Catholicism

Dear Readers,

Another delicate post, much like my post about Jehovah's Witnesses, I will talk about Catholic beliefs and why I am not Catholic. It is my sincere desire to not misrepresent the Catholic church or Catholicism. If there seems to be any misunderstandings on my part, please feel free to correct me. I am not above amending something that I have misconstrued. Unlike my post about the Jehovah's Witnesses, I could not find a direct website from them, thus Wikipedia was my main source of information. Therefore, I have all the more need for your comments to make sure that my understanding and information is correct.

Like with my other post, I will focus on the three questions of the soul:

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

The Catholic church, an umbrella term I am using to refer to Catholicism in general, is comprised of an organization based around priesthood authority. Claiming lineage of this authority primarily through Peter, and therefore Christ Himself, passing down to Linus (2 Timothy 4:21) as the first recorded Pope (arguably Peter, but since he is still referred to as Saint Peter it is Pope Linus as the first Pope), then to Anacletus, Clement, Evaristus, Alexander, Sixtus, Telephorus, Hyginus, Pius, et cetera.

Under the pope are Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. This is based much after the organization depicted in 1 Timothy chapter 3 minus the Cardinals, who are basically superior Archbishops.

It is interesting to point out that in the same chapter where this organization is set forth, there are also stipulation that are unmet in the Catholic church today, including Bishops being the "husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2) and Deacons as well (1 Timothy 3:12). This seems contrary to the current practice of celibacy required for the station of Bishops and other clergy. However, I must admit that though this seems to be a requirement, it does appear to be closely related to the "forbidding to marry" as warned about in the following chapter (1 Timothy 4:3).

Alas, this brings us to the doctrines taught. Though they teach from the Holy Bible, many of their practices and doctrines come from tradition and other liturgy written and formulated by former Popes and other leaders, including theological counsels.

Saint Birinus Catholic Church link

One of the most famous of these counsels was that of Nicaea. From the counsel was created the Nicene Creed which decrees the nature of God as the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, Spirit of God) all as one being in order to stand apart from the polytheistic (multiple god) religions of Greece and Rome.

Madonna (Virgin Mary) from All Saints Catholic Church St. Peters, Missouri

With this monotheistic (one god) extreme of combining the Trinity into one, other doctrines were set forth, including prayers, sacraments, and other forms of worship. One of the many forms of worship that other Christians often view as idol worship is prayers to Mary the mother of Jesus and various Saints. However, in the course of my research I have been able to discern why this isn't so, or at least, why Catholics do not view it that way.

Adam's Creation by Michelangelo Sistine Chapel Censored

God created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing) in 6 literal days. Though, Catholic consign that evolution may have been the means of creating the first human body (Adam), God is responsible for creating his soul.

After Satan's fall, he tempts Adam and Eve into mortal sin. Mortal sin being unpardonable after death while venial sin is more forgivable. Baptism washes away mortal sin, thus with the fall of the human species, children have to be baptized to remove this original sin. Yet, this does not remove their agency.

Infant Baptism

While children, through baptism, have been cleansed form the original sin, there is a second conversion at 13 in which an individual expresses a personal willingness to serve God and thus, essentially, renew their baptism.

Though mortal sin can only be forgiven in this life through confession, penance, and a priest conferring absolution, venial sin can be forgiven after. This, therefore, allows for death bed repentance and thus salvation. According to Catholicism, when we die we are taken to God for judgment where we are set into one of three states of being.

Catholic Heaven as depicted in Simpsons season 16 episode 21

There is heaven (Mark 14:62), where those who are free from sin are raised in a state of "unspeakable joy that lasts forever" (wiki).

Depiction of Dante's Infero

Then there is hell, a state of eternal misery burning in fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10). Even though I find interesting the depiction of hell in Dante's Inferno, the description of nine circles is inaccurate according to Catholic theology. In this terrible state are all those who die with mortal sin remaining such as unbaptized babies, murderers, adulterers, et cetera.

Purgatory scene from 1999 The Haunting

Lastly, there is a temporary state of purgatory, where people who die with venial sins remain until they are purged by penance and prayers of others still living, on their behalf. Once they are cleansed, they are finally released to heaven or dragged down to hell. I like how this was depicted in the movie The Haunting, where an evil man clung onto children, thus holding them in purgatory with him until the demons finally dragged him down and released the children into heaven.

But what does this have to do with the "idolatry" of Saints? Because heaven is alive and well now, those who die and go there are currently alive and with God. Thus, prayers to Mary and other Saints are more like phone calls to someone not in the room. Also, with the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the Mediator, being one with God the Father, there is no mediator to plead for us in mortality other than the Saints. Wherefore, praying to Saints to ask God for blessings on our behalf is the only help we can receive beside from God directly.

With this knowledge, it also makes sense why Pope Francis recently talked about how having a personal relationship with Christ can be dangerous (youtube). It appears woven into their beliefs that without others you are alone. Without Saints pleading to God on your behalf, without friend and family at church praying for you after you die, or receive constant absolution from priests then your efforts by yourself, as an individual, could leave your soul in jeopardy.

Now that I have talked about their beliefs and even defended the Pope, lets answer the questions at hand.

