Professional Writer
Posted in Babylon, Rescuing Wayward Children, Satan, Sin on Feb 7th, 2009
I confess that on occasion I have sinned. I’m not proud of it. What I thought I would enjoy ended up making me miserable. Worse, I gained a troubling companion whom I had a hard time shaking loose. This article is dedicated to my fellow sinners. All of the rest of you can ignore it [...]
Posted in Holy Ghost, Rescuing Wayward Children, Testimony on Feb 7th, 2009
Years ago, a man approached me adoringly. He named my uncle then asked if I was his nephew. I answered yes. The man turned to his wife and smiled. Then unabashedly he confessed with emotion that some years ago my uncle had saved his life. We were speaking as though we were old friends, confiding [...]
Posted in Parables, Rescuing Wayward Children on Jan 17th, 2009
“No greater work has the Lord God of heaven ever undertaken than to save the souls of his children. It is the grandest, the greatest undertaking that ever has been inaugurated”– Elder Rulon S. Wells Zenos’s allegory of the tame olive-tree gone wayward in the Book of Mormon is clearly symbolic of God’s [...]
Posted in Character of God, Miracles, Rescuing Wayward Children on Nov 13th, 2008
To rescue a wayward child spiritually, we must begin with basics. Nothing is more basic than faith in God and Jesus Christ. It is one thing to believe that they exist, but it is quite another to believe in who they really are. Here is a letter from a mother who, from the depths [...]
Posted in Justice of God, Mercy, Purification, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sanctification on Nov 13th, 2008
Rescuing wayward children is a balancing act, the efforts of juggling Justice and Mercy. In the following correspondence, a father wrestles with dealing with offense, yearning for more priesthood support, and trying to maintain control while showing love-no easy tasks, and common struggles of faithful parents.
Posted in Marriage, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sin on Oct 15th, 2008
Low commitment level, hurt feelings, misunderstandings-a variety of issues lend to a child’s becoming lukewarm to the gospel. Here is a letter from a mother who is trying to help her lukewarm son.
Posted in Anti-Christ Philosophy, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sin, Spiritually Asleep on Oct 15th, 2008
Often, because of their fallen nature, children do not arrive at the testimony of Jesus Christ and his redeeming gospel easily. They may struggle with spiritual concepts and more readily adopt portions of the prevailing anti-Christ philosophy:
Posted in Purification, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sanctification on Oct 15th, 2008
Many parents have asked for scriptural proof that personal sanctification has a redeeming effect on the person for who they are praying. Here is a correspondence that lists that proof.
Posted in Example, Love, Rescuing Wayward Children, Sanctification on Oct 5th, 2008
Love and example have the power to rescue a child. But coupled with these virtues is the unequalled power of personal sanctification. When parents apply to increased righteousness, effectual keys are turned, and deliverance steps through the door. Here are two stories from parents: one in the process, and the other feeling the sweet [...]
Posted in Contention, Deception, Gospel Definitions, Offense, Rescuing Wayward Children on Oct 5th, 2008
To the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed an astonishing doctrine that speaks to the far-reaching effects of the Atonement. It also hints that our wayward children’s premortal righteousness will be taken into account when judgments are pronounced. This doctrine seems to make allowance for those who have been deceived by the doctrines of [...]