Evidenced Based Faith

I am currently into evidence based faith. All faith is based on evidence. Satan tells all religions and thus, all faith based believers that faith has no evidence. Only science has evidence. This is a Satanic lie. One of the biggest out there. If one believes in the Satan spawned definition of faith, your faith is really based on the tradition of the church you grew up in and the words of minister that you listen to. True faith starts with listening to the Word or reading the Word. If the Word is true and you desire to believe, you receive your first evidence from God. The Spirit testifies to you. The Word swells in your heart. If the word is false you will not receive any evidence of its validity from God. But, you may receive false evidences. You may be told of miracles (false) that collaborate your new found belief. True faith is always based on true principles, followed by witnesses from God.

After you have received the first evidence that what you have heard is true, one continues to believe. One believes in principles like “not easily provoked” and overcomes impatience and anger. One believes in “kindness and easiness to be entreated” and, through God’s grace, backbiting and gossiping disappear. And as you do this, you receive one wonder after another further evidencing or witnessing to your soul that God is pleased. He inspires you. He comforts you. He guides you. These evidences make your faith unshakable to the point that you truly believe you can do all things (Jacob 4:6, 1 Nephi 17:50).

Non-evidenced faith is stagnant. It doesn’t grow or grows very slowly. If signs, wonders and miracles are not occurring in our lives, something is wrong. If an atheist were to ask me to proof to him that there is a God, I would say, that I have received evidence after evidence that there is a God. In fact, all things proof that there is a God (DNA, the planets, the goodness of people, etc.).  I would then ask the atheist to show me his proofs that there isn’t any God. He would then turn it back on me and say, your spiritual evidences are false and they are just figments of my imagination. I would then say, that I know the wonders and miracles that have happened to me and testify that they are true. But, what about you? What are you evidences? And we would end. He would get all upset and start calling me names or just walk away.

Talking to an atheist with evidenced based testimony should be the easiest thing to do – not the most fearsome. Just recount all the evidences you have had in your life. If that doesn’t work bear your testimony (that God is real based on all the evidences you have received). If he asks for a sign, do what Alma did and make him dumb for the rest of his life (just kidding).

Evidence based faith makes sense to me. I hope it does to you as well.

Scott

Dense Food vs. Non-dense Food

After pondering what Doug Russell said about it being impossible to each too many vegetables I now think he is right.  It is too easy to eat high density foods filled with energy.  They come in small, compact units like meat, processed bars, milk, soda, oils, and juices.  If Doug is right one could eat as many herbs and fruits (see baring parts of the plant) and probably lose a lot of weight and maintain one’s weight.

The Lamanites ate meat and blood (high energy).  The Nephites ate grains.   The Lord said to eat meat sparingly.  This might mean that He meant that we eat all energy dense foods sparingly.  The Lord said to eat vegetables, fruits, herbs and grains.  These are non-energy dense foods.  Eat a lot of those.

We also would be contributing to the mass killing of animals by eating energy dense foods non-sparingly or we would be contributing to killing less animals by eating low energy dense foods in abundance.

What are your thoughts?

If it is According to the Spirit of God

This morning I read Alma 11.  In verse 22 Amulek says that he will only answer Zeezrom's questions if it is according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in him.  That he would say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord.

I thought to myself, could this be a principle that I could apply in my daily living?  It reminded me of President Eyring counseling us to say only uplifting things to others.  I wonder if one could practice only saying things that are according to the Spirit of the Lord?  We could remain silent if what we had to say wasn't in the right spirit, wasn't uplifting.  I wonder if we did this that we might please God and bring about more miracles in our lives and the lives of others.

For example, as Amulek answered Zeezrom's questions it gets to a point where Amulek declares that to Zeezrom that he has lied.  But Zeezrom persist in weaving his web.  Amulek responds with a wonderful synopsis of how Christ is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.  At this point, the miracle begins to occur.  The people began to be astonished and Zeezrom begins to tremble. Zeezrom is silenced.

