Email thread between Robert Ranc (Assistant City Administrator) and myself this past week.

Email thread between Robert Ranc (Assistant City Administrator) and myself this past week.

Robert

 Another question for you. 

In chapter 28 of the Lehi resort community code, page 28-4 section 28.060 - Development Approvals and Permits in A.1 there is a sentence that is causing me some confusion.  It states that the Chief Building Official and the Public Works Director have the authority to sign on behalf of the City Council "if they are designated by the City Council as the officers having authority, on behalf of the City Council, to approve and sign the final document (s). 

Is there any kind of document you could send me that states that the Chief Building Official and Public Works Director have been given this authority and have the right to sign on behalf of the City Council and then provide me with examples where this has been the case.  I would like to see the document authorizes them to sign on behalf of the City Council.

Secondly, in that same section it states, "The lots in a minor subdivision WILL be divided by a metes and bounds document rather than a PLAT."  I have contacted the Utah Recorders office and the Family Search subdivision is recorded as a PLAT, not by metes and bounds as outlined in the resort code.  I would like an explanation as to why the code as written above was not followed. 

I will be sharing your response to the hundreds of those Lehi residents who are outraged by the proposed destruction of the Thanksgiving Point driving range to put up two massive office buildings.

Thank you

Bill Conley

Here is Robert's response

Bill,

 

Section 28.080A1 does not use the word “if.”  It uses the word “are.”  This is a very important legal distinction.  I have directly copied the language below.  You are, of course, welcome to verify this for yourself.

 

The Preliminary and Final Plans shall be submitted and reviewed simultaneously, and the Chief Building Official and Public Works Director are designated by the City Council as the officers having authority, on behalf of the City Council, to approve and sign the final Document(s)

 

On the issue of metes and bounds, you are correct as to the language.  However, you misunderstand the difference between a metes and bounds document and a plat document.  A plat document is completed to a higher standard than a metes and bounds document.  So when a developer offers a plat document rather than a metes and bounds document, the city is happy to accept a plat.

 

Based on this information, the city is maintaining its position that the developer for this project has followed all applicable requirements.

 

Regards,

My response back to Robert

Robert 

 Thanks for the point of clarification. It seems as though words matter or you would not have pointed out a specific word.  If words matter, than so do the words metes and bounds.  You seem to believe the term plat is superior to the term metes and bounds and therefore the city will accept a plat over a metes and bound description.  If words matter than the city MUST follow what is written and what is written is not plat, but metes and bounds language.  You, I and no one else gets to determine that a plat is superior to metes and bounds.  If you are going to suggest the word "are" is relevant, well then, so are the words, "metes and bounds".  You can't simply pick and choose what you will and will not enforce. 

You seem to suggest that a plat is superior to the term metes and bounds.  Maybe you could show me anywhere within Lehi City code that the term plat is superior to the term metes and bounds and that the City as an official statement accepts a plat description in place of a metes and bounds description, please provide me the relevant code or statute that specifies this. 

This must be corrected at the county, you can't just be happy to accept a plat description in place of a metes and bounds, the code specifies a metes and bounds description and specifically states it cannot be a plat.  "The lots in a minor subdivision WILL BE divided by a metes and bounds document rather than a plat."  What is so difficult to understand about this language.  You don't get to choose or be happy, you must follow the code as it is written.  You commented on the relevance of a single word "are", now you must follow the code, there is nothing to misinterpret, language as written MUST be followed.

I requested that you provide me with a document that was prepared by the mayor or city council granting the Public Works Director and Chief Building Official with the authority to sign legal documents on behalf of the legislative body (city council).  The code says "The Chief Building Official and Public Works Director "are" designated by the City Council as the officers having authority, on behalf of the City Council to approve and sign the final documents."  I would like to see any documents created by either the City Council or may granting them this authority. I would like to know if there are no such documents.  I would also like to know if there is anywhere else in any Chapter within the City Code that grants the authority for the Chief Building Official and Public Works Director to sign minor lot subdivisions on behalf of the City Council or is the only place this shows up in the City code?

