Do God the Father and Jesus Christ have the same desires--the same will?
In recent months, I've been pretty active in the comments for the Now You Know series published by the Church on YouTube. It's been a very positive experience for me, whether helping to clarify errors stated by other users or answer sincere questions from seekers of truth. Today the interaction brought me to a thought I'd never had about a subject that I've understood for years.
The interesting comments were in response to a video about the nature of the Godhead. As could be expected, some Christians of other religions had some disagreements. Some members of the Church responded and some were more proactive in their comments; one quoted Jesus Christ asking the Father if the metaphoric cup could pass from Him, of course followed by his statement, "Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." The Church member then suggested that it wouldn't make sense for a being to ask permission of itself and then acquiesce to itself. I agree. Then, in a reply, another user (whose religion was not stated), asked: "Interesting... if Jesus knew he was God, why would he ask the Father for permission? Why would he put the Father's will before his own? Do their wills differ?"
One of the major aspects of the nature of the Godhead is that They are united in purpose. That makes it easy to raise the question, "Do their wills differ?" If Christ subordinated His will to that of God the Father, then Their wills *must* have differed in some way.
I think the key difference in Their wills comes from the very fact that They are separate entities. Jesus was nearing the end of His mortal experience, but still mortal, and performing an infinite Atonement for our sins that caused Him more emotional and physical anguish than anyone else has ever known. His body was subject to pain and a natural desire to avoid or end that pain. Thus, the Man who was experiencing the pain of the Atonement had, within Him, the will that it should stop. However, because of His great love for His Father and for us, He put that will beneath the will of His Father, who surely empathized with His Son but yet knew that the Atonement of Christ was necessary for the salvation of all.
So during His mortal life, Jesus' mortal experiences in a physical but imperfect body would have given Him desires that, although supremely tempered and controlled by Him, were a part of His will. That was what made His selflessness and righteousness so great.
Last thoughts for now:
I'm grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for His perfect example to us. I'm also grateful to be able to continually learn through study and testimony.
Showing posts with label Heavenly Father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heavenly Father. Show all posts
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Crises of Faith
Sometimes fast and testimony meetings end up having themes. Today's meeting was kind of like that, with a theme being the right way to handle a questions about the Church. One sister bore her testimony of how she had harbored doubts for a while, but had eventually had them alleviated essentially through true doctrine. One of my favorite parts of the Gospel is that we can pray to Heavenly Father for a witness of truth from Him, especially when troubled, and for me, the simple answer for any crisis of faith is to pray. Once we receive a witness from the Holy Ghost, we can know whatever we really need to know.
There's something else that qualifies as a crisis of faith in a very different sense but with the same solution. At times we may be in quite a different situation; we may know exactly what we need to do but lack the faith to do it. The answer again is to pray for a witness of the Holy Ghost, though in this case what's more important than new knowledge is the inspiration to act on our knowledge.
Even Jesus Christ prayed for strength to do His Father's will when in a difficult situation, and when he would have preferred another way, as he prepared himself for the Atonement. That probably doesn't qualify as a "crisis of faith" for Him, but He did show us what to do when we are in the middle of our own crises.
Last thoughts for now:
The great test of life is how we will submit ourselves to God's will. Jesus Christ gave an amazingly powerful example to us, and we can follow it. Prayer can bring us knowledge and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
There's something else that qualifies as a crisis of faith in a very different sense but with the same solution. At times we may be in quite a different situation; we may know exactly what we need to do but lack the faith to do it. The answer again is to pray for a witness of the Holy Ghost, though in this case what's more important than new knowledge is the inspiration to act on our knowledge.
Even Jesus Christ prayed for strength to do His Father's will when in a difficult situation, and when he would have preferred another way, as he prepared himself for the Atonement. That probably doesn't qualify as a "crisis of faith" for Him, but He did show us what to do when we are in the middle of our own crises.
