The City of Zion's LDS Resource Directory

LDS Resource Index:

(Click on a resource title to read the article)
 

 Family History Center

The Patriarch Abraham

Abraham's Journal Preface    Father Abraham talks about the value of looking at life backwards; of how the lessons Heavenly Father brings into a person's life are often easier to see after you have learned them.

The Perfect Saint    Father Abraham's greatest day.  Abraham relates the events and circumstances surrounding Heavenly Father's declaration that he credited Abraham with righteousness (perfection).

The Apostle Peter

Peter's Journal Preface    The Apostle Peter talks about the blessings of being a 'colorful' character; how Heavenly Father used both his moments of weak faith and of strong faith to train him and prepare him for the trials in his life.

The Unforgivable Saint    Satan sifts Peter's soul like wheat.  The Apostle Peter  tells of his struggle to receive the miracle of forgiveness.  He relates the despair of  feeling unforgivable after his denial of Jesus, knowing he did not deserve forgiveness.  And he relates his elation in the personal revelation that Jesus freely offered him forgiveness based on the Atonement Jesus made to remove Peter's guilt.
 

Queen Bathsheba

Bathsheba's Journal Preface    Queen Bathsheba talks about the burden of regret that at one time dominated her life.  She also talks of the cure that freed her from the prison of her despair.

My Lost Innocence    King David calls a young attractive wife into his presence at an unseemly hour.  The events that ensue ends the life of the innocent husband and destroys the lives of both the King and his victim/accomplice. But the story does not end there...

A Tale of Two Rings: The Gift of Atonement    Queen Bathsheba relates a story about two rings.  A ring she was given as a gift by his husband Uriah comes to have a special meaning as Bathsheba sees it as a symbol of the Messiah's gift of atonement.

A Tale of Two Rings: The Gift of Failure    The second installment of Queen Bathsheba's story about two rings.  The ring she had worked to acquire comes to represent her failure to be worthy of forgiveness.  But she learns that her failure is the key that unlocks the real mystery of the miracle of forgiveness.

Why We Forgive    Queen Bathsheba learns that the power to forgive does not lie within oneself.  She takes the reader on an experiential journey that includes a child's burden of guilty, a father's underserved love, the patient ministering of the Living Prophet, and a life-changing lesson about Why We Forgive.
 

Gem Shop

Command's (God's Law)

Breadth of God's Commands    A small sampling of the wide variety of God's commands.  Highlights the universal presence of sin in our lives due to our inability to perfectly keep most of Heavenly Father's commands.  Illuminates the risk of betting your Eternal Life on your imperfect obedience to God's Commands.

Depth of God's Commands    Explores the degree to which God's Commands influence our lives.  Provides examples of sins not just in our actions; but also in our thoughts or in our motivation (hearts).  Also provides examples of sins that are unintentional, sins that are hidden from us, and sins of omission (don't do something we should).   Highlights the universal presence of sin in our lives and the unavoidable fact that most sins are impossible to abandon.

The Plan Of Salvation

Demand of God's Commands    How good is good enough?  Jesus declares that we are to be as perfect as Heavenly Father.  Article examines this absolute, immediate, unconditional and continuous demand for perfection in every thing we say, do and think.  Identifies the apparent paradox of God's demand for perfect obedience in the face of our imperfect obedience.

Significance of God's Commands    What does God's Commands tell us about ourselves?  This article surveys scripture to present what Heavenly Father decrees is the result of not following His Commands perfectly:  "Imperfect obedience, even 'all you can do', earns eternal death!"  Hints at the presence of an alternate way to avoid this curse (other than perfect obedience).

Purpose of God's Commands    Is the purpose of God's Commands to give us a way to prove our worthiness?  Or is there a higher purpose?  This resource highlights the higher purpose of God's Commands: to make us aware of our inability to earn Eternal Life.  It unveils one of the great principles of Christian life: "Imperfect obedience cannot make a person worthy, instead it makes him aware of his unworth!"  The article points out that it is only those who recognize they are unworthy that can find and walk the Narrow Way."