Where did I come from? Our bodies are essentially those of an animal though in the likeness of God having a spirit uniquely created by God at our birth.

Why am I here? Our purpose is to not sin and worship God.

Where am I going? Depending on how well I did not sin and worshiped God, I either go to heaven or hell, everlasting bliss or misery respectively. There might be a brief stay in purgatory, but eventually it would be one of these two places.

Not having any memories before this life, personally, I could live with my mortal body being created at birth and God creating my spirit at that time, but mortality seems rather pointless, just scraping by to live and commit no grand sins in order to make it to heaven. Then in heaven, yes it is ultimate bliss, but what is the point?

It seems as though most of the incentive to keep from sinning comes from not burning in hell fire for eternity. As it stands, according to Catholicism, I would be damned to hell because I have not been baptized by their authority and thus being cleansed from the original mortal sin. It is interesting, however, to note some of that power and authority as laid out in the Holy Bible. Matthew 16:19 is Christ addressing Peter concerning the keys of authority He gives him, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

As anecdotal evidence, while on my mission I had an opportunity to talk to a Catholic who clearly had talked to missionaries before. He politely turned my companion and I away, but before closing the door he added that the "keys" to bind and loose are found in the Catholic church. I knew what he was referencing because as a missionary, we talk a bit about how the keys are restored and families can be bound or sealed together for all eternity. Thus his comment intrigued me. In all of my research of the Catholic church I have not found what they would use this authority for (if they indeed had it).

With confession and absolution it seems as though they openly exercised power to "loose" people from the binds of sin on earth and in heaven, but what do they bind? Catholic marriages are till death do they part, so they bind on earth, but NOT in heaven, where everyone is like an angel of God (Matthew 22:30) having no spouse or children but are all brothers and sisters or children of God. I truly do not know what they "bind" on earth and heaven and therefore it appears as though they do not in reality have this authority to which they profess and claim.

To sum up, though I do not think the Catholic church is God's church on the earth, I do find their desire to serve God by being proper Christians, and even their desire to pray and try to help those who have passed on to be admirable. Yet, their idea of the purpose of life leaves me much to be desired, including the results of the afterlife. It boggles my mind that God would create a spirit for a new born baby or infant only to damn it to everlasting fire and brimstone for simply not being born to a Catholic family. This philosophy portrays a God that performs much for pointless and futile reasons. Alas, with this viewpoint I recognize my bias and advise others to follow their own hearts and to pray, asking God, to learn and know truth for themselves.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Previous: Jehovah's Witnesses

Avatar 2: Avatar

Dear Readers,

Since I have posted about the general bending of the Avatar: The Last Airbender series, I have decided to also talk specifically about the Avatar. Hopefully, this will clarify and combine your knowledge that you may comprehend more fully the beauty of the series, as well as the beauty of this world.

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Firstly, an Avatar is one who acts on behalf of someone else. Usually, this is corresponded with a computer or video game avatar, representing the gamer. It is after this manner that the James Cameron movie Avatar is named. Though Jake is human, he transfers his mind into a Na'vi avatar to represent himself and fit in. Though, in the past, an individual could be an avatar on behalf of a god, like Pharaoh was the avatar of Ra (the Egyptian sun god), or Ra incarnate. That is to say, Ra in the flesh. In a similar manner, the Avatar is to act like a Prophet, a spokes person on behalf of God, with the purpose of uniting the world, bringing peace to the land, and helping other return to God.

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Secondly, the Avatar is able to manipulate all of the elements. This would likely mean that they have the genes for all four bending proficiencies. However, because they are born, one in each country once per generation, it is more like they have the initial genetic trait, the one corresponding their their country, but are then given authority or "keys" over the others as well.

Because of this, I find that it is time to talk a little bit about how the priesthood works. Now, in the hierarchy of the Church, the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency hold all of the priesthood keys given to man on the Earth. Thought these are not literal, or physical keys, they are keys that open blessings and windows of heaven. However, only the Prophet, also called the President of the Church, has the authority or authorization to exercise all of the priesthood keys. The others hold the keys, but are not permitted to use them. By this manner, the priesthood keys are to remain upon the Earth, never to be taken away again.

Some of these keys include the authority to baptize, to bestow the Holy Ghost, to seal husband and wife, and parents to children for time and for all eternity, and to even endow blessings upon the children of God. However, there are keys that still have not been bestowed unto man. Two of these keys, that are known, are the key of resurrection and the key of creation (The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood by Elder Dallin H. Oaks). I do not wish to confuse resurrection with raising the dead, for the keys to raise the dead are indeed upon the earth. However, the keys to raise the dead to an immortal glorified state are not upon the earth (Our Great Potential by President Spencer W. Kimball).

By this manner, we could say that the Avatar holds the keys to bending all four elements. While others, due to their heritage and genetics, only hold the key of one of the elements. This is a clear reflection of how keys can be bestowed down the governing body of the Church. At the lowest, ward, levels, there are only three men who hold priesthood keys. The Bishop, the Teachers Quorum President, and the Deacons Quorum President.

Though there are only a few who hold priesthood keys, the priesthood itself is given to every worthy male in the church, at the age of 12 or above. Though the priesthood is divided into the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, also known as the lesser and the higher priesthoods, they both contain the authority of God. The lesser priesthood to administer in physical rights and rituals, like Aaron of old, and the higher priesthood to administer in more spiritual and eternal things.