Amulek, with the help of the Spirit of the Lord has "caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him".  Later (v.7 of chapter 12) Mormon states that Alma and Amulek "know the thoughts and intents of Zeezrom's heart" and that this power was given them according to the spirit of prophecy.

What does all this mean? If we have the Spirit of the Lord with us we can turn the tables when those with malicious intent are trying to deceive us.  Because of our faith, we remain calm, and perhaps silent until the Spirit - which we believe will come - comes upon us.  We then know what to say and do.  We don't take things into our own hands.  We patiently wait upon the Lord.

Miracle of Forgiveness - Putting it into Context

The Miracle of Forgiveness, - I have never been able to read that book.  It was very discouraging to me.  I like what President Kimball told Elder Monson to do in the excerpt below.  It shows that President Kimball  might have accidentally over-targeting his audience.  It looks to me that President Kimball's primary target in writing his book was to reach a group of people that needed the fear of God put into their hearts. I say this because many people's 'take away' from his book was that receiving forgiveness may never happen to them.  But, President Kimball's response to Elder Monson was very enlightening: to immediately forgive them.

Correspondence - We All Are Waiting for ... What?

Hi Joseph,

Regarding Zion, one thing that I am beginning to believe is that no one, right now, needs to run faster than he has strength and that everything is to be done in order.  This needs to be remembered by those that are zealous.  Giving too much when one is poor or middle class is over zealous. With that said, if we all felt part of a united cause that honestly wanted to be all in common (no poor among us, equal, etc.) we would all re-prioritize our spending and time.  What holds us back? Alma felt that those wearing fine twine costly apparel had not caught the vision.  This (no vision people) also has a dampening effect on the rest of the believers: "If they can have it (not share) why can't I?"  When that same group mocks the humble and is into envying others in the same group as they walk in the pride of their hearts, what are the humble followers to do?  They, according to Alma, are to take it on cheek.  Stay humble and meek.  Then who is supposed to correct the matter?  The leader.  It is always the leader, the judge.  With this said, what is the difference between this car or that car, this house or that house, this nice thing and that nice thing?  For the middle class it isn't much.  Everybody gets good fortune (a new car) at different times.  It is hard to judge righteously.  To be meek is not to judge.  If I get a nice thing, do I want everybody to judge me?  As our hearts change, as we are taught Zion, as we feel part of a unified effort, we will do better at doing the right thing.

Scott

On Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 11:50 AM, Joseph Balden <josephbalden@gmail.com> wrote:

Nice,  God is not a micro manager....  I think that some peoples faith relies on being told what to do.  If they had to make a choice they fail or just go back to waiting to be told exactly what to do.  We even feed off each other to know what the "normal" person in the ward does.  I wonder if no one had mediocre examples, what everyone's definition of Christan would be, and if they would then live it.  Question is how does one personally muster up the effort to 'take Zion seriously' when it is not an exact definition of something we are told to do.

Don't cry because its over. Smile Because it happened
-- Dr. Seuss

Joseph Balden
801-735-2163

On Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 11:17 AM, Greenscooter <srnelson1513@gmail.com> wrote:

I finished listening to one of the podcast on race from the Maxwell Institute.  Fascinating.  A big mess of views and theories and possibly mistakes (Kimball 1968).

Final views: God allows mistakes to be made.  God is not a micro manager.  People become so convinced that things are based on God when they are really man’s ideas that they become self-righteous and begin to persecute another race.  We become inherently racist.  God permits Man to make mistakes (lost pages Martin Harris, Israel wanting a King, J.S. with Kirtland anti Banking society).  Racism was probably a mistake.  Orson Pratt said that agency is all important, multi-generational cursing can’t be right.

The lady said, I don’t believe in a perfect gospel with perfect understanding suddenly bestowed on Joseph Smith.  It comes line up line and precept upon precept.

