Mrshall
Ama49
3 Nephi 9:51-53 RLDS Authorized Version Book of Mormon. LDS 20:15-16 Book of Mormon will answer your questions. If you read carefully the Book of Mormon, it talks about a people who are a remnant of the seed of Jacob, who will go forth like a Lion amongst the gentile, ( United States and other Nations also ) Note that Jesus is speaking to the native peoples in 3 Nephi, saying a remnant of their seeds shall be amoungst the gentile like a Lion. This Remnant which Jesus speaks of, ( which I am a decendant being part Indian ) will treadeth down and tear asunder the Gentile people ( white man ). Because Jesus plainly says the gentile will have scattered the Native American population.
As to how I interpret the Book of Mormon? I read it plainly, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach me. And of course if you study your Book of Mormon, you will find the same message throughout the Book of Mormon.
I hope this helps.
Brian Marshall
Priest
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
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August 10, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Trish
I am not thinned skin I love the words of Jesus.
I live the gospel .
I follow Christ.
I truly love all my brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 12: 9: Furthermore we have had father of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather bein subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?.
James 3: 17: But the widsom that is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle and easy to be intreated full of merch and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of reighteousness is sown in peace of then that make peace.
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June 8, 2010 at 3:48 am
Doug
After reading some of the rantings from so called fellow evangelicals-they should have their mouths washed out with soap. They shame the Savior they profess to love. On a totally different note: I’d love for you to discuss two areas of interest to me: the second coming of Jesus Christ-how close could we be? and this whole Helen Thomas issue-does Scripture teach Christian Zionism-is the nation of Israel connected to Bible prophecy (I’m a pretty passionate Christian Zionist but I’m not sure where all my LDS friends are on this one) Just a thought-thanks!
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September 9, 2010 at 4:12 am
James Brian Mrshall
Doug
What do you mean by Christian-Zionist? Are you Messianic Jew?
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September 8, 2010 at 11:59 am
Doug
James, does your church have a web site-what is it?
When I googled I kept getting the CoC.
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September 9, 2010 at 4:00 am
James Brian Mrshall
Doug,
It’s a long story! Yes the now COC used to be called the RLDS. They have apostized.
The Joint Conferance of Restoration Branches is the website you want to go to. Link below.
http://conferenceofbranches.org/a/default.aspx
Now the short short version of the story. Since the early 1980’s the RLDs Church began to adopt doctrines not originally taught by Joseph Smith. Open communion ( anyone can say they’re baptized, regardless if they really are and be served the sacriment ) began to be talked about, but was not institued to my understanding till year 2000, However there was a very progressive change in doctrine with involved women in the priesthood, gay marraige ect! Both strictly forebidden by scripture.
There has been a split in the RLDS/COC Church. The Split happen mid 80’s early 90’s. Since then, the Joint Conferance of Restoration Branches has formed. We are a continuation of the RLDS Church. As are most of our members.
That is why you see the COC website rather than RLDS.
The COC has radically changed it’s doctrines from the orignall RLDS Church. So much so, they can no longer claim to teach the original doctrines as taught by Joseph Smith the Prophet. And they don’t want to really. For them it’s become about money.
However! The Joint Conferance of Restoration Branches does teach those original doctrines, and is growing in leaps and bounds, nationally and internationally. Thousands of orignal RLDS believers are leaving the COC and coming over to the JCRB.
You might say we are the torch bearers of the original light.
SorryLDS people, I don’t mean to sound stuck up! and I know I do. But their is no easy way to tell this truth.
I use the RLDS name because I am. I don’t sell out, no matter the price.
The crazy story is the COC has sued it’s own members for using the RLDS name instead of COC. Even though the COC want to keep the right to have the RLDS name.
Your Brother in Christ
Brian Marshall
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September 9, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Doug
Thanks James for clearing up the confusion for me. I was aware of the fact that the CoC was moving in a very liberal direction-pretty soon they will be no different than the liberal (and dead) Protestant denominations they appear to be following. Our church belongs to the Reformed Church in America and if our denominations goes down the same road we will leave it (as you left your church).
While I am not Jewish my brother-in-law is and our congregation has a number of Jewish believers in Jesus. As a BOM guy what are your convictions about the state of Israel and it’s role in the last days. Where does your church fit in it’s eschatology? I must confess that I have been all over the charts on this one-I now tell people that I am a Pan-Millennial (it will all pan out in the end!)
I’ll check out your web site-may have a few more questions.
