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  1. The Ugly Duckling…

    November 28, 2010 by Ben Tanner

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  2. I confess…

    November 21, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    I’ve done bad things, I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve done my share of sinning.  Not just in my life, but probably in the past hour.  I’m no better than anyone else in the world, regardless of their beliefs or religion.   That is one of the important characteristics of true Christianity.  We are willing to admit, that we have done wrong, and that we continue to struggle with sin every day.

    Mormonism is not about putting yourself on some kind of pedestal and proclaiming to the world that you are perfect.  Unfortunately, there are many who think that Christianity and Mormonism is just a bunch of hypocritical people who think they are better than every one else.  I’ll give them the hypocritical part, because we all (everyone, Christian or non-Christian) are and have been hypocrites about different things at different times.

    But I hope they know, we really don’t think we are better than anyone else.  Part of following Jesus Christ is admitting that you are a sinner, admitting that sin really exists, and admitting that you need power outside of your own to overcome it.

    The atheist won’t even admit that there is a right or a wrong, good or bad, therefore they cannot admit that they are sometimes wrong, and that they sin. It wouldn’t make logical sense.    This to me seems even more hypocritical.

    A Mormon takes personal accountability to another level.  In Mormonism, we are not a liberty to blame Adam, or the fall for our individual sins.  We believe in true moral agency.  We believe that when we sin, it really is our fault.  And therefore, we need a Savior, because we are powerless to overcome our sins by our personal effort alone.

    Having said that, our personal effort is required to show our faith in the Lord’s redeeming power.

    The good news is that the Lord does forgive.  He is merciful.  He is kind.  But his love even goes beyond that.  He is just.  And because He is just, he could not wave our sins away with some kind of cosmic magic wand.  In order for Him to fulfill the law of Justice, the price of our sins had to be paid for.  And that price was the blood of a sinless, pure, God, even Jesus Christ.  He paid the price of justice, and he gave complete mercy.

    He gave us the formula for us to tap into this marvolouse mercy and grace.  Here it is:

    1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ  (We must believe in Him and His power to save, and change us)

    2. Repentance (We must, confess our sins,  ask for forgiveness, do what is in our power to repair the wrongs we have done, and forsake the practice of our sins with His help)

    3. Baptism for the Remission of Sins. (By those who have authority to baptize)

    4. The laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (By those who have the authority to give the Gift of the Holy Ghost)

    5. Keep His commandments and endure in faith to the end of our lives. (which means to continue to repent when we make mistakes, strive to overcome our desires for sin, and to love and serve God and our fellow men.)

    This is how we gain access to Jesus Christ fully.  And if we have accesses to Jesus Christs grace, then we have access to Heaven.  We will be changed into one who is fit for the Kingdom.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    CLICK HERE to Chat with Missionaries.

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  3. Thanksgiving Daily

    November 14, 2010 by Ben Tanner

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  4. Family History/Genealogy

    November 7, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    My Grandmother and Father as a young boy.

    Understanding your families past can greatly help you understand the present.  Your life is a continuation of a larger story.   Our ancestors toiled, loved, laughed, worshiped, made mistakes,  had great successes, fought wars, and ultimately provided the foundation and world into which each of us were born.

    Understanding their stories can help put your own life into context.  It can greatly enrich your life to understand the lives of those who have gone before you.

    As Latter-day Saints, we don’t think of our ancestors as just gene carriers that passed those genes down to us.  We view ourselves as a part of a large family chain that transcends this life.  This chain can an will continue in the life to come.

    There are many of our ancestors who lived their whole lives without even hearing of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We do not believe these people are lost.  We believe that God is completely just and that He will give every person who has lived on this earth an equal opportunity to hear, understand, and believe in His Gospel.

    He has provided a way for everyone to receive the ordinances of the Gospel even if they did not receive them when they were alive.   Here is how it works:

    1. A deceased person will receive Gospel instruction or missionaries in the Spirit world. (the place were we go when we die)

    2. Their descendants and other good people will search out their names and important information such as date of birth, place of birth etc.

    3. The deceased person can decide to accept or reject the Gospel just as we can while alive.

    4. Ordinances such as Baptism, confirmation, and other temple ordinances are performed on behalf of the death by a living proxy in the Holy Temple.

