I love how Michelle said that she was worried about having to give up any of her beliefs to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the more she studied the Church, the more she found that it actually aligned with her beliefs. Rather than give anything up, her beliefs were reinforced and then she received more!
@@thebenplattbiblical Christianity as perceived through your lense, maybe. We aren’t Protestants. We don’t adhere to the trinity. That doesn’t mean we aren’t biblical.
@@thebenplatt the trinity is a creation of the 2nd century to 5th century CE. We believe the same as the trinity except that they are not 1 numerically but rather 1 in purpose. I understand it just fine and don’t think the Bible is conclusive on the trinity. The word trinity doesn’t even appear in the Bible. Godhead does tho 🙂
I loved growing up in Idaho….lots of good members of the church, and we loved each other….I do not remember judgments. If I was blind, I do not know, but I only remember that everyone was treated well.
This church is amazing in how we are taught to care for one another and the love from the leadership on down. 50 years or more in lots of other churches and this is the best.
This was excellent. We love Michelle and Merlin and we're privileged to be at their wedding. I have only recently started listening to David Alexander's 47 year journey from evangelical Christianity. A very similar experience as Michelle's. I don't know if she has found his RUclips channel yet, however, he is looking for testimonies like Michelle's .
Talking to passengers on a plane at 4:20. Here's one for you. I know a woman who had just had a messy breakup with a fiance. She was later travelling to Hawaii and ended up talking to a stranger on a plane for a 11 hour flight. He was older and consoled her that there would be a man she could marry. Within the next year she did meet a man who was great. They got engaged and she flew to meet his family. At one point in the home visit she stopped in her tracks. On the mantle were a series of pictures of the same man from the flight. She confirmed the first and last name of the man and then told her story. She said where is he? I would love to speak with him again. Dead silence. The fiance then had to break it with her she must be mistaken. The man in the picture was the fiance's grandfather and had died five years before the flight. The family accepted it as a ghost of the grandpa who got these two people together. Anyways the couple are now happily married and have three kids.
That was an awesome story so thank you! Myself while I first got on my mission I had dajavoo experiences that I sware I had been in the place before for some unknown reasons and I have no answers why. Plus my Heavenly past experiences returned to my mind and it has to be the spirit that reminded me of them that the Lord was always with me I just wasn’t raised in a religious family!
I joined the church only 5 and a half years ago and many of my experiences were similar to this Sisters experiences. The one difference that I had was that my family was so happy that I had quit drinking smoking and bad habits that they were just fine with me becoming "mormon".
@michelleflake777 The church is the best vehicle to understand the Lord's purposes for us that I know of. It is more difficult than other churches/faiths, and you may be discriminated against, but you will get lots of teaching of the Lord's word, Old and New Testament and Book of Mormon. You can also experience personal revelations and miracles that are just for you.
The Restoration brings focus to the things that are blurry. I have felt that the perspective granted from modern revelation and prohets is so easy to take for granted and I am so glad i have the experiences of my mission that helped me learn just how impactful the depth of our spiritual knowledge in its FULLNESS can bring. I wish we had all the answers in grearer detail but we are to live by Faith and Endure to the end.
But why would Jesus, God, need a restored church when Jesus Himself says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church He is building? It makes no sense to follow such a weak God that would let His church flounder for 1700+ years! The Bible makes it clear that God has always had a remnant of His faithful ones throughout every generation. Salvation is a gift. Agape love means there are no strings attached and no high-demand religious expectations in order to live with Heavenly Father forever.
“I the Lord am bound when ye do what what I say but if ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” Because of rejection, the Gospel was taken from the earth. Did you know that it had been taken four other lengths of time before then, too? This us because of the free agency that God promised us. But it is conditional-we can use or free agency to lose it. He would rather that we use it to keep it. The restoration is required because wicked men lost and hid the plain and precious things (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joseph of Egypt) that would be in Christ’s “complete” gospel to come during His lifetime that He would establish while on earth the earth during His lifetime. If you believe the bible, surely you believe Isaiah’s words concerning the need Christ feels to return His whole gospel to us that was taken away by the wicked, the well-meaning Catholics, protestants and evangelicals, too, who assume they are following the Bible when they fight the restoration of which the Bible prophesies! What was removed, you may ask. If you are asking, then what have you really learned from the Bible? These are the latterdays, the very time of which Isaiah speaks. By rejecting the restoration prophesied of, is that not a rejection of biblical teaching? The Book of Mormon testifies of the Gospel in its fullness and was given again as soon as there were people born who would accept it. Are you or are you not one that Isaiah refers to on the acceptance side or the rejection side, because he prophesied of both reactions to it’s coming forth again. Even now, the Bible is being edited to fit a lack of sacrifice and the accountability that Christ does expect. You bet He has expectations. He has unconditional love but He cannot give an inheritance without the Abrahamic Covenant kept. The new bible translation has dropped and excluded yet another 13 of Christ’s directives and commandments. It is still going on, and yet, this leniency is self-given, it is not condoned of Christ Himself. Only He can save us, yes, but He certainly does have a list of loving expectations for us, and to receive His highest inheritance, we must follow our end of the Covenants that were even given to Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and every other righteous member of His Church. It was Constantine that popularized a clipped and manipulated version, and he had no authority nor permission to do so. The Covenants are there FOR us, nor to overburden us, but to unburden us. ANYTHING WHERE TRUST MUST BE ESTABLISHED, there is expected covenant-expectations, and that goes for driving, marriages, doctors’ certifications, receipts, signatures, licenses, we all expect these vows of each other. We get that instinct from the light of Christ within us. We cannot ask Him to drop certain expectations that prove our love in return for His. He already saved our bodies from death on the cross and saved our spirits from harrowing death and regret in the Garden of Gethsemane, but there certainly was a deal given, that we keep certain covenants in return, through baptism perform by His priesthood permission (not people assuming they have the authority by their own permission to baptize-that’d be like writing out your own law or doctorate degree of your own permission without receiving permission or approval to do it), and keeping the steps of repentance, partaking of his sacrament, doing labors for those who didn’t have the opportunity while living, receiving his endowments and living the new and everlasting covenant, and then keeping the new law of sacrifice-In sure there are more, such as understanding that the power of resurrection is actually a Gospel “Priesthood ordinance”… This id not the second time the Gospel has been restored to the earth, it is the !6TH! time it has needed to be dispensed again all over again to the inhabitants of the earth! The gentiles are the ones who assumed they had the Gospel but would come to know it had been sabotaged ever since the Great Apostasy. Churches have been riddled with alterations and abuse of power. Then a group rebels against that abuse, creates a new version of a church and repeats that abuse of power. Many church “businesses” have brought in a lot of money given to the masses as they tell them easy things they want to hear. Beware, because we do have an obligation to complete our end of the Covenants with the Lord and He can love us unconditionally but He cannot give us a residence in His presence without the covenant-keeping. Love does not mean He will trespass His own laws for us, and we would be preposterous to think that’s even an option. What he will do for us, though, is to establish places that align with our state if being, living with others of that same state if being on the the same level. We will live with neighbors just like ourselves. All we have to do now, then, is ask ourselves, what are we like to live with? What do others think we are like to live with? what they think in secret might be more on base than what we think. Ask the Lord, what would we be like for Him to live with? Would ut be fair to Him for us to be crossing boundaries out of habit-boundaries we habitually fudge, like expecting excessive leniency that ends up to inconvenience others instead of blessing them? How well do we know ourselves. I know I have a lit of refining to do. I know that you snd I are already physically guaranteed, saved snd resurrected, but what about our spiritual salvation that He said we must repent and do other things to complete the covenantal agreement? It’s beginning to accept His gift. If everyone else in history during the other Gospel dispensations knew more, wouldn’t you want to know the rest of the story for your own sake? When Jerusalem was destroyed due to wickedness, the prophets Jeremiah and Lehi were well acquainted and friends as prophets and each was given an assignment by God during the impending destruction. Jeremiah was called to stay and Lehi was called to leave to preserve the Law of Moses, his genealogical records and to continue keeping and preserving records in the “new promised land” of which Isaiah spoke only around 100 years before. Jeremiah was called to stay snd stand as a witness against the wicked in Jerusalem, and he would lose his life doing so. Lehi’s life was also threatened like Jeremiah’s because they both cried repentance to the wicked there, angering them. Lehi escaped and took the route assigned by the Lord, preserving the records that had the Law of Moses written in them. Jeremiah was carried off and slain. Jeremiah knew of Lehi’s whereabouts and purpose, as they both knew of the workings of the Lord concerning Isaiah’s prophecy, knowing that with the promised land being destroyed, the new promised land would need to be established, so off Lehi obediently went, taking him around eight years to finally touch down on the new promised Covenant land. The first 600 years of records were law of Moses era, just as is the Old Testament. Jeremiah and Lehi are like the Siamese twins conducting the Bible snd the Bk of Mormon. There is so much more. Please be kind in speaking concerning the things of Isaiah. It was unbelievable to the Pharisees that the Messiah could be the neighbor carpenter guy down the street. I believe people do that with His restoration, too. Are they expecting a spectacular entrance? Because Christ condescended, causing us to stoop to great humility to even consider admitting to possibility. We will get what we get and that will be our chance. May we admit to possibility and never assume pessimism. We have work to get done and doubt and pessimism burns up precious time, plus it damages the hope of others.
