Dustin Harding | Son of the Covenant | Member of Christ's restored church | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Husband/Dad | Marketing Researcher
It’s my wife’s birthday today.
She’s an amazing baker and always makes us incredible cakes for our birthdays.
I decided to do the same for her today and baked this Twix cake.
Protected from a murderer:
One night, while serving as a missionary in the east coast, my companion and I had dedicated our last couple hours of the day to an area we had yet to visit.
We got out of the car and as we started knocking doors, there was an eerie feeling in the air
Sorry, I don't believe it.
I have, unfortunately, had several experiences with reporting child abuse as a Bishop.
EVERY TIME evidence came before me, church legal either contacted DCFS for me (which they actually did because the members got a visit) or they brought DCFS in on
Here is why I believe President Holland hinted at seeing the Holy City:
I’m taking the conclusion of his talk into account as well.
Read it all together and see what you think.
“What is not lost is my memory of my journey outside of the hospital. Out to what seemed the edge of
Did you know that this light is nearly all natural sunlight (if not, fully)?
We had been filming the vision scene for days and the lighting was causing grief.
How do you make a vision like that look natural?
Using a crane and a truck full of lighting equipment wasn’t doing
Story time:
When I was first called to be bishop, there was an elderly brother on his death bed.
He was never awake when I came to visit and died just a week or so after my call.
A day or two after his death, he came to me in a dream. He looked much younger and stronger and I
I love this quote from Wendy Nelson:
"What if you learned that the Savior had already returned to this earth—that He, as part of His Second Coming, had already met with some of His true followers in several marvelous, large gatherings—gatherings about which the world, including
Funny fact:
This guy was not a member of the church and casting had to get special permission to hire him.
They claimed that it was too difficult to find a member who looked evil enough to play the villain.
In response to this, President Hinckley said:
“Well they should have
I met with a recently reactivated member last night. His faith is bright and amazing.
His wife, who is not yet a member, told me she would come to church on Sunday if I memorized her husband’s name.
This would normally be an easy task except for the fact that his name has 26
President Oaks just taught that the Family Proclamation is founded on “irrevocable” (unchanging) doctrine.
I was asked yesterday what the doctrine is regarding members of the LGBTQ group and eternal salvation.
While I know and sincerely love members of such groups, the doctrine
President Nelson's take on Millennials:
"When I pray about you and ask the Lord how He feels about you, I feel something far different from what the researchers say.
Spiritual impressions I’ve received about you lead me to believe that the term Millennial may actually be
FYI, the council at Adam-ondi-Ahman could have happened already and the majority of us wouldn’t know it.
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Joseph Fielding Smith:
“When this gathering is held, the world will not know of it; the members of the Church at large will not know of it, yet it shall be
Nephi saw in vision an epic battle between good and evil. Much of what he saw, he was not allowed to record.
President Nelson has told us that "we have front-row seats to witness LIVE what the prophet Nephi saw only in vision."
He told us that we "are among those men, women,
Watching porn destroys your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for willpower, development, rationality....being an adult.
Porn turns you into a man child.
The church just updated the temple recommend interview questions and instructions to add emphasis on the importance of wearing the garment of the holy priesthood.
Yep. I’m a college professor and it’s sooo difficult.
Sometimes it slips out a bit but the vast majority of my students applaud it (I teach at UVU).
There was one semester last year, however, where 5-6 students started asking me gospel related questions after class.
I asked
Do you feel the urgency from President Holland's talk?
"I bear solemn witness of the reality of eternal life and the need for us to be serious in our planning for it.
That seriousness needs to exist when Christ comes.
Because He needs to recognize us — not as nominal members,
Hard take:
Satan has successfully stunted a great deal of spiritual growth in the church by classifying fundamental truths as "deep doctrine."
President Nelson has consistently pushed back in this by counseling us learn doctrine most would shy away from studying and
I have spoken to members who believe the parable of the 10 virgins is about food storage and they have made prepping their religion.
Sorry, I wish it were that easy but the oil represents something much more difficult to obtain.
"56 And at that day, when I shall come in my
“How does one use the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their life?”
I was asked this important question during an Instagram Live, and I hope my thoughts are helpful as we all strive to better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The past couple years I have diligently sought to study and apply President Nelson’s counsel.
Through the process, I have gained a stronger testimony of a living prophet than I have ever had.
I testify that he is, indeed, God’s prophet on the earth today.
We don't need to defend the Book of Abraham.
It is a 100% correct translation by Joseph Smith.
Any claims it is not is only because Egyptology is in its infancy. Give it time. Joseph will be proven correct in all ways.
Have faith. Trust God.
Or don't. It's your choice.
Question:
If gender is an “eternal identity,” when was it “assigned?”
Hot take:
It never was and cannot be “assigned,” or changed.
It’s simply who you have always been.
It was an “essential characteristic” even before God organized us as intelligences.
Randomly came across this quote from Elder Aston in 1974.
Hits hard.
