Love: True, Pure Love

I've been thinking about the subject of love for a while now. I've wanted to blog about it, but could never really articulate what was in my heart and mind. However, while studying the general conference talks from The November 2013 Ensign, the thoughts and feelings of my mind and heart came together.

The Sunday sessions of the October 2013 General conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had diverse talks given by just as diverse speakers. Yet, there was a common theme: Love.

Many quoted or referred to the two great commandments that Christ discussed in The New Testament. The first is to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Then Christ said on these hang all the laws and the prophets.

This is how Christ lived. He loved His Heavenly Father first and foremost, and he loved his brothers and sisters. How did He show His love? He kept all of His Father's commandments and accomplished all His Father wanted Him to do. He served, blessed, helped, and taught others, eventually, giving His life for them, His willing sacrifice. He forgave the repentant, and for those who had not repented yet, he gave them time to do so.

This is what he did for the woman taken in Adultery. The leaders of the Jews wanted Him to follow the law which meant immediate death for her. Christ knew if she was to die without repentance it could mean spiritual death (eternal separation from God). When Christ asked her if any man condemned her, he was asking if there were any left desiring her life. There was none and Christ told her neither did He, but He told her to go and sin no more. Thus giving her time to repent and develop a love for God and the opportunity to keep His commandments. He wasn't giving her permission to sin more, but was giving her the needed time and chance to change. This is what God has given all of us, time to work out our salvation.

To truly love our fellow beings we need to first love the Father of us all, God. Then true love of our neighbors can be cultivated. Not permissiveness or acceptance of all that others would like to do, but the love that reaches out, teaches about the Savior's sacrifice for them and His ability to save all mankind, the love that teaches Heavenly Father's plan for them, and that teaches some things in this life will bring eternal misery and captivity, the love that teaches that no one is beyond the Savior's ability to rescue, and that all of God's children are worth the effort. This is real, true, eternal love, or as the scriptures call it: CHARITY.

Acceptance of the person is unconditional love and is essential, but we should never decide that acceptance of all that is put into the heart of man is loving them. We would never do that with our children. Most of us understand that saying “no” to some things is showing our children love. However, when it comes to society for some reason this same understanding is lost, and continually saying “yes, whatever you want” is considered love. It seems to me, essentially that we are just saying “Go, eat, drink, be merry, and do whatever you want, it makes no difference to me.”

Only, it should make every difference to us. It should make us sorrow for the struggles and the unhappiness they experience, after all “wickedness never was (is) happiness”. It should make us yearn to help them feel the love of God through His Holy Spirit. It should make us quake and tremble as it did the sons of Mosiah as we contemplate the eternal consequences. Mosiah 28:3 “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.”

We should love them continually, we should pray for them always, we should bare testimony as the spirit admonishes, and we should mourn for them and with them as they travel down their rough, troubled, and miserable paths that lead them away from their loving Heavenly Father. Last, we should hope, with an enduring hope, that they will choose to love God and His Son Jesus Christ, obey Their commandments, and that they will be able to feel the deep and abiding love that Heavenly Father and our Savior have for them.

This is not the love the world teaches, this is a deeper, more abiding love, an eternal love. This is true love, the love God wants us to have for His children. The love that compels us to reach out and to rescue our brothers and sisters.

It is my hope and prayer that we may love God with all our hearts, might, minds, and strength, thereby making it possible for us to acquire the pure love of Christ for all men. May we always reach out and rescue those in need. May we never believe that to acquiesce to others choices is greater love than bringing them to Christ, or that anyone is beyond Christ's Redeeming power or the love of God. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

Change: The Difficult Possiblity

Change is often thought of as scary, too difficult, and something we would hope others would do, but is not necessary for ourselves. It is difficult to make changes in our lives. Most of us humans fear change. It becomes easy and comfortable to tell ourselves that change is unnecessary and we are happy or, at least happy enough, just as things are. We also convince ourselves, because God loves us no matter what and knows all our struggles, temptations, and weaknesses, that He does not expect us to change. God does know us and love us. However, the idea that He does not expect us to change could not be further from the truth.