Michelle, I just love your story and your genuine sincerity in seeking truth and following truth wherever it leads you! The truth shall set you free, and it’s obvious to see in your smile The joy you feel in finding the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Michelle, I don't know if you'll see this but my mother is a cousin of Rey's and grew up with Margaret being one of her very best friends (they still are and Margaret is an absolute angel/saint!). In the early '80s, I got to go to Nevada for 2 summers in a row and stay with Merlin's family and work on the ranch in Spring Valley during branding season. Merlin - and all the family - was a hero to me and is a great guy. I know the family loves you and I loved seeing some of your story. The Lord has such a hand in our lives and I'm so happy you two found each other!
I am former JW .I see so much similarities to your organization and leadership.Only Jesus Christ is the way to salvation he is the way the truth and the life. John 14:6 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me .Please believe only him and follow only him 🙏♥️
@@clearstonewindows -John 14:15-31 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
I only hope Michelle was saved before she joined the Mormon church. The more she fellowships with Mormons the more Jesus will be talked about as a footnote then Joseph Smith and all the past church leadership will be glamorize Especially pres. Nelson. In my ever so humble opinion I can not believe anyone who has studied the Bible and knows Jesus would read, "a Bible, a Bible who needs a Bible and not think of it as blasphemy! The Bible isn't just a storybook( like the Book of Mormonis), it's the word of God! It's alive and pure and sharper than a two edged sword. Mormons do have a club like atmosphere but they are completely incorrect in their beliefs. All I hope is that Michelle was saved before she joined the Mormons because she won't learn anything about God's plan of salivation where she's at now. Mormon's have their own plan according to Joseph Smith.
@@kayjohnson4062 The church of Jesus Christ is called by His name so He is hardly a footnote. Pleas don’t misquote our scriptures, the passage reads “And because my words shall hiss forth-many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible….Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? 8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. 9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.”.
Michelle you're an awesome person. You're one of the most christ-like people I've met. I think I know your new husband Merlin. Not too many women are married to a guy named Merlin. I think he was in my singles ward in Provo.
@@QuincyDisneyVegan We read the Bible ALL OF THE TIME. Actually when you learn about the LDS church, and understand it’s doctrine you see it more and more throughout the Bible. Every time I read the Bible I am even more convinced of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. It’s wonderful.
This channel says to keep coments respectful. There is subjective opinion or objective truth. We all can agree the truth can stand on its own merits so the truth fears no question. Every self claiming believer should be drawn by the Spirt to all truth. Any omission of facts that an investigator may want to know should be put out their so their choice to join is real. Any believing member should be able to talk about these issues without any confirmation bias or cognitive dissonance going on. Respectfully love the truth in every way, its part of "the armor of God"
Hey, is that town in Arizona that your friend took you for Pioneer Days, Snowflake? I grew up there and my family founded the town as well, I must be related to Merlin.
I loved your sincere story Michelle. We are so blessed to have you in the church. You mention your husband had family in Arizona that was started by his ancestors. I was born in the tow town t my 2nd great grandfather started in south east Arizona. Where is Merlin .Maybe we are related somewhere.
No, that's not it at all. We don't have to lie, we just present all of the information that the LDS church hides from their own people, like the former LDS historian's research that none of the 11 witnesses actually physically saw or held the golden plates in their hands. Just google it!
Look up the word cult👍😊. It means to be part of a group Other People find sinister. When people tell me I'm part of a cult kindly let them know I love the gospel and in a sense we're ALL in a "cult". When that doesn't work they'll tell me I'm brainwashed to watch I'll say brainwashed with the holy spirit 👍😅. Both of those are non contentious and a good way to alleviate anger. At least it's been good so far🤷.
In this fictional scenario, where Dr. Hugh Nibley is a guest on "The Joe Rogan Experience," let's explore how he might explain the symbolism of LDS temples to the curious Joe Rogan: **Joe Rogan**: "So, Dr. Nibley, I've always been curious about those Mormon temples. They look pretty unique, and I've heard they're not like regular churches. What's the deal with them?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Well, Joe, it's a pleasure to be here, and I appreciate your curiosity. First of all, you have to understand that temples hold a special place in the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They're not just places of worship; they're a key part of our spiritual journey." **Joe Rogan**: "Okay, but what's so special about them? What goes on inside?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Inside the temple, we participate in sacred ceremonies that we believe connect us with God and help us understand our purpose in life. Now, it might seem a bit mysterious, but it's all about symbolism." **Joe Rogan**: "Symbolism, huh? What do you mean by that?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Think of it like this, Joe. You know how you see street signs every day, and they have specific meanings? Well, our temples are filled with symbols that carry deep spiritual significance. They're like cosmic street signs, guiding us on our spiritual journey." **Joe Rogan**: "Okay, that's intriguing. Can you give me an example?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Certainly! For instance, the stars you see in the temple's celestial room represent the vastness of God's creations and remind us of our eternal potential. It's like looking up at the night sky and feeling awe-inspired." **Joe Rogan**: "Got it, stars symbolize the vastness of creation. What else?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Well, the Garden of Eden is another significant symbol in our temples. It represents the ideal state of harmony and innocence, a place we strive to return to spiritually." **Joe Rogan**: "So, it's like a reminder of our spiritual goals?" **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Exactly, Joe! The symbolism in our temples encourages us to live our lives in a way that aligns with our beliefs and values. It's a way of teaching profound truths through visual and symbolic language." **Joe Rogan**: "That's fascinating, Dr. Nibley. It sounds like there's a lot more to these temples than meets the eye." **Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Absolutely, Joe. They're meant to be places of learning, meditation, and personal growth. And by understanding their symbolism, we can appreciate the unique role they play in our faith, setting us apart from other Christian traditions." In this fictional scenario, Dr. Hugh Nibley, with his treasure chest of research and notes, and his enthusiasm for explaining temple symbolism, aims to shed light on the deep and meaningful aspects of LDS temples to Joe Rogan, emphasizing their importance in the spiritual journey of Mormons.😊
Oh sweet. I go to lake Shasta couple times a year....grew up in Orland myself....I live in the Central Valley now but sure do miss Northern California alot. Really enjoyed your story!!!
