Church Observation Paper

Church Observation Paper
I attended a service at the Atherton Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints on November
15, 2015. I observed that most in attendance were caucasian middle–class families. There was a
wide age range from infants to elderly, but no age group was significantly larger than another. The
Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ suggests, "God has established families to bring happiness
to His children, to allow us to learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare us to
return to Him after we die (2)." Mormons believe families are an essential part of Gods plan and
much of how they live focuses on family. Most attended the service with their families. The church
was nearly full, but all in attendance knew each other. Church ... Show more content on
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They informed me that they believe in dressing modestly because our bodies are gifts from God so
they want to show respect for them. They concluded that they are not bothered societies differences
from their own beliefs. The consumption of alcohol, poor behavior, and scandalous attire do not
offend them. They believe that we are all Gods children and it is our personal choice whether or not
we do these things. They also stated that they believe their religion is 100% true, but they respect
everyone's views and opinions regarding religion. They educated me on the structure and
organization of the church. The highest governing body of the church is the First Presidency. The
First Presidency consists of the president, the most senior apostle, and his selected counselors. The
second–highest governing body is the Quorum of Twelve which consists of the other twelve
apostles. Apostles are regarded as special witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Leaders
called seventies assist the Twelve Apostles and serve in various locations throughout the world.
Local congregations are led by a bishop. The priesthood of the church obtains the power to act in
God's name and is divided into the lesser, Aaronic priesthood, and the higher, Melchizedek
priesthood. The priesthood has the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of
mankind. Male members who meet the standards of moral behavior and active church participation
are generally appointed to specific offices within the priesthood. They are responsible for
conducting most of the rites and ceremonies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day
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The During The Age Of Reformation Essay
During the Age of Reformation people were greatly against the abuses that existed in the Roman
Catholic Church. A couple of abuses that were greatly stressed were the selling of indulgences,
simony, and nepotism. It was some of these same abuses that prompted German reformist Martin
Luther to write his 95 Theses. And for the Council of Trent to later address them in a series of
meetings. The most criticized abuse of the Roman Catholic Church was the selling of indulgences
by the pope. Indulgences permitted people to buy release from time in purgatory for both themselves
and their deceased loved ones. They were papers sold in order to bring remission of punishment due
to sins. Another common abuse that existed in the Church was simony. Simony is the act of selling
of Church positions. The Church had permitted important ecclesiastical posts to be sold to the
highest bidders and had left residency requirements in the religious community unenforced. A last
abuse of the Church is nepotism. Nepotism is the act of giving jobs to family members instead of
giving it to more qualified workers. This was a common problem where a well–trained and
dedicated worker was needed and not just anyone. In 1517, when reformist Martin Luther wrote an
indictment of the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church called the 95 Theses, he appealed to many
people across Europe. In his indictment he greatly criticized and addressed the selling of
indulgences above all. At first, a person would have to do work

Christian Priesthood Research Paper
Virginity is not required by the nature of the priesthood itself. It set forth the motives of the law for
those who know how to appreciate the gifts of God. Celibacy always inspired specifically Christian
considerations where we can get an intuition of the more fundamental motives underlying them. The
Christian priesthood can be understood only in the light of the newness of Christ. Christ instituted
the priesthood. Jesus was sent by the Father into the world and became man. He introduced into the
world a new form of life. Matrimony continues the work of the first creation. Christian couples walk
together toward their heavenly mutual love. Christ was made mediator between heaven and earth.
Christ remained throughout his whole life in the state of celibacy for dedication to the service of
God and men. Jesus wished the first ministers of salvation to be coworkers with God, and to be
friends. He also ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By doing this he is able to grow in faith and he is better at listening to the word of God and praying.
God is always present in a priest. Christ's minister receives joy and encouragement from the Divine
Office. The minister dedicates his voice to the Church and who is his spouse. He continues to grow
in faith and to continue praying which is a priests duty. Although a priest is dedicated to the church
and God he also has another life. The priest brings himself together with the offering, and places on
the altar his entire life. Doing this beared the marks of the holocaust. The Apostle Paul sacrificed
himself for God. He wanted to put his faith in God. This gives a priest glory. The priest is a symbol
of Christ, he expands hope and faith in christians. With christ you will be able to have a fuller life.
The kingdom of God is present on earth in mystery, it is not perfect alone, but it is with the Lord.
The Church is the beginning of the kingdom. The church is still growing, and wants to unite all
people with the

Women In The Catholic Church
The Sacrament of Holy Orders explains the Catholics who are consecrated to serve and how they
differentiate between themselves. A common understanding of priesthood is that God gives his
power and authority to provide the ordinances of salvation. While this may be true, many people are
not aware of what other roles priests take on and represent. The word "Holy", in "Holy Orders",
means sacred and worthy of respect or devotion. While, the word "order" appoints an established
community or group with a hierarchy, in this case God being the hierarch. In modern times like
these the majority of people know that becoming a part of the priesthood is a decision one makes
and then enters into a process. Though this may be true now, many do not ... Show more content on
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"Do this in remembrance of me", signifies a deep meaning that Jesus wanted the priesthood to
understand and practice. With these words he not only established the Eucharist and priesthood, he
set a tone for the entirety of the Catholic Church. They would no longer rely on practices like animal
sacrifice or hereditary lineage, but on grace and salvation. During the same ceremony, Jesus also
grants the apostles and in turn priesthood, the ability the power to forgive sins. While many people
know that men of the priesthood have this ability, it is not very well known that it was given to them
by Jesus in the same evening. In fact, I thought they simply had this ability because they are
supposed to represent God here on earth and therefore would have this power, not that Jesus Christ
himself directly gave them this ability. The ability to consecrate, offer and minister the Body and
Blood of Christ, was also given to priests by

Who Was Melchizedek?
Who was Melchizedek?
Genesis 14:18 The question of "who was Melchizedek?" is a mystery which has never fully been
answered or solved. We do know that Genesis 14:18 says that "Melchizedek was king of Salem" and
"was the priest of God Most High." Does this verse give enough information to determine just who
he was; after all there is no genealogy for him. Various theories suggest who Melchizedek may have
been, and all accounts are relatively similar. We will concentrate on three different commentaries to
obtain a better understanding of the person of Melchizedek. Matthew Henry's Commentary starts
like most of the other descriptions, making reference to Genesis 14:18, "He was king of Salem and
priest of the most high God". Henry's ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
But this time was before the law and before the Levitical priesthood. Guzik does not make
Melchizedek out to be more than a king and a priest, but like Henry he list suggestions of who
others think he might represent: 1. Seth, Noah's son; 2. Job, or an angel; 3. An outer–space visitor; 4.
An "unfallen Adam" from another planet, sent to observe the progress of God's work of redemption
for this fallen race. Melchizedek walked in and out of the pages of the Bible with little or no fanfare.
Who is Melchizedek? Genesis 14:18 says he was the king of Salem, and that he was the priest of
God Most High. That is all we know. Had Genesis stopped at him being the king of Salem and
omitted he was the priest of God Most High, there probably would be no further discussion
concerning him. Melchizedek must have known Abram because when he blessed him in verse 19 he
said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High." He knew Abram's name and he knew that Abram
trusted in God. Melchizedek and Abram reciprocated one another in that Melchizedek "brought out
bread and wine" (vs. 18) and Abram "gave him a tithe of all" (vs. 20). The One Volume Bible
Commentary by J.R. Dummelow does not try to give many explanations as to who Melchizedek
was. I agree with Dummelow's commentary more than the other two because he sticks close to the
Scriptural account, however I do not agree with his statement that Abram in a general way could
have acknowledge Melchizedek as his god.
Bibliography
Church, Rev.

