tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post776945441276659010..comments2024-03-28T15:23:18.071-07:00Comments on Pure Mormonism: The Opposite of FearAlan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-61926001460296229312013-10-14T00:42:13.264-07:002013-10-14T00:42:13.264-07:00The change of the name from Book of Commandments t...The change of the name from Book of Commandments to Doctrine and Covenants reflected a change in the contents of the book. The Book of Commandments contained only revelations. The Doctrine and Covenants contained the “Lectures on Faith”—seven theological treatises—in the first part, which was titled “On the Doctrine of the Church of the Latter-day Saints”; and the revelations, or “PART SECOND, Covenants and Commandments” in the second part. The title, “Doctrine and Covenants,” probably came from the titles of the two parts of the book. In 1921 the “Lectures on Faith” were removed from the Doctrine and Covenants, “not because they were called in question, for they are excellent lectures of great value on the the principles of faith, but because they were not revelations.” (Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1957, p. xvii.) http://www.lds.org/ensign/1984/12/the-story-of-the-doctrine-and-covenants?lang=eng<br>LCHoffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-38167763134114308832013-05-21T04:36:30.195-07:002013-05-21T04:36:30.195-07:00Thank you for the kind words and heartfelt blessin...Thank you for the kind words and heartfelt blessing,Scott. Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-37692266563700564142013-05-21T00:28:12.069-07:002013-05-21T00:28:12.069-07:00Here, I found this link to a copy of the Lectures ...Here, I found this link to a copy of the Lectures on Faith. You can read it online, or download a PDF, or get an ebook: <a href="http://archive.org/details/compilationconta00lund" rel="nofollow">Click</a>Scott Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124282799296089867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-82544515095223010672013-05-21T00:17:39.255-07:002013-05-21T00:17:39.255-07:00Incredible! Very inspiring, Rock! The detail you p...Incredible! Very inspiring, Rock! The detail you provide in your blog just gives me a great sense of the amount of Love you have for others and the amount of Faith you have gained in trusting God to bless you and keep you and protect you. You have inspired me to be a better person. I have been reading many of your posts and I agree with most everything you have shared. Thank you so much for your inspiring Guidance. I pray that our Father may continue to bless you in your faith. When you talked about your Baptism by Fire, I could feel it. I know what that is like. It is very real. I hope that I can follow your example and do more good works.<br><br>Here is one of my favorite verses from the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 5:15: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/5.15?lang=eng<br><br>"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."<br><br>God bless.<br><br>ScottScott Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05124282799296089867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-72647464791272109442013-01-17T07:36:33.692-08:002013-01-17T07:36:33.692-08:00The Garden of Eden idea came from a protestant min...The Garden of Eden idea came from a protestant minister who's article I read. It made me really think about my attitude about life. I agree that if we promise to help someone in need and don't, we allow the to suffer and in a sense we throw ourselves "under the bus"- in the long run of course.<br><br>I read a story by a lady who had gone through a lot of trials in her life. She had been betrayed by about everyone in her life and became very bitter. She did not like how she felt so she prayed to the Lord for help and He helped her come to an understanding that helped her heal from the pain of life's vicissitudes (being thrown under the bus). The thing that stuck out to me the most was when she said that we all have to walk the path of life under our own power, but that when we see someone stumble and fall we can help the get up so that they can continue their journey. She realized that she couldn't and shouldn't carry them - that is Christ's job - but could and should help them get up.Gary Huntnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-56732713621801927542013-01-16T14:16:08.049-08:002013-01-16T14:16:08.049-08:00Thanks Gary. I agree with your Garden of Eden idea...Thanks Gary. I agree with your Garden of Eden idea. We need to remember we are not on the same plane of existence as God is or as we were in the Garden of Eden. Where I come from, if you promise to help someone but don't help them when they need you the most, you have thrown them under the bus. However my ways are not God's ways. Thanks again.weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-20534538861733094952013-01-16T14:13:20.979-08:002013-01-16T14:13:20.979-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.This comment has been removed by the author.weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-2766257729687522112013-01-14T21:30:33.375-08:002013-01-14T21:30:33.375-08:00Weston:I agree with you. I think most of us have b...Weston:<br><br>I agree with you. I think most of us have been taught that if we do this, that and the other thing, in other words obey all the rules our leaders teach us, that we would be blessed beyond our wildest dreams. The fact is that there are no guarantees in life except "death and taxes." <br><br>On my mission when things were not going well we would tell each other, "keep going Elder, you will be blessed, maybe not in this life but in the next." It became kind of a joke. You know, something to say to keep our sanity.<br><br>One thought which comes to mind is that maybe we, as a Church, are looking back to the Garden of Eden as the ideal and not looking forward to returning to live with God.<br><br>Thanks for your comments.