Unless you haven’t been paying attention to any news service, you know that Egypt has been protesting and rioting for a new government. It seems that this is a global event and it’s ramifications will be felt around the world. Personally, it’s just one more thing, in a series of events that brings anxiety to my life. As Boyd K. Packer said in April 2010 General Conference:

We live in a day of “wars [and] rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.^” As prophesied, “the whole earth [is] in commotion” and “Satan is abroad in the land.” He seeks to destroy all that is good and righteous. He is Lucifer, who was cast out of the presence of God.

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Popularity: 27% [?]

Despite mountains of evidence, critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have for years claimed that Joseph Smith wrote a piece of fiction known as the Book of Mormon. For this blog entry I want to examine one of those critiques: the ever popular reformed Egyptian debate.

In the book of Mormon sometime between the years of A.D. 401-421 Moroni, the son of Mormon (for whom the entire volume of sacred writ was named), wrote:

And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech. Mormon 9:32

One of the extremely popular criticisms relating to this verse is that “there is no evidence in Egyptology of something called ‘Reformed Egyptian,’ and that the Book of Mormon’s claim to have been written in this language is therefore suspect.”

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Popularity: 16% [?]

I recently purchased a copy of David Ridge’s “65 Signs of the Times Leading Up to the Second Coming.” Though most likely not a complete list, Brother Ridges lists 65 signs that the faithful Saints are to be watching for as written by prophets throughout the course of history. The author categorizes each sign with one of three categories: Fulfilled, Being Fulfilled, or Yet to be Fulfilled.

Helaman has already touched on one of these signs.

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Popularity: 26% [?]

Today at work we had a meeting that discussed the strategic planning method known as S.W.O.T. As we went through concepts and ideas for out IT group, it occurred to me this might make for a great FHE lesson. While I didn’t have a complete idea for how I would approach this with my family, I knew I needed to present it.

So I busted out the white board and basically put 4 columns on it.

Column 1 was for Strengths. Which I had the family discuss what they thought were our families strengths.

Column 2 was for Weaknesses. Again had then give me what they thought were our families weaknesses.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Eternal Family

This is the talk I was asked to give on the family – there might be some mistakes because I was editing it right before I gave it…lol. Also not long before church was to being, I was informed that one of the speakers wasn’t going to be there so I needed to speak for about 20 minutes – I’ve never spoken for that long before and had to bulk up my talk quickly…

I want to tell you a story about my parents.

I t takes place some years ago when they met each other and fell in love. They decided to start a family, but were later devastated when their first born daughter died only hours after being born. Out of her death grew a desire to find answers to why their baby had been taken from their lives and would they ever see her again.

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Popularity: 31% [?]

Those latter-day saints who enjoy the historical side of the scriptures, especially how the Book of Mormon plays into the Restoration, will enjoy the most recent addition in a series of articles on Mormon Times by Michael R. Ash. In today’s article, Brother Ash discussed the correlation between the Urim and Thummim, the Nephite “interpreters,” and the translation of the Gold Plates.

As we learn in the book of Ether, Mahonri Moriancumer, more commonly known as ‘the brother of Jared, was instructed to seal up the record along with two stones to be used as interpreters in the future. As Brother Ash writes, “These interpreters eventually ended up in the hands of Mosiah the younger, who used them to translate the Jaredite record — the Book of Ether.”

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Respect Others

I was cooking dinner the other night, and I decided to listen to the Mormon Channel to try and recoup the spirit in our house. At the time, it was a talk portion called “Standing Up” and this episode was on “civility”. As the show progressed, I thought it might make for a good Topical Guide installment. While I didn’t find “civility” in the topical guide, I did fine the next best thing, “respect”.

I didn’t get to catch the entire show, but it started out by talking about what things have gone missing [in some] in our daily lives. Specifically speaking about what “reality tv” shows are presenting to those watching. They spoke about the anger and backbiting, and other awful behavior they present as everyday life.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

The Eternal Family Through Christ by Judith Mehr

I know, I know – it’s been awhile. I have no excuses really – though I have been busy, though lately I’ve been the opposite of busy – I’ve actually had nothing to do since the end of May (workforce reduction).

This past Sunday, my wife had the opportunity to speak being part of a newly installed Primary Presidency, and her topic was the Eternal Family. I thought, what better way to get back in the saddle then with that topic. I mean, I have a family and we’re sealed together and I never really thought much past the topical notion of being sealed for all time and eternity. But what does it mean beyond that?

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Popularity: 9% [?]