tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176064412009-11-13T17:23:14.610-07:00This is the exploration of two brothers and their good friend as they wend their way through the world of the Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed through Joseph Smith. Philosophy, the Arts, faith, evidences, apologists and other topics regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other Restoration groups. We may comment on deep doctrine or LDS social foibles. And we may add anything else we see fit to include.mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1170117956686481122007-01-29T17:45:00.000-07:002007-01-29T17:45:56.686-07:00

Mormons believe in the resurrection, right? Well, by virtue of the web, we are trying to resurrect this blog. Perhaps a better choice of words would be 'resuscitate,' but no matter. Much has happened since last we posted. We officially were removed from a listing on the Bloggernacle. We all became seriously thrashed with school, work, and life. And I got married *WOOHOO*!!! I was sealed to my

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1170117873632344302007-01-29T17:42:00.000-07:002007-01-29T17:44:33.633-07:00

Not too far off I see a lone manHead high, shoulders squared, he stands all aloneA man so entrapped within his prideHis very own soul a dark prison cellAnd still there he stands, unbending as stoneJust closer, a man standing all aloneHead still erect, body showing no strainInside he feels such ugly burdensHis spirit slowly bleeds away lifeYet little betrays this man’s inner painStill closer, a

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1160972462773222152006-10-15T22:02:00.000-06:002006-10-15T22:21:02.800-06:00

I read a recent comment on the "gay marriage problem" by Michael that gave me pause. Not only was it well written, it represented a side of the debate that we three writers could not represent on our own, that of a gay-but-believing Mormon. I was so impressed with what he said that I felt it should not be tucked away in the comments. Therefore, I am taking the liberty to repost his comments here

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1156044563610633582006-08-19T21:28:00.000-06:002006-08-20T16:47:29.783-06:00

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the main tenets of the gospel were distilled by Joseph Smith in the infamous Wentworth letter. He enumerated 13 statements which represented some of the basic beliefs of Mormons. They are now canonized and referred to as the 13 Articles of Faith. Critics and true believers alike have wondered at the seemingly incompleteness of these thirteen

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1155278927517386332006-08-10T23:02:00.000-06:002006-08-11T00:48:47.586-06:00

Well, we have all had our shots at posing our views on same-sex marriage to the public. We received a good number of visitors and had some nice comments. Not as much as we'd like, but then, we're a small blogging team who puts out material infrequently. We write large works as it is, but these essays were massive and hard for many to get through, I suspect. We weren't as done as we promised

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1154757742483908592006-08-04T23:48:00.000-06:002006-08-21T23:36:02.266-06:00

DisclaimerOn a sensitive topic like this, I have to start with the disclaimer that I am not gay, and because of that, I probably cannot truly understand the challenges that gays and lesbians face, especially those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In other words, I do not know everything and make no foolish claims otherwise. I only have my own experiences to go

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1153892007461402182006-07-25T23:30:00.000-06:002006-07-25T23:33:27.490-06:00

I am faced with a daunting task. I am arguing on behalf of the traditional values of marriage and Church doctrine, though I realize that science and the world are coming to hold different values on the matter. Facing this challenge, I realize that I should begin by making a disclaimer: this is an LDS doctrinal essays blog, as it reads at the head of our page. It is largely on this basis that I

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1153413725784903782006-07-20T10:28:00.000-06:002006-07-25T15:58:01.580-06:00

I must admit shock and trepidation several Sundays ago when I heard the First Presidency’s letter read to me regarding their position on the same-sex marriage debate. Of course I knew of their advocacy for anti-gay marriage initiatives but had never heard explicit encouragement that members join their cause. I need not remind that this political contest has bathed the country in passionate

larscapohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14820448411449941829noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1153119947425159612006-07-17T01:02:00.000-06:002006-07-17T22:17:57.963-06:00

Gay Marriage: A Three-Part Spectrum This theme has become so common among the LDS bloggernacle, it is wondered whether our little blog with actually have any sort of impact. However, all three of the authors here have strong feelings on the matter, and all three of us share a different point of view. We have therefore decided to undertake a project addressing this topic, namely gay

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1150527632302392542006-06-17T00:13:00.000-06:002006-06-17T01:03:34.050-06:00

In the next few days, a new blogger/essay writer will make his debut on our site as a full member of our team. Going by the moniker of Larscapo, he is sure to stir things up a bit. He is a good friend of both Darth_ender and myself. In fact, I have known Larscapo for ten years, and in that time, I have watched him master the skill of writing. Hopefully, you will enjoy his writing as much as we

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1149144618485557182006-06-01T00:10:00.000-06:002006-06-01T01:51:40.826-06:00

“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents” (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). The references to her tend to be vague, but throughout the history of the Church, we have been taught that we have a Mother in Heaven. Looking at the quote above, the leaders in 1995 once again alluded to our “

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1147678966838567102006-05-15T01:33:00.000-06:002006-10-18T21:30:32.016-06:00

The LDS church has long, even ridiculed, been known for strange practices. Secret temple ceremonies, polygamy, and “magic underwear” leave nonmembers scratching their heads. What are those Mormons thinking? But these are obvious departures from other churches and sects, and can be attributed to those Mormons just being crazy. Having a lay, unpaid clergy is, in some ways, a more fundamental

