När Martin Luther läste Romarbrevet påverkades han så mycket av budskapet rättfärdiggörelse genom tro att det förändrade hela hans syn på människans förhållande till Gud. Luther, i sin tur, har påverkat en stor del av kristendomen med hans tolkning av vad sann tro är. Personligen ser jag Martin Luthers avtryck i historien som ytterst viktig, och han har mycket att lära oss, men jag frågar mig om han verkligen förstod Paulus budskap fullt ut. I dessa två videopresentationer (s

Artikel i Newsmill, 21 sep 2012 Denna artikel uttrycker tydligt var kyrkan står i frågan om relationen mellan stat och religion. Debatten om Romney och hans religion börjar nu bli en intressant följetong. Fler ateister och mormoner ger sig in i en dialog som visserligen är givande på många sätt, men samtidigt undrar jag hur fruktbart det hela är i slutändan. Jag kommer fortfarande ha min tro intakt och Patrik Lindenfors, som nu har skrivit sin tredje artikel om mormonkyrkans

Detta är en kommentar till ateisten och evolutionsbiologen Patrik Lindenfors artiklar i Newsmill. Han menar att vi inte kan ha en USA-president som är mormon eftersom dennes religion är ett uppenbart falsarium. Vad skulle detta inte då säga om Mitt Romneys trovärdighet, säger Lindenfors? Jag har själv svarat i Newsmill med denna artikel. Och här nedan följer fler tankar… Jag förmodar att varje vetenskapsman, inklusive evolutionsbiologer, är extremt noggranna i sin forskning.

Ever since I can remember I have been a fan of David Foster, perhaps the world’s greatest hit maker and producer. Recently he accompanied the gifted Andrea Bocelli to Salt Lake City. There the fabulous tenor sang together with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In our lifetime we are privileged with a few moments of sheer musical magic. This is one of them (I just wish I could have been there). Foster said: “This was as close to a heavenly experience that I think I’ve ever had in m

Automatic translation of text ÄNGLAVAKT Betraktelse i Länstidningen inför St Mikaels dag, 3 okt 2009. Från barnsben har vi hänförts av berättelser om dem. På glittriga bokmärken har vi sett deras vingklädda skrud. Oräkneliga är de tavlor, skulpturer, filmer och bokomslag där vi har skådat deras fromma ansikten. Änglar. Vi ser dem överallt. Ja, åtminstone i kommersiella sammanhang. Men i verkligheten då? Finns de? Kan vi i sanning se dem. En bibelberättelse som alltid har vari

Now and then someone shows up and dares to say it like it is. Pastor Joe Wright is such a person. In the Kansas House in Topeka on January 23, 1996, Joe Wright, the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita, was guest chaplain that day.  He prayed a prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of  Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. According to an article in the Kansas City Star from January 24, 1996, his prayer did stir controversy and on

The peoples of the world search far and wide for peace of mind, drawing strength from different sources of inspiration. But it is first when they find Jesus Christ, and come unto him, that they experience true peace. He is the light of the world – a light that never fades. Thus, lasting joy and peace can only come through Him, He who is the healer of our souls. #mormon #Faith #lds #Jesus #healing

We live in a blog world. And it’s getting more “bloggier” by the day. Thousands are each day registering new blogs, and raising their voices. Some of these voices you wish you’d never heard, but… there are some who actually have something good to say, believe it or not, and we’d do well to bookmark their site. Now and then I will copy links to some of those blog sites that I think are worth while reading. They are of the “feel good” kind, promoting a good life. The first one

A few months ago, when I wrote the post Repairing My Son’s Heart (which explains about Johannes’ condition) I knew it wouldn’t be long until the next open-heart surgery, the third one for him. Earlier today we arrived again at the hospital in Göteborg. The doctors are running a few tests for two days, followed by the operation on Monday morning. I usually don’t ask for much, but we would feel blessed if you would offer a prayer for Johannes, that he will get through this surg

