spamlds

Foxe's Book of Martyrs gives this info on Philip "Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of 'disciple.' He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54." FOX's Book of Martyrs

Just a note of caution about Marvin Perkins. The week after Gladys Knight and her wonderful choir came through and did a fireside at our stake center in Virginia, Marvin Perkins came and gave fireside in an adjoining stake. The three stake presidencies in the area whose members attended the fireside sent out letters to all the wards under their stewardships to disavow some of the comments made by Marvin Perkins. Not all of his presentation is doctrinally accurate and it does not represent the views of the leaders of the Church.

The replies on this thread have been interesting to read. At the Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism, we track anti-Mormon activity, particularly in the media. There was a concerning spike of anti-Mormonism that led to multiple incidents of vandalism on LDS meetinghouses and several instances of assaults against missionaries and members. You can see the whole incident log here: The Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism: Incident Reports The Church has had an elevated profile since 2007 primarily due to Mitt Romney's candidacy for the presidency and Proposition 8. Evangelical Christians who believe books like "The Godmakers" are in a panic because of Mitt's, and now Huntsman's, candidacy. They have been told that Mormons want to take over the government and force a nuclear theocracy. Of course, we know such things are crazy talk, but there are a lot of evanglicals who believe this about us. As the election cycle goes forward, there will be an increasing amount of anti-Mormon stuff in the mainstream media. If Romney actually gets the GOP nomination, the opposition will have an anti-Mormon heyday, financed by about a billion dollars worth of campaign money. We all are going to have to answer a lot of questions in the next year that have been drafted by anti-Mormons. It is not going to be easy. Our faith is going to be tested. Elder Packer told the saints in a broadcast to saints in the Utah Valley: "Easy times are in the past," he said. "Humbly confess to the Lord that you will do things His way. The days of the Hole in the Rock were easy times compared to what faces you." (Meridian Magazine, 22 Sep 2010, Meridian Magazine - Rock-Ribbed Faith - Meridian Magazine - LDS, Mormon and Latter-day Saint News and Views) Next year, Warner Brothers will be producing a movie based on the book "Under the Banners of Heaven," which will show the Church in a not-so-favorable light. It will be directed by Ron Howard (the DaVinci Code) and the screenplay will be written by a gay exMormon--all just in time for the election. Our lives may be somewhat complicated as a result of this increased visibility for the Church. The time is now to have a testimony based in the Holy Ghost, not in the reasoning of men. If we don't have that, it will be difficult to stand. Anti-Mormonism is about to take a big leap forward, the likes of which we haven't seen since the 19th century.

Anti-Mormons can never teach by the Spirit of the Lord. That's why they work in circular reasoning and try to trip you up with scriptural arguments or tenets. To Martin Harris, the Lord said this in D&C Section 19-- 29And thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see. 30And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers. 31And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. 32Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life. Arguing tenets doesn't do much good with anti-Mormons. Simply invite them to believe and repent. If they scoff at that invitation, let them have the last word. (Remember that Alma and Amulek left Ammonihah behind them.) Just press on and keep doing good, bearing testimony. If they won't receive your testimony, they wouldn't receive it if it came from an apostle, an angel, or from the lips of Jesus himself. They are modern-day Pharisees. Their methods and motives are the same as those who opposed Christ anciently. Their fate will also be the same.

Brother, you've got the wrong concept of missionary work. We don't send theologians out to preach the gospel. You don't have to "prove" anything. You don't have to attack anyone's beliefs. It's very simple--here's how it works: Get a testimony of the gospel in your heart that is fervent and real. You do that by reading, praying, fasting, and serving. Then you simply go out and bear testimony of what you know to be true by the Spirit. The "Preach My Gospel" book is a good preparatory tool. Get one know and start using it for your mission prep. When you bear your testimony by the Spirit, it will kindle a reaction in the hearts of those who are seeking truth. They will feel the Spirit from you. You don't have to prove or disprove anything. If a person resists your testimony, take that for a sign that they are not "elect" at the present moment. The Holy Spirit prepares people and makes them ready or "elect." The Spirit will ensure that you arrive and teach them when that time is occurring in their lives. It will amaze you. As a missionary, if you are diligent, the Lord will do miracles through you simply because you are worthy and you are available. You may find some people who want to talk about doctrines, but nobody ever converts because of doctrines. They convert because of the Spirit. Get the Spirit in your life now and know for yourself that the gospel is true. Then put yourself in the Lord's hands and he will use you for good. Conversion comes from the witness of the Spirit. That's why we can send 19 year-olds out to preach the gospel and they are effective. We don't send professors of ancient scripture out to do that work. Trust in the Spirit, not in the arm of the flesh.

