Hello to whomever reads this blog.
I have started a new Collection of Quotes, Thoughts & Stories blog - and you are welcome to drop on by any time!
This new blog will replace this one.
The essence of the miracle of forgiveness is that it brings peace to
the previously anxious, restless, frustrated, perhaps tormented soul.
In a world of turmoil and contention this is indeed a priceless gift.
--Spencer W. Kimball
Remember we must FORGIVE even if our offender did not repent and ask
forgiveness.... The Lord Jesus also gave to us the lesson. Before they
asked forgiveness, before they repented, while they were still in their
murderous passion, he found it in his HEART to forgive them and to ask
his Father to "forgive them; for they know not what they do." HE DID
NOT WAIT till his crucifers... should have a change of heart, but
forgave them while they were yet covered with his life's blood.
--Spencer W. Kimball
This is viewable online, and is about 29 minutes.
Another great video, free to be sent to you is:
Again, another favorite of mine. Get one ordered to watch on Easter!
Both of these videos touch my heart every time I have watched them, and I have watched them over and over again - sometimes as a tradition each year, sometimes just to feel the spirit, to again cultivate my testimony.
One of my favorite DVDs (not free) and not an LDS movie, but I was touched by this one just as much as any of the LDS ones have. I own this movie "The Passion of the Christ" -- it is a great reminder for me what Jesus did for me, and if you haven't watched this movie, get your box of tissues. This would not be for younger children to watch however, as the ones above would be.
In such a troubled world, our Savior has not left us alone.
What a great blessing this is to all of us!
Enjoy!
"The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord's teachings and teachers
were
given that we may all attain 'the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13). This process requires far more than
acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of
the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In
contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know
something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become
something."
(Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge to Become," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32)
"The great principle that we have to come to is the knowledge of God, of the relationship that we sustain to each other... and if we obtain knowledge of this kind, we shall do well, for this is the greatest good of the whole, it embraces everything that we
want."
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 95)
rating:
** spoiler alert ** This book wasn't much of a story, but more of a preaching. It's clear that the author believes what is being preached in this book. There is very little action in the book - most of it is just people explaining why Christianity is a farce. Or at least why some people think that. The characters weren't very believable. For Jack to be such an intelligent businessman you'd think he'd be a better conversationalist and you'd think he'd not be such a simpleton.
To be honest, this book has instilled a little bit of questioning into my head. I'm a born-again Christian, and won't take something like this at face value. However, I'm also educated and somewhat interested in possibly doing my own research into this subject. I'm not going to take what one man writes about this and accept it as fact - I don't care how many sources are cited. Where am I starting? Mere Christianity is my starting point. So, stay tuned to my reviews if you'd like to see the impression I get from that.
One thing I wanted to say about a specific plot point. And that's about the differences in the disciples from the main Gospels to the Book of Acts. I believe Chloe and Punjeeh called it a "transformation" and as though the Disciples were re-born. Despite the author's intentions, this does not prove that these are fabricated stories. On the contrary, it shows the change that happens once someone becomes a Christian. There's a radical transformation, and the individual becomes a new creation. So, despite the author's best effort to use that to show another reason to believe the New Testament is just a bunch of stories, this actually was a comfort to me. Because that's what being a Christian is: it's becoming a new person who (hopefully) bears little resemblance to the original.
"We want . . . to be alive in the cause of education. We are commanded of the Lord to obtain knowledge, both by study and by faith, seeking it out of the best books [see D&C 88:118]. And it becomes us to teach our children, and afford them instruction in every branch of education calculated to promote their welfare."
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 89)