Indeed, to this day, if a man were to prove that they are a firstborn direct descendant of Aaron, then by their genealogy and heritage they have the rite to the priesthood and the office of Bishop and its associated keys (Doctrine and Covenants 68:16-17). Thus, it is realistic that genes or heritage could be a marker for holding keys.

In addition to the priesthood and its keys, the priesthood authority can also be delegated down. This is how women in the church can act with the authority of God in their callings, whether in the Relief Society or in the Temple. By this manner, the authority of God can be used by every worth member of the Church, though they may work through the keys held by someone else.

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Thirdly, in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang is shown to have awakened what were called jugglers, but in contemporary knowledge are called chakras. Now, these chakras are not chakra from Naruto, though they do have some correlation with the chakra meridian system gates. I prefer to call these gates, or chakras, jugglers.

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The first juggler is Earth. It is located at the base of the spine, also called the root, and is associated with the desire to survive. This juggler is blocked by fear or grief. As in the movie After Earth, Will Smith's character Cypher Raige said, "Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real, but fear is a choice." Thus, fear can block us, paralyze us, and keep us from surviving from living.

The second juggler is Water. It is located in the sacrum, or tail bone, and is associated with pleasure. Because of this association, it is also correlated with sexuality. This juggler is blocked by guilt. Regret often times comes from actions not taken, or actions done for the wrong reason. Thus, being able to let go and forgive is the best way to unblock this juggler. However, grief is an important part. If you do not allow yourself some time to grief over the action, you will never learn from it, and you will never truly move past it.

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The third juggler is Fire. It is located at the solar plexus, or simply the stomach. This one is associated with power. Like Gibbs' gut feelings in NCIS, this is where power and insight can be felt. However, much like guilt vs pleasure, shame can block our power. In the movie The Edge, Anthony Hopkin's character mention that most people die in the wilderness because of shame. They blame themselves for something they didn't do, or a mistake they made. Shame differs from guilt in that it is an outward reaction. Guilt is how we feel about ourselves, while shame is what others think about us, or what we think other feel towards us. God said that Satan wanted His "honor, which is my power;" (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36). Honor, being loved, that is true power, and if we feel shame in place of love, how can we be honorable?

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The fourth juggler is Air. It is located in the heart and is associated with love. My blog post about the Heart sheds quite a bit of insight into this correlation. This juggler is blocked by the broken heart, soul wrenching feeling of grief. Grief is the sadness of loss, the unwillingness to let go. This is mostly profound when someone passes away, from this life to the next. Thus, the best way to get past grief is to realize that those we love are never really gone. We will see them again.

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The fifth juggler is Sound. This juggler is located in the throat, which makes sense because of the vocal cords. Also, this juggler is associated with truth and is appropriately blocked by lies. Though this can be taken in a literal sense, telling the truth will set you free while lies weave the web of chains that bind you down, there is also the internal aspect. We often tell ourselves lies, we are not beautiful, we are worthless, etc. The anime points out the greatest lie of all is the lie of separation. We are different from them, or I am different from them. Though individuality can be a serious strength, feeling outcast can be an even greater obstacle. We are all children of God, we are all part of His family and are descendants of Adam and Eve. We are all part of the same beautiful world.

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The sixth juggler is Light. This juggler is commonly called the third eye. It is associated with perception and insight. Illusions block our perception. Whether physical mirages, drug induced hallucinations, or the illusion of incorrect traditions or philosophy, these things and disorient us and lead us down the wrong path. Again, one of the greatest illusions is brought from the lies we tell ourselves about the world around us. In particular, the illusion of separation. Our bodies feel like ours, but they are of the earth. Our spirits, at least through mortality, are only borrowing that dust. We are not so different, not so separated.

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The seventh and last juggler is Thought. This juggler is associated with spiritual and cosmic energy and is located at the crown of the head. Like a nexus of energy, it is the reciprocal of the blessings of God to our minds and bodies. Our body heat flows from it. Our bio-electrical field emanates from it. Blessings are bestowed by the anointing of oil and the laying of hands upon it. Indeed, I have theorized that steeples on church buildings are conductors or amplifiers for its power.

Alas, this juggler is blocked by attachment. This is not the same as bonds of friendship. This attachment is towards worldly things. Having a love of money, or possessions. Sometimes, people can even bee this source of envy, greed and pride. It is these things that are to be cast aside. Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." This scripture is not to say that we must forsake them, but if they become stumbling blocks, if they hold us back from God and from Christ, then we may need to rethink our priorities. Our loyalty, our love, should always be to God first. Then, to our spouse and families. As long as we keep that chain clear in our minds, God will be sure to bless us, and make any wrongs into rights.

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I think that it is interesting how it is by learning how to bend and use spirit energy that Aang learns how to removing an individual's bending ability, almost as thought it is the prophet's duty to remove and rebuke unlawful use of priesthood keys.

