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Archive for the ‘New Era Magazine Articles’ Category

New Era, ‘Take Part in the Ongoing Restoration’, p. 34, September 2020 “Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. …

It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal” (Articles of Faith 1:9). … Let us be awake and not be weary of well-doing, for we “are laying the foundation of a great work” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33), even preparing for the return of the Savior. (more…)

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New Era, ‘Hope of Israel’, June 2018 “Think of it! Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, we are the ones who get to participate in this final, great gathering event. How exciting is that!

Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase.

Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you! Worldwide Youth Devotional June 3, 2018.” — Russell Nelson (more…)

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Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

New Era, ‘Why don’t we know much about our Heavenly Mother?’, March 2017 “We know that we have both a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. This knowledge appears to have originated with Joseph Smith and has been repeatedly reinforced by inspired teachings of Church leaders over the years.

However, beyond the existence of a Heavenly Mother and the role of our Heavenly Parents in working together for the salvation and exaltation of their children, no further details about Heavenly Mother have been revealed.

For now, we know enough to understand that we are children of Heavenly Parents, who want us to become like Them…It shows us that gender is part of our eternal identity and that men and women cannot be exalted without each other. And those are rare and precious truths in themselves.” (more…)

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New Era, Questions and Answers, June 2020 “Do people with intellectual disabilities automatically go to the celestial kingdom? … Jesus Christ ministered one by one to people who were “afflicted in any manner” (see 3 Nephi 17:9). Likewise, persons with intellectual disabilities should be regarded individually.

We know that children under eight years old have not reached the “years of accountability” …and therefore “need no … baptism” …Similarly, some people who have not developed language or intellectual skills to a sufficient level may not be accountable before the Lord.”

Families work with bishops to determine whether a person with intellectual disabilities should be baptized and receive other ordinances, considering the person’s own wishes, degree of understanding, and worthiness.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “All the minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 210). [Also see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 354.]

This includes those with intellectual disabilities, who are here to gain their own experience and fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness for them. Like anyone else, they need to be taught the gospel and strive for personal growth in this life. Our job is to love and serve all of God’s children and help each other come closer to Christ.” [emp. Added] (more…)

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New Era, ‘The Greatness of Joseph Smith and His Remarkable Visions,’ December 1973 “Adam was the first member of the church of Christ on the earth and the first high priest after the order of the Son of God. In the commission he received from God, Adam was given the keys to administer the divine plan of salvation to others, including all his children to the very latest generation of time. It is through Adam’s authority that any revelation pertaining to the gospel of Christ was or shall be revealed.

The Prophet Joseph said:

“Adam holds the keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times; i.e., the dispensation of all the times that have been and will be revealed through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the end of the dispensations that are to be revealed.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith [Deseret Book Co.: 1961], pp. 167–68.)

At the age of 14 this boy exercised such great faith that he was given the privilege of beholding the greatest vision ever recorded in the annals of scripture. … Can you now begin to see the greatness of Joseph Smith’s mission? Each of these prophets may have held only a few keys of the gospel. Now he was receiving all the keys that had ever been on the earth.” — Jerry C. Roundy (more…)

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New Era, ‘How do I strengthen my testimony by bearing it when I have such a hard time being in front of people?,’ March 2019

“President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then-Second Counselor in the First Presidency, gave four suggestions on how to strengthen your testimony:

  1. Search the word of God.
  2. “Fearlessly strive to believe.
  3. “Ask with a sincere heart and with real intent, having faith in Christ.
  4. “Put gospel doctrine and Church teachings to the test in your own life.”

Remember: “The process of gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime.”

From President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then-Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth,” Oct. 2014 general conference.” (more…)

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Matthew 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 Today we’re looking at an article in the latest New Era Magazine. As a reminder, the Church’s intended audience for this periodical is their youth group consisting of 12-18 yr old kids. To read the article in full, see New Era, ‘The True, Pure, and Simple Gospel of Jesus Christ (excerpts),’ May 2019.

The article was written by their apostle M. Russell Ballard and his focus was the Two Greatest Commandments – see biblical passage listed above. For the sake of time, we’re looking at one key item of interest. Ballard’s comment was couched in a lot of nondescript directives that’d be easy to look over, thus our pointing it out here. (more…)

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Mormonad By Small and Simple Things “The small and simple things we are taught in the scriptures and by living prophets … result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth.” — Dallin H. Oaks (more…)

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1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”.

