The Secular Church - Mormons, Family, Abortion and Gay Marriage

In 1978, the late Neal A. Maxwell (former Apostle in the Mormon Church) delivered a powerful and prophetic sermon at Brigham Young University concerning what he called "the secular church."

In this talk he predicted the rise of irreligion as the new state religion and prophesied that the important moral issues of life, family, marriage and religious rights would become subjects of intense persecution by the Secular Church.

Although he does evoke a few examples from the Book of Mormon, Elder Maxwell's talk is a message and a warning to people of all faiths.

Mormon Church Backs Protection of Gay Rights in Salt Lake City

In a rare public appearance before Salt Lake City lawmakers Tuesday night, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported two proposed ordinances protecting gay and lesbian residents from housing and employment discrimination.

An LDS Church representative read a supporting statement at a public hearing before the Salt Lake City Council regarding the ordinances proposed by Mayor Ralph Becker.

"I represent a church that believes in human dignity, in treating others with respect even when we disagree — in fact, especially when we disagree," said Otterson. "Our language will always be respectful and acknowledge those who differ, but (we) will also be clear on matters that we feel are of great consequence to our society."

To read the full story, please visit:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705343558/Gays-get-Mormon-support-in-SLC.html

What Does the Kristan Cole Team Sell? - Alaskan Real Estate

Here is another example of some of my professional work. This was filmed in Wasilla, Alaska and I just have to say that Kristan Cole is one the nicest people I have ever met! It was great to get to know her and her team. Check this video out!

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Successful Realtor, Kristan Cole, discusses what kinds of real estate her company specializes in.

For more information on Alaskan Real Estate, please visit:
http://www.KristanCole.com

The Carpenter of Nazareth - Jesus Christ

"The Carpenter of Nazareth" by George Blair. Read by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

In Nazareth, the narrow road,
That tires the feet and steals the breath,
Passes the place where once abode
The Carpenter of Nazareth.

And up and down the dusty way
The village folk would often wend;
And on the bench, beside Him, lay
Their broken things for Him to mend.

The maiden with the doll she broke,
The woman with the broken chair,
The man with broken plough, or yoke,
Said, Can you mend it, Carpenter?

And each received the thing he sought,
In yoke, or plough, or chair, or doll;
The broken thing which each had brought
Returned again a perfect whole.

So, up the hill the long years through,
With heavy step and wistful eye,
The burdened souls their way pursue,
Uttering each the plaintive cry:

O Carpenter of Nazareth,
This heart, thats broken past repair,
This life, thats shattered nigh to death,
Oh, can You mend them, Carpenter?

And by His kind and ready hand,
His own sweet life is woven through
Our broken lives, until they stand
A New Creation—all things new.

The shattered [substance] of [the] heart,
Desire, ambition, hope, and faith,
Mould Thou into the perfect part,
O, Carpenter of Nazareth!

The New Jerusalem Temple Lot (HD) Independence Missouri

Mormon doctrine proclaims that the New Jerusalem, also referred to as Zion (see Moses 7: 62) is the place where the Saints, and the twelve tribes of Israel will gather (see Revelation 21: 1-5). Christ will reign from the New Jerusalem as well as the old Jerusalem during the Millennium (see Micah 4: 2).

Joseph Smith received revelation in July of 1831 that the New Jerusalem and a temple would be built in Independence, Missouri and that the gathering of Israel would begin (Doctrine and Covenants 57:1-3). Since the term Zion also refers to the "pure in heart," when Christ comes again there could be many places in the world that would be referred to as Zion, because the people have accepted the gospel and follow the commandments, but the New Jerusalem is to be a center place or capital city for the pure in heart.

The building of the New Jerusalem and the rebuilding of Jerusalem must happen before the second coming of Christ. A proclamation from the Twelve Apostles in 1845 states:

He will assemble the Natives, the remnants of Joseph in America; and make them a great, and strong, and powerful nation: and he will civilize and enlighten them, and will establish a holy city, and temple and seat of government among them, which shall be called Zion.

And there shall be his tabernacle, his sanctuary, his throne, and seat of government for the whole continent of North and South America for ever. In short, it will be to the western hemisphere what Jerusalem will be to the eastern.

