Comments for BLOG von mir http://blog.mwholt.com Thoughtful writings, curious notes, and LDS doctrinal commentaries of Matthew W. Holt. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:41:08 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on 1 Nephi 3:7 by Josh http://blog.mwholt.com/1-nephi-37/comment-page-1/#comment-2341 Josh Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:41:08 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=443#comment-2341 No what I love about this scripture? Nephi said he would go and do anything the Lord told him to do, then in the next chapter, it turns out, Nephi had *no idea* how to do it! He knew he had to get the plates from Laban, but he and his brothers couldn't figure out how to do it... until Nephi was "lead by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." Sometimes, the way prepared for us by the Lord isn't as obvious as I sometimes assume it should be, but can only be found by following the Spirit. No what I love about this scripture? Nephi said he would go and do anything the Lord told him to do, then in the next chapter, it turns out, Nephi had *no idea* how to do it! He knew he had to get the plates from Laban, but he and his brothers couldn’t figure out how to do it… until Nephi was “lead by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.” Sometimes, the way prepared for us by the Lord isn’t as obvious as I sometimes assume it should be, but can only be found by following the Spirit.

]]> Comment on Posts Slowing Down by Hannah http://blog.mwholt.com/posts-slowing-down/comment-page-1/#comment-2327 Hannah Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:17:19 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=447#comment-2327 Well then I better get as many comments in as I can before you go. :) Well then I better get as many comments in as I can before you go. :)

]]> Comment on The Glory Behind the Vail by Laura Priest http://blog.mwholt.com/the-glory-behind-the-vail/comment-page-1/#comment-2315 Laura Priest Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:06:08 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=436#comment-2315 That is quite amazing, really. That is quite amazing, really.

]]> Comment on The Universe is Big by Laura Priest http://blog.mwholt.com/the-universe-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-2312 Laura Priest Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:27:04 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=434#comment-2312 That's one of the reasons why I love star gazing, it's a good time to just sit in amazement and appreciation. That’s one of the reasons why I love star gazing, it’s a good time to just sit in amazement and appreciation.

]]> Comment on Prayer Surrounds the Atonement by Matt http://blog.mwholt.com/prayer-surrounds-the-atonement/comment-page-1/#comment-2308 Matt Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:01:08 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=421#comment-2308 Good point. It is like the grand Amen. Good point. It is like the grand Amen.

]]> Comment on Prayer Surrounds the Atonement by Josh http://blog.mwholt.com/prayer-surrounds-the-atonement/comment-page-1/#comment-2305 Josh Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:53:04 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=421#comment-2305 And finally, it's as if Christ cried Amen in the Joseph Smith Translation footnote of Matt. 27: 50 (also John 19: 30): Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost. And finally, it’s as if Christ cried Amen in the Joseph Smith Translation footnote of Matt. 27: 50 (also John 19: 30): Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost.

]]> Comment on Lesson for Young Women: Part 2 by Hannah http://blog.mwholt.com/lesson-for-young-women-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2302 Hannah Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:35:18 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=392#comment-2302 I got behind. You've been busy posting. This is a nice review. I got behind. You’ve been busy posting. This is a nice review.

]]> Comment on Lesson for Young Women: Part 4 by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/lesson-for-young-women-part-4/comment-page-1/#comment-2300 Mom Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:45:49 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=402#comment-2300 In a word.....cool. In a word…..cool.

]]> Comment on Lesson for Young Women: Part 3 by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/lesson-for-young-women-part-3/comment-page-1/#comment-2299 Mom Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:30:57 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=395#comment-2299 Interesting description of these most difficult of sins.....I had never thought of the "unpardonable sin" as the destruction of spiritual life.....but now I can see how that is true. In the words of the prophet, Joseph Smith: "“Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 358.) Interesting description of these most difficult of sins…..I had never thought of the “unpardonable sin” as the destruction of spiritual life…..but now I can see how that is true. In the words of the prophet, Joseph Smith: ““Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 358.)