The Priestly Line Of Malki Tzedek
About the Priestly Line of Malki Tzedek – for those that want to learn more.
In Numbers 18 the Most High says, speaking about the priesthood, that it is an eternal covenant with
Aaron and the Levites that these are the duties that he and they have. What 's clear here is no one
from the Davidic line in the tribe of Judah could ever bring an incense offering into mikdash ha–
kodesh(the holy of holies) in the Temple Lev 16:12–13. There can never be a high priest from the
house of David. The priesthood belongs to Aaron, his sons and the Levites forever.
This next point must be addressed. In the Tanakh(OT) it says David 's sons were priests (2 Sam
8:18), that doesn 't mean they were priests of Aaron. The Hebrew word there translated as priests ...
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David is given the power of defeating his enemies in the manner that Abraham was in Genesis 14.
That power is being passed down to him and now he will defeat his enemies. the Most High does
not break His promises, they are covenants, He 's not going to change them. You are a priest forever
David is told, a Kohane, one who has been given an important office. David 's children are called
priests, Kohane, that does not mean they are of the lineage of Aaron and will officiate in the Temple
performing priestly duties. It means David 's sons hold important offices.
Numbers 18:19 "All the gifts of the Kodesh things[offerings], which the children of Israel offer unto
YHWH, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, as an eternal portion; it is an
everlasting covenant of salt before YHWH unto thee and to thy seed with thee. '"
The Most High says the Priesthood belongs to Aaron and his descendants forever, a salt covenant.
These are eternal covenants, they can not be broken, in fact, the Most High calls it a salt covenant.
Why a salt covenant? Because salt never spoils, it never degrades. Not only doesn 't it degrade but it
preserves food, it never changes. The covenant is as permanent as salt. So if someone tells you the
covenant the Most High made with Aaron and his sons, the covenant the Most High made with the
tribe of Levi, the covenant the Most High made with the

What Does Pope Francis Insights On Pastoral Ministry?
Conclusion Pastoral Ministry: A way Forward for Today's Church 5.8. Pope Francis' Insights on
Pastoral Ministry Since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, Pope Francis has offered numerous
insights on pastoral ministry of priests. His reflections and approach to pastoral ministry are rooted
in his call for a pastoral and missionary conversion of the Church at all levels. Ministry of priests is
one that needs pastoral and missionary conversion. For it is within the spectrum of a converted
pastoral ministry that one can see the pastoral priorities of the church clearly. What then are those
pastoral priorities according to Pope Francis? 5.9. Reclaiming the Missionary Spirit of the Church
Reclaiming the missionary spirit of the church is the overarching task that dictates the pastoral
priorities of today's church. In his address to the coordinating committee of CELAM (a
representative body of bishops from different episcopal conferences in Latin and Central America),
Pope Francis reflected with the bishops on how the church can better serve the faithful and the
world. For him, understanding the missionary spirit of discipleship – one that is ecclesial and
communal, and at the same time inspires individuals – is key to pastoral ministry. He indicates that
missionary disciples need to reclaim a true sense of communion, which counteracts the trend of
privatized spirituality that absolves one from community and from collaboratively

Phineas Priests
Why is the group a terrorist group? The Phineas Priesthood or Phineas Priest was a Christian
Identity group that restricts interracial sex, the blending of races, homosexuality, and premature
birth. It is additionally set apart by its hostile to Semitism, against multiculturalism, and restriction
to tax assessment. Under which terrorist theory category does it fall? It is not viewed as an
association since a government does not drive it, there are no social events and no enrollment
procedure. Where does the group operate? Since many people, mistakenly believe that there is an
actual organization called the Phineas Priesthood this group was composed of four men in the 1990s
called themselves Phineas Priests. These people carried a series

Catholic Faith Religion
Is the Mormon Faith a Christian Religion?
There is an ample scope of debate as to whether Mormonism is Christianity or not. It is true that
both are similar; however, Protestants and Catholics equally are against the acceptance of Mormons
to be Christians. There are many doctrinal similarities between the Catholic Church and the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Both churches accept Jesus Christ as the Savior of
the world and teach that salvation comes through faith in Christ, repentance and baptism. The
differences between the two churches revolve around priesthood authority, continuing revelation, the
nature of God, the purpose of mortality and eternal marriage as well as methods of baptism. Beyond
its shared nature ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Catholics feel a child is born with a fallen human nature and is tainted by original sin. Therefore,
their belief is that newborns are born with original sin and are in need of baptism to enter heaven.
The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were
they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth. (Catechism of the Catholic Church pg. 1250) Catholic
Church Father St. Augustine (d. 430) taught that children who die without baptism go to hell. This
statement was later softened to say that children who die, without baptism, go to a quasi–heaven
called limbo. In the Catholic religion the bishop, priest or deacon are called upon to perform
baptisms. In case of necessity, anyone, even a non–baptized person, with the required intention, can
baptize by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit", or words to that form and effect, referring to the three persons of the
Christian Trinity. It is often followed by an "Amen". Mormons believe infant baptism is
unnecessary. Unbaptized children are saved through the power of Christ's atonement (Moroni 8:12).
The Lord said, "They cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they
begin to become accountable before me" (D&C 29:46–47). They are not to be baptized until they
reach the age of accountability, which

Antonio Vivaldi Priesthood
Antonio Vivaldi was born March 4 of 1678 in Venice, Italy or Republic of Venice. When Vivaldi
was born his parent thought he was a miracle from God because on the day that Vivaldi was born an
earthquake hit the town of Venice killing millions and not killing the Vivaldi family. Because of this,
his parents had committed Vivaldi to the priesthood since he was young. His father sees that Vivaldi
is a child prodigy and quits his job to teach his son how to play the violin. Vivaldi was very limited
to what kind of instruments he was able to play, due to his sickness– which now many think is
asthma–, which is why he was excellent in playing string instruments. While being trained musical,
Vivaldi was also being prepared for the life of priesthood.

