I just heard an older couple (on the Mormon Channel--internet radio) describe the moment when they opened their mission call. It reminded me of that moment for me.
I was at Snow College, and I had let the post office know that it was coming and to watch for it (which they did). One morning, I was speaking to my mother on the phone (perhaps around 7:00 or 8:00), and when I hung up, I got a call from the post office. My mission call had arrived. I went to get it and returned. I called my mom back and let her know. She was excited. I began to read the letter.
I've long since laid little emphasis on where a missionary is called to serve. It's just not that important, really. It's interesting, but not important, because missionary work is the same work anywhere (though admittedly with fewer baptisms in some missions). When I ask someone who has just received a mission call about it, rather than ask where they are going, I ask how they felt.
As I read to my mother that I had been called to the Ivory Coast Abidjan Mission, I knew it was right. I knew it because of how I felt. It wasn't a powerful or overwhelming feeling, but instead very simple. It simply struck me as entirely natural. It was a feeling of, Yes, that's it. That's my mission. And that's all. While being so simple, it was also encouraging and exciting.
I don't think I even knew where the Ivory Coast was.
As I served there, I had times of weakness and times of strength. When I succeeded, and in the particular ways I was positioned by Heavenly Father to serve, I was certain that He had called me there to act in a role suited to my own strengths. It was important for me to serve in ways I could not have known beforehand. Sure, the work would have gone on even if I'd never been a missionary, but I was useful, genuinely useful, in advancing the work there in ways that others could not have been.
If we're faithful, we allow God to make us useful to Him, and that's about the best thing we can be.
Last thoughts for now:
Even in a simple moment the Holy Ghost can testify to us. I've been very blessed to have had the opportunity to serve, and I am still blessed through service I am called to give. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me and knows what I can do. I know that He loves me and wants me to receive the great joy that comes through service.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Christ and His Church--No Substitute, No Other Way
Alma 34:39 "Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing."
There are those who, for some reason or another, dedicate themselves to tearing down other peoples' faith. Specifically, there are people who go to great lengths seeking statements, bits of history, or scriptural passages that they expect members of the Church to be unable to explain. Thus, they think they have evidence that would disprove the true Church of Jesus Christ.
We have heard them and their arguments. We felt the darkness seeking to creep into our hearts. And we have been faithful, knowing that the testimony that we have received from our Heavenly Father is strong enough that we can continue to worship and serve Him, even if we don't have a perfect explanation for every accusation made.
He would be an unreasonable God if He expected us to understand everything, to gain every iota of spiritual knowledge, before setting out to really live our lives based on that knowledge. Rather, He asks us to have faith, believing in Him even though we don't see Him, and being true to the Church He has given us. As Alma put it, "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)
Many years ago, while practicing at the piano in the Ephraim Institute of Religion, I came across Hymn #124. I was struck with and comforted by the words of the second verse in particular: "Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last." There will be many things that I will not fully understand even until the day that I die. Even so, God will one day teach me all things. Even in this life, I continue to gain greater knowledge, and I have felt silly before after coming to understand simple truth that answers the questions that previously sowed doubt. For now, I have an undeniable witness from the Holy Ghost that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the true Church that God organized on the earth to bless His children. I receive this witness again and again as I am taught in that Church, as I read the Book of Mormon and other scripture, and as I listen to the inspired words of modern prophets.
And after moments of doubt, when we truly exercise faith we then return to the scriptures. We read the Book of Mormon and feel the Spirit testifying to us. We feel the Comforter, and with healed hearts we return to the work of God.
Some have let their hope and confidence be shaken. They have let things they couldn't explain drive them away from what they once believed. These are, in fact, often those who are the most ardent in propagating the attacks on and misinformation about the Church of Christ. I feel for them, because I know that they have lost something. They frequently still seek to serve and know Christ, and that is good. However, I know what the Church has done for me, and I know that those who have left the Church have lost something vital to our lives.
This is what I would ask them: If you would have me leave the Church that has given me a knowledge of my Savior, the Church that has given me such great opportunity to serve my God and my fellow brothers and sisters on earth, the Church that has allowed me to learn not only from living prophets but also from common disciples who struggle along just as I do, the Church that has given me a desire to repent and live like my Savior, the Church that has helped me to understand the written word of God, the Church that has given me a knowledge of who I am and why I exist and what I ought to do in life, the Church that has provided me with an unfortunately rare understanding of the nature of God Himself, the Church that has taught me to value my family, the Church that has taught me and thus saved me from so much pain and suffering by helping me to avoid sin, the Church that does so many good things in the world that aren't even seen by the general public, the Church that allows me to assume my role as a son of God and serve using his authority as I strive to become like Him, the Church that has shown me the great mercy of my Father toward someone as undeserving as myself, the Church that has taught me to trust in my God and readily obey His wise counsel, the Church that has helped me bit by bit to not just know about Jesus Christ but also to truly know Him, the Church through which God has given me every good thing in my life! If you would have me leave this Church, I ask you: What do you give me in return?!? What do you expect to give me in exchange for my membership in the kingdom of God on earth that can possibly fill that void?
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life: (and) no man cometh unto the Father, but by (Him)." (John 14:6) "...there is no other way, nor means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." (Alma 38:9) Jesus Christ leads his true Church on the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and nothing could ever replace it in my life. Despite my own faults, I will ever seek to de a true disciple of the Savior of the world and I will teach, learn, serve, and worship in His inescapably good Church.
Last thoughts for now:
I am so very grateful to my Father in Heaven for all that He has given me. I will never be able to adequately express gratitude for these things, but I know from where my blessings come. I am grateful for other children of God who seek to help me, even if they feel that I am in error. I will do my best to testify with humility and charity to all who listen that God has restored His Church and His truth, and that through them we can receive all the peace and happiness that He has to offer.
