A Message to All: Part 2: To My Family

Note: This series was inspired by my recent ALS diagnosis. See Part 1 intro. 

To My family:

I write this to my family and kids. Perhaps it'll be a benefit to others. 

To My Wife:

Since the first time I saw you I felt like you were the one for me. One of the first times we met we climbed to the big U on the mountain in Salt Lake City at night and overlooked the beautiful valley. All I wanted to do was get to know you. And the other time before our first date we went to a haunted house. I think you thought I was a bit more ambitious because I crawled through everyone's feet while in that enclosed tube of blow up "jumpy house" type of structure. Or on our first date where I drank out of your milk shake at Hires B H as we were being silly and you later told me who does that on a first date? Its what you liked about me. And me doing that I realized how much I really liked you because who would still want to date someone that did that? I am so grateful you were willing to get to know me despite my quietness and having to push a little harder to get me to talk to you.

When I proposed I tried to take you on things we had been to before. We begun at hires for shakes or food. I had setup a "fake" geocaching route that I knew where things were without you realizing it was spots I had setup previously. It was a bit cold and dark so you didnt want to get out of the car. I finally convinced you to find the last one and had put a pearl ring with some diamonds on the band. Knowing you liked pearls and wanted something unique. And of course you said yes 😊😘❤️ which from prior conversations I knew you would but still really nervous. I'm sure you remember the details better than I do. 

You made me laugh and allowed me to be myself unaltered. Loving me for who I was not what you wanted me to become. You were patient, loving, caring, and helped me want to become the best version of myself. For me and for you. 

You are the best thing that has happened to me next to my children. There is no one that has done more for our kids. You sacrifice so much in their behalf and one of the best teachers I know. You have always put them first over your own needs and are a great example to them of how to become like Christ. 

Our children are so fortunate to have a mother as yourself don't ever beat yourself up or doubt what you are and have done for them. As well continue to do so. 

As you have told me. You live your life according to your truths. You are perfect just the way you are now. There is nothing that needs to be changed. Or as mickey magical map says "you are a masterpiece just the way you are". And even better than the backside of water. 

I say this next part for our kids and whoever reads it benefit. While living my truths I was not always wise in the way I did things. I thought I gained some knowledge than used it without wisdom. God, the Father, bestows knowledge. Mother bestows Wisdom. Wisdom (always feminine), or heavenly mother, uses or applies that knowledge correctly in a way so its the correct application or best way to use that knowledge. On our own we can use knowledge in ungodly ways when we lack understanding. Even Satan uses knowledge (philosophies mingled with scriptures) to destroy the souls of men. Don't ever need to act in haste. Take time to ponder it out. 

So with that I'm sorry to my wife for any needless pain or suffering that I caused that could of been avoided if done in Wisdom. Even if what I felt was right does not make it the best outcome or scenario or scene of how it played out. For our ways are not God's ways. This is why Heavenly mothers influence to us is so important - Aligning our words with our hearts. 

My wife always knew what was best for our children and how to nurture and care for them. Even now she continues to nurture me having to take care of 4 children (because I'm officially one now - I guess the joke no longer works 😉) . 

Every day when I first wake up I just want you by my side. And throughout the day and when I go to bed. Just your presence makes my heart fill with gladness and joy. For as soon as you leave I miss you instantly. I'd rather spend my time with you than anyone else and I hope I have made you happy, and I do know it for I believe you as you have told me many times, and know truly of my love for you is real and authentic. There is no heaven without you. 

I don't ever regret my time with you or the kids. I am forever grateful that you married me. You have made me into a much better person than I was before I ever met you. You are the love of my life. And you're the most attractive woman i know. 😘

To My Children:

Each of you have brought joy to me in you're own way.

Emerson you are my first and you are very intelligent and inquisitive like myself. I see a lot of you in myself. You are a very kind soul and I know you will overcome the trials you will face in the coming days. You currently love to build things with Legos and currently wants to be a builder.  You like to make sure you can do something good before trying it out, the perfectionist side of things, which makes it hard to accept any failures. I was that way too as a kid until I grew partially out of it. You just want to be the best you can be so you think through everything before doing it. 