<br><br>Gary Huntnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-74410760680983511752013-01-14T09:37:52.525-08:002013-01-14T09:37:52.525-08:00I understand what you're saying Rock, but unfo...I understand what you're saying Rock, but unfortunately God is not always there for us when we need him. I believe we need to teach this more often in Church. In several scripture our church uses, God tells us if we ask in faith, we will receive. Tell that to the guy being tortured to death in a Viet Cong prison camp, who screams out, "God smite them dead!" Or the father who prays and weeps and prays and weeps over a sick child, a child who later dies. God is NOT always there for us, no matter how much "faith" we have, this is a fact of life we need to talk about more often, but nobody has the balls to say it.weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-80041738476000386842013-01-09T22:26:33.823-08:002013-01-09T22:26:33.823-08:00Still waiting to hear from you, JR.Still waiting to hear from you, JR.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-61942877179923513162013-01-09T22:25:46.342-08:002013-01-09T22:25:46.342-08:00Weston, it's nice to see you have some compass...Weston, it's nice to see you have some compassion under that rough persona of yours. <br><br>I do differ with you on one point, however. It is not God who throws us under the bus. He does not work against us. Call it life, fate, or simply the vicissitudes of life, but it isn't God. God is there to give us love and comfort when life throws its worst at it. But God is not the one throwing the curves.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-51781866424052383472013-01-08T00:54:05.009-08:002013-01-08T00:54:05.009-08:00Very nice stuff..Very nice stuff..Play angry Birdshttp://www.parksonsgames.com/abtradingcards/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-27365435842021024672013-01-04T11:01:15.920-08:002013-01-04T11:01:15.920-08:00Hang in there JR. This world is a tough tough pla...Hang in there JR. This world is a tough tough place. No matter how many Sunday School Lessons you sit through that teach about the blessings the Lord gives you for doing good works, the bottom line is: The Lord throws His children under the bus all the time. He has thrown me under the bus so many times I don't even keep track any more. But I am also able to pull myslef out every time. Don't give up, be a fighter. Look at the animal world our Lord has created, the ones who fight survive. Keep fighting, and don't stop praying, and you will pull through.weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-58781983555114397032013-01-03T20:46:11.468-08:002013-01-03T20:46:11.468-08:00JR, I have no easy answers why bad things happen t...JR, I have no easy answers why bad things happen to good people, but I did read this comment to Connie and she would like to talk with you. Please email me with your phone number and Connie will call you on Saturday or Sunday.<br><br>RockWaterman@gmail.comAlan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-80619052318433648042013-01-03T16:01:41.427-08:002013-01-03T16:01:41.427-08:00What am I doing wrong? Even though we don't h...What am I doing wrong? Even though we don't have enough for us we still help others. Do I not have enough faith? If so how do I get the faith and exercise it? I really want to know. We have always been loaded down with medical bills. We have sacrificed to help family and never got anything in return and never expected it (except grief and ill will). We do everything we are supposed to do and yet the universe is always working against us. Years ago we asked for church help and were treated badly so I won't ever ask again. The debt started when we lost our second born after 6 years of marriage and barely starting a new job. Our portion to pay was over $200,000.00 plus funeral expenses. No help from family or anyone. Never recovered from it. We are are having major health issues and have major medical debt now, and helping our ill uninsured child get the help he needs. We rescue abused animals, help others, let my husband's family take advantage of us (about to cause us a divorce), etc. I know there are people worse off than me. But for once I would like a little help so I can take care of my kids and meet their needs, which we can't right now. What do I need to do to open the blessings we so desperately need? I don't help others and do what I do to expect blessings, I do it because my conscious won't let me do otherwise. I'm a softie and want to help everyone. But now my family needs help. I am very tired of everything working against us no matter what we do.JRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-42213342902093894842013-01-03T10:34:13.436-08:002013-01-03T10:34:13.436-08:00You know you love my inriguing comments. Who else...You know you love my inriguing comments. Who else would read your tasteless blog if I didn't show up once in a while to spice things up a bit? Maybe next time I will post a picture of myself shirtless. That will really get you some hits.weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-40137431865645110092013-01-02T11:35:53.591-08:002013-01-02T11:35:53.591-08:00Blcoked?Blcoked?weston krogstadthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06759228799187904000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-32144356326514031792012-12-03T02:33:16.337-08:002012-12-03T02:33:16.337-08:00Thank you, Kerri! That is an astounding miracle -a...Thank you, Kerri! That is an astounding miracle -and so recent, too. God bless you back.