Podcast: Conversation with Mormon Missionaries

Some time ago we had a chance to talk to a couple of Mormon elders that came to our door. We talked about changes in the Book of Mormon (of which they were not aware), and they tried to tell me about changes in the Bible and supposed missing books. In the end, the conversation centered on the question: If the Bible already contains the fullness of the Gospel message, why would we need the Book of Mormon? To this, of course, they had no good response.

To listen to the podcast click on this link. To receive future podcasts automatically, please subscribe to the Defenders of the Faith podcast by clicking on the podcast button.

The Acquittal

In a faraway place and a different time
I killed my first child, a most heinous crime.

The state didn't come, and I didn't stand trial.
Judge Blackmun was calm when he said with a smile,
"Killing is legal, say we the High Court.
But we don't call it murder. Just call it 'abort.'"

The judge in my heart would not let the case rest.
I had no defense when once put to the test.
Found guilty I was by my heart's Supreme Court.
"You murdered your baby!" they screamed in retort.

With tears on my cheeks it was too late, I knew,
To bring back the life of the child I once slew.
The gavel slammed down, and it rang in my head,
"You are guilty as charged, and deserve to be dead."

"We now give you torment to pay for your sin,"
Was the sentence passed down from my own court within.
"You will never escape. You're branded. Don't hide.
Your just due is death. You should try suicide."

I was beaten in prison by daily attack.
I was paying a debt, so I never fought back.
No hope of escaping, and this I knew well.
I cried out to God from my own self-made hell.

That day I met Jesus; He smiled in my face.
He said, "I forgive you. Come and walk in my grace."
"Lord, I believe you forgive me and yet,
Blameless you are, can you pay for my debt?

"And Lord, please don't touch me for I am unclean.
I'm filthy with murder, a most wretched being."
I poured out my story. He showed no surprise.
I gazed up with awe at the love in his eyes.

He said, "I paid for your crime, yes, was nailed to a tree.
There's no condemnation if you'll trust in me.
I took on your blame, and your curse on my soul
So you may be free without judgment, and whole."

I sputtered, "Dear Lord, where's the justice in this?
I killed my first son, and you offer me bliss?"
Tears blurred my vision, yet there in his face
Were eyes of compassion, blue oceans of grace.

I thought to myself, "Now the past has been buried?
I'm free of the guilt that for years I have carried?"
He said to accept. It's a gift that is free.
This is atonement, not justice for me!

My judge was dismissed; my accusers, and jury.
The truth of his love made them leave in a fury.
He smiled, "Walk with me and come learn my way,"
And grasping his hand, I began a new day.

-- Karen Sullivan-Ables

...

Dictionary: Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics = The subdiscipline of theology concerned with the study of the general principles of proper interpretation of biblical texts.

T-shirt — Defenders of the Faith 2010

The Defenders of the Faith 2010 T-shirt, printed on both sides, is available for $15 plus only $3.50 for shipping & handling.
Important: Email us to faithdefenders(@)hotmail.com [without the parenthesis] to advise us on the T-shirt size you need.

Available sizes:
Youth: XS, S, M, L
Adult: S, M, L, XL, XXL

The FRONT shows the Shemá (Deuteronomy 6:4) transliterated from the Hebrew: Shemá Israel: YHWH Elohenu, YHWH echad.

The BACK shows the Defenders of the Faith 2010 shield in full color.

The T-shirt is available in 2 colors: Sport Gray and Stone Blue.

To order a SPORT GRAY shirt:

To order a STONE BLUE shirt:

...