tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78386775421423475602024-03-09T18:47:47.688-08:00Sharper Than Any Sword"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-88642947564758371572022-03-13T21:21:00.010-07:002022-03-20T12:39:27.756-07:00A Great Division<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">"And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. For the time speedily cometh that <u>the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people,</u> and the wicked will he destroy. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">And he will spare his people, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire." (RE 2 Nephi 12:13 / 2 Nephi 30:10.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Therefore, I have come to send fire on the earth, and what is it to you if I desire that it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I constrained until it is accomplished? <u>Do you suppose that I have come to give peace on earth? I tell you, nay, but rather division,</u> for from henceforth there shall be five in one house, divided three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; mother against the daughter, and daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." (RE Luke 8:28 / Luke 12:51)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink! He that believes on me as the scripture has said: Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water — but this spoke he of the spirit which they that believe on him should receive, for the holy ghost was promised unto them who believe, after Jesus was glorified. Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Truly this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scripture said that Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was? <u>So there was a division among the people because of him</u>. And some of them would have taken him, but no man laid hands on him." (RE John 6:8 / John 7:37-43)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"And I said unto them that our father also saw that<u> the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous,</u> and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire which ascendeth up unto God for ever and ever and hath no end." (RE 1 Nephi 4:5 / 1Nephi 15:30)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And now it came to pass in this year, yea, in the two hundred and thirty and first year, <u>there was a great division among the people</u>. And it came to pass that in this year, there arose a people who were called the Nephites, and they were true believers in Christ. ... And it came to pass that they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites. And they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did willfully rebel against the gospel of Christ, and they did teach their children that they should not believe, even as their fathers from the beginning did dwindle." (RE 4 Nephi 1:7 / 4 Nephi 1:35-38)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing <u>even to the dividing asunder of body and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart</u>. Neither is there any creation that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (RE Hebrews 1:10)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I believe that God works in patterns. I believe that we can understand our current situation by understanding what has gone on before. Is there a great division in our land? What is the cause of that great division? Is it the word of God, which divides us? Is it the justice of God that divides us? What is the justice of God? Is the goal at this point to unify? Are we to be one with the world? Did Christ come to unify? Are these divisions based on irreconcilable differences? Will God's people be one with all people or just with each other? What will unify them? </span></p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-65949646691503574272021-04-21T14:52:00.039-07:002024-03-09T15:16:10.448-08:00Heaven + Earth = Zion <p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> Believing in Zion as a concept is much easier than believing in Zion as a reality that will actually come to pass on this earth. The Zion concept is beautiful and resonates in our hearts. It's the ideal, utopia, paradise on earth. It's a city set on a hill that is a light unto the world. But how do you get there? Bringing that reality to pass requires the coming together of heaven and earth and anything that involves things here on earth is necessarily messy, confusing, and incredibly challenging.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>This morning I read T&C section 26 (LDS D&C 42) and was surprised at the practical counsel that was offered to the saints in their attempt to establish a New Jerusalem here on earth. I'd like to highlight a few things that stood out to me in my study.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>In verse 2, several missionaries were commanded to go forth "in the power of my spirit, preaching my gospel two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the voice of a trump, declaring my word <i>like unto angels of God." </i>It's interesting that these early missionaries were compared unto angels of God. We tend to think of angels only as those of the heavenly variety, but angels can be mortal. (The word 'angel' is derived from a Greek word that means 'messenger.') Was King Benjamin an angel when he gave his message? He said, "And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded me" (Mosiah 1:18). Since it was not his message, but the Lord's message, wasn't he a messenger of God, essentially an angel? The Lord wanted these missionaries to act as angels as well. And maybe there are times when we are to act as angels. If that is to happen, it would necessitate us receiving a message from God, that is purely His, and then delivering it to others.</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>In verse 5, we learn what elders, priests and teachers were to teach, and it is simple - "the scriptures which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fullness of the gospel." And they were instructed how to teach: "And you shall be directed by the spirit, which shall be given you by the prayer of faith, and if you receive not the spirit, you shall not teach." </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>In verse 6, the Lord references several of the 10 commandments, then instructs the saints to keep them and to cast out those who disobey and refuse to repent. I struggle with this verse, not because I disagree with any of it, but because I don't have a good example of what this looks like. Who determines a man's sin? Who determines if someone is repentant? What does it look like to cast out? I think if you are trying to prepare for Zion, you are dealing with mortals who will sin. So humble, repentant souls would be essential, otherwise things could become corrupted very quickly. But what are you casting them out of? Your worship meetings? Your communities? Or is it just that they cannot come to Zion. They cannot dwell there with a proud and unrepentant attitude. I'm not sure how this works, so in the meantime I can use this verse to examine my own heart and remember Christ's words at the end of the verse: "If you love me, you shall serve me and keep all my commandments."</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>When I read about the law of consecration in the past, I felt superior to those who failed to live the law according to the Lord's expectations. How selfish they were! How disobedient and petty! Now I read verse 7 and put myself in their shoes and feel very differently. Imagine receiving the command yourself:</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>"And behold, you shall consecrate <b>all</b> your properties, that which you have, unto me, with a covenant and deed which cannot be broken, and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and two of the elders, such as he shall appoint and set apart for that purpose. And it shall come to pass that the bishop of my church, after that he has received the properties of my church that it cannot be taken from the church, he shall appoint every man a steward over his own property, or that which he has received, inasmuch as it shall be sufficient for himself and family." </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>As long as this is hypothetical, it's easy. Of course, we would give it all away. Of course, we don't prize our worldly possessions over Zion. Of course, we would be quick to obey and not even think about it twice. That's what we think, but I have to ask... Really? Would you really?</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>And what about this verse: "And again, you shall not be proud in your heart. Let all your garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of your own hands, and let all things be done in cleanliness before me" (vs 10). How do you feel about wearing "plain" clothing? And making your own clothing? That's weird, right? Or is it? Are they on to something? Does God care about what we wear? </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>Also in verse 10, this important sentence: "You shall not be idle, for he that is idle shall not eat the bread, nor wear the garment of the laborer." The more I think about Zion, the more I realize how absolutely essential this principle is. I grew up with the idea that 'being nice' is very important. Imagine living in a self-contained community where some able-bodied individuals did very little to contribute to the health and well-being of the community. What would that idleness do to a community where you were relying on one another? Would it be 'nice' to feed everyone regardless of what they do? What would that inspire others to do? How would that affect motivation? </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>Here's another interesting, practical verse: "You shall stand in the place of your stewardship. You shall not take your brother's garment, you shall pay for that which you shall receive of your brother." So, even though we have this consecration principle, you don't just take things. If your brother has something you want, you pay for it. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span>And how were they to govern themselves: "You shall take the things which you have received [the scriptures], which you know to have been my law, to be my law to govern my church. And he that does according to these thing shall be saved, and he that does them not shall be damned, if he continue." </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>I love this verse too! "If you shall ask, you shall receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that you may know the mysteries and the peacable things of the Kingdom, that which brings joy, that which brings life eternal." Isn't that what we all want? Knowledge from God, the peaceable things of the kingdom, joy, and eternal life. