My Covenant with God

My covenant with God is pretty simple. I felt a calling to this area in 1996, but I kept denying the pull the Spirit to come to this area. In 2006-2007, my life in Ohio disintegrated with the loss of my marriage, my contact with my stepson (closest thing to my own child), my job, my ministry as a priest in my church, and I was in the process of losing my house. I was depressed and felt lost–going through that “wilderness” experience of feeling separated from God. I refused to take communion in my shame and guilt over the fallout from my failed marriage and due to getting involved with women that I should not have. Every door in Ohio closed so that the only door open was to come to Missouri.

A little over 3 years later, I am in a completely different place. I testify that God is good, so very good. My covenant is simple: I focus on the dreams of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have placed my personal dreams (of family, children, ministry) and my wants in His hands; my focus in my life is on His dreams, His dreams for His people, for this city, for ministry. He takes better care of my dreams and needs than I can and ever have. For example, since the end of 2006, I desired to go on a mission trip to Mexico with a group with whom I am associated. This trip came to pass in 2009 just as God promised the year before in 2008.

It is a struggle, at times, because my desires and my will still subtly try to “sneak” into His Will and my actions. I do not give into feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, depression, and despair the way that I used to do. In place of these, my Lord and King calls me to intercession, calls me to prayer, calls me to walk out my faith. He has blessed me so much with a grace for fasting and mighty prayer (“prayer the Spirit works through you”), grace for a prophetic walk with dreams and spiritual experiences, grace for my calling as a priest, prophet, and prayer warrior, grace for seeking, finding, and building, grace for preaching hope and Jesus as the Living Word, grace for being with the right persons at the right time–Faith Bible College, Ebony & Ivory Ministries, Contemporary Christian Ministries, and more.

My passion is for endowment which is based on Luke 24:49–“...tarry ye in Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high...” I know this as endowment, but it can have many names such as outpouring of the Spirit, anointing, unction, revival, mighty move of God, baptism of the Spirit and fire and more. My life and prayers center on this concept and seeking, knocking, asking, and claiming in the name of Jesus Christ

My church has a prophetic background and history. Part of the background is a calling for a “school of prophets”. This, unfortunately, has not been realized. However, I feel blessed by the Spirit and an inquisitive friend in being led to Faith Bible College as a “school of Spirit” and “school of prophets”. In a few short months, I have been blessed with physical, emotional, and spiritual healings, blessed with a place of new friends and family and teachers, blessed with walking in a calling on my life for many years, blessed in having the gift of tongues opened to me, blessed in being challenged in my stewardship and tithing of time, talent, treasure, and truth (thanks Rev. Dr. Moody), and being blessed with a desire to walk out my baptismal (water, Spirit, fire) covenant, callings, discipleship, and vision with new friends, mentors, and fellow students and teachers at Faith Bible College. My gratitude and thanksgiving in God and the leading of the Spirit grows with my life “Be-attitudes” and blessings..

Statement on Inspired Counsel

These are serious issues--religious, cultural, societal. Acts chapter 10 has been used. Details have been left out. Read the whole chapter! Cornelius fasted, "prayed continuously", helped the poor, and honored the Jewish faith. Peter prayed and followed the Spirit. Cornelius had a vision with an angel. Peter had a vision also. It was repeated 3 times. Cornelius listened to the angel. Peter listened to the Spirit. Peter overcame prejudice and religious laws. Peter gave a powerful, Spirit-filled sermon. Cornelius and his household were baptized in the Spirit. Peter then baptized the first non-Jews.

My point: Spirit and the baptism of the Spirit unites. In 1860, after the ordination of Joseph Smith III, persons spoke and sang in tongues. In 1911, at the end of Joseph Smith III's leadership, reunions had the gifts of prophecy and tongues.

I am personally against same-sex unions and [practicing homosexual] ordinations. But if they show baptism of the Spirit (paragraph 3c), who am I to deny them a calling and ministry?

Where is the baptism of the Spirit within the church today? President Smith III in 1912 stated, "I trust we shall be able to appreciate and enjoy the spiritual gifts more than we have...."

BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO RESOLVING THESE ISSUES!

Thank you.

