The Meditations of a Latter-day Saint

 What is Stoicism? Stoicism has been exaugurated to be defined as one who is without feeling or emotion. But this is simply not true. It means to compose oneself. To regulate one's thoughts and emotions. In the Book of Mormon, Alma shares the following counsel with his second son, Shiblon, who had was "stoned for the word's sake". Alma 38:10-12 10. And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. 11. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. 12. Use boldness, and not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. The list of these four cardinal virtues of stoicism: 1. Wisdom 2. Courage 3. Justice 4. Temperance This blog is the beginning of a new series wherein I will address these virtues.

 The Pursuit of Wisdom "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -Philippians 4:8 The appreciation I have for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the invitation we receive to find things in this world which are true, good, and beautiful. In the pursuit of these things, I believe it's important to take these things and elevate them to a higher plain or standard. In a world where Post Modernism places truth and beauty into moral relativism, the Gospel allows us to take the good things that can be found and to remove them from the mire of sophistry. A House of Learning In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord stated that we should seek an education with faith. "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another wo...

 A Man of Christ Alma 48 10. And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of the Christians.  11. And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; 12. Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. 13. Yea, and he was man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. 17. Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever...

 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" -Ephesians 6:17 Helmet When we reflect upon the use of a helmet in Paul's analogy, the purpose of this piece of armor is to protect the soldier from receiving any injury to the head. It's the same concept when it comes to sports, such as baseball or American football: the athletes wear them to protect them from head injury. In a metaphorical sense, however, the idea of the helmet is to protect the mind from injury. While addressing spiritual matters, I believe it is appropriate to speak about mental health as well, especially mental abuse. Mental abuse causes injury which can't be easily seen by an observer, but the signs are there. Depression and anxiety disorders are serious matters which stem from abusive patterns to the one who's been injured. In addressing the spiritual matter on the symbolism of the helmet, the following comes to mind: "Let thy bowels ... be ...

 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."  -Ephesians 6:16 Faith It would be prudent to help define faith at the start. What is faith? How does faith work? "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1, with the Joseph Smith Translation , or revision, and use of the Greek Lectures on Faith, Lecture 1 9. "From this we learn that faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings. 10. "If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action in them; that without it both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental." ...

  "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"  -Ephesians 6:15 This verse will be dissected, piece by piece, to expound upon what the Apostle said in having the gospel of peace. The Feet The image of the feet suggests to the reader the question: Where do you stand? What is the foundation which you find yourself standing upon? How shall you stand before God at His judgment-seat? "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" -Revelation 6:17 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." -Revelation 20:12 The Lord Jesus Christ gave the obvious statement for where we ought to stand, when He taught: Matthew 7 (Cf. 3 Nephi 14, same verse numbers) [with the Greek translation in Green ] 24. Therefore whosoever heareth th...