We are all uninformed.  We all seem to believe that what we understand about the world around us and neatly wrapped up Mormonism is all there is,  I know I am speaking for myself.  When P. Uchtdorf says that true Christians are having visions, revelations, dreams, signs, wonders and miracles, most of us should pause and consider whether or not we a true Christians (humble followers of Christ).  For some reason I thought that only very special people has signs, wonders and miracles happening in their life.  I realize now that it is the norm.  This is the separation of the wheat and the tares.  This the separation of the ten virgins.  This is the good man of the house caught unaware.  This is the division of the Saints.  Either we have the recipe right in our lives or we don’t.  It is pretty simple.  When one is granted awareness that these things (signs, wonders and miracles – 2 Nephi 26:13 and Jacob 4:6) are needed, that they follow faith and that they are not happening in his or her life – that person can then begin to pray to God with all sincerity and with real intent (Uchtdorf, October Conference, 2014) and receive an answer.  But the continuing answer is continuing evidences that make our faith unshaken, which hope maketh an anchor to our souls (Ether12:4).  If we have this reoccurring in our lives, we quit worrying about the apostasy of others and what they say.  We know that the gospel and the Church truly bring a delicious feast (2 Nephi 9:51) and has undeniably left its mark on our hearts.

I like the D. Todd Christopherson quote.  

"it will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen-Zion will come only as they happen" (D. Todd Christopherson, October Conference, 2008)

Everybody who actually takes Zion seriously is waiting for somebody else to do something bigger than our average charity.  Perhaps our average charity is enough at this time.  If the General Authorities want more from the Church, then teach us.  A few quotes, here and there will not suffice. (Of course, this is my opinion only and I could be wrong).  I believe that giving us a  higher goal (unified, temporally equal, no poor among us) is the best thing the leaders could do.  But, the Holy Ghost will have to impress upon the leaders that it is time.  And timing is everything.  Could you imagine all the false American and Mormon traditions that would need to be jettisoned?  I believe it would take five years of concerted effort on the part of General Authorities to get all-in-common-ism galvanized in the minds of the listening Saints.  Apostasy would be rampant.  Gifts of the Spirit would also be rampant.  That would be a wonderful time.  The Saints would have a collective focus again.

--
Posted By Greenscooter to Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined at 3/31/2015 10:17:00 AM 

Correspondence - The Changing Church

Craig,

I dropped Denver.  He appears to have gone apostate.  Perhaps he was always apostate.  I don’t know. 

Here’s what I believe is substantive: If my faith and testimony are evidenced by the spiritual things happening in my life, I then don’t care what malcontents think.  It doesn't really matter.  If signs, wonders and miracles are following my faith why would I doubt the gospel and the Church?  People bothered by the Church seem to have missed the mark.  Evidences of faith indicate that one has faith or is trying to have faith (Jacob 4:6, 2 Nephi 26:13).  If one is discontent, ask God what you’re doing wrong.  Ask God to order and maintain your life.  Be meek and humble.  Be positive, hopeful, kind and loving.  Discontent people are not that.

The Church is changing.  I believe for the good.  Those fifteen at the top have power and authority to make whatever changes are necessary for the Church to progress.  My intellectual friends will say,"it doesn't conform to Joseph Smith, the Apostles are changing doctrine".  My zealot friends will say, "the Church is following the world, they are all going to hell".  My liberal friends will say, "The Church needs to go further and offer women the Priesthood and seal gay people".  My NRA Captain Moroni Warrior Cult friends will say, "The government is going to round us up!  The Constitution is not being followed!  When they declare martial law, they'll have to tear my gun out of my cold, dead hands" (actual quote)".  The humble followers of Christ say, "Stay calm, stand in holy places, let the Spirit guide, fear not".

Everybody (but the Humble Followers) have some level of ..... mental illness?  Nibley thought the same thing was happening to the Jews in Christ's time under the subjugation of Romans.  Many Jews were going crazy.  "We are the chosen people", "The Messiah will come and destroy the bad guys", "If I keep every rule, God is with me (Pharisees)", "Let's attack the Romans at night (Zealots)", "Let's depart into the wilderness to avoid everything (Essenes)".