Last thoughts for now:
The great test of life is how we will submit ourselves to God's will. Jesus Christ gave an amazingly powerful example to us, and we can follow it. Prayer can bring us knowledge and inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Mighty Man Shall be Humbled
It's been depicted, in film and otherwise, that a person who displays pride and strength is shown to be submissive to a mother or perhaps father (often to comical effect). It's striking in a way, because these people are regarded as people of great presence, and as people who are pursuing a course deemed justifiable by many or perhaps even all, but then they are made very humble due to a natural relationship that existed before they ever came to have strength or influence. The mothers or fathers knew them from when they were at their most weak and dependent point in their lives; beyond simply not being fooled by the image the sons or daughters present, they are also in a position of trust from which they can dispense humbling advice and correction.
Yet there are many in the world who decide to put themselves beyond this kind of vulnerability. They are submissive to no one, and can be humbled by no one--not even parents. Often enough they commit acts of great evil while in pursuit of some sort of worldly greatness.
It seems a fairly simple matter, to me, for people to convince themselves of something. Especially given that we, in general, don't like to be wrong, it's really very common for us to cling all the more fiercely to ideas when they are threatened. I'm reminded of the end of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I hope to not make this a book spoiler. At the end, a number of characters have effectively passed on to the next life, including a group of dwarves. While others see beautiful countryside around them, the dwarves see only the filthy inside of a stable. Some, including Aslan himself, want the dwarves to see things as they really are, but Aslan explains that they cannot be convinced. The basic scenario, while tragic, is not hard to believe.
I wonder, though, how long such obstinacy can last. It is written many times in scripture that "every knee shall bow" to God and that "every tongue shall confess" that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23, Doctrine and Covenants 76:110, Mosiah 27:31, Doctrine and Covenants 88:104, Philippians 2:10-11). It is also written that "the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled" (Isaiah 5:15). I get the idea that no matter how prideful a person may be, no amount of pride and obstinacy will endure forever. Eventually God will give us his perspective on our lives, and we'll see how unimportant some of our supposedly great achievements were, and how terrible our evil acts were that we thought so little of. Eventually we'll have to hear His words that we cannot dispute, and we'll know that they come from someone who is both perfectly wise and loving. We will have no reason to do anything but trust those words. "When our heavenly parents we meet" (Hymn 286, Oh, What Songs of the Heart) we'll know again that we are still children to Them.
Of course, having faced the truth, it always still remains for us to not only accept it but also to act upon it. Many times in these films or other media we get the impression that a humbled villain will never really learn; that simply having their power or influence removed is resolution enough of the problems in the story. Again, it's not hard to believe that some people, after having been humbled, will "be filthy still" (Revelation 22:11, Mormon 9:14, 2 Nephi 9:16, Doctrine and Covenants 88:35, 102). But even if these people do not gain the faith and glory that God would otherwise desire for them, they eventually will no longer be able to deny the truth.
Last thoughts for now:
Someday we will all be brought low. It will be better for us if that happens sooner, rather than later. It will be better for us if we gain knowledge in our humility, and better for us if we use that knowledge to grow in righteousness.
Yet there are many in the world who decide to put themselves beyond this kind of vulnerability. They are submissive to no one, and can be humbled by no one--not even parents. Often enough they commit acts of great evil while in pursuit of some sort of worldly greatness.
It seems a fairly simple matter, to me, for people to convince themselves of something. Especially given that we, in general, don't like to be wrong, it's really very common for us to cling all the more fiercely to ideas when they are threatened. I'm reminded of the end of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I hope to not make this a book spoiler. At the end, a number of characters have effectively passed on to the next life, including a group of dwarves. While others see beautiful countryside around them, the dwarves see only the filthy inside of a stable. Some, including Aslan himself, want the dwarves to see things as they really are, but Aslan explains that they cannot be convinced. The basic scenario, while tragic, is not hard to believe.