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I find it interesting how these jugglers or chakras are like the steps of the gospel. First we learn to have faith and trust in Christ, which dispels fear. Then we begin repentance by learning for forgive ourselves and allowing others to forgive us. If we truly repent, we begin to feel love and become more honest with those around us. With that freedom we begin to gain knowledge and intelligence, our thoughts are turned toward the things of God and our burdens are made light.

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Lastly, the 4th aspect of the Avatar is the reincarnations. I addressed this already in my post about Reincarnation. However, to sum up quickly, reincarnation does not exist. Though they are spirits of individuals they are all linked by the mantle of the priesthood they held, as prophets today are. Even Brigham Young, after the Prophet Joseph Smith passed away, spoke in a General Conference meeting with a countenance that made him appear as though he was the former prophet. Though a prophet dies, they still labor diligently for the good of the Kingdom of God.

I leave you with my testimony that there is a Prophet on the Earth today. That mantle of authority and the priesthood keys associated with it have been passed down from one prophet to the next since it was restored back to the Earth through Joseph Smith.

If you have any questions or comments about what I have written, I welcome and would love to read them. I hope that you have enjoyed this post.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Previous Post: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Bleach 1: Spirits and Shinigami

Dear Readers,

Whenever someone asks me what anime's I like, I always mention Bleach as one of my favorites. Quite a few people have not liked what the series has done, especially after Aizen was defeated. It is just a little too focused on Ichigo...

This can impose a problem, especially when they pushed it with Ichigo's mother being a Quincy, and Ichigo's powers are part Quincy as well. Thus, I understand why the anime stopped after the Fullbringer escapade. But I am thankful that they did not stop after Aizen. This is because, my main reason for loving this show, I can draw so many similarities to the gospel and the scriptures. It is amazing and fantastic, and I love it so much for that reason. I should note that I will be diving into this show very extensively to exhibit the parallels I have drawn over the years. Thus there should be a SPOILER alert! Also, some of the words or perceptions one could draw from this show are false doctrine. Therefore one should compare from the gospel as a foundation to the show, instead of the other way around, like bleach is the truth and a religion.

So, that being said, Ichigo Kurosaki is the main character and is some boy who can see spirits after his mother died. Now, this show often uses the word "soul" instead of "spirit", which is technically incorrect, because they are referring to spirits. "Soul" means spirit and body (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15).

Some classifications for the spirits that dwell among us, or in this world, are pluses (wholes, benign or nice spirits), jibakurei (earthbound spirits, usually attached to an object or place), tsukirei (possessive spirit, usually bound to a person), shinigami ("soul" or spirit reaper, sometimes translated to death god), hollow (a spirit that has lost its heart and become animalistic), and the movie Memories of Nobody introduced the concept of blanks (spirits having lost their sense of self, their memories).

I will talk about shinigami later on, and hollows in a continuing blog post. So let us focus on these others real quick. The spirit world is here on earth, as confirmed by Brigsham Young in Discourses of Brigham Young pg 576. Both wicked and righteous spirits are here, even premortal spirits. This is a jibakurei, the earthbound spirit.

The chains wrapped around this spirit are called the chains of fate. Probably so named to compare to the thread of the Fates in Greek mythology. Once cut, that life has ended. Similarly, when a plus or whole is first separated from its body, the chain of fate is the connection to the body. Once that is severed, they are truly dead. These chain are also so very similar to the chains that Jacob Marley's spirit had in A Christmas Carol.

About which, Jacob said, "I wear the chain I forged in life! I made it link by link and yard by yard! I gartered it on my own free will and by my own free will, I wore it!" Basically, that he had painstakingly crafted ring by ring with every selfish, materialistic, and vile action he had done during his life.  In a similar way, one could say that we forge our own fate, what lies beyond this life, and what our rewards will be.

Then note how both Jacob and this random jibakurei have their chains tied to objects. For Jacob, it was his objects, his chests of gold and silver, and his bank keys. For this jibakurei,  it is the surrounding building. We tie our fate those things that possess our hearts. Where our heart lies, there we will be also (Matthew 6:21).

Unlike the spirits in Scrooge's life, these Bleach ones have a hope, the shinigami. The shinigami have a power called konso, or soul burial. This allows the spirit, usually a plus, who is not bound to anything, to pass on to the next life. Also, the konso removes what little chain of fate remains, keeping encroachment at bay. Indeed, one could also compare these chains to the chains or bonds of death, which were broken by Christ by His resurrection, and because of that, they have no more hold upon us (Doctrine and Covenants 138:18, Alma 7:12).

Alas, if the shinigami do not intervene in time, the chain of fate begins to go through encroachment. Which entails the chain links to eat each other until they reach the spirit's "heart".

This causes them to become a hollow. I like to think of this encroachment as the gradual eating away at our personalities, heart and soul that addiction and obsession can have on us. More so, if we have these addictions and no physical body to satisfy them. How maddening that must be. No wonder the hollows are so animialistic, and cannibalistic.  They are trying to fill a hole they have created in their own heart from not seeking God in life.

Let us focus on the good guys for a minute, the shinigami. As I mentioned earlier, shinigami can be translated as "soul reaper" or "death god". Out of the two, I prefer soul reaper, but for arguments sake, I will compare shinigami to the servants of God, like spirit angels. "Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God---" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:58). This is Kenpachi Zaraki, one of the shinigami captains.

