"The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."1
The purpose of LDS Studies is to explore Latter-day Saint scripture, doctrine, history, and culture. This site is unequivocally for the building up of the Kingdom of God, that is, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LDS Studies is not sponsored, endorsed, or directly affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My views are my own, and may not accurately represent those of the Church; however, it is my intent to be in accord with gospel truths as revealed through the Prophets and Apostles who lead the Lord's church. It is also my intent to add further witness to the truth that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that President Russell M. Nelson is the Lord’s living and appointed Presiding Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
Elder M. Russell Ballard has observed that the internet is the "modern equivalent of the printing press..." that allows everybody to "be a publisher, to have his or her voice heard..." He stated that "there are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches." Accordingly, he advises us to "join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration."2 My objective in developing and maintaining this blog is to provide my own contributions on Mormon-related studies to a broader audience of individuals sharing similar interests. While I intend to respond to criticisms against the Church, this blog is not necessarily limited to apologetics, although it is a peripheral component.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell discussed the scope of the gospel message, describing it as inexhaustible.2 Every avenue of the gospel message leads to Christ and His atoning sacrifice. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."3 While a blog entitled LDS Studies is too broad for what I'm attempting to do here, still I hope that my contributions provides some evidence regarding the greatness and the inexhaustibility of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I realize that a title such as LDS Studies is much broader in scope than a single blog like mine can capitalize on. I would rather see this term and the associated URL utilized as a faithful outlet that is more professional, academic, and devotional in tone than I am capable of providing; however, until a more worthy option becomes available for this title it will remain as a small, simple blog with great intentions. Again, I am solely responsible for the content on this blog and hope to take advantage of the title for the purposes of building up the kingdom of God and sustaining and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ and His anointed servants. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
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1 Joseph Smith, "CHURCH HISTORY" [Wentworth Letter], Times & Seasons 3/9 (March 1, 1842):709
2 Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet," Ensign (July 2008), 58-63
3 Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "The Inexhaustible Gospel," Ensign (April 1993), 68
4 Joseph Smith, Jr., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ed. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1962), 121
Elder M. Russell Ballard has observed that the internet is the "modern equivalent of the printing press..." that allows everybody to "be a publisher, to have his or her voice heard..." He stated that "there are conversations going on about the Church constantly. Those conversations will continue whether or not we choose to participate in them. But we cannot stand on the sidelines while others, including our critics, attempt to define what the Church teaches." Accordingly, he advises us to "join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration."2 My objective in developing and maintaining this blog is to provide my own contributions on Mormon-related studies to a broader audience of individuals sharing similar interests. While I intend to respond to criticisms against the Church, this blog is not necessarily limited to apologetics, although it is a peripheral component.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell discussed the scope of the gospel message, describing it as inexhaustible.2 Every avenue of the gospel message leads to Christ and His atoning sacrifice. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."3 While a blog entitled LDS Studies is too broad for what I'm attempting to do here, still I hope that my contributions provides some evidence regarding the greatness and the inexhaustibility of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I realize that a title such as LDS Studies is much broader in scope than a single blog like mine can capitalize on. I would rather see this term and the associated URL utilized as a faithful outlet that is more professional, academic, and devotional in tone than I am capable of providing; however, until a more worthy option becomes available for this title it will remain as a small, simple blog with great intentions. Again, I am solely responsible for the content on this blog and hope to take advantage of the title for the purposes of building up the kingdom of God and sustaining and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ and His anointed servants. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
_______________________
1 Joseph Smith, "CHURCH HISTORY" [Wentworth Letter], Times & Seasons 3/9 (March 1, 1842):709
2 Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet," Ensign (July 2008), 58-63
3 Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "The Inexhaustible Gospel," Ensign (April 1993), 68
4 Joseph Smith, Jr., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, ed. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1962), 121