There are those who, for some reason or another, dedicate themselves to tearing down other peoples' faith. Specifically, there are people who go to great lengths seeking statements, bits of history, or scriptural passages that they expect members of the Church to be unable to explain. Thus, they think they have evidence that would disprove the true Church of Jesus Christ.
We have heard them and their arguments. We felt the darkness seeking to creep into our hearts. And we have been faithful, knowing that the testimony that we have received from our Heavenly Father is strong enough that we can continue to worship and serve Him, even if we don't have a perfect explanation for every accusation made.
He would be an unreasonable God if He expected us to understand everything, to gain every iota of spiritual knowledge, before setting out to really live our lives based on that knowledge. Rather, He asks us to have faith, believing in Him even though we don't see Him, and being true to the Church He has given us. As Alma put it, "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)
Many years ago, while practicing at the piano in the Ephraim Institute of Religion, I came across Hymn #124. I was struck with and comforted by the words of the second verse in particular: "Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last." There will be many things that I will not fully understand even until the day that I die. Even so, God will one day teach me all things. Even in this life, I continue to gain greater knowledge, and I have felt silly before after coming to understand simple truth that answers the questions that previously sowed doubt. For now, I have an undeniable witness from the Holy Ghost that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is indeed the true Church that God organized on the earth to bless His children. I receive this witness again and again as I am taught in that Church, as I read the Book of Mormon and other scripture, and as I listen to the inspired words of modern prophets.
And after moments of doubt, when we truly exercise faith we then return to the scriptures. We read the Book of Mormon and feel the Spirit testifying to us. We feel the Comforter, and with healed hearts we return to the work of God.
Some have let their hope and confidence be shaken. They have let things they couldn't explain drive them away from what they once believed. These are, in fact, often those who are the most ardent in propagating the attacks on and misinformation about the Church of Christ. I feel for them, because I know that they have lost something. They frequently still seek to serve and know Christ, and that is good. However, I know what the Church has done for me, and I know that those who have left the Church have lost something vital to our lives.
This is what I would ask them: If you would have me leave the Church that has given me a knowledge of my Savior, the Church that has given me such great opportunity to serve my God and my fellow brothers and sisters on earth, the Church that has allowed me to learn not only from living prophets but also from common disciples who struggle along just as I do, the Church that has given me a desire to repent and live like my Savior, the Church that has helped me to understand the written word of God, the Church that has given me a knowledge of who I am and why I exist and what I ought to do in life, the Church that has provided me with an unfortunately rare understanding of the nature of God Himself, the Church that has taught me to value my family, the Church that has taught me and thus saved me from so much pain and suffering by helping me to avoid sin, the Church that does so many good things in the world that aren't even seen by the general public, the Church that allows me to assume my role as a son of God and serve using his authority as I strive to become like Him, the Church that has shown me the great mercy of my Father toward someone as undeserving as myself, the Church that has taught me to trust in my God and readily obey His wise counsel, the Church that has helped me bit by bit to not just know about Jesus Christ but also to truly know Him, the Church through which God has given me every good thing in my life! If you would have me leave this Church, I ask you: What do you give me in return?!? What do you expect to give me in exchange for my membership in the kingdom of God on earth that can possibly fill that void?
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life: (and) no man cometh unto the Father, but by (Him)." (John 14:6) "...there is no other way, nor means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ." (Alma 38:9) Jesus Christ leads his true Church on the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and nothing could ever replace it in my life. Despite my own faults, I will ever seek to de a true disciple of the Savior of the world and I will teach, learn, serve, and worship in His inescapably good Church.
Last thoughts for now:
I am so very grateful to my Father in Heaven for all that He has given me. I will never be able to adequately express gratitude for these things, but I know from where my blessings come. I am grateful for other children of God who seek to help me, even if they feel that I am in error. I will do my best to testify with humility and charity to all who listen that God has restored His Church and His truth, and that through them we can receive all the peace and happiness that He has to offer.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Restored Christianity
Over two years ago, when I was at BOLC II at Fort Sill, OK, I remember another new lieutenant asking me about the Church. He was an interesting fellow; very humorous, though crass at times, and he had given up drinking, apparently after having some very negative experiences. When we spoke of the Church on this occasion, he was basically just expressing general but sincere curiosity. I don't remember exactly what he asked me at the time, but I do remember briefly relating to him the account of Joseph Smith, including his First Vision. The conversation must have then turned along the lines of him asking why some people said we weren't Christian. I was struck, as I began to answer, that all of the issues were encapsulated in Joseph Smith's early experiences.
Joseph received revelation from God. Some churches do not believe that revelation is given to Man in our day.
Joseph saw Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, distinctly as two separate beings. To my knowledge, essentially every other church believes in the incomprehensible concept of a trinity.
Joseph was told to not join with any other church. Some people, and some churches, accept the logic that if various churches teach different doctrines that at most one of them can possess a full measure of truth, but many take offense to the idea that there can be only one true Church.
In addition to receiving direct revelation, Joseph Smith brought forth the Book of Mormon. Most any church will say that the only valid scripture is the Bible (though which version of the Bible, and even what books should be included in it, is a lasting dispute), and that there can be no other Word of God.
Interestingly, I had been listening to a general conference talk by Elder Holland's on one of these very issues. While I was explaining these things to the lieutenant, one of my roommates, Lieutenant Cameron, suggested that I just have him listen to Elder Holland's talk, because he said it very well. (My roommates must obviously have heard the talk when I listened.) The two talks given by Elder Holland in the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008 are among those I consider "modern classics".
(Links for those two talks are here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-15,00.html
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-30,00.html )
I remember the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision as one of the best ways as a missionary to help people feel the Holy Ghost. Well, the Holy Ghost testifies of truth, and Joseph Smith's experiences brought some hugely significant truths to a world that had lost them. How strange that the world should have such a poor understanding of their God, and how strange that people who do have a better understanding should be labeled "not Christian", but how wonderful that our loving Heavenly Father should restore these truths to us!