I wonder, though, how long such obstinacy can last. It is written many times in scripture that "every knee shall bow" to God and that "every tongue shall confess" that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23, Doctrine and Covenants 76:110, Mosiah 27:31, Doctrine and Covenants 88:104, Philippians 2:10-11). It is also written that "the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled" (Isaiah 5:15). I get the idea that no matter how prideful a person may be, no amount of pride and obstinacy will endure forever. Eventually God will give us his perspective on our lives, and we'll see how unimportant some of our supposedly great achievements were, and how terrible our evil acts were that we thought so little of. Eventually we'll have to hear His words that we cannot dispute, and we'll know that they come from someone who is both perfectly wise and loving. We will have no reason to do anything but trust those words. "When our heavenly parents we meet" (Hymn 286, Oh, What Songs of the Heart) we'll know again that we are still children to Them.
Of course, having faced the truth, it always still remains for us to not only accept it but also to act upon it. Many times in these films or other media we get the impression that a humbled villain will never really learn; that simply having their power or influence removed is resolution enough of the problems in the story. Again, it's not hard to believe that some people, after having been humbled, will "be filthy still" (Revelation 22:11, Mormon 9:14, 2 Nephi 9:16, Doctrine and Covenants 88:35, 102). But even if these people do not gain the faith and glory that God would otherwise desire for them, they eventually will no longer be able to deny the truth.
Last thoughts for now:
Someday we will all be brought low. It will be better for us if that happens sooner, rather than later. It will be better for us if we gain knowledge in our humility, and better for us if we use that knowledge to grow in righteousness.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Receiving and Knowing the Holy Ghost
In teaching youth each Sunday I get to observe them. I've spent quite a bit of time instructing young men over the last seven years. The boys I help teach right now are a bit hard to keep focused on the Spirit. When I talk to them about knowing the Holy Ghost, and what the Holy Ghost produces inside us, I get the sense that they don't know the Spirit as well as they could. They're not used to recognizing the Holy Ghost, and in a sense seem to be unaware of the very real presence that is there when we're correctly testifying of Christ and the Gospel.
It's understandable; I didn't have a full sense of what the Holy Ghost was like when I was young. It took time to develop that sense.
There's also something else. In the Missionary Training Center our teachers taught us of the importance of helping others to recognize and identify the Holy Ghost as we taught them. This made sense to me in a basic way, but I struggled a bit initially. I didn't feel like I was able to do it. I went on with my time there, and one day, in the middle of a class, I thought to myself, "Wow; the Spirit is really strong here right now." Then, I suddenly realized that I had done it. I had recognized the influence of the Spirit. What's more, I had done so many times in the past, but from that point on I learned to be more sensitive to the feelings that the Holy Ghost produces in us.
It's really more than just simple feelings, though we certainly do feel and experience the things described in Galatians 5:22.
My hope for the young men that I teach is that they also gain a greater sensitivity to the Spirit.
While in Afghanistan I had several discussions about science and religion with another officer. I rather enjoyed the discussions, and I hoped in a way that one day he would be interested in seeking a testimony of the restored Gospel. In one discussion he brought up a scientific study he'd heard of that involved people being attached to electrodes (around the brain) and feeling "the Spirit of God", or the same feelings that God produces in us, after being stimulated electrically. He took it as proof that our feelings are not, in fact, from God. I saw it quite in the opposite way; when I've felt the Holy Ghost many times in the past, I'm quite certain I didn't have electrodes hooked up to my brain, so the only other place the feelings could come from is God.
One of my favorite life experiences is to listen to the simple words of an Apostle during General Conference and feeling a strong witness from the Holy Ghost. There's no inspiring music at that moment, no external influence of any kind, and of course no brain-wired electrodes that could possibly provide me a counterfeit feeling like that of the Holy Ghost. The pure and beautiful truth that they speak, inviting the Holy Ghost to testify to us, is the only thing that it could possibly be.
Over the last few years, with some particular struggles, I've grown weaker at times. When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we're instructed with a specific verb: "receive". We have to act in order to stay close to the presence of the Spirit of God. Throughout our lives, we can draw closer to God or let ourselves slip farther away, and it's vital that we make daily efforts to move closer.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to grow closer to the Spirit of God again and to be strong in service to my Heavenly Father and His children. I hope to assist the young men I help teach to truly know the Holy Ghost, whose power and influence they so definitely need right now and will need in the future.