Daxton you are now 3 years old, you are most like your mother. You would rather go, go, go, being continually active in your every day activities. You do not have a soft voice and as soon as you are awake you are ready to go play yelling at the top of you're lungs. You think you are already BIG, which you are. You literally have no fear and do things without even a thought unlike Emerson who must think everything through before doing anything. Neither quality is bad, its just who you are. And I love each of you for who you are.

Callahan's your name has a few meanings. Amanda and I struggled to come up with a boys name we hadn't already used and liked. We came across this name along with Liam. We decided on Callahan Liam Hunt. One of the meanings is "strife" and Liam is a warrior. Now with the trials beset us you will truly fulfill this role. A defeater of strife and tribulations which will bring a means to help others through those times. You will bring happiness and peace when life may not appear to corporate. You have one of the most cutest smiles being 7 months old and are an extremely happy baby. You're cute laugh, smile, and personality can bring joy even in some of the worst circumstances. I hope to see you grow longer yet. 

Each of my kids have a special place in my heart. I hope they treat their mother well and our family as they grow bigger. My one advice besides what I have already shared would be don't blame God for the trials you have been given and placed under. They are for a wise purpose and this world is a proving ground to see if we will do all things God asks of us. I know it's not easy for I truly don't enjoy what I've been going through yet it is required of me to press on as long as I am able. 

Search the scriptures diligently. Not merely reading them. Many read and know them superficially yet do not comprehend them thus their minds are darkened. 

Each of you have gifts and should magnify them in your own ways to benefit the lives of others including your mother. I will share one of those so that you may find benefit.

"I have been blessed with being unbiased. That can be magnified on another level as well. When people start to have dreams and visions or even have them their ego can distort those things. To be able to gain more power and become less and less and less unbiased would be a power to see things more clearly and record things more clearly and report on them more clearly." - Blessing Given by a Member of my Fellowship

You can search my private blog journal for more details there.

Be happy. Find joy. I love you all so much and will forever have a special place in my heart no matter what you decide or will decide to do with that, I would be proud of you and would support you.

A Simple Message: Summary
I'm an open book so some of these posts might be more personal. It's just more convenient sometimes to post things in one place for easier access.😄😋

I came across a cool item on Amazon below. It allows me to record an audio or video for the kids that they can listen to. In-case they loose access. The message I posted above is the recording below. Section under "To My Children." 

Hopefully I get it done. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DTFCL4B/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A16TWY4HA9ON48&psc=1

This is to my lovely three children. Emerson Eli Hunt, Daxton Ole Hunt, and Callahan Liam Hunt. And my wife Amanda. I love you all so much. 

A Message to All: Part 1: My Spiritual Journey

On October 15th 2019 I was diagnosed with ALS. I don't know how much longer I have left in this life but it causes one to reflect on what matters and what you would want others like my children to know. I hope to be around for quite some time. I've relayed parts of this throughout my blog but felt to consolidate my thoughts in this series.

This series, since its my spiritual blog, is oriented to my faith and spiritual journey along with my love for my family. Part 1 is just my spiritual journey.

Despite what I now face I try to remind myself that Christ suffered in Gethsemane "not just the pains of sin, but also the illnesses men suffer as a result of the Fall" (TC 161). He's endured it all. 

My Spiritual Journey: Introduction

This is a walk through of my spiritual journey that the Lord has guided me through. I am currently 31 years old male and married with 3 children (7 months, 3, and 5)

One thing I learned I should never assume what I know is the complete picture or the way things are. I have grown so much over my spiritual journey that I always assume that what I know may still have many incorrect ideas so I try to always remain teachable. 

I have learned that while looking backwards I can now differentiate between clear inspired knowledge and excitement and sentimentality in my experiences. For instance, my sincere inquiry about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon resulted in revelation containing light and truth. My prayers about (fill in a random prayer about self serving desires) were based in sentimentality and feelings of exclusivity. 

It's possible I could learn many things that would again change the way I perceive things below. The truths don't change but viewing them with more correct lenses and understanding. 

My Spiritual Journey: Childhood

I grew up with good parents who laid a foundation of belief in God. Having grown up in the LDS faith allowed one to consider the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and whether it truly testified of God or not. Despite its flaws of making the culture as pseudo forms of righteousness God used it as a means to bring people to an understanding of what it was he desired to establish in Josephs day. The members for the past 3-4 generations had sacrificed a great deal to preserve the teachings given through Joseph Smith.

