Mormons are far from "anti-semetic"

From the DesNews article found here:  One of the charges leveled in the recent controversy over vicarious baptisms for the dead is that Mormonism is anti-Semitic.
Nothing could be further from the truth....

From the  Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 29:4-6 :

"But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
"O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.
"Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?"

Fires of Faith - KJV Bible

This series is worth watching.  The New York Times reports:

Channel Surfing: ‘Fires of Faith’ on BYUtv
By NEIL GENZLINGER

You may never have heard of BYUtv, but it’s in the midst of broadcasting a smart three-part series on the creation of the most influential book the Western world has ever seen, the King James Bible.

This year is the 400th anniversary of that Bible’s publication, and the TV network, affiliated with Brigham Young University, is marking the anniversary with “Fires of Faith: The Coming Forth of the King James Bible,” a documentary that mixes historical re-creations with well-chosen commentary by academics and religious scholars representing many faiths. Part 2, subtitled “Martyrs for a Book,” first shown Sunday, receives an encore broadcast Wednesday night and focuses on the man largely responsible for the words and phrases most Christians know: William Tyndale.

BYUtv is available on Dish, DirecTV and some cable systems. The series is also viewable online at the network’s Web site. Part three will air Sunday, Oct. 30, at 6 and 9 p.m. Mountain. The previous two episodes can be viewed on the BYUtv website. 

And for another book men found worth dying for... Book of Mormon - Complexity

History of KJV Bible

This looks like an excellent special~
In celebration of the the King James Bible's 400th anniversary, BYUtv will air a three-part documentary series titled, “Fires of Faith: The Coming Forth of the King James Bible,” beginning tonight on BYUtv.

Part 1 of the documentary airs Sunday (Oct. 16) and Wednesday (Oct. 19) on BYUtv. Part 2 airs Sunday, Oct. 23, and Wednesday, Oct. 26; and Part 3 airs Sunday, Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Nov. 2.  8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT & 11 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. MT Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT & midnight ET / 10 p.m. MT.

There is also a display about the Bible currently at the HBL Library on the BYU campus (through June 2012). Click here for more information.

Gay marriage poll

A new poll says 64% do not support gay marriage.  Polls are imperfect and we already know that wording makes a big difference.  But, I have to wonder if our lawmakers any more consider what the people really want.  It seems if the people vote against the vocal minority, they just take it to court and get a judge to overturn the voice of the people.  Our country is in a serious mess.  Read here. 

Just for the record - I don't hate gays - I just support the protection of traditional marriage between a man and a woman.  It is a God-sanctioned institution.  It is already a person's right to live with whomever they want, regardless of gender or relationship, but it doesn't mean we need to change the law to redefine marriage.  The Bible is very clear about this.  Changing the Bible to meet today's desires and immorality is like rewriting history to be what we want to suit the present generation.  Some would have us throw out all right and wrong - it's only about what you want. 

Just a couple of verses...

Old Testament:  "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion..."
Leviticus 18:22-30, KJV

New Testament:  "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"  Romans 1:24-28, KJV

America was created as a moral, God-based country.  We are ensuring our doom by following patterns of past fallen generations such as the ancient Romans when it comes to moral decay.

The Bible as Literature

Interesting article here.

The King James Bible & beyond

I spent many hours of the last three days learning.  My favorite class focused on the Apostle Paul.

I must backtrack.  Monday afternoon I had a fever of 104.9 - kind of worried the doctor.  I got an antibiotic shot, more oral antibiotics and probiotics to try and prevent a recurrence of last year's problems.  She let me go when they got the fever down to 103.9 (with instructions to go to the ER if I got worse rather than better).  Instead I opted for and received a Priesthood blessing.  I was able to make it to Provo by 10:00 PM Monday night.  Nothing short of miraculous.  Attending Education Week is the high point of my summer every year and I couldn't bear to miss it - besides I had already paid the very nominal registration fee and bed in the dorm.

Besides coming to better understand the New Testament (something that will help me in my Gospel Doctrine teaching) I also renewed my testimony that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ.  How blessed we are to have these scriptures which have come to us at great peril and sacrifice. 

