So, according to Blogspot, my last entry was May 15th. I think it is lying, but I have no proof otherwise.
A lot has happened since then. I found I was moving to California, then found out I wasn't moving to California and had to rediscover a lot of things about myself. Through the ups and downs, I really didn't feel like writing...or much of anything else.
Enough feeling sorry for myself, let's do some writing.
God vs Family vs Country.
I don't see a conflict.
God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and to multiply and replenish the earth. Essentially he commanded them to form a family. At the core of LDS beliefs is the fact that the family is the most important of societal units, and God has strict commandments on how this family is to be formed. Parents have a sacred obligation to teach their children the commandments of God and His principles. I believe that no other success can compensate for failure in the home. To serve God, I believe it begins in the family.
God vs Country. One of my favorite heroes in scripture is Captain Moroni, from the Book of Mormon. He was a soldier of whom it was said Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. During his life, while serving as Chief Captain of the Army, a wicked man sought to be king, and had acquired a strong following. In response to this he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole. This became known as the Title of Liberty. Serving his country, he was defending his right, and that of his people to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience. Serving his country, he was also protecting his family.
If one places God in His proper place in their lives, they will fulfill their obligations to family and country. Being in the service of your fellow man places you in the service of God.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Faith, a principle of action
But without faith it is impossible to pleas him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel. For, without faith, why would I seek Him or seek to emulate Him, or keep His commandments?
Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Faith in Christ is not a perfect knowledge of Him. Why would I require faith if I had an absolute knowledge? Faith in Christ is a hope that He not can, but will save me. Faith implies that if I keep his commandments, His grace is sufficient to save me. Faith is that spark that motivates me to righteousness.
How does one obtain Faith? Paul answers by asking How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? He starts out with the ultimate goal and works his way back. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. He must send messengers to preach the name of Jesus. There is then a seed that will begin to grow that will eventually lead us to prayer. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Another prophet, Alma, wrote if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
We are invited to experiment on his words. Jesus taught My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any many will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The true test of any doctrine is to apply it.
Alma continues, Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown to a perfect knowledge.
After having endured the test of time, and having had to time to work itself in you, the seed, he explains, continues to grow. It grows into a tree, and as it grows, your faith increases, and eventually will bear fruit, and progress to a perfect knowledge.
However, like all real trees, this one requires constant nourishment and care otherwise it will die. And we cannot blame the seed, for we have already proven it was a good seed.
Faith implies more than simply believing. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James then continues What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Our faith is shown by our actions. The devil believes in God, and look where he is.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel. For, without faith, why would I seek Him or seek to emulate Him, or keep His commandments?
Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Faith in Christ is not a perfect knowledge of Him. Why would I require faith if I had an absolute knowledge? Faith in Christ is a hope that He not can, but will save me. Faith implies that if I keep his commandments, His grace is sufficient to save me. Faith is that spark that motivates me to righteousness.
How does one obtain Faith? Paul answers by asking How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? He starts out with the ultimate goal and works his way back. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. He must send messengers to preach the name of Jesus. There is then a seed that will begin to grow that will eventually lead us to prayer. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Another prophet, Alma, wrote if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
We are invited to experiment on his words. Jesus taught My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any many will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The true test of any doctrine is to apply it.
Alma continues, Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown to a perfect knowledge.
After having endured the test of time, and having had to time to work itself in you, the seed, he explains, continues to grow. It grows into a tree, and as it grows, your faith increases, and eventually will bear fruit, and progress to a perfect knowledge.
However, like all real trees, this one requires constant nourishment and care otherwise it will die. And we cannot blame the seed, for we have already proven it was a good seed.
Faith implies more than simply believing. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James then continues What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Our faith is shown by our actions. The devil believes in God, and look where he is.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sermon on the Mount Part 1 of 3
In the beginning part of His mortal ministry, Jesus gave one of the most beautiful and moving sermons of all time. Only that of the Last Supper, in my opinion, can even compare. It is my desire to share some of my insights that I have gained and learned through my study of it. This is in no way comprehensive, and should be seen as anyone's opinion but myself. And allow me to throw in my standard hypocrite clause. I am not perfect, do not pretend to be perfect, so please feel free to brand me as a hypocrite if you feel I preach something that I could follow better. If perfection were the standard we held all preachers of righteousness to, only one Man would have ever taught. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have.
Today, I simply wish to discuss Matthew 5. It can be broken into 4 logical parts.
Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
James E Talmage, in his book, Jesus the Christ, (a great read by the way, if anyone is interested in a 900 page book on the life and mission of Jesus Christ) states this about being the salt of the world.
Salt is the great preservative; as such it has had practical use since very ancient times. Salt was prescribed as an essential addition to every meat offering under the Mosaic law. Long before the time of Christ, the use of salt had been accorded a symbolism of fidelity, hospitality, and covenant. To be of use salt must be pure to be of any saving virtue as salt, it must be salt indeed, and not the product of chemical alteration or of earthly admixture, whereby is saltiness or “savor” would be lost; and, as worthless stuff, it would be fit only to be thrown away. Against such change of faith, against such admixture with the sophistries, so-called philosophies, and heresies of the times, the disciples were especially warned.
He then calls his disciples the light of the world, and commands that they allow others to see this light that others may want to follow their example and possess this light. What more effective tool is there than living the values Christ taught in such a way that others want to follow your example? I truly believe we will be held accountable for the souls we could have helped save if we had but lived righteously.
Jesus then explains his role in relation to the Law of Moses. This is an interesting back drop; the Giver of the Law himself explaining His role to the people that had been living it for the past 1200 years. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
He then contrasts His law to that of Moses (which He also gave). His law was superior in every way. Under the Law of Moses, it was unlawful to kill; under his Law, to even be mad at ones brother was to be in danger of jeopardy. We are to do everything in our power to be reconciled with our fellow man. He even explains if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remeberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. To be at peace with God, we must be free of any offense against our brethren.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Under the old law, adultery was forbidden. Under the law of Christ, to look upon a person with lust has committed adultery in their heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. He is not advocating self mutilation, in another, similar address he says this instead For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross than that ye should be cast into hell. What he is really referencing is removing the things from our lives that cause us to sin.
The Law of Moses required those that made oaths to follow through. Under the law of Christ, one’s man word was to be considered his bond. Why would we swear by the heavens, when we did not control them, God did? Our word alone should be our bond.
The law of Moses dictated an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Jesus taught “whatsoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” He was not advocating that we do not defend ourselves, but I think that vengeance should not be the guiding force in our lives. We are to forgive and move on.
The heart of the Message, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
If you only love those that love you, how are you any different than those that are wicked? They do the same.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
I have written on this before. To be perfect as the Father is something that simply will not happen in this life. To be perfect in this sense is to be complete, whole, fully developed. This life is a stage of learning. We need to exercise our faith in Christ, and be perfected in Him.
Today, I simply wish to discuss Matthew 5. It can be broken into 4 logical parts.
1. The Beatitudes
2. "Ye are the salt/light of the world"
3. Jesus and his relation to the Law of Moses
4. A comparison of His higher law to that of Moses
Jesus begins the Sermon with what is now known as the Beatitudes. He begins by saying "Blessed are the..." and names a group of people that are generally not thought of as blessed, and names a reward in contrast to their current state.1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
3. Blessed are they that which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled
4. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
5. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God
6. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
7. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
8. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.
Please note, that these blessings in their fullness will not be realized in this life. They will be given their full meaning in the Life to come. Those that are poor will inherit heaven; those that mourn, comfort; those that hunger, will be fed. God will recompense us many fold.Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
James E Talmage, in his book, Jesus the Christ, (a great read by the way, if anyone is interested in a 900 page book on the life and mission of Jesus Christ) states this about being the salt of the world.
Salt is the great preservative; as such it has had practical use since very ancient times. Salt was prescribed as an essential addition to every meat offering under the Mosaic law. Long before the time of Christ, the use of salt had been accorded a symbolism of fidelity, hospitality, and covenant. To be of use salt must be pure to be of any saving virtue as salt, it must be salt indeed, and not the product of chemical alteration or of earthly admixture, whereby is saltiness or “savor” would be lost; and, as worthless stuff, it would be fit only to be thrown away. Against such change of faith, against such admixture with the sophistries, so-called philosophies, and heresies of the times, the disciples were especially warned.
He then calls his disciples the light of the world, and commands that they allow others to see this light that others may want to follow their example and possess this light. What more effective tool is there than living the values Christ taught in such a way that others want to follow your example? I truly believe we will be held accountable for the souls we could have helped save if we had but lived righteously.
Jesus then explains his role in relation to the Law of Moses. This is an interesting back drop; the Giver of the Law himself explaining His role to the people that had been living it for the past 1200 years. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
He then contrasts His law to that of Moses (which He also gave). His law was superior in every way. Under the Law of Moses, it was unlawful to kill; under his Law, to even be mad at ones brother was to be in danger of jeopardy. We are to do everything in our power to be reconciled with our fellow man. He even explains if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remeberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. To be at peace with God, we must be free of any offense against our brethren.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
Under the old law, adultery was forbidden. Under the law of Christ, to look upon a person with lust has committed adultery in their heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. He is not advocating self mutilation, in another, similar address he says this instead For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross than that ye should be cast into hell. What he is really referencing is removing the things from our lives that cause us to sin.
The Law of Moses required those that made oaths to follow through. Under the law of Christ, one’s man word was to be considered his bond. Why would we swear by the heavens, when we did not control them, God did? Our word alone should be our bond.