Yes, Joseph Smith introduced truth that didn't mesh with "traditional Christianity", but traditional Christianity lost something, had been altered; aspects of modern "traditional" Christianity simply aren't like what Christianity was in Christ's time. What we practice is not traditional Christianity, it's restored Christianity. As Latter-day Saints, we hope to be true Christians, not in name only but in Spirit and character, and in a way that is evident through our actions and our lives.
Last thoughts for now:
There will always be some who defame, and there will always be some who refuse to use the term "Christian" for members of Christ's true Church, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that we recognize the powerful truths that God has restored to us, that we seek to follow Christ through his Atonement, and that we don't hide the goodness of our discipleship from the world so that others may also discover restored Christianity and fully pursue their exaltation.
Joseph received revelation from God. Some churches do not believe that revelation is given to Man in our day.
Joseph saw Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, distinctly as two separate beings. To my knowledge, essentially every other church believes in the incomprehensible concept of a trinity.
Joseph was told to not join with any other church. Some people, and some churches, accept the logic that if various churches teach different doctrines that at most one of them can possess a full measure of truth, but many take offense to the idea that there can be only one true Church.
In addition to receiving direct revelation, Joseph Smith brought forth the Book of Mormon. Most any church will say that the only valid scripture is the Bible (though which version of the Bible, and even what books should be included in it, is a lasting dispute), and that there can be no other Word of God.
Interestingly, I had been listening to a general conference talk by Elder Holland's on one of these very issues. While I was explaining these things to the lieutenant, one of my roommates, Lieutenant Cameron, suggested that I just have him listen to Elder Holland's talk, because he said it very well. (My roommates must obviously have heard the talk when I listened.) The two talks given by Elder Holland in the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008 are among those I consider "modern classics".
(Links for those two talks are here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-15,00.html
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-30,00.html )
I remember the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision as one of the best ways as a missionary to help people feel the Holy Ghost. Well, the Holy Ghost testifies of truth, and Joseph Smith's experiences brought some hugely significant truths to a world that had lost them. How strange that the world should have such a poor understanding of their God, and how strange that people who do have a better understanding should be labeled "not Christian", but how wonderful that our loving Heavenly Father should restore these truths to us!
Yes, Joseph Smith introduced truth that didn't mesh with "traditional Christianity", but traditional Christianity lost something, had been altered; aspects of modern "traditional" Christianity simply aren't like what Christianity was in Christ's time. What we practice is not traditional Christianity, it's restored Christianity. As Latter-day Saints, we hope to be true Christians, not in name only but in Spirit and character, and in a way that is evident through our actions and our lives.
Last thoughts for now:
There will always be some who defame, and there will always be some who refuse to use the term "Christian" for members of Christ's true Church, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that we recognize the powerful truths that God has restored to us, that we seek to follow Christ through his Atonement, and that we don't hide the goodness of our discipleship from the world so that others may also discover restored Christianity and fully pursue their exaltation.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Strategy
I don't know if this strategy actually works, and the strategy for it's own sake would miss the point. However, I'm willing to keep going on the assumption that it does work to an extent.
Bear with me as I preface the strategy. I'll start with an age-old philosopher's question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, why do bad things happen to anybody? Why does God allow it?
Firstly, because ultimately bad things happening to people don't interfere with God's plan. That is, bad circumstances or events don't really harm them eternally.
In the classic passage of Moses 1:39, we read, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The immortality part has been taken care of via the resurrection. We're covered there. Eternal life is the part that remains. Eternal life is more than endless living; it's life like that of the Eternal One, with all the glory of God. It's exaltation. We can receive it only through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, continual reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and being true to our covenants.
No outside force can stop us from receiving eternal life. Nothing short of our own choices can harm us eternally. No illness, injury, or loss, or even death, can take away our exaltation. Take Job for an example. He lost his wealth, his home, his family, his credibility with his friends, and maybe even more though I don't remember the whole story, but he stayed strong in his faith.
Hard times are painful for us, and our loving Heavenly Father surely doesn't enjoy seeing us experience that pain, but they don't impede His plan. (And frankly, no matter how rough the rough times are, they amount to little when viewed from an eternal perspective.)
Secondly, trials give us the opportunity to grow if we bear them well. We can very effectively gain patience, humility, sympathy, wisdom, purification, and strength through faithfully enduring trials. So, in addition to tribulations and trials not being really, eternally bad for us, they can be very good for us eternally if we handle them well.
So, to the strategy. Consider humility. That's a big one. I have certainly been humbled more than once by my trials and difficulties, particularly when I recognized that my own mistakes or immaturity brought those trials to me. Trials also bring purification, at least in the sense that they help us to filter out unimportant things from our life. However, I have also found that service brings humility, and it also helps us to let go of our selfish pursuits.
Consider, for example, that we go to care for someone who is suffering from a disablingly painful disease. As we do so, we realize that our own problems are relatively small, and that we have an easy life compared to the poor soul in the hospital bed. Instant and refreshing humility. Also, by dedicating our time to serving others, we drop less necessary things from our life. While attending to the sick person, we don't have time for watching sports, or playing online games, or even good and productive activities that are simply less important.
If I'm going to learn to be like God, as I've been commanded (Matthew 5:48), I need to learn humility and be willing to let go of selfish or unimportant pursuits. My strategy then is to gain that humility and purification through service, rather than having God feel it necessary to give me these things through trials.
Of course, that's not really my reason for dedicating myself to serving others. The real reason is charity, the pure love of Christ, and a desire to obey my God. At the same time, though, if I can reduce my personal need for trials, well, I'm all for it.