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September 13, 2010 at 10:36 pm
James Brian Mrshall
Hey I’m a little late to warn you I’m sure. However that website I’ve posted for you to go to, is a holding station for information.
I’m writing a book, and used the blog site for my internet research.
If you have the time, you will find out lot’s of info.
However, I’ve not really done a good job with the site composition.
Just warning you.
Brian Marshall
P.S. Will get to your other questions soon I hope. I had a old show horse break part of his pelvis Labor Day Weekend, he died last Friday night.
Needless to say my schedual has been blown. Will get back with you as soon as I can.
Best horse I ever had.
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September 14, 2010 at 3:48 am
Doug
Sorry about the loss of a special horse.
God bless.
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November 3, 2011 at 10:03 am
bestldsconferencetalks
Great Blog I love it. The church is true. Anyone can know and find out for themselves. Thanks for having the courage to defend truth and light in whatever form it takes.
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April 5, 2012 at 7:42 pm
David McKnight
Hi Aaron
Our young men and young women organization recently put together this short 12 minute film for the Stake film festival. It centers on the “For the Strength of Youth” booklet and was received to rave reviews. I thought the viewers of your blog would enjoy it. Think M. Night Shyamalan meets the Mormon Church. You have to watch to the very end of the film. M. Night would be proud. The link is below. Thanks for your consideration!
Warm regards,
David McKnight
Port Washington Branch
Grafton, Wisconsin
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April 5, 2012 at 9:54 pm
graceforgrace
Hi David,
So the three Nephites are alive and well in Wisconsin, eh! Funny video.
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July 6, 2012 at 2:34 pm
David McKnight
Hi Aaron,
I’m the one that sent you the 3 Nephite video back in April. I’ve got something new for you: I’ve written a novel that will soon be released, Tongue of Fire. I’d like to offer you a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review on your blog. The plot synopsis is as follows:
The charismatic new preacher at the local mega-church is drawing followers by the hundreds. There’s only one problem. He’s a Mormon, and nobody knows it.
John Peterson tries to follow the Spirit, but it tells him to preach, and preaching only seems to get him into trouble. His strident defense of the Mormon Church has gotten him fired again, forcing his family to move for the third time in as many years. Looking for a fresh start in Mayfield, John agrees to keep his head down. But when the owner of the local mega-church loses his pastor, he invites John to preach without asking the name of his church. After a spiritual prompting, John decides to preach, but as his following explodes, his new-found fame threatens to expose his religion and shatter his family’s hopes for a new life.
The town of Mayfield is growing impatient with high school football coach Paul Connelly. The former pastor was hired to help save the football program after the greatest scandal in school history, but after four straight losing seasons, his time is running out. With John Peterson’s meteoric rise, the town appears to have found a new moral authority, and an excuse to find a new coach. When Paul discovers that John is a Mormon, he finds the key to restoring his moral standing—all he has to do is expose and destroy John Peterson.
You can see the cover art at the Tongue of Fire facebook link and like the page for further updates and news.
http://www.facebook.com/tongueoffirebook
Thank you for your time!
Warmly,
David McKnight
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September 21, 2013 at 7:01 am
Lee Baker
Blacks Ridiculed again by the Mormon Church
By Lee B. Baker, Former Mormon Bishop
For several years now, every Tuesday evening I have had the great privilege of addressing the Christian and Mormon listeners of Worship FM 101.7 in Monrovia, the capital City of Liberia, West Africa.
I have come to know several of the station managers and a number of the more frequent callers to the weekly program. Through their comments, questions and photographs, I have been genuinely moved to see the application of their unyielding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over the past few months the question of racist teachings in the Book of Mormon and from the past Leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been on the minds of the Liberian converts to Mormonism and the many true Christians who struggle to understand how such a Church can be growing in Africa.
I believe the answer is relatively simple; it has been the perfect merging of a sincere lack of knowledge on the part of the Mormon converts and a disturbing lack of accountability on the part of the Mormon leaders. A near total lack of knowledge across Africa specific to some of the more explicit teachings found within the Mormon Scriptures, principally that Black Skin is a representation of wickedness and even less information concerning the racism and bigotry openly and officially taught by the early Leadership of the Mormon Church. This combined with the current Church Leadership’s inability to clearly and specifically reject its own racist teachings both in print and from its past Senior Leadership, has left the Black Race with only a short irresponsible and offensively juvenile Official Statement that claims the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knows very little about its own race-based policy that had lasted for well over 100 years:
“It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended.”
