What is this all about?

Welcome to my blog. This is where I will be posting some spiritual thoughts and observations that I encounter in my study of the holy scriptures, namely The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, and the words of ancient and modern prophets that I see fit to include.

This blog is simultaneously an instrument in helping me to do my daily scripture study, to help me to produce material I hope to include later in books, and to help me to share the valuable lessons I learn with others. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon, or LDS), and whenever I refer to "The Church", it is the LDS church to which I am referring unless I specify otherwise.

I will do my best to remain scripturally accurate, while at the same time acknowledging my own lack of knowledge of the scriptures and their correct interpretations. I do not claim to be 100% error free with everything that I say. I may say some things that are severely inaccurate, but I am willing to learn and to change my opinions and views as truths are revealed to me. This also doesn't mean that I will take and accept any and all criticism or correction. I look at everything with a critical eye, and if something enters into conflict with those very few things that I know to be absolute, unchangeable truths, then it will not be accepted, and I will move onto other things. But should something show up that agrees completely with those truths, then I will admit it into the realm of possibilities until either experience or prompting from the Holy Spirit should compel me to include it in my list of absolute truths. And at all times, it is important to keep in mind that any single line of scripture could have been designed by God to have multiple interpretations and applications, and so I will probably never come close to presenting the fullness of a scripture's meaning.

Now, of course, the posts here will very frequently be sprinkled with my own flavor of humor, and will be filled with my own personal application of the word of God. I don't include these things as a disrespect to the scriptures or the Lord, as I believe that the Lord too has a sense of humor and approves of lifting the spirits of others with such, should it be done in good taste. Believe me, I love and respect the word of God above any other word, no matter who else it may come from, but I believe it should be read with joy, and rejoicing, not just inflexible seriousness and solemnity.

That being said, I will be writing for the books that I wish to compile. Three of which are the following:

• The Discourses on Love and Tolerance
• Commentary on the Book of Mormon
• and finally, Becoming Christ

The Discourses on Love and Tolerance will be a book about the principles that bring people together. I attempt to explain to those both religious and non-religious the principles and purpose of being loving and tolerant, in spite of the unfortunately incorrect definitions of those two terms in modern culture. I will post for this book every once in a while. The actual meat of the book will be published as a whole when it is completed.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon is a book that I started as I was serving a 2 year mission in Brazil. It's is simply my thoughts and observation on specific parts and verses in the Book of Mormon as I read through it. This will continue to be written, perhaps until the day I die, at which time it will become an heirloom for my children and further descendents. I will be posting for this book frequently.

And Becoming Christ is a book about the 5 basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The Gift of The Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End), and how they help us to become like Him. They will delve a little further into the clarification of these principles, their purposes, and their application. Instead of focusing solely on the what of the gospel, I will be focusing even more on the whys and hows of the gospel, both to motivate and encourage others as they seek to apply the gospel in their lives. This may not be included as frequently as other book purposed posts, but it will have it's place in my studies and spiritual focus.

Other books that I am writing on a "I hope one day to finish this" basis, that may or not find place on this blog, include a book about the plan of salvation and the amazing properties of each part and event, and how they link together, a book about the 10 Commandments of God and their purposes and links to the other commandments in the scriptures, and a book that answers the most common questions that people have about God, whether or not he exists, the purpose of our time here on earth and the trials we encounter, and many other such questions.

Hopefully there is enough room on this blog, and in your hearts for my words.

Now I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with this "daily" goal I have for this blog, especially now as I prepare to head to BYU, but I will do my best, and I know that at least I, if not anyone else, need to study the scriptures with more dedication and study, and record the lessons I learn in them.

So, without further ado, welcome to my blog. I hope that you'll find answers and comfort in the lessons I learn and write here.

Thank you for reading, and may The Lord guide you in all things.

Sincerely and humbly,
Steven