Last thoughts for now:
I don't know if our dedication to service really causes God to give us fewer trials in life, and I'm sure it won't prevent all of them. Perhaps, though, it's really a matter of changing the nature of some of our trials. Service, after all, is still a challenge, and there is plenty of room for sorrow and exhaustion in service, but how much better to experience the difficulties because we're helping others rather than because we're being unwise? Service to God and His children (Mosiah 2:17) brings us joy and helps us to forget our own problems, but it also helps us to become like Him. I hope to learn this lesson more and more.
Bear with me as I preface the strategy. I'll start with an age-old philosopher's question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, why do bad things happen to anybody? Why does God allow it?
Firstly, because ultimately bad things happening to people don't interfere with God's plan. That is, bad circumstances or events don't really harm them eternally.
In the classic passage of Moses 1:39, we read, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The immortality part has been taken care of via the resurrection. We're covered there. Eternal life is the part that remains. Eternal life is more than endless living; it's life like that of the Eternal One, with all the glory of God. It's exaltation. We can receive it only through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, continual reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and being true to our covenants.
No outside force can stop us from receiving eternal life. Nothing short of our own choices can harm us eternally. No illness, injury, or loss, or even death, can take away our exaltation. Take Job for an example. He lost his wealth, his home, his family, his credibility with his friends, and maybe even more though I don't remember the whole story, but he stayed strong in his faith.
Hard times are painful for us, and our loving Heavenly Father surely doesn't enjoy seeing us experience that pain, but they don't impede His plan. (And frankly, no matter how rough the rough times are, they amount to little when viewed from an eternal perspective.)
Secondly, trials give us the opportunity to grow if we bear them well. We can very effectively gain patience, humility, sympathy, wisdom, purification, and strength through faithfully enduring trials. So, in addition to tribulations and trials not being really, eternally bad for us, they can be very good for us eternally if we handle them well.
So, to the strategy. Consider humility. That's a big one. I have certainly been humbled more than once by my trials and difficulties, particularly when I recognized that my own mistakes or immaturity brought those trials to me. Trials also bring purification, at least in the sense that they help us to filter out unimportant things from our life. However, I have also found that service brings humility, and it also helps us to let go of our selfish pursuits.
Consider, for example, that we go to care for someone who is suffering from a disablingly painful disease. As we do so, we realize that our own problems are relatively small, and that we have an easy life compared to the poor soul in the hospital bed. Instant and refreshing humility. Also, by dedicating our time to serving others, we drop less necessary things from our life. While attending to the sick person, we don't have time for watching sports, or playing online games, or even good and productive activities that are simply less important.
If I'm going to learn to be like God, as I've been commanded (Matthew 5:48), I need to learn humility and be willing to let go of selfish or unimportant pursuits. My strategy then is to gain that humility and purification through service, rather than having God feel it necessary to give me these things through trials.
Of course, that's not really my reason for dedicating myself to serving others. The real reason is charity, the pure love of Christ, and a desire to obey my God. At the same time, though, if I can reduce my personal need for trials, well, I'm all for it.
Last thoughts for now:
I don't know if our dedication to service really causes God to give us fewer trials in life, and I'm sure it won't prevent all of them. Perhaps, though, it's really a matter of changing the nature of some of our trials. Service, after all, is still a challenge, and there is plenty of room for sorrow and exhaustion in service, but how much better to experience the difficulties because we're helping others rather than because we're being unwise? Service to God and His children (Mosiah 2:17) brings us joy and helps us to forget our own problems, but it also helps us to become like Him. I hope to learn this lesson more and more.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Acting in Faith
I've tried to be supportive of those around me who are dealing with trials. Before the priesthood session of General Conference began, I tried to seek out two friends because I was concerned about them.
One was already planning to go to the priesthood session. I wanted to ensure that his family had watched the earlier sessions (they had watched part; I encouraged them to watch the rest later because I felt it would be very good for them in particular). I hope that as I showed up on my friend's doorstep he knew that I was visiting him out of love, concern, and hope.
The other probably didn't realize that it was Conference Weekend until I found him, the second time I drove to his house. With some encouragement, he showered, dressed and accompanied me to the church to watch the priesthood session. I was humbly pleased to have helped him, and I'm certain that I found him at home on my second visit in answer to my prayers.
I have two thoughts about faith in action as it relates to these friends:
First, in both cases I don't know how much my actions helped, either in the short term or particularly in the long term. I don't know if my friends felt grateful to or annoyed by me. So many times in the past I've been left to wonder how much good I've actually done as I've made efforts to help and encourage people to follow our Savior. Maybe this is how things often are; maybe people only rarely see concrete results of their efforts to help God's children receive their exaltation. Regardless of what it's like for others, I usually don't know what good I've actually done. I try to keep my faith, doing my besy to figure out what is right to do in any given case even if I'm never fully sure that it was the best course of action.
Second, at the very least I know I made myself available. I'm convinced that people frequently deny themselves the opportunity to joyously act as the hands of God in others' lives simply because they are distracted and busy. There are countless ways to turn our attention away from the Holy Ghost, but as we put these distractions out of our lives we will find that we are needed elsewhere to care for our brothers and sisters.
I hope that I truly have been of service to my two friends, and I hope also that I may find confirmation that I've been of use to them.
Last thoughts for now:
I think that faith is acting even when I'm uncertain that I can do something truly useful. I rely on it. I know that it's only when I free myself of distractions that the Holy Ghost can guide me and that I can truly act in faith. I thank my God for allowing me to serve my brothers and sisters here.
One was already planning to go to the priesthood session. I wanted to ensure that his family had watched the earlier sessions (they had watched part; I encouraged them to watch the rest later because I felt it would be very good for them in particular). I hope that as I showed up on my friend's doorstep he knew that I was visiting him out of love, concern, and hope.