RLDS History search of "tongues"

RLDS History Search Results
' Searches
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Searching for Text Exactly as Entered: tongues
From Source: Church History

Vol. 1 Chpt. 2:13 ...name should be had for good and evil, among all nations, kindreds, and tongues; or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited written upon gold plates, giving an account o...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 2:18 ...ing the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. "The excitement, however, still continued, and rumor with her thousand tongues was all the time employed in circulating tales about my father's family, and about myself. If I were to relate a thousandth part of them it would fil...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 3:34 ...Verily, verily I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shall prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. 2. And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desiredst of me that ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 4:47 ... which, they drew up and subscribed the following documents:- "'THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES. "'Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which cont...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 4:48 ...ed, the following additional testimony was obtained:- "'AND ALSO THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES. "'Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spo...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 4:55 ... also true. In his "Address to All Believers in Christ," pages 8, 9, 10, he makes this statement:- "A Proclamation. "Unto all nations, kindred, tongues, and people, unto whom these presents shall come:- "It having been represented by one John Murphy, of Polo, Caldwell County, Missouri, that I, in a ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 7:123 ...of the earth, which shall take hold of the inhabitants thereof, and shall eat their flesh, and shall cause maggots to come in upon them, and their tongues shall be stayed that they shall not utter against me, and their flesh shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets; and it shal...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 9:173 ...d them in full. And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. 16. Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law, to g...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 9:187 ... working of miracles; and to others it is given to prophesy, and to others the discerning of spirits. And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues, and to another it is given the interpretation of tongues: and all these gifts cometh from God, for the benefit of the children of God. And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint a...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 11:268 ...s the fifth trump, which is the fifth angel who committeth the everlasting gospel, flying through the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people; and this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth and that are under the earth; for every ear ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 11:277 ... Zebedee Coltrin, and he by Brother William Smith, after which the Lord poured out his Spirit in a miraculous manner until all the elders spoke in tongues, (page 277)...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 11:278 ... female. Great and glorious were the divine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Praises were sung to God and the Lamb; speaking and praying, all in tongues, occupied the conference, until a late hour at night, so rejoiced were we at the return of these long absent blessings. "On the twenty-third, we again assembled in conference; when, after much speaking, singing, praying and praising God, all in tongues, we proceeded to the washing of feet, (according to the practice recorded in the thirteenth chapter of John's Gospel,) as commanded of the Lord. Each...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 11:280 ...d the mysteries of the kingdom, and set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people. And this shall be your business and mission in all your lives to preside in council and set in order all the affairs of this church and ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 12:303 ..."As to the gift of tongues, all we can say is, that in this place we have received it as the ancients did. We wish you, however, to be careful, lest in this you be deceived. Guard against evils which may arise from any accounts given of women, or otherwise; be careful in all things lest any root of bitterness spring up among you and thereby many be defiled. Satan will no doubt trouble you about the gift of tongues, unless you are careful; you cannot watch him too closely, nor pray too much. May the Lord give you wisdom in all things. In a letter mailed last wee...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 12:314 ...e the most high God and cast contempt on his holy religion by pretending to receive revelations direct from heaven, by pretending to speak unknown tongues by direct inspiration, and by diverse pretenses derogatory of God and religion, and to the utter subversion of human reason. "'They declare openly...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:372 ...ch over the ten branches of the church in Zion. "A hymn, concerning the travels, toils, troubles, and tribulations of the Nephites, was sung in tongues by Elder W. W. Phelps; interpreted by Elder Lyman Wight. "September 26. The council again assembled in Zion, and ordained Jesse Hitchcock, Elias H...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:373 ...of its historical importance, as well as for the sound advice it gives concerning the manner of seeking redress, selling inheritances, the gift of tongues, and other matters. The epistle is found on pages 864 and 865 of Times and Seasons, vol. 6, and reads as follows:- "Dear Brethren:-It is a long ti...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:375 ... a present help in every time of need. "We have seen a letter written to Sr. Whitney, in Nelson, that has a great deal to say about the gift of tongues, and the interpretation which was given by way of prophecy; namely: 'that Zion would be delivered by judgments,' and that certain ones named would go...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:376 ...dful that it should be spoken, for it is of no service to the saints, and has a tendency to stir up the people to anger. "No prophecy spoken in tongues should be made public, for this reason: many who pretend to have the gift of interpretation are liable to be mistaken, and do not give the true interpretation of what is spoken; therefore, great care should be had, as respects this thing; but, if any speak in tongues, a word of exhortation, or doctrine, or the principles of the gospel, etc., let it be interpreted for the edification of the church. "When you rec...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:378 ...aptized two and confirmed them at the water's side. Last evening we ordained E. F. Nickerson an elder, and one of the sisters received the gift of tongues, which made the saints rejoice exceedingly." On Monday, November 4, Joseph and Sidney Rigdon returned to Kirtland, and Joseph says:- "Found my ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 13:387 ... be fulfilled. The days of tribulation are fast approaching, and the time to test the fidelity of the saints has come. Rumor with her ten thousand tongues is diffusing her uncertain sounds in almost every ear; but in these times of sore trial let the saints be patient and see the salvation of God. Those...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 16:437 ...e are thirty-four members attached to the church at Mount Pleasant, all of whom appear to live up to their profession, five of whom have spoken in tongues, and three sing in tongues: and we live at the top of the mountain! For my part, I feel that I cannot be thankful enough for what I have received: the Scriptures have been open...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 18:509 ...f stone! "Now, that the world may know that our faith in the work and word of the Lord is firm and unshaken, and to show all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people that our object is good, for the good of all, we come before the great family of mankind for peace, and ask their hospitality and assista...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 21:541 ...sses of the Book of Mormon, to pray, each one, and then proceed to choose twelve men from the church, as apostles, to go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. "'The three witnesses; viz., Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, united in prayer. "'These three witnesses were the...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 21:565 ... branches not ascertained, but generally reported in good standing. "'The council gave instruction concerning the "Word of Wisdom," the gift of tongues, prophesying, etc.; and adjourned till tomorrow morning. "'23d. Conference met to take into consideration the redemption of Zion. "'After addre...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 21:567 ...ed, the saints in America might expect help from them (the church in Barnsley), as they were rich in temporal things, and had received the gift of tongues in the church. (page 567)...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 23:591 ...ened it, and exhorted the brethren and sisters about one hour. The Lord poured out his Spirit, and some glorious things were spoken in the gift of tongues, and interpreted, concerning the redemption of Zion. "Monday, 26. Went to Chardon to attend the County Court, in company with Brothers Hyrum, Samu...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 23:603 ... are habitations for devils, and only fit for his society. But when you are endowed and prepared to preach the gospel to all nations, kindred, and tongues, in their own languages, you must faithfully warn all, and bind up the testimony, and seal up the law, and the destroying angel will follow close at ...

