. . . Signs of the Times
What Happens Next?
(Pre-release from Amazon):
"For at least five thousand years, humanity has been looking to the stars, the sea, the forests, and the mountains for answers to these three fundamental questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What happens next?
"In modern day, with all the threatening forces of war, pandemic, and political upheaval, people are still turning to these age-old questions seeking comfort and purpose. But between internet misinformation and hostile powers, there are plenty of influences to sway the naïve and unassuming into thinking all is lost.
"Since the beginning of recorded time, however, mankind has faced challenges that have forced us to socially evolve, adapt to changing circumstances, and recover to greater success.
"Writer, educator, and US Navy veteran Drew Williams captures several thousand years' worth of signs of the times and presents them as learning opportunities that can help us now as we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ.
"Because the question we're asking shouldn't be 'When will He return?' but 'will we be ready?' "
This book is available for Pre-order!
Can you see the prophecies being fulfilled all around you? From societal advancements and religious movements to the physical signs and wonders that foretell Christ's return, God is clearly preparing our world for the next phase of His plan. Illuminating and informative, this comprehensive volume will help you prepare yourself and your loved ones for life in these turbulent but blessed last days.
. . . On Christian Eschatology
A Pre-pandemic Perspective ...
“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly.”
While Mormonism’s “Eight Article of Faith” references the many inconsistencies and mistranslations of the bible that have transpired over thousands of years, the fundamental belief among the LDS faithful is that the ancient body of work is only part of God’s continued dialog with the human race and has lost many of its plain and precious truths it once contained. Although LDS Church leaders and scholars would defend a more official position that the bible is an integral component of the fundamental precepts of Mormon philosophy, the words and passages of the bible are often seen as complicated, convoluted and ambiguous.
But not for me!
For Christians throughout the world, the Holy Bible is the decisive source for all things relating to the Word of God, while for others, additional or alternative words mean just as much (if not more). Often, however—and certainly in the LDS community—all references to the bible fall in the shadows of the Book of Mormon and the other components of the Standard Works not written in the Mesopotamian delta.
While library and book store shelves are well stocked with studies and treatises on the various virtues of “Scripture,” this book focuses exclusively on historical and biblical references, as they pertain to supporting the 33 essays that are presented as the main body of this work. This book does not attempt to reveal any earth-shaking or life-altering passages of yet-to-be-discovered meaning in the words of doctrine, nor does this body of work attempt to justify the historicity of an ancient people.
I never knew this book would become somewhat "relevant" in the world, especially in light of what became a looming pandemic, exhaustive conflicts and political upheavals. But I guess that's the nature of the world.
The research for "33 Ways" centers around the Old and New Testaments as well as historical accounts of various entities from antiquity, and it is hoped to be a reminder of how important and relevant the ancient passages found in the Holy Bible remain, in a world of continued uncertainty and increasing ambiguity.
And remember, this is just the perspectives by one person (me), and by no means a definitive study on anything. But wow—it was sure fun to write!
This book is still available!
"33 Ways" is still available at Amazon and LDS book stores, and is presented as a matter of reference and observations made regarding 33 various topics pertaining to Christian eschatology and the anticipation of a time in which the Promised Messiah will return, rule and restore his kingdom on the earth.
A note from Dr. Jack Christiansen
For many years, Drew Blandford-Williams and I have worked together at a university, played golf together, critiqued various writing projects together, and most importantly, discussed religious matters together. Therefore, when he asked me to write a forward for his newest work, Prepare Ye A Highway: 33 signs For The Last Dispensation, I was honored.
As I read through much of the manuscript, I realized this book is unlike anything I had read previously concerning the “Last Dispensation.” Drew added his unique writing style that allowed me, the reader, to appreciate him as the author, and his personality, as well as the well-researched material presented on each page. As he interjected his comments intermittently, it gave a tone to the book that gently prodded me to continue reading. It made the book not only eye opening but enjoyable to read. I found myself hearing him talk as I read the powerful words about preparing for that time period which men and women have looked forward to for centuries.
The other unique factor, for me, was his drawing upon the Old and the New Testaments and very little else for his reference material. His use of the scriptures gave the book an authoritative feel that is so very much need in these times of indecision and wondering from the path of truth and righteousness. Our day has been the topic of numerous ancient prophets and teachers, including the Savior Jesus Christ himself. This book is valuable for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as members of all faiths throughout the world. I am a better person for having read this volume.
My hope is that each reader will be benefited and blessed as I have been. As you prayerfully read through each chapter may you be motivated and inspired to better prepare with full purpose of heart, for this Last Dispensation!
