Why We Worship Together as Saints
“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped.” -Exodus 34:8
Speaking to a friend recently, I was told that while she saw much value in the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship as a place for those seeking a spiritual home, rejected by the world and the worldly, she didn’t understand many of the things we allow for or do. She called our observance of the Holy Days as found in the Torah to be “moon worship,” and called the tallit, robes of the priesthood, etc, “silly costumes.” She didn’t understand why we needed to do much more beyond accepting one another. She saw worship, classes, services, and the rest, as something silly from a long ago and forgotten time.
Gender Expression in Israelite Culture
One question I hear quite often is, why didn’t God mention the LGBTQ people in the scriptures? I would say that God did by treating them as actual people and not separating them out as we do in modern society. That said, it should be understood that we do have inclusive terminology dating back to Biblical times.
Praying to Know Truth
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men—from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things—and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost; and by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things.” -Moroni 10:3-5
The above quote is sometimes called “Moroni’s promise.” It is Moroni’s request that we go to God to see for ourselves if the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It is a big part of the restoration of all things, and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it invites us to use the same gift of the Spirit that Joseph Smith Jr. used to translate the Book of Mormon—the spirit of prophecy and revelation.
Neum and Kabbalah
Behold, I am Neum, the Oracle, reader of the stars—I am she who pours out the libations for YHVH; I am she who still dances in prophecy when the daughters do sing, and the young men do play their harps and beat their drums.” -Neum 2:1-2 Neum is not a traditionally recognized Kabbalistic text in the sense of being a part of the core Kabbalistic literature like the Zohar, Sefer Yetzirah, or Bahir, but it certainly contains themes, imagery, and spiritual ideas that align closely with Kabbalistic principles. There are a few reasons why Neum can be seen as resonating with Kabbalistic thought, even if it isn’t classified as a Kabbalistic book. Let’s review a few of these reasons. The Mystical Relationship Between Israel and God One of the central motifs in Neum is the depiction of Israel as the bride of God, which is a key Kabbalistic concept. In Kabbalah, particularly in the writings of the Zohar, the relationship…
Kavanah in the Book of Mormon
“O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads, and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm forever.” -Jacob 2:50 [3:2]
The concept of Kavanah in Kabbalah refers to intentionality or spiritual focus during prayer, meditation, and other religious practices. It is often understood as the intention of the heart, the focus of one’s mind and soul on connecting with God, aligning one’s actions with divine will, and inviting the divine presence into one’s life. In Kabbalistic tradition, Kavanah is central to making religious acts spiritually meaningful, transforming routine religious observances into profound, mystical experiences.
Seeking Safety on the Path
“Then Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” -John 6:68
If you have found this website, you are likely looking for answers to spiritual questions. This is normal and healthy. Some potential benefits include gaining a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, finding a sense of purpose and meaning.
The Court of the Brotherhood and the Court of the Sisterhood
While still in Missouri, Kristine asked what the purpose of the Court of the Sisterhood and the Court of the Brotherhood. Taking this question to the Lord, David was given the following revelation.
Teshuvah in the Torah of Moses from the Plates of Brass
Teshuvah is not merely something we do, as human beings, re-aligning ourselves with God. It is as an act of love and mercy on God’s part.
Overarching Themes and Ideas in the Revelations of Havah Pratt
While the Revelations of Havah Pratt have been around for a few decades now, most Latter Day Saints remain woefully unaware of their contents.
Kabbalah and the Spiritual Path
One question I am often asked is how one can strengthen their relationship with God, particularly during periods of doubt or when one is feeling disconnected from God. As a Mormon Kabbalist, I generally endorse Kabbalistic principles. Kabbalah is the mystical arm of Judaism. Like Mormonism, it seeks to understand the truth of God and the universe. It incorporates a variety of spiritual practices, including prayers, meditation, and scripture. The idea is that anyone can achieve greater spiritual awareness and connection with the divine. Like Mormonism, Kabbalah places a strong emphasis on personal revelation and direct communication with God.
As Above So Below
In Hermetics, there is an axiom: “That which is above is like to that which is below, and that which is below is like to that which is above.” Or in layman’s terms,
“As above, so below; as below, so above.” This statement is found on the Plates of Brass in the headings of Chapters 3 and 4 of 1 Moses, which leads us to ask: What does this mean, and how is it relevant to us today? I have spent considerable time pondering this idea and would like to share my thoughts.
Revelation on the Tent of the Presence
David was asked to pray on building a Tent of the Presence before building a temple or a tabernacle. After much prayer and meditation, the following was received on July 8, 2024, in New York state.