Knowing that the devil “is the father of contention” (3 Nephi 11:29) and the great deceiver, there are significant ways to reduce contention and increase faith. We are promised we will not be deceived as we “treasure up his word” (JS-M 37).
Contention can be proven false, because it is of the devil. Then we can move on to what is true. We can use an essential Law of Heaven to learn God’s TRUTHS; “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8). Living that law builds faith and opens the door to TRUTH and LIGHT, and removes contention and deception.
Truth and Light
I use three criteria in my search for TRUTH and LIGHT.
1. If God says it, I know it and I will not be deceived (JS-M 37).
2. A theory or hypothesis cannot be proven true; we don’t know enough. Only God knows enough. And
3. A theory or hypothesis can be proven false if one has reliable falsification data.
For me, these are very powerful tools in my search for TRUTH and they can significantly ameliorate contention—moving a person out of darkness into truth, light, and liberty (John 8:12, 32, 36). We know Christ is the “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Can Organic Evolution Be Proven False?
In Chapter 6 of my first book, It’s About Time—using the best scientists on the planet and their books and data—I share the proof that the theory of organic evolution is false. This has enormous consequences since this false theory has permeated the world’s education systems and atheism has increased as a result–causing a lot of contention and deception.
Organic evolution is being taught in some classes at BYU—my alma mater. Also, on the BYU campus, in the Bean Museum, there is a permanent model of the evolution of man from lower forms of life. This shows the secular influence on this, the main university of my church, and this has brought about a lot of contention and deception there.
When I went to BYU, I was fortunate to be taught by Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Chauncey C. Riddle. When I took a class from him back in the 1950s, he used the Book of Mormon to prove the evolutionary theory false. Unfortunately, students who are attending BYU as believers in biblical “Creation” have turned into “Atheists” because of professors teaching organic evolution. This is a serious problem at BYU, but it is much more serious at non-religious educational institutions.
Atheism
Because of the increase in atheism, more are believing the Bible to be a myth. I share below how atheism can be proven false. And if there is no fall of Adam and Eve, then there is no need for Christ’s atonement to overcome the effects of the fall. Hence, organic evolution is anti-Christ.
Joseph in Egypt and the Prophet Nephi foretold of the Bible being disbelieved in our day (1 Nephi 13:38-41; 2 Nephi 3:11). But the Lord knows the end from the beginning and also prophesied that the Book of Mormon would come forth in a needful time, and one of its many missions was to give validity to the scriptures—opening the door to those who have lost faith to come back to the beautiful truths of God. Next, I will show you how it does this remarkable thing.
Trusting the Validity of Scriptures
In my research, I have found evidence of 1,800 phrases that tie back to the language of Adam and provide undeniable validation of the scriptures. The Book of Mormon has been the main tool that led me to these insights, as I have exercised the above Law of Heaven. [Don’t Bypass “And It Came To Pass” | It’s About Time (itsabouttimebook.com)] I am pleased that LDS Living also picked up on this: [The Powerful Book of Mormon Phrase We Always See but Never Think About – LDS Living. That these 1,800 data points are distributed as they are throughout our scriptures provides this validation. It could not be thus except by Divine orchestration. Search them out and see for yourself–how they are used and by whom they are used.
There are several others who provide compelling evidence that the scriptures are true. The great historian, Flavius Josephus, is a great example. Dr. John Lennox is an incredible and very likable Christian apologist. I believe, if all Christians and their leaders, took a firm stand on the validity of the scriptures and shared the above information, it would help increase faith in the world and reduce contention and deception. Also, see remarkable evidence showing that we can “Trust in the Lord.”
Another Contentious Issue
Another contentious issue I see in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is regarding Book of Mormon geography: Heartland vs. Mesoamerica. Many say it doesn’t matter, but the Lord says it matters greatly (Ether 2:8-12). In this scripture, the Lord declares emphatically regarding North America, “that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them.” It is critical that Americans repent, and turn back to the God of this land, who is Jesus Christ, or this nation will be destroyed. This message should motivate every American to repent and come to Christ.
Using criteria 3 as mentioned above, using reliable falsification data, I share proof that the Mesoamerica theory is false in this blog post: Where Does The Book Of Mormon Really Take Place? It only takes one reliable falsification data set to prove a theory or hypothesis false; I found eight!
