Seven Year Mountain has been moved! Well, sort of. The original bloggers have new blogs…
Come visit!
Filed under: Teachings
May 13, 2009 • 9:13 pm 0
Seven Year Mountain has been moved! Well, sort of. The original bloggers have new blogs…
Come visit!
Filed under: Teachings
December 31, 2008 • 8:43 am 3
Pick one of the challenges, or make up your own. These challenges certainly might not be easy, but the point of this is to stretch yourself and do more than what you’ve done before.
1. Figure out the highest number of times you’ve read or listened to the Book of Mormon in one year’s time, and double that amount.
4. Memorize a chapter a month for a year.
Filed under: Teachings , Book of Mormon, challenge, give, new year, ponder, pray, read, resolution, scriptures, study
December 4, 2008 • 8:30 am 0
Sheri Dew:
My dear friends, here is the sobering reality: our constitution was written for a moral people. It will not survive a people who collectively lose their virtue.
Sheri Dew, No One Can Take Your Place
The Everlasting Decree of God Concerning this Land
Ether 2:7-12
And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.
8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should him, the true and only God, or they should be off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Book of Mormon, Doctrine, Teachings, scriptures , america, commandments, continent, covenant, decree, earth, flag, land, moral, promise, promised land, united states, united states of america, usa, virtue
November 27, 2008 • 9:14 am 0
Filed under: Teachings
November 11, 2008 • 9:17 am 0
In her song called Reaching, Katherine Nelson says, “Our dreams are meant to guide us to the things we’re reaching for.” Our ambitions are an essential part of our being, because they remind us that there is something greater than what we now have. Our very ability to dream and experience ambition encourages us to turn to the most important things in our lives. If we stay close to the Lord, He will lead us to those things. That is when we experience the greatest feelings of fulfillment and contentment.
satan is fully aware of the ambitious nature of our hearts, and will do all in his power to misdirect those ambitions to things of little or no worth.
Filed under: Teachings , ambition, dream, effort, important, priorities, work, worth
November 4, 2008 • 9:00 am 0
I was thinking a while back about my mission and about the time I first arrived in my first area. I was so overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy that it seemed I’d never be an effective missionary. I felt like I was at the bottom of an ocean, fighting to reach the surface, while I was expected to be walking on top of it. I’d prepared myself in every way I could have thought of, and read the Book of Mormon a few times already, but my feelings of inadequacy led me to think that I knew practically nothing about the gospel. As I look back, I wonder a bit how I could have been so overwhelmed. But I most surely was overwhelmed.
The MTC was not an easy experience for me, though it was wonderfully rewarding and I learned SO much. I have thought a lot about the terrible feelings of intimidation I had felt at that time for the work, and I have since wondered why I felt that way. The more I think about it, though, the more I have come to appreciate that the Lord gave me that experience, because of the amazing lessons it taught me.
When I started my mission, I felt incredibly weak. I felt like the lowest of all the missionaries, partly because I was the newest missionary, and partly because I seemed to struggle to speak up and really talk to people. I truly was weak, and I cannot deny that.
I learned a lot while on my mission, and I like to think about it this way: Imagine before the restoration, the situation that the Lord was in. He had brought his church to the earth. Jesus Christ himself had been the restorer of it. It had previously been in a state of apostasy, because of the wickedness of the children of Israel. Now, once again, after His Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Teachings, scriptures , calling, companion, courage, faith, fear, holland, inadequacy, intimidation, lds, missionary, mormon, motherhood, mothers, mtc, prayer, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, weak, weakness, work
October 21, 2008 • 8:55 pm 0
This life is not the beginning of our existence, and death is not the end of it. In fact, this life is a very short part of our eternal existence.
It is an eternal principle that family consists of a man and a woman with their children. It is also an eternal principle that every man has always been a man, and every woman has always been a woman. Likewise, every man will always be a man, and every woman will always be a woman.

The few occasions where there is a physical defect in which a baby is born with either no sexual organs or both male and female organs does not change the eternal identity of that child, which includes his or her gender.
Gender is part of our eternal identity, and according to eternal principles, marriage is to be between a man and a woman. No other combination is a marriage in the eternal sense, and therefore no other combination can last forever. No matter what the government decrees, that eternal principle will not change.
