Knowledge is Freedom

I've heard it said before that "knowledge is power" and I don't disagree. I would simply like to add that "knowledge is also freedom".

In 2 Nephi 2:26 it states that Adam and Eve became free forever, knowing good from evil. When we gain knowledge we are free to make more educated decisions, freeing us from choices that lead to sin. Thus, one of the sole purposes of our existence on this earth is to learn how to tell the difference between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness.

It appears to me that making this distinction has become increasingly difficult as of late. In the world we see many that call good, evil and evil, good.  See Isaiah 5:20 for his prophecy on the subject. Society no longer looks to the laws of God or to His doctrine for answers on issues of morality. Instead, we are encouraged by the world to "choose what is right for us". This dangerous doctrine of doing whatever works was taught by none other than Korihor, an anti-christ in the Book of Mormon (see Alma 30:17, 60 to find out what happens to him...).

The truth is, there is a law. There are rules, commandments that God has given us. As we learn to keep them and to distinguish good from evil we are becoming more and more like Him. We are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death.. Pick whichever one you want.

What's in a name?

Names have really been intriguing me as of late. Why are they so important to us? Why do we care if someone remembers our name or not? And we do care. For some reason, when someone can call us by name we feel as if they know us. They may remember a hundred things about us but if they can't remember what we are called then we still feel like they don't care, or don't know us.

When we are born, our parents decide what our names will be. Whether its Joseph, Andrew, Jeffery, or Kyle that word becomes a part of us. It's kinda weird. Growing up, we get nicknames that sometimes mean more to us than our original name. For some reason, we like that. 

At baptism we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We strive to represent Him in what we do and say. Mosiah 5:8 says, "There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ..." 

Christ said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Christ does know us and is ever calling out to us. Let's listen and follow Him.