Atonement Paper
"It is worth pausing to consider why Jesus Christ chooses to use a church, His Church, to carry out
His and His Father's work." – Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Faith seems to be diminishing each year; as the world and other sects of religion persuade people to
consider its false notions, The Church of Jesus Christ remains supreme as the shepherd of the world.
Heavenly Father intended to save all of his children; thus, he bestowed a Christ for us to plead for
mercy because our offenses towards Him. From His obedience in Gethsemane, to his suffering on
Cavalry, he completed the mission that eternity was depending on. As a result of the Atonement, we
all have the choice to accept or reject the teaching of the Savior through the ordinances of ... Show
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We know that the ceremony of baptism is the door that enters us into salvation. The ritual of
initiatory and the endowment reaches us to the glory of exaltation including the greatest covenant,
the sealing, which enters us into eternal life to enjoy the presents of the Almighty. The only reason
why we have an organized religion is because of the ordinances of progression. Without those key
doctrines and the priesthood, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints would be like any other
church, false.
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more save Jesus only, for the salvation of
men in this world than any other man that ever lived in it." (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
The plague of apostasy races through the earth possessing the ignorant and throwing Gods children
around by fraudulent doctrine. At the very moment Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to
The Prophet, truth trumped all false understanding of the nature of deity. As time went on, truth was
fully restored to the earth. Priesthood Keys were given to The Prophet to govern the world, organize
covenants, preach true doctrine, and increase our understanding of the Plan of Salvation through the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Restoration has given hope to the

The Priesthood Research Paper
While the rules regarding the priesthood has changed during the history of the church, so has the
perception of the priesthood in regard to women. While they cannot hold priesthood office, women
are important in the grand scheme of the priesthood. As the article "Joseph Smith's Teachings about
Priesthood, Temple, and Women" states, "As Bishop Newel K. Whitney expressed it shortly after
receiving his endowment, 'Without the female all things cannot be restor'd to the earth. It takes all to
restore the Priesthood'" The article continues, "Mary Isabella Horne, a member of the Nauvoo Relief
Society, later expressed joy in being 'co–laborers with our brethren in building up the kingdom of
God.' 'In all the ordinances received in the House of the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Women and men alike have been misinformed on the true relationship between women and the
priesthood. The LDS website states in an article, The priesthood authority exercised by Latter–day
Saint women in the temple and elsewhere remains largely unrecognized by people outside the
Church and is sometimes misunderstood or overlooked by those within. Latter–day Saints and
others often mistakenly equate priesthood with religious office and the men who hold it, which
obscures the broader Latter–day Saint concept of priesthood ("Joseph Smith's Teachings..."). The
above quote shows that women can have the priesthood but will not hold priesthood offices. A
common misconception is that women are not a part of the priesthood. As Bishop Whitney stated,
women are important to the priesthood. However, this is not how the modern mind sees this in many
instances. With movements to give women the priesthood and many members not knowing women
are part of the priesthood, one can see the impact this information has. This affects the modern
member, especially women, by changing their perspective. By giving them this information, they
garner more insight and are then able to know how to more adequately become

Souls And Bodies By David Lodge: Summary
According to the Catholic catechism, the sacrament of Holy Orders "configures the recipient to
Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for his
Church. By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his
triple office of priest, . prophet, and king". According to Pope Benedict XVI, the priest has three
duties: teaching, sanctifying and governing, which "are the three actions of the Risen Christ".
Because the priest is supposed to act "in persona Christi Capitis", or in the person of Christ the
Head, Catholics expect their priests to guide and teach the parishioners in a moral manner. It can be
easy for Catholics to expect perfection from priests ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
At the beginning of the novel, they are the most dedicated to Catholicism, saving sex for marriage
and following the Rhythm Method. However, their opinions on contraception change when Nicole,
their youngest daughter is born with down syndrome. The impact of her illness "had rudely
interrupted [Dennis's] confidence". When his other daughter Anne is run over by a car and killed a
short time later, Dennis finds "The idea of a personal God with an interest in his, Dennis's, personal
fortune, [becomes] impossible to maintain, unless he was a God who took a personal interest in
torturing people". The lack of re–enforcement of his faith from the priests makes Dennis think the
church is falling apart and stops going to

Example Of Personal Narrative In High School
My family has always been very close; we did almost everything together, from the moment the
school bell rang in the afternoon until we went our different ways in the morning. Growing up with
a strong family for support instilled in me the confidence to be an outgoing person and express my
opinion in school, despite the fact that I was always one of the youngest and smallest kids in my
grade. I went to public school up until high school, when I decided to follow my sister to Nazareth
Academy. During the first year of high school I wasn't very involved in my parish, but I was very
involved at school. I played soccer and volleyball and was a member of several clubs. The first time
I ever considered the priesthood was during a Sunday Mass late into my freshman year; it was right
after I had received Communion, and I was kneeling in the pew watching the priest clean the altar,
when I was overcome by the beauty of the priesthood. I remember thinking how amazing it is to be
able to serve a parish and consecrate the Eucharist. This was such a powerful moment, that I began
to cry in the pew. After that experience I began to pray more seriously about my vocation. It was
also my freshman year when I began my Confirmation preparation classes. I didn't attend most of
these ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
One of the largest contributing factors was the beginning of the emcee program at Notre Dame.
Serving as an emcee helped me learn more about the details of the Mass and the priesthood. It also
gave me opportunities to get to know Fr. Pat Mulcahy and the deacons better. During my junior
year, I started to attend morning Mass most days before school. Waking up early to attend these
Masses taught me that discipline is necessary to maintain a good relationship with God. Although I
didn't necessarily enjoy waking up extra early, I did begin to enjoy those morning

Tested in Every Way
Tested in Every Way: the Catholic Priesthood in Today's Church, written by Christopher Ruddy, is a
report and at the same time a reflection on the Seventh Annual Cardinal Bernardin Conference
which was held in the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX in 2003 . Ruddy reports the
voices of academic and pastoral expertise sharing about the challenges and the identity of being a
priest. Besides of giving a report, the book opens up and finishes with the Ruddy's insightful
reflections.
Ruddy opens up with an "examination of the cultural and ecclesiological contexts of the priesthood
in today's church (13)". In the first chapter of the book Ruddy mentions three challenges the church
and priest are facing today: popular skepticism, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
What people expect from us is to be witnesses of living faith that is rooted in prayer and scripture
(52). Ruddy's brings into consideration what Paul VI said in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii
Nuntiandi that: "modern man listens to witnesses more than to teachers, and if he does not listen to
teachers, it is because they are witnesses."
One thing that challenges me is that Americans expect from me to be a good preacher. The shortage
of priesthood in the United States has led some communities to be without pastors. Bishops, in
trying to give solution to the problems, have relayed on religious congregations whose members are
from other cultures. If local priest have difficulties in preaching, the seminarians from other cultures
will find it more difficult. One mayor factor is that those missionaries often lack ways to express
themselves because of their limited language. Missionaries from other cultures need to give opinions
on the matter. It is true that we are ministering in the United States and that we need to put all our
effort to share the Word of God with clarity, but people need to see our struggles when dealing in a
second language. I am sure that if we come into dialogue with American people, we, missionaries
from other cultures, can find the support and help to improve our preaching. This is another aspect
that Christopher Ruddy needs to reflect on.
Since I entered the seminary, I have questioned my