This is a beautiful example of the extraordinary seamlessness of the priesthood. When a convert joins the Church, as was already mentioned, he moves into the jurisdiction of the key-holders in the stake/ward. I served my mission in an area that had no stakes or wards, just branches under the mission's jurisdiction. Our mission president presided over the missionaries AND the members in the mission. Interestingly, a mission president in a mission signs all three blanks on his own temple recommend. That's an interesting situation! Another interesting "transfer of power" I saw occurred when they moved a singles branch in our area from one stake to another. I was in a bishopric at the time and I received the call to be in the singles branch presidency with two other high priests. We were instructed to meet at a chapel in the other stake. The area authority president was there and both stake presidencies. The outgoing presidency from the branch was also there for the meeting. The area president presided. The stake president of the first stake released the branch presidency. The unit was then reassigned by the keys of the area authority to the second stake. The stake president of the receiving stake organized the unit and then called us to the presidency of the new branch. As soon as the "Amen" of the closing prayer was said, the new presidency swooped off the stand and pulled people into classrooms to interview and extend callings. The receiving stake presidency called an elders' quorum president, clerk, and executive secretary (which were stake callings). The branch president set apart the Relief Society and Sunday School presidents. We counselors took care of setting apart counselors, teachers, and various committee members. It was an education on how to set up a church unit from scratch in a day!

A positive attitude is the best tool for refocusing your thoughts about anything. Begin each day with a moment of giving thanks for the littlest things--a comfy bed, the sunshine in the window, the hot water in the shower, a tasty bowl of cereal, clean clothes to put on. It sounds silly, but it sets the tone for the rest of the day. When temptation comes, just redirect to things you're thankful for. If you are burdened with depressing thoughts, nothing dispels darkness faster than being grateful for the little things. It takes time, but it does work. You can re-train your mind toward positive things and you'll find greater motivation to act on promptings or simply doing your duties. I don't remember the exact quote, but Brigham Young said that if you fall on your knees every morning and thank the Almighty for your blessings with all your heart, you will not fail to enter the Celestial Kingdom. I think there's something to that.

Teach your kids Christ's atonement. That's how anyone gains power to overcome Satan. They will make mistakes and a proper understanding of the atonement will teach them that they can be forgiven and move forward. Teach them to love Jesus Christ and the joy that comes from living the gospel. They will feel it in their hearts and, even though temptation comes, they will be less willing to let go of the "iron rod." If they do, knowing about the atonement, they'll always be able to find their way back home.

First off, you need a better doctrinal understanding of what "heaven" is. Those who abide in the telestial and terrestrial kingdoms are saved in a heaven. They will enjoy the fullness of that light which they were willing to receive. We do not condemn others for their religious preferences. Only the sons of perdition end up in outer darkness forever. Hell is the spirit world--and the same world in Hebrew (sheol) denotes it as paradise also. It simply means the abode of spirits who are awaiting the resurrection. In that sense, disobedient spirits go to "hell" in the spirit world where they must repent before the resurrection. Hell has an end as such. Don't use Protestant-Evangelical terminology like heaven and hell. When you serve as a missionary, you are to teach the full plan of salvation, which includes the kingdoms of glory. You teach that the atonement of Christ is what saves, and that we obtain grace by obedience to gospel ordinances. Let the investigator decide what his eternal destiny will be. It's not up to us to judge. You simply teach the conditions and covenants required for celestial glory and they will self-select based on the degree of light that is in their hearts. The way you prepare to do this is to fast and pray, studying the scriptures. If you are obedient to the commandments, the Holy Ghost will be poured out upon you and you will understand intellectually and spiritually. You'll be able to teach with authority then. It doesn't come without effort. Fasting and prayer is marvelous preparation.

