If The World Only Knew What They Were Missing
By Alan on Apr 25 in Blog tagged Aaronic, author, baptism, celestial, confusion, coovenants, day, dead, destiny, eternal families, eternal marriage, eternal plan, faith, Family, God, great and dreadful, heavenly parents, Holy Ghost, hope, if only knew, Jesus, marriage, Melchizedek, missing, origin, peace, power, premortal existence, priesthood, prophet, Redeemer, religions, resurrection, struggle, suffer, terresterial telestial, The World, to choose, truth, truths, Where Am I Going, Who Am I, Why am I here, word | 1 Comment
If The World Only Knew What They Were Missing
Here we are living in ‘a great and dreadful day’ with higher learning and so many comforts of life. We have access to so much information and can advance so fast in society. Yet, there are still so many who struggle and suffer, especially for knowledge and truth about their origin and destiny. One of the most important needs we have is the knowledge of who we are, why we are here and where we came from; religion.
If people would just stop and think about life and see those that are truly happy, they will find it is because they have searched their hearts with prayer and in their minds with studying and reading good books, have found peace within knowing that God is there; realizing He has provided the way to return as His children with with an eternal plan where marriages and families can be together forever! May I share?
Over the history of this world, there have been many religious leaders who felt inspired and caused many people to follow. Each of us has the right to learn with the freedom and power to choose ’The Way’ we wish to live our lives and believe. That’s why we came here. They also become set and immoveable and will not hear or listen to many truths that have come forth. If the world only knew what they were missing!
Here are 10 facts about 12 major religions.
These pages summarise the main features of the 12 largest world religions, which together are followed by almost 80% of the world’s population. These beliefs are described without passing any judgment on their truth or otherwise. Not included here are so-called “tribal” and African religions (6%), spiritism, the Eastern religions Cao Dai and Juche (less than 1% in total) and non religious (16%). Source for numbers is www.adherents.com.
Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism and Islam
| Baha’i | Buddhism | Christianity | Confucianism | Hinduism | Islam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | Baha’u'llah | The Buddha | Jesus (Yeshua) | K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) | Brahmins – the priestly class of the invading Aryans | Muhammed |
| Place & time | Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria), 1860s CE | Nepal, 500 BCE | Palestine, 30 CE | China 500 BCE | India, about 1500 BCE | Arabia, 620 CE |
| Local religion at the time | Islam | Hinduism | Judaism & Roman polytheism | - | Evolved from more primitive beliefs | Tribal polytheism |
| Written sources | Writings of Baha’u'llah & others – principally Kitab-l-Aqdas | Teachings of the Buddha written down much later & not treated as revelation | Bible, especially the New Testament | K’ung Fu-tzu’s writings | Many writings, mainly the Vedas (1000 BCE) & Upanishads (500 BCE) | Qur’an, written down by Muhammed |
| No. of adherents worldwide | 2 million | 376 million | 2,100 million | 400 million (combined with Taoism) | 850 million | 1,200 million |
| Nature of religion | Monotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils Judaism, Christianity and Islam | Dharmic. Way of life to achieve enlightenment | Monotheism with revealed teachings – fulfils Judaism | Taoic. Social & political ethics | Dharmic. Devotional rituals & tradition to achieve release from cycle of rebirth. | Monotheism with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethics |
| Nature of God(s) | Monotheistic, ethical | Distant, unclear | Monotheistic, ethical, personal | - | Pantheistic & impersonal – life force (Brahmin) and many gods/aspects | Monotheistic, personal, ethical |
| How to please God(s) | Ethical living | Eightfold Path between extremes of asceticism & materialism | Repentance & faith in Jesus | - | Devotion, good works, knowledge & yoga to reduce karma (caused by bad behaviour) & maya (illusion) | Five Pillars – profession of faith, prayer/worshp, alms, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca |
| Rewards & punishments | Life is a preparation for the next life (does this mean everyone enters afterlife?) | Life of acceptance & Nirvana | Life with God in this world and the next (or not) | Social harmony | Cycle of rebirth until karma dissolved & released. | Paradise for believers |
