OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE: MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES

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Brethren and Sistren:

At this moment, I'm feeling moved to share with you some of my favorite passages from our HOLY BIBLE.

Well, to start out with, I reckon the very first of my selected favorite passages would be JUDGES 21:25,

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Now, THAT is freedom!

Oh, if ONLY we could live like that, with no laws and no government, just doing what we, as individuals, thought was right.

Next, we have my pornographic dream, ISAIAH 4:1,

"And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

Hey, after all, I am a guy, and a LONELY guy, so, what do you want?

Next we come to an old reliable, JOHN 6:66-69,

"From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

On Saturday 06 May 1967, I was baptized a convert in The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, also known as the "Mormon" church.

Since that time, I have witnessed many changes in our Church, and there have been statements made by the leaders of our Church with which I could not agree.

I'm not sure I can even find the right words to express what it is that's bothering me about all this, but it's obvious our nation's government has become corrupted, and I suspect our Church has too, especially since our Church embraces the very worst of society's contemporary corruption, which is official use of "political correctness" in its publications and statements.

But, when the duly appointed leaders of our Church do and say things which sorely try my faith, I turn to JOHN 6:66-69, and follow the example of Peter.

Next, armed renegade that I am, my favorite scripture is LUKE 22:36,

"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

According to Luke, who was the only one who recorded it, this was the final commandment given by our Lord at the Last Supper, just prior to going to the Garden of Gethsemane.

At that time, it was the custom to be armed, for the scriptures clearly indicate the quick response by at least two (02) of the apostles, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, those weapons were actually used.

Now, here's a REALLY favorite scripture of mine!

We members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints are cognizant that the prophet, Joseph Smith wrote about the impact he felt when reading JAMES 1:5,

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Brethren and Sistren, there is a REASON that scripture had such effect on Joseph Smith, and that reason is given in the very FIRST Verse of the First Chapter of JAMES,

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."

Joseph Smith responded to that scripture because he was a direct blood descendent of Israel, as are many, if not most, of the peoples native to the British Isles, Scandinavia, and/or Northern Europe.

Many years ago, when I was married, my wife's favorite scripture, which she loved to have me read aloud to her, was PROVERBS 31:10-31.

Due to its length, I won't copy it into this message.

When I was sleeping, I dreamed I was at church, and folks were all going inside the chapel for the meeting.

However, I wandered away, curious about an adjacent road, following it to a dirt road leading into a deserted, barren wilderness area.

I was wearing my cavalry spurs and my cavalry stetson, with my .357 magnum revolver holstered on my hip.

I turned away from the wilderness and headed back towards the chapel.

As I approached a ranch house, a dog in the yard began barking, and I wondered if I'd have to shoot that dog?

But, a boy came out of the house, and calmed the dog.

I think we may have had a conversation, and I may have petted the dog.

Then, I continued to the chapel, where they were having a Christmas program.

A feeling of peace came over me, as I finally accepted the reality that I was different than all the other Mormons, and would have to live my own life my own way, preferring a life of solitude exploring the wide open spaces of the high desert wilderness.

And, to quote Tiny Tim Cratchit, the character created by Charles Dickens in his novel, "A CHRISTMAS CAROL",