For those who live a life in accordance with eternal principles, a simple mortal marriage is the seed that grows into an eternal marriage in the next life. No other seed will grow into an eternal marriage. There is no way for it to happen. Just as a pebble planted and watered cannot grow, a marriage between two people of the same gender cannot grow into an eternal marriage, and will end with death.
The sad part about this is Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Teachings , attraction, Children, eternity, family, gay marriage, gender, homosexuality, identity, marriage, men, potential, religion, same gender relationships, same sex marriage, tendencies, trials, Women
October 15, 2008 • 8:18 am 0
It’s interesting to me to see how the Book of Mormon demonstrates a pattern that can be seen in today’s society of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The pride cycle, the secret combinations, the people’s trusting in money and position – all of it sounds quite familiar to our time.
Here are a few examples -
Never in Nephite history had the Lamanites and Nephites learned to really get along until now, buying, selling, and trading in a manner that would have been unheard of in previous generations. In our day, never in history has there been a more global economy. Never in history have people been as able to buy, sell, trade, and visit other countries as it is able today.
The Nephites had been dealing with secret combinations for over a generation, but now secret combinations were threatening their very lifestyles. Gangs have been an internal issue for a few decades, but now terrorists threaten both the freedoms of their own countries and the economy of the world.
Following the Nephite prophets became extremely unpopular. Our society has become so “individualistic” that following a prophet is considered blindness, and those who do so are thought of as extremists.
These are just a few examples, but the more one studies the Book of Mormon, the more they find parallels between the time just preceding Christ’s appearance to the Nephites and the time preceding His appearance to the world.
Since both the Sunday school and Relief Society/priesthood lessons mention the Second Coming this week, here is an index to the recent Second Coming series from this blog:
The Second Coming Series
Part 1:Studying the Signs of the Second Coming of Christ
Part 2:The Restoration and Spreading of the Gospel
Part 4:The Gathering of Israel
Part 5:Destruction of the Wicked
Part 9:Conditions During the Millennium
Part 10:The Work and Purpose of the Millennium
Filed under: Second Coming , blindness, book, Christ, coming, cycle, government, individualism, Jesus, jesus christ, lesson, millennium, money, mormon, parallel, position, power, pride, priesthood, prophet, relief society, scripture, second, Second Coming, secret combination, sign, terrorism, times
October 3, 2008 • 4:18 am 0
What would it feel like to look upon the Savior, He who gives us purpose, hope, joy, life, everything? A long time ago the Savior came to America and visited the people here. He blessed their children. He took each child one at a time and blessed them. What was that like for a child? How did it feel to be singled out by our mighty Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Oh, how He loves His little ones and how He loves each and every one of us. He worries about us, He pleads for us and He reaches out to us when we wander. Let us be like little children, meek and pure, ready to listen and ready to learn.
Filed under: LDS artwork, scriptures , 3rd Nephi, artwork, Book of Mormon, child, Children, family, gospel, humility, jesus christ, LDS art, love, meekness, portrait, Savior, teachable, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
September 26, 2008 • 4:37 am 2
Life flows like a river, deep and rich, without beginning and without end. Sometimes it’s so cold that I feel the pain of it in my bones. It seems as though I will be overcome as my mind fills itself almost against my will with thoughts of fear, panic, escape. And then I, amidst the swirling anger of rushing chaos, close my eyes. I let the river flow on and I stand there. I breath in the earthy smells of mud and grass and listen to the splooshing and sputtering of never wearied currents that spend an eternity beating against rocks that spend and eternity allowing themselves to be sculpted into the beautiful glistening smooth objects that I feel beneath my no longer aching feet. There is no more fear. The river is the same but I have changed, I have adapted. The coolness of the water invigorates me with a sense of freedom that pushes me ever forward seeking the knowledge that saturates with every bend surpassed. I see only beauty as I watch sunlight dance and play on the water’s rippling surface and I wonder why I didn’t see it before.
I wrote this as I was pondering the trials we often experience in life. While we are going through difficult times we can become incredibly distracted by the pain and fear that often accompany adversity. If we can just take a moment and close our eyes to that which is distorted by pain in order seek out He who is all knowing and an endless source of peace and comfort, our vision will clear and eternity will lay itself before us.