The law of Moses dictated an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Jesus taught “whatsoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” He was not advocating that we do not defend ourselves, but I think that vengeance should not be the guiding force in our lives. We are to forgive and move on.
The heart of the Message, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
If you only love those that love you, how are you any different than those that are wicked? They do the same.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
I have written on this before. To be perfect as the Father is something that simply will not happen in this life. To be perfect in this sense is to be complete, whole, fully developed. This life is a stage of learning. We need to exercise our faith in Christ, and be perfected in Him.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
My Political Soapbox
I the Great State of Utah, I am very much in the political minority. I will read comments in forums in the local newspapers, and I just want to facepalm myself every time I read these. I don't mind if people disagree with me politically, please just be informed in your opinion.
Today, my vexes are "Anchor babies" and the 17th Amendment.
First of all, why are dehumanizing an innocent child by calling them "Anchor baby"? The child has done nothing wrong, and will ultimately suffer because of us. Currently, the 14th amendment states that anyone born on US soil (with the exception of children of Ambassadors) is a United States Citizen. No ifs, ands or buts. That is fantastic. Currently, there is a movement to repeal the 14th amendment. Why? I enjoy my citizenship because I was born here.
About a year ago, I read an article about a state senator in California that stated "It takes more than walking across the border to be a citizen, it takes soul"? Really? What part of being born here is "soul" because that is exactly how he got his citizenship, and I got mine. Heart and soul had no part in where I was born. I was lucky, and so was he.
Requiring that a parent be a citizen or a legal resident to pass citizenship on the child is punishing the child for the "sins of the fathers". Think about it, to prove your citizenship, you then have to prove your parents were citizens. So when my grandchild goes to register to vote, they would need to prove that my daughter was here legally when he was born.
The Scriptures claim this to be a land of promise, why are seeking to deny others the blessings of this land? We are a nation built on immigration and strengthened through our differences. Why are seeking to change what we know has worked in the past?
Now the 17th amendment. This has to be a Utah thing! There are people, I read them everyday, that are pushing to take away my right to vote for senator (not that it does me any good since everyone here votes Republican). They claim that the Founders intended the States to be represented, and this takes away their representation. What a load of....lies. Under James Madison, the States would have been done away with, and only the people represented! Look at the Preamble..."We the People" not "We the States". In this nation, the People are Sovereign, not the States.
The whole point of senators being chosen by their States in the first place was because the Founding Fathers did not trust the uninformed farmer to make a wise decision when voting. With today's technology, there is no excuse to be uninformed. More direct representation is a good thing, even if I disagree with the nutcakes my states seems to keep electing.
I mean really?
Today, my vexes are "Anchor babies" and the 17th Amendment.
First of all, why are dehumanizing an innocent child by calling them "Anchor baby"? The child has done nothing wrong, and will ultimately suffer because of us. Currently, the 14th amendment states that anyone born on US soil (with the exception of children of Ambassadors) is a United States Citizen. No ifs, ands or buts. That is fantastic. Currently, there is a movement to repeal the 14th amendment. Why? I enjoy my citizenship because I was born here.
About a year ago, I read an article about a state senator in California that stated "It takes more than walking across the border to be a citizen, it takes soul"? Really? What part of being born here is "soul" because that is exactly how he got his citizenship, and I got mine. Heart and soul had no part in where I was born. I was lucky, and so was he.
Requiring that a parent be a citizen or a legal resident to pass citizenship on the child is punishing the child for the "sins of the fathers". Think about it, to prove your citizenship, you then have to prove your parents were citizens. So when my grandchild goes to register to vote, they would need to prove that my daughter was here legally when he was born.
The Scriptures claim this to be a land of promise, why are seeking to deny others the blessings of this land? We are a nation built on immigration and strengthened through our differences. Why are seeking to change what we know has worked in the past?
Now the 17th amendment. This has to be a Utah thing! There are people, I read them everyday, that are pushing to take away my right to vote for senator (not that it does me any good since everyone here votes Republican). They claim that the Founders intended the States to be represented, and this takes away their representation. What a load of....lies. Under James Madison, the States would have been done away with, and only the people represented! Look at the Preamble..."We the People" not "We the States". In this nation, the People are Sovereign, not the States.
The whole point of senators being chosen by their States in the first place was because the Founding Fathers did not trust the uninformed farmer to make a wise decision when voting. With today's technology, there is no excuse to be uninformed. More direct representation is a good thing, even if I disagree with the nutcakes my states seems to keep electing.
I mean really?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Who are you?
We are the offspring of God
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
You are a literal child of God. That is why we call Him our Heavenly Father. Humanity enjoys that uniqueness of all creation, we are the only creation that can claim Him as our Father.
Think about being an heir of God. To be an heir is to receive an inheritance. To be a joint-heir with Christ. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. To be a joint-heir in that. Think about that for a moment.
You have a divine heritage, and have limitless potential. The only thing that stands in your way, is whatever you allow. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Jesus himself said With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Take a few moments and look at the stars. Think of everything God has created. The created this world, the sun, the moon, the stars, the very Universe itself, and yet, you, you are worth more than all of them combined.
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Jesus loved YOU that He have His life that you could realize your potential.
For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our Father's every thought, His drive, His focus is on your progression. This whole world, and everything that goes with it was created with you in mind. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Bottom line, you are the child of a King, and that makes you royalty.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
You are a literal child of God. That is why we call Him our Heavenly Father. Humanity enjoys that uniqueness of all creation, we are the only creation that can claim Him as our Father.
Think about being an heir of God. To be an heir is to receive an inheritance. To be a joint-heir with Christ. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. To be a joint-heir in that. Think about that for a moment.
You have a divine heritage, and have limitless potential. The only thing that stands in your way, is whatever you allow. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Jesus himself said With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Take a few moments and look at the stars. Think of everything God has created. The created this world, the sun, the moon, the stars, the very Universe itself, and yet, you, you are worth more than all of them combined.
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. Jesus loved YOU that He have His life that you could realize your potential.
For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Our Father's every thought, His drive, His focus is on your progression. This whole world, and everything that goes with it was created with you in mind. Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Bottom line, you are the child of a King, and that makes you royalty.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Master Healer
About 120 years before the birth of Christ, a prophet wrote of him: "For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men."
Just look at the list of what it was said He would do. I wish to focus on Him healing the sick.
Early in His ministry, a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus and he said to the man "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Obviously this man had done something to receive the fate he had, but also note He had not physically healed this man. The people hearing this accused Jesus of blasphemy, for only God could forgive sins. Jesus replied "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether it is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"
For Jesus, one was just as easy as the other. But he continues "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (the saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up the bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house."
Which was the greater miracle? The forgiving of sins, or the restoration of the ability to walk? The restoration of the ability to walk was only done to prove He could forgive sins. He can heal us inside and out.
But what does innocent Jesus, who never sinned, know of a broken family? What does He know of battles with drugs, or alcoholism? What does He know of feeling inadequate, and not being "good enough"? How can an omnipotent being understand me?
It has been written "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the sicknesses if his people...and he will take upon him their infirmities" Even though Jesus never sinned, he still felt the same temptations that come with being human. He also took upon him our sicknesses? Why? "that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
So the whole point of his taking our sicknesses and infirmities upon Him was so he could learn how to better aid us? What love He has.
"the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance." So He took our sickness, weaknesses, and our sins upon Him. In a very literal sense, Jesus knows exactly what you are going through, because He too lived through it! He can do far more than heal a physical sickness! He can heal the sickness of not thinking you are good enough (He would not have given his life if you weren't), He can heal the sickness of Drug addiction, or the sickness of a broken family!
When Moses was leading the Israelites through the wilderness, they were attacked by serpents, and many were sick. The Lord commanded Moses to "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
A serpent being raised upon a pole has since become the symbol for medicine throughout history. But it also has a symbolism of Jesus on the cross. Look to Him, and live!
Does this mean all one has to do is simply pray and expect to be healed? By no mean. God has blessed us in this day and age with advances in medicine, psychiatry, and other means of counseling. I believe God wants us to use ALL of our resources available, in addition to our prayers. Faith in God must be shown in our works.
If you are depressed, please seek help. As you seek help, God will bless you with healing. If you feel like suicide is an answer, please seek help. While prayer is a powerful tool, please call a friend. God often answers prayers through other people. There is no situation so bad, that God cannot heal. There is no pain He is unfamiliar with.
He has healed me, several times. I have been a tool used to help heal. He is a God of Miracles!
Just look at the list of what it was said He would do. I wish to focus on Him healing the sick.
Early in His ministry, a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus and he said to the man "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Obviously this man had done something to receive the fate he had, but also note He had not physically healed this man. The people hearing this accused Jesus of blasphemy, for only God could forgive sins. Jesus replied "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether it is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"
For Jesus, one was just as easy as the other. But he continues "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (the saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up the bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house."
Which was the greater miracle? The forgiving of sins, or the restoration of the ability to walk? The restoration of the ability to walk was only done to prove He could forgive sins. He can heal us inside and out.
But what does innocent Jesus, who never sinned, know of a broken family? What does He know of battles with drugs, or alcoholism? What does He know of feeling inadequate, and not being "good enough"? How can an omnipotent being understand me?
It has been written "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the sicknesses if his people...and he will take upon him their infirmities" Even though Jesus never sinned, he still felt the same temptations that come with being human. He also took upon him our sicknesses? Why? "that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
So the whole point of his taking our sicknesses and infirmities upon Him was so he could learn how to better aid us? What love He has.
