About

Who is the author of this blog?

My name is Todd Wood. Actually, the full ancestral name is Elon Todd Wood. Different, huh. You definitely deserve bonus points, if you discover the Semitic meaning of my name, which can be traced back, well over 200 years through my genealogy. When you post, you can call me Elon, Todd (to differentiate from my father, grandfather, etc.), or E.T. You will find that much of what I post in the days, weeks, and months ahead to be quite extra-terrestrial. And believe me, Steven Spielberg has never gotten so deep into celestial matters.

My mother gave birth to me in an LDS hospital along the glorious banks of the Snake River. Hence, I grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho and graduated from Skyline High School (1988). Upon graduation, many of my good friends went off to Ricks College or BYU. I was radical. A complete enigma in school. Change the “Y” to “J”. Yep. I traversed America over to BJU in Greenville, S.C. If you face college dress and lifestyle codes, feel like you are living in a religious bubble, or stick out like a neon sign because of your alma mater, I empathize. I loved my college experience. No, I lie. Almost everything. I didn’t like all the rules; but you know the old adage, “Good rules build great character.”

I acquired three degrees while in the deep, deep south: a B.A. in Christian Missions, an M.A. in Theology, and then a Master of Divinity degree. The only interruption was between my B.A. and M.A. I married the most beautiful girl living in Idaho, my Southeastern high school sweetheart, Kristie. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Boise State University. And undoubtedly, at the smurf turf, Broncos rule. And for a point of connection with the ladies, my wife is an avid scrapbooker. Just loves it.

Currently, I am the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Ammon, Idaho. And I immensely enjoy it. Do you remember the hit movie, “Baptists At Our Barbecue,” based on the humorous novel? Well, I have stopped counting the number of barbecues that I have enjoyed with LDS people through all my years of living in Southeastern Idaho.

What is my Christian orientation? I am utterly passionate about truths laid out in the Bible. Though my mind often feels puny in grappling with great theological issues, you will quickly discover my heart given over to the fundamentals within that book. Drop by the chapel house sometime on the outskirts of I.F. Hear me preach. Verse by verse. In all my human bumbling, it is my sincere desire to understand, and not unnaturally discuss verses apart from the grammatical, historical, literal context of each of the extraordinary 66 books entwined within what we call the Bible. Not only do the words excite me, the amazing God unveiled between the front and back cover flabbergasts me.

So this is all a little introduction to myself.

What is the purpose of this blog?

Bash LDS? Ridicule? Scorn? Inflame through caustic debate? Not hardly. Whack me over the head when you sense the hints of sinful sarcasm in my words. The way of Jesus was meek and humble.

Please listen very closely. I realize that there are severe limitations in the orientation of a blog like this. You do not see my facial expressions (the smile), the tone of my voice (warmth), and the sincerity in my eyes for desiring meaningful communication with you. If this is a great part of the communication process, look at how much we are at a disadvantage.

But I long to forge ahead with you and with as many LDS that would enjoy the discussion. Yes, I am one of those Christian fundamentalists (often discussed negatively in the news media). But where the evening news might portray me as the one readily ripe to unsuspectingly open with sniper fire, to angrily bomb your house, or to crush you with glee, the Bible communicates a whole, different, fundamental worldview, calling me to be there in times of need for my LDS friends. For God to be honored and glorified, I am to die to my selfish desires so that Christ might live through me before others.

Do you need a ride to BYU-Idaho? Would you enjoy a babysitter for your children so you can have a date with your spouse? How about a meal brought to your home when your under the onslaught of health problems? Is your car on empty and requiring a new tank of gas? What about someone listening to you without the threat of someone purposefully misrepresenting you? A chief fundamental for any Christian is love that others might see Christ. This is the inward desire of a new heart created by God.

Because most of my friends are LDS outside the sphere of my local church family, I have named this blog, “Heart Issues for LDS.” I live among you, and will continue to do so, Lord-willing.

So I will beckon you to curiously look through the window of this blog to my own personal, exciting interaction with Scripture and LDS concepts & culture. Feel free to lurk, to investigate, to question, and to clarify over any of my posts. If you desire that your communication to me not be made known to the whole world, here is my email address, elonwood@juno.com. I have many sincere questions for you as will be seen in the future. Perhaps, some of my questions might be the very questions surfacing in your hearts. Wouldn’t that be delightfully ironic? I do embrace questions because of the resulting growth. I look forward to the days ahead.

Thinking of heart issues.