]]> Comment on Isaiah 55:8-9 by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/isaiah-558-9/comment-page-1/#comment-2288 Mom Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:36:27 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=386#comment-2288 Yeah, we're foolish alright, but it's hard to resist the temptation to try to be like our Father in Heaven. We see His wisdom, His strength, and it's only natural that we would want to be like Him. Alas. We truly are children and mortality is not the place to realize the fullness of this kind of dream. But some day..... Yeah, we’re foolish alright, but it’s hard to resist the temptation to try to be like our Father in Heaven. We see His wisdom, His strength, and it’s only natural that we would want to be like Him. Alas. We truly are children and mortality is not the place to realize the fullness of this kind of dream. But some day…..

]]> Comment on Lesson for Young Women: Part 1 by Hannah http://blog.mwholt.com/lesson-for-young-women-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-2286 Hannah Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:19:56 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=388#comment-2286 I'm looking forward to seeing what more you have to say on this subject. I’m looking forward to seeing what more you have to say on this subject.

]]> Comment on The “Parts” in Heaven by Laura Priest http://blog.mwholt.com/the-parts-in-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-2279 Laura Priest Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:42:26 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=380#comment-2279 You know, I've thought a lot about this subject, more on the side of what does it mean and how is one really placed in a "part". I have a really long explanation I could type up about it, but I'm really tired right now. It's better discussed by mouth anyway than it is to be written. What I believe anyway. You know, I’ve thought a lot about this subject, more on the side of what does it mean and how is one really placed in a “part”. I have a really long explanation I could type up about it, but I’m really tired right now. It’s better discussed by mouth anyway than it is to be written. What I believe anyway.

]]> Comment on Caffeination by Laura Priest http://blog.mwholt.com/caffeination/comment-page-1/#comment-2275 Laura Priest Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:05:02 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=331#comment-2275 Personally, I prefer to stay away from caffeine and gain energy in a more natural way, like getting an adequate amount of sleep at night, staying fit and eating healthy (which are part of the word of wisdom..) I think that makes it sound like caffeine might be a way to cheat out of some of the word of wisdom. I know many people say they need their caffeine daily in order to stay awake and have energy, and as long as they have it, all's well. Not only does this show an addiction, which is something we shouldn't subject our bodies to, but the word of wisdom is designed in such a way that you shouldn't need to depend on substances in order to function. When you "use" caffeine, or perhaps maybe "over-use" it would be a better way of putting it, I feel that would be a way of abusing the word of wisdom; using it to gain something not part of the WoW plan. When you "take" it, not for any particular reason, just for the beverage flavor perhaps, I think then it is just like anything else you probably shouldn't eat, like those twinkies or candy or other fatty foods that really don't have any benefit to our health. We partake of them anyway (guilty!), and none of them are mentioned in the word of wisdom, but we know they are not good for us. Occasionally having a sweet snack is ok. That won't destroy our bodies over time. But to "over-use" anything like that, be it caffeine, sweets, fatty foods, THAT is where I say it is not ok and should be frowned upon. It is unhealthy and, if you wanted to look this deep, somewhat disrespectful to one of the most important and greatest blessings the Lord has given us; our bodies. We should treat them like a temple, both inside and out. That's my say. Personally, I prefer to stay away from caffeine and gain energy in a more natural way, like getting an adequate amount of sleep at night, staying fit and eating healthy (which are part of the word of wisdom..)
I think that makes it sound like caffeine might be a way to cheat out of some of the word of wisdom. I know many people say they need their caffeine daily in order to stay awake and have energy, and as long as they have it, all’s well. Not only does this show an addiction, which is something we shouldn’t subject our bodies to, but the word of wisdom is designed in such a way that you shouldn’t need to depend on substances in order to function.
When you “use” caffeine, or perhaps maybe “over-use” it would be a better way of putting it, I feel that would be a way of abusing the word of wisdom; using it to gain something not part of the WoW plan. When you “take” it, not for any particular reason, just for the beverage flavor perhaps, I think then it is just like anything else you probably shouldn’t eat, like those twinkies or candy or other fatty foods that really don’t have any benefit to our health. We partake of them anyway (guilty!), and none of them are mentioned in the word of wisdom, but we know they are not good for us. Occasionally having a sweet snack is ok. That won’t destroy our bodies over time. But to “over-use” anything like that, be it caffeine, sweets, fatty foods, THAT is where I say it is not ok and should be frowned upon. It is unhealthy and, if you wanted to look this deep, somewhat disrespectful to one of the most important and greatest blessings the Lord has given us; our bodies. We should treat them like a temple, both inside and out.