The other probably didn't realize that it was Conference Weekend until I found him, the second time I drove to his house. With some encouragement, he showered, dressed and accompanied me to the church to watch the priesthood session. I was humbly pleased to have helped him, and I'm certain that I found him at home on my second visit in answer to my prayers.
I have two thoughts about faith in action as it relates to these friends:
First, in both cases I don't know how much my actions helped, either in the short term or particularly in the long term. I don't know if my friends felt grateful to or annoyed by me. So many times in the past I've been left to wonder how much good I've actually done as I've made efforts to help and encourage people to follow our Savior. Maybe this is how things often are; maybe people only rarely see concrete results of their efforts to help God's children receive their exaltation. Regardless of what it's like for others, I usually don't know what good I've actually done. I try to keep my faith, doing my besy to figure out what is right to do in any given case even if I'm never fully sure that it was the best course of action.
Second, at the very least I know I made myself available. I'm convinced that people frequently deny themselves the opportunity to joyously act as the hands of God in others' lives simply because they are distracted and busy. There are countless ways to turn our attention away from the Holy Ghost, but as we put these distractions out of our lives we will find that we are needed elsewhere to care for our brothers and sisters.
I hope that I truly have been of service to my two friends, and I hope also that I may find confirmation that I've been of use to them.
Last thoughts for now:
I think that faith is acting even when I'm uncertain that I can do something truly useful. I rely on it. I know that it's only when I free myself of distractions that the Holy Ghost can guide me and that I can truly act in faith. I thank my God for allowing me to serve my brothers and sisters here.
Inspired Words
Elder Neil L. Anderson was the final speaker for the 2010 Spring General Conference, aside from President Monson. He commented, as I've heard before, that none of the speakers are assigned topics, but that God guides His servants through revelation. It astounds me how the speakers so naturally reinforce themes and speak to such relevant concerns for our time. The guidance of the Holy Ghost during General Conference truly is a wonderful thing.
I've often heard people say that they felt a given talk was written just for them because it applied to them so directly or touched them so deeply. I loved the talks that were given, but I actually felt that pieces of the conference were actually given for other people I know. Some friends of ours are experiencing a challenge in their marriage right now, and as I watched the Saturday morning session I thought of them several times. A talk in the afternoon session seemed perfectly applicable to them. Today's messages seemed to reinforce ideas that we had shared with another friend last night (as we talked until about 3:00 am).
I am so grateful for living prophets. As I hear their words I feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and for everyone. At times, General Conference can be downright thrilling; it is most certainly inspiring. I'm grateful also for the strength the Holy Ghost gives me as I listen to God's servants.
Last thoughts for now:
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church and that He has called prophets to lead and help us. I know that these prophets speak by revelation and I know by revelation that their words are true. I know that God loves and cares for us, wants us to know the truth, and wants us to be happy.
I've often heard people say that they felt a given talk was written just for them because it applied to them so directly or touched them so deeply. I loved the talks that were given, but I actually felt that pieces of the conference were actually given for other people I know. Some friends of ours are experiencing a challenge in their marriage right now, and as I watched the Saturday morning session I thought of them several times. A talk in the afternoon session seemed perfectly applicable to them. Today's messages seemed to reinforce ideas that we had shared with another friend last night (as we talked until about 3:00 am).
I am so grateful for living prophets. As I hear their words I feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and for everyone. At times, General Conference can be downright thrilling; it is most certainly inspiring. I'm grateful also for the strength the Holy Ghost gives me as I listen to God's servants.
Last thoughts for now:
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church and that He has called prophets to lead and help us. I know that these prophets speak by revelation and I know by revelation that their words are true. I know that God loves and cares for us, wants us to know the truth, and wants us to be happy.
Blessings and Food
It's strange to me when I arrive at an event where people have already begun to eat, and someone says, "The food has already been blessed," as if to suggest that I don't need to pray. What does "blessed food" even mean? I explain to the person that I still need to thank my Heavenly Father and then I pray. I get the impression that people believe that, somehow, when they pray and ask Heavenly Father to "bless the food", the stuff will change and be more healthy for us, and that's why they're praying in the first place. People also get unnecessarily confused about how to pray when they are about to eat a dessert, not wanting to say something like, "Please bless these cookies to nourish and strengthen our bodies..."
Call me nitpicky, but I pay attention to details and I try very much to be correct even in small things. I never say that we "bless" the food before eating, because I don't think it makes any sense.
The word "blessing" has two basic definitions. First, blessings are any good things that happen to us. Often, they are the natural consequences of our righteous actions; they're God's reward for doing what is right. At other times, we will be blessed because of others' actions or even just their prayers. In short, they're good things in our lives. It makes sense to ask Heavenly Father to bless us that we will be well nourished by food. By a second definition, blessings are priesthood ordinances. We perform ordinances in service to people, not food.
It certainly is appropriate to pray to God before we eat: it's important for us to express gratitude to our Father who provides everything for us.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to always show gratitude to God. "Blessing" food doesn't make any sense, but I'll always pray before I eat, even if I'm about to eat brownies or ice cream.
Call me nitpicky, but I pay attention to details and I try very much to be correct even in small things. I never say that we "bless" the food before eating, because I don't think it makes any sense.
The word "blessing" has two basic definitions. First, blessings are any good things that happen to us. Often, they are the natural consequences of our righteous actions; they're God's reward for doing what is right. At other times, we will be blessed because of others' actions or even just their prayers. In short, they're good things in our lives. It makes sense to ask Heavenly Father to bless us that we will be well nourished by food. By a second definition, blessings are priesthood ordinances. We perform ordinances in service to people, not food.
It certainly is appropriate to pray to God before we eat: it's important for us to express gratitude to our Father who provides everything for us.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to always show gratitude to God. "Blessing" food doesn't make any sense, but I'll always pray before I eat, even if I'm about to eat brownies or ice cream.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
My Great Life Work
I've had aspirations at times to do great things. Perhaps one day I might write some great work that will inspire others to something truly good. Maybe I'll serve in a public office. Or maybe I'll do something else great and grand.