"the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance." So He took our sickness, weaknesses, and our sins upon Him. In a very literal sense, Jesus knows exactly what you are going through, because He too lived through it! He can do far more than heal a physical sickness! He can heal the sickness of not thinking you are good enough (He would not have given his life if you weren't), He can heal the sickness of Drug addiction, or the sickness of a broken family!
When Moses was leading the Israelites through the wilderness, they were attacked by serpents, and many were sick. The Lord commanded Moses to "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
A serpent being raised upon a pole has since become the symbol for medicine throughout history. But it also has a symbolism of Jesus on the cross. Look to Him, and live!
Does this mean all one has to do is simply pray and expect to be healed? By no mean. God has blessed us in this day and age with advances in medicine, psychiatry, and other means of counseling. I believe God wants us to use ALL of our resources available, in addition to our prayers. Faith in God must be shown in our works.
If you are depressed, please seek help. As you seek help, God will bless you with healing. If you feel like suicide is an answer, please seek help. While prayer is a powerful tool, please call a friend. God often answers prayers through other people. There is no situation so bad, that God cannot heal. There is no pain He is unfamiliar with.
He has healed me, several times. I have been a tool used to help heal. He is a God of Miracles!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Is he real, or a fraud?
This is very personal for me. That being said, I also welcome comments, being in agreement, or disagreement with what I am about to write, I will not be offended.
Everything I believe can be traced back to one man. Everything I believe about God, life, my employment, the way I view my family, the standards to which I hold myself, can be traced back to one man. Joseph Smith Jr.
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."
That is a very, very bold claim. And it is my intent to defend that claim in this posting.
First of all, I wish to make something very clear. I do not worship the man. My worship is reserved for my God only. Joseph Smith was nothing more, or less than His messenger. I hold a very deep reverence for the man, but he was a man just like you or me. It is through his work I am able to know my Savior and use the gift he so freely gave mankind.
Just as there can be no neutrality on whether or not Jesus is the Savior, or just a man who taught pretty things; there can be no neutrality on whether or not Joseph Smith was His messenger for our time.
When he was just 17 years old he was told by an angel "that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people."
Why? Why didn't this man simply fade into obscurity after his martyrdom? Why didn't the movement he started just fizzle out as so many had that started the same time as "Mormonism"? Why do people try so vehemently to discredit the man, as people try so vehemently to share his glorious message?
Simply put, if he's right they are wrong. It is as black and white as that. If Joseph Smith was God's messenger, then every other church is lacking the power to save souls. If he is wrong, then the LDS Church is one of the biggest cons and frauds of all time.
I have made some bold claims, I better start to back them up.
Let me start first with his claim to the power and authority to act in the name of God. Let that set in for a moment. The power and authority to act in the place of God. That's huge. Who has this power, or is it something that everyone who believes gets?
Let me illustrate this point. If I were a better person, I would keep a diary, or journal. If someone were to read this, they would learn a lot about me. They would learn what I like, what I dislike, much of my history (maybe not a bad idea that I don't keep one on second thought). Just based on the fact that someone could learn everything about me, would that authorize them to grab my check book and write checks in my name, even if they thought it would be something they thought I would approve of? No, that's ridiculous.
Let me carry this into a real world setting. God does have a journal of sorts, many would know it as the Bible. So would reading this Bible, learning it very well even, authorize me to start doing things in the name of God? No, of course not.
So here's the problem, who then, if anyone has this authority? And how does this relate to Joseph Smith?
During His mortal ministry, Jesus gave his Apostles the power to act in His name. "I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" Basically, Peter whatever you say and do, Heaven will recognize, full Power of Attorney. (Matthew 16:19) And before His Ascension "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" So, one needs the power to act in God's name to baptize.
Jesus, explicitly gave Peter this power. It wasn't something that was just assumed. This point is important, and I will return to it later. That it was His intent this pattern continue is evident in the first chapter of Acts. In this chapter, the 11 apostles are trying to figure out who God intended to replace Judas Iscariot, after his death, among the 12 apostles. After prayer, they chose a man named Matthias (Acts 1:24-26).
Shortly after, these 12 apostles realized that the Church was growing to large for just the 12 of them to manage. They then choose 7 men to assist them in managing the Church so they could dedicate themselves to preaching. And these men, too were given power to act in the name of God. The New Testament records others, like Paul and Stephen.
However, the Church continued to grow. Due to the limitations in transportation, it was difficult to keep the doctrine pure. Paul had even prophesied of a falling away of the Church. In his epistle to the Thessalonians Paul writes to calm fears that the 2nd Coming of Jesus was imminent. To them he writes "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, expect there come a falling away first..." Jesus was not to return until the Church had fallen away. And with the Church being gone, so was this authority to act in the name of God. With no authority to act in the name of God, there could be no baptisms.
Suddenly, around 90 AD the Bible ends. God had been revealing his word since the days of Adam, and suddenly stops? Or did his authority disappear as prophesied?
So if it disappeared, what claim does Joseph Smith have to any? The answer is simple, God had to restore it, or authorize people again to act in His name.
While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and his scribe, Oliver Cowdry, came across passages about baptism and the authority needed for it. They naturally wondered about this, and decided to ask the Lord about it. On May 15, 1829 they prayed on the banks of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony Pennsylvania. In answer to their prayer, John the Baptist, the very same person who baptized Jesus Christ, only know a resurrected being, came down from Heaven and said
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
A few weeks later they received the Higher Priesthood (priesthood is the power to act in God's name, not necessarily a group of clergy) and the power to bestow the The Gift of the Holy Ghost or baptism by fire as referred to in the New Testament. This power was then given to others, and today, every worthy male in the Church is given this power.
So here is the black and white part. Either the events happened as he described and these beings visited him, or they did not. There is no gray. If they did, he had this authorization to act in God's name, and this power is found no other place. If he didn't, then he is a fraud.
So, how do we know this happened? After all, Jesus warns "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." However, in the next verse He states "Ye shall know them by their fruits...even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
What fruit does Joseph Smith have? The biggest and most obvious is the Book of Mormon. If it be true, then he was God's messenger. Again, another black and white. That Book cannot be God's word and be of the devil. It is one or the other.
So how does this shape who I am or what I believe? I understand I do not have all of the answers. However, if I know that Joseph Smith was God's prophet, and restored His Church, I know that God continues to call prophets even today. I know that what I am taught is true. Some would call this blind faith, but I have put much study, much prayer to know that of what I speak, and it is not blind. I have knowingly placed my trust where it is.
The best part of this message is you do not have to take anyone's word for it. You can find out and receive your own witness. The job of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. You can receive your own witness, it requires study and prayer, but you can learn for yourself. If you wish to here more of my experiences with this, ask me, and I will be happy to talk one on one with anyone.
Everything I believe can be traced back to one man. Everything I believe about God, life, my employment, the way I view my family, the standards to which I hold myself, can be traced back to one man. Joseph Smith Jr.
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."
That is a very, very bold claim. And it is my intent to defend that claim in this posting.
First of all, I wish to make something very clear. I do not worship the man. My worship is reserved for my God only. Joseph Smith was nothing more, or less than His messenger. I hold a very deep reverence for the man, but he was a man just like you or me. It is through his work I am able to know my Savior and use the gift he so freely gave mankind.
Just as there can be no neutrality on whether or not Jesus is the Savior, or just a man who taught pretty things; there can be no neutrality on whether or not Joseph Smith was His messenger for our time.
When he was just 17 years old he was told by an angel "that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people."
Why? Why didn't this man simply fade into obscurity after his martyrdom? Why didn't the movement he started just fizzle out as so many had that started the same time as "Mormonism"? Why do people try so vehemently to discredit the man, as people try so vehemently to share his glorious message?
Simply put, if he's right they are wrong. It is as black and white as that. If Joseph Smith was God's messenger, then every other church is lacking the power to save souls. If he is wrong, then the LDS Church is one of the biggest cons and frauds of all time.
I have made some bold claims, I better start to back them up.
Let me start first with his claim to the power and authority to act in the name of God. Let that set in for a moment. The power and authority to act in the place of God. That's huge. Who has this power, or is it something that everyone who believes gets?
Let me illustrate this point. If I were a better person, I would keep a diary, or journal. If someone were to read this, they would learn a lot about me. They would learn what I like, what I dislike, much of my history (maybe not a bad idea that I don't keep one on second thought). Just based on the fact that someone could learn everything about me, would that authorize them to grab my check book and write checks in my name, even if they thought it would be something they thought I would approve of? No, that's ridiculous.
Let me carry this into a real world setting. God does have a journal of sorts, many would know it as the Bible. So would reading this Bible, learning it very well even, authorize me to start doing things in the name of God? No, of course not.
So here's the problem, who then, if anyone has this authority? And how does this relate to Joseph Smith?
During His mortal ministry, Jesus gave his Apostles the power to act in His name. "I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" Basically, Peter whatever you say and do, Heaven will recognize, full Power of Attorney. (Matthew 16:19) And before His Ascension "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" So, one needs the power to act in God's name to baptize.
Jesus, explicitly gave Peter this power. It wasn't something that was just assumed. This point is important, and I will return to it later. That it was His intent this pattern continue is evident in the first chapter of Acts. In this chapter, the 11 apostles are trying to figure out who God intended to replace Judas Iscariot, after his death, among the 12 apostles. After prayer, they chose a man named Matthias (Acts 1:24-26).
