This article is a talk I was asked to give in church as our ward prepares for the coming General Conference. In it I talk about how the importance of the modern prophets, how they actively receive revelation from God for us right now, the blessings and truth to be gained by following the Prophets and Apostles, and exactly what so many in the world are so threatened by the existence of modern prophets. (Hint: It has to do with their money and power.) I end by sharing a tool that we can use to get the most out of General Conference and the talks of Prophets and Apostles. Come, brothers and sisters, let us listen to the Prophet’s voice and hear the Word of God!
Tag: Russell M. Nelson
The Power of Giving Thanks
Originally I had planned to do a deep dive on the history of American Thanksgiving as a nationalist holiday that perpetuates the myths those in power want because those myth justify their positions of power and exercise of control over the populace. And maybe I will next year. This year though I have decided to do otherwise due to a request put out by the Prophet last week for the members to spend the next week expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings in our lives and to focus on building our relationship with God and Christ.
So instead of digging into Thanksgiving I decided to explore the three things the Prophet has asked us to do and to talk about how each of them individually and together can transform our lives and the world around us. Seemingly simple practices like giving thanks, regular prayer, and building a close relationship with Christ can not only change our lives but they can transform the world. Here I explore each of these in a little more depth to try and tease out some of the richness of these concepts, why they are important, what makes them so powerful, and how we can apply them into our lives to make ourselves better people and the world a better place.
Abortion: Science, Ethics, and Religion
The arguments that go to defending this wicked practice of abortion can be largely classified into three categories – arguments based on science, arguments based on ethics, and arguments based in religion. I address all three of these categories and demonstrate how the science, ethics, and religion all demolish pro-abortionist arguments and support those who want to preserve the human rights of children in the womb to their right to Life. In the section on science I draw upon a milestone study carried out by Dr. Steven Jacobs where he spoke to around 5,500 biologists from every religious and political perspective, those who call themselves pro-choice as well as pro-life, and asked them about what the scientific evidence says about when human life begins. The results of his study will shock some of you, especially those who have long been fed the lie that this is a question that scientific study is somehow incapable of solving. In the ethics section, I address a multitude of ethical and ideological argument used to justify abortion, including concepts of bodily autonomy, feminism, personhood, rape, incest, and medical necessity. In the religion section I draw upon the teachings of the modern Prophets and Apostles about what they have to say about the topic of abortion and the Church’s stance on not only those who get abortions, but even those who simply aid or encourage people to get abortions. Finally, I address the inherently racist and eugenic nature of abortion and political consideration about how to foster a Culture of Life.