#Apostasy in the Latter-days

[mindfulldsliving]

Hearken, O Ye People: A Call to Repent and Return to the Lord

“Hearken, O ye people” isn’t just an invitation—it’s a command from the Lord. Doctrine and Covenants 1 is His call to review our hearts, repent, and recommit to His covenant. Given as the preface to the revelations of this dispensation, this section emphasizes the urgency of listening to His voice and aligning our lives with His will. It’s not just for the early Saints; it’s for all of us today.…

[trberman]

Understanding LDS Beliefs Amid Evangelical Criticism

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash Understanding Evangelical Criticisms: An LDS Perspective on Faith, Debates, and Mutual Respect The relationship between Evangelicals and Latter-day Saints is rich with shared hopes and honest differences, yet it’s often clouded by misunderstanding. Criticisms aimed at LDS beliefs can, at times, feel personal or even dismissive, but they’re also an…

[mysterioussinkhole]

severance 2x04 spoilers and thoughts on religion in the show's universe

It's been discussed a bit how Lumon's company culture and Kier as a figure are very Mormon-coded. This is primarily in terms of American exceptionalism as a core tenet of a religious movement that centers on the wisdom of a singular man, purported to be advancing the human race.

What interested me in this most recent ep (2x04 Woe's Hollow) was the language Milchick uses in his speech before Innie Irving's death. Specifically the last line about condemning him to "the eternal dark".

To me (whose knowledge of Mormon theology is limited to the bits of research I've done, I'm def not an expert), this draws a comparison to the concept of the Outer Darkness. References to it are present in the Christian Bible, but within Latter Day Saints teachings it is a realm of the spirit world (where we go/return to after death) that is for those who have committed the highest sin.

Knowing God's Will, promising to follow it, and then consciously rejecting it. Apostasy.

The assumption is that not many people go there, and there's debate over what actually merits being condemned to the Outer Darkness after death.

The usage in Severance of that language does feel very intentional, especially after an episode that gave us more of the Kier-based philosophy the innies are educated to follow. Irving B is condemned to nonexistence after the high crime of harming not just a coworker, but an Eagan. Knowingly and willingly.

We don't know what happens to innies when their outies leave the company in disgrace. If they're simply never reactivated or if their data is erased entirely. However, I think this language implies that within the Kier religion's philosophy Irving has been sentenced for the highest crime possible and his soul can never be redeemed.

Good for him.

[fallingtowers]

so i've been thinking about season 4 lately, and i've got this theory that adam is actually a good villain.

ok, before i'm flayed alive for my apostasy, lemme qualify that statement. i can't pretend s4 is my favorite season of btvs by any means, but i gotta give credit where it's due -- it's got more going on underneath the hood than you might think.

s4 is all about purpose and direction. it's about the characters changing tracks and trajectories, bumping up against the questions of who they are and who they're gonna be. obviously this is a recurring theme on buffy (it is a coming-of-age story, after all), but it's never more front-and-center than here, where much of the cast is crossing perhaps the clearest line between childhood and adulthood in usamerican society -- fitting, considering the show itself has lost a large part of its established framework and is now trying to establish a new status quo.

let's take a look at what the characters are up to during s4. the kids have graduated; buffy and willow are starting college. willow's relationship with oz ends, and she spends a decent chunk of the season coming to terms with her feelings for tara and her identity as a lesbian. xander's looking for work, with an emphasis on looking -- before he settles on construction, he spends some time drifting from job to job, never quite sure what he wants to do. giles is out of work too and spends much of the season struggling to fill his days. the scoobies as a group are scattered and directionless, unsure of their places in the world.

the list goes on. riley's whole arc is about losing his bedrock purpose and having to find a new one; "no sir, i'm an anarchist" may be a lame-ass line, but it is very thematically significant. spike gets chipped and finds he can't kill people anymore, and so now what is he good for? and then he realizes he can still hurt demons, and his trajectory for the remainder of the show is set. anya, talking about her career as a vengeance demon, gets a very telling line in "restless": "well, you know how i miss it. i'm so at loose ends since I quit." even faith's brief appearance in this season sees her struggling with questions of purpose and (in a particularly on-the-nose example) identity.

of course, since it's btvs we're talking about, all this is reflective of what buffy is going through (remember, this is the season that makes explicit the metaphor of the core scoobies as different parts of buffy's psyche). buffy's in a transitional period; she's going from high school to college, from her mom's house to a dorm room. she's struggling to adjust, and the show takes pains to provide her with things to struggle to adjust to. at the end of the first episode of the season, she says college is "turning out to be a lot like high school," but this statement is immediately undercut by the first appearance of the initiative.

say what you will about the initiative plotline, it makes a lot of thematic sense. there's a lot of very intentional contrast between the slayer and the initiative; where the slayer bloodline is ancient and mystical, its roots lost to history, the initiative is sleek and modern. its rife with purpose -- and, sure, to be fair, that purpose is absolutely clandestine and sinister, but it's unmistakably there. from its first appearance in "the freshman," there's a sense that the initiative is working towards some unknown goal.

