Gospel Cogitations

Picture credit: www.churchofjesuschrist.org There's no denying that we live in a unique time.  With thousands of missionaries returning to their home countries , and awaiting reassignment I thought it would be a good time to address the subject.  First a story, and then some doctrine. Unmet expectations are the cause of much anxiety in many people, and I don't think anyone was expecting the recent changes.  I myself have never gone through an experience like this.  However, I noticed on the church's website a nice article written by a woman who was evacuated from her mission when the country she was in had a civil war.  I encourage you to read this, as it speaks to current fears much better than I could. To the Unexpectedly Reassigned Missionary I also think it's worth reviewing what Elder Bednar said about missionary service in the April 2017 General Conference. Called to the Work Some excerpts:  - "Please note that the first sentenc...

I thoroughly enjoyed General Conference two weeks ago .  I would like to share some thoughts with you about what I learned.  (You can skip to the bottom for a bullet-point list if you don't like reading my long ramblings) Continuing Revelation However, I would like to begin with a discussion of why continuing revelation is so important.  Every 6 months the leaders of the church speak to us.  Why is this done? In the Teachings of the Presidents - Joseph Smith , we have words from the prophet Joseph about the importance of receiving personal revelation.  I think his argument can also be expanded to include the importance of having a living prophet.  I will quote just a part of his discourse: "[W]hy should it be thought a thing incredible that [God] should be pleased to speak again in these last days for [the Saints] salvation? ... "[Y]ou will admit that the word spoken to Noah was not sufficient for Abraham, or it was not required of Abraham to lea...

As we prepare for Easter Sunday next week, I would like to expand on the work I did last year, by providing another part of the Easter story, compiled from the four Gospels in the New Testament.  This time, it is about Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I encourage you all to read this in preparation for Easter Sunday, as well as my post from last year , which puts together the story of Jesus rising from the tomb. May the power and love of Christ be and abide in your hearts during these troubled times. Picture credit: Harry Anderson Then cometh Jesus with his disciples to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden; and the disciples began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy, and to complain in their hearts, wondering if this be the Messiah. Matt. 26:36; John 18:1; Mark 14:33 And Jesus knowing their hearts, said to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Matt. 26:36, Mark...