There is something about kneeling that makes a difference to the human psyche when it comes to humility. When our stake high council meets with the stake presidency, they have a kneeling prayer and they ask for blessings for specific members' needs. I first saw this when I went with my son to give his post-missionary report to the high council. It was very touching and it brought a marvelous spirit. When I became a branch president, I made it a point to arrive to church early before everyone else, and I have a kneeling prayer in my office about the pressing issues and decisions to be made. I recognize that inspiration comes more freely when I do so. Back in February, I had a serious knee injury which kept me in a knee immobilizer for a couple of months. I found that I really missed the kneeling part of my prayers. I still prayed, but I feel like I had to work extra hard to get the right attitude that seems to just appear when I kneel.

I think this points to two principles. One is the obligation we have to the Lord for blessings he gives us. The second is the power of discretion that the Lord uses when judging each of us according to our works. Some of us grow up in the brightest, sunniest part of the vineyard, while others grow in the "nethermost part" of it. Some people are born into the Church, born in the covenant, in free countries, into homes that are relatively affluent, where they don't suffer hunger, want, or lack of love and affection. Some people are born into much less favorable circumstances, in poor countries, under oppressive regimes, lacking basic human rights and freedoms. They must struggle and search for the true Church and sometimes they don't find it in this life. This passage inspires us to count our blessings and to show the Lord gratitude for what we have by doing our part. For example, if you are a young man who was born in the Church, raised in a good environment, have enjoyed the blessings of a gospel-centered home, and your family has the means to support you on a mission, by all rights you "owe" the Lord a mission. You were given much, so much is required. When the Lord judges us, he will take into account the opportunities we were given to respond to truth and to serve him. If we were greatly blessed but didn't rise to the opportunities, our judgment will be more severe than someone's who had much fewer opportunities, but took advantage of them to the fullest.

The answer is right there in the scriptures--D&C 107: 13 The second priesthood is called the Priesthood of Aaron, because it was conferred upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations. 14 Why it is called the lesser priesthood is because it is an appendage to the greater, or the Melchizedek Priesthood, and has power in administering outward ordinances. 15 The bishopric is the presidency of this priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same. 16 No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant of Aaron. 17 But as a high priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood has authority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descendant of Aaron can be found, provided he is called and cset apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood. 18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church— Conferred authority from God trumps authority by lineage. Even one who is a literal descendant of Aaron must still be called by prophecy, by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.

If faith is the power to move mountains and to heal mortals suffering from various ailments, might it not be the case that faith is the power to turn into reality what we can envision spiritually? In that case, I suppose that faith is the power to transform our resurrected bodies into whatever we consider ideal. Like anything else regarding faith, I don't suppose this would happen without effort on our part. In that case, beauty is what a righteous soul thinks it should look like, manifested in the physical body.

On beauty-- One of the most beautiful things I ever saw in my life happened as my wife and I were walking hand in hand through the halls of the Washington D.C. temple. As we turned one of the corners, there came an elderly couple walking towards us. Both of them were stooped over with age. The husband had his wife by the hand and they mutually steadied each other in their steps. You could see the light of the Spirit in their eyes. In a glance, you could tell they had weathered life's storms together faithfully. We moved to the side and quietly greeted them. As they shuffled by, my wife gave my hand a little squeeze. Hopefully, we'll live that long together and still be going to the temple hand in hand in 40 years. I don't think I ever saw anything as beautiful as that old couple in the temple. Don't sweat age, beauty, physical strength, intellectual prowess. Just be faithful and God will turn you and your life into something beautiful.