It's expected in the LDS faith to serve a 2 year mission. When I was 18 I remembered thinking that if I'm truly going to teach about something I ought to determine if I really believed it or not. I thought I ought to know what it was I was going to teach. I was uncertain how I felt and a side of me was pulling me to throw it all out and go live a life in the world.

I decided to read the Book of Mormon for the first time all the way through. While reading it I remembered a voice telling me. This is what it's all about - as things started to connect in my own head of what the gospel was really about. It finally clicked, I get why people believe in the Book and I than understood it was given to us by God. My understanding had been increased as I understood things I had never considered before. Reading it once I thought I understood what it was about. I get what the gospel was all about. There can't be much more to learn! 

My Spiritual Journey: Missionary

My Spiritual Journey amplified during this time. I grew to love the gospel. Not because what I was teaching others but because what I was learning. Currently missionaries are discouraged from reading anything including revelations given by Joseph unless in the "Canon" of scriptures. During my P-Days (days off) while many missionaries watched TV or other "apostate" things I was reading everything I could get my hands on by Joseph Smith. Like sitting at a buffet I could never get enough. 

I learned about ideas about going to "exaltation to exaltation" from King Follett Discourse. I learned about early leaders teaching about Multiple Mortal Probation's or progression between kingdsom (Telestial-Terrestial-Celestial). While half the earlier leaders accepted progression was possible and taught it another half rejected it. I learned about the Lecture at the Veil by Brigham which incorporated some Adam-God teachings in the temple endowment until early 1900s when it was finally fully removed. Which later leaders rejected as false. Still it had ideas that sparked my interest.

Its funny how things align perfectly. Right before the next major shift happened, showing the lord is truly guiding each of our lives, a missionary came over and we liked to talk scriptures. He said look at this verse in New Testament. Paraphrasing "I only do what I see the father do". I also than came across a quote by Joseph, perhaps I'm mistaken here though, and think he said it as well. He asked me, when did Christ see what the Father had done?

This led me to an area in Rochester where I met with a stake Patriarch. This conversation I thought was normal among the people. I thought his experiences were normal. He asked me if we are too be regarded as Adam and Eve in the temple and it represents us. Than ask yourself "When does Adam die in the temple?". I pondered that for years to come. He brought up that the people who visit with you, in the temple, are the angels in heaven. They will prove us. Mentioned how some things had changed overtime in endowment but the symbols were the same. And at that point I than realized that we were all meant to "converse with the lord through the veil" - here and now as Adam never dies. That the endowment was only "preparatory" and only if we were "true and faithful" would the blessings be given. It shows a path but does not walk it for you. I came to learn this is what Joseph taught which he called the doctrine of the Second Comforter. 

My Spiritual Journey: Fruits

During one district meeting, a place where all missionaries get together in an area and sync on whatever it is they feel they need too. I was teaching and I had created a lesson based on a chapter in the Book of Mormon. Typically missionaries are told to use Preach My gospel. I got up and showed a pattern I noticed in 1 Nephi 1. Afterwards two senior missionaries cried and said they started wondering if it was worth going to these meeting any longer because they felt there was little benefit from them and said what they learned made it worth driving an hour for. 

I was shocked to say the least but my love for the doctrine of the gospel I didn't realize how common these things were. People are starved for doctrine. 

One other comment sticks out to me while I was in Rochester NY. A member mentioned he wishes he could remember all the things he had learned on his mission because once life sets in you tend to forget the scriptures. I didn't want that for myself. 

Fast forward to being home. My love for the gospel grew. Like Nephi or Joseph I desired to see what it was those who came before had seen. My blog caption has the Abraham verse "finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same". It's been a lifelong desire. 

As an elders quorum teacher I would get up and use the scriptures to preach. I used manual only as much as to what scriptures to cover. I wanted to learn straight from the source. 