Christ's Atonement: The Great Exchange    The impossible demands of Heavenly Father's Commands ensures every person stands guilty and convicted before him. This resource leads those who recognize their guilt to the Narrow Way by presenting the Role and Mission of the Christ known as the Atonement.  It illuminates the profound result of Christ's work on earth:  "Christ met the demands of Justice so that Mercy could reign!  Christ removed our guilt by taking our death sentence on himself leaving us guiltless, righteous, perfect and sinless before His Father!  In this way he reconciled us with Heavenly Father."  The Narrow Way is found through the faith that Christ's works results in being justified - that is, "just - as - if -I'd" never sinned!

Exchanging our Curse for Eternal Life   Eternal Death is the curse hanging over every person whose Eternal Life is predicated on obedience. This Drawer of Gems captures the beauty of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice by showing how this curse has been removed.  Some Gems reflect the concepts of redeem, gift and wage.   Other gems reflect many of the aspects of Eternal Life such as; when can we get it, how we can get and why Heavenly Father can offer it.  This resource also offers a startling picture of the "Haves" and the Have Nots".

Exchanging our Guilt for Forgiveness    The Holy Spirit has recorded many illustrations of Forgiveness in Scripture.  This Drawer of Gems examines the facets of ten of the most magnificent jewels that display the miracle of forgiveness.  These facets include the Day of Atonement sacrifice that purified the High Priest Aaron so completely that he could come into the presence of the LORD.  Other facets include: Propitiation, Quickening, the roles of Justice and Mercy, being washed clean in the blood of Jesus, being reconciled to Heavenly Father, the scapegoat, being separated from your sins, having your guilty verdict cancelled, being credited with righteousness, and not imputing your sins against you.

Exchanging our Slavery for Freedom    Those who believe Eternal Life is predicated upon obedience to God's Commands are in bondage.  God's Law is their slavery master.  The Gems in this Drawer testify of the Mission of the Christ; to break the chains such bondage.  They testify of the profound nature of the resulting freedom.  They testify of love born of thanksgiving for a Redeemer, for a 'Ransom Payer' who paid the ultimate price.  These Gems also testify of the inevitable focus of this love; to live a life of thanksgiving; praising God, following His Will, and giving Him all the glory. The final testament of these Gems highlights the stark contrast between the path of Slavery (obligated to keep God's Commands to gain Eternal Life) and the path of Freedom (free to keep God's Commands out of love for being given Eternal Life). Due to man's inability to keep God's Commands perfectly, one of these paths leads to certain destruction.

Exchanging Self-centered for Christ-centered    When Heavenly Father brings a person to faith through the power of the Holy Spirit a profound change in focus occurs.  The person stops living a self-centered life and begins a new Christ-centered life.  This change is so great that the person is called a new creation.  This Drawer of Gems explores the characteristics of this new creation.  It also compares the new purpose of life such a person receives with that of other people.

Exchanging our Sin for Perfection    When Heavenly Father gives us a command; He holds us accountable to it.  He commands us to be as perfect as he is - now; not some time in the future.  Since no one is without sin this command seems impossible.  But Heavenly Father (through His infinite Mercy and Christ's fulfillment of the demands of Justice) offers to credit us with Perfection; just as He credited Father Abraham.  This Drawer of Gems provides a step-by-step explanation of this underserved blessing that grants Eternal Life and membership to the greatest eternal family!
 

Post Office

Discerning Truth

God's Way    How Do You Decide If Something Is True?  This FAQ resource explores the way illustrated, demonstrated and commanded by God: examine His Words as inspired and recorded in scripture.  Presents the example of the noble Bereans who followed Heavenly Father's command to test every prophet by comparing his words against His Words.

The Holy Spirit's Role    How does the Holy Spirit witness Heavenly Father’s Truth?  This FAQ resource identifies the Holy Spirit as the Witness of Truth.  It shows how the Holy Spirit preserved his witness by inspiring scripture.  It draws the conclusion that it is through these "Words of Truth" and not feelings that Heavenly Father commands his children to determine what is truth and what is falsehood.  

Pray About It    Have You Prayed About the Book of Mormon?  This FAQ resource explores the LDS doctrine concerning praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true.  It compares this doctrine with the doctrine of determining truth through comparison with Heavenly Father's previously revealed scripture.  It presents the dilemma that occurs when these two methods result in different conclusions; one method is attempting to deceive you!