By Thursday night my head was so full of information and I was so overcome by things in my life (both wonderful and challenging) I could not even sleep 30 minutes the whole night.  I lost my last Ambien I brought for the trip, knowing I don't sleep well outside my own bed/home.  (Note to self:  always take more than I think I need).  My poor Alabama roommate was a light sleeper and my insomnia didn't help her either.  She was telling me how in "the South" the majority believe we (Mormons) are going to hell.  I knew this but my optimism keeps me thinking things will change as people really learn about us.  This was also kind of ironic because I finished reading "The Help" on this trip too (a book I highly recommend).  Something about the southerners I guess.  The author pointed out some of the ironies of the various types of prejudice and discrimination.  It's not all about color.

I came home early today so I could attend my friend's beautiful wedding in the Bountiful temple.  This was a second time marriage for both and it was so amazing!  They also have received miracles that brought them to where they are now. Even after having only a 3 hour nap today for my only sleep in the past 36 hours I'm still not able to sleep.  But, I have the Ambien so at least there's a good chance I'll sleep soon.   This week has been a much needed spiritual rejuvenation. It's what I need to keep going when things are rough.

Anyway, back to "normal" - whatever that is - and preparing my Sunday School lesson.  I hope I'm a better teacher for what I've gained this week.

One of the instructors made the comment that our failing economy is merely a symptom of our failing moral society.  Scriptures and history books have shown that every great society has experienced such breakdown after their rise in wealth and corruption.  We can only put a bandaid on the sore by "fixing" the economy.  What we need is to fix the breakdown in America. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana) 

Thought for the day

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

NEWS! For the Easter Basket...

Limited time offer...
I like Veggie Tales for the little ones just fine, but for a broader audience of kids, Liken is wonderful! Real actors play the parts with great costumes, humor and music so it's in a different class from animated like Veggie Tales. My grandkids love these! I have seen Daniel, Esther, David & Goliath and they're wonderful! Jonah is coming up.

Now, they are going to be offered at Walmart nationally. This is great news. The price will be better because of the wide retail base and more people can benefit from these great movies. These are well-known in our locality, but the marketing has been limited to our area and by word of mouth. The Bible-based series is appropriate for all believers. Walmart is the only nationwide retailer willing to give "Esther" a shot at this point. Other retailers often wait to see how a new product does first before jumping on the bandwagon so hopefully it will sell like crazy this Easter season. It's cool to see someone stick their neck out and give faith-based products a shot. If you want to buy it online, go here.

New Look, New (Low) Price

Beginning March 2, nearly every Walmart across the United States will have a handful of "Esther & the King" movies in their seasonal DVD release section.

"Esther" will have a new look and a new family friendly retail price of $14.93, with additional discounts that will likely bring the price initially below $13.00. Its title will be simply "Esther & the King," and it will be billed as "a musical adventure in faith."

To help encourage this kind of retail option, please buy one (or give a few as gifts). You will not be disappointed and you'll find yourself fascinated by this fun portrayal of a popular Bible story. In addition, you will show Walmart and their competitors that there is a market for quality, spiritually focused, Biblical products. If you buy one and feel it was a waste of your money, let me know and I will buy it from you to give away. I feel that strongly about this.

New Calling

Well, it's Sunday and I have a new and overwhelming calling in church - Gospel Doctrine teacher for the Old Testament. I have to admit I have never read that one all the way through so it looks like I'll be doing lots of studying. Help!!

Funny thing, I used a Christmas gift card to buy the book, Who's Who in the Old Testament before I knew this was coming. It is illustrated - good thing because I always wondered what they looked like :)

I have misplaced one of my favorite teaching help books and can't even remember the title or author to find it again. Most recently I have been teaching Gospel Essentials - pretty easy stuff. Now I need the more scholarly teaching aids.

I think the Lord knew that scripture study is what I need to do right now and I've been quite neglectful. Interesting how He has a way of getting us to do what He wants us to do...

Courtship Concepts from Genesis

This is a good article about finding the right spouse with concepts taken from Genesis. Click the photo to read the story.

Other News: The new FamilySearch is now available in Utah. We were the last in the world to get it because everyone was so excited it would have overwhelmed the system. They ran the pilots in more remote areas and gradually introduced it around the world over the past couple of years. It's working, so now we get it!