    5. If the deceased person decides to accept the Gospel and the work performed for them, they will be given all the rights and privileges anyone receives by becoming a member of the church and thus have access to salvation.

    This allows God to give the same opportunity to everyone.  From the tribes in South America that have never heard of Jesus Christ, to everyone in the world.  Eventually everyone who has ever lived from Adam down to our time will have heard the Gospel and had the chance to fully accept it or not.

    Who are your ancestors?  Were they baptized by the proper authority?  I testify that they can have full access to these blessings today just as these same truths were taught in the New Testament. (1 Corinthians 15:29)

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    CLICK HERE to Chat with Missionaries.

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  5. All Hallows Eve

    October 31, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    So today is Halloween.  We had a great time this weekend and enjoyed my daughters school parade, a fun Halloween work party, and of course, trick or treating.  My kids dressed up and this year, my wife and I did too.  I remember in  my mission in Alabama that there were some religious sects that refused to celebrate Halloween.  Some would hold “Hallelujah Night” instead (which I thought was awesome).

    With this specific holiday, I can totally see why certain Christian groups would not feel comfortable celebrating it.  It certainly has pagan roots.   Mormons are neither encouraged to celebrate Halloween or discouraged.  We simply don’t take it that seriously.  We just think of it as another fun way to have some family time.

    We recently hired a new co-worker at my place of employment who’s faith is that of Jehovah’s Witness.  He is a stellar man who has made a very positive impact on the organization of our warehouse.   Beyond that, he’s just a great person in general.

    The only reason I bring up his faith is because from what I understand, they do not celebrate birthdays or holidays.  It has come up a couple of times this last week as we had an employee birthday lunch at work,  and then of course we had the Halloween party.

    While I do not agree with the interpretation of the scriptures that says we should not celebrate birthdays or holidays, I have a great deal of respect for this man and his beliefs.  Think about it for one minute:

    1. There is a birthday or holiday just about every month (sometimes more often than that)
    2. His children would not be able to participate in the activities that their peers are engaged in.
    3. He would have to refrain from Birthday Cake!!! 😀

    I believe that the Lord is blessing this man for showing his commitment and devotion to what he believes is the Lords will.  I think the Lord smiles on us when we are willing to sacrifice our own desires and put Him first.  Now, having said that, I wouldn’t take this too far.  If a person believes that sacrificing their children is the Lords will I don’t believe they will be blessed for doing such a twisted and terrible act.

    But for the most part, if you are engaged in an act of personal sacrifice that is not destructive to others or yourself to show your devotion to the Lord, I would say that this is a sure blessing.

    May the Lord bless everyone who desires to serve Him in  sincerity and truth.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

    CLICK HERE to Chat with Missionaries.

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  6. Choices and Giving…

    October 24, 2010 by Ben Tanner

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  7. About Tolerance…

    October 17, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    Question…

    Since there is so much talk about tolerance these days, how much are we to tolerate?  Where is the line where we are no longer suppose to tolerate?    If we all are just going around tolerating each other can their ever be true unity and peace?  Or is that just a false peace?   I have a family of varying political and moral views.  I think of the 7 children in my parents family we probably span the entire political spectrum.  However, we do love each other and try to see eye to eye as much as we can.  But their are times when our differences blow up into sharp confrontations that are fueled by the very different ways we see the world.

    I think it’s safe to say that if you fundamentally see the world, and the purpose of life in a completely different way than another person, you will never completely be united with that person until one of you changes the way they see the world and their purpose in it.

    It’s not enough just to say.. “we are all Americans”  or “we are all brothers and sisters”.  That will kind of unity will only take you so far.  Eventually something has to give or else  the directions your views take you will just keep taking you farther a part, or they will collide.  It’s a law of motion that an object in motion stays in motion (or rest) unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.

    It seems that by the time we collide or someones actions or ideas collide with ours each side thinks they are right and has a hard time understanding the other.  And unless the fundamental assumptions about life change, there will be no reconciling the two.

    For example:

    I approach life from the stand point that their is a God, He has given specific commandments and He will hold everyone accountable for breaking those commandments. But if you are willing to repent He has provided a way for you to be completely forgiven and also a way for to change from the inside out and become like Him.

    Others I know and love approach life from the stand point that there is no God, there is no right and wrong and therefore no sin.