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span><span>In verse 20, we learn more practical matters: "You shall contract no debts with [the world]." <br /></span><span>Last one: "And every family shall have places that they may live by themselves, and every church shall be organized in as close bodies as they can be, in consequence of the enemy." (vs. 21)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4a4a4a; margin: 13px 0px 15px; quotes: "“" "”" "‘" "’"; text-align: left; transition: all 0.2s linear 0s;"><br /></p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-17488322350344513172021-01-24T13:53:00.002-08:002022-03-16T08:49:22.934-07:00Life and Blessings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div>One of Donald Trump's last acts as President of the United States was to write the following Proclamation on National Sanctity of Human Life:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Every human life is a gift to the world. Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God. The Almighty Creator gives unique talents, beautiful dreams, and a great purpose to every person. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonder of human existence and renew our resolve to build a culture of life where every person of every age is protected, valued, and cherished.</div><div><br /></div><div>This month, we mark nearly 50 years since the United States Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. This constitutionally flawed ruling overturned State laws that banned abortion, and has resulted in the loss of more than 50 million innocent lives. But strong mothers, courageous students, and incredible community members and people of faith are leading a powerful movement to awaken America’s conscience and restore the belief that every life is worthy of respect, protection, and care. Because of the devotion of countless pro-life pioneers, the call for every person to recognize the sanctity of life is resounding more loudly in America than ever before. Over the last decade, the rate of abortions has steadily decreased, and today, more than three out of every four Americans support restrictions on abortion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since my first day in office, I have taken historic action to protect innocent lives at home and abroad. I reinstituted and strengthened President Ronald Reagan’s Mexico City Policy, issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title Ten taxpayer funding, and took action to protect the conscience rights of doctors, nurses, and organizations like the Little Sisters of the Poor. My Administration has protected the vital role of faith-based adoption. At the United Nations, I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life. Just a few months ago, our Nation also joined 32 other countries in signing the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which bolsters global efforts to provide better healthcare to women, protect all human life, and strengthen families.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a Nation, restoring a culture of respect for the sacredness of life is fundamental to solving our country’s most pressing problems. When each person is treated as a beloved child of God, individuals can reach their full potential, communities will flourish, and America will be a place of even greater hope and freedom. That is why it was my profound privilege to be the first President in history to attend the March for Life, and it is what motives my actions to improve our Nation’s adoption and foster care system, secure more funding for Down syndrome research, and expand health services for single mothers. Over the past 4 years, I have appointed more than 200 Federal judges who apply the Constitution as written, including three Supreme Court Justices — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. I also increased the child tax credit, so that mothers are financially supported as they take on the noble task of raising strong and healthy children. And, recently, I signed an Executive Order on Protecting Vulnerable Newborn and Infant Children, which defends the truth that every newborn baby has the same rights as all other individuals to receive life-saving care.</div><div><br /></div><div>The United States is a shining example of human rights for the world. However, some in Washington are fighting to keep the United States among a small handful of nations — including North Korea and China — that allow elective abortions after 20 weeks. I join with countless others who believe this is morally and fundamentally wrong, and today, I renew my call on the Congress to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since the beginning, my Administration has been dedicated to lifting up every American, and that starts with protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society — the unborn. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we promise to continue speaking out for those who have no voice. We vow to celebrate and support every heroic mother who chooses life. And we resolve to defend the lives of every innocent and unborn child, each of whom can bring unbelievable love, joy, beauty, and grace into our Nation and the entire world.</div><div><br /></div><div>NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2021, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Today, I call on the Congress to join me in protecting and defending the dignity of every human life, including those not yet born. I call on the American people to continue to care for women in unexpected pregnancies and to support adoption and foster care in a more meaningful way, so every child can have a loving home. And finally, I ask every citizen of this great Nation to listen to the sound of silence caused by a generation lost to us, and then to raise their voices for all affected by abortion, both seen and unseen.</div><div><br /></div><div>IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.</div><div><br /></div><div>DONALD J. TRUMP</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless of whether or not you have disdain or admiration for our former president, I find it remarkable that he would write this proclamation. A couple of days later, on the first day of President Biden's administration, it was removed, and then later replaced with the following:</div><div><br /></div><div>Today marks the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the past four years, reproductive health, including the right to choose, has been under relentless and extreme attack. We are deeply committed to making sure everyone has access to care – including reproductive health care – regardless of income, race, zip code, health insurance status, or immigration status. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to codifying Roe v. Wade and appointing judges that respect foundational precedents like Roe. We are also committed to ensuring that we work to eliminate maternal and infant health disparities, increase access to contraception, and support families economically so that all parents can raise their families with dignity. This commitment extends to our critical work on health outcomes around the world. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the Biden-Harris Administration begins in this critical moment, now is the time to rededicate ourselves to ensuring that all individuals have access to the health care they need.</div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, this makes my heart hurt. Until the last year, I never really thought much about abortion. I think someone had told me when I was a teen or young adult that Roe v. Wade made abortion a permanent part of our country so there was no point in trying to fight or debate the issue. I accepted that and moved on.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know speaking out on abortion is really unpopular. I don’t know what people believe about life and where we come from before this life. But I believe that life is sacred and special and miraculous. Can you imagine condoning the killing of a 20-week old baby that had been born? Then how can we imagine condoning the killing of a 20-week-old baby that is unborn? </div><div><br /></div><div>This year we have faced Coronavirus. There have been many deaths in the US and across the nation from this virus. One of our neighbors died. It’s hard to fathom 100,000 deaths or 400,000 deaths or even get a sense of how many people are born or die every day. I think that’s one of the things that woke me up this year. I started going to worldometers.info quite often. When I saw the abortion numbers I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. For instance, right now (as of January 24, 2021) there have been over 2 million abortions carried out in the world just this year. I don’t have the numbers from 2020, but in 2017 there were over 800,000 abortions in the US alone. </div><div><br /></div><div>What if God viewed each of those lives as sacred? What if God intended for each of those children to be born? What if they had something to teach their parents or their siblings? What if each person who comes into this world has an impact on the world? Are we in this country serving God when we allow and even celebrate destroying so much life?</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a promise and a warning in the Book of Ether (in the Book of Mormon): </div><div><br /></div><div>“And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands. Wherefore, he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off, for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fullness of iniquity among the children of the land that they are swept off. And this cometh unto you, O ye gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God, that ye may repent and not continue in your iniquities until the fullness be come, that ye may not bring down the fullness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land hath hitherto done. Behold, this is a choice land; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under Heaven if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who has been manifested by the things which we have written.” </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a choice land. I would love to see God continue to bless it and prosper it and keep us free from bondage and captivity and other nations. I would love to see my children and grandchildren enjoy those promises as well. I believe that if we don’t repent as a nation, especially in recognizing the sacred gift of life, we will likely lose those blessings. </div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-79050898913628280472020-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:002020-04-19T14:40:44.454-07:00On Feeling the Spirit<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I think about my beliefs over the years, I recognize a big shift in terms of my beliefs about the Holy Ghost or the Spirit. I think often in my past, I confused strong feelings with the Holy Ghost. And after all, don't we talk about the 'burning in the bosom?' Discerning what is from God and what what comes from feelings or emotions can be very difficult. One of the things that has helped me better discern is recognizing that "the Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence" (Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 149).