What Does the Bible Say About the Word of Wisdom?

Peculiar to modern Christendom is the Latter-day Saint observance of a physical health law. While so,e of the abstinence are embraced by other minority groups and orthodox religions, eyebrows are still raised when individuals are brought to awares. Some are astonished, motivated to do good, or sincerely curious as to why. Others are bewildered, unbelieving, apathetic, or nonchalant.

My objective is to help my Father's children understand this Word of Wisdom which the Lord has given through the prophet Joseph Smith; along with Bible references for sincere seekers to see.

In 1833, the Lord revealed to the prophet a word of wisdom, now recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants section 89. In it we are advised to abstain from wine, strong drink, tobacco, and hot drinks. We are also advised to partake of wholesome herbs, fruit, and grain. Lastly, to the bane of many, to eat meat sparingly (along with protocols of keeping it only in winter - they didn't have any fridges).

The Lord promises those who are obedient an increased portion of His Spirit, greater health and strength (relative to their own circumstances), more wisdom and knowledge, and divine protection (in accordance with His plans).

Later, Later-day Saints were asked to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, illegal drugs, and other harmful/addictive substances as commandment from the Lord. This is a requirement for baptism, and entrance into any LDS temple worldwide. Furthermore, regular exercise, fruit, vegetables, grain, herbs, and sparing portions of meat are strongly encouraged. The Lord cares about our lives in more than just some ways. However, for the purpose of this post, I'll focus on that which was given by way of commandment; no alcohol, no tobacco, no coffee, no tea, no illegal drugs, and no other harmful/addictive substances.

In an epistle to Corinth, the apostle Paul addresses divisions among the saints. He says that they are not yet able to handle meat, or greater truth. Rather, they are given milk, or basic truth, - which is that they are the temple of God, and that if they are faithful they will inherit all things. They are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. ...And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17,23.

In a similar tone, though addressing sexual immorality, Paul says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Who do we belong to? Ourselves? Of course not. We are sons and daughters of God. We are bought with an incredible price. We are His. As such, it becomes our responsibility to care for this body which we have been given. For, one day, we will stand accountable for the decisions we have made (see Revelation 20:12-13).

My companions and I are often asked why? Why should be abstain from such and such? Often followed by copious justifications. As I've mentioned before, our purpose is never to force anyone to do or believe what we've come to know. We help people understand, and invite them to come unto Christ through obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel. So why?

Why no alcohol?
Proverbs 20:1 says it best, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
See also Proverbs 23:29-35.
We don't need to get into the technicalities of drunkenness, behaviour alterations, poor decision-making, health risks, safety jeopardies, broken relations, etc... Though real.
God has asked us not to, so we don't.
According to the Lord, our wine is to be "pure wine of the vine of the grape" and "made new among [us]" - if we decide to have any (see D&C 89:6 and D&C 27:4). Note the words pure and new. Fortunately, our current emblem for the sacrament is water. Makes things a whole lot easier.
Additionally, "strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of [our] bodies" (see D&C 89:7). Let the physicians and the surgeons, and other medical and healthcare practitioners, be wise in their washing, cleaning, treating, prescription, and use of alcohol with regards to the human body.

Why no tobacco?
Did you know that smoking and chewing tobacco wasn't a thing until 1531? That's why you won't find Biblical prophets warning us of the dangers that come from smoking. That's what the prophets in these latter days are for.
But let's be honest for a second, prophets aren't the only ones telling us that smoking is bad. Granted, they were the first, but as it usually does, science caught up.
To quote a recent convert, "Even the cigarette box says it's dangerous."
"O be wise; what can I say more?" - Jacob 6:12.
The Lord doesn't want us to struggle unnecessarily. He loves us, and has asked us to abstain from tobacco.
He has told us "tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgement and skill" (see D&C 89:8).
I, for one,have no idea how to treat cattle. Until I learn how, I have no business using tobacco in the slightest.

Why no coffee?
Most people don't realise the harmful effects coffee has on the human body. Or, like with cigarettes, simply don't care - or believe.
Have you ever hear someone say, I need my coffee?
Heavenly Father doesn't want that. If any substance dictates the way we feel, it's a problem. Unless it's been prescribed to correct an existing condition. Now, I know that different people react differently to coffee, or any other kind of substance.
The Lord has said that the Word of Wisdom was "[g]iven for a principle with a promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints" (see D&C 89:3).
Imagine the chaos if the Lord began giving individualised requirements for entrance into His kingdom. His house is a house of order (see D&C 132:8). And, as with all commandments, we follow because He has asked us to.
No, coffee's earliest known use was middle 15th century.
And, to clarify, caffeine is not the reason. Coffee is; specifically, the coffee bean.
I also learnt, on mission, that there's a difference between coffee and coffee flavouring. However, that's getting technical and requires us to read the ingredients label - properly.
I'd, personally, stay away from technicalities. I've seen how easy it is to make a mistake, and immediately feel to justify it.