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." The fellowship of the saints is something to be prized. When I joined the Church at the age of 19, I wanted to immerse myself in it totally. I was impetuous, like Peter, when the Lord washed his feet at the Last Supper. I wanted not "just the feet" but the "head," too! Wise leaders guided me along the way and helped give my idealistic enthusiasm a dose of realism. I was blessed with good friends who were also good examples. Very literally, they could say, "Do as I do." Twenty months after I joined the Church, I entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo. That was probably the biggest trial of my faith up to that time. Having to learn a foreign language so rapidly was difficult. I also expected that the elders there would all be like Ammon or Captain Moroni. I was dismayed at the silly games and lightmindedness among these lifelong members. In turn, the like playing a lot of childish pranks on me, which made me feel somewhat isolated and homesick. I was too young in the gospel to realize that this was all a natural part of growing up and growing into the spirit of missionary work. One night, as I wrote in my journal, about three weeks into the MTC, it dawned on me that I could just leave. There was nothing to stop me from just walking out the door, buying a plane ticket, and going wherever I wanted to. I had a bank account full of money to last me for two years. I had lived in Alaska in my high school years--it crossed my mind to just return back there and resume life as it was before I had ever joined the Church. Then it hit me. No matter where I would go or what I would do, I would still KNOW that the Church was true. I would still KNOW that God had spoken to my heart and told me that Joseph was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon was true. I could not "un-know" that ever again. I realized that this knowledge had bound me to others who had that same testimony. I live far from Utah and almost everyone I am around every day is a non-Mormon. There is a kind of loneliness that sets in--a sense of being a "stranger in a strange land" like Abraham. When I am among the saints, there is a palpable sense of joy, of being "understood." Paul described it as knowing as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12). On the few chances I have had to visit Utah, there is a great joy of being around a large concentration of members. The cashier in the store with the CTR ring is nice and friendly instead of insolent and rude like the ones at home. The waitress in Denny's doesn't automatically show up with a coffee pot in hand. Nobody blinks when I tell them I have five kids. I don't have to explain why my oldest sons didn't go to college right away, but chose to serve missions for the Church. There's a whole level of understanding that goes beyond mere culture. There are just different expectations and a person with a testimony finds that very comforting to find those expectations observed en masse. Like the passage from Ephesians 2 that I cited above, the Spirit of the Lord and the common unity that comes from being built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets (whom the rest of the world rejects) is a gift from heaven. The fellowship of the saints can't be manufactured. The devil tests it at times, but it endures as part of the testimony of Christ and his restored gospel. The same spirit that kept the handcart pioneers pulling together is what unites the saints in fellowship today.

You're welcome to use any of the articles from the archives of the Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism. We've got over 200 articles that address every conceivable topic raised by antis. Just log in and use the search tool and you'll find what you're looking for. G.West Welcome! - The Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism

Here's something you might want to read. On he Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism, we had a former member who had fallen away join us and engage us in anti-Mormon discussions. He ended up writing a big screed, which I called his "monologue." All exMormons have a monologue they use to justify their actions and why they left the Church. I encourage you to read my summary and analysis of it. Anti-Mormonism is designed to steal your testimony. The Spirit of the Lord will never tell you do anything that violates a covenant you made with Heavenly Father, your wife, or your family. Perhaps when you read "Ishmael's Monologue" you will see some of the tactics that are being used to destroy your faith right now. I know from many years of experience, that whenever I don't have answers to anti-Mormon questions, that my faith is being tested. When I hold to my covenants, the Lord eventually brings the answer over time. Check out "Ishmael's Monologue" here" Ishmael's monologue - The Society for the Prevention of Anti-Mormonism - "Truth is not a tactic"

