Joyful Wells | Sharing Cups of Water

The Order of this Priesthood was confirmed to be handed down from father to son, and rightly belongs to the literal descendants of the chosen seed to whom the promises were made. This Order was instituted in the days of Adam, and came down by lineage in the following manner: From Adam to Seth, who was ordained by Adam at the age of sixty-nine years, and was blessed by him three years previous to his (Adam’s) death, and received the promise of God, by his father, that his posterity should be the chosen of the Lord, and that they should be preserved unto the end of the earth, because he (Seth) was a perfect man. And his likeness was the express likeness of his father’s, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things and could be distinguished from him only by his age. - T&C 154:9-10

“ Rest” is an interesting term.  God labored for 6 days which culminated in the creation of, and the joining together of, Adam and Eve - our great Patriarch and Matriarch. After His labors, he then charged them with having dominion over the world. They weren't given dominion until everything else had been prepared first.  So their "rest" isn't just cessation of work but also being   fully prepared   to finally operate in their calling. Another example is young Jesus who was about His Father's business from a very young age but did not begin His ministry until later. Timing and preparation matters and must come first.  Likewise, before we can "rest", we must be set in proper order and prepared.  Hence, the Lord invites us to "follow him" until we enter therein: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest" - Heb 4:11 KJV “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matt 11:28 KJV        T...

“ To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” - George MacDonald “The desert teaches you more about water than the ocean ever could.” - African Proverb

Separation from Gods people (not just God) is hell: “And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I know not; am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries unto me from the ground. And now you shall be cursed from the earth which has opened her mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto you her strength. A fugitive and a vagabond shall you be in the earth. And Cain said unto the Lord, Satan tempted me because of my brother’s flocks, and I was angry also, for his offering you did accept and not mine. My punishment is greater than I can bear .” — Gen 3:10 This is an interesting story because if you recall Cain was never truly alone after he became a fugitive and vagabond. People followed him and he built his own city (v. 11) So how was he a vagabond?  He was separated from God’s people. Another example :  “And it came to pass tha...

This world is hell largely because of the way we treat each other.  Rape  Murder Manipulation  Exploitation Jealousy  Abuse Cruelty Neglect Indifference to suffering  Greed I wonder if we can make also this world heaven by how we treat each other. 

I’ve committed this year to studying matters in the Pacific; specifically matters pertaining to China and Taiwan.  The first book I’m reading is called The Trouble with Taiwan by Kerry Brown and Kaley Wu Tzu-hui. On pages 96-97 I read the following:  “ Democracy does many things. But Taiwan adds further proof to one of these. It doesn’t just change institutions and processes, but more fundamentally it changes people. When they can express their irritation or support by actually voting for them rather than feeling powerless, it changes the relationship they have with politicians. It also changes people’s relations with each other when it means they can openly dispute specific problems and policy positions and act through the ballot box on them. Whatever its current challenges, democracy since 1996 has irrevocably changed the nature of the Taiwanese and had a huge impact on life in the island. It has meant people now know their society and themselves better. There are few illusi...

Lehi was a man whom the Lord called “blessed” because he was “faithful and declared the things [God] commanded [him]” (1 Nephi 1:6). This is important to remember because, despite the people’s reaction to Lehi’s preaching, he remained faithful. He didn’t declare anything the Lord didn’t want him to. Their reaction and their fruits were not indicative of Lehi’s mission, faithfulness, or alignment with God. It is interesting that the Covenant of Christ opens with several examples of interpersonal conflict. It doesn’t begin with flattering stories about Lehi being a good husband, a faithful employee, a good sense of humor, a beloved friend, or a warm personality. Instead, beginning on page one, it goes straight to the heart of what prevents God’s kingdom from growing on earth: disagreements that turn into division. The very first interaction between two or more people that we read about in Lehi’s ministry is negative—Lehi was met by the people in Jerusalem with mocking (speech that bel...

“ Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever doesn’t repent must perish.  As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them.  Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction , under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about.” - 1 Nephi 3:26 Covenant of Christ

I rise with the Sun. I am born with the dawn. I am Ra when he appears upon the horizon, young and radiant in the morning sky. The gates of the east open for me, and the doors of light swing wide. I take my place in the Solar Barque. I sit among the gods who steer eternity. My name is spoken by the crew of heaven, and I am not turned away. I pass over the sky as the living do, yet I belong to those who never perish. The air is mine, the light is mine, the flame within the sun is my soul. At midday I am strong. No shadow clings to me. Serpents fall back, darkness has no power, for I travel with the Eye of Ra and my voice is fire. I know the secret names of the hours. I know the paths of the sky. Nothing blocks my way, for I am recognized in every realm. At evening I do not die. I descend as Ra descends, whole, complete, unbroken. The western gates receive me gently, and the gods of the dusk lift their hands in welcome. I journey through night as the ...