Since they are spirits, they are robed with spirit matter, and indeed are made of spirit matter called reishi. Thus their swords, or ausuchi, are swords of spirit, and are made by molding spirits or reishi together, in the same way we, in the physical world, mold iron and carbon together, folding it over and over again, making a steel katana (Japanese sword). I think that it is interesting how the term it literally "folding" steel. John Taylor said, "It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child could understand it." (Italics added) Almost like, as we study the word of God, which I will soon compare to these swords of the spirit, we gain that simple stability by truly understanding the doctrines contained in the scriptures, and then "fold" them, whether that is unfolding to share, to folding over to grow our own understanding.

In Ephesians 6:11-17, there is a description of the armor of God.
"11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about the truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

Then Isaiah 59:17 says:
"For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak."

Now, we have a bunch of different descriptions of the armor of God, and obviously, Kenpachi, does not have all of those things, but I would like to makes further comparisons describing them all.

So, Kenpachi has his sword, which can be compared to the "word of God". In Doctrine and Covenants 12:2 it says: "Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edge sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore, give heed unto my word." Therefore, comparing their swordsmanship and power as learning the word of God.

Notice that Kenpachi has a belt or obi sash holding his robes up, kind of like being "girt about" by truth, or rather hiding his nakedness. Then his robes or shihakusho (garment of dead souls) could be considered the "garments of vengeance" because shinigami can be very wrathful and could potentially be the righteous dead who serve God. His captain's cloak, a cloak of zeal, or enthusiasm. Then there is their foot wear.

Essentially, painstakingly tied and built rope and bamboo shoes called waraji. Though they are likely uncomfortable, they serve their purpose, to be light, ready for speed, and provide protection for the foot. Or, a foot "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace". Wouldn't this be considered preparation? So, the gospel of peace is what we need to use to be prepared. Though the gospel brings us peace, it may not be the most "comfortable" of commandments, or life to live. But it is the safest and best solution for the tasks we are all called to do here in this life.

Shinigami also have an ability they can develop called flash step. It is a way to run, move, or jump, at high speeds. Though this is not specifically correlated with the feet, it is not a far leap to say that if we are prepared, we will be able to accomplish tasks with greater ease, more smoothly, and even more quickly as opposed to not being prepared. Indeed, without preparation, we will likely stumble and fall.

This leaves us with: Breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation.
These are less literal representations, for the most part, in this show.

I will liken the breastplate to their reiatsu, or spirit pressure. It is a force that emanates from their reiryoku, or spirit power. President Thomas S. Monson, who is the current Prophet of the Church of Latter-day Saints has said, "Prayer continues to provide power---spiritual power. Prayer continues to provide peace--spiritual peace."

Thus, as we pray, we can build up our reiryoku, spirit power, and that allows us to have reiatsu, spirit pressure, or breastplate of righteousness. In Kenpachi's case, his reiatsu was so strong that a sword could hit his body, and not cut him. It is interesting to note that in Bleach, their reiryoku is directly aligned with their spiritual sensitivity and willpower. Almost like, prayer, and our communicating with God, helps us grow closer to the Spirit of God, and all the powers available therewith, as well as strengthens us against temptation. Thus we will choose to be more righteous and produce that "breastplate of righteousness", or reiatsu.

As for the shield of faith, it relates in a really round about away. For shinigami, their ausuchi can have powers. For Kenpachi, he has so much reiryoku, that his ausuchi is permantly locked in a state called a shikai. It is the next step in the sword's forging. It can only be released by the shinigami who owns the ausuchi, and its powers are connected to innermost desires of that individual. For Ichigo, this state was unlocked when he was stabbed with his own ausuchi, allowing direct communcation with the spirit withing the sword. If the sword is indeed the Spirit, or the word of God, it makes sense that sometimes we have to have it strike us to our very heart in order to accept it. Though most shinigami obtain this power through meditation and communicating with the zampakuto spirit inside. This is a less violent and miraculous means of gaining the same result or testimony. Almost, like we are supposed to meditate and ponder upon the word of God to gain its power. Or, like in the most recent General Conference, "ponderize". (Oct 2015 General Conference "My Heart Pondereth Them Continually" by Devin G. Durrant)

The fullness of the shikai can be unlocked, by learning the zampakuto's name. Again, it is more of a reflection of one's innermost thoughts and desires, but is itself a separate entity. I will talk more about zampukto in my next Bleach post.

Again, even knowing the name of your zampakuto is not necessarily enough. It takes "resolve" to cut effectively with it. This resolve can be expounded with the comparison to the word of God. We need to be resolved, not confused or confounded, or even doubtful, as to whether or not the scriptures are the word of God. Nor in what they mean to us. This resolve, allows us to effectively use and live by the word of God. (Below is Ichigo, with his shikai, gaining resolve)

The next step in the ausuchi's evolution, or more accurately, metamorphisis, is the bankai. This next stage multiplies the power exponentially. The bankai stage is obtain through acknowledging a certain truth, that the power is not just in the sword, but is also within us. With the comparison to the word of God, Yes, the word has power, but only if we use it and live by it. Thus the power is really in us, just as when, if we have the Holy Ghost, that is because we have allowed the Holy Ghost into us. It is apart of us, and touches the light of Christ within us. Basically, unlocking our own power, our own potential as children of God. It took Ichigo quite a while, battling his own zampakuto, before he realized that the power was within himself, allowing him to fight his zampakuto with Ichigo's own shikai.