sunday's gang and the initiative occupy different roles in the story, of course -- one's a straightforward group of enemies of the kind we (and buffy!) have grown to expect, while the other is a much thornier and less straightforward kind of problem. the way the show trades the former for the latter, not to mention the way the latter takes prisoner a member of the former, is of course very intentional, a way to reinforce the upset of the status quo. still, we can read both groups as representative of the same metaphor: the idea that buffy's been thrust into a world in which she feels she alone doesn't know what she's doing, but everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing and where they belong. in a word, it's buffy's first true brush with adulthood.

buffy eventually aligns herself with the initiative, but even then, she remains the odd one out. she's a better fighter than any of them, but their methodology and aesthetic make her seem antiquated (see walsh's "we thought you were a myth" line), and she can't figure out their jargon or their militaristic command structure. try as she might to fit in, she just can't seem to be who they want her to be.

compare this with adam.

much hay has already been made about how well or (much more commonly) how poorly adam works as a character, and i won't bother to relitigate all that stuff here. yeah, walsh's exit is abrupt and unsatisfying, and yeah, adam lacks the personal connections to the rest of the cast that made her such an effective villain, and yeah, god help me, he does have a disk drive in his chest. i'm not gonna argue that there aren't big flaws with the execution of the initiative plotline generally and adam specifically, but i will argue that there's some really interesting thematic conversation going on between adam and the season at large.

s4 has this throughline of various characters inhabiting various personas. this is sometimes voluntary and sometimes not; it usually involves the character becoming stronger or more competent or more carefree or otherwise "better." of course, btvs as a whole is very preoccupied with identity, so s4 is not alone in this -- "halloween" and "band candy" spring to mind as examples of the kind of thing i'm talking about here, and of course e.g. riley pretending to be an ordinary person is something we've been watching buffy do for three seasons now -- but i'd argue that it's even more prevalent in s4 than elsewhere in the show. there's cathy pretending to be human in "living conditions"; veruca in "wild at heart" suggesting that the wolf is oz's true self and that "this human face is just your disguise," and oz telling willow that "i don't know where that line is anymore between me and [the wolf]"; buffy's transformation in "beer bad"; giles's transformation in "a new man"; faith and buffy switching bodies in "who are you?"; the entirety of "superstar." towards the end of the season, after adam reanimates forrest as a half-demon, forrest says, "i'm surging with life and strength [...] this is the best thing that ever happened to me."

it isn't, of course. in fact, most if not all of these forays into being someone else end badly. they're explorations of who the characters are and who they might (like to) become, and they all seem to point to the same conclusion: you can pretend to be someone else, but sooner or later you're going to have to be yourself, whoever that might be.

so who's adam?

the show asks this question at least a couple different times, in a couple different ways. this first happens in "goodbye iowa," when adam himself asks, "what am i?" later on, in "restless," buffy comes at the question from a different angle by asking adam's human half his name. the answers the show gives to these questions are telling. in "goodbye iowa," adam is told he's a monster ("i thought so," he replies). in "restless," his human half says, "before adam? not a man among us can remember."

who is adam? well, he's no one. he's a monster, a frankenstein, a thing remade and stripped of all its past identifiers. he wasn't born, but built, and this is crucial. this is the thing that makes him superior as a villain to professor walsh in at least one respect. for all their secrecy and sinister aims, the initiative's soldiers and scientists are human. they, like the demons they capture, are messy, alive, with no inborn reason for being. adam is different. in a season that's all about the search for purpose, he stands out as the only character to have been purpose-built. one of his most important lines imo comes from "superstar," where he says: "i'm aware [...] no one -- no human, no demon -- has ever been as awake and alive as i am. you are all just shadows."

in the end, buffy and her friends defeat adam by means of the enjoining spell, but the spell is just a metaphor for the actual reason they win. this is the moment i was talking about above, the moment where the scoobies-as-parts-of-buffy metaphor is made explicit, and it is itself a metaphor for them accepting and affirming not only their roles in buffy's life, but also their identities at large. see, it's not enough for xander to say he's the heart, or willow the spirit, or giles the mind; they have to believe it. so here we are, at the end of this awkward bumpy transitional season, which our characters have spent figuring out who they aren't anymore and who they might be and who they want to be, and in this moment, they know. and now that they do, they mop the floor with adam, because in the end, he's not much more than a machine. he's never chosen who he should be, it has only ever been decided for him -- but buffy and her friends are human, so they can decide for themselves. at the beginning of the episode, adam says, "once you [...] embrace your destiny as I have, you will know power you've never dreamed of" -- but in a show so centered around free will and choice and the struggle to make meaning in an uncaring and chaotic world, of course there's no real power in a destiny that's been chosen for you. of course choosing for yourself who you're going to be is the most powerful thing you could do.

[nottskyler]

3 Nephi 16 tells of a time when the Gospel will be taken from the Gentiles in the latter day and our choice will be to either repent or be scattered and driven forth like what happened to the Native Americans.