Vol. 1 Chpt. 23:621 ... a wicked spirit; you replied that you would say what you pleased in your own house. Father said, Say what you please, but let the rest hold their tongues. Then a reflection rushed through my mind, of the anxiety and care I have had for you and your family, in doing what I did in finishing your house, a...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 1:14 ... their faults one to the other, and the congregation was soon overwhelmed in tears, and some of our hearts were too big for utterance. The gift of tongues came on us also, like the rushing of a mighty wind, and my soul was filled with the glory of God. "In the afternoon I joined three couple in matrimony in the public congregation; viz., William F. Cahoon and Miranda Gibbs, Harvey Stanley and Larona Cahoon, Tunis Rapley and Louisa Cutler. We then administered the sacrament, and dismissed the congregation, which was so dense that it was very unpleasant for all. We were then invited to a feast at Elder Cahoon's, which was prepared for the occasion, and had a good time while partaking of the rich repast; and I verily realized that it was good for brethren to dwell together in unity, like the dew upon the mountains of Israel, where the Lord commanded blessings, even life forevermore. Spent the evening at home. "Monday, the 18th. Attended the Hebrew school. This day the elder's school was removed into the temple in the room adjoining ours. "Tuesday, l9th. Spent the day at school. The Lord blessed us in our studies. This day we commenced reading in our Hebrew Bibles with much success. It seems as if the Lord opens our minds in a marvelous manner to understand his word in the original language; and my prayer is that God will speedily endue us with a knowledge of all languages and tongues, that his servants may go forth for the last time to bind up the law, and seal up the testimony. (page 14)...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 1:18 ...king the benediction of heaven upon the Lord's anointed, which he did in an eloquent manner; the congregation shouted a long hosannah; the gift of tongues fell upon us in mighty power, angels mingled their voices with ours, while their presence was in our midst, and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms ...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 2:41 ...of thy ministers be sealed upon them with power from on high: let it be fulfilled upon them as upon those on the day of Pentecost; let the gift of tongues be poured out upon thy people, even cloven tongues as of fire, and the interpretation thereof. And let thy house be filled, as with a rushing mighty wind, with thy glory. "'Put upon thy servants th...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 2:45 ...ons of Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to God and the Lamb, Amen, Amen and Amen! three times. Elder B. Young, one of the Twelve, gave a short address in tongues; Elder D. W. Patten interpreted and gave a short exhortation in tongues himself; after which, President J. Smith, Jr., blessed the congregation in the name of the Lord, and at a little past four p. m. the whole exercise c...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 3:53 ...om the eastern churches to Clay County for that purpose. "Whilst this company was forming and going up to Missouri, rumor with her ten thousand tongues was busily engaged in circulating falsehoods about them, insomuch that before they arrived at Clay County there was considerable excitement even ther...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 6:105 ...morial before me, in behalf of those thy brethren who were chosen to bear testimony of my name, and to send it abroad among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people; and ordained through the instrumentality of my servants. 2. Verily I say unto you, There have been some few things in thine heart and w...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 22:498 ...our mission before we left home; our minds were in a nutshell. "It seems to us that we should spread this work among all people, languages, and tongues, so far as possible; and (page 498)...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 23:521 ...aining for themselves our character, kept entirely aloof, but were ready at all times to listen to those who had the "poison of adders under their tongues," and who sought our overthrow. Let every person who may have imbibed sentiments prejudicial to us imitate the honorable example of our distinguishe...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 23:522 ...ieving in almost every direction, and the Lord works with us and confirms the work with signs following them that believe; for they speak with new tongues and interpret them, many sick are healed, and even the deaf are made to hear and the dumb to speak. About two months since I baptized a man by the na...