Maybe I can share a scriptural insight I learned from my mission and the French translation of the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 4 says: 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. There were some key words in French that gave this new meaning to me: Heart = coeur Might = pouvoir Mind = esprit Strength = force This is the "order" by which the Lord judges our actions and efforts. The first thing is heart. The desires of our hearts are the most important thing. Desires become actions. If we can focus our desires on the things of God, then our actions will bring forth fruit. If our desires are for fame, money, worldly pleasure, etc., that will be the fruits that will grow instead. Pouvoir is the word I found the most interesting. When we say "might" in English, we tend to think of strength, like "mighty." Might also is the conditional form of the verb "may." It implies permission and opportunity. In French, the word "pouvoir" has two meanings. One is "power" and the other is the verb "to be able." Thus the second criterion by which the Lord judges us, after our heart's desire, is our opportunity and our ability. A person who has a severe handicap may not be able to serve a mission because of it. His opportunity is limited in that specific way. The Lord factors that inability into the mix and looks at what his abilities are. Do we exploit the opportunities that come our way to do good? Our opportunities will differ one from another. Some bring forth fruit 10-fold, others 20-fold, and others 30-fold. That's "pouvoir." "Esprit" means spirit or mind in French. It is our intellectual and spiritual ability. Do we devote our minds to the service of the Lord? There is a great deal of variation here. Certainly somebody like Robert Millett or Hugh Nibley were blessed with great intellect. Because of their ability to teach and write books, does that make them more of a celestial person than the rest of us? Not at all. Sometimes we may not be smart enough to figure out all the answers and we make mistakes based on erroneous information. The Lord takes all that into account. Last of all, "force" is physical strength. Did you DO enough, work hard enough? Our strength varies from day today. Sometimes a guy doesn't get his home teaching done because he had to work a bunch of overtime and he was exhausted. Sometimes sickness, accidents, and other problems keep us from getting things done. Like you said, it's rare for a person to give 100 percent all the time. Thus, when you look at these four things, the only one of them that you have total control over is your desires--your heart. That's what the Lord looks at the most. Despite all the efforts we will make to try preach the gospel to everyone and save all of Father's children, he will do what we cannot. He will look at the heart and judge it with full understanding of all those things. In D&C 137, the Lord told Joseph: "Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts." What is your desire? What do you want more than anything? That will be the guiding star that determines your destiny, because it will shape your works. Meditate, pray, and search the scriptures--but add to that some time to just be alone and feel the Spirit. You will know, by the closeness you feel to the Lord, that you're on the right path. It's less about what you do than what you want. Strengthen righteous desire and the works take care of themselves. Feel the Lord's love for you and let him take the lead. You can feel his acceptance and caring concern if you make a quiet time and place for it to happen. All of us need our personal Sacred Grove sometimes.

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In questions like this, we should turn to the scriptures for our answers. The question here isn't about what a person feels. It's whether a person can discern between right and wrong. That's what we call accountability. The Book of Mormon deals with the issue of accountability in Moroni 8:10 regarding children, but it's applicable beyond that example. Here's the verse: 10Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children. OK, there are two parts here. First is the ability to discern right from wrong. It doesn't have anything to do with feelings. If you are able to assemble something like a piece of furniture or read directions and bake a cake from a cookbook, you have the intellectual capacity to understand what is right and wrong. If you're capable of hearing and understanding oral instructions, you are on the threshold of accountability. I think God gives us a "grace period" by nailing baptism to the age of 8. Most children are cognizant of right and wrong, and they can understand obedience and consequences, reward and punishment, before they are 8. The Lord just doesn't count sinful actions against us until that time. He knows what we know and he understands when we become accountable. So the question is, can you as a sociopath understand written or oral teaching that tells you certain behavior brings blessings and other behavior can bring harm? It has nothing to do with what you feel. If you can obey, you're accountable. The next part is, are you capable of repenting if you don't feel guilt. I would ask, what do you feel? What emotions are you capable of experiencing. Do you laugh at humor? Do you feel anger if someone mistreats you? Some brain injuries disrupt the emotional link to our perceptions. These people don't laugh, cry, feel anger, etc. I would suggest that, if you are capable of feeling anger, you're capable of feeling guilt. The question is, what does guilt feel like to you? You may have to work to identify it. Sociopaths are generally lacking in empathy. For example, most of us would react with horror and revulsion to see someone abusing an animal. We feel pity for the helpless beast. We are capable of putting ourselves in the place of another. Sociopaths have difficulty doing this. Can this limitation be mitigated? I would expect that a person could to some degree. It would take effort and practice. The last part is, what constitutes repentance if you can't feel "godly sorrow." Turning to the scriptures again, Lord told Joseph Smith in D&C 58:43-- "By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them." Does it say that mere sorrow for sin is required? No. Lots of people feel guilt for their sins and don't repent of them. The way you repent is to recognize that you violated God's laws (accountability) and then make it right by confessing and forsaking them (repentance). If you have the intellectual wherewithal to ask the questions that prompted this discussion, you have the ability to repent and obtain the blessings of obedience and eternal life.