| Practices | Prayer & meditation leading to action – little emphasis on ritual (no churches or priests). Informal meeting every 19 days + festivals | Meditation, disciplined living to reduce suffering (recognising “impermanence, suffering & no-self”) | Weekly meetings, sharing faith & serving others | Respect for ancestors | Temples as homes to deities & shrines, priests & rituals, individual holy men |
Five Pillars, Friday prayers at mosque, ritual washing and prayers |
| Distinctive ethics | Rational behaviour, peace, equality, tolerance, justice | Detachment, acceptance, meditation | Love your neighbour, humility, peace, justice | Cohesion of society. Living in harmony with environment | Do right, acquire wealth, enjoy pleasure, achieve release | Five Pillars, Jihad (holy struggle) |
Jainism, Judaism, Parsees/Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Sikhism & Taoism
| Jainism | Judaism | Zoroastrianism | Shinto | Sikhism | Taoism | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | Mahavira (“great hero”) | Abraham & Moses | Zarathustra (not sure if he was a real person) | Evolved | Guru Nanak | Lao-Tzu (& Chuang Tzu) |
| Place & time | India, 550 BCE | Iraq, 2000 BCE | Iran, date unclear, 1200 or 600 BCE? | Japan, 0-1000 CE | India, 1500 CE | China 300-600 BCE |
| Local religion at the time | Hinduism | Polytheism | Local | - | Hinduism & Islam | Less refined version of same ideas |
| Written sources | Scriptures, written 100 years after Mahavira | The Law (Torah given by God) & the prophets. The Talmud | Avesta (Zarathustra’s teachings, written centuries later) | - | Guru Granth Sahib (Nanak’s & other Gurus’ teachings, written down later) | Writings of Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching) & Chuang Tzu |
| No. of adherents worldwide | 3 million | 14 million | 2.6 million | 4 million | 23 million | 400 million (combined with Confucianism) |
| Nature of religion | Dharmic. Soul is imprisoned in matter – cycle of rebirth until achieve release, at length, by intense discipline. | Monotheism with revealed beliefs – mixture of corporate & personal worship and ethics | Monotheism but dualistic. Ethical, personal. | Taoic. Shinto = “the way of the gods”. Mixture of polytheistic mythology & practical living. Little dogma. Co-exists happily with Buddhism | Dharmic. Practical religion about living in this world (not ascetic like some other eastern religions). Cycle of rebirth. | Taoic. Tao = “the way”. Mythical religion with strong ethical component, yin & yang. A way to live with little dogma. |
| Nature of God(s) | Distant, unclear – close to atheism | Monotheistic, personal, ethical | Ahura Mazda (all powerful God) is oposed by Angra Mainyu & supporteed by 7 created immortals. | Spiritual force manifested in “Kami” (nature, many gods or spirits, or ancestors) | Present everywhere in creation, unknowable, without form, beyond dogma, found in the heart. merciful. | Spiritual force (there is some polytheism in popular Taoism) |
| How to please God(s) | Ascetic life as a monk. Lay people can only hope to achieve being a monk in the next life | Obey Law – sacrifices for forgiveness of sins | Ethical living | Worship at shrines | Grace enables recognition of God’s word & hence ability to live ethically & devotionally and so earn salvation. | - |
| Rewards & punishments | Salvation = release from karma & cycle, then union with one’s true self | Pleasing or displeasing God | Life after death | A peaceful pure life? | Mystical union with God (on earth and in afterlife?) | Personal peace? |
| Practices | Fasting & extreme asceticism. Temples & images to assist meditation. | Worship & sacrifices in temple (but not since temple destroyed in 70 CE) & meetings in Synagogues | Ritual prayer & washings, fire ceremonies (fire is the symbol of God’s truth) | Worship, prayer & offerings at shrines to various Kami | Egalitarian, respect for other religions | Meditation, exercise (tai chi & Kung fu), detachment, festivals |
| Distinctive ethics | Do no harm (non violent & vegetarian), abstain from sex & worldly goods | 10 Commandments, plus many detailed laws in Law and writings | Education, devotion, righteousness, non-violence, cleanliness | Purity & cleanliness | Love your neighbour, humility, peace, justice | Sensitivity, peacefulness, live in harmony with nature. |
For more information on the terms “monotheistic”, “darmic” and “taoic”, see the different types of religions.
With all of this confusion in the world and deciding what to believe, is there any wonder why there are so many religions today? It is not God’s fault but man’s.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 14:33
At some point in each of our lives we will each ask these questions:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
Where am I going?
When God created this world, he gave Adam and Eve all of the knowledge they needed with answers to these questions. He even walked and talked with them in the Garden of Eden. Many of those truths have since been lost, distorted, and misinterpreted over time causing so many people in the world to have no religion at all; athiest.