Vol. 2 Chpt. 25:570 ... same organization that existed in the primitive church; viz.: Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 9:203 ...Powell, and J. W. Briggs met at the house of the latter for consultation. After prayer, the gifts of tongues, interpretation, and prophecy were received, and increased light given, which determined the sending of Elders Lowe and Harrington to visit the branc...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 9:207 ...w days after we had entered into this covenant, while Brother Newkirk was in secret prayer, the Holy Spirit rested upon him. He arose and spoke in tongues, and started homewards, speaking in tongues and praising God. His wife heard him and met him, and shortly afterward she received the same gift and blessing. These gifts were the first fruits of...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 9:208 ...singing in tongues. For a moment I was overpowered with joy. I exclaimed, 'Is it possible that God has remembered my family.' Immediately I went up, and when I was within one or two steps of the house, I paused. I listened, and O the thrill of joy that went through my soul! I knew that it was of God. My child, my dear child was born of the Holy Spirit. I opened the door and went in. It appeared to me that the entire room was filled with the Holy Spirit. Shortly after I requested them all to join with me in asking the Lord to tell us who the successor of Joseph Smith was. I felt anxious to know that I might bear a faithful testimony. We spent a few moments in prayer, when the Holy Spirit declared, 'The successor of Joseph Smith is Joseph Smith, the son of Joseph Smith the Prophet. It is his right by lineage, saith the Lord your God.' "It is proper here to state that the main body of the church lived from four to eight miles from us, and having learned that we had left Strang they regarded us as apostates. However, it was not long after the gifts were manifested and when they came to know that these blessings were indeed with us, they admitted that they were of God, and gradually, one after another, united with us, until the whole church were made to know the truth of our position, and rejoice with unspeakable joy. Although the church had been organized more than a year, and striving to live right before God, yet no visible gifts had been manifested among us. "It was now necessary that we should change our organization and position in relation to the Presidency of the Priesthood. The branch had been organized under Strang. The Lord had taught us that this was wrong, consequently we appointed a day for the purpose of acknowledging the legal heir. The day arrived, and it will be long remembered by many that were present. While we were singing the opening hymn, the Holy Spirit was sensibly felt. Several sung in tongues. A halo of glory seemed to be spread over the congregation, and when we bowed before Almighty God in solemn prayer, all felt and all knew that what w...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 10:214 ... the meeting we made the church acquainted with our design, and while singing the opening hymn, the Holy Spirit was sensibly felt. Several sung in tongues, and while engaged in prayer, the veil was at least partly rent, and the manifestation of the Spirit was such as was seldom witnessed by mortals on e...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 10:222 ...rganization. It was at this meeting that [there was] an exhibition of power, light, and unity of spirit, above any ever before witnessed among us. Tongues were spoken and interpreted; hymns sung in tongues and the interpretation sung; prophecy and visions were exercised here for the first time to the writer. Many sang in tongues in perfect harmony at once, as though they constituted a well practiced choir. Angels appeared and were seen by some, and a testimony of their presen...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 10:226 ...winter there were some strange manifestations of a spirit hitherto but little known among us, and caused no little trouble. It was in prophecy and tongues. Sometimes boisterous, and accusation began to be made against different persons through the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation; and this in public meeting. At this many were terrified, not knowing what moment they might be publicly accused by the Holy Ghos...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 10:227 ...estored. And from that time the spirit that became a public accuser of individual members, has been generally regarded as a false spirit. And that tongues spoken were not necessarily the word of the Lord as had been largely believed; but that though the gift was of God, but might be exercised either und...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 13:277 ...eetings were held every evening during the conference and the Spirit of God was poured out upon the saints in an extraordinary degree. The gift of tongues, interpretation of tongues, the gift of prophecy, and other gifts, were graciously bestowed. . . ."-True Latter Day Saints' Herald, vol. 1, p. 239. On November 7, 1860, Presid...