It's understandable; I didn't have a full sense of what the Holy Ghost was like when I was young. It took time to develop that sense.
There's also something else. In the Missionary Training Center our teachers taught us of the importance of helping others to recognize and identify the Holy Ghost as we taught them. This made sense to me in a basic way, but I struggled a bit initially. I didn't feel like I was able to do it. I went on with my time there, and one day, in the middle of a class, I thought to myself, "Wow; the Spirit is really strong here right now." Then, I suddenly realized that I had done it. I had recognized the influence of the Spirit. What's more, I had done so many times in the past, but from that point on I learned to be more sensitive to the feelings that the Holy Ghost produces in us.
It's really more than just simple feelings, though we certainly do feel and experience the things described in Galatians 5:22.
My hope for the young men that I teach is that they also gain a greater sensitivity to the Spirit.
While in Afghanistan I had several discussions about science and religion with another officer. I rather enjoyed the discussions, and I hoped in a way that one day he would be interested in seeking a testimony of the restored Gospel. In one discussion he brought up a scientific study he'd heard of that involved people being attached to electrodes (around the brain) and feeling "the Spirit of God", or the same feelings that God produces in us, after being stimulated electrically. He took it as proof that our feelings are not, in fact, from God. I saw it quite in the opposite way; when I've felt the Holy Ghost many times in the past, I'm quite certain I didn't have electrodes hooked up to my brain, so the only other place the feelings could come from is God.
One of my favorite life experiences is to listen to the simple words of an Apostle during General Conference and feeling a strong witness from the Holy Ghost. There's no inspiring music at that moment, no external influence of any kind, and of course no brain-wired electrodes that could possibly provide me a counterfeit feeling like that of the Holy Ghost. The pure and beautiful truth that they speak, inviting the Holy Ghost to testify to us, is the only thing that it could possibly be.
Over the last few years, with some particular struggles, I've grown weaker at times. When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, we're instructed with a specific verb: "receive". We have to act in order to stay close to the presence of the Spirit of God. Throughout our lives, we can draw closer to God or let ourselves slip farther away, and it's vital that we make daily efforts to move closer.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to grow closer to the Spirit of God again and to be strong in service to my Heavenly Father and His children. I hope to assist the young men I help teach to truly know the Holy Ghost, whose power and influence they so definitely need right now and will need in the future.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
The Sacrament and the Gospel
While the sacrament is being administered to us, I generally whisper to one of my children (whichever is closest to me at the time) to ask them about the meaning of the sacrament and explain as necessary. It makes for a lot of repetition, but I really want them to understand the importance and meaning of the covenant. They know that when they're eight years old they'll be baptized, and then they'll start taking the sacrament each week also. (Right now they don't; I don't want them to be taking the bread and water out of habit only, but rather to meaningfully renew covenants as they eat and drink.)
On another topic:
When we used to teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as missionaries, and as I've taught and been taught many times since, some central ideas about the Atonement of Jesus Christ are that He overcame two major obstacles for us: physical death ("the grave") and spiritual death("hell"). Because of the Fall we are mortal and subject to physical death, at which time our spirits will lose the marvelous bodies that God has given us. Also, with our moral agency we are free to choose our actions, and we all will make choices that separate us from God (and thus causing spiritual death). Jesus suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, suffering such pain that He bled from the pores of His skin. He then died and was later resurrected.
Perhaps the connection is already obvious in stating this much. In any case, here's what my whispered conversation with my kids tends to sound like:
Daddy: "Why do we take the sacrament?"
Child: (waits)
Daddy: "We take the sacrament to renew our covenants. We make promises to Heavenly Father when we're baptized. We covenant to be like Jesus, to take His name upon us, and to obey the commandments. What does the bread remind us of?"
Child: "Jesus' body."