He sent us here to this imperfect, mortal world so we could become like Him and inherit all that He has. He knew we would suffer temptations of all kind. This does not mean that God made us this way, but these are just some of the challenges that come with being mortal. People suffer different temptations. Some struggle with substance addictions. Some struggle with strong sexual desires. Some struggle with a love of money and power. Some struggle with attraction to those of the same gender. I cannot list all the divers ways that we are tempted here on earth, Satan knows us well and knows how to tempt us and try us according to our weaknesses. God knew this to be true and knew that we would need help in order to accomplish His desire for us, His children, to return and live with Him again. He presented us with a plan in which we would come to earth and suffer pain, sickness, sorrow, death, and temptations. God, our loving Father, knew we would fall into temptation and make mistakes, but he prepared a way for us to repent, to overcome the sins which so easily doth beset us (Hebrews 12:1) and overcome physical death, mortality.

The way was His Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen” (2 Nephi 31:21). God loved us so He sent His Son that we might overcome our weaknesses and be perfected in Christ, through faith in Him, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then enduring to the end (2 Nephi 31:13-20). Change is difficult, but through Christ's Atoning sacrifice we can become changed, new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Mosiah 27:26).

What does God expect of us? He expects that we will not set at naught the Great and last, eternal sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son (Alma 34:10, 13-14), but that we will put off the natural man who is an enemy to God and become changed, obedient to God's commandments. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3”19).

Oh what a glorious thought, that our loving God would send us a way to become better, become like Him and change all the things that keep us from enjoying peace and happiness. I love my Father in Heaven. I love and am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice that makes change possible. I know that God, our Eternal Father, has provided the way for us to become all that He desires us to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

God Talks to His Children on Earth.

I recently attended a meeting with Missionaries from my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They asked us “what makes the “mormon” church (or rather The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) different from other Christian religions?” The answers they received were: Family relationships continuing on forever not just during this life, temple work for those who have died, Priesthood authority and power, Baptism by immersion and receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, Prophets and Apostles, the Book of Mormon and other revealed scriptures, and the one I want to share in this post: Direct revelation from God. He speaks to His children today. He restored His church, He used a man named Joseph Smith, but a man could not have restored this church alone. God was in the details and was watching over the restoration, it is His work and He made sure it came to pass.

After Christ died, the 12 Apostles went abroad to spread the gospel and were eventually all killed, except for the one given the promise he would remain. The priesthood keys given to Peter and the other 11 were taken from the earth. Then came the time referred to as the dark ages because of the lack of heavenly messengers and revelations. It was a time of heartache, disease, famine, and poverty. The other religions had taken out precious truths in the Bible in order to teach what they desired. They were not commissioned by God to teach and preach. The men called of God had been killed. Governments started to take over religion and made laws about who, how and where to worship which led to people getting restless and searching for freedom to worship God how they wished. This led to the colonization of North America and the fight for freedom from English rule. After the revolutionary war was won and the constitution along with the bill of rights was signed and ratified, the time was right for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a church commissioned by Jesus Christ with Himself as the head thereof. There were many religions claiming to be the truth. It was a time of an awakening. Many were searching for truth, and with so many claiming to have it, the people knew not where to find it. It was at this time that a youth named Joseph Smith was searching for truth in New York. He tells of his experiences during this time, here is his story from Joseph Smith History verses 5-26.

“ 5  Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, a“Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.

 6  For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling, in order to have everybody converted, as they were pleased to call it, let them join what sect they pleased; yet when the converts began to file off, some to one party and some to another, it was seen that the seemingly good feelings of both the priests and the converts were more pretended than real; for a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

 7  I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father’s family was proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.

 8  During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.

 9  My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all others.

 10  In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?

 11  While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 12  Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

 13  At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

 14  So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.

 15  After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

 16  But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

 17  It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

 18  My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.

 19  I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”

 20  He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?

Some preachers and other professors of religion reject the account of the First Vision—Persecution is heaped upon Joseph Smith—He testifies of the reality of the vision. (Verses 21–26.)

