In the beginning...

The Gospel of John starts, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". Beautiful words so rich with meaning, though not so literal or obvious. Scholars derive the "Logos" concept from this passage in John. Our script of John was written in Greek originally. Therefore the translation of the word "Word" comes from the word "logos", which has several meanings in Greek. This passage also speaks of Jesus in a context where is esteemed as God. Jesus Christ was more than the prophet spoken of by Moses, he was more than the Messiah that Isaiah spoke of, he was in deed the son of God. He God the Son, the Son of Man, Lord of lords and King of kings. He is God. These verses also speak of Jesus before the immaculate conception. This confirms the doctrine that before we are born we lived with the Father. It is to say that our spirits existed before being born into this world. Indeed Jesus was the creator of the world we live in. He had an extremely important role with God the Father before the world was created. Notice the wording in Genesis 1:26, "Let us make man in our image."

On The Gospels

The Gospel of John is the most unique of all four gospels in the New Testament. Almost 90% of the content is unique in one way or another. The other three gospels are called "synoptic" or "from the same eye" because of the similarities. Scholars cannot determine whether The Gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew himself or just attributed to him. Mark and Luke are not even apostles and therefore lack the complete definitive authority in their respective works (Please understand that I am not discrediting the significance in these two books). Now, there were twevle apostles at the time of Jesus' earthly ministry in the Holy Land. So where are the writings of the others? Did they write? Were they destroyed? Have people fabricated their existence? What do they contain, if they exist? And more questions can be posed about this thought.

I speculate that there are indeed Gospels written by Peter, Andrew, James, Bartholemew, Phillip, James the lessor, Thaddeaus, Thomas, and Simon the Canaanite. The Lord has always required his prophets and messengers write down their thoughts, the history, or the direct commandments of the Lord (Mormon 3:18-22; 1 Nephi 9; 3 Nephi 23:4-13).

Jesus said (John 10:16) that there are "other sheep" apart from those in the Holy Land. The Book or Mormon sheds light on this misunderstood scripture, clarifying that Jesus was referring to the Nephites and Lamanites found in the Ancient Americas (3 Nephi 15:21). But it goes on to expound that there are more sheep elsewhere, and they too will be visited and taught by Jesus (3 Nephi 16:1-5). Surely they must have apostles and they must have written of those things that they both saw and heard the Lord do.

There is so much scripture out there--either lost or hidden--that has yet to be revealed to us. I can't wait to read the words of those who were called by Jesus and we were with Jesus first-hand during His ministry.

Words and Scriptures on Communication

Matthew 5:37
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."

James 5:12
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation."

3 Nephi 12:37
“But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil.”

2 Corinthians 1:17
“When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?”

2 Corinthians 1:18
“But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.”

I propose as one possible interpretation of these scriptures is God's advice on communication. Comminication is so essential to what we do everyday--spiritual or entirely secular. Wars have been fought over miscommunications. When communication lacks, relationships suffer. Many divorced couples blame a lack of communication for their misfortune and pain.

Good communication could be a topic of how to speak, with whom to speak, and when to speak. I am not interested in which language or proper grammar, but rather how to communicate. In the scriptures cited above, I think that God is saying, "Make your communication simple and direct." When we beat around the bush, delay, be vague. Allow me to suggest the following advice on communication:
1. Lips should only speak truth
2. Communication should be a tool, not a weapon.
3. America, and many democracies across the world have "the right to free speech" But does this really mean that ANYTHING is fair game? I don't suggest that any government, church, or organization dictate and control our speech for us, but rather the human itself. No one wants to be hurt, belittled, betrayed, yelled at, or lied to.
4. Avoid the "multiplication of words". I do not mean that scholars need to always to speak in laymen's terms. Having a broad vocabulary is a good thing! What I mean is, cut to the point. Make it direct. Avoid vagueness and beating around the bush. Being clear clears everything up. Cuss words and vulgar words really are unnecessary speech.
5. Slang is a vice and obsticle.

More to come... Please share your comments.