I'm glad missionarys don't make money out of teaching the gospel they sacrifice 2 year of their life to bring people to christ you can get the true teaching from the latterday saint missionarys and they will be by your side if you come to church just to make you feel comfortable as you investigate there is no pressure I'm a latterday saint who so ever will may come jesus loves us all and unfortunately there is so much negative information every where about latterday saints that is a sign the church is true it bothers people they don't want to live it if they only new it's not hard to live as the truth will set them free
Why would someone want to live the rules of the LDS beliefs if they already know the Bible and what it says. The Bible is not negative information. The LDS church even teaches the Bible, but they interpret it completely out of its cultural and linguistic context.
Speaking of missionaries, the LDS church is worth billions of dollars, even didn't file proper financial paperwork with the govt for many years, and yet the missionaries have to raise their own funds for their mission trip!
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God “Why would someone want to live the rules of the LDS beliefs if they already know the Bible and what it says”. That is like asking “why would someone want to listen to John the Baptist when they already know what Moses said.”. The Bible is all about ongoing revelation. The Church of Jesus Christ today is all about ongoing revelation.
@@anonanon2396 Good analogy, but your examples are switched. Moses was the law-giver and John the Baptist ushered in Jesus, the fulfillment of the law so that we don't have to keep those laws anymore. The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by grace and not works. And faith works out its truth in our behaviors, not our religious obligations, such as temple services (the Bible states that God does not live in temples anymore). I don't quite understand "ongoing revelation" other than the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and it is He who guides us and brings revelation to our minds, but if the "ongoing revelation" actually teaches different doctrine than the Bible then it should be discounted because God is the same yesterday, today and forever and the doctrines taught in the Bible are complete for what a person needs to know about God and salvation, and how to lives one's life in this world. For example, the Bible never mentions a person's skin color in relation to their goodness or evilness. No revelation is necessary because it's a clear understanding, and actually it was Christians who brought the end to slavery because of what they knew about God's love for all people from the Bible. Now the one example I know about continuing revelation in the LDS church is that it took the prophets from 1820's until 1978 before the church recognized that black men could become priesthood holders. To be honest, really, that is a really bad track record or example of ongoing revelation, especially if the LDS say they teach and believe the Bible, which has never had such a racial bias.
Jehovah's witnesses I'm more familiar with these days whenever they come to my home to talk to my mom and I about God. But I have my experiences with Mormons before because they are new to me because whenever people want to come into my home to talk about God it's jws not Mormons. But they do have their own Version of the Bible and what they believe. But I find it very strange to me in the word of wisdom they read that they don't drink coffee and tea. I think Seventh day Adventists don't drink coffee and tea either .
The key emphasis on what the LDS church offers is priesthood authority and order. We are all Christian and need to have a personal relationship with Jesus and this is available to any believer. However, Christ restores that which is lost including His own organized church in the last days.
@@VetionarianBut Jesus says himself that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church that He is building. Why would we need a restored church (LDS) in the 1820s? God has always had a remnant of true believers who follow Him wholeheartedly throughout history. That is the full story of the entire Bible.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God Were this remnant church led by prophets and apostles with the keys of priesthood authority to seal on earth and in heaven?. Is this recorded?. Did the organisation and revelation in the early church remain unchanged?. If the New Testament church remained through time why has Christianity divided into thousands of churches and doctrines - this isn’t how the NT church looked. The gate of hell did not prevailed because apostasy was prophesied, and so was restoration.
@@anonanon2396 We have yet to see the extent of apostasy that will come upon the church! Yes there are historical records of succession of churches after Christ resurrected. His church is very organic, meaning it is not highly structured. There was a church at Ephesus and a church in Smurna, etc. Each church had leaders who were trained by previous leaders, such as Paul training Timothy. Josephus was a Jew slave to the Romans keeping historical records. You may find some things in what he wrote. But to your main point, if you read the book of Peter, it is clear that all believers are saints and priests and we each are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore are commissioned to baptize and speak truth/prophesy to one another. It's called the priesthood of all believers, not another religious priesthood like the Pharisees had going, meant to control the people. The Holy Spirit is said to be like the wind. No one can tell Him where to go and what to do but many men have tried to control him, but eventually evil will be exposed and truth will win out, because Truth always has evidence, like the nail holes in Jesus' hands. As for all the denominations, these are specific diversions of men. Maybe there was a drought and no body of water, so instead of baptizing by immersion they decided it was OK to just sprinkle on their head. I vaguely remember hearing that the Catholic church made this choice because they wanted to get baptized just before they died, like on their death bed, and so immersion wasn't possible. This is a teaching of man that has become an entire religion of importance to a variety of churches. Other Christians would not make a big deal of being baptized either way. Same goes for most other denominations. Some might be corrections, such as Martin Luther against the Catholic church, and the Nazarene's call for more holy living apart from worldliness. Some Christians believe that we have full self-agency and others believe that we are actually chosen by Christ who will be ultimately saved and not. There were scholars who developed and debated each of those positions from the Bible and therefore many more church denominations formed from out of their thinking. Again, these are teachings of men that we should not get hung up on when the Bible is not emphatic. The real problem is when the Bible is very emphatic about something and we Christians don't do it!
I encourage you to read Doctrine and Covenants, section 89. The revelation reveals a commandment from God meant to help us in our unique day and age. All commandments are blessings from God meant to help us come closer to him. I love the "Word of Wisdom." It's a great blessing in my life, as it helps me stay healthy and spiritually strong as well.
Prepared Homestead man, I would suggest to please read 2nd Esdras chapters 11 and 12...what it means ...if you mark Biden is the feather/president that says in verse 27 "And the second was sooner away than the first." If you see what happens after Bidens OUT, it is awful, even terrifying.
Please carefully read d&c 132 . It is scripture. It is mandatory to reach the highest heaven with your children. Verses 51^55 60^66. Ask if this was discussed in your missionary discussions. It involves the most important life decisions you will make. It is God's law if church is true.
I was shocked when I read D&C just before that passage, too, where those who are not LDS become angels to serve those in the celestial kingdom! Since when do men become angels at any time? That's the same thing they say happened to Moroni who sits atop many of their temples, who was a man, according to the BoM. There is so much additional doctrine buried in the LDS church that no one knows about, nor seems to care. I can only guess that their family and ward-life become the idols and glue of obedience, instead of worshipping Jesus alone, who is THE TRUTH. As a rational being who loves God with heart, soul, strength and MIND, the more I know the more I am incredulous that the LDS church has anyone who actually knows and believes their holy books, and they certainly do not know their Bibles. No disrespect here because I know many LDS who are trying very, very hard to be happy in their religion. They are wonderful, amazing people, but the idols and lack of questioning research in grown adults just boggles my mind.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God Wasn’t something said in the interview about non Latter Day Saints telling Latter Day Saints what they believe?. Saying that the Saints do not know the Bible is just silly. Countless missionaries have taught the restored gospel using the Bibles to prove our doctrine. Do Michelle and others who join just forget everything they know?.
@@anonanon2396 The point is being made that many LDS do not know the Bible, they only know the Bible as interpreted by LDS teachings, which are often incorrect. As I explained previously, the Bible in its original languages is very specific. Most passages are very plain. I get red flags when some interpretation includes some deep mystery that makes no sense to the plain language being used. Most LDS do not know the full extent of what the LDS church has taught and believes today. Most LDS don't even agree with each other on what they believe other than that the BoM is true and that JS was a prophet. Other than that, do they know that there were six versions of JS's "first" vision? Do they know that JS was in jail for trying to burn down a man's printing business before he was killed? Do they know that JS claimed to interpret the Book of Abraham from papyrus which was actually a very common funerary paper and has nothing in common with the Book of Abraham? Do they know that Native Americans have no DNA of Jews? Do they know the D&C teaches that non-temple worthy single people will become angels to serve those eternal families forever? Do they know that the Bible never teaches that men become angels, ever. We are two distinct creations of God. Most LDS don't understand how different their Jesus is from the orthodox Jesus of the Bible. Most LDS have not read the entire Bible without church commentary. They don't know that scripture interprets scripture because God is perfect and He has preserved His word (Jesus) through every generation. Most LDS don't know that John 4 says that God no longer dwells in temples. Most LDS do not understand that no restored gospel is necessary because Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church He is building. To believe the LDS interpretation we'd have to believe that the gates of hell prevailed upon Jesus' church from ~60 AD to 1820! Talk about a weak Jesus! Most LDS don't know how the Bible came to be organized and translated because they are taught it was translated incorrectly, and they're also taught to only trust LDS materials and interpretations. Why? Truth should never be afraid of being challenged. Truth always leaves a trail of evidence. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. So be it Jesus. Amen.