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">D&C 50:21 says, "He that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth." </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">I think it is interesting that here the Spirit is called the "Spirit of truth." It reminds me of D&C 93:36: "The glory of God is intelligence, in other words light and truth." Truth can be communicated to our hearts and minds. And that is what, in my experience, the Spirit does. It communicates truth to heart and mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our minds can interfere with our ability to receive the Spirit of truth. We might be like those Paul described who were "ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our hearts can also interfere with our ability to receive or recognize the Spirit. A whole theater full of people can all be moved to tears at exactly the same moment. How does that happen? The music, the lighting, the words, the story all come together in a way that we all feel something at the same time. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I love movies that evoke strong emotion in me. But certainly I wouldn't think that was the Spirit. But the same thing can happen in our worship experiences or from hearing an inspiring message.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our feelings are important, but they should not be our guides. I think it's also interesting that in the vision of the Tree of Life, Nephi explained that his father "also saw other multitudes <i>feeling</i> their way towards that great and spacious building." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We need knowledge, actual light and truth from heaven to guide us. Joseph Smith said, "A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In past years I always thought the Spirit brought feelings of peace. And, of course, it often does. But what about those times when the Spirit testifies of our need to repent? Does that bring a feeling of peace? It doesn't for me. Sometimes the Spirit's message contradicts something I believe deeply. And it takes a long time for me to soften to the point where I can even consider the message. So now I don't ask the question, "Do I feel peace when I hear this message," but instead, "Is there light and truth in this message?" That question leads me to study it out, search the scriptures, and then eventually to my knees. </span>Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-55169161312336696802020-03-27T12:05:00.000-07:002020-04-03T12:52:05.400-07:00The Truth Makes You Feel Good, Right?<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Several years ago, my husband was reading some books by Denver Snuffer and shared some of the things he'd read about the Second Comforter with me, which made a lot of sense and really helped me understand the scriptures better. But he also shared some of Denver's criticisms about the church and how the church was essentially off course. I argued with my husband that if Denver had truly been given a message from God it would be positive, uplifting and full of love and charity. My husband considered everything I said and then calmly opened the scriptures. I don't recall exactly which passage he shared, but I remember it was Alma speaking. It might have been this passage:</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />"<b>O ye workers of iniquity</b>; <b>ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world</b>, <b>ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray</b>, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but <b>ye will not hearken unto his voice!</b> ... And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that <b>the devil is your shepherd</b>, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, <b>whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil</b>." (Alma 5:37-39)</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />He asked me if Alma was delivering a positive, uplifting message? If he was demonstrating love and charity?</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />In my last post I mentioned Samuel the Lamanite. Would I have happily embraced his message:</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />"But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure."</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />These are harsh messages, right? If you are the recipient of a message like this, I don't think you feel good after hearing it. I don't think you feel peace or joy or spiritually nourished and uplifted. You might feel angry or upset or defensive or humbled to the dust. Almost anyone would reply, like Laman and Lemuel, "Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear." But Nephi reminds us, "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."</span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-33800629431166572422020-03-26T21:38:00.001-07:002020-04-19T14:48:17.923-07:00Samuel the Lamanite Was Talking About Me<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Not long ago, our family was studying Helaman 13, and we read what Samuel the Lamanite said to the Nephites: </span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">"Yea, wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out. Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, <b>ye are angry with him</b>, and <b>cast him out</b> and <b>seek all manner of ways to destroy him</b>; yea, <b>you will say that he is a false prophet</b>, and that <b>he is a sinner, and of the devil</b>, because <b>he testifieth that your deeds are evil</b>."</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />Then it continues:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />"But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth - and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that <b>he is a prophet</b>. Yea, <b>ye will lift him up </b>and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and <b>because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him</b>."<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">And man, oh man, it hit me hard . . . that was me! When I first learned about Denver Snuffer, who he was, what he was saying, I felt nothing but disdain, disgust, and super intense dislike. I wanted him exposed, kicked out, rejected as an imposter. I was 100% convinced he was deceived and a deceiver. Even though I could understand the truth of a lot of what he was saying and the scriptures were coming alive because of these truths, I didn't care. The fact was that he was criticizing the church and challenging my traditions, and therefore he was wrong and not worth listening to.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />You see, Samuel the Lamanite was right about me. I always thought if I'd lived at the time of other prophets - Moses or John the Baptist, Lehi or Abinadi, or Samuel the Lamanite - that I would have recognized them instantly. I would have listened to them. But now I think that I probably would have been angry. I probably would have questioned their authority. I think I would have congratulated myself on being one of God's chosen people who didn't need to listen to these crazy men who didn't fit in.</span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Would I have recognized Jesus Christ as the son of God if I had lived when He came to Jerusalem? I still hope so. I hope that after hearing His message and seeing His miracles I would have known that He was the Savior. But I might have been blinded by my own traditions. I might have been offended by his words. I tend to be pretty focused on rules and if I saw him breaking the rules, would I have focused on that and ignored the rest of what He said and did? And I wonder, if I did recognize who He was, would I have had the courage to speak openly of my faith or would I have feared being laughed at and cut off by society? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: large;"><br />I think true messengers always look different from one another. They're unique and they come in different ways at different times. But, in my opinion, the test to recognize them is always the same in that it is always incredibly difficult.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-26368186614339244042017-04-01T08:45:00.000-07:002017-04-01T08:56:40.517-07:00The Nothingness of Man vs. The Greatness of God<style>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">I like reassurance. I like knowing that I'm doing
okay. As a student back in high school and college, I was obsessed with
grades, relishing those reassuring "A's," which told me I was smart
and successful. And dreading anything less than an “A,” which told me I
was a failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ya, I know, I had
some issues!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the real world, I
struggled to find reassurance confirming that I was living a successful life. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few years ago, a friend pointed out the Book of Mormon's
solution to struggles with self-worth:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">". . . Humble yourselves even in the depths of
humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in
the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be
filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye
shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the
knowledge of that which is just and true." (Mosiah 4:11-12) </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Honestly, I didn't really understand then the connection between
that level of humility and all the great stuff that could follow, but I was
definitely interested in those promises . . . that I could:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Always rejoice</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">be filled with the love of God</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">always retain a remission of my sins</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created me</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">But how could
