Practical Guide: How to deflect firey darts & HBO

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Tevya

I usually don’t post about popular media, or even current events or other things that might be related. I feel strongly that the purpose of this blog is to focus on learning doctrines, not keeping abreast of all the scholarship, events, attacks, etc that goes on in the world around us (partly because I don’t have time to post that often or keep on top of all of it). I model it on the pattern the temple teaches: it’s only when we get away from all the noise that we can internalize simple principles and doctrines that will make the real difference in our lives and then allow us to make a real difference in the lives of others.
This post goes contrary to that and addresses the recent news that the HBO show “Big Love” will show parts of the endowment ceremony on an upcoming episode. I think it’s an important thing to address, because

Church as an Aaronic Priesthood Temple – Part 1: Structure & Ordinances

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Tevya

In the last general conference, Elder Oaks gave a talk titled “Sacrament Meeting & the Sacrament.” In this powerful talk he specifically addresses various behaviors related to the sacrament and church. He also speaks of the importance of the sacrament in making the Atonement a part of our lives. This is the most important part of his message. However, he repeatedly hinted at the power and sacredness of the sacrament and sacrament meeting:

“The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church.”
“Its like going to the temple.”
“This is a very sacred act.”
“All who officiate in this sacred ordinance stand on sacred ground.”
“For sacred ordinances… we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as… an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple….”
“I sense that some in the rising generation and even some adults have not yet come to understand

The Most Important Chapters in Scripture? (Part 2)

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Tevya

"Giving of the Law Upon Mt Sinai" woodcut by Gustave Dore

The Lord tells us that Moses taught the children of Israel “plainly” that they could see the face of God. He taught them that the “greater priesthood” held the keys to this blessing, and that it was only through the “ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood” that people could have this experience.

Putting Christ back in “X-mas”

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Tevya

I was sitting in another ward’s sacrament meeting on Sunday listening to the testimonies. I heard this teenage boy say something like “I’ve seen how a lot of people like to write X-mas instead of Christmas. They’re taking Christ out of Christmas.”
That X-mas is a way of taking Christ out of Christmas, is something I’ve heard many times growing up and even believed for a while. I agree with the sentiment that things like “happy holidays” is taking Christ and the Christan part of the holidays away. However, its completely incorrect to say that writing “X-mas” instead of “Christmas” is anti-Christ.

The Most Important Chapters in Scripture? (Part 1)

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Tevya

Malachi 3 teaches us that: “We are to be symbolically burned on the altar until the impurities come to the surface and we can become truly refined and pure.”