@@anonanon2396 And the big difference here is that you say the missionaries teach the restored gospel using the Bible to prove it, but we're supposed to use the Bible as the litmus test for all other doctrines. We need to look at everything thru the correct teachings of the Bible, not take some alternate teachings and cherry pick verses from the Bible to prove the alternate teachings. It really matters what book is on top of the stack, interpreting the other (others, in the case of the LDS 3).
@@whatsup3270 Yeah, I have my theories. But my words tend to get jumbled up and what I MEAN to say isn't always the message I end up saying. So sometimes ( ok ok 😂 a lot of times) I *SHOULD* (but often forget or just opt to choose) to opt for silence, so my sweet loved ones don't get the wrong message, or...even worse I'm super sensitive... so if I take my time with saying what is in my heart, and it requires true humility and vulnerability...and then...the recipient is cruel in their response...it breaks my heart so much! Imagine being so close to getting your first kiss....but each time they pull away, as if they can't imagine why ...and it's because of lack of ...Faith? That would suck dude. That's why He wants us all to learn how to show love one to another. To love Him, and each other, to serve and protect, to strengthen and heal, to love Him as you would your neighbor. ...Well, if my neighbor were my type, and my religion, and had a great sense of humor, and wasn't judgemental of my issues and was patient and kind and gentle and thoughtful and wanted to provide... and I fell for him... and then found out LATER...why would that matter? Would it be wrong then to attracted to Him? If you didn't know at first? Just because He's Holy, doesn't mean He's not HUMAN. I an honored to say Jesus is the lover of my soul. ...and I'm afraid my autism and ADHD brain might get me into trouble with a lot of conservative people who have a fear of letting go of old traditions and notions...but fear shows lack of faith. And I definitely have faith. If He's the perfect lover of my soul... ...I imagine He will make the most amazing husband and lover... so Yeah. I think whomever is the Bride of Christ, is going to find him seeeerrrriously attractive! ...in my opinion.
Because they're indoctrinated to be. They claim to have the answers on truth and yet accuse LDS members for saying the same. The restoration adds to their view but they don't want to consider continuing revelations than their own view.
It's called Biblical Truth. Truth by definition must divide from falsehood. If you really did Bible study you would understand. Ask God to teach you the Bible himself. Start with the Gospels and forget what the church has taught you and don't read any commentaries. Just you and God.
@@SaintsUnscripted - I lean more to the side that they are, but more importantly, do they have truth? I've known many nice Mormons in my life, and now have the pleasure to know many fantastic ex-Mormons. As far as I can tell, exmos have a greater commitment to truth than TBMs. I'm a nevermo ex-Catholic atheist/agnostic who has great respect for anyone who can break free of their lifetime programming. I've seen the harm that they're recovering from, and I see the church perpetuating its patterns of abuse and control based on irrationalism couched as revelation from God. To my mind, that's pretty culty.
@SaintsUnscripted - so is the sltribs "Mormon Land" column a victory for Satan as Russell M. Nelson contends? Is your use of the forbidden term in your title? Did you know Joseph Smith himself used the terms "mormon" and "mormonism" (sic) in his letters from Liberty Jail? If the founding prophet saw no problem with it, should the current prophet disregard that?
These warm fuzzy burning in your bosom feelings you all get over Mormonism is not actually the Holy Ghost. Satan comes as an Angel of light. All of your scriptures contradict the Bible. The voice in your head is not personal revelation.
@@michelleflake777 yeah I’m sure another Testament was written by a treasure hunter occultist who wrote the Book of Abraham from a funerary text sold at a traveling mummy show and when they actually translated it had nothing to do with what the polygamist adulterer blasphemer Joe Smith claimed it was. Sure.
actually it is a different Jesus 1) one heaven verses becoming your own god 2) temporal sex verses eternal sex 3) Subjugation of women 4) temporal marriage verse eternal marriage 5) after life as a spirit verses after life as male 6) Heaven open to females ( without a male ) 7) Proxies ... it is one Jesus or the other
Some of the differences you've mentioned, are miss-stated, as in "subjugation of women." Women are co-equal in LDS teachings, if fact, men without an eternal female mate, cannot achieve exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom (highest degree of glory.) Both male and females are exalted but neither one without the other. There is no subjugation of "Mormon" women and Utah was second in the nation to grant suffrage to women. One of the oldest and largest women's organization in America, is the LDS Relief Society.
It isn’t a “different Jesus”. It is a different view of doctrines. The whole “different Jesus” was invented by pastors who were upset about losing their congregations to the Mormons.
@@paulblack1799 I know you can insult people but you haven't substantiated your insult I've given you an explanation. What have you got, other than inaccurate statements and insults?
Thank you sister. Many are called but few are chosen. Wonderful testimony.
I love how Michelle said that she was worried about having to give up any of her beliefs to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the more she studied the Church, the more she found that it actually aligned with her beliefs. Rather than give anything up, her beliefs were reinforced and then she received more!
That’s what happens when people do diligent study through real faith and prayer.
I love how much more clear things are to me now. The gospel especially. Faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.
❤
@@thebenplattbiblical Christianity as perceived through your lense, maybe. We aren’t Protestants. We don’t adhere to the trinity. That doesn’t mean we aren’t biblical.
@@thebenplattThat’s funny, I think that about other faith’s probably yours. How much do you know about the LDS faith other than what you’re told?
@@thebenplatt the trinity is a creation of the 2nd century to 5th century CE. We believe the same as the trinity except that they are not 1 numerically but rather 1 in purpose. I understand it just fine and don’t think the Bible is conclusive on the trinity. The word trinity doesn’t even appear in the Bible. Godhead does tho 🙂
I loved growing up in Idaho….lots of good members of the church, and we loved each other….I do not remember judgments. If I was blind, I do not know, but I only remember that everyone was treated well.
This church is amazing in how we are taught to care for one another and the love from the leadership on down. 50 years or more in lots of other churches and this is the best.
Wow. This story brought me to tears. So touched by her experience in finding the fulness of the gospel. So glad she found the church!
This was excellent. We love Michelle and Merlin and we're privileged to be at their wedding. I have only recently started listening to David Alexander's 47 year journey from evangelical Christianity. A very similar experience as Michelle's. I don't know if she has found his RUclips channel yet, however, he is looking for testimonies like Michelle's .
Talking to passengers on a plane at 4:20. Here's one for you. I know a woman who had just had a messy breakup with a fiance. She was later travelling to Hawaii and ended up talking to a stranger on a plane for a 11 hour flight. He was older and consoled her that there would be a man she could marry. Within the next year she did meet a man who was great. They got engaged and she flew to meet his family. At one point in the home visit she stopped in her tracks. On the mantle were a series of pictures of the same man from the flight. She confirmed the first and last name of the man and then told her story. She said where is he? I would love to speak with him again. Dead silence. The fiance then had to break it with her she must be mistaken. The man in the picture was the fiance's grandfather and had died five years before the flight. The family accepted it as a ghost of the grandpa who got these two people together. Anyways the couple are now happily married and have three kids.
😮 wow!
That was an awesome story so thank you!
Myself while I first got on my mission I had dajavoo experiences that I sware I had been in the place before for some unknown reasons and I have no answers why. Plus my Heavenly past experiences returned to my mind and it has to be the spirit that reminded me of them that the Lord was always with me I just wasn’t raised in a religious family!
They need to tell their story in here!