The Cure Of Ars Windeatt
The Cure of Ars
The Cure of Ars, by Mary Fabyan Windeatt, is a fantastic tale of a man John Vianney and how he
converted the parish of Ars. John had many hardships in his life during his path to priesthood. John
Vianney had faced the devil multiple times. John was very curious and eager towards the Catholic
faith ever since he was young. The Cure of Ars is a great story about the wonderful and holy Father
John Vianney.
John Vianney was tempted by the devil many times on his journey to becoming a priest. John's
hardship first began with his father, who refused to let him leave the farm to become a priest and
worship God, insisting that John should help him around with the farm instead. Another difficult
time came when the army drafted him and, even though religious students were not allowed in the
draft, the army validated it by proclaiming that John was too old to be studying priesthood and was
just using it as an excuse to escape the military. John Vianney also faced another obstacle when, due
to his slow learning abilities, could not proceed to becoming a priest without special help with his
studies. John Vianney had many difficult times that he had to overcome on his way to priesthood. ...
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The devil first tested him by making strange noises, such as a rat scratching at a wall. Another time
the devil attempted to trick John into leaving the parish of Ars and becoming a monk; by making
him think that instead of him, the Holy Spirit was talking. Gratefully, John saw through that trick
with the help of the Lord, who lead him back to Ars. The devil also tried to scare John away by
moving things around where he was staying. The devil attempted to make John Vianney run away
from the parish of Ars and prevent him from pursuing his passion in priesthood many

Persecution: Zinzendorf's Nine Public Teachings
Son of the Father he thinks that way." The connection for Zinzendorf was through Jesus' example in
handling persecution. Christian's are free from persecution as he states, "In a word, we are free from
the devil." His belief in freedom from the bondage of the slavery of sin was the driving force behind
what became the Moravian's tendency towards the reception of persecution with little resistance.
Zinzendorf believed in this principle so much that he taught faith itself was not possible without
love. In lecture four of his Nine Public Lectures on Important Subjects in Religion he states, "It is
quite clear that the Holy Scripture wants to point out to us that there is no saving faith which is not
simultaneously love for Him who laid down his life for us."
Instead of fighting, they often chose to love their opposition by perseverance in their mission. The
principle of love was their inspiration for their mission. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Karl Westmeier writes, "The Moravians had taken on an identity that challenged society and
government." It was of Zinzendorf's beliefs to refrain from participating with society's form of
government. Unfortunately, their pacifism rendered them unable to defend against the suppression
of the Catholic church, and other belief systems. Also in doing so, however, the Moravians became
the first group to proclaim true religious liberty in the right to worship without State support, nor
State persecution. Since the Moravians refused support from the State, the majority of their financial
support was from Count Zinzendorf himself. In doing so, Zinzendorf was known to pay for a one–
way trip for his Moravian missionaries, as if to say 'Go and accomplish a good work and once it is
finished there, go to the next place.' This, however, did place a financial strain on Zinzendorf, who
almost filed for bankruptcy, prompting the Moravians to build a financial

Mission Call Speech
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters, I feel honored and privileged to speak to you today. As many of
you know, this is my last Sunday here with you for the next two years. I leave for the MTC on
October 4th and will be serving in the California Ventura Mission. I am grateful for the opportunity I
have to serve the Lord in this calling. I thank all of you who have taught me, and helped me to grow
and prepare for my mission. It is a blessing to have learned from you.
Thinking back on the day that I received my call in the mail, I don't remember exactly what I said as
I held the envelope in my trembling hands, but I do remember what I was feeling. At first, I was
nervous. Questions came up in my mind. Where would I be sent? Would I be disappointed with my
call? Would it feel right? But then I read aloud the first words of my mission call "Dear Elder
Olacsi, You have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day
Saints." At that very moment I had an overwhelming feeling of the ... Show more content on
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One of the tools that the lord has given, that prepared me to be better able to preach the gospel to
others, helped me learn important doctrines of the gospel, and strengthened me against the
temptations of the devil is the The Duty to God Program. The Duty to God Program has helped me
better learn to serve others and has taught me to magnify my priesthood duties. Additionally, Duty to
God helped me prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, make sacred covenants and receive
my temple ordinances.
Fulfilling Duty to God for me was more than just a program, it was a process. As I participated in
Duty to God I learned about what God expects of me and made plans specific to me. As I acted on
my plans, I grew upon my testimony and learned from my experiences. Then I shared what I was
learning with my family, quorum members, and others. As I made and implemented the plan, I grew

Akhenaten : The Heretic King
Akhenaten: The Heretic King
Janine Douglas
HST 559 Professor Jean Li
Ryerson University
November 18, 2014 The Ancient Egyptian pantheon was an extremely diverse and often very
complicated one. Egyptians did not take their religion lightly, and according to the Greeks, they
were the most pious of men. It is no surprise, then, that religion and politics were closely linked for
the Ancient Egyptians, and Pharaohs found themselves in the epicentre of both worlds. Akhenaten 's
religious views came into direct conflict with the religious views of basically every other Egyptian
person at the time, as well as the very powerful priesthood of Amun, thus straying into political
conflict as well. Whether Akhenaten 's controversial religious views were meant to serve some
genius political motives, or were simply a result of religious fanaticism is widely debated. However,
Akhenaten 's tendency to neglect political duties, with most of his reign concentrating on his
religious ideas, does not help the suggestion of his political genius, and makes it seem more like he
was simply a religious fanatic, though perhaps not as controversial as some scholars may think.
Akhenaten had been born Amenophis IV, named so because his father, Amenophis III, had been
particularly loyal to Amun. When he ascended the throne, he still held that name, but was already
showing signs of loyalty to a different god. However, Donald Redford points out in his article,
Akhenaten: New Theories and

Joseph Smith Religion
In the early 1800's during the time of the Second Great Awakening was a time of turmoil and
confusion for the citizens of different religions during this time. Many different religions began to
pop up during this time, and each vied for the attention of potential converts. However, a boy Joseph
Smith decided to seek the true religion through prayer, and he was told none of them was true. This
is a story that every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints learns about when
they are young. The principle that I will be studying this paper is that Joseph Smith is a prophet of
God, and by understanding this we know that the fullness of the gospel has been restored to the
earth today.
God reveals through revelation that Joseph Smith is his chosen servant, meaning a prophet.
Heavenly Father explains to the readers that "Verily, I say unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., [...]–I
called you servants for the world's sake, and ye are their servants for my sake–" (D&C 93:45–46).
Looking at this scripture we understand that Heavenly Father is explaining that Joseph Smith's
calling was to be a servant. A servant is someone who obeys the orders of a master by their own
choice. Similarly, a prophet is a man who listens to the orders of God and then relay ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Callister in his General Conference address makes it clear why Joseph Smith was needed today as a
prophet. He explains, "[B]ecause he [Joseph Smith] was the instrument in God's hands to restore the
same Church of Jesus Christ as existed in primitive times–all of its powers as well as all of its
doctrines" (Tad R. Callister, 2009, October General Conference). Callister explains clearly that the
reason we need prophets today is because they are instruments in the hands of God. Joseph Smith
was called as this instrument because we needed all of the powers and doctrines of the church
restored the church today. Furthermore, Callister's words provide an additional witness to Joseph
Smith being a prophet of