On the Philosophy of Mormonism
One Wife, Lots of Kids!
Curious about the intriguing and often misunderstood world of Mormonism? You've come to the right place!
In this book I give you a peek into the world of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as the LDS Church),, its culture, and its often peculiar religious beliefs. We'll be spending quite a bit of time discussing not only the core tenets of Mormonism, but also its origins, which predate traditional Christianity. We'll also separate the common myths from the facts. What about all those wives? What's the role of women in the Church? How did the Mormons make the trek to Utah? And is it true Mormons don't drink coffee, do drugs or even go to “R” rated movies?
These are just a few of the questions this book will address, as I introduce you to the world of the Latter-day Saints and the Mormon faith.
We'll start by heading back in time, several thousand years, when religious lifestyles were all the rage in the Middle East. You’ll discover that Mormonism itself is linked to the ancient Church of Israel. Then, we’ll move to the time of Jesus, when his ministry “fulfilled” the laws of his prophetic predecessors.
Then we’ll introduce you to Joseph Smith, Jr., the boy who got Mormonism and the LDS Church off the ground. It’s amazing to many people, both inside and outside the Church, how similar some of the events in Joseph’s life were to those of Jesus. I say “similar,” because, ultimately (as Latter-day Saints would tell you the world over), nobody lived through more powerful, devastating or enlightening events than did Jesus Christ. According to faithful members of the LDS Church, although the Church itself is slightly more than 170 years old, Mormonism is founded on the principles established by the first "Covenant People" of God—the Israelites.
But it wasn't just the Jews who had a corner on trekking through the wilderness. For nearly 20 years, commencing in 1830 the LDS people[md]"Mormon Pioneers," as they were called[md]wandered the wilderness of early America. To the Latter-Day Saints of old, their valleys were in Ohio, not Mesopotamia. Their rivers weren't the Tigres, Euphrates, and the great Nile, but the Missouri, North Platte, and the muddy Mississippi. And their plains weren't in the dry lands of Jordan, but rather, the desert prairies of Nebraska and Wyoming. Latter-day Saint people followed a belief that would not sit well with the status quo of "civilized" Christianity. Consequently, like the former "Chosen People" of God, the LDS religion and those who claimed a hold to it were persecuted[md]Church members were even killed[md]often at the hands of a government-sanctioned militia.
Let's now share a bit of their journey, as we look back at more than 170 years of Mormonism and stretch even farther back to the days of Adam and Eve, who laid the groundwork for what Latter-day Saints claim to be the "Kingdom of God on Earth."
All About the Mormons
From its founding in pioneer times to the present day, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been both mysterious and misunderstood-with some Protestant faiths not even recognizing the Mormons as Christians. This fascinating guide debunks the myths of Mormonism and reveals its history, faith, and culture. The intent of this book is to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the origins, challenges, and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... One reason for the increased interest in LDS beliefs surrounds the Church's focus on the family... This book will spend quite a bit of time discussing LDS family values.
From Recent Readers...
"This book caused me to visit an LDS church the Sunday after I read it last August. The following October I was baptised. For 10 years since I attended a Presbyterian seminary, I was searching. (By the way, some seminaries are great places to discover how tenuous some theology really is!;) Drew light-heartedly summarized several points of LDS doctrine that gave me a few wonderful grand "ah haaa's", e.g. the canon of Scripture is not closed; God has not changed through the ages - He still communicates with and through His people; the Covenant is a two-way street - "faith alone" is a satanic deceit that leads people to be presumptious in their faith - LDS encourage and promote personal responsibility; the family is the most important institution on earth, and many more."
" I'm not Mormon, but i'm actually trying to convert and this books is just perfect! i like the way its set up and the way it explains everything. now i just have to turn 18. "
" This book is a good way to get one's feet wet with Mormonism. I really liked it. However, it breezes over polygamy and doesn't give a clear view of womens' roles in the LDS Church. I would recommend reading this book with American Apocrypha and looking up information on the "September Six" before deciding whether or not to become a Saint. Do not let the church tell you what you should and should not read. If they truly are a "true" church, then they shouldn't worry about any of their potential members reading potentially "anti-Mormon" material. "
" Williams presents a basic, sometimes very simplified, overview of the beliefs and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He does so without giving it a "missionary" feel, which makes the book more approachable by merely curious readers. However, in the spirit of "Idiot's Guide," Williams's tone is lighthearted and
humorous, which can become slightly offensive when he deals with
serious doctrine. On the whole, though, the book invites readers to transform any feelings of apprehension that they may have toward the Church of Jesus Christ into feelings of trust and understanding."