Shortly after, these 12 apostles realized that the Church was growing to large for just the 12 of them to manage. They then choose 7 men to assist them in managing the Church so they could dedicate themselves to preaching. And these men, too were given power to act in the name of God. The New Testament records others, like Paul and Stephen.
However, the Church continued to grow. Due to the limitations in transportation, it was difficult to keep the doctrine pure. Paul had even prophesied of a falling away of the Church. In his epistle to the Thessalonians Paul writes to calm fears that the 2nd Coming of Jesus was imminent. To them he writes "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, expect there come a falling away first..." Jesus was not to return until the Church had fallen away. And with the Church being gone, so was this authority to act in the name of God. With no authority to act in the name of God, there could be no baptisms.
Suddenly, around 90 AD the Bible ends. God had been revealing his word since the days of Adam, and suddenly stops? Or did his authority disappear as prophesied?
So if it disappeared, what claim does Joseph Smith have to any? The answer is simple, God had to restore it, or authorize people again to act in His name.
While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and his scribe, Oliver Cowdry, came across passages about baptism and the authority needed for it. They naturally wondered about this, and decided to ask the Lord about it. On May 15, 1829 they prayed on the banks of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony Pennsylvania. In answer to their prayer, John the Baptist, the very same person who baptized Jesus Christ, only know a resurrected being, came down from Heaven and said
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
A few weeks later they received the Higher Priesthood (priesthood is the power to act in God's name, not necessarily a group of clergy) and the power to bestow the The Gift of the Holy Ghost or baptism by fire as referred to in the New Testament. This power was then given to others, and today, every worthy male in the Church is given this power.
So here is the black and white part. Either the events happened as he described and these beings visited him, or they did not. There is no gray. If they did, he had this authorization to act in God's name, and this power is found no other place. If he didn't, then he is a fraud.
So, how do we know this happened? After all, Jesus warns "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." However, in the next verse He states "Ye shall know them by their fruits...even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
What fruit does Joseph Smith have? The biggest and most obvious is the Book of Mormon. If it be true, then he was God's messenger. Again, another black and white. That Book cannot be God's word and be of the devil. It is one or the other.
So how does this shape who I am or what I believe? I understand I do not have all of the answers. However, if I know that Joseph Smith was God's prophet, and restored His Church, I know that God continues to call prophets even today. I know that what I am taught is true. Some would call this blind faith, but I have put much study, much prayer to know that of what I speak, and it is not blind. I have knowingly placed my trust where it is.
The best part of this message is you do not have to take anyone's word for it. You can find out and receive your own witness. The job of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. You can receive your own witness, it requires study and prayer, but you can learn for yourself. If you wish to here more of my experiences with this, ask me, and I will be happy to talk one on one with anyone.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Psalm of Nephi
If the LDS Church had someone to whom we would equate to Superman, it would be Nephi. Not in a literal sense, but still a very cool guy.
Nephi lived in Jerusalem around 600 BC. He left with his father and brothers and eventually came to this continent. He alone is responsible for nearly 20% of what is known as the Book of Mormon, and is the first person of whom we have record writing in it. There are several stories of him doing awesome things, while his older brothers rebelled.
Shortly after the death of his father, Lehi, Nephi shows what I feel is his human side. It is here I wish to share my thoughts on this -psalm- if you will.
And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and profit of my children.
Scriptures are that which testify of Christ (John 5:39). Later in his writings, Nephi states that his soul delights in Christ, so it is natural to assume that his soul would delight in that which testified of him. It is interesting to note as well he was very interested in assuring that his children would have access to these sacred writings as well.
Behold, my soul, delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually the things which I have seen and heard.
Nephi has had powerful dreams of things to come, seen angels on several occasions, had visions of the Son of God, and even spoke face to face with the Holy Ghost. He has had several powerful encounters with spiritual things. But then he writes-
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my hart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me
This is perhaps where he seems to be most human. I often think that if Nephi of all people feels this way, it must be alright for me to feel this way as well. I think these feelings of inadequacy are part of the human experience. I get the feeling he uses his guilt to motivate him to be better, not for self loathing.
And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime. And by day I have waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
This guy has seen it all, and done it all. I have had some pretty powerful experiences in my life, but nowhere near the level he has. And despite this, he returns to -
O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited me in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
I love that question! I have seen some amazing stuff, so why do I even listen to the devil? Why do I let him bring me down? Why?
Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
The call to be better! The call to push the adversary aside and move on!
O Lord, with thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way-but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
What a prayer! I think in everyone's heart lies the same prayer, just never so beautifully spoken. Imagine the power of righteousness that would prevail if we would all seek to employ this in our lives!
He then closes
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of the flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of the flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
To have the strength to claim that one will ALWAYS trust in God is awesome. I find it easy to make promises when things are going good, but in the face of adversity, I try to do it all alone.
This has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture. It gives me hope.
Nephi lived in Jerusalem around 600 BC. He left with his father and brothers and eventually came to this continent. He alone is responsible for nearly 20% of what is known as the Book of Mormon, and is the first person of whom we have record writing in it. There are several stories of him doing awesome things, while his older brothers rebelled.
Shortly after the death of his father, Lehi, Nephi shows what I feel is his human side. It is here I wish to share my thoughts on this -psalm- if you will.
And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and profit of my children.
Scriptures are that which testify of Christ (John 5:39). Later in his writings, Nephi states that his soul delights in Christ, so it is natural to assume that his soul would delight in that which testified of him. It is interesting to note as well he was very interested in assuring that his children would have access to these sacred writings as well.
Behold, my soul, delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually the things which I have seen and heard.
Nephi has had powerful dreams of things to come, seen angels on several occasions, had visions of the Son of God, and even spoke face to face with the Holy Ghost. He has had several powerful encounters with spiritual things. But then he writes-
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my hart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me
This is perhaps where he seems to be most human. I often think that if Nephi of all people feels this way, it must be alright for me to feel this way as well. I think these feelings of inadequacy are part of the human experience. I get the feeling he uses his guilt to motivate him to be better, not for self loathing.
And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime. And by day I have waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
This guy has seen it all, and done it all. I have had some pretty powerful experiences in my life, but nowhere near the level he has. And despite this, he returns to -
O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited me in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
I love that question! I have seen some amazing stuff, so why do I even listen to the devil? Why do I let him bring me down? Why?
Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
The call to be better! The call to push the adversary aside and move on!
O Lord, with thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way-but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
What a prayer! I think in everyone's heart lies the same prayer, just never so beautifully spoken. Imagine the power of righteousness that would prevail if we would all seek to employ this in our lives!
He then closes
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of the flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of the flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
To have the strength to claim that one will ALWAYS trust in God is awesome. I find it easy to make promises when things are going good, but in the face of adversity, I try to do it all alone.
This has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture. It gives me hope.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Meaning of Life
Why are we here?
Where did I come from?
Where am I going when I die?
Everyone at some point in their life has asked these questions. To answer these questions in any type of depth, the Bible in and of itself is not adequate. I will be using many scriptures and ideas unique to the Restoration of the Gospel.
Let us first examine God's reason for starting this whole mortal life thing. "For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Immortality and Eternal Life, are they one and the same? No, they are not.
Immortality, is simply the ability to live forever, without death. Eternal Life as define by Jesus Christ is "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Eternal life is knowing God, and His Son. To know them, one must live the life they do. So in essence, Eternal Life is immortality and living the life that God now lives. So God's whole point in this creation was to enable His children to eventually live the life he enjoys.
So, where did we come from? The Book of Genesis records the creation of man as coming from the dust and receiving the breath of life. Did we exist before then? Absolutely, we did. We did not exist in bodies of flesh and bone, but as spirits. The Book of Revelation records "And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Why was there war in heaven? To answer this, we must rely on modern revelation. "And there stood one among them that was like unto God." That one was Jesus Christ. "and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell." Why? Why would we need to leave the presence of God? It is answered in the following verse " And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;"
So this Earth was created as a testing ground to see if we would keep all of God's commandments. It wouldn't be much of a test if we were always in His presence. But then, the reward is explained.
"And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." Alright, there is a lot said here.
What does it mean to keep your first estate? It simply means progressing enough to be able to come to Earth. Congratulations, the fact you are here reading this means you passed that part! If we keep our second estate, by keeping all of the commandments, we will have glory added upon our heads for ever and ever.
Well, I can honestly say, I have not kept my second estate. I have broken some commandments in my short time here on Earth. You have too. God, in his infinite wisdom, knew this would happen. He knew we would need a redeemer. "And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I , send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first. And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him."
So we know two people volunteered to be our Redeemer. God chose Jesus Christ. The second volunteer was angry at not being chosen and led a revolt in Heaven. That is this war. The second was Lucifer, who would later be known as Satan. He and his followers did not keep their first estate, and as such will never receive bodies.
So we have answered two of the three questions. We came from the presence of our Heavenly Father, and we are here to be tested to see if we will keep all of God's commandments.
So what happens after we die? "Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." We are taken home to God, and we are judged, this is not the Final Judgment, but it is a judgment of sorts. "the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care and sorrow...then it shall come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil-...these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil."
So, the righteous are received into a state of rest, and the wicked will suffer for their iniquities and sins. Both groups will remain in this state until the Resurrection. "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." This resurrection will happen to everyone, good, bad and ugly. After this, comes the Final Judgment and all men are given their eternal reward.