Lastly, could you testify that there will not be any requirement for the construction of any public improvement or the dedication of any public right away.  The language in the code specifically states the Chief Building Official and Public Works Director can sign as having authority, if the subdivision includes less than ten lots and the subdivision does not require the construction of any public improvements or the dedication of any public right of way.  Are you or anyone at the city willing to sign a document clearly stating that there is and will never be any requirement for the construction of any public improvement? 

Did you know Todd Munger NEVER attended a reported or recorded meeting to discuss the Family Search subdivision, yet he put his signature on the documents recorded by the county.  How did the city allow Todd Munger to sign off on a subdivision that he was never at a meeting to discuss? All I can say is WOW.  There was no City Council or Planning Commission discussion and one of the two people who signed off on the subdivision was never even in a recorded meeting (there was only one) to discuss the proposed subdivision.  Who told him to sign the document and who gave him the information about the new subdivision.  I can't imagine Mr. Munger signed something he knew nothing about, maybe he did, although that would be incredibly irresponsible of him.

Please fix the situation at the County.  According to Chapter 28, this cannot be recorded as a plat, it MUST be recorded as metes and bounds. 

Bill Conley
 
And finally, it seems as though Robert has had enough and does not want to engage in meaningful dialog, provide me the answers and documents I am looking for.  By the way, Robert in no way provided me with answers to my questions.  Take a look at my question and Robert's response and you let me know if he answered each and every one of my questions. It baffles me that city administrators who work for me and the other residents of Lehi, refuse to engage in a meaningful dialog.

Bill,

 

I have provided you an answer to your questions.  I am sorry you are not satisfied, but I will not be engaging in any additional arguments.  If you have legal concerns you are welcome to contact city attorney Ryan Wood.  You may also contact city administrator Jason Walker or any of your elected officials.  This will be the last communication you receive from me.

 

Regards,

Utah League of Cities and Towns, Powers and Duties Handbook, eithics section

Here is a letter I sent to each member of the Lehi Development Review Committee.  Chris Condi, Lehi City Council asked that I publish this, so here it is.
You will notice, I have pulled information from the Utah League of Cities and Towns handbook.

For the record.  I was raised in a very small rural town in Southern Minnesota, not a LDS Church in site  I grew up Catholic, went to Catholic schools and while attending the U of Minnesota, began practicing more of a non denominational church routine.  Nineteen years ago I converted to the LDS Church.  So I have spent 19 years of my life as a Catholic, 19 years Christian, 19 years LDS.  I moved myself and my family to Utah to be closer to the Church and more LDS people. So, I am most certainly not anit-Mormon.  I am pro transparency, communication, speaking up when I see something wrong and asking questions of those who govern over us.  I hope no one suggest that I silence my voice or not speak up they believe their LDS beliefs are under attach.  For goodness sakes, don't attack me, answer my questions, don't ignore them and don't go silent.  Attack me all you like, but answer my questions - all of them. The role of a public official is to hear those they represent, not attack them, ignore and not answer their questions.  It appears City Hall is tired of me asking questions, easier to attack then to answer my questions.  Easier to attack then to do something about the issues I raise.  Easier to attack than to admit, there might be a problem.

So, this post goes out to Chris Condi.  I like Chris and value his input.  Feel free to answer every single question I have asked my blog post. Lastly, if I ask for information, why doesn't City Hall give it to me?


Hello Gentlemen,

As you are well aware, many residents that live near the Thanksgiving Point golf course oppose the controversial plans of the LDS Church/VCBO Architecture to demolish the driving range and replace it with a massive office building. As a member of the Development Review Committee, you are each instrumental in providing critical information to the Planning Commission. Therefore, I am requesting that each of you reveal your personal relationship with the LDS Church so that there are no questions regarding potential conflict of interest. Specifically, are you a member of the LDS Church, do you attend services on a regular basis, and do you hold a current temple recommend. Revealing this information is actually a requirement in the Ethics section of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, Powers and Duties Handbook (pages 43-47). It states:

1) There is a disclosure requirement of  the ethics law as well. Two types of disclosure may be required - written and oral. An officer or employee is required to make a disclosure in writing and file it with the mayor.
2) This written statement must be sworn and include certain minimal information about the conflict of interest.
3) The second required disclosure is oral and must be made in an open meeting to the members of the body of which he is a member immediately before the discussion about the topic involved in the conflict of interest. An appointed officer who is not a member of a public body or municipal employee must also disclose the information required to his or her immediate supervisor. 