Daddy: "Yes. Because Jesus died, and his body went in a tomb for three days. What happened then?"
Child: "He was resurrected."
Daddy: "That's right, and because He was resurrected, we all will be, too."
As the water is being administered:
Daddy: "What does the water remind us of?"
Child: "Jesus' blood."
Daddy: "Yes, because Jesus paid for our sins and it hurt Him so much that he bled. Because He paid for our sins, we can all repent and live with our Heavenly Father again."
I don't think I've ever heard anyone teach that the sacrament is directly related to Jesus' resurrection and His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, but it makes sense to me that way.
Last thoughts for now:
I want my kids to be ready for baptism. I want them to have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Just as elements of teachings in the temple are symbolic, the bread and water definitely are also. Jesus is the bread of life and the water of life, He died and was resurrected so that we will be too, and He atoned for our sins so that we can repent and be forgiven. All of us.
On another topic:
When we used to teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as missionaries, and as I've taught and been taught many times since, some central ideas about the Atonement of Jesus Christ are that He overcame two major obstacles for us: physical death ("the grave") and spiritual death("hell"). Because of the Fall we are mortal and subject to physical death, at which time our spirits will lose the marvelous bodies that God has given us. Also, with our moral agency we are free to choose our actions, and we all will make choices that separate us from God (and thus causing spiritual death). Jesus suffered for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, suffering such pain that He bled from the pores of His skin. He then died and was later resurrected.
Perhaps the connection is already obvious in stating this much. In any case, here's what my whispered conversation with my kids tends to sound like:
Daddy: "Why do we take the sacrament?"
Child: (waits)
Daddy: "We take the sacrament to renew our covenants. We make promises to Heavenly Father when we're baptized. We covenant to be like Jesus, to take His name upon us, and to obey the commandments. What does the bread remind us of?"
Child: "Jesus' body."
Daddy: "Yes. Because Jesus died, and his body went in a tomb for three days. What happened then?"
Child: "He was resurrected."
Daddy: "That's right, and because He was resurrected, we all will be, too."
As the water is being administered:
Daddy: "What does the water remind us of?"
Child: "Jesus' blood."
Daddy: "Yes, because Jesus paid for our sins and it hurt Him so much that he bled. Because He paid for our sins, we can all repent and live with our Heavenly Father again."
I don't think I've ever heard anyone teach that the sacrament is directly related to Jesus' resurrection and His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, but it makes sense to me that way.
Last thoughts for now:
I want my kids to be ready for baptism. I want them to have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Just as elements of teachings in the temple are symbolic, the bread and water definitely are also. Jesus is the bread of life and the water of life, He died and was resurrected so that we will be too, and He atoned for our sins so that we can repent and be forgiven. All of us.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
He Maketh His Sun to Rise
I've said before that the most instructive part of my life is being a parent. As I try to be a good father, I gain insight on my Heavenly Father, which is important because I'm trying to emulate Him and His Son.
I give a fair amount of thought to how I (and we, including my wife) want to do things. We have certain rules in the house, of course, and I take a certain attitude toward my kids in which I try to treat them with the same intelligence and respect that I would show to anyone else. I try to grant my children responsibility for their actions so that they can learn from them. I try to avoid coercing them. I try to encourage talking when there's a problem. I aim to encourage good behavior and not encourage bad behavior. My wife and I do pretty well with it. Granted, I'm unfortunately lazy sometimes and with my imperfections I make a host of mistakes, but I have some practices that I've thought through and I want to keep.
I want my children to understand consequences because I want them to know why they should make good choices. Perhaps, though, imposed consequences are not always the best idea. Recently I again adjusted my outlook on parenting with the thought that there are going to be certain things that I do for my kids regardless of what they do beforehand. For example, I want to read to my kids before they go to bed, observe their night-time prayers, and sing to them as they lie down. Sometimes I've deprived them of the experience because it was late, they took too long getting ready for bed, because their room was messy, or a combination of those reasons. Really, though, I don't want to deprive them (or myself) of those things.