I would like to note here, that with Ichigo's bankai, not only did his sword change, but his clothes as well, but not the sandals. The gospel never changes, but our ability to apply it does. We strengthen our breastplate, our zeal, and the truth that we have.

Now for how this applies to the shield of faith. Above is Ichigo fighting another shinigami's bankai with his own. Though, his opponent's bankai involves thousands of tiny swords that reflect light to shine like cherry blossoms and though there were so many blades swarming him, and only having one sword, his new powers gave him enough speed to create an effective, blade shield from the blossoms. This is the shield, and it relies entirely on faith that what they are trying to attempt is possible. Not just faith in the word of God, or the sword, but also faith in one's self. Even Ichigo's opponent here, Byakuya Kuchiki, has a safe zone that he creates with his blossoms. Creating a nearly impenetrable shield around himself.

Thus the saying, "The best defense is having a good offense." We can apply this in acknowledging that if we stand idly by, not using the word of God, we loose our defense, and become vulnerable to the fiery darts of the adversary, sin, misery, and despair.

The next topic of shinigami powers I would like to touch on is kido (spell or demon arts). Now, I am not necessarily saying that magic and spells are in the gospel, at least with the connotations that the presently have in our society, but the basic idea of spells are. When a priesthood holder gives a blessing, they are using words to summon or exercise God's power. Even when we pray we are asking for divine intervention, though often in small degrees. Thus, the words we use can act like a "spell" when God is with us.

Now there are three basic types of kido: Bakudo (way of binding), Hado (way of destruction), Kaido (healing kido).

Bakudo is usually associated in barriers and "seals". As an example of a barrier, we have Byakuya's danku, which acts like a wall.

 How often do we pray for protection from evil? How often do we seek strength to stand fast in the face of adversity? Does it not take faith to rely upon God during those troubled times? Indeed, these barriers can also be considered part or aspect of the shield of faith.

Now, as for the "seals" I have placed the word in quotations because it needs to be further defined. These are not like the sealings we do in the temple, binding one person to another. That comparison I will make a little later on. These "seals" are also not hand gestures, like the seals in Naruto, though hand seals can be applied to kido, as exhibited by Hachigen Ushoda, who is a visored. I rather think of hand seals used for kido like a sign language of prayer. They say that, "actions speak louder than words" and what better way than have actions as words. Though, as I said, that is not the kind of seals we are talking about right now. These seals are bindings upon others. Literal restraints. For example, here is the spell sai used on Ichigo.

It is for "spells" or "seals" like this that the translation of kido as demon arts makes more sense. While the barrier can be applied to God easily, these seals are directly taking away someone else's agency. This is exactly what the Devil and his angels, called demons, want. They want dominion over us, and to rule and reign while we are in subjection to them. Those of us who have and use the priesthood of God often times forget that Satan has his own priesthood, his own "honor" over those in his grasp, and he uses that power to cripple and bring people down.

I think that is enough of that dark business, so let us move on to hado. Hado can be compared duo fold, similar to bakudo's seals and barriers. One could look at hado, or attack spells, in a good way, fighting against our opponent. Like missionary work and sharing the gospel is in our world. Not just standing passively by, trying to save ourselves, but to fight back against the "fiery darts of the adversary". A "strike for Zion" like the hymn, Hope of Israel, depicts. Do we not pray for missionary opportunities which are chances to strike back?

On the other side, comparing this to the Devil's priesthood again, it would be the very "fiery darts" that need to be quenched by our shields of faith. Much like the appearance of Urahara's, another character, senjukotentaiho.

There is also a higher order of hado, called gisei hado, meaning sacrificial way of destruction. This I relate completely to the good aspect of hado. Gisei hado require a sacrifice of part of one's body. I am not condoning actually sacrificing an arm or a leg. I am merely saying that the aspect of sacrifice in combination with sharing the gospel or prayer, like the sacrifice of food when fasting, amplifies the power of the prayer. Like when Yama-jin (the head captain of the shinigami armies) used itto kaso on Aizen (the main antagonist of the series). He, Yama-jin, sacrificed his own arm in an attempt to kill Aizen. The attack displayed as a giant flaming tip of a sword, which again, was like a manifestation of the sword of the Spirit. (Note: the size scale, those are buildings at the bottom)

Next there is kaido, the healing kido. This, most simply can be expressed as a healing blessing given by a priesthood holder, or a prayer on behalf of someone that is ill. There is immense healing power, and sometimes we forget just how powerful a miracle God can perform through us His mortal instruments.

Some general aspect of kido that I would like to cover are eishohaki, niju eisho, and kojutsu eisho. Eishohaki is an unspoken spell, like the song of the heart, or simply having a prayer in one's heart. Niju eisho is a twofold incantation, meaning that there is spoken words as well as the prayer of the heart. In essence, we can say whatever we want to say in prayers, but unless our heart, emotion, and desire is behind those words, it is vain. Kojutsu eisho are words spoken after the initial incantation and are used for strengthening the spell or kido. This can easily be applied to prayer, in that, we pour out our whole soul to God, and though me might not receive an answer immediately, continue to ponder and pray throughout the coming day/s, months or years to strengthen our resolve when the answer finally comes.