Wow! You need to share this story on SU💕
Simple and pure testimony. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you both for sharing your stories and your heartfelt conversion. Loved you sharing your wonderful feelings.
I joined the church only 5 and a half years ago and many of my experiences were similar to this Sisters experiences.
The one difference that I had was that my family was so happy that I had quit drinking smoking and bad habits that they were just fine with me becoming "mormon".
Mine are happy a found a good- a really good man, but still not sure about the church
@@michelleflake777 sĺ
@michelleflake777 The church is the best vehicle to understand the Lord's purposes for us that I know of. It is more difficult than other churches/faiths, and you may be discriminated against, but you will get lots of teaching of the Lord's word, Old and New Testament and Book of Mormon. You can also experience personal revelations and miracles that are just for you.
P@@saminelson5012
The Restoration brings focus to the things that are blurry. I have felt that the perspective granted from modern revelation and prohets is so easy to take for granted and I am so glad i have the experiences of my mission that helped me learn just how impactful the depth of our spiritual knowledge in its FULLNESS can bring. I wish we had all the answers in grearer detail but we are to live by Faith and Endure to the end.
But why would Jesus, God, need a restored church when Jesus Himself says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church He is building? It makes no sense to follow such a weak God that would let His church flounder for 1700+ years! The Bible makes it clear that God has always had a remnant of His faithful ones throughout every generation. Salvation is a gift. Agape love means there are no strings attached and no high-demand religious expectations in order to live with Heavenly Father forever.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God I, tge Lord am bound when ye do not what I say.”
“I the Lord am bound when ye do what what I say but if ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” Because of rejection, the Gospel was taken from the earth. Did you know that it had been taken four other lengths of time before then, too? This us because of the free agency that God promised us. But it is conditional-we can use or free agency to lose it. He would rather that we use it to keep it.
The restoration is required because wicked men lost and hid the plain and precious things (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joseph of Egypt) that would be in Christ’s “complete” gospel to come during His lifetime that He would establish while on earth the earth during His lifetime. If you believe the bible, surely you believe Isaiah’s words concerning the need Christ feels to return His whole gospel to us that was taken away by the wicked, the well-meaning Catholics, protestants and evangelicals, too, who assume they are following the Bible when they fight the restoration of which the Bible prophesies! What was removed, you may ask. If you are asking, then what have you really learned from the Bible? These are the latterdays, the very time of which Isaiah speaks. By rejecting the restoration prophesied of, is that not a rejection of biblical teaching? The Book of Mormon testifies of the Gospel in its fullness and was given again as soon as there were people born who would accept it. Are you or are you not one that Isaiah refers to on the acceptance side or the rejection side, because he prophesied of both reactions to it’s coming forth again. Even now, the Bible is being edited to fit a lack of sacrifice and the accountability that Christ does expect. You bet He has expectations. He has unconditional love but He cannot give an inheritance without the Abrahamic Covenant kept. The new bible translation has dropped and excluded yet another 13 of Christ’s directives and commandments. It is still going on, and yet, this leniency is self-given, it is not condoned of Christ Himself. Only He can save us, yes, but He certainly does have a list of loving expectations for us, and to receive His highest inheritance, we must follow our end of the Covenants that were even given to Adam, Enoch, Abraham, and every other righteous member of His Church. It was Constantine that popularized a clipped and manipulated version, and he had no authority nor permission to do so. The Covenants are there FOR us, nor to overburden us, but to unburden us. ANYTHING WHERE TRUST MUST BE ESTABLISHED, there is expected covenant-expectations, and that goes for driving, marriages, doctors’ certifications, receipts, signatures, licenses, we all expect these vows of each other. We get that instinct from the light of Christ within us. We cannot ask Him to drop certain expectations that prove our love in return for His. He already saved our bodies from death on the cross and saved our spirits from harrowing death and regret in the Garden of Gethsemane, but there certainly was a deal given, that we keep certain covenants in return, through baptism perform by His priesthood permission (not people assuming they have the authority by their own permission to baptize-that’d be like writing out your own law or doctorate degree of your own permission without receiving permission or approval to do it), and keeping the steps of repentance, partaking of his sacrament, doing labors for those who didn’t have the opportunity while living, receiving his endowments and living the new and everlasting covenant, and then keeping the new law of sacrifice-In sure there are more, such as understanding that the power of resurrection is actually a Gospel “Priesthood ordinance”…
This id not the second time the Gospel has been restored to the earth, it is the !6TH! time it has needed to be dispensed again all over again to the inhabitants of the earth! The gentiles are the ones who assumed they had the Gospel but would come to know it had been sabotaged ever since the Great Apostasy. Churches have been riddled with alterations and abuse of power. Then a group rebels against that abuse, creates a new version of a church and repeats that abuse of power. Many church “businesses” have brought in a lot of money given to the masses as they tell them easy things they want to hear. Beware, because we do have an obligation to complete our end of the Covenants with the Lord and He can love us unconditionally but He cannot give us a residence in His presence without the covenant-keeping. Love does not mean He will trespass His own laws for us, and we would be preposterous to think that’s even an option. What he will do for us, though, is to establish places that align with our state if being, living with others of that same state if being on the the same level. We will live with neighbors just like ourselves. All we have to do now, then, is ask ourselves, what are we like to live with? What do others think we are like to live with? what they think in secret might be more on base than what we think. Ask the Lord, what would we be like for Him to live with? Would ut be fair to Him for us to be crossing boundaries out of habit-boundaries we habitually fudge, like expecting excessive leniency that ends up to inconvenience others instead of blessing them? How well do we know ourselves. I know I have a lit of refining to do. I know that you snd I are already physically guaranteed, saved snd resurrected, but what about our spiritual salvation that He said we must repent and do other things to complete the covenantal agreement? It’s beginning to accept His gift. If everyone else in history during the other Gospel dispensations knew more, wouldn’t you want to know the rest of the story for your own sake? When Jerusalem was destroyed due to wickedness, the prophets Jeremiah and Lehi were well acquainted and friends as prophets and each was given an assignment by God during the impending destruction. Jeremiah was called to stay and Lehi was called to leave to preserve the Law of Moses, his genealogical records and to continue keeping and preserving records in the “new promised land” of which Isaiah spoke only around 100 years before. Jeremiah was called to stay snd stand as a witness against the wicked in Jerusalem, and he would lose his life doing so. Lehi’s life was also threatened like Jeremiah’s because they both cried repentance to the wicked there, angering them. Lehi escaped and took the route assigned by the Lord, preserving the records that had the Law of Moses written in them. Jeremiah was carried off and slain. Jeremiah knew of Lehi’s whereabouts and purpose, as they both knew of the workings of the Lord concerning Isaiah’s prophecy, knowing that with the promised land being destroyed, the new promised land would need to be established, so off Lehi obediently went, taking him around eight years to finally touch down on the new promised Covenant land. The first 600 years of records were law of Moses era, just as is the Old Testament. Jeremiah and Lehi are like the Siamese twins conducting the Bible snd the Bk of Mormon. There is so much more. Please be kind in speaking concerning the things of Isaiah. It was unbelievable to the Pharisees that the Messiah could be the neighbor carpenter guy down the street. I believe people do that with His restoration, too. Are they expecting a spectacular entrance? Because Christ condescended, causing us to stoop to great humility to even consider admitting to possibility. We will get what we get and that will be our chance. May we admit to possibility and never assume pessimism. We have work to get done and doubt and pessimism burns up precious time, plus it damages the hope of others.
I am so glad I have been able to watch you on your faith journey. You are such a great example to me!!
Michelle, I just love your story and your genuine sincerity in seeking truth and following truth wherever it leads you! The truth shall set you free, and it’s obvious to see in your smile The joy you feel in finding the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I loved this Michelle! I loved getting to know you and we miss Merlyn but are happy for you both:)
What a beautiful person! Beautiful story! Thank you SU
Glad you enjoyed it!