Filed under: Uncategorized , adapting, adversity, freedom, growth, jesus christ, llife, nature, overcoming, peace, prayer, river, struggles, trials, water
September 20, 2008 • 10:19 am 0
I’ve been trying to find a way for us to be able to share insights on the scriptures in a format that would allow the pages themselves to be a method of studying the scriptures. This is a challenge, because pasting the chapters onto the website would be a big project, and starting from nothing and expecting everyone to pick up the idea and run with it is unrealistic.
So when I came across a site that’s already doing it, I realized that all the work needed for the project is already done! It really looks like a great site, and it’s a great opportunity to study scriptures and participate in a discussion about what you read.
I highly recommend that everyone check out readscripturestogether.com, and join in the discussions. It is set up and controlled by Tom Johnson, a faithful member of the church, and follows the Sunday School lesson schedule. It is fairly new, and this is a great opportunity to share the gospel and discuss it’s principles with other members.
Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, insight, lds, mormon, scriptures, study, sunday school, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tom johnson
September 7, 2008 • 6:21 pm 2
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
-Joseph Smith, Article of Faith 2
Believe it or not, I have been reading the Old Testament with my beautiful better half for the better half of 3 years now. No, we do not read chapters at a time, and no, we did not read Songs of Solomon. However, we have read straight through, and have reached Ezekiel chapter 32 (where we will read tonight…) I always thought that with exception of the pentateuch, Isaiah and Jeremiah, there was little of doctrinal worth found in the Old Testament (excluding the occasional reference to tithing or obedience, etc…). Then, right in the middle of Ezekiel, we found chapter 18.
One of the classic tenets of Orthodox Christianity claims that because of Adam’s transgression in Eden, we are all born in sin (original sin) and thus in need of baptism at birth. Thus, it was assumed, all infants should be baptized (by sprinkling, immersing an infant is not a good idea…). This idea was so pervasive at Joseph Smith’s time, that the Lord even clarified through the prophet Mormon, in the book of Moroni, that baptizing children was repulsive to the Lord. Interestingly enough, the idea that we are judged by our own decisions and not the choices of our ancestors (Adam) is clearly laid out for us in Ezekiel 18. Near the end of the Old Testament. Where nobody reads.
14 ¶ Now, lo, if [a sinner] beget a son, that seeth all his father’s sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour’s wife, Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Doctrine , Accountability, Adam, choice, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Sin, Transgression
September 6, 2008 • 7:35 am 1
Filed under: Uncategorized , D&C, eye, magic, scriptures, see
August 31, 2008 • 10:59 pm 1
The sun reaches out with arms of light,
dazzling fingers of blinding white
that peirce the black of endless night
with the frenzied power of fiery might
and bends it’s will to His.
The rolling clouds of thundering grey
claw at the earth in stormy play,
bending trees that stand in their way,
spitting winds of sputtering rain
and bend their will to His.
Filed under: Uncategorized , Christ, Jesus, LDS poetry, nature, obedience, photography, potential, pride
August 29, 2008 • 7:52 am 0
This is an excerpt of a talk given by Elder Gene R. Cook of the 1st quorum of the seventy at Ricks College several years ago. He tells of an experience where he sat next to Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones on a plane for 2½ hours, discussing the effect of rock music on today’s Youth. This talk is also recorded in a set of cassettes called 13 lines of Defense: Living the Law of Chastity, published by Deseret Book.
Sometimes young people have a feeling that the music they listen to doesn’t have anything to do with chastity. And yet, as I’ve had the opportunity to interview many youth in varying countries throughout the world, I’ve found that it is just not so. I believe, without any doubt, that there is music of the Lord. I also believe there is good music that men have created–some romantic music, maybe some good cowboy music, and just plain fun songs, etc.
Those can be okay. They can cheer you up and they’re fun to be involved with. It ought not to surprise us that the devil has his own music as well. That kind of music is found throughout the world and has a great impact on young people especially. Let me try to bring this principle alive by relating a true story that happened with an individual of whom you have probably heard. How many of you have heard of Mick Jagger? I think almost everyone has as he is one of the most famous rock stars in the world. Well, you might be surprised to know that I had about 2 ½ hours with him on an airplane and it was quite an experience. I’m going to relate part of that to you to try to illustrate this important point about selecting wholesome music.
