Connor’s Conundrums » Out of the Mouth of Babes

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Out of the Mouth of Babes

Posted by Connor on April 4th, 2007

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And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Joel 2:28)

One person who definitely fits into this category is Akiane Kramarik.

Primarily a self-taught painter, Akiane started drawing at age four, painting at six, and writing poetry at seven. She began composing her own songs only a couple months after learning how to play the piano.

This girl is amazing and inspiring. She tells her own story far better than I dare:

Hearing her description of God’s physical qualities reminds me of Joseph Smith’s description:

His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah… (D&C 110:3)

Her paintings are astounding, and her talent limitless. Knowing that such people as Akiane exist serves as a testimony of a loving God who is eager to be part of our lives.

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7 comments so far. Care to chime in?

I’ve just spent the last hour or so going through her entire gallery, and I am, of course, amazed. The story of the carpenter who posed as the Savior was particularly touching…What talent. And her family, to support her in it. It’s just astounding…

#1 Naiah on April 4th, 2007

Connor

This young sister is truly blessed with spiritual talents.

Let us pray she will not be overwhelmed by fame and fortune introduced by opportunistic vermin who would prey upon her potential to create wealth.

#2 Michael L. McKee on April 4th, 2007

Thank you for highlighting her in a post. I am currently teaching a poetry unit to my English class, and I will make sure that my high school students are exposed to her poetry. I’m sure it will inspire them in their poetry and in their humanity.

#3 Aaron on April 4th, 2007

I was truly impressed by the detail she put into the eyes of the Savior. Amazing.

#4 Spencer J on April 4th, 2007

I have not heard that Akiane believes in the Mormon doctrine, if she is of the mainstream Christian Faith, then she would not uphold the teachings of Joseph Smith.

I’m just wondering if you would feel she is missing something by not having the teachings of your prophet? Or would her teaching be equally honored by you, as from God, even when it may contradict what Joseph Smith wrote?

Is it possible that although Joseph Smith had a vision from the Lord, it was somehow misinterpreted by him? Or is it possible that either or both of these prophets had an experience that could potentially mislead them?

I lived with a Mormon family for awhile and have had many dialogues with them about their faith. I found that they were misled by the teaching of the church and that they were really living both unhappy, and unholy lives. I pray that this isn’t the case with you.

Truth and blessings to you!
J.

#5 Jane on April 14th, 2007

I have not heard that Akiane believes in the Mormon doctrine, if she is of the mainstream Christian Faith, then she would not uphold the teachings of Joseph Smith.< ?em>

I never claimed otherwise. Not being of the LDS faith, she likely has not heard of prophets and apostles in our day.

I’m just wondering if you would feel she is missing something by not having the teachings of your prophet? Or would her teaching be equally honored by you, as from God, even when it may contradict what Joseph Smith wrote?

Brigham Young, Joseph’s successor to the office of prophet, once said:

Our religion embraces all truth and every fact in existence, no matter whether in heaven, earth, or hell. A fact is a fact, all truth issues forth from the Fountain of truth… (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 14:117)

The LDS Church is not the only source of truth. Truth is all over the place, and there is yet more to be revealed. That being said, truth cannot contradict another truth, so any truth that Akiane may have seen in vision or revelation would not contradict any other truth that God has revealed. As I illustrated at the end of the post, their descriptions of our God seem to harmonize quite well.

Is it possible that although Joseph Smith had a vision from the Lord, it was somehow misinterpreted by him?

I’ll let Joseph answer for himself:

I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 368)

I found that they were misled by the teaching of the church and that they were really living both unhappy, and unholy lives.

The only reason that this family you know would be living unhappy, unholy lives would be if they were not living in accordance with the gospel and revealed truth. Mormons, like anybody else, are imperfect people. There are plenty that make mistakes or don’t live up to the standard set by our Lord. Such imperfect people, however, do not ultimately dictate by example the truthfulness of the gospel they claim to adhere to. The gospel’s truthfulness stands independent of all else, and is to be judged by its fruit—the works and efforts of those who follow its precepts, not the occasional individual who fails to live up to the standard.

I pray that this isn’t the case with you.

It’s not. I am well aware of what I believe, and am firmly planted in the foundation of the gospel—the rock of Christ. I look forward to His coming.

#6 Connor on April 14th, 2007

I’m glad to hear it!

But I have have heard that those of the LDS faith believe that Jesus and Satan were brother’s. And that God the father said challenged them to come up with a way to save man from his sin. God liked Jesus’ plan better, Satan got jealous and ticked off and he and a lot of other yucky spirits were cast down to the earth, each inhabiting humans. I also heard that in the beginning, the belief was that the darker the skin of the person, the darker the soul. (It seems this believe has been altered to accomodate a less prejudice attitude.

I have encountered many folks of many different “christian” religions. It seems that all except one alter who the Jesus of the bible is. (God in the flesh, who came to show himself to mankind and to pay the debt owed because of man’s sin.) Anyone who changes the personhood of Jesus, changes God so to speak and fails to worship the true God.

Do your teachers tell you that Jesus is not part of a triune God? Do they tell you that he is the angel Satan’s brother? Do they tell you that when you die, you will continue to be married to your earthly wife and that you will have your spirit children to populate your own planet that you will rule? (impossible according to the words of Jesus. )

Do they also tell you that you had better store up food for the last days? (We always had a rat problem in that house because of all the food stored in the basement.)

Jus a few questions to think about. One of my best first christian friends used to say “The devil always puts a little truth into every lie.” What is it that is so attractive about this added information from Joe Smith? I believe that God speaks through prophets today, but he is the same yesterday, today and forever. No one who changes who he reveals himself to be in the bible, could be considered his prophet, no matter how much he surrounds or tries to cover the lie with truth.

Thanks for you post and website - you are a very talented young man.

J

#7 Jane on April 17th, 2007