What Would Jesus Do?    What was Jesus’ pattern for knowing spiritual truth?  This FAQ resource offers a close examination of Christ's example for affirming truth - Jesus always pointed to scripture, his teachings hold up scripture as the only witness of truth and he never instructed anyone to pray to know if a teaching was true.

You're Responsible    This FAQ resource makes the chilling observation that when you stand before the Judgment throne Heavenly Father will hold you personally and eternally responsible for what you consider true, that is; in what you have put your faith.  It presents the LDS doctrine that you are to hold the words of the LDS Living Prophets as infallible even when they differ from scripture.  It also shows that the Old Testament Prophets and Jesus' Apostles were not infallible, and never claimed to be.  It concludes by challenging you to hold yourself personally responsible by testing the words of any dead or living prophet by comparing them against the original words of scripture.

Faith

The Breath of Faith    Addresses the relationship between Faith and Works.  This FAQ resource examines how the concept of saved by "Faith Alone" (a matter of the heart and Spirit) is often misrepresented by the concept of "Words Alone" ( a matter of mere lip service).  The point is made that works are the inevitable result of true faith.

Consider It Done    When does Heavenly Father bestow Eternal Life?  This FAQ resource confronts the LDS teaching that no one can know if they will be granted eternal life until Judgment Day.  Scripture is closely examined to show that Eternal Life is an immediate blessing of true faith.

Is Faith a Work?    This FAQ resource addresses the argument that faith is a work.  Several different scripture-based studies are presented to show faith is a miraculous and undeserved gift.

Not By Works    This FAQ resource provides a detailed Bible study on Faith and Works.  It addresses the LDS contention that man is saved by "Faith and Works".  It explains that James argument that faith without works is dead does not prove "Saved by Works", but only that people who merely *say* they believe (hypocrites) are not true believers.  Numerous scripture references are used to show that Eternal Life does not and can not be based (even in part) on our works.

Sho' Me the Works     This FAQ resource takes a detailed look at James' description of faith and works in James Chapter 2.  It presents James dissertation that works are the evidence of faith.  It shows that James assertion does not contradict the premise: "imperfect works cannot gain a person eternal life".  It also points out that Heavenly father need not look at a person's work to determine if he is a true believer, that he looks at a person's heart; a hypocrite cannot fool God.

What is a Christian?    This FAQ resource addresses the topic “Being Saved”.  It presents the principle that a label is only as meaningful as the definition behind that label (such as "Christian").  It then explores the question of whether LDS doctrine leads to Eternal Life (exaltation).  In doing so the LDS doctrine of "Faith and Works" is compared against the biblical doctrine of "Faith Alone".
 

Temple

The Old Testament Temple

All One Can Do    To Magnify a Calling in the Old Testament - Looks at specific commands given by Heavenly Father to his Old Testament priests concerning his temple and its ordinances.  Demonstrates that God did not accept anything short of perfect adherence to his explicit instructions.  It proves that when it comes to obeying Heavenly Father's clear commands; good intentions and doing the best you can is not good enough.

Day of Atonement    A Very Significant Day of the Old Testament - Describes the rituals of the Day of Atonement which exposed not only God’s hatred of sin, but also the dire need for all people to be cleansed and be made worthy in order to come into God’s presence.  These rituals introduced both the concept of a substitute sacrifice for receiving forgiveness and of a surrogate that would carry one's sins away forever.  This Temple ordinance cleansed all the Israelites regardless of their relative worthiness.

Burnt Offering    Temple Work of the Old Testament - Presents the most common of the Old Testament Temple ordinances.  The burnt offering of a perfect animal was a voluntary sacrifice of thanksgiving; made not to appease God, but to show one's devotion.

Fellowship Offering    Temple Work of the Old Testament - Explains the details and circumstances of the Old Testament Temple ordinance called the Fellowship Offering.  This was a festive offering given voluntarily in thankful response to special blessings. 

Grain Offering    Temple Work of the Old Testament -  Describes a Temple ordinance which symbolized that all the products of a man’s labor were to be set apart for the Lord.

