About

The name of this space could just as easily have been named Nourish the Vision, or Nourish the Dream instead, since the same idea is conveyed. The vision, dream, or words that I'm concerned with nourishing are those given to us by our Creator. Anything given to us by that being, in whatever way that being gives it to us, is worthy of preservation, cultivation, and realization.

Written in this blog are my thoughts and opinions, driven by the way I see things, a bias openly acknowledged, so I put no expectation on anyone who may come across this to believe what I think, unless they find a good reason to.

I believe in God. I believe that He has made Himself known since the beginning of time to various groups of people across the world, during specific moments in time when they were willing to listen and live His counsel, and able to be claimed as His. It makes sense to me, that time and our own misunderstanding would lead to conflict when these different groups would cross paths. It makes sense to me that when communication from God is understood in the pure context that it was originally given, that each of these groups could see they were taught and nurtured by the same God. I think it is His intention that when His teachings come together from different cultures, these things are meant to complement each other, and as witnesses of each other. I believe it has been ignorance and pride that has led to one culture dominating another instead. I think it's possible that the same sacred things are understood in different languages, different symbols, by different names, and different ceremonies, but all conveying the same similar ideas. It makes sense that some things that were lost to some cultures, may have been preserved in others, and that we have something we can learn from God everywhere His understanding remains. I hope for a time these can all be gathered together. It is with this outlook that I am studying what I can of the native North American people, some of my own ancestors, and a heritage I value.

I am looking for witness in word and symbol, that those of Christian faith and the Native American peoples have been spoken to by the same God.

Further understanding and wisdom from readers is welcome and encouraged. Let us share and rejoice in the things we have received and do receive from God. Let us learn from each other.

I will be quoting from texts I consider sacred (which includes the Covenant of Christ, a Modern English Version of the Book of Mormon), that can be viewed/searched online or downloaded for free. If you'd like your own tangible copy of a First Nations' edition of the Covenant of Christ, it can be purchased at this print-on-demand Lulu link.

I mention this strictly as a service. No purchases are necessary or requested to view online, search online, or download in their entirety any of the scriptural references I use, and I am not associated with, sponsored, or financially benefited by the sale of physical copies. I do not benefit financially in any way from these scripture sites. I simply use them myself and find them valuable.

"Don’t you know there are more nations than one? Don’t you know that I the Lord your God have created all people and remember those on islands of the sea, and that I rule in the heavens above and on earth beneath, and I bring forth My word for mankind, for every nation of the world? So why do you complain that you receive more of My word? Don’t you know that the testimony of two nations is a witness to you that I Am God, and I remember one nation like another? That being the case, I speak the same words to one nation as I do to another; and when the two nations unite, their testimonies will also unite. I do this to prove to everyone that I Am the same yesterday, today, and forever, and I deliver My words according to My own pleasure." Covenant of Christ 2 Nephi 12:9

"He invites all mankind — the arms of mercy are extended toward them. He pleads: Repent, and I will receive you. He says: Come to Me and you’ll partake of the fruit of the tree of life; you’ll eat and drink freely of the bread and waters of life.” Covenant of Christ Alma 3:6

“Come to Me, believe in My gospel, and be baptized in My name.” Covenant of Christ Ether 1:19

* You may wonder at my use of quotes from the Covenant of Christ/Book of Mormon along with other Christian scriptures. For a little bit of background, I am a former member of the "Mormon" or "LDS" church, but I no longer advocate for, or belong to that church in its current state. I do believe what is taught in the book. I also believe truth is a gift God gives us that should be freely received and freely given. As such, it belongs to no specific group or person, except those who believe it and live according to it. As a descendant of the Ojibwe Tribe through my grandfather, I have long heard God calling to me personally through the "voices from the dust" in this book, of long dead ancestors to their one day descendants. I hear God speaking to me through them, and wish for others of this ancestral land, however slight a heritage they may have, to have that opportunity too, free from the requirements and obligations of a corruptible institution. I hope that these words can at last speak for themselves. I also hope that we will have the eyes to see how the testimonies of two nations both witness of our Creator.