“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). The need for spiritual rebirth is a well-known and oft-used analogy in the scriptures. In the passage above, Jesus is teaching the Jewish leader, Nicodemus, and goes on to teach that two rebirths are necessary – one of the water (baptism) and another of the spirit. Such an analogy Continue reading
Category Archives: Articles
Depression and the Atonement (part 2)
In the first post on this topic I looked at examples of several good “righteous” people, who have suffered from Depression, including I believe the great Old Testament prophet Moses, as well as the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob. In this post I’ll discuss another example from Moses’ life that I think helps us to understand how we can be supported 
through such feelings ourselves, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Continue reading
Depression and the Atonement
I have some personal and professional understanding of mental health issues, and as I have pondered how the Atonement applies to the challenges associated with these, I have learned some important lessons. 
Continue reading
Heart, Might, Mind and Strength (Part 5 of 5)
In the final part of this series of posts I’m going to share some of my thoughts on how the Atonement of Christ enables us to overcome our physical shortcomings. The previous posts in the series have included an introduction, and then my thoughts on how Christ helps us overcome our Spiritual, Emotional, and Intellectual shortcomings.
Ultimately, our physical limitations are overcome Continue reading
A New Year Resolution
My email inbox has been bombarded over the last couple of days with 
messages wishing me a Happy New Year. The messages haven’t come from friends, though, who almost exclusively send their messages via Facebook nowadays. No, these email well-wishing messages Continue reading
Christmas Hope
Today is the 5th day of Christmas. In our culture and in our day the Christmas celebrations are largely finished by the end of Boxing Day, but that is not the case in many parts of the world. In parts of Central America, for example, rather than Father Christmas bringing presents on Christmas Eve, it is the Three Wise Men Continue reading
Developing Charity
The talks in our Church meetings today were on the subject of charity. They were all excellent, and gave me the opportunity to again consider this important quality I need to better develop. A couple of months ago I was asked to speak on this topic at Church too, and have posted that talk below.
It is interesting I think to note that “the Pure Love of Christ” could refer to the love which Christ shows for me (its ultimate expression being through the Atonement), the love which Christ shows to all people (which I need to attempt to emulate), and the love which Christ enables me to show to others (again through His atonement). Continue reading
Heart, Might, Mind and Strength (4 of 5)
This post considers how deficient we all are in our intellectual efforts, and how we need to rely on Christ to make us whole in this part of our being, as in all parts of our being. It is the 4th post in the series, with the first overview found here, the second part on how the Saviour heals our Hearts here, and the third on how He heals our Might (or emotionalise) here.
“I think therefore I am”. So said Descarte. Of course, we all think differently. My logic is different from someone else’s logic; my rational thought processes come to different conclusions from someone else’s rational thought processes. In truth we are all different – and deficient – intellectually. Continue reading
Heart, Might, Mind and Strength (3 of 5)
This is the third post in a series about how, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we gain power within each part of our beings: our Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength. The first post, found here, is an overview and explains how I understand these principles. The second post, found here, looks at how He helps heal our Heart – or as I have understood it our spiritual selves.
This third part looks at how, through Jesus Christ, our Might – or the emotional parts of our being – are made whole.
In the LDS King James version of the Bible, the Topical Guide, under the heading for pain, refers also to the words: Affliction, Anguish, Distress, Grief, Sorrow, Suffering, Torment. Emotional pains are some of the most intense we suffer during our mortal lives. Continue reading
Under His Wing
“Under His Wing” © Jay Bryant Ward, used with permission
A few years ago, I was given for my birthday a print of a painting by Jay Bryant Ward entitled “Under His Wing”. It portrays a young girl of perhaps 6 or 7 years of age. In the painting we see that someone is standing next to her, but all we see of this adult at her side is half a waist, and a right arm which is protectively behind her – not touching her, but in place to ensure that she would be quickly secured in the event of need.
There is an obvious implication in the painting that the adult at this small girl’s side is keeping close and constant watchful care of her. Although we can’t see the face, we know the identity of this adult, because we see the hand placed carefully to ensure this small girl’s safety, in the middle of which is the unmistakeable mark of a nail having pierced it. In many ways this is a very simple picture, but for me it is profound beyond measure. Continue reading
All Things Witness 