The apostle Paul talks about different kinds of resurrected bodies "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. "
Just as there are the three different glories listed above, the sun, the moon and the stars, so are the kingdoms to which we are assigned upon final judgement.
In one of the most glorious visions given to man, Joseph Smith was able to see each of the 3 kingdoms. To those that inherit Celestial Glory
"They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he as has given-that by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true...The shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever."
Those inheriting Terrestrial Glory "They who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel among unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men."
And finally those that inherit the Telestial Glory " These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus... These are they who are thrust down to hell." But somehow he states "the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding" It is still a Kingdom of Glory that surpasses anything here on Earth.
In describing the Celestial Glory, it was mentioned that one need to be baptized. In talking about the Terrestrial Glory, it mentioned the Son of God visiting them in prison.
Only recently have we become a truly global society. A person living in India in the 12th Century would not have had the chance to hear the name Jesus Christ, let alone have faith in Him, and be baptized as required, how could a loving God damn that man without even giving him a chance?
Peter writes "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the Spirit." This is talking about Christ being dead in the flesh, but quickened (old English for alive) in the Spirit, so the interim between His death and resurrection. "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." And later he writes "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. " So these men are dead in the flesh, but alive in the spirit. Again, between their deaths and eventual resurrection.
So we know that they are having the gospel preached, but what about the required baptism? A different apostle, Paul wrote about an ordinance called Baptism for the Dead. He was writing to a group that believed in Jesus, but not the Resurrection, so he asks the question "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" Basically, he only mentions the ordinance, but does so by saying, why do we baptize ourselves for the dead if there isn't a resurrection?
Joseph Smith greatly clarifies this by explaining that through the sealing power of the Priesthood, the power to bind in earth and heaven, we can act as agents on behalf of the dead and be baptized for them. This ordinance is done in LDS temples world wide. Faithful members are allowed to go and be baptized on behalf of the deceased ancestors. Thus, God can be Just and Merciful to all of his children.
What of little children who died without this saving ordinance? Can a loving God damn an otherwise innocent child? No. "And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven."
Where did I come from?
Where am I going when I die?
Everyone at some point in their life has asked these questions. To answer these questions in any type of depth, the Bible in and of itself is not adequate. I will be using many scriptures and ideas unique to the Restoration of the Gospel.
Let us first examine God's reason for starting this whole mortal life thing. "For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Immortality and Eternal Life, are they one and the same? No, they are not.
Immortality, is simply the ability to live forever, without death. Eternal Life as define by Jesus Christ is "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Eternal life is knowing God, and His Son. To know them, one must live the life they do. So in essence, Eternal Life is immortality and living the life that God now lives. So God's whole point in this creation was to enable His children to eventually live the life he enjoys.
So, where did we come from? The Book of Genesis records the creation of man as coming from the dust and receiving the breath of life. Did we exist before then? Absolutely, we did. We did not exist in bodies of flesh and bone, but as spirits. The Book of Revelation records "And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Why was there war in heaven? To answer this, we must rely on modern revelation. "And there stood one among them that was like unto God." That one was Jesus Christ. "and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell." Why? Why would we need to leave the presence of God? It is answered in the following verse " And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;"
So this Earth was created as a testing ground to see if we would keep all of God's commandments. It wouldn't be much of a test if we were always in His presence. But then, the reward is explained.
"And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." Alright, there is a lot said here.
What does it mean to keep your first estate? It simply means progressing enough to be able to come to Earth. Congratulations, the fact you are here reading this means you passed that part! If we keep our second estate, by keeping all of the commandments, we will have glory added upon our heads for ever and ever.
Well, I can honestly say, I have not kept my second estate. I have broken some commandments in my short time here on Earth. You have too. God, in his infinite wisdom, knew this would happen. He knew we would need a redeemer. "And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I , send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first. And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him."
So we know two people volunteered to be our Redeemer. God chose Jesus Christ. The second volunteer was angry at not being chosen and led a revolt in Heaven. That is this war. The second was Lucifer, who would later be known as Satan. He and his followers did not keep their first estate, and as such will never receive bodies.
So we have answered two of the three questions. We came from the presence of our Heavenly Father, and we are here to be tested to see if we will keep all of God's commandments.
So what happens after we die? "Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." We are taken home to God, and we are judged, this is not the Final Judgment, but it is a judgment of sorts. "the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care and sorrow...then it shall come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil-...these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil."
So, the righteous are received into a state of rest, and the wicked will suffer for their iniquities and sins. Both groups will remain in this state until the Resurrection. "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." This resurrection will happen to everyone, good, bad and ugly. After this, comes the Final Judgment and all men are given their eternal reward.
The apostle Paul talks about different kinds of resurrected bodies "There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. "
Just as there are the three different glories listed above, the sun, the moon and the stars, so are the kingdoms to which we are assigned upon final judgement.
In one of the most glorious visions given to man, Joseph Smith was able to see each of the 3 kingdoms. To those that inherit Celestial Glory
"They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he as has given-that by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true...The shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever."
Those inheriting Terrestrial Glory "They who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel among unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men."
And finally those that inherit the Telestial Glory " These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus... These are they who are thrust down to hell." But somehow he states "the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding" It is still a Kingdom of Glory that surpasses anything here on Earth.
In describing the Celestial Glory, it was mentioned that one need to be baptized. In talking about the Terrestrial Glory, it mentioned the Son of God visiting them in prison.
Only recently have we become a truly global society. A person living in India in the 12th Century would not have had the chance to hear the name Jesus Christ, let alone have faith in Him, and be baptized as required, how could a loving God damn that man without even giving him a chance?
Peter writes "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the Spirit." This is talking about Christ being dead in the flesh, but quickened (old English for alive) in the Spirit, so the interim between His death and resurrection. "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." And later he writes "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. " So these men are dead in the flesh, but alive in the spirit. Again, between their deaths and eventual resurrection.
So we know that they are having the gospel preached, but what about the required baptism? A different apostle, Paul wrote about an ordinance called Baptism for the Dead. He was writing to a group that believed in Jesus, but not the Resurrection, so he asks the question "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" Basically, he only mentions the ordinance, but does so by saying, why do we baptize ourselves for the dead if there isn't a resurrection?
Joseph Smith greatly clarifies this by explaining that through the sealing power of the Priesthood, the power to bind in earth and heaven, we can act as agents on behalf of the dead and be baptized for them. This ordinance is done in LDS temples world wide. Faithful members are allowed to go and be baptized on behalf of the deceased ancestors. Thus, God can be Just and Merciful to all of his children.
What of little children who died without this saving ordinance? Can a loving God damn an otherwise innocent child? No. "And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven."
Friday, April 15, 2011
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why do bad things happen to good people? Short answer, I don't know.
Long answer, I really believe one has to examine each on a case by case basis to understand why certain things happen. Is it to teach? Promote faith? Punish? The result of someone else using their agency? There simply is no one good answer.
Take for example, the recent earthquakes in Japan. That earthquake affected so many millions of lives, that one cannot simply throw out a blanket statement as "God was punishing them for XYZ" because there were many, many good and innocent people affected by this disaster. Could God simply have been trying to teach all of humanity a lesson? Perhaps. I will not pretend to even guess the real reason.
So could God have done this, or other things like Hurricane Katrina, or something on a far more personal scale such as making you forget where you placed your car keys the night before, simply because He wants you to remember Him? Is it because of ego? I would submit that ego is the last thing on his mind, rather, we need to remember Him for our benefit. When we remember God, we tend to love our fellow man more, we tend to be more friendly, we tend to do more good.
I have noticed this same pattern in my own life. Things will being going great, everything going my way, and suddenly I don't pray with the same intensity. Why? Because in my limited vision, I don't feel that need. I have everything I could possibly want and need. Because of this, I separate myself spiritually from His presence, I forget from whom everything I have came, and I start to feel like maybe He owes me. I continue on this path until something happens that makes me suddenly realize I NEED HELP. So I pray with intensity. God in his goodness sees I have changed, and grants me prosperity again. Lather, rinse and repeat.
That is one reason bad things may happen to good people.
The one I struggle most with is kids, especially young kids that are still innocent. Reading of the tragedies bad parents cause just makes me lose all hope that we are worth saving on some days.
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Quite the strong message coming from the Prince of Peace. But these would be examples of bad things happening as a result of someone using their agency.
But what about when good people, especially young children, get sick? What could be the reason behind that? Is it to help the parents find God? Maybe. Is it that the child is too precious they are to be spared the pains of mortality? Maybe. I think this one case where there is no blanket feel good answer. One simply has to trust that God does have a plan, and in some way, this plays a part in the bigger picture. While I hope that I never, ever, have to watch my one of my children go through something like cancer, or some other horrible disease, my heart goes out to those that do.
Perhaps, one of the most eye opening statements from God
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if you be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
While not always apparent, God does love us, always and forever. Try to find that in each difficult time.
Long answer, I really believe one has to examine each on a case by case basis to understand why certain things happen. Is it to teach? Promote faith? Punish? The result of someone else using their agency? There simply is no one good answer.
Take for example, the recent earthquakes in Japan. That earthquake affected so many millions of lives, that one cannot simply throw out a blanket statement as "God was punishing them for XYZ" because there were many, many good and innocent people affected by this disaster. Could God simply have been trying to teach all of humanity a lesson? Perhaps. I will not pretend to even guess the real reason.