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 15:302 ...d that he was received everywhere with kindness and open hearts, that he lacked for nothing, and that the Spirit was displayed in mighty power, in tongues, in dreams, and prophecy. "Elders E. Page, George Outhouse, Charles Williams, C. G. Lanphear, George Rarick, and A. M. Wilsey, made very encouraging...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 15:306 ...rit and power of God attended the word. Much prejudice was removed and a number were baptized into the church. In the prayer meetings the gifts of tongues, and interpretations, and prophecy were manifest with searching, confirming, and comforting power. The Lord assured us, if we were faithful to him, h...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 15:310 ...e foundation of the world to be a mighty man, yea, to be a prophet in Israel; and thou shalt prophesy to many nations, and peoples, and kings, and tongues." A few other communications were presented by him between this and 1860, purporting to be revelation from God. After the last date these manifestat...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 23:453 ...as follows:- "It has seldom been my good fortune to meet with such spiritual saints as those at Fall River. Ten of them have received the gift of tongues. All but two of them have received the gift since uniting with the Reorganized Church, the others received it in the old organization. They have thre...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 25:479 ...er yet received. We had Bro. George Parker and his wife to see us last Sunday, and we had a glorious meeting; Sister Parker both spoke and sung in tongues; the Spirit was with us in great power. Thank the Lord for his goodness. Bros. Sandy and Flagg are still strong in the faith."-The Saints' Herald, vo...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 25:484 ...ry of God. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings, prayer meetings were held, and on the two latter nights the gifts of the gospel manifested in tongues, interpretations, prophecies, etc. On Monday night the president of the meeting called for the sick to come forth, and having appointed Elders Forscu...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 25:488 ...ostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him or they cannot be saved; and they must come according to the words which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb."-1 Nephi 3: 43. In the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 22, paragraph 9, we read as follows: "And now, Moses, my son, I will speak unto you concerning this earth upon which thou standest and thou shalt write these things which I shall speak, and in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught, and take many of them from the book which thou shalt write, behold I will raise up another like unto thee, and they shall be had again among the children of men; among as many as shall believe." Again in section 42, paragraph 15: "Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed, and they shall be preserved in safety; and it is expedient that thou shouldst hold thy peace concerning them, and not teach them until ye have received them in full. And I give unto you a commandment, that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people."-Preface to the Holy Scriptures, pp. 3-6. (page 488)...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 29:547 ...he saints were blessed beyond expectation; indeed, those present declared that in their experience, none to surpass it was ever witnessed by them. Tongues, interpretations, prophecies, exhortations by the Spirit were among the exercises of the meeting. "'The gathering' was a subject much talked of; and...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 30:576 ...believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel; viz.: the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, and all other Christian graces. We believe that marriage is ordained of God; and that the law of God provides for b...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 34:652 ...o different persons in different forms, but always with like result; the same Spirit, the same power, the same Lord, but different manifestations; tongues, prophecy, interpretations, faith, knowledge, wisdom, healings, miracles, helps, and governments, all working to the same end-and all the testimony o...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 38:746 ...itedly sought the Lord in this matter; not one of them, so far as I know, having any idea who that person was. The answer came through the gift of tongues, prophecy, and vision, repeatedly: 'In mine own due time, I, the Lord, will call young Joseph, the son of the martyred Prophet, to lead my people and church, for he is the rightful heir to the successorship. Therefore protest against and stand aloof from all pretenders to the successorship, for they are all impostors." Bro. Edwin C. Wildermuth makes the following statement:- "The gifts of the Spirit were not enjoyed till after the withdrawal from Strang; that is, in tongues and prophecy. (page 746)...