In one lesson I got up and quoted some quotes by Joseph Smith. I only recall it being about the ministry of angels. Or others times things from like king Follett to expand an idea in the lesson. The responses were always the same. "we don't need to worry about that", "the people are not ready for the what Joseph was trying to teach", or "a latter president said such and such so we can ignore what it was Joseph was teaching as it's no longer applicable to us". "The Prophet will bring it back when the members are ready". 

My Spiritual Journey: A Pattern: Minds are Darkened

I only share that as the pattern I had noticed but shrugged off. God will fix all things when it's time. For things are true and it's God's work. It was there in my mind but I ignored it knowing God will set all things in Order. This is a common belief among some LDS scholars as well in their books if you read some of them.

When I got off my mission I thought everyone knew this stuff and was excited about it. I talked to more people. Quickly I realized people were just not interested. They were happy with attending church and serving in their callings. Which is great as well. Service to our fellowmen is always the most important thing we can do even above learning since learning comes by heeding the commandments. So its finely intertwined.

Joseph had taught the saints were "darkened in their minds" because they were unable to accept what he was teaching. That "their dependence upon the Prophet" made it so they were unwilling to turn to God and speak with God face to face. The entire church in 1832 was put under condemnation for treating lightly the revelations. (LE D&C 84) condemnation is the absence of light and truth. It means one who will not recognize or receive that which God offers. It can also mean to fail to comprehend or simply to forget. As that "wicked one comes and takes away light and truth" (TC 93:11). All Satan is required to do is cause a people to forget. 

I learned that God sent Prophets for one purpose. As Joseph said to teach the people to, like Moses, to go into the mountain and speak with God face to face. I think a better definition for prophet is a messenger. A teacher. One who teaches about God so we can lay hold upon the sane blessings. 

Every person in the BOM did likewise. Like Nephi they desired to see also what his father had seen. Rose up and conversed with God face to face. Every person connected with God and it was written for us. Yet I realized, like the people in Moses day, they would rather have Moses go up on the mount and speak to God for them. Or rather no man can speak to God except the "current prophet".

And I have found that is really where the journey begins. Because those who do so. Who have struggled to obtain that faith and hope, giving them the knowledge the course they are pursuing is pleasing to God. Is just the beginning. They will in return offer "Charity" and do a "greater work". Having received both "great knowledge" and "greater knowledge" as scriptures distinguish. 

My Spiritual Journey: A Growing Desire

So while there was truth to the idea of Multiple Mortal Probation's there is also a lot of falsehoods. Nevertheless that idea set me on a course. 

Joseph taught “All the minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement. . . . God himself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like himself. The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge.” (King Follet)

I've quoted this on my blog but as Hyrum stated, "Hiram [Smith] said Aug 1st [18]43 Those of the Terrestrial Glory either advance to the Celestial or recede to the Telestial [or] else the moon could not be a type [viz. a symbol of that kingdom]. [for] it [the moon] "waxes & wanes". Also that br George will be quickened by celestial glory having been ministered to by one of that Kingdom." 

So as we see progression between kingdoms is possible and that the glory we are ministered to is the glory we will obtain. Or in otherwards the relationship we have obtained to in heaven, or also called priesthood. 

My Spiritual Journey: My Awakening: The Gentiles

I tell these things to show my love and passion of the Gospel. It means more to me than everything. 

I've met countless people who testify of seeing Christ than claim God told them Book of Mormon and Joseph are false. Or others who claim its no longer required to seek after God's presence. It's enough to just depend upon those who have.

The test is always the same. God's preaches "in the wilderness" in a sea of error and lies to see if we can recognize the truth. 

Eventually I learned about the Gentiles. Many compare them to what's happening with the government. It's true. I also learned it should be applied to me being a Gentile. The biggest benefit from scriptures is reading it in this light. As if it's speaking to me. 

Later I also learned a 3rd symbol. In the Kirkland dedication prayer Joseph stated the Gentiles were "identified with the latter-day saints". It's something I had never considered before. 

I ran into a book by Bruce R McConkie called the Millilenial Messiah. Here he also taught the Gentiles were the members as he analyzed 2 Nephi 28 (LE) but did not apply to the leaders. Goes back to the idea God will fix anything if it's broken. But as I studied and prayed I came to the conclusion that BOM was correct. Per verse 14, 28. "they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men...others will he[the devil] pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell".