Hi everyone. Here's are a couple of things to keep in mind about the Second Coming. First, look at the Book of Mormon as our template. Elder Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy recently visited our area. He said to consider the chapters from Mosiah 25--when the Nephite Church was founded--to 3 Nephi 11--when the Savior appeared as the pattern. We see the same conditions today, churches that parallel the Nehors and anti-Christs. We see Gadianton robbers active in the world. We will see a collapse of civil governments and a gathering into families and "tribes." There will be great destructions and disasters and the Lord will come. Note that the prophets in the Book of Mormon were given knowledge of key events, but not the exact day or hour. For example, Samuel the Lamanite gave warning of the Lord's birth five years out and gave signs to watch for. Nephi received a revelation that told the sign would be given on the eve of the Lord's birth. The First Coming to the Nephites is a "type and shadow" of the Second Coming, the Millennial reign, and the falling away that happens at the end of the Millennium when Satan will be loosed from his prison one last time. The second thing to keep in mind is that the Second Coming consists of several appearances, some of which will involve some planning. The order is unknown of these appearances, but the Lord will appear to the Prophet, to the saints in the Rocky Mountains, to the gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman, and to the Jews in Israel at the Mount of Olives. After those appearances, there will be the final, global appearing that will go from east to west like lightning and "all flesh shall see him together" on that day. Obviously, there will need to be some planning before the gathering at AoA and perhaps the other events as well. We may not know the day or the hour, but we will know when it is close and many of us may take part in one of these preparatory appearances of the Lord.

Just refer him to the S.P.A.M. web site and we'll give him enough stuff to read that he won't bother sending you e-mails for a while.

Respectfully, your comment demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of what the keys of the kingdom are. That's not surprising. Not enough latter-day saints understand them. The keys of the kingdom are the power to direct the work of salvation on earth. It is authority, permission, consent, and the delegation from God himself to build up the kingdom that the prophet Daniel says will be presented to Jesus when he returns (See Daniel 7). The keys bind on earth and bind in heaven. Jesus said they include power to remit sins and retain them. They were given to Peter and the Twelve. They are the defining authority of the apostles themselves. Without the keys, no earthly ordinance is valid. With the keys, earthly agents exercise heaven's power legitimately. Those who act without those keys use God's name in vain. The Book of Acts reveals a divine pattern. When people were touched by the Spirit of God or when a vision or revelation was given, in every case, the potential converts were sent to someone who held priesthood authority or keys. Cornelius had to send for Peter, who commanded him to be baptized. Philip was directed to the eunuch who read Isaiah. Philip baptized him by authority. Saul was blinded after his vision and Ananias was dispatched to heal him and baptize him. In every case, God honors the authority he has given his servants and the Holy Ghost sends converts to them (or them to the converts) to perform valid gospel ordinances for the remission of sins. These keys are present and active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the same manner that they were in the Church of the former-day saints.

I'll be impressed with Bell if he figures out where the keys of the kingdom are today. That's always the sticking point...

I received a line-of-authority from the stake president who ordained me an elder. Later on, I received another line-of-authority when I was ordained a high priest. The two lines merge at Brigham Young. From there, it goes back to the Three Witnesses, Joseph Smith, Peter, James and John, and finally to the Lord himself.