The thought is mirrored in a scriptural passage that has long been one of my favorites. In 3 Nephi 12:44-45 (and similarly in Matthew 5:44-45) Jesus is teaching about love and how we can be more like our Father in Heaven: "But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good."
I suppose that's what we call unconditional love. From what I'm told, that's the kind of love we're supposed to show to our family (and everybody else, too).
Last thoughts for now:
There are still going to be circumstances in my parenting when conditions apply and the kids will miss out on something good because they failed to meet a prerequisite. I want to show them true love, though, so that they really know that I love them. I want them to know that if they "turn away, or disobey, or go astray" ("Teacher, Do You Love Me?" -- Children's Songbook, page 178) I will still love them and be ready to help them just like my Father in Heaven is always there for me no matter how often I make dumb mistakes. I need to show them that love. So at bedtime I will make my song to sing for both the kids who are behaving well and the kids who aren't, just as God "maketh His sun to rise".
I give a fair amount of thought to how I (and we, including my wife) want to do things. We have certain rules in the house, of course, and I take a certain attitude toward my kids in which I try to treat them with the same intelligence and respect that I would show to anyone else. I try to grant my children responsibility for their actions so that they can learn from them. I try to avoid coercing them. I try to encourage talking when there's a problem. I aim to encourage good behavior and not encourage bad behavior. My wife and I do pretty well with it. Granted, I'm unfortunately lazy sometimes and with my imperfections I make a host of mistakes, but I have some practices that I've thought through and I want to keep.
I want my children to understand consequences because I want them to know why they should make good choices. Perhaps, though, imposed consequences are not always the best idea. Recently I again adjusted my outlook on parenting with the thought that there are going to be certain things that I do for my kids regardless of what they do beforehand. For example, I want to read to my kids before they go to bed, observe their night-time prayers, and sing to them as they lie down. Sometimes I've deprived them of the experience because it was late, they took too long getting ready for bed, because their room was messy, or a combination of those reasons. Really, though, I don't want to deprive them (or myself) of those things.
The thought is mirrored in a scriptural passage that has long been one of my favorites. In 3 Nephi 12:44-45 (and similarly in Matthew 5:44-45) Jesus is teaching about love and how we can be more like our Father in Heaven: "But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good."
I suppose that's what we call unconditional love. From what I'm told, that's the kind of love we're supposed to show to our family (and everybody else, too).
Last thoughts for now:
There are still going to be circumstances in my parenting when conditions apply and the kids will miss out on something good because they failed to meet a prerequisite. I want to show them true love, though, so that they really know that I love them. I want them to know that if they "turn away, or disobey, or go astray" ("Teacher, Do You Love Me?" -- Children's Songbook, page 178) I will still love them and be ready to help them just like my Father in Heaven is always there for me no matter how often I make dumb mistakes. I need to show them that love. So at bedtime I will make my song to sing for both the kids who are behaving well and the kids who aren't, just as God "maketh His sun to rise".
Sunday, September 11, 2011
"That every man might speak in the name of God"
I didn't grow up listening to a pastor or "holy man" preach every week. I grew up in a church where everyone was expected to contribute, and everyone was expected to keep the commandments. In hindsight, it's strange to me when I see others' religious experiences in which they are "normal" and some other figure is "holy". I don't mean to take a shot at other people's faith, but I know what it means to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Every member of the Church has been baptized. Through that covenant we all have promised to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, keep his commandments, mourn with those that mourn (Mosiah 18:9), and speak with the "tongue of angels" (2 Nephi 31:13-14, 32:2-3). We are all disciples of Christ who have covenanted to cast off sin and leave worldly ways behind. We all serve in the Church, and someone who is a mission president one month is a teacher for young children the next. We all have the same responsibility to have faith and to repent, and if we do so we are all candidates for positions of service that people outside of our religion might see as positions of prominence. Despite our weakness we are all saints; we are all Latter-day Saints.