    Still others approach life from the stand point that there is  a God, but He “loves” everyone so much that it really doesn’t matter if they keep His commandments only that we be nice to other people.  In other words a kind of selective view of the scriptures where the accountability is taken out and nothing but your ability to tolerate others matters.

    All three are very different ideas, and eventually each of these ideas will collide with each other.  I think there is no way to fully reconcile the three so that each belief system can live fully in unity and harmony with the others.

    You might find more harmony between the second two views but even they will collide with each other as the second one does not care about kindness and the third one still wants to worship something other than itself.

    What value is there in tolerance?  I  think there is value in that it keeps many wars and terrible things from playing out in a violent manner.  However, there a mini-wars raging all about us every day.  Underlying disturbances and disagreements that fuel larger fires that do lead to violence, hurt and pain because people simply “tolerated” the others views or actions too long.  Many say it’s important to just talk about these differences.  Others think that if we just keep our opinions to ourselves we won’t fuel the fire.

    None of us has the perfect picture because none of us are perfect.  However some are closer to the ideal and standard that God has set than others.  When a standard is set, you can do one of four things:

    1. Accept it and live by it
    2. Accept it and try to live by it but fall short
    3. Accept parts of it and reject other parts
    4. Reject it

    I think I fall under the second category and am therefore thankful for redemption through my Savior Jesus Christ.  I hope someday to come into full unity with God and with those I love.  I hope to tolerate people as much as I can but  when our fundamental views collide, I hope to stand up for the Lords standard and to be found living by it.

    True love tolerates people but cannot and does not tolerate sin.  This is the love of God. I cannot tolerate my children not learning to be potty trained…because I love them and want them to be happy successful adults someday.

    What say you about tolerance?

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  8. The Temple, and Peace

    October 10, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    This last week I was tired of staring at my computer screen at work and decided to drive up into the nearby mountains on my lunch break and just look over the valley below.  It was beautiful.  All was quiet and peaceful around me.  My nerves were calmed and I felt grateful for the beautiful world that God has created.

    The next day, I decided to go and visit the nearby draper Temple on my lunch break and participate in the work that takes place within those sacred walls.  When I left the temple and felt peaceful, but it was a different kind of peace than the peace I had experienced the day before.

    The peace I felt the day before came from outside of me.  It was the beauty around me that helped calm me and feel rejuvenated.  However, the peace that I felt after going into the temple was coming from WITHIN me.  I felt I would be at peace even if all around me was not.  It was the peace that comes from the Holy Ghost.

    I hadn’t tried hard to get my emotions going to feel this peace.  All I had done, was go and serve the Lord.  Because of this, I was blessed with the kind of peace that Jesus spoke of when he said…

    John 14: 27

    27 aPeace I leave with you, my bpeace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ctroubled, neither let it be afraid.

    I know that when we turn our hearts to the Lord and His work, He can bless us with not only the beauty and peace he gives all His children, but also the peace that comes to those who try to serve and love Him.

    They are two very different things.  Both are blessings, but the second kind of peace is better and worth more. This kind of peace can me yours too.  I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    CLICK HERE TO CHAT WITH MISSIONARIES

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  9. General Conference

    October 3, 2010 by Ben Tanner

    Every 6 months the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gathers together in church buildings around the world and in the tabernacle and conference center in Salt Lake City Utah to listen to Prophets, Apostles, and other leaders of the church declare the word of the Lord.

    It is a spiritual feast.   Members are given instruction and the Holy Ghost fills our hearts.  Announcements are made about new temples or other church news.  We are given an opportunity to “Sustain” our church leaders.  This means we are able to raise our arms to the square to show our support for them and declare before the Lord that we are willing to follow their council and His council.

    It is a fantastic time to evaluate your life and make new goals based on the teachings of the living prophets.  It is an open display of the power of modern day revelation.  It is an open display of how the Lord is guiding and directing His church today.

    I testify that God is still speaking to His children.  I testify that God is leading this church.  I also testify that I have been personally blessed in my life by heading the words of the living prophet of God.  Ours is not a dead church that relys on the words of dead prophets alone.   We are a living breathing church that is given revelation for today’s world.

    I invite you to come and listen to a prophets voice.  I invite you to feast at the table of the Lord.  Invite you to visit with the missionaries to learn more.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    Please Click here to chat with Missionaries.

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  10. The Book of Mormon: A Book with a Promise

    September 26, 2010 by Ben Tanner

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