New Era. ‘Study the Savior’s Words,’ January 2018 “I have devoted much of my 93 years to learning about the Savior, but rare are the occasions when I have been able to learn as much as I did over this six-week study period. In fact, I learned so much about Him from this study that I am planning to share much of it in other upcoming addresses that I am currently preparing. 2

Upon beginning this assignment, I didn’t expect that this study would help me to receive a new testimony of the divinity of the work of Joseph Smith—but it did! The revelations recorded by Joseph Smith and the insights found in the Bible are amazingly consistent. It was so enlightening for me to see this in my study.

Joseph Smith wouldn’t have possibly had time to correlate and cross-reference with the Bible at the rapid rate at which he was translating the Book of Mormon—but it’s all here! – Russell Nelson (more…)

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New Era, ‘6 Reasons We Really Do Need the Church!,’ August 2018

Note: For the sake of time, we’re looking at just the last of six reasons the leaders have told kids they need the Church. To read their entire article, the link is provided above. …

“6. To Establish the Kingdom of God on the Earth …Through the Church leaders, the Lord can administer His work and minister to His children. Without such leadership, all kinds of false ideas and teachings would threaten to lead us into dark, forbidden paths. In other words, to help us know how to achieve eternal life, we need the protection provided by truly called and ordained prophets and apostles. That happens only in His Church.” – Eric B. Murdock and Joshua J. Perkey

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New Era, ‘Thankful This Easter Season,’ April 2018; “Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, suffered, died, and rose from death in order that He could grasp us as we fall, hold us with His might, and through our obedience to His commandments, lift us to eternal life. …

This Easter I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that Jesus still stands triumphant over death, although He stands on wounded feet. This Easter I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that He still extends unending grace, although He extends it with pierced palms and scarred wrists. This Easter I thank Him and the Father, who gave Him to us, that we can sing before a sweat-stained garden, a nail-driven cross, and a gloriously empty tomb…” – Jeffrey Holland

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New Era, ‘Answers to Common Questions,’ March 2015; “Do you ever feel unprepared when people ask you questions about the Church? Here are some suggestions for how you might answer a few frequently asked questions. …

Why do you have other scriptures? Isn’t the Bible enough? …

The Bible gives us much, and other scriptures give us even more. God has revealed His word in the Bible. We believe He has also revealed His word in other scriptures. This doesn’t mean we think any less of the Bible, though. In fact, the other scriptures help us know that the Bible is true by giving us additional witnesses of it. All scriptures are proof that Heavenly Father loves His children and gives them what they need to follow His plan. Additional scriptures help clarify some things that otherwise might be misunderstood or misinterpreted.”

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 New Era, ‘Onward Christian Soldiers,’ April 2017; “The men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.” – Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 294”

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Baptismal font New Era, ‘Words to Live By,’ November 2016; “Never forget, question, or ignore personal, sacred spiritual experiences.” – Ronald A. Rasband

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New Era, ‘What the Christmas Story Can Teach Us,’ December 2015;

baby-jesus-in-blanket-mannToday we’re looking at an article in the New Era, a monthly publication written to ‘enlighten and educate’ LDS youth.

In this article there were several quotes given by past LDS prophets describing who Jesus is, and to say they were outrageous would be the understatement of the year! The first quote wasn’t attached to any specific person, but we thought it was highly important to point this one out because of how wrong it is.

“The birth of Jesus Christ, one of the most miraculous events in history, took place in a humble stable.”

Why isn’t the birth of Jesus the most miraculous event in history?

What else is there since the creation of man could be of more import than this?

This statement undermines the truth about everything there is to do with Jesus, and what God has done for us.

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New Era, ‘Why Do I Need to Know Joseph Smith Is a Prophet?,’ December 2015;

new-era-2015-decOn December 23, 1805, the founder of the LDS Church was born. His life’s work was arguably, one that affected more people than he ever dreamt of in his short thirty-nine years. 

Although he was a busy guy, we should be ever mindful of what the Lord said in James 4:14!

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

This month the Church has employed the use of their many media outlets to broadcast, not only the birth of the Savior, but to remind people of their founder’s great purpose.

One of their magazines, the New Era, provided a dozen or so articles for LDS youth, and so we’re looking at a couple of them in the next few days. Their lessons focused on a number of topics from school to Jesus, and as we’ll see in this one, the life of Joseph Smith.

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New Era Article “Why We Do Missionary Work”

Part 1 – An Altar and a Sacrifice

I came across a speech given by Dallin Oaks which was then published in the New Era Magazine by the LDS Church and wanted to share it with our visitors.  There were several items of interest in this one speech, but for now we’re looking at just the first paragraph.  This topic warrants thousands of pages to be written, alas, the few things I have to say here is barely scratching the surface of all there is to say about Jesus, His death on the Cross and how our sins are atoned for.

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