I wonder what the Gospel going back to the House of Israel (in this case meaning descendants of the people in the Book of Mormon) looks like because I wonder if it has already started happening. Will it be an organized church or simply a movement? Will it happen predominantly in North America or will it be spread throughout the world and encompass more people that Christ appeared to and we don’t have the record?

What I don’t wonder about is how repentance is the key to not being nearly destroyed. It’s the natural consequence when you kill off everyone who has worked hard for change peacefully. It seems like an easy enough task not to kill people, but then you look at police brutality, immigration detention centers, the anti-mask movement, and ignoring Covid now and you realize that sometimes deaths of good people come from people not directly involved in the violence.

For the year 2021, the average daily deaths from Covid was more than the people killed in the attack on the twin towers on 9/11. The US decided 3,000 was enough to start the longest war in US history. Yet somehow we don’t think it was worth it to go after the people who refused to wear masks and then refused to get vaccinated when they caused significantly more deaths. Even something as simple as a fine for not wearing masks and not getting a vaccine without doctor approval and propaganda encouraging others to do the same.

“Loose lips sink ships” reminded people that what you say can hurt people and the country but just holding these people accountable by telling them their speech and behavior is harming people is called a violation of their free speech. Absolute freedom has always been a myth. You must give up certain rights in order to live in a civilized society or else society falls apart.

But this has turned into a rant. Sorry. Back to 3 Nephi 16, it strongly indicates that there will be another apostasy of the Church and that truth will be centered elsewhere. I hope I can be aware enough to know and follow it.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINTS OF THE DAY (September 26)

Saints Cosmas and Damian were twins born to Christian parents in Arabia in the third century.

They lived in the region around the border between modern day Turkey and Syria.

They were physicians who were renowned for their skill as well as their refusal to charge for their services.

Their charity and Christian witness won many converts to the faith and earned them a place of prominence in the Christian communites of Asia Minor.

Therefore, when the Diocletian persecutions began in the latter half of the third century, they were some of the first to be sought out for execution.

In 287, they were captured and ordered to deny their faith in Christ.

They refused and underwent a series of tortures, including Crucifixion from which, miraculously, they remained unscathed.

The torturers, weary of what they realized was the impossible task of forcing apostasy from their mouths, finally beheaded them both.

They are invoked in the Canon of the Mass and the Litany of Saints.

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025

january 31_february 13

HOLY WONDERWORKERS AND UNMERCENARIES CYRUS AND JOHN ( 311) AND WITH THEM MARTYRS ATHANASIA, HER DAUGHTERS THEOCISTE, THEODORA AND EUDOXIA, AT CANOPUS IN EGYPT (311)

Saint Cyrus was a noted physician in the city of Alexandria, where he had been born and raised. He was a Christian and treated the sick without charge, curing their bodily afflictions and healing their spiritual infirmities. He would say, “Whoever wishes to avoid being ill should refrain from sin, for sin is often the cause of bodily illness.” Preaching the Gospel, the holy physician converted many pagans to Christ. During the persecution by Diocletian (284-305), Saint Cyrus withdrew into Arabia, where he became a monk. He continued to heal people through his prayer, having received the gift of healing every sickness from God.

In the city of Edessa at this time lived the soldier John, a pious Christian. When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and there he heard about Saint Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When Saint John finally found Saint Cyrus, he remained with him and became his faithful follower.

They learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Saints Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women might renounce Christ.

Saints Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Saints Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Saints Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom.

At the same place they executed the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John. Christians buried their bodies in the church of the holy Evangelist Mark. In the fifth century the relics of Saints Cyrus and John were transferred from Canopis to Manuphin. Later on their relics were transferred to Rome, and from there to Munchen (Munich) (another account is located under June 28).

Saints Cyrus and John are invoked by those who have difficulty in sleeping.

Source: Orthodox Church in America

NEW MARTYR ELIAS (ARDUNIS) OF Mt. ATHOS (1686) 

Saint Elias was a barber in Kalamata in Peloponnesos and was respected by Turkish officials for his shrewd good sense and experience in political affairs. One day, when the latter had come to see him, Elias urged them to do all they could to reduce the burden of taxation on Christians that the Turks had imposed on them, or many would be led to deny their Christian faith and become Muslim merely to be relieved financially. The discussion grew heated, and Elias was carried away to the extent of almost jokingly declaring that he was inclined to deny his faith in return for a fez. One of the Turks took him at his word and handed him the headgear, whereupon poor, benighted Elias adhered to Islam in the presence of the judge and to the sorrow of the local Christians.

Not long after, he was moved to repentance when he realized the gravity of his actions and traveled to Mt. Athos. There, he found a spiritual father and, with many tears, confessed his apostasy. Once again, he acknowledged orthodoxy, was chrismated, and received Holy Communion. Elias became a monk on Mt. Athos…To be continued here

1 John 1:8-2:6

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Mark 13:31-14:2

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning- 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."