Mr. Jagger and I were on a flight that originated in Mexico and were headed, I believe, to either Houston or Dallas. As I sat down in the plane, the seat next to me was empty. Later a man came and sat down by me. I noticed immediately that he was reading a rock magazine. I offered a silent prayer as I often do when I try to talk to people about the Church. I prayed that the Lord would inspire me in what to say as I talked to this man.
After the prayer, I said something like, “My name is Gene Cook. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What’s your name?”
And he said, “My name is Mick Jagger.”
Not realizing who he was I said Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Uncategorized , 13 lines, adultery, atheist, band, Book of Mormon, cook, family, freedom, gene, general authority, Jagger, jesus christ, lds, lie, mick, morality, mormon, music, Philosophy, plane, procreation, rock, rolling stones, rules, safety, scriptures, sing, song, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, youth
August 25, 2008 • 5:37 am 1
This is a pencil drawing that I did of Abraham from the bible. He’s holding his son Isaac. I wanted to portray the joy that I imagine Abraham must have experienced at the birth of his miraculous son. Can you imagine how it must have felt when he was told by the Lord,”In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”? -1 Nephi 15:18 What an amazing promise.
Filed under: Uncategorized , Abraham, bible, drawing, faith, fatherhood, Isaac, LDS art, parenthood
• 2:31 am 0
I love the temple, and have always had a positive experience there. It is so so SO important to go as often as we can. Not only is it essential to those we do the work for, it is essential for us to go again and again and again. I believe that everything that is said and done in the temple is said and done for a very important reason. I may not know those reasons, but I trust that Heavenly Father knows what is best for me. I trust that He works with those I sustain as prophets, seers and revelators for my benefit.
I have had incredible experiences in some of the temples. Such experiences have made these individual temples mine.
Filed under: Uncategorized , lds, mormon, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
August 23, 2008 • 3:27 pm 1
Alma 56:47-49
Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
As a member of the church with pioneer ancestry, my testimony is occasionally downplayed by unbelievers. “You are a product of your parents upbringing. You believe because your parents made you go to church.”
When I hear that, I think to myself, “Thank heaven for such great parents.” They never made me go to church, but they taught me that if I go to church, I’ll live a better, happier life. They taught me that if I did not doubt, God would help me.
I am a product of my parents great example and teachings. Because they taught me right, when I came of age, I sought to know these things for myself – and like Enos, I received the answer I sought.
Thank heaven for such great parents.
Filed under: Uncategorized , alma 56, Example, lds, mormon, mothers, Parents, prayer, raised, stripling warriors, teaching, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
August 22, 2008 • 3:17 pm 2
The Work and Purpose of the Millennium

Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field, and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.
And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my countenance.
And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.
And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you; Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Uncategorized , family history, genealogy, God, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, missionary, mormon, ordinances, Second Coming, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, work
August 21, 2008 • 8:00 am 0
Conditions During the Millennium
What will life be like during the thousand years that Christ reins on earth?
Both modern and ancient prophets have told us much about life during the millennium. We know “that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory,” meaning earth will become a paradise. What will that mean for those living on the earth? Here are a few of the things we know for sure:
1. Resurrection/no death or disease
2. Satan Bound
3. All things revealed and all prayers answered
4. No Sickness
5. Animals not brutal
6. No War
7. Life in the Millennium
The Resurrection
When Christ comes, the righteous, both living and dead, will be caught up to meet Him.
Gospel Principles:
“The Millennium is the thousand-year period when Jesus will reign on the earth. At the beginning of this period of time, the righteous will be caught up to meet Jesus at his coming. His coming will Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Uncategorized , animals, brigham young, celestial, Christ, devil, Doctrine, God, gospel fundamentals, gospel principles, hope, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, journal of discourses, lds, life, lucifer, millennium, mormon, paradise, peace, prayer, resurrection, safety, satan, Second Coming, Teachings, temple, terrestrial, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
August 19, 2008 • 5:54 am 0
I’m in a single adult branch and every so often my branch president sends out little uplifting emails to everyone in the branch. I thought I’d share the one he sent today.