Next I would like to mention shunko. Shunko is an attack that involves using kido with one's body for an attack. Essentially using kido to power up martial arts. To me, this makes so much sense from the spiritual aspect. Why would we pray and ask for God's favor and help if we did not act our part as well. Indeed, when shunko is used properly, the clothes across the shoulders and back of the neck are burnt off, like a mantle of fire, electricity or light, from God, being placed upon the individual, giving sanction to their actions. In Helaman 10:5 it says, "...I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, and that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." Is this not what we are all striving for? To be so trusted by God that we can command and do as though we were Him. Our very actions and desires being so aligned with God's will, that He will let us go forth exercising His power in such abundance. Indeed, this is what the shunko symbolizes to me, and it is exquisite.

Now, I promised that I would relate the comparison of temple sealings. Temple sealings bind individuals together, for time and all eternity. They create a bond that death itself cannot destroy nor break. Is is the bonds that connect us all one to another that I wish to talk about. In Bleach, there is reiraku, which can be translated and spirit ribbons. These are generally white, representing humans, and are a bond from one human to another. All humans, specifically their spirits, are tied one to another as spirit children of God. Shinigami have red reiraku. Since I am somewhat comparing shinigami to spiritual angels or servants of God, this red ribbon could easily be considered being washed in the blood of Christ (Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:7).

Though the series does not talk much more about these spirit ribbons, I have drawn my own comparisons. First, since these ribbons are compared to cloth, there are different types of cloth. Silk, cotton, and polyester just to name a few. Each has its own strength, texture, and stability. Like the different relationships we have. Our relationship with our spouse might be more of a silk, and a relationship with a friend could be more of a cotton. Then there is the durability of the ribbons. Some might be easily cut or broken, others are stronger and more durable. The sealings in the temple, between a husband and wife, parents and children, are the strongest bonds or ribbons that I am currently aware of.

The greatest aspect of this ribbon comparison, at least for me, is that one can find someone through these ribbons. My mother, being a genealogist, would compare following the ribbons from one generation to the next to unite the whole human family as one solid cloth, like strings in a tapestry. However, I have always been more of a friend seeker. I want and desire friendship, and want to hold on to those bonds as long as possible. I want to know that I am not alone, that I am connected to others. Though the bonds of friendship often break, by holding onto the remnants, and growing from them, we can strengthen the bonds that we do have, and learn to make others.

Indeed, though I don't often believe it (or act like I believe it) myself, I have testified, and felt the power of the Holy Ghost while doing so, that friendships are a bond that have the potential to last forever. For those members of the church that have served missions, they will find that hardly a day goes by that they did not think of something from their mission. This continues throughout the rest of their lives. If our mortal life is our great mission throughout all eternity, then will we not be thinking and pondering about events that transpired here throughout that eternity. The friendships we made, our interactions with mankind, the activities we enjoyed, and lessons we learned. I am not saying that friendships will last forever, just that they have that potential, if that bond is continually sustained.

With this note, I am ending this Bleach post. A big shout out to bleach.wikia.com for their useful information about terms and their definitions. My next installment will include zampakuto and hollows, including arrancar. I hope that you have learned and grew in your faith and understanding as I have. I hope that you too will find ways to apply gospel principles to those things that you watch or do simply to be "entertained". As always, I would love to hear your comments and know your opinions.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Next Post: Bleach 2: Zampakuto and Hollows

Blacks and the Priesthood

Dear Readers,

I felt like, because of my service to the Lord on my mission, that I need to do what I can to help people come to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and come to understand God's reasons for some of the things that He does. Things that some people might find as road blocks to their progress.

So, today I will be talking about Blacks and the Priesthood. It is known that for several years in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, black males could not hold the Priesthood of God. Roughly 1830-ish to 1978. I know this may be strange, but I will start from the end and work back to the beginning.

Official Declaration 2, found after the Doctrine and Covenants in the Standard Works, states, "One September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints... In Early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously."

"Dear Brethren: As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.

"Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.

"He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.

"We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel."

End of quote.

So this was the good, nay, great, nay amazing, awesome, and fantastic news that was declared unto the saints of God in 1978. This brings us to the question as to why this revelation had to be given. The Church's official stance on that subject, which can be found in the heading of the Official Declaration 2, is that "Early in its history, Church leaders stopped conferring the priesthood on black males of African decent. Church records offer no clear insights into the origins of this practice. Church leaders believed that a revelation from God was needed to alter this practice and prayerfully sought guidance."

In this heading, it is also found that, "Throughout the history of the Church, people of every race and ethnicity in many countries have been baptized and have lived as faithful members of the church. During Joseph Smith's lifetime, a few black male members of the Church were ordained to the priesthood." Which gives the impression, that similar to the practice of plural marriage, the fullness of Christ's Gospel was restored, but then parts were taken away because the saints were not and/or the world was not worthy or willing to live by those standards. As plural marriage was taken away because of some saints corrupting that practice, as well as the world using it as a source of persecution, the law of consecration was dealt with as well. The saints took the law of consecration,which removes the idea of belongings and changes it to more of stewardship, because truly everything is ultimately in God's possession and we are simply taking care of and using it. The saints used this as an excuse to "steal" from other saints. Thus the law was lessened to the Common Law practice, which again the saints proved they could not live by, so now we have fast offerings, Bishop's storehouses, and other programs trying to help take care of the children of God.