going into the depths of humility lead to all of that?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
think a big problem I faced was that I wanted to be something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be a great mom, an amazing
friend, an incredible wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wanted to be an organized homemaker, a super-fast runner, an interesting
conversationalist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be
a lot of other things as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I couldn’t live up to my own standard of what those things entailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so I felt completely
discouraged!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what I
tried, I couldn’t find that reassurance that told me I was that “something” I
so desperately wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Slowly,
I’ve learned that I don’t need to be discouraged . . . because I don’t have to
be “something” at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit
has taught me to accept, instead, that I am nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a terrible thing to say,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, if I tell someone,
“You are nothing,” then I better put up my fists, because those are fighting
words, right? But I can tell you in complete sincerity that learning that I am
nothing has been the most humbling and the most liberating truth I’ve ever
learned.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you’re like me, you might need some convincing that this is a sound scriptural
idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let’s take a look at King Benjamin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of his life, he called his people to gather
together to hear his final sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now keep in mind that he referred to his people as a “highly favored
people of the Lord” (Mosiah 1:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And what was his message to these peaceful, God-fearing people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among other things, he says:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer
you, Nay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ye cannot say that ye
are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of
the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.”(Mosiah 2:25)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No
reassurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No flattery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No praise for their goodness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a reminder of their
nothingness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would he give
these good people such an unflattering message?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He warned them:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“… men drink damnation to their own souls except they
humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation
was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the
Lord Omnipotent. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the
fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings
of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man” (Mosiah 3:18-19).</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">These people, who were faithfully keeping the commandments, were threatened
with damnation and essentially called the enemy of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he really need to put the fear of
God into these people who were already living so righteously? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ taught, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew
7:20). So let’s look at the fruits of King Benjamin’s teaching:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin
had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the
angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and
behold they had fallen to the earth, for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the
fear of the Lord had come upon them</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
<div class="verse" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">And they had viewed themselves in their own <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth</b>. And they all
cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood
of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be
purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven
and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.</span></i></div>
<div class="verse" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">And it came to pass that after
they had spoken these words, <u>the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they
were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having
peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus
Christ</u> who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had
spoken unto them” (Mosiah 4:2-3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">They saw their own nothingness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They recognized that their natures were fallen and corrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believed in the Lord’s mercy and
their absolute need for His atonement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They humbly begged for mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And in return, they experienced “a mighty change . . . in [their]
hearts,” they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to good continually,”
they received “great views of that which is to come,” and “could prophesy of
all things.”(Mosiah 5:2-3) After covenanting to obey God’s commands in all
things, they became “the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters”
(Mosiah 5:7).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">These incredible blessings came as a result of this people seeing
themselves as “less than the dust of the earth.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel is
counterintuitive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus taught, “Whosoever
will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And King Benjamin’s people gained
everything by seeing that they were nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are we willing to hear this message?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do we want reassurance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we want to hear that “all is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth,
all is well” (2 Nephi 28:21)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s wrong with that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
mean, we’re all good people, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nephi warns, “Wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be
unto him that crieth: All is well! Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the
precepts of men” (2 Nephi 28:24-26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">And what do the precepts of men tell us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They say:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God – he will
justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of
one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this;
and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are
guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in
the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 28:8).</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">Could that be us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could we want to partake of all the world has to offer, yet still
believe in God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could we wrongly
assume that our belief in Him is enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Could our earthly pursuits and accomplishments keep us from recognizing
our own nothingness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could our
incorrect beliefs lead us to a false understanding of our state before
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we actually in eternal
jeopardy unless we humble ourselves to the dust as these people did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Lord does not seek to reassure us about our current
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not flatter us and
tell us how amazing and wonderful we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only praise I see Him give is for those who humble themselves before
Him, become as little children, and recognize their complete dependence on Him
– those who, in essence, say, “I am nothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You are nothing” is a hopeful message when it is coupled with a
remembrance of God’s goodness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Notice how king Benjamin links the two:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I would that ye should remember, and always retain in
remembrance, <u>the greatness of God,</u> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">your own</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothingness</b>,
and <u>his goodness and long-suffering towards you</u>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">unworthy creatures</b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">humble
yourselves even in the depths of humility</b> . . .” (Mosiah 4:11)</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christ
said, “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that King Benjamin spoke the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And these truths are
setting me free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still
learning, but it’s exciting to be able to see with even a little more
clarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s what I’m learning:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">If I am nothing and you are nothing, then there is no need
to compare:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When you begin to think you've outshone your fellow man,
you should reflect again on Moses' reaction to seeing the Man of Holiness: ‘Now
for this cause I know man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.’ (Moses 1:10.)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> None of
us have anything to boast of, even if you know more than your fellow man.