Summary Of Graham Greene's The Power And The Glory
In Graham Greene's novel, The Power and the Glory, there is an unnamed character called, "the
Whisky Priest." The priest is an alcoholic, proud, envious, dishonest, cowardly, weak of faith, and
judgmental priest; however, he takes on the role of being a priest as a way of self–denial because he
knows he is not worthy and he would rather accept the fact of being lost in the crowd of forgettable
slums. In the novel, the priest tries to run away from situations in several occurrences, but in the
end, realizes that he, being a priest, is the only hope for the people even though he feels that there is
no hope for him. In the simplest way, the whisky priest is a witness to the people because he is a
selfish drunkard who is transformed into a martyr, is blinded, but sees light through his sufferings,
and in that light, he finds his vocation as not a higher up ranking, but as a servant of the people as he
lives so that others may live with Christ. Therefore, concludes that the power and the glory do not
belong to him, but rather to Christ. He also realizes the power is not of reigning over people, but by
service to others, and the glory that he receives is not for him, but for God alone.
Throughout the book, the priest is called to serve the church instead of escaping the church. He feels
an obligation to demonstrate this martyrdom by bearing the cross for the people, in comparison to
Simon of Cyrene. However, he is a habitual liar that refuses to think the holy should suffer. For
example, the whisky priest, in the beginning, was blind of who Christ is; moreover, in comparison to
Peter, both deny Christ several times, but eventually come to see that the holy must suffer because
Christ is a suffering Messiah, not one who used power to reign, but to endure suffering in order to
defeat death. The whisky priest believes that he is not worthy, which is true, but by accepting the
fact of being a servant to God, even though he was cruel, he denies himself by saving others and
following God's will for him rather than escaping the scene and following his own. In this way, the
whisky priest is following the way of the cross.
The sense of the suffering Messiah is not presented to him clearly until he witnesses Christ in

Priesthood: Catholic Church and Priests
Priesthood
The position of priesthood in the church has been evident since the earliest existence of the church.
Jewish priests first were established in the seventh century BC performing religious ceremonies.
They were even more established around 950 BC due to the establishment of the Temple in
Jerusalem. The major role of the traditional Jewish priest was to perform sacrificial rituals.
According to the Bible, the Temple was built as a place for
God to live with the people. It was the holiest building that existed, and needed to be kept holy by
the priests. Their role of the priests was to perform animal sacrifices to God as an offering. The
priests performed these sacrifices as specialists on behalf of a community or ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
Some other interesting requirements of a priest is that he be a good speaker and good and
pronunciation. This is essential for the prayers of the priest. Priests which were required to do
animal needed to be trained as a veterinary surgeon. Lastly, priests must also have background in
theology and history in order to also minister to the intellectual life of their congregation. As you
can see there are many aspects of priesthood. They provided the church with the proper leadership
and knowledge which is needed to be able to serve God in the proper manner. They have been
previlant throughout religious history and they will surely continue to play a major role in modern
religion today and in the

Differences In Ecclesiology And The Priesthood
The findings of these previous studies show a sharp contrast with the findings of this study, both in
terms of ranking and in the percentage of priests who reported that theological differences in the
concept of the priesthood is a "great" problem. In this study, 47 percent of priests (in the
Ecclesiastical Province of Kingston, Canada )Canada) as against 3 percent in 2001, and 37 percent
in 2009 (in the US) considers this issue as a great problem. In this study, this problem was ranked
second, whereas it was ranked tenth in the 2009 study. Therefore, it means that within this period
(2001–2009), there was a 34 percentage point increase in the number of priests who see this as a
problem in the US. Comparing the 2009 findings in the US with ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Schoenherr and Lawrence A. Young. In this work, the authors contended that the diminishing size of
priest population is a major problem for today's church. With compelling demographic statistics
derived from official sources and tabulated with meticulous care, they demonstrated that priest
shortage, in interaction with other social preconditions for structural transformation, is modifying
the internal political economy of the Catholic Church. It is beyond the scope of this study to
decipher the reasons for the declining numbers of priest personnel. However, since a sizeable
number of the responding priests reported that this is a problem for them, it is important to pay
attention to the reality of this problem for the purpose of finding real and plausible solutions to the
problem. In this study, 37 percent of the participants reported that the shortage of available priests
for ministry is a "great" problem to them, and another 37 percent said that it is "somewhat" of a
problem to them. This gives us a total of 74 percent of priests who said that the shortage of available
priests for ministry is a "great" problem or "somewhat" of a problem. Therefore, this is a real
problem for priests in ministry in the Ecclesiastical Province of Kingston. Shortage of available
priests for ministry is not only a problem for the priests. It is also a major problem for bishops who
bear the weight of personnel management in

The Book Of Hebrews Has Long Left Readers With Various...
The book of Hebrews has long left readers with various unanswered questions. This is largely due to
the fact that its origin is a mystery and has left readers to create multiple theories on how the book
came into being. From the author to the intended audience, and from the land of its origin, to its
travel across the ancient world, and its eventual acceptance into the compilation of scripture, much
of what we know about the book of Hebrews is speculation. This article seeks to delve deeper into
the questions regarding the book 's origin and to the overall purpose of the book which led to its
inclusion in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews was written with the intention of making
three clear points to its readers. First, it seeks to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It is uncertain whether the book of Hebrews was intend for Jewish Christians or for Gentile
Christians, though it does appear that the author is well informed about Jewish culture (38). What
scholars do seem to agree on is the fact that, whoever it was written for, the readers were finding it
difficult to stay strong in their faith. It is because of this that some have suggested that Hebrews was
likely written during a time of persecution for the Christians (38). For this reason, it has been
suggested that Hebrews was likely written sometime around 60 AD. The reasoning behind this is the
fact that Hebrews suggests that the Christians were beginning to experience persecution again,
despite having just been freed from it not too long before. It was around the suggested time that
Emperor Nero took over Rome from Emperor Claudius (39). Both were known for their persecution
of the Christian population and ruled close enough together for the readers of Hebrews to remember,
and have been a part of, both eras of mistreatment. Based on the supposed date, it then falls to
scholars to determine who wrote Hebrews. There are many theories regarding the authorship of the
book, but like the date in which it was written, these are mostly speculation. Many have supposed
that it was Paul who wrote Hebrews as a letter to Rome 's struggling Christians, but in recent years,
the case for Pauline authorship has been greatly weakened. There are

Illuminati : New World Order
"Illuminati: New World Order"
Ideology/Beliefs/Objectives:
When the Illuminati was born, they didn't have the name Illuminati, but they were born back in
ancient Babylon, Sumer, Akkad, over in Mesopotamia, in 3,000 B.C. The headquarters was
relocated after that in Egypt. And from Egypt, the Illuminati rulers moved their offices to Greece.
Rome was next to be the center of Illuminati influence. And then, by way of France, Germany and
Bavaria, they centered their rule in London. Now they're focused in Washington. You notice that the
Illuminati headquarters have been the current world empires through our history. See, the empires
weren't established first; they sprang from the Illuminati ruler ship in that area.
Adam Weishaupt established the public name, The Order of the Illuminati, on May 1, 1776 at the
University of Ingolstadt in Germany. Its members were freethinkers, secularists, and intellectuals
whose aim was "overthrowing the Roman Catholic and politically conservative Kingdom of Bavaria
and replacing it with a liberal republic."
The Illuminati was an Enlightenment–era secret society. It was founded in the late eighteenth
century, in 1776, the same year as the founding of the United States. Its members were politically
minded freethinkers with no particular interest in science.
It's a mistake to think the Illuminati is a political financial conspiracy. That's a big mistake. They are
that, but that's a big mistake to think that that's just what they are. The Illuminati