 21  Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.

 22  I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.

 23  It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

 24  However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

 25  So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

 26  I had now got my mind satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned—that it was not my duty to join with any of them, but to continue as I was until further directed. I had found the testimony of James to be true—that a man who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided.

God had once again talked to man and called a prophet to restore His church. I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the True church. There is a Prophet and 12 Apostles on the earth still today: Thomas S. Monson is God's spokesman for His people. Jesus Christ is at the head of His church, leading and guiding it. For more information about the church check out mormon.org. Study and pray about it as Joseph Smith did and you will receive answers from Heavenly Father. I love this church, it brings me joy and peace amid so much strife and confusion in the world today. I know I receive strength, guidance, comfort, and love from the Holy Ghost. I know God speaks to men on earth today and will speak to you through the Holy Ghost if you will ask in prayer and faith. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

The Atoning Sacrifice of My Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and What it Means to Me.

As another Easter is approaching, I have found myself contemplating on what exactly the Atonement means for me, personally. I have come up with a threefold answer: 1. The Atonement makes this mortal life bearable, 2. Immortal life is a gift, 3. Eternal life or Salvation is possible through repentance, obedience, and making and keeping sacred covenants.

What has Christ done for me or what does the Atonement mean to me... EVERYTHING.

1. Mortal life made bearable means that we can handle, endure, and conquer all that this mortal life throws at us. In Alma 7:11-13 “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people. 12. … and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. 13. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony that is in me.”

There are many pains, illnesses, infirmities, and sorrows in this world and Christ has suffered them all that we might not have to bear the whole burden, but if we look to him he will succor (help) us.

Alma 36:3 “...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God, shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”

Then he took upon him all our sins, so we do not have to suffer for those either. We need to repent and keep his commandments and our sins can be taken from us that we might say with Alma, “I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy, as exceeding was my pain!”

Complete forgiveness for sins is a reality. The pain of sin can be taken from us as we repent and keep the commandments.

2. Immortality is a gift. Because Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected, all men, who ever have or will live on the earth, will be resurrected and live forever as Christ does. This is his gift to us all.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Alma 7:12 “And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people;....” Alma 42:23 “But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the Atonement, and the Atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection of the dead bringeth men back into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.”

3. Eternal life/Salvation is given to those who become his children; those who follow him, keep his commandments, and make and keep sacred covenants with him through performing sacred ordinances.

This is hard for some people to understand, because many churches teach that the Atonement brings about salvation as a gift and all will have salvation. Without any expectations or work done on their part. The truth is that salvation is a gift, unobtainable through any merit of our own, for we are all sinners. However, Christ took upon him our sins so that if we will strive throughout our lives to keep his commandments, repent when we fall short, and enter into covenants with him this gift can be ours.

John taught in ST. John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

3 Nephi 1:33 and 38 says “And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.”

What is Eternal life/Salvation? I'm sure many people have different definitions of these terms, but to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it means eternal increase in families and our earthly families with us forever. It means a place in a perfect world where love and joy abound. It means a place at the right hand of God. It means a return to God, to live in his presence again.

This gift is given to those who are faithful to the testimony of Christ and who have a firm testimony that God lives and is our Father. No one else would want to stand in his presence. They certainly would not want to live there with a remembrance of their disbelief and guilt of failing to keep his commandments. This is why God has prepared different kingdoms for those who would not accept him to be their father here on earth and who would not accept his gospel. There is a kingdom where the Holy Ghost reigns, much like this world we live in now, but with more peace. There is a kingdom where Christ reigns, although he dwells with God, he visits this kingdom to teach those there. There are different kingdoms so everyone can feel comfortable. Everyone is in the place that they lived for in this life. Those who don't accept God and Christ will come to confess that they are real and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and Redeemer of all mankind, and then they will get to live where they do not have to see them and be reminded of their disbelief and guilt. God's plan truly is a merciful plan for all his children.