" As a great-great-great grandson of Brigham Young (yes, there's a whole bunch of us!) I love the Mormon Church. So, when an important client flew into Salt Lake City, he called me and told me that he had picked up "The Complete Idiots Guide to Understanding Mormonism" at the airport. Boy, I was nervous, --wondering if this was another anti-Mormon hatchet job. So, I immediately bought up a copy for myself, hoping that it might actually be fair and honest. Wow! Was I ever pleasantly surprised. I loved it! Finally, someone has told our story, and given us a fair shake, --laying out our beliefs in a fun, amusing, easy-to-understand, and entertaining way! Most important of all, it was accurate. In fact, this book's unique and engaging style, caused me to completely change my approach on a new documentary film I'm directing about Mormons. I have since purchased many copies and shared them with my friends, and even contacted the author to thank him for such a delightful read. For anyone who genuinely wants to understand what this whole "Mormon thing" is all about --from the safe distance of a book, --"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Mormonism" is a great read. "
A Special Note About LDS Missionaries
I had the special privilege of writing this book just after the Winter Olympics headed to Utah. This was a top-selling book during that time and I am grateful to say that the money (all of it) that I earned in royalties from the sale of this book went to support the outfitting of nearly 20 young men--all close friends of mine--as they set out to serve their faith and the Lord.
Essays on Cyber Security
"Keep the Change [management]"
Presenting "Security" to the Board
Presenting "Security" to the Board
The issue of “Adaptive Change Management,” however, transcends the philosophical, where protecting critical infrastructures are concerned.
In his efforts to establish a solid foundation on which to implement/integrate “Change” in any environment, Dr. John Kotter at Harvard University, developed an eight-principle process which—when integrated into the theater of cyber security and protecting critical infrastructures—may help organization transition between the various levels of defense readiness in cyber security.
Presenting "Security" to the Board
Presenting "Security" to the Board
Presenting "Security" to the Board
“We’re taking this before the Board.”
While that might be OK to hear for the CEO, but for anyone else short of the CFO, being invited to present to the Board of Directors can be a scary—even “career-defining” moment. Add to the mix, the usually-non-revenue-focused topic of “Security,” and end-of-year reviews might be even more stressful than usual. From a historical perspective, “Security” has usually fallen between the margins of IT and Infrastructure, with a line item mentioned on the annual budget.
Cyber Security: Back to School
Presenting "Security" to the Board
Cyber Security: Back to School
Okay, everybody is starting to look at life beyond Season 7 of Game of Thrones, and we’re trying to dig out of a couple of awful brushes with Mother Nature down in the South, let’s not forget the continuing challenges CEOs and their teams face in protecting the infrastructure from things beyond high winds and heavy seas. Here is a condensed version of a two-part post from my InfoRisk-360 blog on CSO, which looks at 10 issues in cyber security that might be of interest in keeping senior leaders out of trouble.
Essays on Living, Dying & Serving
Memories of Pearl Harbor
Thunderbolts & Eagle Claws
Memories of Pearl Harbor
In November 1979, as young 19-year-old Sailor—a “Seaman Apprentice”—I had dreamed my whole life about the time when I would finally get the chance to wear my “Crackerjack” uniform—like my biological father had in WWII, my brother, Chuck, during Vietnam, an uncle had in Korea, and so many others—man the rail of a ship, and pull into that famous harbor known throughout all navies, simply as “Pearl.” The weather was what we would expect for a Hawaiian afternoon, light clouds, mid-80s, and the ocean was a flat calm.
Reflecting on Lives Lost
Thunderbolts & Eagle Claws
Memories of Pearl Harbor
“Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.”--Albert Einstein
Late last week, while I was in Mexico with my wife's family, my dad's sister, Judy, who is only three years older than me, came home to find her wonderful husband of 30 years, Leon dead in the back yard (heart attack).
Thunderbolts & Eagle Claws
Thunderbolts & Eagle Claws
Thunderbolts & Eagle Claws
April 24 1980.
Oon what was an otherwise sublime Thursday morning in the Indian Ocean, eight modified RH-53D Sea Stallions departed the deck of the Navy’s second nuclear aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, to rendezvous with additional American ground forces located in Iran, to converge upon Tehran in an effort to rescue 52 American diplomats who were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy, as a result of the Iranian Revolution in November of 1979.
The mission was a total disaster.