Father Carano Research Paper
Fr. David Carrano, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Reedsburg, used his own discernment
experience to give advice for those trying to answer their call. "There was no chance of me finding a
vocation until I became a disciple of Christ," he said. Father Carrano was raised in Stoughton where
family "very strong influence in my life" and he had the wonderful gift of my parents' love and
faithfulness in marriage." Despite the faith–filled family Father Carrano said it wasn't until his
college years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and St. Paul University Catholic Center when
he developed a relationship with Christ in what he called a "conversion experience." Becoming
more involved at St. Paul's led him to pray every day and "discovering Christ's ... Show more
"That was good for me personally to get to see some spiritual roots and form deeper relationships
and really see the joy that young people have in their faith." Following his time at SMG, Father
Carrano was assigned to be parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee and St. Mary
of the Lake Parish in Westport. While only there for a little more then six months, he said "the
people there are very caring," and for the parish as a whole "there was always something to do, there
was always something happening." Welcome Pastor Carrano In February of 2012, Father Carrano
began a new assignment as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello and Good Shepherd
Parish in Westfield, less than two years into his priesthood, and already his third parish. "Montello
and Westfield are really wonderful parishes," he said. He called the parishioners "extremely active.
The people are really engaged in their faith and very responsive to growing. He relished "getting to
know the people and being able to look out at the pews and say 'ok, I know almost everyone here by
name.'" "It really is a beautiful place," he said. "I'm very grateful for my time

Opposition to the Sixteenth and Seventeeth Century English...
Opposition to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century English Family of Love:
Not so Lovely
Intro
A Dutch man, Hendrik Niclaes, has been credited with the foundation of the Family of Love. It is
difficult to find details of Niclaes life, such as specific dates and location of pivotal events. Yet it is
thought that Niclaes is born around 1502. Though the exact date and location is unknown it is
known that Niclaes preoccupation with religion began with the parents he was born to. His parents
were devout Christians and as he grew older Niclaes began to ask questions about his faith, which
his father found difficult to answer.
When Niclaes was approximately eight years of age he and his father engaged in a discussion about
what the Passion of Jesus Christ really meant for Christians. For Niclaes, he could not under stand if
Jesus had died to atone for the sins of humanity, why at that point was humanity not sinless. When
his father was unable to answer his son's questions with any degree of satisfaction they consulted a
spiritual advisor, who was an Observant Franciscan friar. After the boy, Niclaes, and the friar had a
talk the friar was reputedly moved by Niclaes. He was fascinated with the boys solemnity and, much
like the boys father, was unsure of how to answer the questions Niclaes still posed. Due to this
questioning Niclaes' parents insisted that he not read at home, yet after much pleading they allowed
Niclaes to keep his preferred book, which was about the

Akhenaten Empire
After the repulsion of the Hyksos, meaning 'rulers of the foreign land' whom invaded Egypt in 1700
B.C.E. for the first time since the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Eighteenth Dynasty
was established and led Egyptian civilization to reach the apex of its influence and grandeur.[i] This
new dynasty was established through battle due to their new focus on imperial expansion.[ii] The
Egyptian's worldview and inward focusing culture was drastically altered. They began to look
beyond the narrow Nile Valley and started to expand in to the world.[iii] This expansion led to the
creation of a new class of nobles whom acquired wealth, lands, and even slaves to work them,
through the pharaoh as rewards for their conquest in the Near East.[iv] ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
He worshiped the sun god, but did not recognize him as an aspect of Amon[viii] He replaced the
falcon symbol of Ra with a hieroglyph depicting the rays of the sun, known as Aten, thus his name
change from "Amon is Pleased" to "He Who is Profitable to the Aten."[ix] While the priesthood of
Amon recognized all the gods of Egypt, Akhenaten's new religion exalted only Aten and more
closely resembled monotheism, but was not truly monotheistic as other gods were still mentioned in
inscriptions, though they mostly appear to be solar gods or abstract concepts.[x] Akhenaten's efforts
at a new religion ultimately failed due to a number of reasons. One such contributor, was his self–
portrayal as a 'family–man' rather than that of a divine spirit, which threatened the foundation
previous pharaohs laid for the legitimacy of their reign.[xi] This lead to the priesthood of Amon to
resist Akhenaten's new theology, and due to his lack of regard for Egyptian's interests abroad he lost
the support of nobles.[xii] Both factors contributed to the downfall of Akhenaten's theology. During
the seventeenth year of Akhenaten's reign he died and was eventually succeeded by his nine–year
old son Tutankhamun, previously known as Tutankhaten, whose regent's rejected Akhenaten's new
theology of Aten and restored the god Amon and the priesthood of Amon along with the other
tradition deities of Egypt.

Why Do Roman Catholic Priests Be Allowed To Marry
Roman Catholic priests should not be allowed to marry, instead they should focus more on their life
as priests and fully participated in church community.
Priestly celibacy is rooted in tradition, not catholic dogma, so the pope could change it overnight.
Those who are happy with the current rules say priestly celibacy allows priests time and energy to
focus completely on their flock and to emulate Jesus, who was unmarried, more faithfully. But those
who would like to see married priesthood argue celibacy is so difficult for many men that it
dissuades people from the priesthood and can lead to sexually immature people pastoring their
flocks (Live).
Even in the Eastern churches, though, there have always been some restrictions on marriage and
ordination. Although married men may become priests, unmarried priests may not marry, and
married priests, if widowed, may not remarry. Moreover, there is an ancient Eastern discipline of
choosing bishops from the ranks of the celibate monks, so their bishops are all unmarried (Catholic).
Currently, priests are paid through the donations people offer to the church.If priests are married,
they would have to pay for their children's school through college, health care expenses.priests often
serve thousands of parishioners, and are the only ones who can offer the sacrament of mass, where
the wafer and wine are thought ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In referring to celibacy, St. Paul says: "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a
particular gift from God . . .Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is a good thing for them to
remain as they are, as I do" (1 Cor. 7:7–8). He goes on to say: "An unmarried man is anxious about
the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things
of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided" (1 Cor.