[fortressofserenity]

America, the Babylon of our generation

When it comes to how and why to some people, America's like a new Babylon, it has to do with both the scale of power it has over over countries and a profoundly corrupt air that warrants comparison to the old Babylon. The old Babylon is everything God's people shouldn't be and shouldn't be into, that once they sinned a lot that he let Babylon take over their land as a consequence of theirs. But once they got their acts cleaned up and began begging for mercy, that's when God allowed Persia to defeat Babylon.

Persia (now Iran) might defeat a new Babylon and this time it's going to be America in the latter's place, but it won't go out along in the fight as it'll be joined by Russia, China and North Korea. All four of them are God's instruments of retribution towards the Christian nations that sin a lot, most especially America though Europe and the Philippines aren't any better. The Philippines is particularly grievous as it calls itself a Christian nation, yet does a lot to the contrary.

So much so that God's going to allow China to take over this nation, mostly because of what we've done to ourselves and to his church and name. So God will use the wicked to punish the wicked with, sort like how he allowed dogs (animals that don't seem to be esteemed highly in the Bible) to eat Jezebel alive, due to her own evil and sins. It would be no different if he allowed Russia to take over the western world due to its apostasy and backsliding, or China to take over the Philippines.

America is like a new Babylon but a new Babylon that's also on steroids, because of how immensely influential it is the world over. American products and brands are widely used and consumed throughout the world, American music is heard on many international radio stations and on people's playlists. Many people dub and watch American films and programmes, this should be a no-brainer if you take American hegemony into consideration.

America also popularises or starts many regrettable and/or detestable things, something like porn magazines like Playboy getting international editions for instance. Then you have things like the Omen film series, which is about the Antichrist as helmed by US film studio Fox (now owned by Disney). It's the same country behind Laveyan Satanism, Mormonism and The Church of Latter Day Saints, it's also the same country behind dubious musicians like Michael Jackson, Beyonce Knowles and Taylor Swift.

It should be noted that these three have been involved in some form of witchcraft themselves, Celestial even said that Beyonce actually casts spells on unsuspecting people herself. She is even worshipped as if she were a goddess or close to it, when it comes to the Beyonce Mass in some churches. They may not necessarily worship Beyonce in the technical sense of the word, but she does condone or encourage idolatry in some way.

Similar things can be said of not only Taylor Swift, but also the Backstreet Boys. I think the latter's worse off as one of them's a Christian, yet he never seems to actually pray for his fans' salvation, find a way to make them read something Christian-related if they're new to the faith and stuff. I don't think he finds a way to make them read devotionals, the Bible, attend church and listen to sermons, not even close to any of those.

To the point where he might be condoning idolatry due to his own pride and wickedness (basing this off from a sermon on a Ghanaian radio station called Citi FM when I was thinking about this band at all). America isn't just a new Babylon, but also exceeds the original Babylon in spiritual crassness when you have American musicians begging to be worshipped as if they're gods or something. Even worse if some of them are Christians themselves like with Brian Littrell.

So they really are wicked people, who have no real concern for somebody's spiritual welfare whatsoever that they'd rather see them spiritually degrade in some way. There's a line in the Bible where music will no longer be played in Mystery Babylon (a country that America's compared to by people like Celestial and Dumitru Duduman), that eventually American music will no longer be enjoyed and played anywhere and everywhere in the world.

Thus spells the end of the most wicked nation in recent memory, a country that swapped God and the word for the Devil and the world. A country that will be gone and forgotten to time.

[penmanshipeb]

📜‭‭Daniel 8:23-25 - “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. [24] His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. [25] “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.

The Word says, "He shall destroy the mighty, and the holy people" . . . This text is about the antiChrist, the Man of Sin who is to arise on the global stage. This text is of the time to come, going into the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation.

Again, Do Not Be Mislead by anyone proclaiming Christ, because a characteristic of the antiChrist spirit is that it is so convincing. Therefore the Bible admonishes, "Take heed," "Be not deceived," "Beware," "Watch and pray." All of these warnings are found with emphasis of these last days in Luke 21, Mark 13, and Matthew 24.

THE RISING OF THE ANTICHRIST IS IN DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE APOSTASY ("Falling Away") OF THE CHURCH.

The Bible makes it known that after the rapture, there is going to be some tribulation saints, some "holy people," but you don't have to be one of them because that time shall be awfully horrific and terribly cruel for them. The Bible makes it known that after the rapture some people are going to later become serious about God ("holy people") or finally receive the gospel, but they shall be destroyed.

You. Don't. Have. To. Be. One.