Vol. 3 Chpt. 38:747 ...After this, at many times, and by many different ones, through tongues and prophecy, young Joseph was pointed out as the successor to his father to lead God's people. There was considerable talk of informing J. Smith con...

Vol. 4 Chpt. 4:68 ...Alexander H. Smith, and J. R. Cook. It was a season long to be remembered, for the Spirit and power of God were present as demonstrated by unknown tongues, visions, and healing. Four were baptized, among whom was an old-time elder who labored in the field in the days of Joseph the Martyr. Brn. H. Jacobs...

Vol. 4 Chpt. 23:416 ...believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting gospel, viz.: the gift of faith, discerning of spirits, prophecy, revelation, healing, visions, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, wisdom, charity, brotherly love, etc. "We believe that marriage is ordained of God; and that the law of God provides for but one companion in wedlo...

Vol. 4 Chpt. 29:540 ...k of this last session. To us it was not a session to "have a good time," to enjoy the "preached word;" to "feast" upon the "fats" of prophecy and tongues, to spend the pleasant hours of recess in chat and visit. It was a crisis in which the welfare of the whole work was at stake; it was a season for fa...

Vol. 4 Chpt. 34:611 ...ings: The preaching was up to the standard in excellence, and the prayer and testimony meetings were marked by an unusual degree of spirituality; tongues, prophesyings and testimonies gave evidence of marked advancement in grace and spiritual growth. The attendance was not quite so large as last year, ...

Vol. 4 Chpt. 36:630 ...r; but onward, higher and higher ever. Elder Daniel Garner was richly blessed in body and spirit; Bro. Burton was instantly healed, and sang it in tongues, praising God who had heard and healed him.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 36, p. 529. (page 630)...


Records Found: 64

Hill Cumorah Expedition Team 2010 Spring Trip

It was a very busy weekend with getting the prayer cards for the 2010 Hill Cumorah Expedition Team Spring Trip done. I just missed getting the cards into Office Max on Thursday night by getting there at 9 pm when they closed. I did get the cards in by Friday night, but then I could not pick them up until about 5 pm on Saturday.

With Peggy's and Dan's help, we were able to get them sorted and distributed for Celebration Ministries, Buckner, Osage Hills, Village Hts., Neil's "Enochian" Congregation, Atherton, Colonial Hills, Beacon Hts., Mission Woods, mailed to New Philadelphia, OH and Hearne, TX, and lastly to the Highlands.

On Monday and Tuesday, I added 2 more congregations--Bates City and Warrensburg. I also mailed out probably 70-90 more cards to friends, CCM prayer warriors and leaders, and others.

The support for the team of Neil S., Don B., Gary W., and David B. has been encouraging after I made the mistake of going from about 160 cards to 410 cards with about 210 laminated. The team will only be going down for a week from this Saturday, March 20 to next Saturday, March 27. They will be doing some work at Teotihuacan in cooperation with Mexican authorities. This work will include setting up a video camera with tripod to record how Sun looks in relation to Pyramid of the Sun on the Spring Equinox. They will also follow-up with new contacts at Ayautla (just beyond Jalapa) and climbing a 4000+ foot cliff to check out caves and "Mixtec Outlook" near Cerro Rabon. This is a follow-up to leads from the 2009 HCET Spring trip of which I was a part.

All the support is a great encouragement, and the prayers are appreciated more than words can say.

Gifts of the Spirit in the Book of Mormon

Gifts of the Spirit in the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 11:78-80 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews that Jesus is the very Christ, It must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, And that He manifesteth Himself unto all they that believe in Him by the power of the Holy Ghost, Yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders among the children of men according to their faith. But behold, I prophesy unto you concerning the last days,

2 Nephi 13:17-18 Yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, And then can you speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. But behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: “After that ye have repented of your sins, And witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep My commandments by the baptism of water, And have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, And can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels– And after this should deny Me, It would have been better for you that ye had not known Me.”

2 Nephi 14:2-3 But behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after that ye have received the Holy Ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.

Omni 1:44-45 And believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; For there is nothing which is good, save it comes from the Lord, And that which is evil cometh from the devil.

Alma 7:31 And having the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation and also many gifts–the gift of speaking with tongues and the gift in preaching and the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gift of translation,

3 Nephi 13:59 Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord! And that shall say: “The Lord no longer worketh by revelations, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost”;

Mormon 4:66-67 And again, I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God and say that they are done away, That there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; Yea, they have not read the scriptures; If so, they do not understand them;

Mormon 4:86-88 Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, But he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe–In My name shall they cast out devils; They shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. And whosoever shall believe in My name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all My words, even unto the ends of the earth.

Moroni 10:10-12 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; And to another, exceeding great faith; And to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles; And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; And again, to another, all kinds of tongues; And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; And they come unto every man severally, according as He will.

Midterm Paper for 20th Century Church History

20th Century Church History Midterm Paper


I want to focus on “baptism of the Spirit” doctrine to begin with in this subjective review of the text. The rise of Charismatics and Pentecostals in the 20th Century was significant with connections to the Azusa Street Revival beginning in 1906 and the Welsh Revival beginning in 1904. Many Pentecostals trace the beginning of their movements in some way to these events.

The Scriptural basis for these events in Los Angeles and in Wales can be found in Acts 2:4, 17-18 (Joel 2:28-29), 43 KJV:

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

To begin, I will be focused primarily on the influence of the Azusa Street Revival in the beginning of the Pentecostal (& Charismatic) Movement with evidence of the move of the Holy Spirit. Persons like Evan Roberts (Welsh Revival) then William J. Seymour and Frank Bartleman realized that there was a key ingredient missing in the churches, namely the Holy Spirit and its effects (tongues and prophecy).

According to the text, a little prayer meeting in Topeka, KS led to the Azusa Street revival in California. Former KC missionary, Agnes Ozman spoke in tongues after midnight on January 1, 1901 following laying on of hands and prayers by Charles Parham and some of his students at Bethel Bible College in Topeka. This baptism spread across Kansas, into Missouri, into Texas, and then Los Angeles at Azusa.

