The Best Friend You Never Knew Part 1: Introducing...the Church of the Latter-day Saints

NOTE: This post's title illustrates to what extent we've deleted or minimized Jesus from our church, not that a new church is being formed. Much has been written, stated, drawn, painted, sculpted and filmed about our Savior. I dare say that at no time in the history of mankind have we had so much knowledge about Jesus at our fingertips. We can go to libraries and bookstores, or even stay in the comfort of our own homes, read, hear and watch all about the minutest details about Jesus, the times and the environment in which He lived. Yet it seems that those who have a personal knowledge of, and experiences with, the Lord are extremely rare in our church. Such testimonies are highly discouraged in our meetings and not sold in our bookstores. As a result, we’re not only not casting our pearls before swine, but we’re also getting our pearls and burying them so deep, no one will never know of their existence. As a result, real, personal insights into Jesus have almost been snuffed out of existence. Many are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). We know all about Jesus, yet it’s apparent in our church meetings and almost all published works that few actually know Him. Many in our church who accepted Jesus, were baptized and promised to follow Him for the rest of their lives, no longer walk with Him. They set at naught the counsels of God, follow after the dictates of their own will and carnal desires (see D&C 3:4) and walk under the apparent glow of their own self-importance, or Babylon. Simultaneously, other issues, topics, doctrines, programs, policies and persuasive personalities have positioned for preeminence in our attentions: * Many have become idolatrous, living in costly homes with opulent interiors, expensive wardrobes to go along with our expensive cars, and of course our gold, platinum, diamond and double diamond statuses. * Many pay tithing and fast offerings, and consider that sufficient enough charity. They pass by the beggar and essentially tell themselves, “It’s not my problem”. * Many eagerly and enthusiastically idolize and trust in the arm of flesh, despite repeated commandments not to. * Many ignore and dismiss significant injustices and even crimes which occur under our own noses. * Many prioritize the internet, sports and entertainment above meditation, the scriptures and dialoguing with the one who loves us the most. * And yes, many prioritize our church titles, our church connections and our church pedigrees over and above anything meaningful regarding Jesus. “Will ye also go away?” It’s as timely a question today as it ever has been, because in all likelihood, we don’t have very many more years left until the pre-millennial tribulations are in full swing. "And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord." (D&C 112:23-26; emphasis mine) In other words, if you don’t know the Lord, then you’ll be one of the first ones invited to take your party elsewhere.