We have the victory now over Satan, but during that time to come, God will allow Satan the victory, then, during that terrible time to come. 🙏

‭‭📖 He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. - Daniel 8:24

📖 ‭‭ “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. [35] For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:34-36

📖 ‭‭ And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. [21] For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. - Matthew 24:20-21

📖 ‭‭ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. [11] Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. - Revelation 3:10-11

📖‭‭ It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. - Revelation 13:7

[mindfulldsliving]

Responding to Tom Knoff: Early Church Councils, Scripture, and Apostolic Authority Through a Latter-day Saint Lens

Tom Knoff’s article highlights a pressing issue: how the early Church councils inform our ability to face today’s theological challenges. Drawing from the councils at Nicaea and Constantinople, he argues that their reliance on scripture and precise doctrine was central to confronting heresies like Arianism. The Church has long faced challenges in clarifying and defending the person and nature of…

[trberman]

Part Four | Examining Apostasy: Addressing Bradley Campbell's Contested Views on Latter-day Saints' Beliefs

Addressing criticisms levied against Latter-day Saints’ beliefs, particularly concerning apostasy, often requires a careful and structured approach. Bradley Campbell’s interpretation of key biblical passages—Matthew 16:18, 2 Thessalonians, and 2 Timothy 4—challenges the LDS doctrines on apostasy, questioning the necessity of priesthood authority and apostolic succession. With his pedestrian take…

[davidrmaas]

MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS

The “Mystery of Lawlessness” is active in the world, and especially so in the Body of Christ as it prepares hearts and minds for the “arrival” of the “Man of Lawlessness” and the “Apostasy.” It will continue to do so until the appointed time when this “Lawless One” will “come out of the midst” and be unveiled in the “Sanctuary of God.” Moreover, he then will employ “lying signs and wonders” to cause those who refuse the “love of the truth” to betray the Apostolic faith.

The term “Mystery of Lawlessness” is unique to Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. The Greek term for “mystery” does not refer to something that is esoteric or mysterious, but to that which is hidden, and hiddenness is the point. This “Mystery” is at work even now, but its activities remain largely unnoticed.

“And you know what is possessing, to the end, he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only it is possessing now until it be taken out of the midst. Then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth and bring to nought by the manifestation of his arrival” - (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8).

In the Greek text, the participle translated as “what is possessing [katechon]” is in the neuter gender and paired with the “Mystery of Lawlessness.” Moreover, like the participle, “mystery” is in the neuter gender.

In Greek syntax, the participle takes the gender of its associated noun. In other words, the “Mystery of Lawlessness” IS the thing that is now “possessing.” This is problematic in English versions that translate the term as “restraining” since that would mean the “Mystery of Lawlessness” is “restraining” lawlessness in the world.

Paul’s description borrows language applied to the “Little Horn” in the seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel. This includes the term katechon or “possessing.” The “Little Horn” appeared “in the midst” of the “Ten Horns” of the “Fourth Beast” and subsequently waged war against the saints “until” the Ancient of Days rendered judgment for them when the “season” for the saints to “possess [katchon] the Kingdom” arrived. In the interim, the “Little Horn” changed “seasons and the law,” but in the end, he lost his “dominion” and was “broken in pieces without hand” - (Daniel 7:8, 7:18-26, 8:23-25).

AT PRESENT

Likewise, the “Mystery of Lawlessness” is working to produce the “Lawless One.” It will continue to do so “until the proper season” when this malevolent figure will be revealed “out of the midst.” Afterward, he will be “disarmed” and “paralyzed” at the “arrival of Jesus” - (2 Thessalonians 2:5-8).

The “Man of Lawlessness” will be unveiled when he “seats himself in the Sanctuary of God.” The latter is a term Paul consistently applies to the Church, the “Body of Christ.” The “Mystery of Lawlessness” lays the groundwork for this man’s unveiling when he comes “out of the midst” to deceive all those who “refuse the love of the truth.”

[Photo by Darko Pribeg on Unsplash]

[Read the complete post on the End-Time Insights website at the link below]

[thyfaithfailnot]

Essay #13: What is Truth?, Pt. 3

(Painting credit: Josef von Fuhrich, 1851)

I like this painting because it portrays Jesus Christ handing the priesthood keys to Peter.  Notice that Christ has His hands on Peter. Since those priesthood keys were absent during the apostasy, they would also need to be restored.  

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its first church service on April 6, 1830. At that time, there were only six baptized members and a handful of other curious onlookers in attendance. 

On May 15, 1829, The Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey near Harmony, Pennsylvania. This ordination was done by the hands of an angel who identified himself as John, the man who had baptized Jesus Christ. This Aaronic Priesthood gave Joseph the authority to baptize.  

While Joseph was translating The Book of Mormon, he became curious about baptism. As mentioned in Pt. 2, Joseph was very inquisitive. So, curious and knowing he would get an answer, Joseph and Oliver decided they should inquire in regards to baptism. 

Joseph later wrote in his history: “[Oliver and I] on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of The Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. [...] While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon The Lord, a messenger from Heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid His hands upon us…”  

Priesthood authority must be passed on by the laying on of hands. The priesthood authority was taken from the Earth during the apostasy and needed to be restored. And on that blessed day in May 1829, it was.

***

Almost immediately after Joseph and Oliver were baptized, The Holy Ghost fell upon them.

Joseph wrote this: “Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of.”  

What I find so interesting about this passage is that, in spite of the many differing religions and opinions around at the time, the “scriptures [still] came open to [them]”. 

I also find it interesting that, when The Aaronic Priesthood was restored, the angel John told Joseph and Oliver the following: “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of The Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the Earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness” (Doctrine & Covenants 13:1).