Maintaining a detailed and comprehensive history of every aspect and teaching of the Church has been both one of the hallmarks and one of the downfalls of Mormon Church. Within the relatively young Church, authoritative documentation, however corrupt it may have been, has never been in short supply. Each of the Senior Leaders of the Mormon Church has had several official biographers as well as an army of Church authorized historians to record for the faithful Mormon all facets of the History of the Church. In fact, one of my first of many “Callings” in the Mormon Church was that of a Ward (Congregational) Historian, long before I became a Bishop.
The peculiar assertion that the Mormon Church itself does not know the details of its very own race-based policy of restricting the Blacks from holding the Priesthood is tremendously embarrassing for all Mormons and exceptionally degrading for anyone who actually believes it.
As a former local leader of the Mormon Church, I have repeatedly assured the African members of the Mormon Church that the documents and “Scriptures” I have read to them over the air are both Authorized and Official for the time period they are relevant to. I clearly state the current position of total acceptance of all Races by the Church, but I must highlight the fact that the Book of Mormon still carries it’s obviously racist message that dark skin was a curse and Jesus was white. I have said many times on-air that like the Mormon Missionaries, I too believe that every African should have a copy of the Book of Mormon, if only to learn the truly racist teaching of the Mormons.
I have and will continue to teach the African Nations from the authentic Mormon Scriptures and the Church History documents, which I had purchased from the Mormon Church to know my past responsibilities as a Mormon Bishop. The official records of the Mormon Church include many jokes and sermons given within the Official Semi-Annual General Conference of the faithful Mormons, using the “N-word”, Darky and Sambo. Additionally, these Church published books record nearly 100 graphic sermons and lessons that clearly teach the principle, practice and policy that Black Skin was, is and will remain forever the Curse of Cain.
Only in the recent past has the “Complete History” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come to the attention of its own membership, much less to the under developed regions of the world. As this information is discovered, an ever increasing number of members of the Mormon Church have come into a personal crisis of faith, most notably Elder Hans Mattsson of Sweden, a General Authority of the Mormon Church who has gone public with his doubts and questions.
Not unique to Africa, has been the Mormon Church’s training of young Missionaries to strictly avoid any discussion of several of the more embarrassing, yet true, teachings of the 183 year old Church. Chief among these subjects has been Polygamy and Blacks and the Priesthood.
With the smooth talent of a skilled politician, the Mormon Church has ended its Official Statement with the following hypocritical and deceitful, but technically accurate quote:
“The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.”
As a former Mormon Bishop and member of the Mormon Church for over 32 years, let me be of some help with the translation of this very carefully crafted message. The two key noteworthy phrases are: “in the absence of direct revelation” and “These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.”
I will address the most obvious first, clearly the “previous statements” from the Church and its Leadership “do not” represent the Church doctrine today. The policy was reversed in 1978 and there is no question as to the policy today. The hypocritical deception is that between 1845 and 1978 those “statements” did, very much “DID” not “DO” represent past Church doctrine. Yet, I do give full credit to the clever Mormon authors and editors for their most skillful use of the English language.
And finally, the most revealing and enlightening statement from the Mormon Church is: “in the absence of direct revelation”. So then, it is incredibly true and accurate that without any mockery or sarcasm; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had for nearly 100 years, restricted a significant portion of the human race, millions and millions from God’s intended blessings of Eternal Marriage, Salvation and even Godhood, without knowing why they did it, all without “direct revelation”?
This Official Statement of religious shame and embarrassment comes from the Headquarters of a Church that claims to be guided in all things by “direct revelation”. How then, did such an exclusive doctrine based on prejudice, bigotry and racism become so accepted, so authoritative, so convincing and so commanding for so long, without “direct revelation”?
As a former Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I give testimony that what they have stated is true, in that, they are racist and do not hide the History of the Church from its members or the public, this, their Official Statement on Race and the Church demonstrates that fact.
I believe that the truly wicked teachings as well as the repulsive history of the Mormon Church concerning Polygamy, Polyandry, Blood Atonement, and Blacks and the Priesthood is available for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
It is my prayer that all Mormons and non-Mormons will come to know the true history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That every man, woman and young adult on the earth today will find the time to read the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price from cover to cover to see the deception they hold, and then… read the Word of God with the eyes of a child, and follow the true Jesus, the true Christ found only in the Bible.
Sincerely,
Lee B. Baker
Former Mormon Bishop
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