We all know less than He who is ‘more intelligent than them all.’ (Abr. 3:19.)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">”</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">If I am nothing, then earthly pursuits and accomplishments are
seen as “treasures on earth” that do not last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My nothingness motivates me to “seek first the kingdom of
God” and to lay up treasures in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">If I am nothing, then it is possible for me to love my
enemy, to not be easily provoked, to turn the other cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will never be an easy thing for
any of us to do, but at least it becomes possible when I view myself from God’s
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am something, then I
can’t help but defend myself, resist evil and demand an eye for an eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">If I am nothing, then I can trust the Lord with all my
heart and lean not unto my own understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can acknowledge Him in everything and allow Him to direct
my paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">One day, maybe
like Alma, we’ll each be able to say:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Yes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know that I am nothing</b>;
as to my strength I am weak; therefore, I will not boast of myself, but I will
boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea behold, many
mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name
forever” (Alma 26:12).</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-15169546120729828142017-01-10T14:34:00.001-08:002017-01-10T21:25:40.368-08:00Teach Me All That I Must {Know and Do}, Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">What must we know to be
saved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph Smith taught that
“knowledge saves a man” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS), p. 357).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in </span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Doctrine and Covenants 131:6 we learn that “it is
impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">So
what is it we must know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Is
it enough to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and our
Redeemer? Well, if it were, then even the devils would be exalted, for Satan and
His followers have that knowledge:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And in the
synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried
out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou
Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? <u>I know thee who thou art; the
Holy One of God.</u> (Luke 4:33-34)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Also James 2:19:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">“Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well; <u>the devils also believe</u>, and
tremble.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So, no, a knowledge of who
Jesus Christ is will not save us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Joseph Smith taught: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">“Three
things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may
exercise faith in God unto life and salvation:”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">First,
The idea that he actually exists.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Secondly, A <i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">correct</span></i>
idea of his character, perfections and attributes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thirdly,
An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according
to his [God's] will.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every
rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding,
it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise
and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Lectures on Faith,
2:2-5).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So here is some knowledge that can help us in the path of salvation:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Correct ideas of God’s character, perfections and
attributes and </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“An actual knowledge” that we are living according
to God’s will.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In this
world of darkness, having that kind of knowledge seems like an incredible
achievement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I think about what I know and how small and limited it is. I think about how quickly and easily I get off course and how I would love to have the knowledge that my life is in accordance with God's will. As important as this knowledge is, though, as I study the scriptures and Joseph Smith's words, I can see that, </span>in the eternal
scheme, this knowledge is really only a beginning point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">prerequisite </b>in exercising faith unto life and salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So what
else must we know in order to achieve eternal glory and to enter into His
rest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are many things I think the Lord would like us to know along the way. He wants us to study and learn and gain knowledge of all things. As I've been studying the scriptures lately, I keep seeing something else that we must know to be saved. I think it can be summed up by this verse:</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We must
know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That is the knowledge that is required for us to inherit eternal life. </span>Not just know of Him or about Him. But to actually know Him. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can
this be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can this happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re just lowly mortals. We’re full of
sin and frailties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re weak and
fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is good and great
and powerful and full of light and truth and without spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we even dream of coming to know Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t
know all of these answers, but I know that it is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that He appeared to a boy –
Joseph Smith – in answer to his earnest prayer in
seeking God’s wisdom. Joseph related:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I saw a
pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which
descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I
found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light
rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description,
standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and
said, pointing to the other—<i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">This is My
Beloved Son. Hear Him!”</span></i> (JS-History 1:16-17.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I know that
Joseph, years later, could testify:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">By the power
of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so
as to see and understand the things of God—Even those things which were from
the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through
his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the
beginning; Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>the fulness of the gospel of Jesus
Christ</u></b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who is the Son</i></b>, <u>whom we saw</u> and <u>with whom we
conversed in the heavenly vision</u>. (D&C 76: 12-14).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I know
that Lehi, as a result of his faithfulness and his earnest seeking, came to
know the Lord, as did Nephi and Jacob, two of his sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enos knew Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being taught by Abinadi, Alma
repented and followed the Lord and came to know Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ knew Nephi, the son of Helaman, and spoke with
him gave him the sealing power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there's Adam, Enoch, Moses, Noah, Melchizidek, Abraham . . . the list goes on
and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These were men who knew the Lord, who spoke with Him face to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They understood the fullness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ because they had experienced it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But we
are filled with unbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
think:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could not happen to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we gloss over the promises
given to us because they seem out of reach, or impossible, or maybe just a
thing of the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
whether we pay attention to them or not, the promises are there:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Verily,
thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that <u>every soul</u> who forsaketh his
sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth
my commandments, <u>shall see my face, and know that I am</u>” (D&C 93:1).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That is
a promise for this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we
believe it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we don’t hear about it very
often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Joseph Smith taught it to his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to what he said:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“After a
person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the
remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands),
which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before
God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of
God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Lord has thoroughly proved
him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the
man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his
privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the
Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14<sup>th</sup>
chapter, from the 12<sup>th</sup> to the 27<sup>th</sup> verses. . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now what
is this other Comforter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>It is
no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself;</u> and this is the sum
and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains the last Comforter
<u>he will have the personage of Jesus Christ</u> to attend him, or appear unto
him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and <u>they
will take up their abode with him</u>, and the visions of the heavens will be
opened unto him, and <u>the Lord will teach him face to face</u>, and <u>he may
have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God</u>” (TPJS, p.