And maybe I won't.
I'm not always sure I want to. Given my less-than-stellar performance as an Army officer, I sometimes wonder if I really have it in me to do something great anyway. As complicated as the world gets, I sometimes yearn for simplicity. That yearning is generally balanced by a realization that I have the opportunity to do good things, and thus, I have a corresponding responsibility.
At some point, though, I realized that regardless of what else I do in life, there's something to which I aspire that will be more important than anything else I might do. If I can stay faithful and true to my covenants, my great life work will be to be a true disciple of Christ.
I'm sure that many people would be underwhelmed by such a statement. After all, what's obeying a few commandments compared to being a world leader? As for myself, though, I know that truly following God's will is more important than anything else. If I can be an example to others, encourage them to also follow Christ, and help them even a little bit to gain their own exaltation, that will be of greater value than any movie produced or any legislation passed.
Of course my family is important also; my second general life goal, after gaining my own exaltation, is to help my family to do the same.
Last thoughts for now:
I still hope to make myself useful in many ways, but despite any other things I may accomplish, I know what is most important. If I can manage to succeed at it, my great life work will be to live as a true disciple of Christ.
And maybe I won't.
I'm not always sure I want to. Given my less-than-stellar performance as an Army officer, I sometimes wonder if I really have it in me to do something great anyway. As complicated as the world gets, I sometimes yearn for simplicity. That yearning is generally balanced by a realization that I have the opportunity to do good things, and thus, I have a corresponding responsibility.
At some point, though, I realized that regardless of what else I do in life, there's something to which I aspire that will be more important than anything else I might do. If I can stay faithful and true to my covenants, my great life work will be to be a true disciple of Christ.
I'm sure that many people would be underwhelmed by such a statement. After all, what's obeying a few commandments compared to being a world leader? As for myself, though, I know that truly following God's will is more important than anything else. If I can be an example to others, encourage them to also follow Christ, and help them even a little bit to gain their own exaltation, that will be of greater value than any movie produced or any legislation passed.
Of course my family is important also; my second general life goal, after gaining my own exaltation, is to help my family to do the same.
Last thoughts for now:
I still hope to make myself useful in many ways, but despite any other things I may accomplish, I know what is most important. If I can manage to succeed at it, my great life work will be to live as a true disciple of Christ.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thus Saith the Lord
Everything I know indicates that when God speaks, He does so to the living prophet. Each of us can receive revelation, but very few have heard the actual voice of God. Those who do hear God's voice are righteous.
Here's my question: would God speak directly to a murderer, one who "loved Satan more than God"?
I don't think so. Yet, that is what many understand from the story of Cain.
Background: Adam and Eve have many children, and teach them the Gospel (Moses 5:12). Adam is the prophet on the earth. Adam and Eve have two more children, Cain and Abel. Cain is wicked, while Abel is righteous. Satan commands Cain (who probably was not authorized with the priesthood) to make an offering to the Lord (using the "fruit of the ground"--a perversion of the ordinance). He does so; Abel also makes an offering (the right way). The Lord (THE LORD in the KJV Bible--indicating that the words are a replacement of the name Jehovah) "had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect." (Moses 5:20-21)
I suggest that the reason Cain knew that the Lord didn't approve of his offering was because Adam, the prophet, said as much.
Then in verses 22-25 of Moses 5, the Lord speaks to Cain. After Cain kills Abel, the Lord again speaks to him in verses 34-40. It seems strange to think that Jehovah would speak to a murderer and given that we have no record of Adam speaking to his son about these things, I think that the Lord was speaking through His prophet, Adam, just as He has done with many prophets and even Joseph Smith in many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.
In verse 26, we read, "And Cain was wroth, and listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, his brother, who walked in Holiness before the Lord." Why doesn't it read, "neither to Adam, his father"? It wouldn't if the voice of the Lord was given to him through Adam.
It does make sense that Adam would speak to his son about these things.
Last thoughts for now:
This topic is much like my entry on Adam's creation; it is very speculative and unconfirmed by any published doctrine that I know. It does make sense to me, though. I think Adam was directly involved in his sons' lives, and I think he gave his children the words of the Lord as their prophet.
Here's my question: would God speak directly to a murderer, one who "loved Satan more than God"?
I don't think so. Yet, that is what many understand from the story of Cain.
Background: Adam and Eve have many children, and teach them the Gospel (Moses 5:12). Adam is the prophet on the earth. Adam and Eve have two more children, Cain and Abel. Cain is wicked, while Abel is righteous. Satan commands Cain (who probably was not authorized with the priesthood) to make an offering to the Lord (using the "fruit of the ground"--a perversion of the ordinance). He does so; Abel also makes an offering (the right way). The Lord (THE LORD in the KJV Bible--indicating that the words are a replacement of the name Jehovah) "had respect unto Abel, and to his offering; But unto Cain, and to his offering, he had not respect." (Moses 5:20-21)
I suggest that the reason Cain knew that the Lord didn't approve of his offering was because Adam, the prophet, said as much.
Then in verses 22-25 of Moses 5, the Lord speaks to Cain. After Cain kills Abel, the Lord again speaks to him in verses 34-40. It seems strange to think that Jehovah would speak to a murderer and given that we have no record of Adam speaking to his son about these things, I think that the Lord was speaking through His prophet, Adam, just as He has done with many prophets and even Joseph Smith in many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.
In verse 26, we read, "And Cain was wroth, and listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, his brother, who walked in Holiness before the Lord." Why doesn't it read, "neither to Adam, his father"? It wouldn't if the voice of the Lord was given to him through Adam.
It does make sense that Adam would speak to his son about these things.