“[The foolish five] were not pagans, heathens, or gentiles, nor were they known as corrupt or lost, but rather they were informed people who had the saving, exalting gospel in their possession, but had not
After today's terrorist attacks in Russia, I think we can almost guarantee WWIII is right on our heels.
Joseph Smith gave some interesting prophecies about Russia that we should watch for:
"England and France are now bitter enemies, but they will be allied together and be
It’s my wife’s birthday today.
She’s an amazing baker and always makes us incredible cakes for our birthdays.
I decided to do the same for her today and baked this Twix cake.
Did you catch what made Laman and Lemuel murmur against their prophet?
1. They didn’t understand the dealings of God.
2. They did not believe the words of the prophets.
🤔
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“And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.
The restoration of the Ten Tribes hasn't happened yet.
When it does, it will be one of the most spectacular events the world has ever seen.
Perhaps its this their restoration that President Nelson had in mind when he said:
"In coming days, we will see the greatest
Sometimes we need a reminder of what we believe.
"We believe...
1. In the literal gathering of Israel AND
2. In the restoration of the Ten Tribes
3. That Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent
4. That Christ will reign personally upon the earth
Just met with a deacon who has recently fallen into some bad habits.
The boy described the weight that’s been on his shoulders and expressed his desire to change.
The Lord orchestrated the timing of our conversation perfectly.
In his own words, the young man said it was an
"O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound.
Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise
Want to hear a miraculous story that may change your opinion of Emma Smith?
I heard it from my Mission President around 2005.
President Ballard had just shared it during an area leadership training.
You can read it in this article (written several years later):
For those who don’t think the Lord’s coming is “imminent,” watch this video.
Remember, the majority of the Jews were deceived at Christ’s first coming.
If your “timeline” doesn’t match the prophet’s, perhaps it’s time for you to reevaluate your theories.
"Please remember that Lucifer did not present a plan that subsequently was voted down by a majority of the participants in the premortal council.
He was not a sympathetic character who lost a close election.
He was a malcontent who rebelled!
Selfishness, pride, and arrogance
I met with my Stake President on Sunday.
During the meeting, I told him how I had set social media aside that weekend and chose to say a prayer in my heart anytime I felt the urge to check notifications.
I explained the deep impact that exercise was having on my spirituality.
Crazy Update:
Roughly 24 hours after me nearly quitting X, the Lord helped connect me to someone here who had sincere questions about the gospel!
This morning, I participated in a remarkable video call with this man, the missionaries, and a member from their ward!
The spirit
Yesterday, I was contemplating leaving X for good...
Since then I have had some amazingly uplifting conversation from so many of you.
I sincerely thank you all for that.
I've also since had two very profound missionary experiences on the platform.
These experiences and
Best part of the day: receiving inspiration throughout conference.
Worst part of the day: getting rebuked by members on X for sharing my conference thoughts.
Can loved one's speak to you from the other side of the veil?
Absolutely! And they do so more than you know!
I have had the blessed opportunity to speak in many funeral sessions.
I often testify that the deceased will still continue to play a major role in the lives of their
Have you ever heard a deceased ancestor call to you "out of the dust?"
I love it whenever I recognize the presence of a loved one.
I know that God does, indeed, give this power.
Our loved ones can communicate to us from the other side of the veil through the Holy Ghost.
"Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God.
Why?
Because your obsession becomes your god."
- President Nelson
The Word of Wisdom.
Have you noticed that each promised blessing is also a blessing referenced in temple ordinances?
Are we seeking these blessings?
Are we desperately seeking hidden treasures of knowledge?
I feel that obedience to the Word of Wisdom is more important than we
But if this prophecy is true, why is God allowing so many to cross the border illegally?
Why have wicked people and even terrorists been allowed to cross into this land?
Answer:
It's a sign that the current inhabitants are ripe in iniquity.
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"I, Lehi, have
Very interesting prophecy from Lehi:
"Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord."
- 2 Nephi 1:6
Want to hear a miraculous story that may change your opinion of Emma Smith?
I heard it from my Mission President around 2005.
President Ballard had just shared it during an area leadership training.
You can read it in this article (written several years later):
No coincidence that you posted this today,
@HughesIV4
.
In the Orem temple this morning, a painting of a Lamanite mother placing a battle helmet on her son's (one of the "son's of Helaman) head caught my eye.
The realization of that mother's faith and sacrifice hit me deep.
Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.
Did Noah know the EXACT day and hour the flood would take place? Probably not.
Yet, he still insisted on preparing.
Weird, right?
Many quote Mathew 24:36 about not knowing the day nor the hour but have you read the verses right after?
Are you hearing the words of President
I felt to share this quote from our prophet in testimony meeting today. It’s a powerful reminder.
“You will have days when you will be discouraged.
So pray for courage not to give up!
Sadly, some whom you thought were your friends will betray you.
And some things will simply
Did Daniel prophecy of the attack on Israel to the VERY DAY?