William J. Seymour learned at a later Parham school by listening through a cracked door due to Parham’s strict segregation. He did not receive his baptism before leaving. Seymour’s leadership was rejected by a mission congregation after a week so he began a little prayer group. God used this little prayer group as an origin point for a revival with world-wide effects that changed church history.

Methodist minister G. B. Cashwell received his baptism with tongues at Azusa Street in 1906. He became a leader in the International Holiness Church and helped facilitate the same blessing with A. J. Tomlinson, General Overseer for Church of God (Cleveland), now 2nd largest Pentecostal body.

Another minister C. H. Mason investigated Azusa Street. Mason’s new teaching on baptism of the Holy Spirit led the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) to reorganize as a Holiness Pentecostal body.

My impressions of the effects of the Azusa Street revival are positive with God bridging the racial divide and the gender gap and using humble origins for starting new churches/movements and missions in the world. Negatives would have been disagreements over theology (Seymour vs. Parham), doctrine (Pentecostal vs. Holiness), and practice (i.e. Cashwell vs. Crumpler, Mason vs. Jeter & Jones).

For the second question, I decided to examine 3 church leaders that intrigued me—Aimee Semple McPherson, Richard Rossi, and John Wimber.

One of the first things that stood out with these leaders was the exercise of spiritual gifts and callings. McPherson became a popular faith healer and evangelist during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Her “Foursquare Gospel’ showed “Jesus is Savior (man), Jesus is Healer (ox), Jesus is Baptizer in the Holy Spirit (lion), and Jesus is Coming King (eagle)” based on her vision in connection with Ezekiel 1. “Pastor to the Stars” Richard Rossi’s underground house church movement emphasizes charismatic ministry especially healing. The Vineyard Movement with John Wimber evidenced unusual manifestations of the Spirit even in the face of controversary and questions.

An intense revival in Oakland, CA set the stage for the Foursquare Gospel vision of Aimee Semple McPherson while John Wimber faced criticism with the “Toronto Blessing”—Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Richard Rossi ministers to modern day “lepers and Samaritans” in the form of AIDS patients and homosexuals. He, like his hero Aimee Semple McPherson, ministered to celebrities in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
John Wimber emphasized strong teaching and knowledge of Scripture, but he challenged “Sola Scriptura” with the power of experiential spiritual revelations. Early disciples and apostles were not just stories in a book but living examples of ministry, faith and miracles like these 3 inspirational leaders.

Aimee Semple McPherson was not stopped by her gender, marital issues, and persecutions from leading her ministry as a healing evangelist, apostolic teacher, and gospel proclaimer. These ministries ranged from the small and personal (house churches of Rossi) to large, early “mega-church” (Angelus Temple of McPherson) to both large and small (Calvary Chapel of John Wimber). All of these are reflected in the book of Acts—large gatherings (Acts 2:9-11, 41) and household salvations (Cornelius-Acts 2:44-48).

I believe in active use of spiritual gifts in homes, “Temple” (churches), and community locations. I believe in revelation, visions, healing capable by all, and in dealing with strong, positive use of Scriptures but not in “dogmatic or dead” way. I do not want to limit God or ministry by only specific persons (ordained clergy and not others) and ministry not to modern “tax collectors, Samaritans, and lepers”. I also want to follow the leading and anointing of the Spirit and Its gifts and blessings. I have “heroes of the faith” (Jesus of course, Peter, John, Paul, and now Frank Bartleman and Aimee Semple McPherson) and believe in miracles and the overcoming work of Jesus in the face of persecutions and difficulties.

For the third question, Richard Rossi was instrumental in founding underground house churches in S. California. The Vineyard Movement emphasizes a main service connecting with God through worship and small “house groups”. The great revivals of Azusa Street in Los Angeles and the Welsh Revival began with small prayer meetings and small church groups.

“The Early Church succeeded so well, without all the things we have today. For instance, they had no church buildings, professionally trained clergy, Bible school, hymnals, overhead projectors, wireless microphones, CD copiers, computers, Sunday School curriculum, youth ministry, worship team, copy machine, choir, TV studio or station to broadcast over, nor even personally owned Bibles. Yet they made disciples because those things were not required to do so then, and they are not necessary to do so today. In fact, if we would be brutally truthful, they did a better job without all these things than we do with them!”

Proof of this rests with the House Church movement in China with an estimated 75-100 million believers—the majority without Bibles. It is the 3rd largest body of Christian believers in the world—greater than the Anglican Communion and Assemblies of God. “In the People’s Republic of China, the Simple House Church has grown exponentially, though it is illegal. As with the experience in China, historian Del Birkey’s studies cause him to conclude that the house church is the best hope for renewal today.”