Isaiah states similar ideas in Chapter 28 and 56 (LE).

In LE 3 Nephi 16 it states "when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel,". Not if but when the Gentiles reject the fulness. It's up to us to determine what that means and how as it also states that God will offer his hand a "second time" unto them. 

My Spiritual Journey: My Awakening: A New Hope

Eventually I came to the writings of Denver Snuffer. As I read his blog he taught things that I had never seen anyone before teach. Things God had shown to me but than also expanded upon them further expanding my mind and enlarging my soul. 

I was persuaded after many months that what he taught was from God. Nevertheless the man was unimportant only the message. His 40 years in Mormonism lectures was given to us by God like he claims. The only way to know if something is true is to measure the message or the content. Which we can study and measure against the Book of Mormon. Also there was a book titled Come Let Us Adore Him that had a big impact as he recites his vision of Christ in Gethsemane and what that entailed. (TC 161)

Other revelations were given including the most profound one in my journey. The Testimony of St John (TC Testimony of St. John) telling the life of Christ. It speaks in plain words and includes things that have not been openly revealed. 

And finally a talk on Heavenly Mother. Things that have been hidden away for dispensations God saw fit to restore in preparation for the coming days. As God works backwards, back to the beginning, even as the days of Adam shall be had again in the End, that includes restoring the knowledge that the Father's had at the beginning so that our hearts can be turned to them. 

My Spiritual Journey: My Awakening: A New Dispensation

There is enough written here on other blogs or my own so not getting into further details so I'll just summarize the coming events as things as I consider them to not distract further on my spiritual journey. 

The first sign, to me at least, of apostasy is organized religion. When God speaks collectively to a people He wishes them to become as part of His family. He always speaks individually and individual redemption is always available just not Zion, the family of God.

God has given many signs that the dispensation through Joseph was abandoned. He also gave others showing a new dispensation is being offered right here and now. 

Anytime a new dispensation is offered rebaptism is required to accept it as a witness before God. I resigned from LDS church around March 2014 (Letter of Beliefs - Brief Answer to Why) . On December 24, 2014 I was re-baptized by one having authority "in living water" (like a stream, river, or lake) . Not into any church. For if you see one you'll know the people failed. In September 2017 God offered his hand a "second time" and renewed, first with the Gentiles, a covenant to make them His people. (See prayer and answer TC 156,157, 158). I felt led to receive it a year later, due to being invited to wait to focus on family. Now today offer is going to the "house of Israel". 

My Spiritual Journey: Conclusion

My Journey has been amazing. I have by my experience, tasted of the fruits of this journey. I know them to be good. That is not to say there have been many growing pains as the lord gives people opportunities to progress and become like Him. Or that this people will rise up nevertheless the fruits by God are there. Or that I'm still perfectly on the path but I'm trying to face Him. 

I want to add. My biggest realization about the gospel is that everything is based on the Family. Many will forgo the family in response to other activities called upon them by their churches but I found that everything Christ did was for his Family. Yes all that are saved become his sons and daughters. But one of the revelations revealed in our day clarifies it this way using my own words. No male person can exercise priesthood outside their homes unless the wife sustains him. This places the man to set his own house in order before ever working to labor while neglecting his duties. Still all are still called upon to labor in the vineyard. 

The newly published scriptures done by a group led to do so (scriptures.info) are one of the signs, which I have posted about elsewhere on blog, and witness to me what God is offering and that a people are willing to repent and remember the revelations given to us through Joseph Smith that have been long abandoned by all offshoots. Like the Book of Mormon, we can read and study the revelations and measure it for ourselves.

I'm just so grateful for what I have learned on this journey and hope it will be used to make me "added upon". I only seek to serve God. Though often I feel like an idled servant. 

My Spiritual Journey: The End

The Lord is preparing to return in Glory. As the New Covenants (new testament) Foreward states "These scriptures are a sign foretold by Christ to stand as a witness of His gospel to all the world and that the moment has arrived when the things that have been prophesied of in scripture will now occur within a single generation." 

I hope I live long enough to be able to see some of these prophecies fulfilled. I know not what the Lord has in store for me. In some ways I'm terrified in others there is hope.