I would like to draw your attention to two things John stated: 

That the Aaronic priesthood holds “the keys” of the “ministering of angels” 

That the Aaronic priesthood holds “the keys of the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.”  

***

When I read the scriptures, certain words will usually “pop up”, if you will. These words stand out to me and I want to know what they mean. I looked up the word “authority” and the dictionary defined it thusly: “The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience”.  

With this definition in mind, then, authority would be the power or right to “act”.  Since I am a simple person, I like to keep things as simple as possible. So, simply put, priesthood is the authority, right, or permission to act in the name of Jesus Christ.

***  

Not long after The Aaronic Priesthood was restored, Joseph and Oliver were visited by Peter, James, and John to restore The Melchizedek Priesthood to the Earth. This particular priesthood gave them the authority to give the gift of The Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, to bless the sick, and it gave them the authority to be Elders and Apostles of The Lord Jesus Christ, just like they did anciently.  

Thanks to these priesthood keys, The Church of Jesus Christ would once again be established just like it was when Jesus was upon the Earth with Prophets, Apostles, Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacons, and Seventies.  

Going back to the portrait, it depicts Jesus handing the keys of the priesthood to Peter. Peter would hand those keys to the prophet Joseph as a resurrected being, just like Jesus handed them to him.  

From that spring morning of April 1820 to the present day, persecutions, detractors, and scoffers of the young Joseph Smith have increased. Joseph also wrote in his history that he was visited by Moroni, the last writer of The Book of Mormon. It was this ancient prophet who sealed up the records and deposited them in The Hill Cumorah until the latter days.

“He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.”

~Joseph Smith History 1:33

Over 200 years have passed since that day, and the name of Joseph Smith has spread to every nation, kindred, and tongue. Some revere him, but most speak ill of him. The awful and slanderous things that are said of him make someone like me, who respects and admires him, sad. Joseph's main intention was to teach, preach, and testify of Jesus Christ; he loved Jesus and wanted to serve Him. Joseph knew that the way back to our Heavenly Father was through Jesus Christ and His loving, infinite, Atoning Sacrifice.  

Joseph did His Father’s will, no matter what! In spite of all the persecution that followed him wherever he went, unto and including his eventual martyrdom, Joseph Smith lived his life as The Savior told His disciples to before His final ascension to Heaven:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

~Matthew 28:19-20

I think people get baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ because they believe that Joseph Smith was and is prophet, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that restoration continues even today. People stay in The Church of Jesus Christ because they have learned that the principles, ordinances, and covenants made within The Church point their souls Heavenward. They have read The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, as it testifies as plainly as anything that Jesus is The Christ, the promised Messiah.  

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always been supported by Heaven.  If The Church were some made-up idea, it would have withered away long ago. With all of the hatred, mobbings, beatings, and killings of its members, some would have turned tail long ago. Some people leave because of this persecution and naysaying, but others stay. Something keeps those who stay moving them forward, assuring them to keep their faith. My family joined The Church in 1840, just four years before Joseph Smith was killed. Right in the heat of persecution. What made them join?  What was so welcoming to them to leave their generational faith of the Quakers and move to this religion which was so violently hated and persecuted? 

My great-grandfather, Samuel Parrish, wrote in his personal history: “The things that I learned from the Elders has had a profound influence in my life.”  

This came from a man who had studied and read The Bible his entire life. People stayed in The Church back then because they loved Jesus Christ. People stay in the church today for the same reason. Joseph Smith prophesied the following:

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” 

~History of the Church, 4:540

Final thoughts and testimony

I testify that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God. I testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth and that the restoration continues to roll forth just like the prophet Daniel foretold of the “stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands”.  That is my testimony that has been born to my soul over and over. I am not the smartest person in the world, I am not very good at very many things, but these eternal truths I do know. Because what I am certain of is this one thing: God is never, ever changing. What was true way back from the beginning of time is still true to this very day in 2023!

This concludes the preface of this series of essays. What will follow are some questions that many people have in regards to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the prophet Joseph Smith. I would invite you to come back as I try to answer these questions and concerns.  

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Joseph Smith Wives: Who was Joseph Smith?

Joseph Smith Jr., a name that resonates with millions around the world, is best known as the founder of the Mormon religion, officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith is also known for other LDS historical topics including but not limited to the Book of Mormon, priesthood authority, and polygamy. According to historical records reguarding, Joseph Smith wives had a complex marital history. This aspect of his life is often a topic of discussion and debate within and outside the Mormon community. 

Early Life and Spiritual Quest

Born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont, his life journey would eventually lead to the establishment of a new religious movement that has left an indelible mark on the religious landscape of the world. Joseph Smith grew up in a time of religious fervor and experimentation in early 19th century America. The Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revivalism, swept across the nation, sparking interest in matters of faith and spirituality. Smith's family was caught up in this wave of religious enthusiasm, and his early life was marked by a search for religious truth.