One of His prophets wrote "Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him."So could God have done this, or other things like Hurricane Katrina, or something on a far more personal scale such as making you forget where you placed your car keys the night before, simply because He wants you to remember Him? Is it because of ego? I would submit that ego is the last thing on his mind, rather, we need to remember Him for our benefit. When we remember God, we tend to love our fellow man more, we tend to be more friendly, we tend to do more good.
I have noticed this same pattern in my own life. Things will being going great, everything going my way, and suddenly I don't pray with the same intensity. Why? Because in my limited vision, I don't feel that need. I have everything I could possibly want and need. Because of this, I separate myself spiritually from His presence, I forget from whom everything I have came, and I start to feel like maybe He owes me. I continue on this path until something happens that makes me suddenly realize I NEED HELP. So I pray with intensity. God in his goodness sees I have changed, and grants me prosperity again. Lather, rinse and repeat.
That is one reason bad things may happen to good people.
The one I struggle most with is kids, especially young kids that are still innocent. Reading of the tragedies bad parents cause just makes me lose all hope that we are worth saving on some days.
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Quite the strong message coming from the Prince of Peace. But these would be examples of bad things happening as a result of someone using their agency.
But what about when good people, especially young children, get sick? What could be the reason behind that? Is it to help the parents find God? Maybe. Is it that the child is too precious they are to be spared the pains of mortality? Maybe. I think this one case where there is no blanket feel good answer. One simply has to trust that God does have a plan, and in some way, this plays a part in the bigger picture. While I hope that I never, ever, have to watch my one of my children go through something like cancer, or some other horrible disease, my heart goes out to those that do.
Perhaps, one of the most eye opening statements from God
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if you be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
While not always apparent, God does love us, always and forever. Try to find that in each difficult time.
Monday, April 11, 2011
A truly unique blessing
First and foremost, a temple is considered to be House of the Lord in a very literal sense. We believe these building to be the holiest places in the entire planet. Church houses do not enjoy this distinction.
Within these temples very sacred ordinances are performed. However, I wish to focus on one, and one only in this opportunity. The sealing ordinance.
In few instances, the Lord has trusted man with the power to bind in heaven as they have on Earth. One instance was Peter, the apostle.
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
This power has been God's most guarded power given to man, and is only given to those that have earned His highest trust.
This power was restored to man through the Prophet Joseph Smith on April 3rd 1836 by the prophet Elijah of the Old Testament. With this power, we are able to marry a man and a woman not only for this life, but for all time and eternity. With this power, the relationship of parent and child can continue forever past the grave. The family can literally be a forever family.
When a pastor marries someone, the last words of the ceremony are "until death do you part", there is a bill of divorce built into the deal. However, in the temple, we are married for this life, and if we are faithful to our covenants, for all eternity hereafter.
What greater blessing is there?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
A Specific Message From God for Today
Let me make my standard hypocrisy statement. I am not perfect, and what I am writing about today is certainly no exception. But if perfection were the standard we were all held to before trying to help one another...we wouldn't get anywhere.
What is scripture? Jesus commanded "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are which testify of me."
Here, Jesus teaches two very important things. First of all, the job of Scripture is to testify of Christ. Testify of His mission, His divinity, and most importantly, of His redeeming power! Secondly, he is correcting a prevelant idea at the time, and sadly still persists to this day. The words in the Scriptures will not save a man, but rather their job is to direct the man to Who will save him.
Therefore, the purpose of every Prophet and Apostle, (the distinction between the two is almost non existant, and for the rest of this blog entry they will be treated as the same), the writers of these Scriptures, is to testify of Christ and lead us to Him. From the time of Adam, these men wrote of their experiences with God, and of the teachings He had revealed to them. At the time of Jesus, what the Jews called scripture, is more or less known as the Old Testament today. What the Apostles wrote after the death of Jesus up until around 90 AD is known as the New Testament.
And suddenly, Prophets and Apostles stopped writing scripture? Why is that? For 4000 years God had revealed His will to men, and did so shortly after the death of Christ, but why stop? Did He? Or did we just stop listening?
Shift gears just a little here. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one pastor." Who are these other sheep?
Shift gears again, and time for a history lesson. 600 B.C. Jersusalem is being invaded. The Lord commands a man, Lehi to take his family into the wilderness, and promises to lead them to a promised land. Over the course of nearly 10 years, he leads them in the wilderness, and eventually to construct a ship and leads them to this continent.
Over the course of 1000 years these people build a civilization. They write their dealings with God, teachings of the promised Savior, and record his visit here, to his "other sheep".
These writings would later become known as the Book of Mormon.
What is so special about this Book? Isn't the Bible enough?
I will be first to admit I love the Bible. It has a record of Christ's mortal ministry and some of the most precious teachings ever given to man. A look through history will show that the fact we even have a Bible, in any form, is a miracle. Through the several book burnings in the first few centuries A.D, to uninspired men choosing what was canon and not, through several thousand years of history and the changes that come with that, what we have now cannot possibly be what the early saints had two thousand years ago.
The Book of Mormon was untouched by mortal hands from 421 AD to when Joseph Smith received the record to translate it in 1827. It serves as ANOTHER Testament that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God, the Savior of the World. What true believer in Christ would not want more of Him? Where there are literally thousands of different points of view on the Bible, when paired with the Book of Mormon, those points of view are limited to one.
The Book of Mormon is proof positive that God has not stopped talking to man, rather man stopped listening to God. This Book is what convinced me that Jesus is the Way to God. This Book is what taught me why I need a Savior, and how He wants me to live. This Book has brought be closer to Jesus than any other book, or teaching of man. This Book is what convinced me to put a hold on everything in my life for two years so I could share its glorious message. This Book is literally the reason I have the life I have now. Without this Book, I would not have my wife nor my children. I would not have the promised blessings of being with my family forever, if it weren't for this Book.
How do I know this book is of God, and not some device of man? As Jesus taught "by their fruits ye shall know them." The fruit this book has wrought in my life is undeniable. I invite any and all who are within the sound of my voice to read this book, ponder its message and test it in your own life. The power is real.
As I stated above. This book was buried in 421 AD and was not removed until 1827. Those who wrote this book, did not do so for them, but for us. God inspired them with the message we would need in our day and time. When Paul was writing his letters, he was not writing to us, but to the people of his time, we are only fortunate to have those letters today.
God still talks to us through living Prophets and Apostles to give us instruction for our time, our circumstances. He has never stopped loving us.
What is scripture? Jesus commanded "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are which testify of me."
Here, Jesus teaches two very important things. First of all, the job of Scripture is to testify of Christ. Testify of His mission, His divinity, and most importantly, of His redeeming power! Secondly, he is correcting a prevelant idea at the time, and sadly still persists to this day. The words in the Scriptures will not save a man, but rather their job is to direct the man to Who will save him.
Therefore, the purpose of every Prophet and Apostle, (the distinction between the two is almost non existant, and for the rest of this blog entry they will be treated as the same), the writers of these Scriptures, is to testify of Christ and lead us to Him. From the time of Adam, these men wrote of their experiences with God, and of the teachings He had revealed to them. At the time of Jesus, what the Jews called scripture, is more or less known as the Old Testament today. What the Apostles wrote after the death of Jesus up until around 90 AD is known as the New Testament.
And suddenly, Prophets and Apostles stopped writing scripture? Why is that? For 4000 years God had revealed His will to men, and did so shortly after the death of Christ, but why stop? Did He? Or did we just stop listening?
Shift gears just a little here. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one pastor." Who are these other sheep?
Shift gears again, and time for a history lesson. 600 B.C. Jersusalem is being invaded. The Lord commands a man, Lehi to take his family into the wilderness, and promises to lead them to a promised land. Over the course of nearly 10 years, he leads them in the wilderness, and eventually to construct a ship and leads them to this continent.
Over the course of 1000 years these people build a civilization. They write their dealings with God, teachings of the promised Savior, and record his visit here, to his "other sheep".
These writings would later become known as the Book of Mormon.
What is so special about this Book? Isn't the Bible enough?
I will be first to admit I love the Bible. It has a record of Christ's mortal ministry and some of the most precious teachings ever given to man. A look through history will show that the fact we even have a Bible, in any form, is a miracle. Through the several book burnings in the first few centuries A.D, to uninspired men choosing what was canon and not, through several thousand years of history and the changes that come with that, what we have now cannot possibly be what the early saints had two thousand years ago.
The Book of Mormon was untouched by mortal hands from 421 AD to when Joseph Smith received the record to translate it in 1827. It serves as ANOTHER Testament that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God, the Savior of the World. What true believer in Christ would not want more of Him? Where there are literally thousands of different points of view on the Bible, when paired with the Book of Mormon, those points of view are limited to one.
The Book of Mormon is proof positive that God has not stopped talking to man, rather man stopped listening to God. This Book is what convinced me that Jesus is the Way to God. This Book is what taught me why I need a Savior, and how He wants me to live. This Book has brought be closer to Jesus than any other book, or teaching of man. This Book is what convinced me to put a hold on everything in my life for two years so I could share its glorious message. This Book is literally the reason I have the life I have now. Without this Book, I would not have my wife nor my children. I would not have the promised blessings of being with my family forever, if it weren't for this Book.
How do I know this book is of God, and not some device of man? As Jesus taught "by their fruits ye shall know them." The fruit this book has wrought in my life is undeniable. I invite any and all who are within the sound of my voice to read this book, ponder its message and test it in your own life. The power is real.