New Leather Scriptures Released

The new leather bound scriptures I've mentioned a few times before (https://tysonchunt.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-scriptures-published-book-of-mormon.html) is now ready to pre order. Limited time October 15 2019.

This blog writes what I probably would say so I'll just link it as it has pictures.

https://sweetdreamzion.wordpress.com/2019/09/16/scriptures/

Or go to scriptures.info for info and read them or scriptures.shop to order.

Gods Ways Are Not Our Ways

"The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth." (TC 93:11)

There is almost no hard and fast rule to the ways of God. Just as soon as we think we’ve figured out what the Lord MUST always do, we find out that He has a work-around plan that opens up any number of other possibilities as well. I have learned to realize that i really should never assume what the lord is or going to do. For He cries from "the wilderness". 

I have also learned that when "knowledge" is given. We often miss the full picture so we should just take it as is. Without adding extra baggage on it. For example someone is told the sky is blue. That is true. Someone at night prays and asks what color is the sky? They are told blackish or dark (or choose a more accurate description, this is just an illustration). They see each other and say here is what i was told you are wrong. No here is what God told me you are wrong. In some cases they may both have a piece of the truth but neither has the full truth of the matter. 

This is why false traditions are so dangerous. We take these half truths and add on our ideas on what those half truths mean than it ends up distorting the original truth. Instead just take it as is. The sky is blue. But that does not mean i know anything about the fuller picture or how that connects with the rest of the gospel. False traditions cause us to forget light and truth. All Satan has to do is cause people to forget. This is no longer important. The people are not ready for this. It can safely put on the self until the next generation until its entirely forgotten.

And so Joseph taught we must "remove all your false traditions" to be saved. A man cannot be saved in ignorance. So Satan comes and takes away the light and truth that God restores. This is why one of the first things God does when he brings about a new dispensation is to restore. A restoration allows us to remember. To correct those errors that men have crept in aware as false traditions among them. Whether it's the creeds of the Bible over centuries or the revelations of Joseph that are no longer remembered, recorded incorrectly, or ignored. 

Role of Prophets: Priestly Class Hedging the Way

A great post by Richard Rohr on the role of Prophets. I have read that many of the apocryphal writings that were removed from the Bible included any writings that taught a similar message. That God's people only need God . True ministers point to God and allow the people to "Govern themselves" making them independent where they no longer need these ministers because they have learned to follow the spirit. False ministers want the people to remain dependent upon them so they can remain relevant. They tell people to follow them, so that they may know the lord through them.

We face the same test as all others have ever faced, from the days of Adam down to the present. Things never change. From the time of Adam, the roles have been filled by different persons in different ages, but the conflict is perpetual, and the same battle continues from age to age. You can even lift the arguments that are made from one epoch and put them into the next—and they fit. It doesn’t change. 

The quote is below speaks it much better than I ever could.

"A prophet is one who keeps God free for people and who keeps people free for God. Both of these are much needed and vital tasks. Without the educated gift of prophecy, God almost always becomes imprisoned and made inaccessible, and far too many people have been shamed and taught guilt to keep us clergy in business. We saw our job as “sin management.”  That is not just being clever. I believe we religious leaders actually thought that. Sadly, the laity fully bought into this negative story line. That is what happens when priests are not informed by prophets.
The priestly class invariably makes God less accessible instead of more so, “neither entering yourselves nor letting others enter in,” as Jesus says (Matthew 23:13). For the sake of our own job security, the priestly message is often: “You can only come to God through us, by doing the right rituals, obeying the rules, and believing the right doctrines.” This is like telling God who God is allowed to love! The clergy and religious leaders, unintentionally perhaps, teach their disciples “learned helplessness.”