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1146456381304869212006-04-30T22:00:00.000-06:002006-04-30T22:06:21.320-06:00

From the time we are young, Mormons are raised with a dual message about our bodies. On the one hand, the Restoration informs us that our bodies are good, beautiful things that were given us by our Heavenly Father. They are to be used to accomplish many great works. They are temples that must be kept clean and holy. On top of everything else, we are taught that our Father in Heaven has a body,

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1144126345238798932006-04-03T22:39:00.000-06:002006-04-03T22:52:25.300-06:00

I started writing an essay about the priesthood, as understood by Latter-day Saints, a couple weeks ago. I did not finish the essay at that time, but was surprised how much the talks given in General Conference fit what I wrote. This essay is a combination of what I wrote before and a reaction to the talks I listened to this weekend._____________________________________My Priesthood ExperiencesI

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1142994561418365082006-03-21T20:15:00.000-07:002006-03-21T20:16:34.250-07:00

In the past, my brother’s and my topics of choice varied considerably for this blog. Generally, he addresses the social issues surrounding the Gospel and the Church, while I address the doctrinal. However, stimulated by the comments of someone on both my brother’s and my earlier postings, I believe I will tackle a social topic. This person, only known as Jeremy, gave forceful, though amazingly

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1141670263264998672006-03-06T11:35:00.000-07:002006-03-06T11:57:19.623-07:00

My Father, My God, part III In this series, I have aimed at trying to help the reader better understand our relationship with God. I wonder if through it all, I have still placed too much emphasis on static doctrine, and missed the real point: we are in a very literal and personal sense children of our Heavenly Father. In this third and final installment, I will try to establish how such a

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1141029862493193442006-02-26T23:34:00.000-07:002006-02-27T01:44:22.560-07:00

(Not to be taken entirely seriously) When approaching an unfamiliar and new species, especially one that prides itself as being “peculiar” and “not of this world,” it can be confusing to the uninitiated. On the surface, Mormons, also known as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, appear to be a homogenous group of white-skinned drones who do not think for themselves,

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1140112479322462832006-02-19T15:07:00.000-07:002006-02-19T15:08:31.540-07:00

In a recent Sunday school class, we had an interesting lesson on the Fall of Mankind. A number of things were brought up that interested me. One was the difference between sin and transgression.The way I see it, a transgression is the breaking of a law, while sin is knowingly breaking the law and therefore willfully disobeying God. By this definition, a sin is a transgression, but a transgression

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1139734256134745962006-02-12T01:35:00.000-07:002006-02-12T01:50:56.156-07:00

First posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 This essay is a rewrite of the Great Circumcision Debate essay. While I like the original, it really was too light and full of fluff. I had more I wanted to say, and this topic really needed to be treated in a more serious tone. This time, I touch on a great deal more doctrine, while briefly discussing the medical and social implications of this

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1137775829213249142006-01-20T09:44:00.000-07:002006-01-20T09:50:29.216-07:00

I study numerous religions, most notably Mormon splinter groups. The different factions truly fascinate me. One of the major criticisms they fire upon the LDS Church is the changing of ordinances, most specifically those having to do with the temple. I wish to clarify the significance of ordinances, and justify any changes that have been made. I will start by using a quote by Brigham Young:“Your

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1137395169306246682006-01-15T23:47:00.000-07:002006-01-16T00:06:11.980-07:00

Attending the Marriage and Family Sunday school class, a couple weeks ago, the question was posed by the teacher, “Why are women more spiritual than men?” The answers were varied in content, but in agreement that women indeed are more spiritual than men. “Because they have to rely more on the Lord to get through a day (help their kids, etc.).”“Because they were closer to Heavenly

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1137128359452822942006-01-12T21:54:00.000-07:002006-01-12T21:59:19.480-07:00

I have my own personal blog starting up. I might be more active in it, since the posts will generally be shorter. The idea is this: I pose an idea or question, and I get help and responses from my readers. But I need more readers. Please visit my new blog, The Ladder.

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1135932951878244152005-12-30T01:47:00.000-07:002005-12-30T01:55:51.910-07:00

Every so often, people I know question my judgment. And my testimony. That’s fine, I can handle it. But sometimes, I feel I have to set the record straight. This is one of those times. Recently, members of my wife’s family found out I read so-called anti-Mormon web pages regularly. They couldn’t understand why I would fill my mind with such filth. Well, I only heard about the conversation

mathonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730907784707608183noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1135549023222879582005-12-25T15:06:00.000-07:002005-12-25T15:17:03.263-07:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!I don't have any fancy ideas for this. I just wanted to make a quick note.I love the Savior. He is my finest friend. About two thousand years ago, God gave the world his most Beloved as a gift (John 3:16). 33 years later, Christ gave his life for the world (Galatians 1:3-4). They have given us the greatest of gifts. We cannot possibly pay for what was given to us. It was

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17606441.post-1134599904339044322005-12-14T15:35:00.000-07:002005-12-16T14:31:42.013-07:00

There are issues where I stand differently from others I know. One in particular is my defense of Church leaders. It may sound like nothing that different, but one thing that I have observed is that there are generally two camps: those who acknowledge the leaders and see them as near-faultless, and those who see their faults and look down upon them for it. I fall into what I believe to be a

J2AKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05153860844659759674noreply@blogger.com3