That’s my say.

]]> Comment on Bad Things for Good People? by Laura http://blog.mwholt.com/bad-things-for-good-people/comment-page-1/#comment-2274 Laura Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:35:34 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=348#comment-2274 There was an article in a recent Ensign similar to this, mostly focusing on ones like 2 and 5. I'm grateful to understand this, and it is very saddening to me when I hear people negatively question God, live in a woeful state and sincerely believe He has abandoned them. Reminds me of a message I saw on a church's marquee here, it said something like "If you find a distance has grown between you and the Lord, who do you think moved?" There was an article in a recent Ensign similar to this, mostly focusing on ones like 2 and 5.
I’m grateful to understand this, and it is very saddening to me when I hear people negatively question God, live in a woeful state and sincerely believe He has abandoned them.
Reminds me of a message I saw on a church’s marquee here, it said something like “If you find a distance has grown between you and the Lord, who do you think moved?”

]]> Comment on Some Commentary on Agency by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/some-commentary-on-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-2273 Mom Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:47:42 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=365#comment-2273 Woah......I can't add to or improve what you said here. Very awesome and very true.....all of it. High Five!!! Woah……I can’t add to or improve what you said here. Very awesome and very true…..all of it. High Five!!!

]]> Comment on Alma 60:36 by Brian Ensign http://blog.mwholt.com/alma-6036/comment-page-1/#comment-2270 Brian Ensign Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:24:29 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=357#comment-2270 I think that most people know that we often attribute an unhealthy level of deism to our political leaders. But the idea that a well-spoken, friendly, and seemingly invincible leader can solve everything for us is very appealing, and today's society is not accustomed to disciplining itself and paying attention to reality. Anyone with even a rudimentary education in history knows the dangers of delegating too much authority to anyone, but we often do illogical things, so it should follow that those lessons are either forgotten or ignored. I think that most people know that we often attribute an unhealthy level of deism to our political leaders. But the idea that a well-spoken, friendly, and seemingly invincible leader can solve everything for us is very appealing, and today’s society is not accustomed to disciplining itself and paying attention to reality. Anyone with even a rudimentary education in history knows the dangers of delegating too much authority to anyone, but we often do illogical things, so it should follow that those lessons are either forgotten or ignored.

]]> Comment on A Quote on Agency by Michael http://blog.mwholt.com/a-quote-on-agency/comment-page-1/#comment-2269 Michael Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:07:51 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=362#comment-2269 you are right--we are free to choose, but not free to pick the consequences of our choices. you are right–we are free to choose, but not free to pick the consequences of our choices.

]]> Comment on Alma 60:36 by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/alma-6036/comment-page-1/#comment-2268 Mom Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:16:59 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=357#comment-2268 Your last two questions.....I can't even imagine that right now. I honestly wish I could, but I can't. This is part and parcel of living in the Last Days and I need to remind myself not to whine. After all, I was reserved for this time period and I'm pretty sure it's because I wanted it that way. I believe that somewhere, out there, there are people who are being prepared to come forward when we need them most. Some of those people may be reading and contributing to this blog. People like Moroni who "was a strong and a mighty man; he was a ma of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood." Would that our leaders would be required to take such an oath of office today. It would certainly thin the ranks a little.... Your last two questions…..I can’t even imagine that right now. I honestly wish I could, but I can’t. This is part and parcel of living in the Last Days and I need to remind myself not to whine. After all, I was reserved for this time period and I’m pretty sure it’s because I wanted it that way. I believe that somewhere, out there, there are people who are being prepared to come forward when we need them most. Some of those people may be reading and contributing to this blog. People like Moroni who “was a strong and a mighty man; he was a ma of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.” Would that our leaders would be required to take such an oath of office today. It would certainly thin the ranks a little….