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-31847911940595475142012-12-03T00:19:46.271-08:002012-12-03T00:19:46.271-08:00To add my timely bit of testimony of FAITH and LOV...To add my timely bit of testimony of FAITH and LOVE, I will be brief. In early October my 5-yr-old had a unique and critical accident at the factory my husband owns & operates (visiting daddy at work, his favorite thing). He had to be life-flighted from our nearest hospital to a children's hospital and no medical professionals had any logical hope of our son surviving. Even the flight, let alone this once-in-history emergency surgery. I had lots of thoughts drift through my mind, constantly praying, and sometime during the surgery I remembered words about faith from the Savior. So many. And I decided that logic (and really worry/fear) be damned (excuse the phrase), I was going to believe that we would receive the miracle we wanted. It was transformative. Long story short, our son was completely, COMPLETELY restored. But MORE THAN THIS, I came to see & feel (over the three weeks in the hospital) the absolute LOVE that was directed to our family, mostly through prayer, and by thousands of people all over the world, most of whom didn't know my family at all. I learned a precious lesson about us all truly being brothers and sisters and love being our connection to each other, if we'll just let it. I came home from the hospital feeling we were blessed much more than what the trauma was, and despite the looming $250,000 in medical bills, as we are uninsured. I could not doubt that God would continue to provide, as we continue to believe (and be generous). And so He has. <br>I have to also say that November was, for me, a much more difficult month than October. I think because those prayers stopped. But also because I have not found ways to express this new understanding of love, and of faith. <br>I found this blog via link to a many years' earlier post and have since read many posts, but only today read this one, which I feel is so confirming and reassuring to me at this time of "dip" after a "high". Thank you, and bless you & your dear wife!kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10285220457127627315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-87618145584874627582012-11-29T18:40:47.571-08:002012-11-29T18:40:47.571-08:00We аbѕolutely lоve уour blog and fіnd mοѕt of your...We аbѕolutely lоve уour blog and fіnd mοѕt of your post's to be precisely what I'm looking for.<br>Do you offer guest wгitеrs to wгite cоntent аvailablе <br>fоr you? I wоuldn't mind publishing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!<br><br>https://twitter.com/i80equip<br><i>Feel free to visit my webpage</i> - <b><a href="https://twitter.com/i80equip" rel="nofollow">bucket truck sales</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-69256312256283416952012-11-18T21:07:34.437-08:002012-11-18T21:07:34.437-08:00(JewelFox Continued)You misquote me as saying &quo...(JewelFox Continued)<br><br>You misquote me as saying "the government can't solve our problems." <br><br>What I said was "the government won't SAVE us," and read in context you will recall that this was in reference to the unavoidable devaluation of the dollar that is certain to occur within the next few years. When the inevitable happens, the government will not be ABLE to save us, and it has nothing to do with who won or lost the last election. The problem is systemic, and has been building for decades. Many, many financial experts don't believe we can dodge this bullet, and arguing party politics in this matter is a waste of time.<br><br>Quite recently, noted commodities trader Ann Barnhardt gave a presentation explaining why this juggernaut is unstoppable. It's titled "The Economy Is Going To Implode-And You Deserve To Understand Why."<br><br>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WraPInMTGwU<br><br>Settle in, because it's a two and a half hour presentation, but if you wish to take the blinders off, I recommend you devote the time.<br><br>If you want some shorter analyses, There are plenty of other experts who, unlike the paid network and corporate shills, will tell you the truth about what is about to happen to you. While on Youtube, search the names Peter Schiff, Gerald Celente, Max Kiser, the late Bob Chapman, and our own Joel Skousen, for starters. Take a look over at LewRockwell.com and scan the articles.<br><br>Even now those receiving food stamp assistance are finding those coupons are not buying the same amount of groceries they did last month or the month previous, and this before hyperinflation is even under way.<br><br>Those dependent upon government aid may continue to receive their checks in the mail, they just won't buy nearly as much as they used to. This has nothing to do with whether you believe socialism is working in other countries. The system cannot sustain itself indefinitely, we appear to be approaching the tipping point. <br><br>I repeat: the government won't save us. It will not be able to.<br><br>You accuse me of insulting people like you, JewelFox, which puzzles me. I AM people like you. From your letter I deduce you have had some very difficult times; so have I. But from the tone of your letter I also gather you see me as in league with your oppressors. <br><br>The lesson I had hoped to convey in my post was that even if we have nothing of monetary substance to give to someone else, we can still offer love and encouragement. We can still offer a smile and a good word. Money is helpful, but it's not the only thing. Look outward, Angel.Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-44384286840958313092012-11-18T21:00:23.766-08:002012-11-18T21:00:23.766-08:00So many readers have lovingly responded to our fri...So many readers have lovingly responded to our friend JewelFox that I felt my own response would probably be redundant. But I do <br>feel to clarify some of her misconceptions about my piece. I had a concern that someone might misread my intent, and it seems she <br>has.<br><br>JewelFox, there were a few things you wrote that were just plain confusing to me (something about my respecting your mom's right <br>to let her transgendered daughter die, for instance). But I am able to address some of the things I believe you have misjudged me <br>on.<br><br>From your tone, I gather you think I see myself as some benevolent benefactor blithely passing out five dollar bills to the <br>downtrodden masses in order to gain some favor with the angels. You also accuse me of ignoring the invisible poor, such as <br>yourself, I gather.