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Hijacked! Ha ha! I, Elder Ramstedt, the companion to Elder Crites, commandeer this this blog for the sake of adding a second witness to the things that Elder Crites has spoken of. As it says in 2 Corinthians 13:1 "...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."


I could go on with a lengthy biography about all the activities I have done that compile me, or I could just be lazy and send you to my Mormon.org profile. 


Now for the doctrinal and uplifting meat of the post. I want to talk about faith, specifically a common lie that is being published by many, believers and unbelievers alike. I invite you to pay attention to the feelings of your heart, for the Holy Ghost will testify to you the truth of all things if you are willing to listen. As an old bishop once told me, "A truth is a truth, no matter what source it may come from."


If you must know one thing about me, I am extremely analytical. I glory in logistics, graphs, numbers, facts and in finding the right answer. I also love musing and philosophizing about life's problems. However, I have found that applying only those thought processes to religion, I begin to encounter some problems with religion as a whole. Folks who pursue this course tend to end up very confused (ironically often claiming enlightenment) or atheist. 


While there is nothing bad about these standpoints, a foundation of faith is needed before any of these ideas can be expressed. When applied properly, faith and secular ideas build strongly on each other. I found it funny in college when taking theology classes that the professors often tried to prove the scriptures through scientific evidence. Remember, theology means the study of faith, not the proving of faith. 


While my professors had good intentions in mind, and I learned quite a bit that helped build my faith, they show a trend that is disturbingly prevalent in today's society.  People think that 'seeing is believing'. In the Book of Mormon, the last prophet and the compiler of the entire book said that if there was one thing that he could show to the entire world, "... that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ether 12: 6


I testify of the truthfulness of the words of Moroni. I invite all to come and believe before you see. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon and ponder the message it contains and then allow not a man, a fact, figure, or opinion to tell you what they think of the book, but to let God, even your Eternal Father, tell you the truth of these things. I know he will send his spirit to tell you of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ, for I have had that divine communication myself. And now I can say as the old song says, "...(I) was blind but now I see." -Amazing Grace, John Newton 


In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. Happy Easter everybody!!