In this last section, I wanted to focus on a topic that really interested me personally. I just finished reading Organic Church by Neil Cole. I could not put it down one night. Between reading the above and the section on “Simple House Churches” (pp. 42-48), I really garnered much to think about in what constitutes a church. Is “church” as we know it and practice it really Biblical? Or is it an institution that does not really match the Scriptures—dogmatic and “dying” (spiritually) and not making disciples, reaching the lost, and not affecting the overall community in Christ-like ways with the Holy Spirit? Are most churches living out the “Way, Truth, and Life” (John 14:6) or establishing something of a “social club” or static institution? These are tough questions that need asked in relation to conventional churches and church practices.

House or “organic” churches are modeled with D.N.A.—D.ivine Truth—Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27): Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; N-Nurturing relationships—2nd Greatest Commandment (Mark 10:31, Luke 10:27)—Love your neighbor as yourself; A—Apostolic Mission—Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49) or known as D.N.A.--D.ivine N.ature A.pplied. Jesus embodies all these concepts, and the Scriptures back up these important principles. Another interesting thing is the study of statistics on house churches showing significantly more satisfaction (13-20% more) in regards to leadership, faith commitment, connection with community, and spiritual depth. Moreover, house churches have also grown from 1% to 9% in a decade. Also, “the evangelistic effectiveness of mini-churches is statistically 1,600 % greater than megachurches!”

In conclusion, I learned that small church meetings and small churches can make a tremendous difference in the world in building the kingdom and in evangelizing the lost. This is an uplifting revelation. I have also learned about interesting church leaders such as William Seymour and Aimee Semple McPherson that stoked revival fires and promoted baptism of the Spirit and Pentecostal manifestations. McPherson had an early “mega-church” while the examples of Richard Rossi and house churches in China showed me their ability to take the gospel to unreached places and to reproduce in reaching the lost and advancing the kingdom. I’ve learned the importance of digging deep in Scriptures to examine what “church” was really like in the New Testament compared to most “church” situations in the U.S. today. My studies in revival, spiritual gifts, and organic churches give me much food for thought and heroes from which to learn.

Covenants vs. Vision

Covenants vs. Vision

I thought about Proverbs 29:18 KJV–“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law happy is he.” You can translate “vision” for prophecy, prophetic insight, and more. You can translate “perish” to become unruly, lawless, without (moral) constraint. I want to stick with “Where there is no vision, the people perish...”(Proverbs 29:18 KJV). I started out thinking that covenants are the bare minimum we are called to do while vision (prophecy) is the larger picture of where God desires to take us. I almost made them into an adversarial role with the “versus” as vision is where we are heading whereas covenants is about present and past agreements.

I changed my mind, and I believe that covenants and vision go hand in hand with each other. I want to use the examples of Caleb and Joshua. 12 “spies” (scouts, tribal leading men) were sent into the promised land. (See Numbers chapters 13 & 14.) 10 out of the 12 spies/scouts brought discouragement to the covenant people of Israel, and they had no faith in God to help them take the land. Caleb stated, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30 NRSV). The spies, other than Joshua (formerly Hoshea), said, “We are not able....” These discouraging, disbelieving tribal leaders focused on the size of the towns and giants among the land rather than the size of their God and His faithfulness to His covenants with them. The Lord God of Israel had brought them out of Egypt in a mighty way (Ex. 7:15-12:36, Ps. 78:12, 42-51), parted the Red Sea (Ex. 14:15-22, Ps. 78:13), drowned Pharoah’s chasing armies (Ex. 15:28-30, Ps. 78:53), guided them to the promised land (Num. 9:18, Ps. 78:14, 52), established the law and covenants through Moses (Ex. 19:1-31:18), fed them with manna and quails (Ex. 16, Num. 11, Ps. 78:23-29) yet they gave into disbelief. All of the scouts were leaders and followed the covenants of God. Only Joshua and Caleb had the vision and faith (Hebrews 11:1–“Assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...”) to take the “big step” that God was calling them to take. Everyone, without the vision/prophetic insight, died in the wilderness including the 10 discouraging spies/ tribal leaders and their followers. “Where there is no vision, the people perish....” literally and figuratively. Caleb remained faithful and young, strong, and healthy–same at 85 as he was at 40 (Joshua 14:11).

In conclusion, I believe that the covenants and vision go together like two hands or even two legs, and one can do more and get further with the two together then with only one by itself. Vision draws us forward into the prophetic promises of God while covenants keeps us grounded in how we are supposed to live out our relationship with God in our daily lives.