If you have already filed a written statement with the mayor, as is required by point number one, I am requesting a copy. 

Second, I also request that any/all discussions you have regarding the proposed development by the LDS Church/VCBO Architecture be revealed publicly prior to each meeting in the interest of total transparency and openness, which is required by point number 3 above.

I look forward to a speedy reply so I can share it with our highly interested community of homeowners and citizens and the media, which is covering this story closely.

Thank you,

Bill Conley 

Lehi Resident
801 867 7227

Family Search subdivision is it legal and was it created in secret?

There has been a lot of news coverage recently regarding the proposed destruction of the Thanksgiving Point driving range, replacing it with 2 massive commercial office buildings with enough parking for nearly 800 cars.

 

But did you know how the new Family Search subdivision came about? 

 

Typically a new subdivision within a city is discussed and approved by either/both a Planning Commission and/or the City Council. Other department heads may also get involved and provide their input such as a Development Review Committee (DRC).  

 

In the case of the Family Search plat (#14674)  recorded with Utah County, July 9^th, 2015 at 3:36:01 pm, neither the Lehi City Council nor the Planning Commission had any input regarding the creation of a new subdivision that had just being carved out of the Thanksgiving Point golf course driving range. 

 

This 12 acre single lot subdivision was discussed on June 11^th from 4:20 – 5:15 pm by 8 members of the Lehi Development Review Committee.  Also in attendance was Sean Onyon from VCBO Architecture.  These 9 men discussed the proposed architectural plans for 2 massive office buildings which would require the destruction of the Thanksgiving Point driving range.  The creation of the Family Search plat would be necessary to carry out The Church’s plans to destroy green space and driving range in order to build their massive office campus.

 

Here is where it gets interesting.

 

Typically, the City Council and/or the Planning Commission would get involved in the discussion and creation of a new subdivision within the City.  In this case, Todd Munger of the Public Works Department and Gary Smith, the Chief Building Official signed the documents creating the new Family Search plat on behalf of the Legislative body of The City of Lehi.

 

July 1, 2015 A Lehi City letter was sent to three residents of Thanksgiving Village to notify them of a proposed development in their vicinity. This was a courtesy notice sent to those homes that were within 300 feet of the proposed development.  The letter was dated July 1, 2015, mailed July 2, 2015 from VCBO Architecture, Salt Lake City not by Lehi City. I received the notice on July 7^th. The notice referenced a Lehi Planning Commission meeting to discuss a proposed concept development by VCBO Architecture, not the LDS Church, scheduled for July 9, 2015.

 

On July 2, 2015 A Special Warranty Deed was signed by David Harkness, Beesmark Investments, LC, Manager.

 

“Consideration of $10 is given by the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a Utah corporation sole, whose address is 50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, Attn: Director, Special Projects (Grantee). It is noted in the Special Warranty Deed that the “Grantee (The Church) will maintain a family search and discovery center in the building located closest to the southern border of the property consisting of at least 6,000 square feet and that is open to the general public. Grantee will also maintain sufficient parking on the property to service such center.”

Notice there is no mention of 2 x 120,000 square feet office buildings and parking for nearly 800 cars as proposed by VCBO Architecture, July 9^th – Lehi Planning Commission meeting. They did say that the Ashton’s donated some of the land, did The Church really only pay $10 dollars for 12 acres of prime real estate? (Special warranty deed document number filed with Utah County, 61212:2015) I would love to see the purchase and sale agreement between The Church and the Ashton's, do you think they will ever make this information available to the public? Don't hold your breath.