Many precious parts were taken out of the Bible during the days of Constantine about 300-400 AD and are missing. But are those truths lost? No.
Jesus Christ gave his words to all that would hear. And for that, He was Crucified. But, after Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended into Heaven, which is Paradise; a holding place where we go after death until judgement day. He also returned and visited several peoples (or ‘sheep‘, He being the Shepherd) of various nations around the world and gave them His word and covenants, letting them know that He was also their Savior and Redeemer. He commanded them to write His words as a record to come forth at such a time as this when He knew there would be much confusion.
Some records have come already come forth and several others will soon be coming forth.
Those records or books have and will reveal many of the ‘lost’ promising truths and covenants, and blessings for which many religions have no answers.
God Created all things spiritually BEFORE He created them physically.
“And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.” Moses 2:27
“… And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;” Moses 3:5
“And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word.” Moses 3:7
Many ‘Plain and precious truths and doctrines’ of the gospel have been restored:
The Physical nature of the Godhead
Our creation is in God’s image
Apostles and Prophets
Melchizedek Priesthood
Aaronic Priesthood
Mode of baptism
The gift of the Holy Ghost
Premortal existence
Baptism for the dead
Resurrection
The three Kingdoms of Heaven
(Celestial, Telestial, Terresterial)
Eternal marriage and families
Our potential to become like our Heavenly Parents
‘We are NOT human beings having Spiritual experiences.
We ARE Spiritual beings having human experiences.’
It is my testimony that God lives and that He created this world with its Creation, Fall and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and worlds without number along with God-given laws, ordinances and doctrines. His plan makes it possible for all people to be exalted and live forever with God (2 Ne. 2:9), a glory of the celestial, which excels in all things – where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever. D&C 76:92. The scriptures also refer to this plan as the plan of salvation, the plan of happiness, and the plan of mercy.
We lived before as spirit children of God and battled in heaven over good and evil. One third of those spirit children followed Satan and were cast out of heaven with Satan into everlasting darkness. Those that won that war chose to come to this earth, to progress and become more like our Heavenly Parents by gaining a physical body and becoming creators of life ourselves.
We are here on earth to be tested as a ‘natural man’ (which is an enemy of God), to gain intelligence (which is the Glory of God), and to be tempted by Satan once again over good and evil and to make choices that will directly effect one’s future; and mansion in heaven where one goes to live after we die, and are judged on condition of living forever in a resurrected state, not subject to physical death. Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 1 Corinthians 3:13
This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, John 17:3 (D&C 132:24). We must fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. 6:12) People are free to choose liberty and eternal life, (2 Ne. 2:27) (Hel. 14:31). To be spiritually minded is life eternal. (2 Ne. 9:39) Then are ye in the narrow path that leads to eternal life. (2 Ne. 31:17–20) God gives eternal life to the obedient, (Moses 5:11).
To believe in Christ and endure to the end is life eternal, 2 Ne. 33:4 (3 Ne. 15:9). He that hath eternal life is rich, D&C 6:7 (D&C 11:7). Eternal life is the greatest of all the gifts of God, D&C 14:7 (Rom. 6:23). The righteous will receive peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, D&C 59:23 Those who endure to the end shall have a crown of eternal life, D&C 66:12 (D&C 75:5). If the marriage of a man and a woman has been sealed in the house of the Lord, they and their offspring will be together eternally as a family.
All who die without the gospel who would have received it had they lived are heirs of the celestial kingdom, D&C 137:7–9. This is all a part of God’s eternal Plan of life for His children because “God’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, Moses 1:39; ’man’ refers to all mankind, both male and female. All men and women are the literal, spiritual offspring of a Heavenly Father. When they are born into mortality, they receive physical, mortal bodies. These bodies were created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26–27). Men and women who are faithful in receiving the necessary ordinances, keeping their covenants, and obeying God’s commands will enter into their exaltation and become as God. And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father. D&C 81:6.
Have you ever seen a baby chick that didn’t become a chicken? A pony always becomes a horse? We as children become like our parents. ”Like Father like son; like Mother like daughter”.