Last thoughts for now:
This topic is much like my entry on Adam's creation; it is very speculative and unconfirmed by any published doctrine that I know. It does make sense to me, though. I think Adam was directly involved in his sons' lives, and I think he gave his children the words of the Lord as their prophet.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Born Into the World
God doesn't use an earthquake when a whisper will suffice.
So, when a perfectly good method for creating a child already exists, why would He need to come up with some other way?
I'm going to speculate here, delving into subject matter beyond established doctrine. Also, I'm treading into delicate territory because of the sacred nature of things implied in what I'm considering.
A long time ago I heard someone ask the question, "Did Adam have a belly button?" It was supposed to be almost a trick question, based on the assumption that Adam wasn't born. A few years ago one of our Institute teachers gave this reply: "Of course he did. Why wouldn't he?" The teacher suggested that when Adam was created he was born like the rest of us are.
I imagine that such an idea sounds strange to some people. Myself, I think it's stranger to think that Heavenly Father molded a bunch of dirt and mud into a humanoid shape and then changed it into flesh.
I'm not going to say that's impossible for God. Christ changed water into wine and fed a huge crowd with a few loaves and fishes, so Heavenly Father could presumably turn dirt/dust into flesh.
Even so, I don't think He had any need to do it.
It's said in scripture that God "formed man from the dust of the ground" (Moses 3:7, Genesis 2:7). This sort of language gives me the changing-dirt-to-flesh idea. However, I get a different sort of idea when I read Moses 6:59, which reads, "inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul". Here, "born" and "became of dust a living soul" are the same thing.
For what it's worth, footnote b on "dust" in Moses 6:59 actually refers back to Genesis 2:7, Moses 3:7, and Abraham 5:7.
How are we created from dust when we are born? Maybe it's as simple as this: Plants grow in the earth, soaking up minerals and growing from the "dust". People eat these plants, or they eat animals that ate the plants. A pregnant woman slowly builds a little person inside her using the materials she obtained by eating and digesting them. Thus, the baby comes from the "dust of the ground".
Maybe it's like that.
The book of Moses (with an abbreviated version in Genesis) gives more reason to believe that Adam was born like we were. Moses 6:8-10 includes these words: "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; In the image of his own body, male and female, created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land upon the footstool of God. And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his likeness, after his own image, and called his name Seth."
I notice parallel language here. "Adam..begat a son in his likeness, after his own image" and God created Adam in His "likeness" and "image". It would make sense if God fathered Adam just as Adam fathered Seth.
I think that makes sense.
This actually introduces a different idea, but one more possible connection again comes from Moses 3:7. "And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also". After a child is born, a significant change occurs in its body: it takes its first breath. After Adam was "formed", God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life". Perhaps Adam's spirit entered into his body when he breathed his first breath.
If that's the case, it would follow then that our spirits enter our bodies when we are born. That's a big thing to state. It's hard for me to fully think this thought through, as I've never held a growing fetus in my womb and felt its movements. All the same, it does make sense when considering that Christ spoke to Nephi just hours before his birth in 3 Nephi 1:13. I guess I just find it unlikely that He would be speaking to Nephi from inside His mother's womb. (If he was, it means that he had full consciousness despite having the brain of a baby; I doubt he had full consciousness immediately after he was born.)
I'll have to ask a few doctors what a baby generally seems like just before and after he takes his first breath.
I assume that a mother's egg cells have her spirit in them like the rest of her body; the new spirit has to enter at some point between being a fertilized egg and a newborn baby. Entering at the first breath would be the latest possible time, but it could be the case.
If spirits do enter their bodies when they are born, it by no means implies that abortion of a fetus is thus generally acceptable. Our bodies are temples for our spirits, and the wanton creation and destruction of temples is certainly not pleasing to God.
Last thoughts for now: When a prophetic statement is issued (or when I die and move on and am taught in the Spirit World), I'll know the truth. In the meanwhile, I do think that Adam was born physically to our Heavenly Parents. For that matter, Eve would have been born the same way (which would make the teaching about Adam's rib purely metaphoric, which I take it to be anyway). Thus, we're children of God in more than just a spiritual way; we're literally descended from Him. And on another note, I am somewhat inclined to think that our spirits enter our bodies at the moment of or right after our birth when we draw our first breath. Either of these might be true. We'll see.
So, when a perfectly good method for creating a child already exists, why would He need to come up with some other way?
I'm going to speculate here, delving into subject matter beyond established doctrine. Also, I'm treading into delicate territory because of the sacred nature of things implied in what I'm considering.
A long time ago I heard someone ask the question, "Did Adam have a belly button?" It was supposed to be almost a trick question, based on the assumption that Adam wasn't born. A few years ago one of our Institute teachers gave this reply: "Of course he did. Why wouldn't he?" The teacher suggested that when Adam was created he was born like the rest of us are.
I imagine that such an idea sounds strange to some people. Myself, I think it's stranger to think that Heavenly Father molded a bunch of dirt and mud into a humanoid shape and then changed it into flesh.
I'm not going to say that's impossible for God. Christ changed water into wine and fed a huge crowd with a few loaves and fishes, so Heavenly Father could presumably turn dirt/dust into flesh.
Even so, I don't think He had any need to do it.
It's said in scripture that God "formed man from the dust of the ground" (Moses 3:7, Genesis 2:7). This sort of language gives me the changing-dirt-to-flesh idea. However, I get a different sort of idea when I read Moses 6:59, which reads, "inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul". Here, "born" and "became of dust a living soul" are the same thing.
For what it's worth, footnote b on "dust" in Moses 6:59 actually refers back to Genesis 2:7, Moses 3:7, and Abraham 5:7.