That's a good movie title "Cowboy On An Airplane" maybe Owen Wilson...
Yuck. No thank you. I can't do country music. Sorry not sorry.
😂
I would love to travel someday, though.
I have a few books I wrote- a series that might interest you. Southern Blend for starters.
@@michelleflake777 are they on Audible? I have some audible credits!
Michelle, I don't know if you'll see this but my mother is a cousin of Rey's and grew up with Margaret being one of her very best friends (they still are and Margaret is an absolute angel/saint!). In the early '80s, I got to go to Nevada for 2 summers in a row and stay with Merlin's family and work on the ranch in Spring Valley during branding season. Merlin - and all the family - was a hero to me and is a great guy. I know the family loves you and I loved seeing some of your story. The Lord has such a hand in our lives and I'm so happy you two found each other!
❤
Only people with humble hearts and sincere desires come to know the truth.
I am former JW .I see so much similarities to your organization and leadership.Only Jesus Christ is the way to salvation he is the way the truth and the life. John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me .Please believe only him and follow only him 🙏♥️
We really on Jesus as the only way, but clearly he sends messengers
@@clearstonewindows -John 14:15-31
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
@@annasurowaniec6423 love this scripture! Thanks for sharing
I only hope Michelle was saved before she joined the Mormon church. The more she fellowships with Mormons the more Jesus will be talked about as a footnote then Joseph Smith and all the past church leadership will be glamorize
Especially pres. Nelson.
In my ever so humble opinion I can not believe anyone who has studied the Bible and knows Jesus would read, "a Bible, a Bible who needs a Bible and not think of it as blasphemy! The Bible isn't just a storybook( like the Book of Mormonis), it's the word of God! It's alive and pure and sharper than a two edged sword. Mormons do have a club like atmosphere but they are completely incorrect in their beliefs. All I hope is that Michelle was saved before she joined the Mormons because she won't learn anything about God's plan of salivation where she's at now. Mormon's have their own plan according to Joseph Smith.
@@kayjohnson4062 The church of Jesus Christ is called by His name so He is hardly a footnote. Pleas don’t misquote our scriptures, the passage reads “And because my words shall hiss forth-many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible….Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.”.
It was my experience when I was baptized how many people I had no idea were religious suddenly were concerned with my salvation
😂right?!
When you lived with the devil no body care. Only when you find the truth, the devils came out of the woods, rOFL.
Wonderful story and testimony. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great testimony of an honest and humble seeker of truth.
I love this conversion story. The Lord can even use the 1883 series for His glory!!!! Love it so much! Thank you for sharing. 💕
❤love the testimony thanks 🙏
Great story, thanks for sharing ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Michelle you're an awesome person. You're one of the most christ-like people I've met. I think I know your new husband Merlin. Not too many women are married to a guy named Merlin. I think he was in my singles ward in Provo.
Was a long time ago he was in the singles ward in Provo.
I grew up in an Evangelical Christian family. My church library had a lot of anti-mormon literature. I still joined later in life.
❤ I love how the Lord prepared me for this time
Wow! There is hope!
🙄🤯 but did you read your Bible before you converted to Mormonism?
@@QuincyDisneyVegan yes I am still reading it.
@@QuincyDisneyVegan We read the Bible ALL OF THE TIME. Actually when you learn about the LDS church, and understand it’s doctrine you see it more and more throughout the Bible. Every time I read the Bible I am even more convinced of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. It’s wonderful.
This channel says to keep coments respectful. There is subjective opinion or objective truth. We all can agree the truth can stand on its own merits so the truth fears no question. Every self claiming believer should be drawn by the Spirt to all truth. Any omission of facts that an investigator may want to know should be put out their so their choice to join is real. Any believing member should be able to talk about these issues without any confirmation bias or cognitive dissonance going on. Respectfully love the truth in every way, its part of "the armor of God"
The disclaimer says to be respectful, not ask questions. Feel free to do so, respectfully, if you would like. I'm sure someone will answer.
Idaho represent!! 🥔
🥔
The Mormon church is a church with a life style. 😊❤
Beautiful.
Hey, is that town in Arizona that your friend took you for Pioneer Days, Snowflake? I grew up there and my family founded the town as well, I must be related to Merlin.
Beautiful story
Great story. Coincidence my Anniversary is 2/23 also!!!
2/23/23 for us- should be easy to remember as we are not getting any younger lol
I loved your sincere story Michelle. We are so blessed to have you in the church. You mention your husband had family in Arizona that was started by his ancestors. I was born in the tow town t my 2nd great grandfather started in south east Arizona. Where is Merlin .Maybe we are related somewhere.
His family founded Snowflake AZ
Thank you for sharing your story. Great to hear.
Thanks for watching!
One word: CONGRATULATIONS
Sadly too many people think it’s a cult because their pastors lie to them so they can keep their congregations.
I think a lot of it might be not understanding. People tend to criticize things they don't understand.
No, that's not it at all. We don't have to lie, we just present all of the information that the LDS church hides from their own people, like the former LDS historian's research that none of the 11 witnesses actually physically saw or held the golden plates in their hands. Just google it!
Look up the word cult👍😊. It means to be part of a group Other People find sinister. When people tell me I'm part of a cult kindly let them know I love the gospel and in a sense we're ALL in a "cult". When that doesn't work they'll tell me I'm brainwashed to watch I'll say brainwashed with the holy spirit 👍😅. Both of those are non contentious and a good way to alleviate anger. At least it's been good so far🤷.
I tell people that the Jews and the Romans thought the apostles were leading a cult as well.
In this fictional scenario, where Dr. Hugh Nibley is a guest on "The Joe Rogan Experience," let's explore how he might explain the symbolism of LDS temples to the curious Joe Rogan:
**Joe Rogan**: "So, Dr. Nibley, I've always been curious about those Mormon temples. They look pretty unique, and I've heard they're not like regular churches. What's the deal with them?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Well, Joe, it's a pleasure to be here, and I appreciate your curiosity. First of all, you have to understand that temples hold a special place in the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They're not just places of worship; they're a key part of our spiritual journey."
**Joe Rogan**: "Okay, but what's so special about them? What goes on inside?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Inside the temple, we participate in sacred ceremonies that we believe connect us with God and help us understand our purpose in life. Now, it might seem a bit mysterious, but it's all about symbolism."
**Joe Rogan**: "Symbolism, huh? What do you mean by that?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Think of it like this, Joe. You know how you see street signs every day, and they have specific meanings? Well, our temples are filled with symbols that carry deep spiritual significance. They're like cosmic street signs, guiding us on our spiritual journey."
**Joe Rogan**: "Okay, that's intriguing. Can you give me an example?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Certainly! For instance, the stars you see in the temple's celestial room represent the vastness of God's creations and remind us of our eternal potential. It's like looking up at the night sky and feeling awe-inspired."
**Joe Rogan**: "Got it, stars symbolize the vastness of creation. What else?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Well, the Garden of Eden is another significant symbol in our temples. It represents the ideal state of harmony and innocence, a place we strive to return to spiritually."
**Joe Rogan**: "So, it's like a reminder of our spiritual goals?"
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Exactly, Joe! The symbolism in our temples encourages us to live our lives in a way that aligns with our beliefs and values. It's a way of teaching profound truths through visual and symbolic language."
**Joe Rogan**: "That's fascinating, Dr. Nibley. It sounds like there's a lot more to these temples than meets the eye."
**Dr. Hugh Nibley**: "Absolutely, Joe. They're meant to be places of learning, meditation, and personal growth. And by understanding their symbolism, we can appreciate the unique role they play in our faith, setting us apart from other Christian traditions."
In this fictional scenario, Dr. Hugh Nibley, with his treasure chest of research and notes, and his enthusiasm for explaining temple symbolism, aims to shed light on the deep and meaningful aspects of LDS temples to Joe Rogan, emphasizing their importance in the spiritual journey of Mormons.😊
Would love to know what part of Northern California you lived in!?