 

A survey of the land was conducted and signed by Chad A. Paulsen on July 7^th, 2015, a mere 2 days before the Family Search plat was recorded at the County.

 

July 9, 2015 The Family Search plat is created and recorded with Utah County at 3:36:01 pm.

 

July 9, 2015 a special warranty deed is recorded with Utah County at 4:09 pm, a mere 33 minutes after the Family Search plat is created with the Utah County.  Weren’t we told that The Church had purchased the property some time earlier than July 9^th when it was recorded with the County? The Special Warranty deed was signed on July 2, 2015. Maybe this is what they were referring to.

 

July 9, 2015 The Lehi Planning Commission meets and is met with over 75 angry Thanksgiving Point residents. The proposed concept development is tabled until further notice.

 

But is the subdivision legal? 

 

According to Chapter 28 of the Lehi City Code for resort communities section 28.080, it states that the lots in a minor subdivision be divided by a metes and bounds document rather than a plat.  The City of Lehi recorded the Family Search subdivision as a plat and not by metes and bounds as required by the resort community code.  It also states that the Chief Building Official and Public Works Director are designated by the City Council as the officers having authority on behalf of the City Council, to approve and sign the final subdivision documents, but only if the subdivision does not require the construction of any public improvements.  There has already been several statements made by Church and City officials that there may need to be improvements made to the current roads and bridge that would access the new massive office campus.  If they knew this in advance, shouldn’t the subdivision have been brought before the Planning Commission and City Council and did the Public Works Director and Chief Building Official have the authority to approve and sign the final subdivision documents if there might need to be improvements made to current roads and the bridge?

 

It also should be noted that Todd Munger, the Public Works Director was not at the DRC meeting on June 11^th, yet he signed off on the creation of the new subdivision. 

 

So, was the creation of the new Family Search plat created in secret? 

 

Let’s review, there was only one meeting discussing the creation of the new subdivision with 8 men from the Lehi DRC, one from VCBO Architecture and no one from the LDS Church. The Family Search plat should have been recorded using metes and bounds not as a plat as required by Lehi City code.  A question remains as to whether Todd Munger or Gary Smith had the authority to sign on behalf of the City Council. The Lehi City Council and Planning Commission had no input as is typically done in the creation of a subdivision.

 

For those of you who don’t know much about the creation of a subdivision, this is NOT typical or normal. 

 

So, I will let you be the judge, was there a rush to create the new Family Search subdivision and might it have been done in secret and lastly, is it legal?

Foundational question on the formation of the church

Foundational question on the formation of the church 

Did Jesus Christ, who is the word of God made flesh come to earth to preach the gospel of our Heavenly Father to the Jews or to the Gentiles?  

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 Was his ministry during the three years of his life that are recorded in the bible, ministering to the Jews or the Gentiles?

The Jews of course.  

Peter's ministry was to the Jews; Paul's ministry was to the Gentiles. 

In fact, Paul was specifically chosen by Jesus, because he was the worst of the worst of the persecutors of God's chosen people.  

Acts 9: 1-19 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Jesus knew that if he converted the worst of the worst and he was able to share his testimony that others would be converted because of that testimony.  

So Peter was to preach and minister to the Jews as did Jesus and Paul to the Gentiles (non-Jews). 

Are we, meaning you and I Jews or Gentiles?  

Was my lineage or genealogy once a Jewish person who was converted?  

Are my descendants Jewish?  

I will never know that. In my patriarchal blessing it says I am from the tribe of Ephraim which is a descendant of Joseph who was of Jacob’s son who was a Jew. So according to my blessing I am of Jewish heritage.  

The real truth of that will never be known, that is another subject of faith and belief. If the central question of which is the one true church that Jesus Christ founded while on this earth remains?  

I don't know if there is a specific answer. 

As I have written before.  

The church of Christ was preached individually, house by house to those who believed in the name of Jesus.  

You and I could have been the Church of Christ.  

If I am from the tribe of Ephraim then I once was a Jew and Jesus came to preach his message to the Jews as was Peter instructed to do likewise,

John 21:15-21 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

What is the one true church of Jesus Christ? 

