on the rim

#BecauseofHim I won't rehearse the full Easter story at this point, but I have been thinking very much on another that ran parallel to Christ's death and resurrection.  It is a story of bravado, cowardliness, and grief.  The players were there, many witnessed the story first hand, and recorded it.  Of course, I am talking about the rock, Peter. They had completed their Passover Seder, and had retired to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Judas was gone to get the soldiers, and Christ is telling them what was to come. Matthew 26 (KJV) 31. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33. Peter answered and said unto him, though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, b...

Last year, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson issued a challenge to the membership of the church and the people of the world.  He asked that we no longer refer to the church as "the Mormon Church" nor to members of the faith as "Mormons"  While the church for several years has asked media to use the full name of the church in its reports on the church, this was a new push.  It was reemphasized in last October's General Conference address.  You can find that link here. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/10/the-correct-name-of-the-church?lang=eng It is a very moving talk.  President Nelson spoke with power and authority.  Do you know how hard it is to refer to the Church every time as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?  Yet, I do, and if you ask me if I am a Mormon, I will politely tell you that that is a nickname that I would prefer not to use.  The prophet was so...

As we enter the Lenten season, it is with great joy that I write this post. I served my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Spain, specifically the Spain Seville Mission.  Wow, it hurts to write that, and to say "Seville" instead of Sevilla hurts my teeth for some reason.  Why do I bring this up?  Well, there are few countries so Catholic as Spain.  As we knocked doors we would be told time after time, "Soy cátolica apostolica romana".  They would then follow up by stating that they didn't believe everything their priest said.  So what, right? Last Saturday, March 10, Pope Francis held a private audience with President Russel M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (hence referred to as the Restored Church)  President Nelson was in Rome for the dedication of the Rome Italy Temple which is done in a series of Dedicatory sessions that began yesterday, March 11.  Of course, this was a memorable ev...

A quasi political post over on the rant free zone of the Lib.  But first some background.  Disclaimer, while specific parts of the Book of Mormon mentioned are part and parcel as Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the opinions expressed are my own. "However (political parties) may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion"   George Washington's Farewell Address, 17 September 1796 If you hadn't figured it out, this may be some critique of the party system that, while having been built over the last two centuries, has really accelerated and created such a sharp divide in the US.  Alas, its roots are much older.  And now some description...