How are we created from dust when we are born? Maybe it's as simple as this: Plants grow in the earth, soaking up minerals and growing from the "dust". People eat these plants, or they eat animals that ate the plants. A pregnant woman slowly builds a little person inside her using the materials she obtained by eating and digesting them. Thus, the baby comes from the "dust of the ground".
Maybe it's like that.
The book of Moses (with an abbreviated version in Genesis) gives more reason to believe that Adam was born like we were. Moses 6:8-10 includes these words: "In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; In the image of his own body, male and female, created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land upon the footstool of God. And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his likeness, after his own image, and called his name Seth."
I notice parallel language here. "Adam..begat a son in his likeness, after his own image" and God created Adam in His "likeness" and "image". It would make sense if God fathered Adam just as Adam fathered Seth.
I think that makes sense.
This actually introduces a different idea, but one more possible connection again comes from Moses 3:7. "And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also". After a child is born, a significant change occurs in its body: it takes its first breath. After Adam was "formed", God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life". Perhaps Adam's spirit entered into his body when he breathed his first breath.
If that's the case, it would follow then that our spirits enter our bodies when we are born. That's a big thing to state. It's hard for me to fully think this thought through, as I've never held a growing fetus in my womb and felt its movements. All the same, it does make sense when considering that Christ spoke to Nephi just hours before his birth in 3 Nephi 1:13. I guess I just find it unlikely that He would be speaking to Nephi from inside His mother's womb. (If he was, it means that he had full consciousness despite having the brain of a baby; I doubt he had full consciousness immediately after he was born.)
I'll have to ask a few doctors what a baby generally seems like just before and after he takes his first breath.
I assume that a mother's egg cells have her spirit in them like the rest of her body; the new spirit has to enter at some point between being a fertilized egg and a newborn baby. Entering at the first breath would be the latest possible time, but it could be the case.
If spirits do enter their bodies when they are born, it by no means implies that abortion of a fetus is thus generally acceptable. Our bodies are temples for our spirits, and the wanton creation and destruction of temples is certainly not pleasing to God.
Last thoughts for now: When a prophetic statement is issued (or when I die and move on and am taught in the Spirit World), I'll know the truth. In the meanwhile, I do think that Adam was born physically to our Heavenly Parents. For that matter, Eve would have been born the same way (which would make the teaching about Adam's rib purely metaphoric, which I take it to be anyway). Thus, we're children of God in more than just a spiritual way; we're literally descended from Him. And on another note, I am somewhat inclined to think that our spirits enter our bodies at the moment of or right after our birth when we draw our first breath. Either of these might be true. We'll see.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Image of God
I'm not sure what brought on this thought, but I wondered the other day if perhaps our idea of what our Heavenly Father is like comes largely from what our earthly fathers are like.
People seem to have varied ideas about what God is like. I think they feel differently about His motives and His level of involvement in our lives.
Yesterday night I sort of completed the thought when it occurred to me that the father in the home is supposed to provide the best example to his children of what God is like.
(I then suppose that our mothers initially give us our ideas of what our Heavenly Mother is like, though of course we don't speak of her often.)
The father is the patriarch in his home. He is the priesthood leader in the family, and the priesthood is the power and authority to act in God's name. Just as the bishop is God's representative to all members of the ward, the father is God's representative to his family.
So when the world lacks an understanding of what God is like (and this is something I've seen many times over many years), I can only ascribe blame for that to fathers who failed to live as they should and to provide a good example to their children.
How many people feel as if God is not involved in their lives, that He doesn't care about them, or even that He does not exist? How many people have grown up in homes where the father was absent, or where he gave his attention to other things and rarely spent time with his kids?
Satan has been subtly undermining the roles of men (and women) for decades. How many in the world have lost faith in our Heavenly Father in recent years? Satan has also been discouraging people from having children, and thus denying themselves the most important opportunity to be examples of godliness and thus learn about Him that way. (After all, being a father has been the most instructive experience for me in learning about God.)
Naturally, though, the place in which I must really concern myself is in my own home, with my own children (and wife). That is where I can serve best, where the power of my example is the greatest.
Last thoughts for now:
I'm sure there are various other factors that shape a person's idea of God, particularly since my own father was often not present during my younger years. However, I believe that I have a responsibility in my own home to be a righteous man in whom my family can see godly attributes. The task of teaching my family, by example, the nature of God, is mine.
People seem to have varied ideas about what God is like. I think they feel differently about His motives and His level of involvement in our lives.
Yesterday night I sort of completed the thought when it occurred to me that the father in the home is supposed to provide the best example to his children of what God is like.
(I then suppose that our mothers initially give us our ideas of what our Heavenly Mother is like, though of course we don't speak of her often.)
The father is the patriarch in his home. He is the priesthood leader in the family, and the priesthood is the power and authority to act in God's name. Just as the bishop is God's representative to all members of the ward, the father is God's representative to his family.
So when the world lacks an understanding of what God is like (and this is something I've seen many times over many years), I can only ascribe blame for that to fathers who failed to live as they should and to provide a good example to their children.
How many people feel as if God is not involved in their lives, that He doesn't care about them, or even that He does not exist? How many people have grown up in homes where the father was absent, or where he gave his attention to other things and rarely spent time with his kids?
Satan has been subtly undermining the roles of men (and women) for decades. How many in the world have lost faith in our Heavenly Father in recent years? Satan has also been discouraging people from having children, and thus denying themselves the most important opportunity to be examples of godliness and thus learn about Him that way. (After all, being a father has been the most instructive experience for me in learning about God.)
Naturally, though, the place in which I must really concern myself is in my own home, with my own children (and wife). That is where I can serve best, where the power of my example is the greatest.
Last thoughts for now:
I'm sure there are various other factors that shape a person's idea of God, particularly since my own father was often not present during my younger years. However, I believe that I have a responsibility in my own home to be a righteous man in whom my family can see godly attributes. The task of teaching my family, by example, the nature of God, is mine.
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