Mormons believe they are the one true church of Jesus Christ.  

The more I study this the more questions I have, also the less I seem to come to a full and complete understanding.  

As with pretty much everything it comes down to what you believe, which is faith.  

The other question on what I believe is central is does it matter?  

If a church is going to claim it is the one true church and that all other churches did not have their beginning with Christ, then I believe it is important for there to be some sort of substantiation to the claim. 

If the claim is not made then no substantiation is necessary, but since a claim is made, it shouldn’t come down to an issue of belief and faith, nor should it?  

More questions, less answers.  

I raise this issue only for a point of clarification. 

I am solid in my faith of Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior, redeemer. If I am going to say I belong to the one true church of Jesus Christ, I desire to have more than just faith if that is possible. 

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, please bless me this day. Amen.  

Blind leading the blind, ancients of old, who were the prophets and how were they selected by our Lord and what purpose did they serve future topics for later today. 

Blind leading the blind 

Matthew 15:14 – Leave them they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will walk into a pit.  

We have a responsibility to study, to question, to analyze. To probe. By doing so it only strengthens our faith, through the process we become more knowledgeable, better acquainted with our beliefs which in turn increases our faith.  

We shouldn’t depend on others to strengthen or increase our faith.  

We need to be leaders not followers. We don’t want to be led blindly. 

In John 9:25 – One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see.  

As we become more familiar with the teaching of our father in heaven, our eyes will be opened, our wisdom will increase and we will begin to see clearly. Look out that you don’t just follow the word of someone else; test it as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test everything. If you have questions about anything, pray about it, study and test.  

Make sure you are not being led by the blind as well.  

Test those who are instructing you, ask questions, make sure you fully understand, and then can your convictions be solid. Don’t be satisfied until all your questions are answered directly and to your satisfaction. Then your faith will continue to grow because you dared to ask a question. 

Prophets – one whose revelations is divinely inspired. One who foretells the future.  

We have a modern day prophet in our church, also called the President of the church.  

What do the scriptures tell us about prophets? 

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, 18 – Do not think I have come to abolish the law of the prophets, I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 24:24 – For false Christ and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. 1Corinthians 12:28 – And in the church, God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also these having gifts of healing etc.  

Key verse  

Hebrews 1:11 – In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed heir to all things and through whom he made the universe.  

That is what I thought, I didn’t know if we needed modern day prophets now that Jesus has come to earth to speak with us directly. It would seem that we would not need prophets any more since their express purpose was to receive revelation from God to pass on to the Israelites. They would receive revelation and then prophesize to the kings what they had heard from God.  

Since Jesus came to earth, the need for prophets I believe has gone away. 

Now any of us can receive revelation from the Lord for our self and for our family.  

2 Peter 1:20, 21 – Above all you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For the prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried away by the Holy Spirit.  

There is a whole section on false prophets and false teacher in 2 Peter chapter 2.  

False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. ³ In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

⁴ For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; ⁵ if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; ⁶ if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ⁷ and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless ⁸ (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— ⁹ if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. ¹⁰ This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; ¹¹ yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. ¹² But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.

¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. ¹⁴ With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! ¹⁵ They have left the straightway and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. ¹⁶ But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

¹⁷ These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. ¹⁸ For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” ²⁰ If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ²¹ It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ²² Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

He begins by saying 1 – But there will be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 – Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the truth in dispute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. 10 – Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings. 12 – But these men blaspheme in matters they don’t understand. 14 – With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning, they seduce the unstable. We need to be very careful of false prophets and false teachers.  

That is why it is so important to not just blindly believe but to question everything.  

We don’t want to be led astray and be left behind in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Choose life, choose our Lord, follow righteousness and truth, obey the commandments, read the scriptures over and over again.  

I love you Lord Jesus Christ. I am a faithful follower of Jesus Christ; I believe in you and will obey.  

Praise to you Lord, savior and redeemer.

Follow me on twitter at billconley7, or friend me on Facebook or email me at billhytek@hotmail.com.