The city of Zion, with its sanctuary and priesthood, and the glorious fulness of the gospel, will constitute a standard which will put an end to jarring creeds and political wranglings, by uniting the republics, states, provinces, territories, nations, tribes, kindred, tongues, people and sects of North and South America in one great and common bond of brotherhood. Truth and knowledge shall make them free, and love cement their union. The Lord also shall be their king and their lawgiver; while wars shall cease and peace prevail for a thousand years. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow, 1992, p.1010)

Ultimately, however, the complete fulfillment of this prediction will not take place until Jesus Christ returns to reign, since He is the one whose right it is to rule from Zion.

The Last Letter Home from a Soldier in Iraq

US Army Pfc. Jesse Givens died in Iraq in the service of his country on the first of May, 2003, in his 34th year. He wrote this letter to his wife Melissa, his five year-old son Dakota (nicknamed 'Toad') and his unborn child Carson (nicknamed 'Bean'). He asked Melissa not to open the envelope unless he was killed. 'Please, only read it if I don't come home,' he wrote. 'Please put it away and hopefully you will never have to read it.'

This piece was originally composed for Cantus, a male chorus, which performs it on tour all over the country (www.cantusonline.org). This particular version of "Last Letter Home" was performed by the Baylor University Men's Choir.

A beautiful article that includes more of the original letter can be found at
www.thefinalrollcall.us/stories/bye-bye. htm

Lyrics:
"I searched all my life for a dream and I found it in you. I would like to think that I made a positive difference in your lives. I will never be able to make up for the bad. I am so sorry. The happiest moments in my life all deal with my little family. I will always have with me the small moments we all shared. The moments when you quit taking life so serious and smiled. The sounds of a beautiful boys laughter or the simple nudge of a baby unborn. You will never know how complete you have made me....You opened my eyes to a world I never dreamed existed....

"Dakota you are more son then I could ever ask for....You have a big beautiful heart...I will always be there in our park when you dream so we can still play. I hope someday you will have a son like mine...I love you toad I will always be there with you. I'll be in the sun, shadows, dreams, and joys of your life.

"Bean, I never got to see you but I know in my heart you are beautiful...

"I have never been so blessed as the day I met Melissa. You are my angel, soul mate, wife, lover, and best friend. I am sorry. I did not want to have to write this letter. There is so much more I need to say, so much more I need to share. A lifetime's worth. I married you for a million lifetimes. That's how long I will be with you...Please find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you alone...

Do me a favor, after you tuck [the children in], give them hugs and kisses from me. Go outside look at the stars and count them. Don't forget to smile."

Come Ye Disconsolate - Carl Heinrich Bloch Paintings

This rendition of "Come Ye Disconsolate" was performed by the the Baylor University Men's Choir and used with their permission.

All paintings and sketches featured in this film are by Carl Heinrich Bloch.

One Nation Under God - Jon McNaughton

"One Nation Under God."

This simple phrase, added to the pledge of allegiance over 50 years ago has been the source of unbelievable debate and heated controversy. Likewise, the phrase 'In God We Trust' on our currency has been targeted and continues to be attacked as improper and politically incorrect. Lawsuits have been filed and legal minds employed to ascertain whether such statements violate the concept of 'separation of church and state'.

As this debate continues, some so called experts have implied or concluded that our Founding Fathers and Patriots were not religious. These secular champions, in an effort to further their own causes, have even painted these great men and women from our history as being devoid of religious passions or even a belief in God. This is a part of their strategy to remove any discussion of God from the public forum.

These men and women were passionately religious and saw the hand of God all around them. To God they gave Thanks for His Hand in the founding of this great nation. Tho Him, according to their own testimony they turned for wisdom and strength when life and liberty hung in the balance. Certainly the debate on separation of church and state will continue. But no one can dispute how our Founding Fathers and Patriots felt about God. The record is clear!

'One Nation Under God' is Jon McNaughton's witness and reminder that those who went before us knew from whence their blessings came!

To view the details of this artwork, click on the link below:
http://mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/?artpiece_id=353