In the December 2012 issue of the Ensign, Elder L. Tom Perry stated, “that the United States is the promised land foretold in the Book of Mormon.” In addition, President Russell M. Nelson has stated:
“The Book of Mormon reveals the inheritance of Joseph, son of Israel, who was not forgotten when the land was distributed to the tribes of Israel. This was promised in the Abrahamic covenant. Because… Joseph’s inheritance was to be a land choice above all others. It was chosen not because of its beauty or wealth of natural resources, but because it was chosen to be the repository of sacred writings on golden plates from which the Book of Mormon would one day come. Choice because it would eventually host the world headquarters of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. And it was chosen because it was a land of liberty for those who worship the Lord and keep His commandments. (President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, Yes, Mormons are Christians, Legends Library [2017]).”
It is evident that North America is the only location that fits the criteria for where the Book of Mormon account took place. I would love to see the world come to know the great value of the Book of Mormon and of its “promised land” geography. Just like knowing the geography of the Bible helps, I believe knowing the Book of Mormon geography would help remove contention and confusion in the Church membership and especially at BYU where many of the religion professors believe and teach the Mesoamerica false model. It is interesting that the Book of Mormon mentions Christ five times more often than the Bible!
Two Major World Contentions
1. A major contention in the world is that Satan is leveraging all he can with the GLBTQ+ confusion and conflict. The conflict takes people away from Christ, especially young people.
I believe that if we were more focused on the first two great commandments, our loving example would shed the needed light on those who have lost faith to help bring them back–being valiant loving Christians. Believing in Christ is one thing, but being changed by the grace of His infinite atonement is a life-changing thing. Being born-again Christians, as our scriptures teach us, is TO BE ONE WITH HIM, BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT! (Mosiah 27:25; Alma 5:14; 7:14; John 3:-3-5; and 1 Pet. 1:23). , My new book proclaims the same—BE BORN AGAIN.
2. The Critical Race Theory is another source of contention. For those advocating “the critical race theory,” there is a beautiful scriptural solution. Each of us is of infinite worth as children of Divine offspring. (Acts 17:2-29) Judging others leads to this contention. Let us not judge and let us bring out the potential goodness in others and help them develop their God-given gifts. Let us be color-blind to race as the Lord has asked us to be. Everyone is important, and putting others down is totally contrary to the Christian ethic of loving your neighbor.
Two Unknown Book of Mormon Miracles
The year 2017 was a very eventful year with a total solar eclipse passing over America over seven cities by the name of “Salem,” which means peace in Hebrew, and on 23 September the 12th Chapter of Revelations was played out in the heavens.
Most don’t know that the historical data show that it should have taken over 22 months to type-set and print the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, when, in fact, it happened–miraculously– in less than seven months, and some scholars estimate that Joseph Smith’s days spent in translating this ancient record were about 65–another miracle as well.
Also, in 2017 on the 20th of March at exactly 4:28 AM (MST)– I looked at the clock–I was praying about these miracles of the coming forth of this AMAZING ancient record, and I had the impression that the printed dimensions of the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon–heretofore unknown–were in the Divine ratio. Having a replica, I got up and measured it: 7.5 inches high x 4 5/8 inches wide (7.5/4.625 = 1.62, the Divine Ratio). This Divine revelation came exactly at the moment of the vernal equinox. THANK YOU, LORD for another one of Thy fingerprints manifesting Thine infinite love for us! In Thine honor, I have made the dimensions of my new book in the Divine ratio: 1.62 = 8.5 inches / 5.25 inches, as it explains Thy Perfect Plan of Happiness in the midst of all our imperfections. This is indeed one of Thy grand ironies with a wonderful Divine purpose in it for each of us.
Message of Gladness
During my 87th trip around the sun and onward as the Lord gives me the strength to do so I rejoice in sharing the ‘Message of Gladness” across the world: The Message of Gladness | It’s About Time (itsabouttimebook.com). Bringing people back to faith and ameliorating Satan’s contention and deception. Pray always that we may conquer the influence of Satan and his minions. (D&C 10:5)
Faithfully yours,
David W. Allan
PS My new book, Time & Eternity, the End-Times and Beyond Revealed, is designed to bring hope, as people come to know the beautiful future our Loving Heavenly Father has prepared for His children: Time to Embrace TIME & ETERNITY | It’s About Time (itsabouttimebook.com)
The Book of Mormon is in more than 110 languages, and it can be listened to in audio: https://www.learnoutloud.com/podcaststream/listen.php?url=http://feeds.feedburner.com/book-of-mormon-mp3-eng&all=1&title=45992 and all the scriptures can be read at the following BYU link: Scripture Citation Index (byu.edu)
David W. Allan
Photo: CC Pxfuel