You are Worthy of God’s Love
Note: This article was originally posted August 10, 2018
“God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” -1 John 4:16b
Humanity seems to be searching for something. In general, people feel lost. As we accumulate more material wealth, it seems that the hole we are trying to fill just gets bigger. How do we fill this hole in our lives? These feelings of loss, of emptiness, of loneliness; they come from the depth of our souls.
Baptism as a Part of Rebirth
“Therefore, come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.” -Alma 5:25 RAV, 7:14b RAV
When Nicodemus came to Jesus to learn about salvation, he was told he would need to be born again (John 3:1-8). Baptism is a Sacrament offered to those that have covenanted with God to be His people. When we were born again we were washed clean and made members of God’s one true Heavenly church through this covenant. When moved by the Holy Spirit, we will wish to be baptized as a symbol of this covenant, thus it is called the baptismal covenant. As above, so below; as below, so above.
The Wide and Narrow Paths
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:13-14 KJV
With our conversations on grace and works, and in mitzvah and the sacraments, there is likely still some confusion. As human beings we tend to separate then regroup things. Yet God asks us to bring things together (see John 17). And so many ask themselves, how can we rely fully on grace if we do good works? How can we do good works if we rely on grace? And most importantly, if the path is that narrow, how can we know if we are truly saved? The answers are simple: we receive what we receive, do what we do and know what we believe is true because we are on the path of teshuvah. We know because we know.
8 Threads of the Garments of the Priesthood
When one enters the ministry they are ordained to the priesthood. We are then, being clean, given the Garments of the Priesthood. In the Book of Remembrance, the Lord God sends Raphael to teach us the deeper symbolism of the Garments
Serving Others
“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” Mosiah 1:49 RAV, 2:17 OPV
In Kabbalah, there is a focus on moving away from Ego towards godly altruism. The essence of not just Mormon Kabbalah, but every form of Kabbalah is “love thy neighbor as thyself,” the second greatest commandment as taught by Jesus (Leviticus 19:18, 33-34). Kabbalist teacher Rav Akiva taught that loving others as we love ourselves is the purpose of all spiritual teachings and the very heart of our spiritual work. Altruism, to the Kabbalist, isn’t just giving, it is serving others; it’s not just a hand out, it is a help up. And, it is more than what we do or what we give, there is a focus on the how and the why as well.
For the Benefit of the Church
The following revelation was given to the prophet David in Long Beach, California on December 5, 2018. In this revelation, the prophet David is told the Lord’s will for the Fellowship in regard to the Sections of the Doctrine and Covenants given to Community of Christ from the Lord.
Worshipping at Home
“And in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” -Acts 5:42
Some of the members of the Fellowship currently attend local congregations of other branches of our shared religion. While there are over 100 Latter Day Saint denominations that doesn’t mean there will be a place of worship near everyone. And that’s okay, the Lord has told us we only need two or three people to worship in His name (Matthew 18: 20).
Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter
“Become a people of the Temple—those who see violence but proclaim peace, who feel conflict yet extend the hand of reconciliation, who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing.” Doctrines of the Saints 2c:14
Once we’re saved, there are different tasks the Lord calls us to do; all are disciples, some are ministers. Ministers may have various offices and ministries. All ministers should have a dedicated temple area and an altar in their home. What does it mean to have a temple in our homes? This refers to creating a safe space where one my do or prepare to do the Lord’s works.
The Law of Sarah
The following revelation was given through David in Ohio on January 11, 2018. David was studying the 132nd section of the Latter-day Saints’ Doctrine and Covenants, and upon reading the last verse he prayed to know when we would reveal more unto us as promised. He was told the two revelations given on April 18, 2016 were answers to that promise and given further information. This revelation was voted and accepted as scripture by the Council of Elders of the Fellowship January 5, 2019. We ask members of the Fellowship to read this revelation prayerfully to determine if it should be added to the Fellowship canon in preparation of the vote April 6, 2019.
An Angelic Voice
A history of the prophet David’s mother learning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This account is based on a talk given at a baptism by the First Elder’s mother, as recorded in his journal, and recollections of stories relayed to him by his mother. Summer of 1978.
Questions on Marriage
The following revelation was given to David for the Fellowship of Christ in Ohio on April 18, 2016. The Lord answers questions about marriage on the original Latter Day Saint church and for the Fellowship. In January of 2018 David was studying the 132nd section of the Latter-day Saints’ Doctrine and Covenants, and upon reading the last verse he prayed to know when we would reveal more unto us as promised. He was told the two revelations given on this date were answers to that promise. This revelation was voted and accepted as scripture by the Council of Elders of the Fellowship January 5, 2019, and by the General Assembly of the Saints April 6, 2019.
Stakes of Zion
A Revelation given to Joseph Smith Jr. in Kirtland Ohio, January 12, 1838 upon an inquiry being made of the Lord, whither any branch of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints can be considered a stake of Zion until they have acknowledged the authority of the First Presidency by a vote of such Church. Recorded as Doctrine of the Saints Section 72,