As I stated above. This book was buried in 421 AD and was not removed until 1827. Those who wrote this book, did not do so for them, but for us. God inspired them with the message we would need in our day and time. When Paul was writing his letters, he was not writing to us, but to the people of his time, we are only fortunate to have those letters today.
God still talks to us through living Prophets and Apostles to give us instruction for our time, our circumstances. He has never stopped loving us.
A Most Important Message
The Bible has two fascinating stories that I believe really drive home the message of the Gospel. The two examples are separated by 1000 years, and they are not told in any relation to each other.
The message is "It does not matter who you WERE, or what you HAVE DONE, but it matters who you ARE and what you DO."
The first story is that of King David. The lowly shepherd that was chosen to be King over Israel but the LORD. When he was a youth he slayed the mighty Goliath by placing his faith in the Lord. He was able to learn the ways of the Royal Court, and formed a great friendship with Jonathon, son of King Saul. Their story of friendship is one of the greatest in written history. As King he united all of Israel, and began to gather the materials needed to build the Temple at Jerusalem. Every endeavor he sought he was successful. He was a man after the Heart of the Lord.
But he committed a grievous sin in sending the husband of Bathsheba to the front lines with the intent of having him killed so he could be with her. For this, he lost is station with the Lord. We know from modern revelation, and the psalms that eventually he will be redeemed, but he will not be exalted.
The second story is that of Saul, or Paul. Shortly after the death of Christ, this man was a Pharisee, and had a very keen desire to help squash this new movement of believers in Jesus. In fact, he was known to hold the coat of the people stoning Christians so they could more easily perform their tasks. He was well known as being an enemy of Christ. He played a part in the stoning of Stephen the Apostle.
Not through anything he had earned, but in the Grace of God, he beheld a vision of Jesus Christ. This literally transformed him to the point he changed his name from Saul to Paul. He would become one of the biggest preachers of Christ's name, and as fortune would have it, he is one of the principle writers of what we would later know as the New Testament.
We have a story of a man who was nearly perfect who fell from Grace and the story of a man who couldn't kill Christians fast enough but was able to be saved. Why? What was the difference?
Jesus taught a parable of two sons. Their father had asked them to come help him in the field, one said I will and never showed. The other said no, but later changed his mind and arrived to help his father. Which one will receive salvation?
I find these stories to be of hope and a warning. It does not matter what one has done in their life. Jesus can change you, transform you, make you perfect in Him. But once he has done so, and you reject Him, it will be better that you had never known Him.
The message is "It does not matter who you WERE, or what you HAVE DONE, but it matters who you ARE and what you DO."
The first story is that of King David. The lowly shepherd that was chosen to be King over Israel but the LORD. When he was a youth he slayed the mighty Goliath by placing his faith in the Lord. He was able to learn the ways of the Royal Court, and formed a great friendship with Jonathon, son of King Saul. Their story of friendship is one of the greatest in written history. As King he united all of Israel, and began to gather the materials needed to build the Temple at Jerusalem. Every endeavor he sought he was successful. He was a man after the Heart of the Lord.
But he committed a grievous sin in sending the husband of Bathsheba to the front lines with the intent of having him killed so he could be with her. For this, he lost is station with the Lord. We know from modern revelation, and the psalms that eventually he will be redeemed, but he will not be exalted.
The second story is that of Saul, or Paul. Shortly after the death of Christ, this man was a Pharisee, and had a very keen desire to help squash this new movement of believers in Jesus. In fact, he was known to hold the coat of the people stoning Christians so they could more easily perform their tasks. He was well known as being an enemy of Christ. He played a part in the stoning of Stephen the Apostle.
Not through anything he had earned, but in the Grace of God, he beheld a vision of Jesus Christ. This literally transformed him to the point he changed his name from Saul to Paul. He would become one of the biggest preachers of Christ's name, and as fortune would have it, he is one of the principle writers of what we would later know as the New Testament.
We have a story of a man who was nearly perfect who fell from Grace and the story of a man who couldn't kill Christians fast enough but was able to be saved. Why? What was the difference?
Jesus taught a parable of two sons. Their father had asked them to come help him in the field, one said I will and never showed. The other said no, but later changed his mind and arrived to help his father. Which one will receive salvation?
I find these stories to be of hope and a warning. It does not matter what one has done in their life. Jesus can change you, transform you, make you perfect in Him. But once he has done so, and you reject Him, it will be better that you had never known Him.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Letter to Congressmen
Honorable Mr. Chaffetz,
I am Staff Sergeant Darrel Ross, a Soldier in the United States Army.
I write this with fear as to how I am to feed my 3 young children (4, 3 and 2 years of age) and my wife if the Government shuts down. I understand that I will be given back pay when the new budget is passed, but when that is unknown. Backpay in May or June will not feed my kids in April, nor will it allow me to make my mortgage, provide them with water and electricity.
I understand that both parties are interested in blaming the other for the current situation. I beg you to move past blame and provide a solution. The welfare of my family is literally in the hands of 536 people, all of whom are Constitutionally guaranteed their salary, on time.
I understand that you advocate cuts in spending. While I admire this goal, I have to ask, is debating about whether or not NPR gets funding, or Planned Parenthood worth me having to explain to my 4 year old why her Father cannot provide for her? Would you be willing to do that for me?
Please understand that if my pay is in anyway delayed, I will hold you personally accountable at the ballot box in 2012. I will ensure that as many people as I can possibly reach and get a hold of do the same.
I am Staff Sergeant Darrel Ross, a Soldier in the United States Army.
I write this with fear as to how I am to feed my 3 young children (4, 3 and 2 years of age) and my wife if the Government shuts down. I understand that I will be given back pay when the new budget is passed, but when that is unknown. Backpay in May or June will not feed my kids in April, nor will it allow me to make my mortgage, provide them with water and electricity.
I understand that both parties are interested in blaming the other for the current situation. I beg you to move past blame and provide a solution. The welfare of my family is literally in the hands of 536 people, all of whom are Constitutionally guaranteed their salary, on time.
I understand that you advocate cuts in spending. While I admire this goal, I have to ask, is debating about whether or not NPR gets funding, or Planned Parenthood worth me having to explain to my 4 year old why her Father cannot provide for her? Would you be willing to do that for me?
Please understand that if my pay is in anyway delayed, I will hold you personally accountable at the ballot box in 2012. I will ensure that as many people as I can possibly reach and get a hold of do the same.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
We Believe in God
In the course of my travels I often get ask what Mormons believe. Well, to be honest, believe a lot of things. However, that answer leaves the questioner with no more information than when they asked. What do we believe? What is a quick concise answer that I can give?
Joseph Smith wrote an article to a newspaper that asked him the very same question. In what is know known as the Wentworth Letter he writes of his account and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up until that time in 1842. At the end of the letter writes 13 statements, later to be known by the Church as the Articles of Faith. In this writing I would like to examine the first:
Joseph Smith wrote an article to a newspaper that asked him the very same question. In what is know known as the Wentworth Letter he writes of his account and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up until that time in 1842. At the end of the letter writes 13 statements, later to be known by the Church as the Articles of Faith. In this writing I would like to examine the first:
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
Pretty straightforward. Not much point in having a Church if you don't believe in some sort of deity. In this, there is specific reference to three beings. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.
"Believe in God; believe that he, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."
What proof do we have of God's existence? Only what He sees fit to give us. We have limited counts in Scripture of Him actually appearing. We know he appeared to Adam in the Garden of Eden, the prophet Enos, the Apostle Stephen, and to Joseph Smith. Because that of Joseph Smith's is the most recent, it is the most detailed account we have of such a visitation. In it is also proof positive that God has a body of Flesh and Bones, and is a separate being from the Son.
"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us."
Here it is more clear that these 3 Holy Beings are actually 3 distinct and separate beings.
In the great Intercessory Prayer offered by Jesus shortly before his death, he prayed "That they may be one; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe thou hast sent me."
If someone were to argue that sounded like the Father and the Son were the same being, I would totally understand that confusion based off that verse alone. However, upon closer inspection, Jesus is praying that the disciples be one, even as the Father and Jesus are one. Is he asking that they be of one body, or perhaps, one in heart and mind? Clearly, the latter. And as such, the Father and the Son are two beings, but so united in heart and purpose that they can be considered One.
So what does each one do?
"Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth. These personages … are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator."
God the Father, is the Grand Creator. He is our Father, and SHupreme Ruler of the Universe. He is our God, and the God of Jesus Christ. He created a plan whereby man could progress to Perfection and live the Life He lives.
"God found himself in the midst of spirits and glory, and because he was greater, he saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have the privilege of advancing like himself--that they might have one glory upon another and all the knowledge, power, and glory necessary to save the world of spirits."
Next, is God the Redeemer, or Jesus Christ. Jesus is that same Being born to Mary, crucified at Golgatha, and risen from the Empty Tomb. It is He who came to Earth and paid the price for Humanities sins and enables the whole Plan of the Creator to work. He is the Grand Executor of the the Father's Will.
And thirdly, we have God the Testator, the Witness, or the Holy Ghost. He is the only being mentioned of the three to not have a physical body. His job is to testify of Truth, that our Faith maybe validated. If these three beings were compared to the Human Body, the Father would be the Mind, the Son the Arms and Legs and the Holy Ghost would be the Mouth.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Superheroes and Godlike Perfection
I will be the first person to claim I am very imperfect. I believe I am a generally good person, I might even believe myself greater than I really am, but by no means am I perfect, and would be a rather dangerous role model. One of the biggest challenges I face is accepting my own limitations, while seeking to push those boundaries.