These are some thoughts I wrote down in September, but have not posted here until today: I never thought I’d say it: RIX FM (a commercial hit radio station) has given me inspiration! I was listening to the radio the other week, and I heard one of the DJ’s say that she neither smoked nor drank because this gave her the greatest sense of control. Then she challenged her listeners: “I want to tell everyone out there: Take control of your life!” Wow. How simple, yet profound. I l

I sincerely pray that God’s blessings and inspiration will be with these men, whom I admire very much. I have followed their lives closely, and I see three persons with humble hearts, willing do whatever it takes to serve the Lord by serving mankind. This is what they have dedicated their lives to doing – 24/7. I encourage all of you to listen to their counsel. They won’t lead you astray. I promise. And as I mentioned before, a good way to see if someone is really speaking fo

In reference to Why a Prophet? (1), how can one then, in actual fact, know that a prophet is a true prophet? Let me give you a somewhat different approach: About six years ago a man came for regular visits to our local congregation. He looked just like a prophet, or rather, the way you would expect an ancient prophet to look like: an older man (although he wasn’t that old) with a meager outfit and a really long beard. He had an inward bound character and appeared, to put it

The saddest news just reached me: Our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, has left us at age 97. For twelve years he has been the most exemplary leader for the Church, and he will be missed. Here is the full story: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/ In this state of mixed emotions I shed a lot of tears; I am sad, and feel a great void, because of his passing; but there are also tears of gratitude for what he has accomplished, and also happiness that he now has come home

Last week I taught a few Institute of Religion classes at Bolliaden, a Young Adult conference in the Church. The theme of the conference was Walking on the Straight Path. The students brought a good spirit and the participation level was high. Like I often say, I feel privileged to teach in such settings, especially since I feel as though I have been taught just as much – if not more – as my students. Our discussion came to focus a lot on faith, as being the opposite of fear.

Our family has adopted a special Christmas tradition that I guess could be blended with New Years resolutions. After all the presents were opened, stomachs stuffed with goodies, and the general noise level subdued, the attention rate of our children was a lot better after than before Santa’s arrival. Since timing is everything with kids, that’s when we hit ’em with the nativity story in Luke, chapter 2, after which we talked about the wonders of that first Christmas. We alway

A week ago we lost one of our oldest, but dearest members of our congregation, Agnes Traviss. Yesterday her funeral was held. Until my release two months ago, I had been her bishop for several years. I had truly enjoyed her company. She always wore that gleaming smile on her face that would make you forget your own worries for a moment. Often when I looked at her from the stand I thought about her life as a single woman, struggling to get by. She had had many reason to compla

I had a tricky lesson recently. The text was taken from the first half of Leviticus (Old Testament), and dealt a great deal with the sacrificial offerings the Israelites were commanded to perform. Understandably, some of the students were… how shall we put it… a bit nauseated by the description of these offerings; blood sprinkled on the altar and intestines being cleaned, etc, didn’t appeal to all students. For these reasons I tried to minimize those part, so as not to gear o

For those who read the sad news in an earlier blog, Skinheads Assault Mormon Missionaries, about my nephew and his companion who are serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there’s this article from Bolton News that might interest you. Both of the young Elders impress me. To be a part of such a beating, and then to unconditionally forgive your offenders, I think that exemplifies charity, the true love of Christ. From what I understand Elde

Today is a planes-trains-and-automobile kind of day. I’m travelling back from a CES job convention in Frankfurt, Germany. At present I am on a train, getting closer to home. But I just spent two hours in an airplane, having a pleasant conversation with a nice lady who shared with me the faith of a Christian. We talked about everything from religion to education. But a few minutes before landing we both settled in silent awe as we looked out into the night sky and saw the beau

One of my duties as a CES Coordinator is to visit teachers and students in their various classes, assisting with administrative matters. Last night, as I met with a class in central Sweden, I spoke at length with the teacher about her recent family tragedy. Her twenty-one year old son had passed away a month ago in a motor accident. She explained that even though there had been many tears and a feeling of void in their lives, there had still been light – even peace. I asked h