Then there was also Moses and the tables of testimony that he took down from Mt Sinai. First he brought down the higher law, which Christ taught, only to find that already the Israelites had built themselves a golden calf and had began worshiping it. In his frustration he smashed those stone tablets, and returned up the mountain. There he received the 10 commandments as well as the lesser laws of animal sacrifice.

So, I believe, it was with the blacks and the priesthood. Likely due to the racism from both the world, and the saints, that privilege was lost for a time, and was thankfully restored in 1978. Now, as with times past, the Church leaders leaned upon truth to "justify" these lower standards. For the purpose that the children of God might not sin as much against a greater light. Among these truths were those concerning the curse which God placed upon Cain and his seed.

Brigham Young said in the Journal of Discourses volume 7 pages 290-291 " Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings. This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. Trace mankind down to after the flood, and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race—that they should be the “servant of servants;” and they will be, until that curse is removed; and the Abolitionists cannot help it, nor in the least alter that decree. How long is that race to endure the dreadful curse that is upon them? That curse will remain upon them,and they never can hold the Priesthood or share in it until all the other descendants of Adam have received the promises and enjoyed the blessings of the Priesthood and the keys thereof. Until the last ones of the residue of Adam's children are brought up to that favorable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse will be removed. When the residue of the family of Adam come up and receive their blessings, then the curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will receive blessings in like proportion."

Firstly, here, we find that Brigham Young declares that the curse of Cain was indeed the traits or genes of the African Race. I know that I have heard rumors among the Mormon community, especially in my youth, that Cain is Sasquatch or Big Foot, Yeti, Yowie, the Skunk Ape, or whatever large prime-ape beasts of legend that are similar in appearance to those I have already mentioned. This is clearly not so.  

Here is something to remember about God, something very important. Everything God does is for the benefit of His children. From the Israelites being commanded to slaughter entire civilization, to curses like Cain and the Lamanites (Native Americans). This curse placed upon the seed of Cain, as well as upon the seed of Laman and Lemule from the Book of Mormon is both spiritual and physical. Physical being the literal changing of genes to be expressed in this fallen world, and spiritual because of their own choices. Just because someone is born black, does not mean that they are also spiritually cursed. 
The physical curse has a purpose, the purpose of remembrance. In ancient Israel, the priests would tie a band around their head, upon which was placed a scroll inscribed with a scripture passage. This was done, so that they could remember either the blessings that God has done for their ancestors, or to remember things that they need to work on.

As for the African and Native American races, their scroll of remembrance is their very skin. A constant reminder that there is a God in heaven, that He has promised to reach out to them and their children, and that they can reach out to Him by putting off the natural man, which we all have to do. Indeed, sometimes I wonder if having such a strong reminder of these things, such as the color of my skin, would help me in my own spiritual progression.

Secondly, Brigham Young pointed out prophecies about the seed of Cain. That they would be the "servant of servants;" which has been fulfilled with the obscene amounts of slavery that they have been subjected to. Then that they would never hold the Priesthood or partake of the blessings of the temple until all of the descendants of Adam have received the promises God has given them. As President Spencer W. Kimball stated in the Declaration, the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been spread to the world, though not accepted by all, at least the opportunity has been presented to them. Thus those prophecies have not only been fulfilled, but with the promise that the curse would be lifted.

I loudly declare that the spiritual curse of Cain has been lifted, as long as his descendants choose to live worthy of such. As we all know, from the Fall of Adam and Eve, this entire world is fallen and "cursed" for the sake of the children of God. Thus, because the curse upon Cain was also a physical one, a curse in and of the world, that portion shall remain until the world passes away, and is renewed again.

In the Book of Mormon Student Manual, chapter 8, there is clarity given by President Joseph Fielding Smith. He said, concerning the curse placed upon the Lamanites in 2 Nephi 5, that "The dark skin was placed upon the Lamanites so that they could be distinguished from the Nephites and to keep the two peoples from mixing. The dark skin was the sign of the curse [not the curse itself]. the curse was the withdrawal of the Spirit of the Lord..." In a similar way, the curse that came upon Cain could be of like nature. The black skin is just a sign, or reminder of the curse. Like a beware of falling rocks sign along the highway. It does not mean that rocks are currently falling, but that one should be careful because they might.

I realize that this is a very delicate and sensitive subject that I am likely not treading as carefully or with as much tact as I should, but bluntly God is not a liar, and He has prophesied and made promises concerning the seed of Cain, and those prophecies have been fulfilled, save it be the salvation of all of mankind. That prophecy we all can now look forward to being fulfilled, when Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, shall return again.

The time for racism is past. Let us look forward to that great and wonderful day of the Lord together as the family of Adam! Let not the trials of the past hold you back from embracing the future! These things I leave with you, and I hope that you learn from them.

Love,
Jacobugoth