]]> Comment on Bad Things for Good People? by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/bad-things-for-good-people/comment-page-1/#comment-2266 Mom Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:35:19 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=348#comment-2266 When I look at these six reasons, I can see the different facets of them.....but I also see where numbers 1, 3, and 4 are strongly influenced (much of the time) by our own agency...by the choices we make. I rather like that. When I look at these six reasons, I can see the different facets of them…..but I also see where numbers 1, 3, and 4 are strongly influenced (much of the time) by our own agency…by the choices we make. I rather like that.

]]> Comment on Bad Things for Good People? by Kayla Sharee http://blog.mwholt.com/bad-things-for-good-people/comment-page-1/#comment-2265 Kayla Sharee Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:26:01 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=348#comment-2265 We learned about this in church today!! :) We learned about this in church today!! :)

]]> Comment on How Great Thou Art by Laura http://blog.mwholt.com/how-great-thou-art/comment-page-1/#comment-2264 Laura Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:07:53 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=338#comment-2264 I absolutely love this hymn. The lyrics, the melody, verse and chorus, harmony, all of it is beautiful. I absolutely love this hymn. The lyrics, the melody, verse and chorus, harmony, all of it is beautiful.

]]> Comment on How Great Thou Art by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/how-great-thou-art/comment-page-1/#comment-2262 Mom Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:32:31 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=338#comment-2262 Our stake choir got to sing this song during one of the dedications of the Nauvoo Temple. Myself, I couldn't think about the words too much or I'd choke up and couldn't sing. It's a great song. Our stake choir got to sing this song during one of the dedications of the Nauvoo Temple. Myself, I couldn’t think about the words too much or I’d choke up and couldn’t sing. It’s a great song.

]]> Comment on An Isaiaic Prophecy Fulfilled by Mom http://blog.mwholt.com/an-isaiaic-prophecy-fulfilled/comment-page-1/#comment-2261 Mom Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:30:49 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=340#comment-2261 Very true. And don't forget Stephen as he was being stoned in Acts 7:55. He testified before he died that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And then there was the time right after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. As he was walking up out of the water, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Two separate personages. And the more you read the New Testament, the more it makes sense. Very comforting. Very true. And don’t forget Stephen as he was being stoned in Acts 7:55. He testified before he died that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And then there was the time right after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. As he was walking up out of the water, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Two separate personages. And the more you read the New Testament, the more it makes sense. Very comforting.

]]> Comment on Prophecy vs. Prophesy by Kayla Sharee http://blog.mwholt.com/prophecy-vs-prophesy/comment-page-1/#comment-2260 Kayla Sharee Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:54:41 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/prophecy-vs-prophesy/#comment-2260 Sounds right to me :) Sounds right to me :)

]]> Comment on Caffeination by Matt http://blog.mwholt.com/caffeination/comment-page-1/#comment-2259 Matt Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:01:18 +0000 http://blog.mwholt.com/?p=331#comment-2259 Yeah... I also think there is more to consider than *just* the Word of Wisdom given in the 89th section of D&C... in today's world, we also should reference even more recent counsel to supplement the Scriptures. Modern revelation is a wonderful resource and gift! Yeah… I also think there is more to consider than *just* the Word of Wisdom given in the 89th section of D&C… in today’s world, we also should reference even more recent counsel to supplement the Scriptures. Modern revelation is a wonderful resource and gift!

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