Grew up near Redding
Oh sweet. I go to lake Shasta couple times a year....grew up in Orland myself....I live in the Central Valley now but sure do miss Northern California alot. Really enjoyed your story!!!
I'm glad missionarys don't make money out of teaching the gospel they sacrifice 2 year of their life to bring people to christ you can get the true teaching from the latterday saint missionarys and they will be by your side if you come to church just to make you feel comfortable as you investigate there is no pressure I'm a latterday saint who so ever will may come jesus loves us all and unfortunately there is so much negative information every where about latterday saints that is a sign the church is true it bothers people they don't want to live it if they only new it's not hard to live as the truth will set them free
Why would someone want to live the rules of the LDS beliefs if they already know the Bible and what it says. The Bible is not negative information. The LDS church even teaches the Bible, but they interpret it completely out of its cultural and linguistic context.
Speaking of missionaries, the LDS church is worth billions of dollars, even didn't file proper financial paperwork with the govt for many years, and yet the missionaries have to raise their own funds for their mission trip!
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God “Why would someone want to live the rules of the LDS beliefs if they already know the Bible and what it says”. That is like asking “why would someone want to listen to John the Baptist when they already know what Moses said.”. The Bible is all about ongoing revelation. The Church of Jesus Christ today is all about ongoing revelation.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God “…missionaries have to raise their own funds ..”. Yes they often do - it’s called faith.
@@anonanon2396 Good analogy, but your examples are switched. Moses was the law-giver and John the Baptist ushered in Jesus, the fulfillment of the law so that we don't have to keep those laws anymore. The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by grace and not works. And faith works out its truth in our behaviors, not our religious obligations, such as temple services (the Bible states that God does not live in temples anymore). I don't quite understand "ongoing revelation" other than the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and it is He who guides us and brings revelation to our minds, but if the "ongoing revelation" actually teaches different doctrine than the Bible then it should be discounted because God is the same yesterday, today and forever and the doctrines taught in the Bible are complete for what a person needs to know about God and salvation, and how to lives one's life in this world. For example, the Bible never mentions a person's skin color in relation to their goodness or evilness. No revelation is necessary because it's a clear understanding, and actually it was Christians who brought the end to slavery because of what they knew about God's love for all people from the Bible. Now the one example I know about continuing revelation in the LDS church is that it took the prophets from 1820's until 1978 before the church recognized that black men could become priesthood holders. To be honest, really, that is a really bad track record or example of ongoing revelation, especially if the LDS say they teach and believe the Bible, which has never had such a racial bias.
A cowboy on an Airplane? Surely you can’t be serious.
She is serious. And don't call her Shirley...😜...sorry...that was to easy...and begging for it😝
@@rdancranston you are correct, I was waiting for someone to make that reference
😂
She looks like Bindi Irwins Mom!
🤣You're not wrong.
Thank you? Lol 😂
I love these interviews. But they’re almost impossible to watch because the audio quality is so bad and hurts my ears.
Sounds perfectly fine to me...
My mother’s name is MerLyn
❤❤❤
❤
It is true!
Jehovah's witnesses I'm more familiar with these days whenever they come to my home to talk to my mom and I about God. But I have my experiences with Mormons before because they are new to me because whenever people want to come into my home to talk about God it's jws not Mormons. But they do have their own Version of the Bible and what they believe. But I find it very strange to me in the word of wisdom they read that they don't drink coffee and tea. I think Seventh day Adventists don't drink coffee and tea either .
The key emphasis on what the LDS church offers is priesthood authority and order. We are all Christian and need to have a personal relationship with Jesus and this is available to any believer. However, Christ restores that which is lost including His own organized church in the last days.
@@VetionarianBut Jesus says himself that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church that He is building. Why would we need a restored church (LDS) in the 1820s? God has always had a remnant of true believers who follow Him wholeheartedly throughout history. That is the full story of the entire Bible.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God Were this remnant church led by prophets and apostles with the keys of priesthood authority to seal on earth and in heaven?. Is this recorded?. Did the organisation and revelation in the early church remain unchanged?. If the New Testament church remained through time why has Christianity divided into thousands of churches and doctrines - this isn’t how the NT church looked. The gate of hell did not prevailed because apostasy was prophesied, and so was restoration.
@@anonanon2396 We have yet to see the extent of apostasy that will come upon the church!
Yes there are historical records of succession of churches after Christ resurrected. His church is very organic, meaning it is not highly structured. There was a church at Ephesus and a church in Smurna, etc. Each church had leaders who were trained by previous leaders, such as Paul training Timothy. Josephus was a Jew slave to the Romans keeping historical records. You may find some things in what he wrote. But to your main point, if you read the book of Peter, it is clear that all believers are saints and priests and we each are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore are commissioned to baptize and speak truth/prophesy to one another. It's called the priesthood of all believers, not another religious priesthood like the Pharisees had going, meant to control the people. The Holy Spirit is said to be like the wind. No one can tell Him where to go and what to do but many men have tried to control him, but eventually evil will be exposed and truth will win out, because Truth always has evidence, like the nail holes in Jesus' hands.
As for all the denominations, these are specific diversions of men. Maybe there was a drought and no body of water, so instead of baptizing by immersion they decided it was OK to just sprinkle on their head. I vaguely remember hearing that the Catholic church made this choice because they wanted to get baptized just before they died, like on their death bed, and so immersion wasn't possible. This is a teaching of man that has become an entire religion of importance to a variety of churches. Other Christians would not make a big deal of being baptized either way. Same goes for most other denominations. Some might be corrections, such as Martin Luther against the Catholic church, and the Nazarene's call for more holy living apart from worldliness. Some Christians believe that we have full self-agency and others believe that we are actually chosen by Christ who will be ultimately saved and not. There were scholars who developed and debated each of those positions from the Bible and therefore many more church denominations formed from out of their thinking. Again, these are teachings of men that we should not get hung up on when the Bible is not emphatic. The real problem is when the Bible is very emphatic about something and we Christians don't do it!
I encourage you to read Doctrine and Covenants, section 89. The revelation reveals a commandment from God meant to help us in our unique day and age. All commandments are blessings from God meant to help us come closer to him. I love the "Word of Wisdom." It's a great blessing in my life, as it helps me stay healthy and spiritually strong as well.
Prepared Homestead man, I would suggest to please read 2nd Esdras chapters 11 and 12...what it means ...if you mark Biden is the feather/president that says in verse 27
"And the second was sooner away than the first."
If you see what happens after Bidens OUT, it is awful, even terrifying.
Please carefully read d&c 132 . It is scripture. It is mandatory to reach the highest heaven with your children. Verses 51^55 60^66.
Ask if this was discussed in your missionary discussions. It involves the most important life decisions you will make. It is God's law if church is true.
I was shocked when I read D&C just before that passage, too, where those who are not LDS become angels to serve those in the celestial kingdom! Since when do men become angels at any time? That's the same thing they say happened to Moroni who sits atop many of their temples, who was a man, according to the BoM. There is so much additional doctrine buried in the LDS church that no one knows about, nor seems to care. I can only guess that their family and ward-life become the idols and glue of obedience, instead of worshipping Jesus alone, who is THE TRUTH. As a rational being who loves God with heart, soul, strength and MIND, the more I know the more I am incredulous that the LDS church has anyone who actually knows and believes their holy books, and they certainly do not know their Bibles. No disrespect here because I know many LDS who are trying very, very hard to be happy in their religion. They are wonderful, amazing people, but the idols and lack of questioning research in grown adults just boggles my mind.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God Wasn’t something said in the interview about non Latter Day Saints telling Latter Day Saints what they believe?. Saying that the Saints do not know the Bible is just silly. Countless missionaries have taught the restored gospel using the Bibles to prove our doctrine. Do Michelle and others who join just forget everything they know?.
