This Used To Count As Home Teaching

Let's start with a piece of D&C 49:24 : "But before the great day of the Lord shall come… the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose."  The Lamanite blossoming is a requirement prior to the second coming. But what does it mean for them to blossom as the rose? It can be strongly argued that this means many of them will be converted to the restored gospel. Has it happened in any miraculous way? In any significant numbers? Yes! And yes! Here’s a list of several groups of Native Americans who joined the Church en-(miraculous)-mass. For starters there are two more groups that could be on this list, but have appeared on this blog previously. The Cree and the Cheyenne experienced heaven-heavy conversions. You should definitely read that post as it’s fascinating. Here’s a super brief summary: 1) The Cree were the result of a chief’s out of body (in a very, very Lamoni sort of way) experience. 2) The Cheyenne joined because one of their prophe...

Without a doubt, Sidney Rigdon is one of the most interesting characters in early Latter-Day Saint history. He was gung-ho until he wasn't. He was Joseph Smith’s right-hand man – even his running mate when JS took a stab at protecting his people from behind the desk in the oval office. Smith was murdered before his name was scribbled onto any ballots – and Rigdon came a bit unhinged. Actually, Rigdon unraveled a little before Smith’s demise. Don’t get me wrong – he had been a very good man. He'd even experienced 'The Vision' with Joseph (also noted in #6 below). But then something happened. He felt entitled to what he wanted. What he wanted wasn't what God wanted, and Rigdon left. Sidney Rigdon is fascinating. Below are some major points from his life-arc. It is mostly chronological, but may not be completely chronological. First – his conversion. Some have accused him of being a secret member from the beginning – ghost writing the Book...