Why no tea?
Because the Lord has asked us not to.
Many have acclaimed tannin to be the problem causer. Apparently, when finding the titanic, they found floating stomachs (stained with tannin from all the tea they'd been drinking).
However, God knows all things, and has said that it's not good.
Now, South Africa is renown for it's natural and herbal teas. Rooibos, specifically, is a-okay.
"[A]ll wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man" (see D&C 89:10).

Why no illegal drugs?
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.​" - Articles of Faith 1:12 (see also Proverbs 24:21 and Ecclesiastes 8:2)​.
I remember sharing this article with a friend back home. They saw it as something sinister. I was baffled, but respectful of their opinion. For me, it was easier. My mother had always taught me that, as Christians, we follows two laws; God's law, and man's law - in that order.
I don't need to get into details as to why it is illegal, harmful, or addictive. We get enough of that at school. Though, I'd like to add, even prescriptions drugs are bad if they haven't been prescribed, or if they're abused.

Why no other harmful/addictive substances?
Again, our body is a gift. Look after it. Any addiction or harmful substance takes away from our potential as Heavenly Father's children.

I know that these things are true, and that they've been given out of love.

What Does the Bible say about The Book of Mormon?

Another LDS Smith addition to the "What does the Bible say?" collection. This time, all about The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and some common rebuttals against open canon scripture addressed.

First, what do we believe?

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." - Articles of Faith 1:9.

In other words, we believe in open canon scripture. Ancient Middle Eastern prophets received revelation from God, and recorded it in what we now know as The Holy Bible. Prophets from the ancient Americas received revelation from God, and recorded it in what we now know as The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith, and successive latter-day prophets, receive(d) revelation from God, and record(ed) it in what we now know as The Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as in other sacred records and documents.

Now isn't that a mouth full? In short, unlike most Christians, Latter-day Saints believe in scripture other than just the Bible.

But you cannot add or remove from the Bible!

Agreed, God's word is irrevocable. Now, let's assume that the Bible is free of crept-in error (2 Timothy 4:4). What does this statement really mean? Where does it really come from?

The answer: Revelation 22:18-19. Do not add or remove from that which God has revealed.

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19, emphasis added.

I love these verses. And, in addressing its use as a rebuttal, I'm reminded of the words spoken by an MTC lecturer of min: "This is when you need to teach them English." Note the emphasis on this book; in other words, the book of Revelation - not the Bible, which actually means many books.

Deuteronomy 4:2 clarifies what is meant by the above verse, as it gives the same warning.

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2.

If interpreted to mean 'no further scripture ever to be given', then no scripture proceeding Deuteronomy 4:2 can be considered (logic error). Rather, the verse warns against those who would change the commandments or revelations from God by either adding or removing from which God has already given.

For example, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13) should not be altered to "Thou shalt not kill at night" (add) or "Thou shalt kill" (remove).

Nowhere does it say that God cannot or will not give more.

But the Bible is all we need!

Then why don't we use the Bible, and see what it has to say about the Book of Mormon?

"Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." - Genesis 11:9.

The Book of Ether, found in the Book of Mormon, is a record of the Jaredites, "[w]hich Jared came forth with his brother and their families, with some others and their families, from the great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swore in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered" (Ether 1:33).

"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:" - Genesis 49:22.

This verse requires the use of our spiritual ears, since it is a blessing from Jacob to Joseph. Joseph is a fruitful, many progenitors, bough, vineyard. The house of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord (see Isaiah 5:7, Jeremiah 12:10, Luke 20:9, and Mark 12:9), wherefrom scripture proceeds.

[W]hose branches run over the wall, like a tree branches off, so too would the tribe of Joseph, with some going out of the land (see Jacob 2:25, Alma 26:36, 1 Nephi 15:12, 1 Nephi 15:16, 1 Nephi 19:24, and 2 Nephi 3:4), wherefrom scripture could proceed.

See also Deuteronomy 33:16-17, using spiritual ears once more. Note the gathering of Israel, a primary duty of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The remainder of Joseph's blessing reads:

"The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." - Genesis 49:23-26.