What Were the Radical Changes That King Akhenaten Made?
What were the radical changes that King Akhenaten made?
Introduction
Akhenaten was known as a "heretic" pharaoh due to the radical changes he made during his reign as
an Egyptian pharaoh. The people of Egypt had been worshipping many different deities all the time
and Akhenaten was the first pharaoh to break the tradition by introducing monotheism, which was
the worship to only one god. Other than reforming the religious beliefs, he also introduced arts of
different styles to worship the Sun god, Aten. The changes made during Akhenaten's reign had no
doubt brought some effects to the lives of the Egyptians and also people from other countries later
on.
Life
Akhenaten, formerly known as Amenhotep IV, was the pharaoh of the eighteenth ... Show more
Akhenaten did not reign for a long period of time. He died in his eighteenth year of his reign due to
unknown causes. However, the changes he made did not last long due to the sentiments of the strong
Amen priesthood and the angry Egyptians whose traditions were destroyed by Akhenaten. His name
and reign were erased from the royal records of the Egyptian Pharaohs. His city, Akhetaten, was
dismantled by his successor and the stones were moved to Thebes for the building of other
monuments. His religious and governmental reformations were undone, and the religious capital
was back to Thebes with polytheistic beliefs. To add salt to wound, his coffin was defaced and his
royal nameplate was erased. It was believed to be an ultimate disgrace to a Pharaoh as this
punishment was meant to keep his soul from recognizing his body in the Afterlife and his soul
would wander around forever without being able to reincarnate. This showed that the Egyptian
people were very patriotic but at the same time, very stubborn. They were satisfied and appreciated
what they had in their lives. From the way they treated Akhenaten's corpse and abandoned
monotheism after Akhenaten's death, we can deduce that the Egyptian people were conservative
people who refused to accept changes applied on them, even

Explain Why Akhenaten Moved His Capital to Amarna
Historians' views as to why Akhenaten moved his capital to Amarna are distinctly contrasted, and
the suggestions are numerous. These include three predominant theories promoted by various
historians with divergent views of Akhenaten. These theories are all conceptually based on the
concept of Akhenaten using Amarna to develop his religious ideals. Firstly, it is believed that having
his revolutionary religious reforms reached their goals; Akhenaten employed the city of Amarna as
an escape from Amun dominated Thebes. This would remove the distractions of other Gods and
Deities still around in Thebes, and leave people free to worship the Aten. Secondly it is suggested
that Akhenaten repositioned his capital to Amarna in order to escape the ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Akhenaten's ancestry, together with his claimed "unlimited personal force of character" suggested he
would not allow himself to be set aside by the priesthood. Breasted says that Akhenaten moved his
capital to Amarna "endeavouring to displace it by the nationalism which had preceded it for twenty
centuries." This further illustrates the possibility of a feud between the two aspects of Government.
Aldred resolutely rejects this suggestion, saying "The idea of a struggle between an enlightened and
progressive king on the one side and a reactionary and scheming priesthood on the other, will simply
not stand up to closer scrutiny" . Aldred also suggests that a mere technicality in theology was all
that separated Akhenaten's religion from that of Egyptian traditionalists . According to Aldred, the
priesthood and the administration were as "indissolubly linked as they ever had been" . However he
says clear distinction of power still remained, as demonstrated by Akhenaten's ability to
subsequently reduce the status of the priesthood, his "mere surrogates" . This is a transparent
contradiction, Aldred

A Rhetorical Analysis Of John 15: 12-17
The passage of Jesus giving a new commandment of love to his disciples describes how he exercises
his authority as the Son of God, echoing his Christology from chapter one that identifies Jesus as the
Word incarnate (cf Brown 119). This passage from John 15:12–17 was written with the historical
context of the Johannine community of Ephesus that John traditionally wrote to in 80–110. As a
result, I think it was clever that John has Jesus talking about love and friendship in this passage.
There was "growing tension between the early Jewish Christian community and the religious leaders
of the dominant majority," so in mentioning love and friendship I think John intends to strengthen
the bonds between the community he is writing to. The audience of John's gospel would likely be
familiar with these growing tensions, and as a result, would find this commandment of Christ's to be
necessary, yet challenging. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Truly loving others has become limited in our modern world with the use of technology, be it with
conversations now happening on a screen rather than face to face, or with the inferred idea on social
media that loving someone takes precedence over telling them the truth. Thus, Jesus' words still hold
true for us today, for he did not love through a screen or separate love from truth. Instead, he loved
people where they were and spoke the truth with love, even to the point of laying down his life for
our sake. As a young man discerning the priesthood, the verse "no one has greater love than this, to
lay one's life for one's friends" particularly sticks out to me (15:13, NABRE). I desire to lay down
my life for people through the priesthood, and I feel affirmed in this desire each time I hear or read
this passage. This passage also continues to urge me on in my formation and thus continue to seek to
love others as Christ's love them through the vocation to the

Main Idea Of Jesus As Messiah Essay
MAIN IDEA & OUTLINE
Main Idea
Jesus as Messiah serves as both High Priest and Mediator for all believers. This role is established in
the New Covenant that He created through His sacrifice and by His blood. His sacrifice and role as
priesthood are both superior to any preceding, and are permanent in nature.
Outline
1. Jesus as Messiah 9:11
2. Jesus as High Priest 9:12–13
3. Superiority of priesthood of Jesus 9:14
4. Jesus is our Mediator Hebrews 9:15–20
INTRODUCTION Starting in Chapter 3 of Hebrews, the author begins talking about Jesus as High
Priest, including its relation to the order of Melchizedek, and the Heavenly nature of His priesthood.
He has also related the role of Jesus as High Priest to His Covenant that was created by His death
through His blood. Now, in Chapter 9, the author is explaining the relation between the earthly
priesthood of the Old Covenant, and the Heavenly priesthood of Jesus in the New Covenant. At this
time, Jews were still offering sacrifices and viewing the presence of God as one visited in the
tabernacle on earth. The Hebrew author is stating here, beginning in verse 11, that Jesus ' priesthood
will not serve in the earthly tabernacle, but He will serve in the Heavenly tabernacle and enter into
the presence of God there. The author then explains the difference between the earthly and Heavenly
priesthood, and why the Heavenly priesthood is superior.
CONTEXT
Historical Context The book of Hebrews is unique from other

Religions of the World Essay
Religions of the World
Since the creation of The Church of Jesus Christ of The Latter–Day Saints, there have been many
controversies concerning the similarities and differences between Mormonism and Catholicism,
Christianity and Protestantism. Other than the obvious, that Catholicism, Christianity and
Protestantism believe that there are no more prophets, and Mormons believe that there are still
prophets walking the earth today, differences between the faiths range in varying ways. The
Church's founder, Joseph Smith, was born a Protestant and put his beliefs into the foundations of
Mormonism. Other than this, the faiths are very different. Mormonism differs from other faiths in
several different ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Another uniqueness that brings blessing and relief to many mormons is the idea that practically no
one is forever damned to hell and that all people who have ever existed will share in heavenly
"glory" within the 3 heavens that exist to mormons. The lowest heaven, The Telestial Kingdom, is
where evil–doers, criminals and liars reside. Their sins have been forgiven and now live in the
eternal presence of the Holy Ghost. The middle heaven, The Terrestrial Kingdom, is where good
non–Mormons and Mormons who were not completely faithful to the church. They have the
presence of Jesus Christ. Finally, the top heaven, The Celestial Kingdom, is reserved for completely
devout Mormons. These people become gods and rulers of their own universes. Being at this level
also allows men to keep their families with them. (Distinctive Beliefs of the Mormon Church)
Another brief differences between Christianity and Mormonism are their beliefs in God, Jesus
Christ, Salvation and marriage. Obviously, Christians believe that God has always been perfect and
has always had the same amount of infinite power. Mormons however, believe that God is the
Supreme