“In a premortal council at which we were all present, [the Savior] led the forces of good against those of satan and his followers in a battle for the souls of men that began before this world was formed. That conflict continues today. We were all on the side of Jesus then. We are on the side of Jesus today.”
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Christians in Belief and Action,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 71
I think that’s really cool. Especially the part that says the conflict continues today. No wonder life feels like a war sometimes!
Filed under: Uncategorized
August 13, 2008 • 2:06 pm 0
Zion
And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.
Moses 7:18
The establishment of Zion is a major part of the last days. Before the Lord comes, Zion will be established. Though there are many spiritual aspects of the establishment of Zion in which we must become pure in heart, this discussion focuses primarily on some of the physical aspects of Zion. These include:
1. The city of Zion
2. The Church to stand independent
3. Zion as a place of refuge
4. Return of the city of Enoch
5. Two world capitals
The City of Zion
And righteousness will I Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Uncategorized , adam-ondi-ahman, capital, church, city of enoch, enoch, jerusalem, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, mormon, new jerusalem, pure in heart, refuge, safety, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion
August 10, 2008 • 8:01 pm 0
Three Comings
Jesus Christ’s second coming will be a world event, but there are at least two other appearances that He will make prior to making Himself known to the entire world. Though we do not know if there will be other appearances that He will make as part of His second coming, the prophets have declared clearly at least three:
Christ’s appearance to the Saints in Zion
His appearance to the Jews
His appearance to the whole world
Christ’s Appearance to the Saints in Zion
I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Doctrine, Second Coming, Teachings , adam-ondi-ahman, Christ, jerusalem, Jesus, jesus christ, jews, lds, millenium, mormon, mount of olives, priesthood meeting, saints, Second Coming, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion
August 6, 2008 • 10:12 pm 2
Excerpt from my Young Women’s lesson on Sunday.
Why must there be opposition in all things?
12 Ways You Can Overcome Sorrow and Disappointment
President Ezra Taft Benson (Ensign, Nov. 1974, pp. 65-67)
“The psalms of the Old Testament have a special food for the soul of one in distress. … The words of the prophets, particularly the living president of the Church, are crucial reading and can give direction and comfort in an hour when one is down.”
“… While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful.”
Many problems may require only one or two of these solutions. These ideas can help you overcome sorrow, disappointment, despair or discouragement. D&C 121: 7-8
Noble characters do not alone bear trouble; they use it. Elder Hugh B. Brown
Filed under: Uncategorized
August 3, 2008 • 5:50 pm 0
The Day is at Hand
1. Prophets declare that the time is close
2. The Gospel to reach every nation
3. Prophecy of the Rainbow
4. Silence for Half an Hour
5. Two witnesses
6. Our responsibility to prepare for His coming
The Prophets Declare that the Time is Close
Though we do not know the time, the prophets have declared that the time is close. For those who Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Second Coming , church of jesus christ of latter day saints, jesus christ, lds, mormon, prepare, rainbow, Second Coming, ten virgins, two witnesses
July 22, 2008 • 1:32 pm 2
Destruction of the Wicked
What do we know about the destruction of the wicked that is to occur at the second Coming of Jesus Christ? The Lord and His prophets have told us a great deal about this part of the second coming. Unfortunately, over the centuries, ever since Christ taught that He would be coming again to the earth to cleanse the earth from sin, there have been many false doctrines taught that have confused the minds of Christ’s followers.
Here is a list of a few of the things that the scriptures and modern day prophets have assured us will occur:
1.Prior to Christ’s coming, the world will greatly increase in evil
2.There will be a separation of the wheat and the tares
3.The righteous will be brought to the safety of Zion
4.The Lord will be wearing red at His coming
5.The wicked will be destroyed
6.There will be a second and final destruction of the wicked after the millennium
7.The righteous need not fear
Prior to Christ’s Coming, Evil will Increase
“And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Second Coming , destruction, fulness of iniquity, jesus christ, lds, millennium, Second Coming, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wheat and tares, wicked, wickedness
July 18, 2008 • 8:50 pm 7
"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." (Margaret D. Nadauld, "The Joy of Womanhood," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 14)
Filed under: Uncategorized , faith, purity, virtue, Women