Persecution against the accounts of the Book of Mormon was prophesied long before its arrival, but the Lord will strengthen, and bless, His people.

"Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." - Psalm 85:11.

The records from which the Book of Mormon were translated came, literally, from the earth, with all the blessings from heaven being fully restored (see Mormon 8:16, and Moses 7:62).

"Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!" - D&C 128:19.

"And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust,and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit,out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." - Isaiah 29:4.

Only The Book of Mormon can explain who the nation like unto Ariel is, and how it was brought low. Their voice shall whisper out of the dust (see Moroni 10:27), come forth out of the ground (see above analysis on Psalm 85:11), and shall be as one that has a familiar spirit.

"For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall whisper out of the dust. For thus saith the Lord God: They shall write the things which shall be done among them, and they shall be written and sealed up in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of God." - 2 Nephi 26:16-17.

"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned,saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me,and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." - Isaiah 29:11-14.

"But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him to whom he shall deliver the book:Take these words which are not sealed and deliver them to another, that he may show them unto the learned, saying:Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring hither the book, and I will read them. And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain will they say this, and not for the glory of God. And the man shall say: I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed. Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it. Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the words thereof to him that is not learned; and the man that is not learned shall say: I am not learned. Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee." - 2 Nephi 27:15-20.

“I went to the city of New York, and presented the characters which had been translated, with the translation thereof, to Professor Charles Anthon, a gentleman celebrated for his literary attainments. Professor Anthon stated that the translation was correct, more so than any he had before seen translated from the Egyptian. I then showed him those which were not yet translated, and he said that they were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac, and Arabic; and he said they were true characters. He gave me a certificate, certifying to the people of Palmyra that they w ere true characters, and that the translation of such of them as had been translated was also correct. I took the certificate and put it into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God had revealed it unto him. “He then said to me, ‘Let me see that certificate.’ I accordingly took it out of my pocket and gave it to him,when he took it and tore it to pieces, saying that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I would bring the plates to him he would translate them. I informed him that part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book.’ I left him and went to Dr. Mitchell, who sanctioned what Professor Anthon had said respecting both the characters and the translation.” - Joseph Smith-History 1:64-65.

"And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity,and out of darkness." - Isaiah 29:18.

Literally, yes, the deaf have received its words, and the blind have seen its glory. Moreover, however, the hardhearted and obstinate will come to know, as have some, as many others have seen through the blazon obscurity of anti-Mormon literature.

And here comes some of my favourite Biblical prophecies:

"The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim,and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes." - Ezekiel 37:15-20.

The Lord instructed Judah to keep a record, and Joseph to do the same. Judah kept a record which now constitutes the Bible. Joseph, in the hand of Ephraim, kept a record which now constitutes The Book of Mormon. In the latter days, the Lord will bring them together as one.

"Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord." - 2 Nephi 3:12.

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." - John 10:16.

I don't know how much clearer the Saviour could have been. God speaks to all His children, not just some.

"This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them: That other sheep I have which are not of this fold;them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." - 3 Nephi 15:16-17, 21.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" - Revelation 14:6.

Moroni, an angel of God, appeared before Joseph Smith, standing in the air ("fly in the midst of heaven"), to tell him of The Book of Mormon, which contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel that would be preached to 'them that dwell on earth' (missionary work).

There we have it, a series of Biblical prophecies concerning the coming forth of another witness of Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 13:1, and Deuteronomy 19:15).

God thought it important. Who are we to say that it is not?

What Does the Bible Say About the Great Apostasy?

Perhaps unique to LDS doctrine is that a complete, and total, apostasy has occurred. In other words, the Church Jesus Christ established while He was on the Earth, and the authority to administer therein, fell away completely proceeding the death of His apostles.

A basic consideration would be the evident number of creeds and denominations circulating the drain of Christian religion today. We all agree that there is a God. However, the nature of such a God varies greatly from one sect to the next.

He is a Spirit.

He is the Father of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

He is Jesus Christ.

He has a perfect body of flesh and bone.

He is an intelligence.

We cannot know Him.

We can know Him.

Another concept to note would be that all Christians believe faith in Jesus Christ attains us unto salvation. Though, what one understands faith to be differs almost fully from what another describes it be. For instance:

My faith is my belief.

My faith is my religion.

My faith is my works.

My faith is enough.

And then there is the divers numbers and modes of baptism; including infant baptism, immersion [once, thrice, and seven times over], affusion (pouring), and aspersion (sprinkling). Not to mention the questions of where it is performed and by whom it is performed.