The prophets spend much of their time destroying and dismissing these barriers and trying to create “a straight highway to God” (Matthew 3:3). Both John the Baptist and Jesus tried to free God for the people, and it got them killed. The other half of the prophet’s job is to keep people free for God. We get trapped in chains of guilt and legalism, focusing on our imperfect church attendance and inability to live up to the law’s standard; as if the goal of religion is “attendance” at an occasional ritual instead of constant participation in an Eternal Mystery! Prophets turn our ideas of success and belonging on their head, emphasizing God’s unconditional and unmerited love in response to our continual shortcomings. God is always breaking the approved “rules of God” by forgiving sinners, choosing the outsider or the weak, and showing up in secular places. Please check the Bible if you doubt me!
Our job is to love others the way God has loved us. In my life, I’ve experienced God’s unearned love again and again. God has persistently broken the rules to love me at the level I needed, could receive, and was able to understand throughout my life. The magnanimous nature of divine love keeps liberating me at deeper levels, and then I think that newly discovered level of love is the deepest. But it’s a journey that never stops giving. Why wouldn’t everybody want that? But many actually fight it."

Christ was opposed by Satan who demanded that He worship him. And then He was opposed by religious leaders of the people who also were concerned that" all people would believe on him " . The people He went to save conspired to kill Him and, ultimately, brought that about. All to protect their kingdoms of this world.

Joseph Smith Rejected Polygamy: Gods Being: One man and one woman

There was a recent conference up in Boise Idaho with a bunch of offshoots of joseph. One person named Jeremy hoop gave an excellent talk about how Joseph did not practice polygamy or if he did he would have been also a liar (often known as "lying for the lord"). But as we know God's character includes "God cannot lie". He will never ask us to lie or do something different in secret as he says in public.

The paper is found below.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ot3en2njq66u5mi/Of%20Demigods%20and%20Dark%20Knights%20-%20Presentation%20Version.pdf?dl=0

The full conference is below if interested.
Morning session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njXZd-ZGEWs
Afternoon Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg3vsHMcbNw

A brief summary of my own, as there are others that have written on this topic, which I might of mentioned in the past, but felt this was one was a good timely post to share.

Joseph and Emma Rejected Polygamy: God is One man and One wife.

June 27 is the day both Hyrum and Joseph were killed. I think a post showing that Joseph was both pure and innocent is a great way to show the Lord we are willing to lay hold upon the restoration and no longer reject it. Not only to say but to do. Though many fail to also "say".

Back in 1823 an angel appeared to Joseph as follows, "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 Nephi, 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." (TC JSH 3:3)

On May 26, 1844,  he said:
“What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers." (History of the Church, vol 6, p. 411).

It is my belief that one of the greatest evils spoken against Joseph Smith is Polygamy. Over and over he publicly denounced it, privately did in his journal, excommunicated someone who taught he was teaching it privately, and Emma said Murder and polygamy went hand in hand. Also I believe Hyrum was not lying on March 15, 1844, when he as the President of the Church wrote,

"To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, living on China Creek, in Hancock County, Greetings - Whereas brother Richard Hewitt has called on me today, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here. I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here; neither is there any such thing practiced here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also therefore he had better beware what he is about."

To say Joseph preached something in public directly contradicting what he did in private is to say he is a liar. By some its become known as "lying for the lord ". Its OK to promote faith, even through lying, if its brings faith in God. I think calling someone a liar is "speaking evil" of them, and today, of all days being the anniversary (though posted on June 28th a day later), I want to be known as someone who does not speak evil of Joseph.

The Character of God:
God cannot lie. In a modern revelation, "The Lord said, Marriage was, in the beginning, between one man and one woman" (TC 175). That is part of God's character. If it is Gods character to not lie I believe Him. I believe the scriptures. Those who teach that "lying for the lord", or "lying" period, is OK is preaching against the character of God. We must have a correct idea of His character, attributes, and perfections to be saved. This is how we show Him, by our actions, what character we decide to believe in and profess as part of our religion.

Christ As the Advocate

In Richard Rohr’s Universal Christ, he asks a very profound question “Did Jesus come here to live and die to change God’s mind about us or to change our mind about God?” Did Christ die so that God would now view us as worthy of redemption by paying a price for our sins, or did he come to show us that God was willing to give everything in order to bring us back to his presence.

"And my Father sent me that I might be He  lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me"

Why was he lifted up...what about it draws men to him.. . He laid it ALL on the line for us...how can we refuse him when we really understand that.

The idea that Jesus is an advocate makes more sense if we see him as an advocate to convince us of our own worth. Whereas Satan is called the Acusser. God will not accuse us, instead he forgives and forgets. Seeing what we may become not what we may have once done. Satan finds fault with the children of men.