Remember, there's just as many stories of willful, humble subjugation (Christ's teachings, Limhi, Helam, Anti Nephi Lehi's, Ester, primitive Christians, etc.)  in the scriptures as there are stories of fighting for one's liberty.  He who fights by the sword (in the last days) will die by the sword.  Where was the Captain Moroni archetype in 1913?

Love,

Scott

From: Scott Nelson [mailto:srnelson1513@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2015 11:24 AM
To: Nelson, Scott R.
Subject: Fwd: [Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined] Thoughts on

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Craig Nelson <craignelson8@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined] Thoughts on
To: Greenscooter <srnelson1513@gmail.com>

Scott,

Thank you for the blog.  I agree, especially about "eliminate poverty among us."  The only problem is that some people will try to "eliminate" them instead of helping and serving them.

What's happening on the Denver S. front.  I keep hearing comments but no real substance.  For someone that did not want to start a church, he has done a pretty good job at starting a church [fellowship].

Thanks,

Craig


480-497-0003
CraigNelson8@gmail.com

Thoughts on Race, All in Common

I finished listening to one of the podcast on race from the Maxwell Institute.  Fascinating.  A big mess of views and theories and possibly mistakes (Kimball 1968).

Final views: God allows mistakes to be made.  God is not a micro manager.  People become so convinced that things are based on God when they are really man’s ideas that they become self-righteous and begin to persecute another race.  We become inherently racist.  God permits Man to make mistakes (lost pages Martin Harris, Israel wanting a King, J.S. with Kirtland anti Banking society).  Racism was probably a mistake.  Orson Pratt said that agency is all important, multi-generational cursing can’t be right.

The lady said, I don’t believe in a perfect gospel with perfect understanding suddenly bestowed on Joseph Smith.  It comes line up line and precept upon precept.

We are all uninformed.  We all seem to believe that what we understand about the world around us and neatly wrapped up Mormonism is all there is,  I know I am speaking for myself.  When P. Uchtdorf says that true Christians are having visions, revelations, dreams, signs, wonders and miracles, most of us should pause and consider whether or not we a true Christians (humble followers of Christ).  For some reason I thought that only very special people has signs, wonders and miracles happening in their life.  I realize now that it is the norm.  This is the separation of the wheat and the tares.  This the separation of the ten virgins.  This is the good man of the house caught unaware.  This is the division of the Saints.  Either we have the recipe right in our lives or we don’t.  It is pretty simple.  When one is granted awareness that these things (signs, wonders and miracles – 2 Nephi 26:13 and Jacob 4:6) are needed, that they follow faith and that they are not happening in his or her life – that person can then begin to pray to God with all sincerity and with real intent (Uchtdorf, October Conference, 2014) and receive an answer.  But the continuing answer is continuing evidences that make our faith unshaken, which hope maketh an anchor to our souls (Ether12:4).  If we have this reoccurring in our lives, we quit worrying about the apostasy of others and what they say.  We know that the gospel and the Church truly bring a delicious feast (2 Nephi 9:51) and has undeniably left its mark on our hearts.

I like the D. Todd Christopherson quote.  

"it will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen-Zion will come only as they happen" (D. Todd Christopherson, October Conference, 2008)

Everybody who actually takes Zion seriously is waiting for somebody else to do something bigger than our average charity.  Perhaps our average charity is enough at this time.  If the General Authorities want more from the Church, then teach us.  A few quotes, here and there will not suffice. (Of course, this is my opinion only and I could be wrong).  I believe that giving us a  higher goal (unified, temporally equal, no poor among us) is the best thing the leaders could do.  But, the Holy Ghost will have to impress upon the leaders that it is time.  And timing is everything.  Could you imagine all the false American and Mormon traditions that would need to be jettisoned?  I believe it would take five years of concerted effort on the part of General Authorities to get all-in-common-ism galvanized in the minds of the listening Saints.  Apostasy would be rampant.  Gifts of the Spirit would also be rampant.  That would be a wonderful time.  The Saints would have a collective focus again.