150-151).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jeremiah
prophesied of a new covenant for the house of Israel:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: .5in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“But this shall
be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days,
saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their
hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall
teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know
the Lord: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them</u></b>, saith the Lord: for I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah
31:33-34).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
(or
at least I) may be the “least of them," but it is possible for even us
(even me) to come to know the Lord. Thus we are commanded: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>seek the face of the
Lord always</u></b>, that in patience ye may possess your souls, <u>and ye shall
have eternal life</u>” (D&C 101:38).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-76579074150232427372016-11-27T20:52:00.003-08:002017-01-10T12:18:25.761-08:00Teach Me All That I Must {Know and} Do, Part 1<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As a
Primary kid, I grew up singing “I am a Child of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As most people know, President Kimball, in the late 1950s,
requested that “Teach me all that I must <i>know</i>”
be changed to “Teach me all that I must <i>do</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Words
are powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And influence us
beyond the conscious level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is the difference between what I must “know” vs. what I must “do?” What
must I know to be reconciled to God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What must I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I were
making a change to the song, I would write: “Teach me all I must <i>know and do</i> to live with Him
someday.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Teach
Me All That I Must Do</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Spencer
Kimball said, “It is not enough to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James would
have agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “But <i>be
ye doers of the word,</i> and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”
(James 1:22).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">At the
conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew, the Lord
finished with this teaching:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">"Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and <i>doeth them</i>, I will liken
him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">And
every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and <i>doeth them not</i>, shall
be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand"
(Matthew 7:24, 26).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Again,
there is an emphasis from the Lord on “doing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems sort of obvious, but I think it’s important to note
that first we must “hear” his word before we can do it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As
Joseph Smith taught:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Faith comes by hearing the word of
God, through the testimony of the servants of God” (in <i>History of
the Church,</i> 3:379). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">From “hearing”
we learn God’s word and God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From “doing,” we exercise faith in that word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">So what
is it that we “must do to live with Him someday”?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As
I read through the different accounts of the Sermon on the Mount, I realized that the Savior's teachings and list of commandments really can be summarized by the two great commandments:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39"> </a>And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="40"> </a>On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">As followers of Christ, we must be doers of the word, but our to-do list is rather short:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Love
God</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Love
man</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sounds
easy enough, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well just in
case we don’t fully understand what’s involved in keeping these two
commandments, the Lord includes some specifics in the Sermon on the Mount that
help us understand how much we need to overcome in order to live these
laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some examples of what loving God and loving our fellowman might look like in every day application:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Agree with your adversary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Don’t get angry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Love your enemies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Do good to those who hate you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Don’t lust </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Resist not evil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Don’t divorce your wife (or husband)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Give to those who ask</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Judge not</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Pray for those that use you and
persecute you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be meek</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be submissive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be peacemakers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be merciful</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be pure in heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Hunger and thirst after righteousness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Be quick to reconcile</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Give alms secretly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Pray earnestly, in secret</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Trust in God</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Seek the kingdom of God</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">No
wonder Moroni counsels us to “</span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">pray unto the Father with all the
energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed
upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need God’s help to do what He’s
asked us to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is the
alternative?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moroni says that
without charity we are nothing (Moroni 7:44). And with it, we have true joy and
incredible promises from the Lord:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and
to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly;
<u>then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God</u>; and the doctrine
of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><u>The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant
companion,</u> and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth;
and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means
<u>it shall flow unto thee forever and ever</u>” (D&C 121:45-46).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 13.0pt;">We must be doers of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the word is Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Christ is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What must we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must learn to love God with all of
our heart, might, mind and strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must love our neighbors as ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I must do is become a new creature, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, with charity towards all men. I must do what He asks me to because I love Him more than anything else. </span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-5287691748246739082016-09-29T13:29:00.000-07:002016-10-25T13:24:00.160-07:00Which church do you belong to?<style>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I've always thought of "church" in the context of "going to church." It's a place, an organization. It's an institution with its own teachings and doctrines, buildings and rites, etc. There's the Catholic church, the LDS church, the Baptist church, the Episcopalian church, the Church of Christ, etc. Each is distinct and unique and, most likely, if you're a member of one, you are not a member of another. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In the Book of Mormon, there is a broader definition of what a “church” is:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">1 Nephi 14:10:
“And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the
church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore,
whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great
church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the
earth.”</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br />
So how do we gain membership into the church of the Lamb of God? </div>
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<br /></div>
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In D&C 10:67, it says: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same
is my church.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This seems much too simple. The Lord can't mean what He says, can He? Doesn't membership in His church require a particular membership in an earthly institution? Isn't it critical that we are members of the one true church on the earth?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In January 1988, Stephen Robinson (then a professor at BYU), made a rather profound statement:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">"In either the apocalyptic sense or the historical sense, individual
orientation to the Church of the Lamb or to the great and abominable
church is not by membership but by loyalty. Just as there [are] Latter-day
Saints who belong to the great and abominable church because of their
loyalty to Satan and his life-style, so there are members of other
churches who belong to the Lamb because of their loyalty to him and his
life-style. Membership is based more on who has your heart than on who
has your records." </span><br />
<br />
So, if Robinson is correct, and if I understand D&C 10:67 correctly, then it is possible to individually become a member of the church of the Lamb of God? But is it also possible for an earthly church, with all of its members, to be a part of the church of the Lamb of God? I believe the answer is yes and we can see several examples of that in the Book of Mormon. <br />
<br />
After Alma had fled the established religious institution of the day, He began baptizing and teaching the people what He had learned from Abinadi:<br />
<br />
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a>"And he [Alma] commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets. <br />
<div class="">
<span class="verse"></span>Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were <b>repentance</b> and <b>faith on the Lord</b>, who had redeemed his people.</div>
<div class="">
<span class="verse"></span>And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.</div>
<div class="">
<span class="verse"></span>And thus he commanded them to preach. And <b>thus they became the children of God.</b></div>
<br />
Alma applied Christ's doctrine by teaching them to repent and come unto Christ. By instructing that nothing but "repentance and faith on the Lord" should be taught, he pointed His people to the author of their salvation and "thus they became the children of God." <br />