At the age of 14, Smith claimed to have experienced a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, which set the stage for his later religious endeavors. According to his account, he was visited by these divine beings, who instructed him not to join any existing church, as they were all in a state of apostasy. This vision would become a pivotal moment in Smith's life, leading him on a path that would culminate in the establishment of the Mormon religion.

The Restoration of the Gospel

Joseph Smith's visions continued, and he asserted that he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who revealed to him the location of a set of golden plates inscribed with ancient writings. These writings, according to Smith, contained the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught to the ancient inhabitants of the American continent. With the guidance of the angel, Smith translated these plates through divine means and published the resulting text as the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon, along with Smith's teachings and revelations, formed the foundation of Mormonism. Smith claimed to have been called by God as a prophet to restore the true gospel and priesthood authority to the earth. He organized the Church of Christ (later renamed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in 1830, in Fayette, New York.

Joesph Smith Wives

The topic of Joseph Smith wives are a complex and controversial aspect of his life. He is known to have practiced polygamy, which involved entering into marriages with multiple women. This practice, often referred to as plural marriage, has been a subject of discussion and debate both within and outside the Mormon community. Here is an overview of Joseph Smith's relationships with some of his wives:

1. Emma Hale Smith:  Emma Hale was Joseph Smith's first and primary wife. They were married in 1827 and had several children together. Emma's feelings about her husband's practice of polygamy were mixed. She initially opposed it and had difficulty accepting it, leading to strained relationships with some of Joseph Smith wives. Despite the challenges, Emma Hale Smith remained devoted to her husband and played an important role in the early history of the LDS Church.

2. Fanny Alger: Fanny Alger is believed to have been one of Joseph Smith's earliest plural wives. The nature of their relationship is not entirely clear, but historical records suggest that Joseph may have married Fanny before he introduced the concept of plural marriage to the wider Mormon community.

3. Eliza R. Snow: Eliza R. Snow was a prominent figure in early Mormonism and is known to have been sealed to Joseph Smith as a plural wife. She later became one of Brigham Young's wives and played a significant role in the women's organization of the LDS Church.

4. Helen Mar Kimball: Helen Mar Kimball was a young teenager when she was sealed to Joseph Smith. Her marriage to Smith at a young age has generated discussions about the complexities and cultural context of 19th-century marriage practices.

5. Other Plural Wives:  Joseph Smith is believed to have entered into marriages with additional women, though the details and circumstances of these relationships vary. Some of these marriages were likely entered into for religious and spiritual reasons, according to LDS theology.

It's important to note that the practice of polygamy during Joseph Smith's time was a sensitive and often private matter, with limited documentation available. Some of the historical records and accounts are fragmentary, and there are differing interpretations and perspectives on the nature of these relationships.

In conclusion, Joseph Smith's life is characterized by his role as a visionary, prophet, and founder of a religious movement that has left an enduring impact on both American religious history and global religious thought. While his life is marked by controversies and complexities, including Joesph Smith wives his contributions continue to shape the lives and beliefs of millions of people around the world.

[bookoformon]

1 Nephi Chapter 15, "The Latter Days."

Lehi’s seed are to receive the gospel from the Gentiles in the latter days—The gathering of Israel is likened unto an olive tree whose natural branches will be grafted in again—Nephi interprets the vision of the tree of life and speaks of the justice of God in dividing the wicked from the righteous. About 600–592 B.C.

We are still just disembarking. The "accession number" of the Parshiot in the Book of Mormon doesn't change from 592 to 591 until Chapter 17.

Nephi's interpretation of his father's vision overlaps with modern times. Lehi's seed, Nephi and Sam "The Sage who escapes to build a refuge" re-explain the Gospels in this Book of Mormon to people that wish to indulge in apostasy rather than amity.

Two processes are suggested as remedy- one is recognition of a Tree of Life with many branches, the other is the extermination of the wicked and we know exactly who they are: The Republicans, Family Research Council, Heritage Foundation and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who insist on using the power of the Government against its own citizens.

The Olive Tree

1 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the Spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father.

2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.

3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be aunderstood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

4 And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.

5 And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine aafflictions were great above all, because of the bdestruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.

6 And it came to pass that after I had received astrength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.

7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the aolive tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

The Olive Tree, world peace is discussed by the Chasids, the "Librarians of Judaism" thus:

Olives Are Hardy

Some explain that olive trees are very hardy and therefore able to withstand extreme conditions. Although the foliage was unable to survive the flood, the olive tree itself did. Thus, the dove bringing back the olive branch indicated that the flood waters had receded enough for leaves to start growing again.2

Now, the Bible is very sparing in its words. The verse could have sufficed with informing us that the dove returned with leaves, without specifying the species. What is the deeper significance of the olive branch, and why do we need to know that the dove held it in her mouth?

Bitter Is Better

Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (the foremost biblical commentator, known as Rashi, 1040-1105) quotes the following teaching of the Talmud:3 “The dove said, ‘Better, let my food be as bitter as an olive from the hands of G‑d and not as sweet as honey from the hands of flesh and blood.’”4

As the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, explains, the olive branch teaches us that rather than placing our trust in the promises of peace from man, we should place our trust in G‑d. Even if in the moment, it may seem a bit “bitter,” ultimately, it is this promise and covenant that will prevail.