1 Corinthians 15:40 “Also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial, and bodies telestial; but the glory of the celestial is one; and the terrestrial, another; and the telestial, another.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:68-70, 71-72,74-77, 81-83,86 “These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.”

“And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament. Behold these are they who died without law;... Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness. These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.”

“And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial;...” 

May we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, follow him and accept His church and enter into covenants with Him through baptism and temple ordinances that we might all obtain Eternal Life and dwell with God again. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Good or Evil, It is a Right and Responsibility to Judge Correctly

Now a days it is getting harder to judge good from evil. At least the wisdom of the world clouds this line and calls evil good and good evil. I want to bear testimony that we have knowledge and truth given to us by God to discern good from evil. An example of this cloudy judgment is happening in the news right now. There is a story of a man who wrote a manifesto explaining his actions  He allegedly killed 3 people, ran from police, and while hiding from police tied up two women and stole their vehicle, shot at cops chasing him, killed one officer and badly wounded another. He wanted to kill more. In his manifesto he said he was taking it upon himself to cleanse the LAPD of their corruption, killing them is the only way. He tells his story about how he was fired from the force for reporting an excessive force incident. Only his firing took place almost a year after the report was filed.

Now I was interested in his story and thought the LAPD sounds like it has some major corruption problems, which are most likely true, but then Dorner goes on to tell a story of traveling in a 12 passenger van with many officers, he thought he heard someone in the back use the word “nigger”, not being sure he sat and listened then he heard it again. Now that he had confirmed the word was used, he told the officer not to say that word. Well the “punk” officer said something like “I'll say whatever I want” so Dorner jumped over his seat and other officers and started choking the man and yelled at him to stop. They were pulled apart by other officers and he said in his manifesto he should have pulled out his gun and shot two officers bringing the problem to a quick resolution. I stopped reading the manifesto right there. He was ready to kill two people for saying a word not even directed at him. Now I am not condoning use of this word it is very wrong for people to use it and it is hurtful for African Americans, but that does not make it okay to choke someone and then to wish you would have killed them.

People have read this manifesto and have sided with Dorner against the police. The problem with manifestos is that they are one person's side of the story. I like to think that there are two sides to every story and that the truth is somewhere in the middle. Is there some truth to Dorner's story of corruption in the LAPD? My guess is there most likely is. Are all of LAPD corrupt? Of course not.

Is it one's man job then to wipe out the corruption through murder and terrifying communities? NO!

Others have written manifestos to justify their violent, horrific actions. Osama Bin Ladin wrote a manifesto before September 11th, 2001. He felt he was justified in his actions against America. I am sure he made a case for himself. I do not care to read it nor do I think he was justified in any way for the atrocities of 9/11. Just because he thought he was justified does not make it right.

The Lamanites in the Book of Mormon thought they were justified in constantly fighting with the Nephites. It was written in many manifestos or epistles. In Alma 54:17 “For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their rights to the government when it rightly belonged unto them.” This is Ammoron, King of the Lamanites, writing to Moroni, captain of the armies of the Nephites. In 3 Nephi 3:4, Giddianhi leader of the Gadianton robbers tells Lachoneus, leader of the Nephites, “And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit” (speaking of his men) “having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction.” What was their justification? In Mosiah 10:12-17 it explains why the Lamanites believe they have been wronged by the Nephites, speaking of the Lamanites it says “They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, believing in the traditions of their fathers, which is this-- Believing that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea; And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord-- therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their journey in the wilderness. And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters because they had hardened their hearts against the Lord. And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people our of their hands; and they sought to kill him. And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him. And took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them. And thus they have taught their children that they should hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the Children of Nephi.”

Yes, there are many instances where violent acts are justified in the minds of those who carry them out. 

Rarely does this make it right or good. It is our job to discern what is good and what is not and the Book of Mormon teaches us how to do this. In Moroni 7:12-17 “Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and inticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually, But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

May we use the gifts God has given to judge righteously.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.