I hope this has made you think about what you might be missing and that you will reach within for answers that are real. Again remember, ‘God is NOT the author of confusion’. I invite you to pray with real intent that you may enter into the rest of the Lord. The Spirit of Christ can be with you and enable you to know good from evil. Satan persuades men to deny Christ and do evil. The prophets manifest the coming of Christ with faith, miracles are wrought and angels will minister unto you. All mankind shoud hope for eternal life and cleave unto charity always doing good.
This I know to be true,
Alan Osmond
Strengthening The Family – Spiritually
Note: Many of these truths were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Watch Video)
“Joseph Smith has produced more scripture than even Moses and has been instrumental in bringing forth the word of the Lord in this dispensation.”
Get a FREE copy of The Book of Mormon.
Through The Eyes Of American Indians – 500 Nations Came To America – Before Columbus
By Alan on Jun 12 in Blog tagged Ancient Hebrew, anthropology, archaeology, architecture, astronomical alignments, Bat Creek Stone, before Columbus, buffalo, building materials, by land, DNA, fortifications, geographic topologies, government, Heartland Model, Hopewell, horticulture, in America's Heartland, indian, intentionally destroyed, jewish decent, metallurgy, mounds, mythology, native Americans, religion, religions, righteous people, Rod L. Meldrum, savages, small pox, Smithsonian, starved them, The Book of Mormon, trade, transportation by sea | 1 Comment
Through The Eyes Of American Indians
500 Nations Came To America – Before Columbus,
and ”Stayed In The Garden”.
TheFamily.com staff recently returned from visiting The Ancient Hopewell’s in the Heart of America. Some of these wonderful Native American Indians were of Jewish decent from Jerusalem and were a righteous people. They built astrologically aligned earthworks, observed the Law of Moses and were highly intelligent astronomers.
This highly advanced people knew how to mine metals, iron and copper smelt, silver, and gold, pearls, grains and other precious minerals. They were wise in building mounds for their defense and to protect their families; a place above ground in which to bury their dead, and a holy place that mounted their sacred temples of worship. Though government, the Smithsonian, some religions and conspiring men wronged and have intentionally destroyed much of their evidence to prove them savages, starved them by killing thousands of buffalo, presented them blankets infested with small pox killing over 80 percent of them, and discredited these people, still many evidences remain proving that they were highly religious and an intelligent civilization and wrote in ancient Hebrew writings which were found buried in these mounds and the “Bat Creek Stone” in Tennessee. (SEE GLENN BECK VIDEO)
(Written in Ancient Hebrew)
“Moses with the Ten Commandments” . . . “Holiness To The Lord”
(This mound is not the tallest mound but is over 30 feet high.)
Get Rod Meldrum’s Book!
From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, Adam-ondi-Ahman to the City of Enoch, the “Heartland” of North America has been the setting of sacred and significant events throughout human history.
By means of three hundred photographs, maps, works of art, scripture and commentary, the author introduces a growing body of evidence that suggests the very real possibility of a North American setting for The Book of Mormon. See BOOK IMAGE GALLERY to see dozens of pages.
Thirty-six scriptural prophecies and promises alternate between descriptions of the ancient Nephite land and a latter-day “Promised Land”. Following that premise, readers will carefully examine statements by the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding his views on Book of Mormon geography.
Newly emerging scientific information strengthens the assertion that large agrarian societies once flourished in North America at precisely the times of Jaredite and Nephite cultures. This research, conducted mostly by non-LDS scientists is revealing a remarkable panorama of culture, achievement and destruction among these ancient peoples.
The research here compiled sparks the scope of archaeology, anthropology, architecture, fortifications, trade, religion, metallurgy, DNA, horticulture, transportation by sea and by land, geographic topologies, building materials, astronomical alignments, mythology and much more.
Exploring The Book of Mormon In America’s Heartland, A Visual Journey of Discovery by Rod L. Meldrum is a gorgeous, hard-cover large format 200+ page heirloom quality photographic journey into the exciting new ”Heartland Model” geography. Over 300 stunningly beautiful and informational photographs combine with research, quotes, stories, and artifacts to provide a comprehensive overview. New retail price is $39.95 but you can still get it here for $34.95 +S/H CLICK HERE.
Visit their website!
God created ‘the Indian Country’, this “promised land” of America.
Our Creator put it exactly in the right place.
We were put here by The Creator.
Our Native Americans hold the keys to our surviving this world.
If we return to righteousness, God will Bless America.
May we be Of One Heart in The Heartland of America.
God Is, and We Are,
The Family