The problem is, Ephesians 4:5 clearly states that there is "One Lord, one faith, one baptism[.]" Therefore, the argument that there are different churches for different persons renders null and void. Else there is no absolute truth, and if there be no absolute truth, then there is no reason or point to the Christian religion.

So the question is, What does the Bible say about a Great Apostasy? And when did it occur, if ever?

We know that Jesus Christ did a many great and marvelous works during His ministry here on Earth. He established His Church by calling twelve and ordaining them to the work (Mark 3:14). He healed the sick, raised the dead, and told the apostles to do the same (Matthew 10:8).

In addition, He prophesied of many things to come. While on the mount of Olives, Jesus Christ sat with His apostles and told them of the destruction of Jerusalem. In His discourse, He said the following:

Matthew 24:8-11 "All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

I imagine sitting amongst them as Jesus foretold of their persecution and death. In plain words He said, "they ... shall kill you". Also that many false prophets would rise, and that MANY would be deceived.

 I find it interesting that the same Roman Empire that persecuted and killed Jesus Christ and His apostles adopted Christianity as their own state religion years later. It is from that adopted religion that we see the many reformist creeds and denominations rise - many of whom sincerely believed in their own faith and denomination.

Even Paul spoke of these happenings in his farewell to the elders of the Church at Ephesus, before departing to Jerusalem.

Acts 20:28-31 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

"Watch, and remember". After his departing would it have begun. But what catches my eye the most "night and day with tears." It just creates the image of how grievous this falling away would be, and as I read and think of what must've happened between then and now (with all these conflicting churches left, right, and center), I feel his tears.

is that he warned them

Even in a letter to his son, Paul said, "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:4).

Jesus Christ and His disciples knew an apostasy would occur. And if we just look, we can see that one undoubtedly has occurred.

So with the death of the apostles, and saints of the early Church, mankind lost the authority it required to perform the saving ordinances needed to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mankind ceased to hear the words of God. And many ran to and fro, but could not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

But I am not here to preach a message of damnation. Rather, I am called by a prophet of God to declare that His Church is here. A restoration, not a reformation, of gospel truth and authority has taken place - and it can bless the lives of families and individuals alike.

I, Finally, Did It: I Went to the Temple

Early 2013, it was an interesting Sunday--a curious one indeed. I had just come to the realisation that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints existed and stumbled upon inklings of the Temple I’d soon come to haunt over… I had just met missionaries (of any sort) for the first time. I emphasise met, because it recently occurred to me that I had, in fact, seen missionaries once before - but that’s another story; one for another time.

Today’s story is more about the Temple, otherwise known as the House of the Lord, and my long waited journey to - finally - enter in. Yes, on the 10th of January 2015, this longwinded, overly analytical, secretly critical (okay, maybe not so much secretly, says my sister’s laughs; “Tell me another one,” she’d banter), research obsessed Latter-day Saint took his first steps into rooms otherwise restricted and felt the touch of the delicate holy garments for the first time. It was a morn to be remembered.

Let’s see, the day started out quite early - well, not really. I woke up at 05:00, jumped into the shower, suited up and waited for the missionaries to arrive at 06:00. I had scheduled for the nine o’clock session and needed to be in the Temple by 07:30 (and the Distribution Centre opened at 07:00). The plan was that I’d drive the three of us to the Temple to save on petrol (or gas, as the Americans call it), but for one reason or another they decided to follow in their car (something about the APs). Oh, and they weren’t allowed to give me a lift. Shrug. So I put the address for the Johannesburg South Africa Temple into the GPS and they (Elders Broadhead and Wegrowski) followed.

It took us down a route neither of us had been before and we arrived twenty three minutes later - as opposed to forty five minutes later, as expected. “Sometimes GPSs do come in handy,” I remarked, not realising the fatality to come (stay tuned).

And we were there. Myself… and the Elders, who were kind enough to escort me through the Temple my first time ‘round. See the minio-- I mean, men on the right.

We made our venture through the Temple grounds - with Elder Wegrowski’s continued comments on how small ‘twas - and took pictures along the way. I decided, since so many pictures of me existed (of which, I had practically none), to have the Elders take a couple of shots using my phone… I still don’t have any photos from that morning. The reason? Spoilers. Suffice to say, the Elders have pictures from that morning and I do not.

We went to the Distribution Centre as it opened and entered into the Temple earlier than arranged. I was greeted by a few Priesthood Holders and the Sister with whom I had made arrangements with. Don’t ask me about names-- that’s foreign territory. I remember their faces and our conversations, but names, now that’s something I’ve never been good at.