Martin Luther Influence On The Role Of The Church
Throughout history, debates have arisen over the roles of Church and State. This was especially
apparent during the Middle Ages. During the reformation, theologians had different views of the
roles of Church and State. Disagreement regarding the role of the priesthood greatly influenced
renaissance Catholic and Protestant thinkers on the roles of Church and State. In particular,
disparities regarding the role of the priesthood helped shape the way prominent religious leaders
judged the role of the Church and State. These differences are seen through the writings of Michael
Sattler, Martin Luther and Pope Gregory VII.
The Anabaptists believed that religion and the state must be separate. However, they took this belief
a step further. They required ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
For Gregory VII, the Pope had a moral supremacy over all kings. He firmly takes the stance that al
early kings are bound to a higher–order, because Matthew 16:18–19 says, "And so I say to you, you
are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not
prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Gregory VII
concludes that the kings are part of the sheep in the passage. He then uses the writings of Pope
Julius' which say that Matthew 16:18–19 also shows the powers and privileges granted by God to
the Church and magisterium to further evidence his belief. Under Gregory VII's idea, the Pope
serves as the shepherd to everyone. This includes the kings. While kings are still the ultimate
authority in their respective nations, they must still follow the moral doctrinal decrees of the Church
and the Pope. Moral law supersedes all laws by Kings. If a king is truly committed to God and
Christ, they must follow the Church's decrees on morality and doctrine. It would be unwise, and
illogical to try to go against the Church. Also, Gregory VII writes about how kings are only good for
a time. They are not lasting nor remembered in the eyes of God. Though men like Constantine,
Honorius, and Charles

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints Essay
When analyzing conflicting sources on specific topics, it is important to consider the background of
the author to reveal his or her motivation behind writing the piece. When writing about cults, there
are inside sources (current members) and outside sources that encompass everything from ex–
members to the media. Jessica Longaker, a non–affiliate of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day
Saints, posted a critique of the patriarchal influence on Mormonism and how it affects the role of
women in the church. Sheri L. Dew, a current member of the church that serves as the Relief Society
General President, gave a speech was published on the Church's official website. In this speech,
Dew describes how Mormonism empowers women and emphasize the importance of their role.
When analyzing conflicting sources, it is crucial to analyze the author's position in order to detect
motivations and bias that can influence the message that is being portrayed. In order to offset this
bias and gain a complete understanding of the topic, researchers must analyze points of intersection,
similarities, and differences between the two sources. According to Longaker, "all Mormon men are
ordained as members of the "priesthood," with the absolute authority to preach the gospel...and
generally speak for God" (Longaker). She continues by stating that women have the "important
ability to bear children, men need the power of the priesthood merely to remain equal with them."
(Longaker). Longaker emphasizes

A Study On Recruitment And Hiring Experience
Reflect Upon a Time When you had a Negative Recruiting/Hiring Experience. What Were the Signs
the Experience Wasn't Going Well? A potential applicant telephones the Chaplain Recruiting Office
and this starts an initial telephone consultation (an informal interview). Each recruiter starts
accessing the potential candidate qualifications. During this time the candidate is asked about the
Certificate of Ecclesiastical Endorsement and these individuals are unaware of the process to
acquire the endorsement. When asked who is their denomination endorser, countless individuals
respond that they have no idea about who is the endorser. This is a crucial problem because it
typically is associated with a denomination that is not endorsed by the government. If this is the
case, the recruiter will explain the endorsement process to have the denomination recognized.
Others may not have communicated their intention with the endorser or explaining their desire to
become an Air Force Chaplain. These individuals generally are acquainted with the endorser but did
not understand their role in the recruiting process. Furthermore, questions are asked about any
medical issues to obtain knowledge of potential problems or inform the member they would not be
medically cleared for active duty. This is a significant issue generally with the Roman Catholic
priest because they are typically older upon endorsement. In this case, medical clearance is normally
conducted earlier in the process

The Theological Arguments For and Against the Ordination...
The Theological Arguments For and Against the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood
" Women should be kept silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but
should be subordinate, as even the law says .'' (Corinthians 14: 34–35.)
Does St.Paul give an interpretation of the culturally conditioned views of his period, or that of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God? This question emphasises the ongoing debate over women's ordination
within the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox churches. 'A person ordained to act as a mediator
between God and human–beings administering the sacraments and preaching' is the more simplified
definition of a priest. For the purposes of this essay a far more ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
To theologically examine the arguments we have to understand the historical and theological Christ.
Jesus was the Son of God, the incarnation and human form of God. Therefore God's teachings
represent Jesus' and vice versa. In Genesis 2: 18–23 God specifically made a woman out of a man,
apparently implying male supremacy. Yet Genesis 1:27 reads
"God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female."
Backed up with further passages(Galatians 3:28 and Acts 10:34) we can see the first theological
belief in equality. However this also shows that the Bible can be a questionable source for issues
such as ordination considering these Genesis passages are reasonably inconsistent. This statement of
equality can be questioned as God incarnated himself as a male, Jesus, and resulted in an important
argument to signify why only men should fulfil the requirements for Priesthood. However, it seems
conservative Catholicism may have misinterpreted the distinction God purposely made between
men and women. Catholic and Orthodox churches argue God incarnated himself as a male because
when acting in the person of Christ, must carry a natural resemblance to him. Yet God should neither
be pictured in

How Do You Think the Problem of Priestless Parishs Should...
Parishes are a common practice in the Catholic Church. They are a division of a diocese which has
its own church and members of the clergy. A parish priest is appointed and entrusted with the
spiritual care of his parishioners. In 2008, 49,631 parishes in the world had no resident priest or
pastor (CARA services. Frequently requested Church statistics). Parishes without a priest can cause
great difficulties for people. The role of a priest within a parish is vital; a priest is someone who is
there for the sick and the dying, a shoulder to cry in times of need and a priest allows parishioners
access to each of the seven sacraments.
In recent times the total number of priests has decreased and the average age of serving priests has
... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Their celibacy expresses their complete and total identification with Christ and their commitment to
continuing his mission. Surely this preparation phase is enough time for a priest to either see the
benefit in celibacy or lack there off for them as an individual.
Celibacy is a big sacrifice for anyone to undertake. Married life too has sacrifices – very different
sacrifices; however there is no value in saying one is more of a sacrifice than another. Those in a
marriage have many sacrifices that may go unrecognized because they are considered "normal." For
instance, married couples have a commitment to their partners to be faithful, honest, and dedicated
to making the relationship successful. For those with children, the commitments and responsibilities
are even greater.
There are many cultures around the world that do not expect clergy celibacy (Daly, 2009) including
Christian denominations who allow ministers/priests to marry. These Churches demonstrate how
marriage is compatible with the priestly life. These churches present a great example of how familial
responsibilities are compatible with religious commitments. A study of married Evangelical
ministers and Roman Catholic priests revealed that there were no significant differences in
dimensions of religiosity or commitments to the parish between the celibate and married clergymen
(Swenson, 1998). Both are

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