Dews From Heaven

I believe God is the Perfect Scientist. How can we reconcile some of the seemingly contradictory tenets of science and religion? The Theory of Evolution, the Big Bang model, miracles...  Some may say these refute the principles of Christianity, however, I believe there's harmony.  We know God created man in His own image, but we know very little about how those bodies were created.  The "Big Bang" could easily describe an aspect of God's method to create worlds.  While I think science is often apt to answer the questions of "what" and "how," only religion attempts to answers the "why." Jesus' first recorded miracle is His turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana (since Mary was the hostess, could this possibly be a sibling's wedding?  Or the Lord's Himself?  I digress...).  At first glance, this feels like science has no explanation - only a mysterious power could do this.  But if we think for a moment, we

Abraham's trial is a quintessential example for any of us experiencing sorrow or struggle.  Mirroring the format of my last post (an imagined mindview of the woman who sought to touch the hem of Jesus's cloak in order to be healed), I'd like to offer another story from the Bible: the binding of Isaac, or Akedah – this time from Isaac's perspective. "Bind my wrists, papa."   I don't want to subconsciously rebel; I love my dad and will follow God’s will.  Isaac lifted his strong arms toward his aged father.  Abraham hesitated, but realized what his son was thinking and nodded as he picked up the straps.  "I trust you, dad."  Isaac said, as he climbed on the altar, laid down, and shut his eyes to the skies above. It was only a few days earlier that the terrifying revelation had come.  Abraham had received many communications from God, but this one was incredibly alarming and confusing: “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou love

The Gospel's account of the Savior's healing a woman with an issue of blood provides a powerful lesson for those dealing with issues of shame, doubt, or despair.  Taking some (major) scriptural liberties, I'd like to share a possible version of this account from the woman's perspective: Jesus.  The 'Holy Man,' she thought.  Although it had only been a few weeks since He had begun to visit the nearby towns, the rumors about this godlike Man spread like hungry flames across a dry grassland. Some said He was a revolutionary or a lunatic, others a wise teacher or even something more than human.  Her belief in the legends about His ability to cure, however, was the major force pulling her to the street she worked her way towards now. He is a Healer.  For 12 years I have suffered...  Could He be the answer?  Once a well-functioning member of the community, she was now completely penniless, having spent over a decade on doctor after doctor...  She didn't

Faith is a substance. Alma talked about " having faith” (Alma 32:21). Moroni said "faith is things " (Ether 12:6). Paul said, "faith is a substance … an evidence ” (Heb. 11:1). We often describe the deceptively simple principle of faith with words like belief, confidence, action, trust, and hope. And it is all of those. An element that is less commonly discussed is the substantive nature of faith . “Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Joseph Smith said, “From this we learn that faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen.” Well, Brother Joseph, what are these ‘things’ that we hope for but can’t see? If we were to pose the interrogative to Ether, he would probably quote himself and say the ‘things’ are “a better world, yeah, even a place at the right hand of God” (Ether 12:4). So faith, then, is the substantive assurance that we will have ete

I thought I'd list a smattering of quotes that have had a deep impact on my life, particularly during difficult times.  I imagine others probably experience trials as well, so I hope something here will bring some sort of comfort or perspective to endure, persist, and triumph.  Trials are specifically calculated for our individual exaltation.  God is profoundly aware of you and me, His children.  He loves us infinitely and will bless us tremendously as we are faithful to Him.  I testify and witness (have personal knowledge of, give a firsthand account of something experienced) that this is true.  Enjoy! "The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy ."  - Neal A. Maxwell “As [you] endure rejection, loneliness, self-doubt, homesickness, exhaustion, and temptation, the refiner’s fire will purify [your] soul . [You] will increase in wisdom and grow up in the Lord, and, as [you] stay faithful, [your] confidence will

Of all the tribes of Israel, why is Levi singled out as those assigned as priests in the temple?  Did they receive a land inheritance with the other tribes?  What are we to make of the sons of Levi offering up an offering in righteousness? Levi and Simeon - two of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) - were rather impertinent individuals.  They were "instruments of cruelty," quick to anger, and murderers (Gen. 49:5-6).  As a result, they would be cursed and scattered within Israel.  Simeon received a land inheritance, but it was surrounded by Judah and eventually assimilated, never to be recognized individually again (Deut. 33).  In the great census of Moses (reason for the name of his book of Numbers), Levi is specifically excluded from the rest of the tribes (Num. 1:47-49).  The tribe of Levi was not given a land inheritance like the rest of the tribes, but was scattered throughout the area (Josh. 13:33). Stratford pointing out parts of the Negev, portions of which we