1. The Bible Dictionary states that the Abomination of Desolation refers to when "Jerusalem again will be under siege."
2. When the temples were closed on March 25, 2020, many wondered if this was the sign that Daniel
Pondering a connection between the 10 virgins, President Nelson's last talk, and the overall urgency from the brethren for us to receive the full blessings of the temple.
What if...
1) The lamps represent the priesthood rights given to us through temple ordinances (see Elder
Randomly came across this quote from Elder Aston in 1974.
Hits hard.
“[The foolish five] were not pagans, heathens, or gentiles, nor were they known as corrupt or lost, but rather they were informed people who had the saving, exalting gospel in their possession, but had not
The Lord is yet to reveal much!
How many of our “traditions” will cause us to “fly to pieces like glass” as these doctrines are revealed?
Joseph Smith:
“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the saints prepared to receive the things of God,
but we frequently
Listen, I'm sick and tired as well. Believe me.
I know this story makes for some humorous memes. I'll be honest, I've chuckled at a few.
Yet, we should never condone such actions. This is in exact contradiction to what President Nelson has counseled.
Let's call it as it is.
What should we be preparing for?
"A compression of events."
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Elder Maxwell:
“Now, my brethren, 'these are [your] days' in the history of the Church.
Mark well what kind of days they will be, days when, with special visibility, the Lord will 'make bare his
Let's dive a little deeper into what Nephi likely meant when he said the Tree of Life represented the "love of God."
When he was asked to know the interpretation of the tree, he was shown "the Lamb of God."
Nephi's response to the what he saw was that the tree represented "the
My friend’s visionary dream:
I was talking with a friend who was worried about the faith of the rising generation.
Apparently he was talking to a YSA Stake President who told him that the members in that stake were dropping like flies.
I told him that, although it was painful,
At some point, the Lord is going to call his saints to gather into places of refuge.
How will He organize such gatherings?
According to Harold B. Lee, "instructions will come to [us] from the First Presidency of this Church as to where [we] shall be gathered." [1]
No doubt,
Yesterday, I was able to take two of my work colleagues (not members of the church) on a tour of the Orem Temple.
They were both very impressed and asked questions the whole time. They loved the experience.
I caught one of them saying a quick prayer in reverence before exiting.
"O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound.
Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise
I was just reading a section of my ancestor's (Mosiah Hancock) journal.
Joseph Smith at one point showed him "the travels of this people" through Iowa to the Great Salt Lake.
It's AFTER this that things get VERY interesting and not what members typically expect (but a very
Far too many church podcasts like to tell you that, in order to REALLY understand the scriptures, you need advanced degrees in theology and/or history and be fluent in Hebrew.
In contrast, here’s a teaching from President Nelson to the sisters:
“How do [you] draw the Savior’s
I know a very well known church scholar who thinks it’s ok to drink coffee as long as it’s cold.
This is just one, of many examples, as to why I am skeptical of church scholarly teaching.
“O that cunning plan of the evil one!
O the vainness, and the frailties, and the
I know a very well known church scholar who thinks it’s ok to drink coffee as long as it’s cold.
This is just one, of many examples, as to why I am skeptical of church scholarly teaching.
“O that cunning plan of the evil one!
O the vainness, and the frailties, and the
President Holland said these two completely unrelated things in his talk.
Anyone who “speculates” that they ARE related needs to repent...
1) “We NEED to believe … we REALLY Can ascend to Mount Zion the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Place, the Holiest of All … [and]
The First Presidency all speak on temples and covenants, President
@HollandJeffreyR
shares the admonition he received, and new apostle Elder
@PatrickKearon
speaks on God’s "relentless pursuit" of His children.
#GeneralConference
What will bind Satan during the millennium?
The righteousness of the people.
Through Christ, we will become so righteous that Satan will have no power over our hearts.
1 Nephi 22
As you follow the prophet's counsel to read D&C 109, I highly suggest studying Elder Andersen's talk side by side.
In his talk, he asks why the Lord would, "at this specific time," direct His prophet to focus on temple like never before.
His answer:
We need the blessings of
Why are temple such a major focus "NOW", "at this specific time"?
According to Elder Andersen, we will need the lift, strength, and power from our temple covenants to withstand the prophesied and upcoming perils of the last days.
"The Lord warned that in the last days, there
I keep hearing and pondering in my mind these questions from Elder Andersen:
"Have you wondered why the Lord would direct His prophet to now dot the earth with His holy houses, His temples?
Why would He, at this specific time, give the needed prosperity to His people that
“Come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as He cleaveth unto you.
And while His arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.”
- Jacob 6:5
Powerful!
Let’s break down the truth in the new instructions now given during the recommend interview:
1. The garment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple, and that veil is symbolic of Jesus Christ.
2. When you put on your garment, you put on a sacred
The church just updated the temple recommend interview questions and instructions to add emphasis on the importance of wearing the garment of the holy priesthood.
There aren’t many wards that could pull off a picture of the bishopric like this on the bulletin.
Our ward is special 😂
And no, I had nothing to do with it 🤣