I gave Elder Broadhead his Escort tag, which I’m not entirely certain he wanted, but I wanted him there and he didn’t exactly say no; and, from there, we headed into my initiatories (a little early). My mind was blown. I sat there, as I waited, with the image before me of Moses giving blessings at an ancient Temple. Everything made sense.

“The Old Testament means something,” I said.

Elder Broadhead smiled. He and his companion were conversing over Utahan names with another American whose name eludes me now. They were well in their comfort zone, which was good, because my mind was racing. Everything I had read, everything I had studied, came pouring through. I saw, in my mind’s eye, the Tabernacle of Moses construct itself around us with the ancient prophets themselves walking through.

The awkward candid shot.

I think of the specifics, and how detailed they are, as the words echo through my mind once again. I felt the Spirit testify and truth resound. I felt the room fill as I moved along. One after the other, I was blown away.

Isaiah 62:2 was now mine - the meaning was clear and I felt new. As Meghan (a fellow YSA from my home ward) said, “It felt like Eragon. I finally have it.”

We went on to discuss other things which I cannot discuss, but I do remember - as it ended - Elder Broadhead taking the Doctrine & Covenants, showing me his favourite verse therein.

D&C 38:32 “Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high;”

Good verse. I also pointed out, “This isn’t Ohio.” and showed him my favourite.

D&C 95:8 “Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high;”

We moved to the Chapel where we went through hymns from a white hymn book and then read
scriptures as we waited. That was when Brother Farquharson came in. After some time I rose to greet Sister Farquharson. I was filled with glee. The only one missing was Dylan.

And then came the Endowment session. Never have I ever cried for a movie before, but this wasn’t just a movie. I felt touched by every word and questions I’d debated with missionaries, ones from other churches as well, were finally answered. EVERYTHING MADE SENSE. Everything fit in. My mind was whirling and my soul was soaring. I was blessed. I am blessed. I had the Farquharsons on my left and the missionaries on my right.

As I walked into the Celestial Room, I was greeted by Brother Farquharson (Kev) and Sister Farquharson (Shan). My soul was filled with so much joy. My spiritual family was there.

I won’t say much more, because it was a sacred, beautiful experience, but know that it has been on my mind every day (and night) since.

We went out onto Temple Grounds and began taking photos (as is tradition with Kev).

I’d just like to say, the Temple is a blessing. It has opened my eyes to so much more - and I know that there is still so much more to learn. Granted, I now know all the doctrines of the Church and it’s phenomenal. I could never have expected this, through all the Anti-Mormon research, from that heart-wrenching, sickening video of the Temple I saw mere moments after discovering the Church, and in all my scepticism, heard-heartedness, critique and stubbornness.

I’ve come a long way. Brave young men taught me in all my defences, but persisted, as did the Spirit. I can honestly and truly say that the Gospel has changed my life. I’m not the same as I was before, and I won’t be the same today as I am tomorrow, and how beautiful it is that it is so. How beautiful is it that persons can grow and progress.

And, when I think about it, the Temple is one of the main reasons I’ve continued. I could have stopped seeing the missionaries. I could have stopped reading the Book of Mormon. I could’ve stopped asking questions and doing research. Especially since I was convinced that it wasn’t true, or rather, not of God. But I didn’t. I wanted to know more. No, I needed to know more. Because, deep down, I knew the things I read about the Temple weren’t true. I knew that something was inside there and I needed to find it. The missionaries were quiet – they didn’t say a word. The journey was mine. And now I can say, I’ve found it. I know what’s inside the Temple and the answer is truth. The answer is God. The answer is purpose. The answer is meaning.

It is exactly as Sister Shan said, “No other Church answers the questions ‘Where do I come from?’, ‘Why am I here?’, and ‘Where do I go after?’ as well as the restored gospel.” In fact, no other Church comes close.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is God’s Church once again established on the earth. Joseph Smith did a mighty work in bringing it back as God’s chosen Prophet. God loves us. And He has given us Temples. Let us keep our eyes set on them. For they truly are the House of the Lord.

“How far is Heaven? Not very far. In the House of the Lord, it is right where you are.”

I'm still a new-blood, of a year and roughly a month, so there's still much to learn, much to understand-- questions eating away. I'll be patient, I'll be diligent, but I still need help. I'll be zealous at times and confused at others. I need to be tried, reproofed and corrected. I am a convert-- and mainstream Christianity is not nearly the same as restorative Christianity, much less Mormonism. Even though, my sights are set; the Spirit is my compass and the Temple is my North.