Americans continue to be suspicious of the Mormon religion. What has changed is not the amount of trepidation but rather the commitment to tolerance.

The 21st century American religious narrative contextualizes the embedded tenants of tolerance, compassion, and respect. Today, Americans are no longer threatened by religious ideas and streams that differ from the traditional and historical faiths. Globalization, the internet, and sectarian violence have succeeded in transforming the pillars of religious orthodoxy from preservation via intolerance to preservation via accommodation.

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Religion is surely man made. For that reason, religion is not perfect. Our attempt to contextualize a system, a set of beliefs or programs to manage and understand God continuously falls short. The New Testament defines pure religion by our treatment of those in need. Once again, this is what makes PURE Christianity so attractive.

Christ introduced not necessarily a religion but a relationship. To some, the ministry of Christ expresses God’s desire to introduce upon humanity and the world a revolutionary relationship. Simplicity in expression, Awesome in Power, Magnificent in Grace, Christ transformed the conversation, from religion to relationship.

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Beyond the idea of a Just War and the notion that at times we must fight in order to secure the peace, one thing is certain, Faith and religion should never be the impetus for War but always the justification to end wars and bring peace.

Ironically the biblical narrative describes God as Jehovah Shalom or the God of Peace while another portion describes him as The Lord of Hosts or the Lord of the Armies. Where is my faith in times of War? My Faith rests In the God of Peace and in the Lord of Hosts.

Faith that if war falls upon us, “The Battle is Mine Saith The Lord”
Faith that “All things work for Good for those that believe” ROMANS 8:28
Faith that tells me we battle not against Muslims, Arabs, Christians, Atheists or Jews but against Principalities, and Powers of Darkness
Faith that reminds me “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does” 2 Corinthians 10:3
Faith that dresses me with the full armor of God: Ephesians 6:3

How do I reconcile my faith with calamity and War? With unbridled understanding that warmongers are not blessed but peacemakers are. At the end of the day my Faith will strengthen me and preserve me for the peace to come by reminding all of us that Victory is not obtained by might, nor by power but by MY SPIRIT , SAITH THE LORD.

Heaven is a place of forgetfulness; forgetting the former pains, sorrows, misery, and shame: Isaiah 65: 17

Heaven is a kingdom where one must enter in as a Child; pure, innocent, vulnerable and in need of a Father’s embrace: Mark 10:15

Heaven is a refuge for the poor and the persecuted: Matthew 5: 3, 10

Heaven is God’s Invitation to wipe away the tears: Revelation 7:17

Heaven is Hope’s address, Grace’s goal, and Faith’s destination.

Who will enter? Those reconciled by Grace, Justified by Faith and who, in the face of unbelief, exercise the freedom to call upon the Name of The Lord.

Hell is evil’s lair, injustice’s reward, and hatred’s bosom.

Hell is the gathering place for wickedness, racism, bigotry, arrogance, greed, selfishness, perversion, and unbelief.

Hell is a Kingdom where unrighteousness is King and deception reigns supreme all while strife and bitterness guard the gates.

Hell is a refuge for darkness and the absence of light, music and love.

Hell is Death's invitation to eternity; eternity without God.

Who will enter? Only Heaven knows.