Ever since I was a little kid, I have always fantasized about being a super hero. He even has a name, and a costume. Every night as I go to bed trying to sleep, that is what I am thinking about. I love my and kids, but quite frankly, thinking about them keeps me awake. As I fall asleep, I pretend to be him, saving not just the world, but the universe! I generally fall asleep pretty fast, so I think the technique works. When I don't do this, I am awake for hours!
Well, that fantasy doesn't help me at all to accept my mere mortal qualities. In fact it is a hindrance, because now I have to come to grips with not have having awesome super powers.
But on a more practical note, this also means having to identify weaknesses, and prioritizing them to make them strengths and better myself, while not overwhelming myself, losing steam and just giving up.
Jesus command "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is Heaven is perfect."
Let's be real for a moment here. There is no way I will accomplish that before I die. To be as Perfect as the Father is simply impossible to accomplish here in mortality. To obtain a perfect knowledge, perfect love, justice, mercy, faith, will not happen. To make it even more difficult, He possesses these qualities in Absolute Perfection, not just relatively.
The great prophet Moroni wrote "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for your, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ...and again if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ..., then ye are sanctified in Chirst by the grace of good, through the shedding of the blood of Christ..., that ye become holy, without spot."
Ever since I was a little kid, I have always fantasized about being a super hero. He even has a name, and a costume. Every night as I go to bed trying to sleep, that is what I am thinking about. I love my and kids, but quite frankly, thinking about them keeps me awake. As I fall asleep, I pretend to be him, saving not just the world, but the universe! I generally fall asleep pretty fast, so I think the technique works. When I don't do this, I am awake for hours!
Well, that fantasy doesn't help me at all to accept my mere mortal qualities. In fact it is a hindrance, because now I have to come to grips with not have having awesome super powers.
But on a more practical note, this also means having to identify weaknesses, and prioritizing them to make them strengths and better myself, while not overwhelming myself, losing steam and just giving up.
Jesus command "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is Heaven is perfect."
Let's be real for a moment here. There is no way I will accomplish that before I die. To be as Perfect as the Father is simply impossible to accomplish here in mortality. To obtain a perfect knowledge, perfect love, justice, mercy, faith, will not happen. To make it even more difficult, He possesses these qualities in Absolute Perfection, not just relatively.
The great prophet Moroni wrote "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for your, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ...and again if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ..., then ye are sanctified in Chirst by the grace of good, through the shedding of the blood of Christ..., that ye become holy, without spot."
So, if I do my absolute best to love God, and deny myself of all ungodliness then I am perfect in Christ. Being perfect in Christ means, according to Moroni, that his Grace will make up the difference between me and Absolute Perfection (the difference I am sure cannot even be measured by any number comprehensible to man). That is now at least a manageable goal.
There is absolute wisdom in the following words : "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference."
To those that feel overburdened I would ask that you simply do the best you can do, no matter how meager it may seem, and ask that God make the difference. When I have done so, I accomplished so much more than I alone could. While I cannot quantify His power in my life, I can testify of its reality and effect in my life. Having seen miracles, and performed them, I cannot deny them, nor Him.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Benefit or Waste of Time?
Let me be honest upfront. The mere fact I am writing this makes me a hypocrite, and make absolutely no claim to any sort of perfection, or strength. I will endeavor to better myself, but that is all I can claim at the present moment. I will not begrudge anyone thinking me a hypocrite by the end of the article. You have been warned.
When I travel for work on a Sunday, I normally will not attend church services. Between finding time (usually in class or attending drill), finding a meeting, finding transportation and actually going, I have given a lot of ground over the years. If I were to be accused of giving up too much ground, I would probably stand guilty.
However, this weekend proved to be a delightful exception. Having been given the entire weekend off from training, I spent most of the day Saturday just being lazy and doing nothing. However, a fellow class mate, and probably an answer to a prayer, either from me, or someone who has a vested interested in my well being, invited me to accompany them to dinner. During the course of dinner, the conversation turned to religion, and being from widely different religious backgrounds, the conversation took some interesting twists and turns. However, during the course, I was actually invited to attend my own religious services.
What was my first reaction? It wasn't, "Sure, I think that is a fantastic idea.", but rather "I didn't bring any Church clothes." (and this was just after I berated Utah mormons for being so judgmental and trying to appear perfect in everything. Told ya, hypocrite)
So after having that very poignantly pointed out, I relented to go. However the deal was, no church services before 11 (this wasn't my idea, but I put absolutely no resistance). I get back to the Hotel afterward and look up the local ward, and they meet at nine (whew, so I don't have to go to church). However, it was then proposed that we go to a local Protestant church, and some church is better than no church (there went my out).
We meet Sunday morning and go searching for a Church. The night before we found no less than 10 with a half hour of driving. However, Sunday morning, we seem to have trouble finding a Church that doesn't look like bringing your own snake is a requirement for entry (probably offended someone with that remark, and for that I ask apology, and again see the reference to hypocrisy and judgmental Utahns). This whole time I am thinking "maybe I won't have to follow through on this" But after a bit of searching, and a very determined friend, we found what appeared to be a suitable church. (see last parenthetical insert). Now I am thinking, I won't be the first one one of the car and maybe that will get me out of this. Well, I was the second one out of the car, and we did go inside.
Upon entering, we were very well received. We took our seats, and if I didn't know better, the chapel could very have been an LDS chapel. The song numbers were located in the same place, the bench layout was identical, and people were going around shaking hands as if they knew each other.
That was the end of my comfort zone. We stood up to sing, the prayer was a little different than I am accustomed to hearing, but no less heartfelt, and after a musical presentation, the congregation clapped (that was the biggest shocker to me). The collection plate was passed around in a very similar fashion and timing to our Sacrament. Then came the Sermon.
It was very, very well done. It dealt with preparing for the return of Jesus. Some minor doctrinal differences, but nothing to distract from the message, and I left as what I would consider a better person for having gone. I felt my priorities in life better aligned, as normally happens when I attend church, and felt very edified.
I spent more time marveling afterward that I take so much for granted. I have the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and often pay it no more than a cursory thought here and there. These lovely folks, are confined to their interpretation of the Bible, and relish every bit of it. In the day of Judgment, I would really be found lacking.
All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. I learned that not all prayers are answered in manners that I would often expect. It made me WANT to want (yes I said want to want) attend church and be more diligent in my preparation for the spiritual feast I am offered on a weekly basis.
.
To SFC Z, I say thank you.
When I travel for work on a Sunday, I normally will not attend church services. Between finding time (usually in class or attending drill), finding a meeting, finding transportation and actually going, I have given a lot of ground over the years. If I were to be accused of giving up too much ground, I would probably stand guilty.
However, this weekend proved to be a delightful exception. Having been given the entire weekend off from training, I spent most of the day Saturday just being lazy and doing nothing. However, a fellow class mate, and probably an answer to a prayer, either from me, or someone who has a vested interested in my well being, invited me to accompany them to dinner. During the course of dinner, the conversation turned to religion, and being from widely different religious backgrounds, the conversation took some interesting twists and turns. However, during the course, I was actually invited to attend my own religious services.
What was my first reaction? It wasn't, "Sure, I think that is a fantastic idea.", but rather "I didn't bring any Church clothes." (and this was just after I berated Utah mormons for being so judgmental and trying to appear perfect in everything. Told ya, hypocrite)
So after having that very poignantly pointed out, I relented to go. However the deal was, no church services before 11 (this wasn't my idea, but I put absolutely no resistance). I get back to the Hotel afterward and look up the local ward, and they meet at nine (whew, so I don't have to go to church). However, it was then proposed that we go to a local Protestant church, and some church is better than no church (there went my out).
We meet Sunday morning and go searching for a Church. The night before we found no less than 10 with a half hour of driving. However, Sunday morning, we seem to have trouble finding a Church that doesn't look like bringing your own snake is a requirement for entry (probably offended someone with that remark, and for that I ask apology, and again see the reference to hypocrisy and judgmental Utahns). This whole time I am thinking "maybe I won't have to follow through on this" But after a bit of searching, and a very determined friend, we found what appeared to be a suitable church. (see last parenthetical insert). Now I am thinking, I won't be the first one one of the car and maybe that will get me out of this. Well, I was the second one out of the car, and we did go inside.
Upon entering, we were very well received. We took our seats, and if I didn't know better, the chapel could very have been an LDS chapel. The song numbers were located in the same place, the bench layout was identical, and people were going around shaking hands as if they knew each other.
That was the end of my comfort zone. We stood up to sing, the prayer was a little different than I am accustomed to hearing, but no less heartfelt, and after a musical presentation, the congregation clapped (that was the biggest shocker to me). The collection plate was passed around in a very similar fashion and timing to our Sacrament. Then came the Sermon.
It was very, very well done. It dealt with preparing for the return of Jesus. Some minor doctrinal differences, but nothing to distract from the message, and I left as what I would consider a better person for having gone. I felt my priorities in life better aligned, as normally happens when I attend church, and felt very edified.
I spent more time marveling afterward that I take so much for granted. I have the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and often pay it no more than a cursory thought here and there. These lovely folks, are confined to their interpretation of the Bible, and relish every bit of it. In the day of Judgment, I would really be found lacking.
All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. I learned that not all prayers are answered in manners that I would often expect. It made me WANT to want (yes I said want to want) attend church and be more diligent in my preparation for the spiritual feast I am offered on a weekly basis.
.
To SFC Z, I say thank you.
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