<br />
Several chapters later, in Mosiah 25:21-22, we see again the emphasis Alma places on teaching only repentance and faith:<br />
<br />
"<span class="verse"></span>Therefore they did assemble
themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every
church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest
preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of
Alma. <br />
<div class="highlight">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"> </a>And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were <b>repentance</b> and <b>faith</b> in God."</div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
Mosiah 25:24 paints a picture of a truly happy people:</div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"> </a>"And they were called <b>the people of God</b>. And <b>the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them</b>, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land." </div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
They were His. They followed His doctrine and He accepted them. </div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
So just to break this down . . . what did Alma and His people do that qualified them to be the Lord's church?</div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
* They had faith in Christ</div>
<div class="highlight">
* They repented</div>
<div class="highlight">
* They were baptized </div>
<div class="highlight">
* They preached nothing but faith and repentance</div>
<div class="highlight">
* They had one eye, one faith, one baptism </div>
<div class="highlight">
* They had no contention among them </div>
<div class="highlight">
* Their hearts were knit together in love and unity </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This encapsulates the doctrine of Christ and was the doctrine Alma and his people lived and followed faithfully. The doctrine of Christ is found throughout the scriptures. I believe following that doctrine is what qualifies us, as individuals, or as churches, to be of the church of the Lamb of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In 3 Nephi
11:38 the Lord explains His doctrine:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“</span>And
again I say unto you, ye must <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">repent</b>,
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">become as a little child</b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be baptized in my name</b>, or ye can in
nowise receive these things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">And again I say
unto you, ye must <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">repent</b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be baptized in my name</b>, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">become as a little child</b>, or ye can in
nowise inherit the kingdom of God.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Verily, verily, I say unto you,
that <b>this is my doctrine</b>, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="40"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> And <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">whoso shall declare more or less than this</b>, and establish it for my
doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is
not built upon my rock</b>; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the
gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds
beat upon them.”</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
This fits with what we learned from Alma and his people. The one addition, which is important to ponder, is becoming "as a little child." The message is the same: repent and be baptized. And don't declare more or less than this.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In 2 Nephi 31:
17-21, we learn how this doctrine prepares us to receive eternal life:</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“Wherefore, do
the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer
should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know
the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">repentance </b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">baptism by water</b>; and then <b>cometh a remission of your sins by fire
and by the Holy Ghost.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">And <b>then</b> are ye in this strait and narrow
path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have
done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have
received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the
fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way
ye should receive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">And now, my beloved brethren, after ye
have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?
Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the
word of Christ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">with unshaken faith in
him</b>, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Wherefore, ye must press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God
and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of
Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have
eternal life.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> And now, behold, my beloved
brethren<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, this is the way</b>; and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">there is none other way nor name given</b> under
heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, <b>this is
the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine</b> of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Again, the same simple requirements, with just a few additions to be studied and pondered - "remission of your sins by fire," "perfect brightness of hope," "love of God and of all men," etc: Repentance, baptism, faith in Christ. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Which church on
the earth teaches this pure doctrine of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there a church that does not “declare more or less than
this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Which church makes it clear that "this is the way" and "there is none other way" that leads to salvation?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">In Preach My
Gospel, the manual used by LDS missionaries, the LDS church outlines the questions
an investigator needs to answer in order to be baptized:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Do you believe that
God is our Eternal Father? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Do you believe the
Church and gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored through the Prophet
Joseph Smith? Do you believe that [current Church President] is a prophet
of God? What does this mean to you?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">What does it mean to
you to repent? Do you feel that you have repented of your past
transgressions?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Have you ever
committed a serious crime? If so, are you now on probation or parole? Have
you ever participated in an abortion? a homosexual relationship?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">You have been taught
that membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
includes living gospel standards. What do you understand of the
following standards? Are you willing to obey them?</span></li>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
law of chastity, which prohibits any sexual relationship outside the
bonds of a legal marriage between a man and a woman?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
law of tithing.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Word of Wisdom.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Sabbath day, including partaking of the sacrament weekly and rendering
service to fellow members.</span></li>
</ol>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When you are baptized,
you covenant with God that you are willing to take upon yourself the name
of Christ and keep His commandments throughout your life. Are you
ready to make this covenant and strive to be faithful to it?</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Does the LDS
church declare more than the doctrine of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it declare less?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a woman repented, had faith in Christ, became as a little
child, and desired to follow Jesus Christ by obeying His commands and being
baptized, could she be baptized into the LDS church? What if she couldn’t answer affirmatively to the second part of question #2 or had a problem with #5c? Would the doctrine of Christ teach
that she ought to be denied baptism? Does the Lord allow for “more or less” to be taught if
there is a living prophet on the earth who adds something to it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does the Lord mean what He says? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I believe that He does mean what He says, that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I believe Brother Robinson is correct and that anyone who lives this doctrine - anyone who has faith, is willing to repent and desires to follow the Savior - will gain membership into His church. He is merciful and full of love. He wants to gather us in and keep us safe. He has given us something so pure and simple that we might not complicate things, that we might be able to find the way: <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“</span><i>Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.” </i>(John 14:6)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-10236765842835851862016-04-16T22:50:00.001-07:002016-09-29T13:36:50.086-07:00A letter ... The text from a letter I recently sent . . . <br />
<br />
I
love the gospel of Jesus Christ.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5579"> </span>I
am completely inconsistent in my obedience, in my diligence, in my willingness
to put the Lord first in all things, but I know there is nothing that brings me
greater happiness and peace of mind than studying His word and striving to
follow the Spirit and striving to do His will.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5580"> </span>I remember when I first felt that “mighty change of
heart.”<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5581"> </span>It was when I was 15 years
old and read the Book of Mormon with real intent for the first time.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5582"> </span>My life changed during that time
(although no one else may have seen it).<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5583"> </span>I knew undeniably that the Book of Mormon was the word of
God and I could testify that it had changed my heart and brought me closer to the
Spirit than I had ever been before.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5584">
</span>I loved reading it and studying it and the words became delicious to me.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5585"> </span>Whenever I pour my heart and soul into
studying the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, I feel that change of
heart return.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5586"> </span>And when I rely on
myself and my own wisdom and strength, I find that I do not feel to sing the
song of redeeming love, but quickly sink into despair and discouragement.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5587"> </span>
<br />
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5588">
</div>
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5589">
And what about my new beliefs and understandings?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5590"> </span>How do they fit in with everything that