@@anonanon2396 The point is being made that many LDS do not know the Bible, they only know the Bible as interpreted by LDS teachings, which are often incorrect. As I explained previously, the Bible in its original languages is very specific. Most passages are very plain. I get red flags when some interpretation includes some deep mystery that makes no sense to the plain language being used. Most LDS do not know the full extent of what the LDS church has taught and believes today. Most LDS don't even agree with each other on what they believe other than that the BoM is true and that JS was a prophet. Other than that, do they know that there were six versions of JS's "first" vision? Do they know that JS was in jail for trying to burn down a man's printing business before he was killed? Do they know that JS claimed to interpret the Book of Abraham from papyrus which was actually a very common funerary paper and has nothing in common with the Book of Abraham? Do they know that Native Americans have no DNA of Jews? Do they know the D&C teaches that non-temple worthy single people will become angels to serve those eternal families forever? Do they know that the Bible never teaches that men become angels, ever. We are two distinct creations of God. Most LDS don't understand how different their Jesus is from the orthodox Jesus of the Bible. Most LDS have not read the entire Bible without church commentary. They don't know that scripture interprets scripture because God is perfect and He has preserved His word (Jesus) through every generation. Most LDS don't know that John 4 says that God no longer dwells in temples. Most LDS do not understand that no restored gospel is necessary because Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church He is building. To believe the LDS interpretation we'd have to believe that the gates of hell prevailed upon Jesus' church from ~60 AD to 1820! Talk about a weak Jesus! Most LDS don't know how the Bible came to be organized and translated because they are taught it was translated incorrectly, and they're also taught to only trust LDS materials and interpretations. Why? Truth should never be afraid of being challenged. Truth always leaves a trail of evidence. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. So be it Jesus. Amen.
@@anonanon2396 And the big difference here is that you say the missionaries teach the restored gospel using the Bible to prove it, but we're supposed to use the Bible as the litmus test for all other doctrines. We need to look at everything thru the correct teachings of the Bible, not take some alternate teachings and cherry pick verses from the Bible to prove the alternate teachings. It really matters what book is on top of the stack, interpreting the other (others, in the case of the LDS 3).
Yes, LDS Jesus is a different Jesus. He's taller and better looking. That other one tries, though.
and there is more
@@whatsup3270 yes, he's ripped.
Good one!
Also, today's version of Joseph Smith looks like Burt Lancaster in his prime. The real guy was kinda chubby and had a chipped tooth.
@@whatsup3270 Yeah, I have my theories. But my words tend to get jumbled up and what I MEAN to say isn't always the message I end up saying. So sometimes ( ok ok 😂 a lot of times) I *SHOULD* (but often forget or just opt to choose) to opt for silence, so my sweet loved ones don't get the wrong message, or...even worse
I'm super sensitive... so if I take my time with saying what is in my heart, and it requires true humility and vulnerability...and then...the recipient is cruel in their response...it breaks my heart so much!
Imagine being so close to getting your first kiss....but each time they pull away, as if they can't imagine why ...and it's because of lack of ...Faith?
That would suck dude.
That's why He wants us all to learn how to show love one to another. To love Him, and each other, to serve and protect, to strengthen and heal, to love Him as you would your neighbor.
...Well, if my neighbor were my type, and my religion, and had a great sense of humor, and wasn't judgemental of my issues and was patient and kind and gentle and thoughtful and wanted to provide... and I fell for him... and then found out LATER...why would that matter?
Would it be wrong then to attracted to Him? If you didn't know at first? Just because He's Holy, doesn't mean He's not HUMAN.
I an honored to say Jesus is the lover of my soul. ...and I'm afraid my autism and ADHD brain might get me into trouble with a lot of conservative people who have a fear of letting go of old traditions and notions...but fear shows lack of faith. And I definitely have faith.
If He's the perfect lover of my soul...
...I imagine He will make the most amazing husband and lover... so Yeah. I think whomever is the Bride of Christ, is going to find him seeeerrrriously attractive!
...in my opinion.
Why are other churches so prejudiced?
Because they're indoctrinated to be. They claim to have the answers on truth and yet accuse LDS members for saying the same. The restoration adds to their view but they don't want to consider continuing revelations than their own view.
Satan
It's called Biblical Truth. Truth by definition must divide from falsehood. If you really did Bible study you would understand. Ask God to teach you the Bible himself. Start with the Gospels and forget what the church has taught you and don't read any commentaries. Just you and God.
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God So I should prey and ask God what is true?
@@janet-Spirit_of_the_Living_God How do you know your interpretation of scripture isn’t wrong?.
Preach word of god with athority,try to make every man on earth be good not evil ,you know Putin was anti Christ
I REALLY DON,T GET A NNON-DENOMINATIONAL RELIGION. I MEAN IS GOD A NON-DENOMINATIONAL GOD.
I DON,T THINK THE JEWS WOULD SAY THAT.
why? It just means the people worship god directly they typically use more common methods and avoid the divisive issues
Good girl
Like 340❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
They're not??
Nope.
Not at all!
@@SaintsUnscripted - I lean more to the side that they are, but more importantly, do they have truth? I've known many nice Mormons in my life, and now have the pleasure to know many fantastic ex-Mormons. As far as I can tell, exmos have a greater commitment to truth than TBMs.
I'm a nevermo ex-Catholic atheist/agnostic who has great respect for anyone who can break free of their lifetime programming. I've seen the harm that they're recovering from, and I see the church perpetuating its patterns of abuse and control based on irrationalism couched as revelation from God.
To my mind, that's pretty culty.
@SaintsUnscripted - so is the sltribs "Mormon Land" column a victory for Satan as Russell M. Nelson contends? Is your use of the forbidden term in your title? Did you know Joseph Smith himself used the terms "mormon" and "mormonism" (sic) in his letters from Liberty Jail? If the founding prophet saw no problem with it, should the current prophet disregard that?
No. We aren't a cult.
These warm fuzzy burning in your bosom feelings you all get over Mormonism is not actually the Holy Ghost. Satan comes as an Angel of light. All of your scriptures contradict the Bible. The voice in your head is not personal revelation.
When you're not at peace you tend to find fault because you are fear-based. You fear it actually might be true. Christian's walk by faith.
@@jerryduckworth4276 we shall see Jerry. I hope God opens your eyes. Otherwise your soul is in grave danger. Reconsider.
I thought BOM would contradict the Bible - but when I read it for myself I was surprised to find it was as it is: another testament of Jesus Christ.
@@michelleflake777 yeah I’m sure another Testament was written by a treasure hunter occultist who wrote the Book of Abraham from a funerary text sold at a traveling mummy show and when they actually translated it had nothing to do with what the polygamist adulterer blasphemer Joe Smith claimed it was. Sure.
actually it is a different Jesus
1) one heaven verses becoming your own god
2) temporal sex verses eternal sex
3) Subjugation of women
4) temporal marriage verse eternal marriage
5) after life as a spirit verses after life as male
6) Heaven open to females ( without a male )
7) Proxies ...
it is one Jesus or the other
If you are so sure, I challenge you to pray and ask Jesus which Jesus is the right Jesus. Proverbs 3:5 & James 1:5
Some of the differences you've mentioned, are miss-stated, as in "subjugation of women." Women are co-equal in LDS teachings, if fact, men without an eternal female mate, cannot achieve exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom (highest degree of glory.) Both male and females are exalted but neither one without the other.
There is no subjugation of "Mormon" women and Utah was second in the nation to grant suffrage to women. One of the oldest and largest women's organization in America, is the LDS Relief Society.
It isn’t a “different Jesus”. It is a different view of doctrines. The whole “different Jesus” was invented by pastors who were upset about losing their congregations to the Mormons.
😂😂😂😆😆😆 you're silly
@@paulblack1799 I know you can insult people but you haven't substantiated your insult I've given you an explanation. What have you got, other than inaccurate statements and insults?
Started to share more of my story @ michelleflake777 only have a few videos up at this time