Guilt Offering    Temple Work of the Old Testament - Identifies an offering given when restitution for a sin was possible.  Heavenly Father, in his compassion, gave this Temple ordinance to his children as a way to remove the heavy burden of guilt. 

Sin Offering    Temple Work of the Old Testament - Presses home the significance of one of the most important Old Testament Temple ordinances, the Sin Offering.  This offering was made when restitution for one's sin was not possible.  A perfect animal was chosen as a substitute for the sinner.  The blood of this animal was sprinkled to atone, literally 'cover', the person's sin.  This absolved the person of the sin

Temple Worthy    How Abraham Became Worthy - In this article Father Abraham is used to examine the concept of being Temple Worthy in the context of the Old Testament.  Heavenly Father himself declared Abraham 'Temple Worthy' saying Abraham was imputed (credited) with righteousness.  But this declaration was made years before Abraham performed his great works of faith.  Heavenly Father did not base Abraham's status of 'Temple Worthy' on Abraham's action, but on his trust in the promises Heavenly Father had given him - in particular the promise of a Messiah.

The New Testament Temples

All One Can Do    After All You Can Do, Is It Good Enough? - Emphasizes Heavenly Father's demand for perfect obedience.  Presents the principle that since no one can perfectly keep God's Commands, no one can meet this demand for perfect obedience through their own works; that all you can do is not good enough.  Introduces God's solution to this dilemma: "Jesus became our substitute; taking on himself our punishment of death and perfectly obeying all of Heavenly Father's commands in our stead.  Everyone who places their faith (trust) in this perfect work of Jesus instead of their own imperfect obedience is assured of Eternal Life!"

Day of Atonement    The Day of Atonement in the New Testament Era - Illustrates how Jesus Christ fulfilled the Temple ordinances of the Day of Atonement; the substitute sacrifice for receiving forgiveness and the surrogate that carries a person's sin's away forever.  Explains how believing that this was the Role and Mission of the Christ results in being perfectly cleansed from guilt and sin, being made worthy to enter into the presence of Heavenly Father.

Burnt Offering    Temple Work of Today - Presents the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament burnt sacrifice.  Because Christ fulfilled the role of the perfect sacrifice when he willingly died on the cross, we no longer offer burnt sacrifices.  Those who believe Christ's sacrifice sets them free from their burden of guilt and their debt to sin offer their own lives in service to their Lord.  They dedicate their life to following God's will; motivated not out of a necessity to work out Eternal Life, but simply out of thanksgiving. 

Fellowship Offering    Temple Work of Today - Today's fellowship offering celebrates the fact that the broken relationship between Heavenly Father and sinful Israel has been healed.  We participate in the fellowship meal known as the Sacrament in remembrance of Jesus and his sacrifice which reconciled us to his Father, atoned for our sins and removed our guilt.

Grain Offering    Temple Work of Today - Underscores the significance of our thank offerings being voluntarily motivated by gratitude and given without thought of gaining something back.  Offerings (works) motivated by obligation and given in order to qualify for Eternal Life are self-centered and do not carry a pleasing aroma to Heavenly Father.

Guilt Offering    Temple Work of Today - Identifies the "Ultimate Guilt Offering".  When Christ willingly became our substitute sacrifice he relieved us of our heavy burden of guilt forever.

Sin Offering    Temple Work of Today - Presses home the significance of the greatest Sin Offering on the New Testament children of God.  We cannot make restitution for our sin.  But a perfect substitute was offered.  His blood covered, that is 'atoned for', our sin.  This sacrifice, this Atonement, makes us right with Heavenly Father.  It restores our relationship and frees us of our burden of guilt so we can live a life of voluntary service.  Service motivated by thanksgiving to the Perfect Substitute which made restitution - atoned - for what we could not..

Temple Worthy    How We Can Be Temple Worthy Like Abraham - In this article Father Abraham is used to examine the concept of Temple Worthy in the context of the New Testament.  We are credited with righteousness (declared worthy to come into God's presence) by Heavenly Father based on our trust (faith) in his promises - in particular the fulfillment of his promise of a Messiah.