Thus, the true symbolism of the olive branch differs greatly from the conventional idea that it symbolizes a “peaceful new world.”5 (In fact, although the olive branch as a symbol of peace seems to originate from the Bible, it was historically never used by the Jews as such.)

This lesson was particularly pertinent after the Great Flood, an era when people set out to rebuild civilization based on mutual cooperation, but ultimately rebelled against G‑d by building the Tower of Babel and were dispersed throughout the lands. So too in our day, when we work together to promote peace, we must not do so on account of our trust in mankind over G‑d.

Placing our trust in G‑d, rather than man, will usher in the era of true peace with the coming of Moshiach—may it be speedily in our days!

8 And I said unto them: Have ye ainquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will aperish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and aask me in bfaith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

12 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared unto an olive tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our father; and behold are we not broken off from the house of Israel, and are we not a abranch of the house of Israel?

13 And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have adwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the bMessiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the cgospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the dGentiles unto the remnant of our seed—

14 And at that day shall the remnant of our aseed bknow that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the ccovenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and dcome to the eknowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.

15 And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their arock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true bvine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God?

16 Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again among the house of Israel; they shall be agrafted in, being a natural branch of the olive tree, into the true olive tree.

17 And this is what our father meaneth; and he meaneth that it will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the Gentiles; and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lord may show his power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that he shall be arejected of the Jews, or of the house of Israel.

The Jewish people must come to their senses first; then a harsh judgement shall fall on the rest for failing to create an orderly and gentile society; afterwards peace on earth shall reign.

18 Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled in the latter days; which covenant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying: In thy aseed shall all the kindreds of the earth be bblessed.

19 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake much unto them concerning these things; yea, I spake unto them concerning the arestoration of the Jews in the latter days.

20 And I did rehearse unto them the words of Isaiah, who spake bconcerning the crestoration of the Jews, or of the house of Israel; and after they were restored they should no more be confounded, neither should they be scattered again. And it came to pass that I did speak many words unto my brethren, that they were pacified and did dhumble themselves before the Lord.

From Isaiah 49:

8 This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,     and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you     to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land     and to reassign its desolate inheritances, 9 to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’     and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

21 And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying: What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream? What meaneth the atree which he saw?

22 And I said unto them: It was a representation of the atree of life.

23 And they said unto me: What meaneth the arod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

24 And I said unto them that it was the aword of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would bhold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the ctemptations and the fiery ddarts of the eadversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give aheed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the bfaculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.

The Filthy River

Rivers are:

“And a river flowed forth from Eden to water the garden, and it divided into four streams . . . and the name of the fourth is Pras.” (Genesis 2:10)

The Talmud identifies this fourth river as the original flow of water which came forth from Eden, and gave birth to the other three streams. Ultimately, it is said to be the source of all the world’s rivers, as well as the underground water table which is tapped into and revealed whenever a well is dug.

Jews are well-diggers. It’s an occupation we inherited from our forefathers. Long before Columbia and Harvard, even before Cordoba and Pumbaditha, we knew how to tap the earth for living, and life-giving, waters.

All Jews are well-diggers. It’s not actually as easy as it sounds. To dig a well you must first have faith that there’s water to be found. Then you have to invest yourself in the arduous task of removing layers of stone and earth to reveal the potential trapped within.

And if you want your wells to have a chance at benefiting the world, you have to know how to make them last.

26 And they said unto me: What meaneth the ariver of water which our father saw?

27 And I said unto them that the awater which my father saw was bfilthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.

28 And I said unto them that it was an awful agulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God.

29 And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful ahell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.

30 And I said unto them that our father also saw that the ajustice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming bfire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end.

Probation

31 And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of aprobation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the bdeath of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal?

32 And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their aworks, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of bprobation.

33 Wherefore, if they should adie in their wickedness they must be bcast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be cjudged of their dworks; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be efilthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot fdwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

34 But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of afilthiness prepared for that which is filthy.

35 And there is a place prepared, yea, even that aawful bhell of which I have spoken, and the cdevil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that djustice of which I have spoken.

36 Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that atree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most bdesirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the cgreatest of all the dgifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen.

America is not sovereign due to its tolerance of a filthy river running through it. In 2016 Donald Trump, Barbara and David Green owners of the Hobby Lobby, the Family Research Council, and the governors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints created a secret combination with the Republican National Committee and cheated during the election.

Watch the filthy cunts pull it off:

The swearing in of an illegally elected president is a war crime and costs a nation its right to self-govern, especially after members of the presidency and cabinet commit crimes against humanity such as ours did.

To date, President Biden has not responded to this and we are in the midst of an election year. What mayhem do the Republicans and Church have in store for the world this time around?

Please write or call your Senator or Congressman and insist Donald Trump and his cabinet get put on death row for what they have done and for the foreclosure upon any organization, and arrest of any donor, volunteer or partner of the Republican Party for helping them do it.