<br><br>As Connie pointed out above, there are all kinds of ways we can all serve others. For the purposes of this already lengthy piece, <br>I focused my example on those who stand on the corner and ask for alms, because most of us are guilty of ignoring and passing by <br>those who God has placed directly in our path. Of course there are many others in need, and many ways to serve them, also.<br><br>I mentioned, for example, that I need look no further than my own doorway to find opportunities to assist. That assistance does not always take the form of cash handouts, but sometimes it does. There are many ways we as neighbors can pull together. The important thing is that we understand we have each other's backs.<br><br>You misunderstood my meaning when you took my words out of context regarding delivering myself out of poverty. If I am out of <br>poverty now, I haven't noticed it. What I was getting at was that I realized that no matter how bad I have it, I can always do a <br>little something for someone else. My fear had led to my being extraordinarily selfish, and since setting my fears aside (the main fear being "how will I eat if I give my grocery money to others?"), I now manage to somehow get through the month without <br>panicking. <br><br>The way this often manifests for me and Connie (lending a hand to others)is that we learn to get by with less sometimes. Instead <br>of salads we may eat more cereal, or we skip the fast food meals we might have treated ourselves to in order to provide a fast <br>food meal for someone else. My point was that when we offer some of our sustenance to those in greater immediate need than ourselves, and do so with a loving heart, Connie and I always seem to get by. We don't starve, as I used to fear we might.<br><br>What little bit of money we are able to disburse to others does not come from some magic windfall we have at our disposal; it generally comes directly out of the money we have set aside each month for our own groceries, gas, and other sundry needs. I believe I noted that God somehow manages to see us through when we pay some attention to the needs of others. I did not say we were prospering. I regret if I conveyed the idea that I was coming from a place of arrogance and superiority, as if I were some smug millionaire handing out twenties to "the little people" on the street.<br><br>It was not my intention to delineate all the ways a person can help his brothers and sisters; I would think folks can figure that <br>out on their own. There are some things we can all do that don't require a monetary outlay. Since I don't have a lot of money, <br>one of the ways I have found to serve is by assisting at a downtown church twice a month with a program they have set up to provide warm meals for the homeless. In that venue, someone else has provided the food, I'm just there to help serve it.<br><br>You may be able to find a similar program near where you live, so even if you haven't much in the way of money, you can still do something good for someone else without any outlay except your time.<br><br>(Continued below.)Alan Rock Watermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04971243364867111868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-69712335584448082392012-11-18T11:22:52.385-08:002012-11-18T11:22:52.385-08:00I love the comments here, they are what life is al...I love the comments here, they are what life is all about. It's funny how $5 keeps popping up in posts. I was sitting in the Launceston mall the other day while my wife was in a shop. There was a busker there playing his guitar, he was unshaven and scruffy and was playing some mournful Bob Dylan songs and singing in a husky voice. Once again I only had $5 in my wallet so I went over and put the $5 note in his hat on the ground and gave him a smile. He smiled back at me, then I resumed my seat on the bench nearby. He then started singing 'I can see clearly now the rain is gone' - one of my old favorites. I thought it was funny how the tone of his music improved with that $5. A small price to pay to bring some cheer to someone.Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-23602720120977708102012-11-18T06:20:17.872-08:002012-11-18T06:20:17.872-08:00I LOVE this--though I don't like his book on J...I LOVE this--<br><br>though I don't like his book on Joseph Smith--<br><br>http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=2&num=1&id=24<br><br>LDSDPer--<br><br>for some reason Brother Compton really hit the nail on the head--<br><br>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342380624800894371.post-41350760479344056162012-11-18T06:18:24.950-08:002012-11-18T06:18:24.950-08:00Brother Peifer,I'm going to share your experie...Brother Peifer,<br><br>I'm going to share your experience with my husband; our situation is very similar--<br><br>underemployment for many years does drain a person financially and emotionally and socially (after long terms of unemployment)--<br><br>we haven't found the government system to be any kind of reliable help--<br><br>we even made a desperate attempt at getting some medical help for our children at one point, were denied and ended up giving out WAY too much information about our family, which wasn't wise in our case (since we have special needs children and one for whom we must carry a passport at all times)--<br><br>I've been wary of 'government' help ever since, and we've managed without. The hardest thing for us was that we never asked for church help, though many times we could have used it--because even when we didn't get help from the ward and were even contributing tiny fast offerings--<br>we were treated like leaches and sponges and looked on with disdain and contempt--<br><br>It has been a very hard experience, but we have learned MUCH. What we have learned is that the Book of Mormon is our best friend (besides Jesus, of course)--<br><br>LDSDPerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com