I’ve understood my whole life?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5591">
</span>Quite frankly, there is a growing gulf between what I believe and what
I’ve been taught from the church.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5592">
</span>And yet, my beliefs are in harmony with what I find in the scriptures and in the
words of Joseph Smith.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5593"> </span></div>
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5594">
</div>
<br />
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5595">
When in the history of the world has a church been
established and remained unchanged through hundreds of years?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5596"> </span>After Christ came to the Nephites, they
established a Zion-like society that stayed pure and true for generations.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5597"> </span>Have we established a Zion-like society
where all things are common and there is no contention among us?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5598"> </span>I don’t think so.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5599"> </span>Most times, in the scriptures,
particularly in the Book of Mormon, there are times when the Saints are humble
and very righteous for a time and then, usually within a matter of years, they
start to develop pride or forget the Lord.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5600"> </span>Sometimes circumstances lead them back to humility; sometimes,
when things get bad enough, a messenger comes to call them to repentance.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5601"> </span><br />
<br />
The church that was established during
New Testament times was indeed built on prophets and apostles.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5602"> </span>But did it remain strong, pure, and
true throughout the next hundred years?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5603">
</span>No.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5604"> </span>Changes began to take
place, little by little.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5605"> </span>Instead
of being led by revelation, men decided doctrine in councils.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5606"> </span>Truths were lost and taken out.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5607"> </span>Man’s teachings replaced divine
truth.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5608"> </span>In that case, a complete
apostasy occurred.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5609"> </span>Is that what I
think has happened today to the church?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5610">
</span>No.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5611"> </span>But I do believe the Book of
Mormon was written for us and that it provides warnings that can help
us see where we stand and wherein our hope lies.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5612"> </span><br />
<br />
In 3 Nephi 16:10, Christ says: <span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5613"> “</span>And
thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day <b>when </b>the
Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel
. . . behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from
among them.”<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5614"> </span>It says ‘when’ not
‘if.’<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5615"> </span>This is where things are
headed for us Gentiles.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5616"> </span>But there
is hope.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5617"> </span>In verse 13, the Lord
says, <span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5618">“</span>But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto
me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of
Israel.” And a warning in verse 15:<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5619">
</span>“But if they will not turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, I will
suffer them, yea, I will suffer my people, O house of Israel, that they shall
go through among them, and shall tread them down, and they shall be as salt
that hath lost its savor, which is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast
out, and to be trodden under foot of my people, O house of Israel.”</div>
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5620">
</div>
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5621">
<br />
I see a pattern in history and in the scriptures that tells
me that pure truth and righteousness are very difficult to hold on to.<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5622"> </span>Why should it be different for us
today?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5623"> </span>Isn’t it possible that we
as a people and as a church are off-track? Even a little?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5624"> </span>Isn’t it possible that the Lord might call
someone to deliver a message of repentance and remembrance so that we
might get back on track, might return to the pure doctrines of salvation and
leave behind the precepts of men?<span id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5625"> </span></div>
<div id="yiv2848323589yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1460871110531_5626">
</div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7838677542142347560.post-67168613521462416402016-02-26T12:43:00.000-08:002016-09-29T13:42:08.760-07:00"Profile of a Prophet" or "Fourteen Fundamentals"<style>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the
temple, Adam asks Peter, James and John, “How shall I know that you are true
messengers?”</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That is the
question I’ve been asking over the last year or so.</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I recently
discovered Elder Hugh B. Brown’s talk, titled, “Profile of a Prophet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I compared it to the more recent Elder
Ezra Taft Benson talk, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet” and was
struck by the differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Brown’s list seems to
fit the pattern of all the past patriarchs and prophets – from Adam to Joseph
Smith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Benson’s “14
Fundamentals” is more in line with the presidents of the church from Brigham
Young on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here are a
few of the fourteen fundamentals from Elder Benson’s talk:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The living prophet is more vital to us than
the standard works.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The living prophet is more important to us
than a dead prophet.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith
the Lord,” to give us scripture.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The prophet will never lead the church
astray.”</span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And then add
to that a recent statement from Elder Oaks:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“. . .
modern apostles are called to be witnesses of the name of Christ in all the
world (D&C 107:23). This is not to witness of a personal manifestation. To
witness of the name is to witness of the plan, the work, or mission such as the
atonement and the authority or priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which an
apostle who holds the keys is uniquely responsible to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Of course
apostles are also witnesses of Christ just like all members of the Church who have
the gift of the Holy Ghost.”</span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Now contrast
all of that with Elder Brown’s statements where he describes key characteristics of a
true prophet:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“He will boldly claim that God had spoken to
him.”</span></div>
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<span class="verse"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">His teachings would be in strict conformity with scripture, and
his words and his writings would become scripture.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“He would have not only an important message
for his time but often a message for all future time, such as Daniel, Jeremiah,
and others had.”</span><span class="verse"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Such a man would speak in the name of the
Lord, saying, “Thus said the Lord,” as did Moses, Joshua, and others.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“If he were speaking for God he could not
make concessions, although what he taught would be new and contrary to the
accepted teachings of the day. A prophet bears witness to what he has seen and
heard and seldom tries to make a case by argument. His message and not himself
is important.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Such a man would predict future events in
the name of the Lord, and they would come to pass, as did those predicted by
Isaiah and Ezekiel.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> The scriptures tell us that, “By their
fruits, ye shall know them.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So what are the fruits of a prophet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Elder Benson and Elder Oaks are
correct, then how are we to judge? What are the fruits we can look at? According to them, a prophet can contradict scripture as
well as past prophets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophet
doesn’t need to have any direct manifestation or calling from the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever he says is scripture and he is
not required to tell us if a message comes from the Lord or the Spirit or from
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophet can never lead
us astray so we don’t really need to examine any of his teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophet is a prophet, then, if he has
the title of prophet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But what if Elder Brown is correct in identifying what makes someone a true prophet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does President Monson display those fruits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he prophesy and "predict future events?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does he “boldly claim” that God has spoken to him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he bear witness of what "he has seen and heard?" Are his teachings "in strict conformity with scripture?" Does he have "an important message" for our time as well as for all future time? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And what if he’s not that kind of prophet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the whole thing really
crumble?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about the church in
the Book of Mormon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about
those times when they did not have a true prophet to lead them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they lose everything just because
they weren’t in perfect harmony with God’s will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the Lord abandon His people during those times?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or did He continue to work with His
people, even if He was sometimes slower to hear their prayers than at other
times?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did He sometimes send
prophets from outside the established order to call them to repentance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did He still inspire righteous individuals and
those who sought Him out?</span></div>
Heidihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00459129749242416072noreply@blogger.com1