Throughout the Bible, whenever the tabernacle or a temple was destroyed, it never meant God was done with temples. It always meant the people had fallen into apostasy and needed to repent. When repentance was proven, the temple was restored. After the Tabernacle was lost, God gave Israel Solomon’s Temple. After Solomon’s Temple was destroyed, God commanded the people to rebuild the Second Temple. Every time a temple fell, it was followed by restoration—not the end of temples. Because of this pattern, it doesn’t make sense to say that when the temple was destroyed in Jesus’ day, it meant temples were finished. If that were true, then the loss of the Tabernacle or the First Temple should have meant the same thing. But no one believes that. The Bible also talks about a temple in heaven and future temples in prophecy, which shows God still uses and values sacred space. So the destruction of the temple ~40 years after Christ’s death fits the old pattern: it signaled apostasy and the need fo...

The sons of Adam and the sons of Noah were not called “sons” merely because of biology, but because of what they proved by their faith. They became—or were begotten—sons born into God’s family  for one reason: they listened to the voice of God and obeyed. Eve said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord; wherefore he may not reject His words.” (Genesis 3:6) Of Noah and his sons, it is written, “And Noah and his sons listened unto the Lord and gave heed, and they were called the sons of God.” (Genesis 5:5) It's one of those absolute standards that you cannot become a son of God if you refuse to hearken to His voice.  Using Melchizedek as a clear example, here are the keys the scripture gives us: " Now Melchizedek was a man of faith who wrought righteousness. And when a child, he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained a high priest after the Order of the covenant which God made with Enoch...

We yearn for peace through cooperation but will always wrestle with war to achieve it.  This is daunting.  Yet, a part of salvation consists of being a light in the (constant) darkness - fighting in that war.  A part of salvation is eternally dealing with the war and dealing with other people’s problems for their benefit.  We’re not ready to do it forever. Coming here teaches us that.  In the mean time we focus on just one step, one problem, at a time.  

Today marks another anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  Joseph in particular brought a wealth of information down from Heaven to us. This light still echoes truth in the heart of the reader today. But it’s often not the sermons or speeches that change us. It’s someone’s life. The way they show up, the way they forgive, the way they serve, give, or remain optimistic through a trial. Its their consistent goodness that has a way of getting past our defenses. When someone lives what they believe with humility and love, it bypasses our intellect and goes straight to the heart. It makes us want to be better—not out of guilt, but gratitude and understanding of the One they’re modeling their own life after. It makes us think, “I want to live more like that.” And often, without them even knowing it, they become a turning point in our story. This is how I feel about those two brothers. Their example more than anything is worth noting.

It's been one year today when the Lord accepted the Covenant of Christ . On June 20th, Denver Snuffer and a group of believers presented a new, modern-English version of the Book of Mormon to the Lord. It was offered to Him as a gift for the benefit of others —something that could have been either accepted or rejected. But the Lord  accepted it. He received the work. He put His name to it. And now, it’s a gift from God to the whole world. And we are the first ones to receive it. This gift is meant to help prepare us for His return. But as the Lord taught: “What does it profit a man if a gift is given, and he receives not the gift?” It’s not enough to know about the book and tell people the Heavens are open. We must receive it. Live it. So on this one-year anniversary, and the Summer Solstice, here are some simple questions to ask yourself: - Have I read every word of the Covenant of Christ? - Do I understand the message it teaches? - Can I share or quote anything from it? - Has i...

“ And how can we know the way? Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also, and from henceforth you know him and have seen him. Philip says unto him, Lord, show us the Father and it suffices us. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you and yet you have not known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father. And how can you then say, Show us the Father? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me?  The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me. He does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very works’ sake….” (John 9:7 RE)  Jesus was showing Philip a great revelation about himself. Like so many today, Philip evidently cared more about the event (seeing the Father) than the process behind it (walking the path to becoming like Him...

  "I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother, and I found all three."  —William Blake

It took me a long time to understand the difference between what I thought a follower of God looks like… and actually being one. I had the image down—someone who believes in Jesus, prays, attends their church or fellowship meetings, tries to be a good person through restraint, etc. That’s what I thought following God meant: believing the right things and doing my best. But deep down, something still felt… off. I was “checking the boxes,” but I wasn’t changing beyond a surface level. Over time—and mostly through struggle and failure—I began to see the real invitation. It wasn’t just to believe in Him. It was to become like Him. The thing people hate about Mormonism (ya know, becoming like Christ) is actually the ticket. That shift changes everything. It’s not about appearances. It’s not about saying the right words. It’s about learning to love like He does. Forgive like He does. Sacrifice, serve, and speak truth like He does. It’s about taking upon yourself the name of Christ and d...