I think sometimes we as members of God's Church don't realize what He wants for us. We are sometimes too content to let others lead. The truth is that we have all been called to serve and to lead and to be shining examples of discipleship. No one is inherently better than anyone else; there isn't a division of groups that are meant to be noble and groups that are meant to be prodded along. Instead, God desires "that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting acovenant might be established; That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers." (Doctrine and Covenants 1:20-23)
What's more, the breadth of Christ's Atonement itself implies that the glory of God is intended for all of us. "And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 9:21-23--a personal favorite) We all are supposed to benefit from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and having been given so much we are then all required to do much. God desires for us all to receive His joy and glory, or as I mentioned in an earlier post, there's "Only One Destination in the Plan".
Last thoughts for now:
We all deserve to have hope, and we all deserve to know the joy of service. Heavenly Father wants us all to be righteous and holy. The Church exists to bring the children of God, every one of us a sinner, close to Him. I hope for us all to better understand Jesus Christ's Atonement and become better servants of the Almighty God.
Every member of the Church has been baptized. Through that covenant we all have promised to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, keep his commandments, mourn with those that mourn (Mosiah 18:9), and speak with the "tongue of angels" (2 Nephi 31:13-14, 32:2-3). We are all disciples of Christ who have covenanted to cast off sin and leave worldly ways behind. We all serve in the Church, and someone who is a mission president one month is a teacher for young children the next. We all have the same responsibility to have faith and to repent, and if we do so we are all candidates for positions of service that people outside of our religion might see as positions of prominence. Despite our weakness we are all saints; we are all Latter-day Saints.
I think sometimes we as members of God's Church don't realize what He wants for us. We are sometimes too content to let others lead. The truth is that we have all been called to serve and to lead and to be shining examples of discipleship. No one is inherently better than anyone else; there isn't a division of groups that are meant to be noble and groups that are meant to be prodded along. Instead, God desires "that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting acovenant might be established; That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers." (Doctrine and Covenants 1:20-23)
What's more, the breadth of Christ's Atonement itself implies that the glory of God is intended for all of us. "And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God." (2 Nephi 9:21-23--a personal favorite) We all are supposed to benefit from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and having been given so much we are then all required to do much. God desires for us all to receive His joy and glory, or as I mentioned in an earlier post, there's "Only One Destination in the Plan".
Last thoughts for now:
We all deserve to have hope, and we all deserve to know the joy of service. Heavenly Father wants us all to be righteous and holy. The Church exists to bring the children of God, every one of us a sinner, close to Him. I hope for us all to better understand Jesus Christ's Atonement and become better servants of the Almighty God.
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.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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, 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.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Most Important Message
I while back I saw a bumper sticker on someone's vehicle that said something like, "My child is excellent." I've seen plenty of stickers that say something positive about a child, for example, declaring that the child is an honor student at their school. I began to wonder to myself, "What do I want to say about my child?"
Praise and compliments generally good, and I'm sure we need more of them. At the same time, I'm wary of some praise for a couple of reasons. Sometimes our seemingly positive remarks can become pride-inducing flattery. Also, a positive remark about one person can imply a negative remark about another (see "The Tongue of Angels", Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 177th Annual General Conference, April 2007).
After a moment of reflection, I decided on the most important message for my children. It is a message I don't care to broadcast to the world, though it is and should be applicable to all. The most important thing I will tell my children is this: "You are a child of God."
It's a beautiful statement so simply put, and it carries with it many important implied truths. Such a statement does not give a person any reason for boasting and does not denigrate anyone else. It does carry with it a sense of hope, destiny, and duty in righteousness. While it makes no determination of our worthiness before our Heavenly Father, it is a reminder that the evil and wasteful things of the world are unworthy of us. As my children grow it will serve as a reminder of covenants they have made with God, and throughout life it will be essential knowledge in guiding their lives, because they will come to know who they are intended to be and the eternal existence they are intended to have.
So that's what I want my kids to know.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to teach my children many things, and to raise them up with a good knowledge of the gospel. It will be vital for them to understand the Atonement and the Restoration; however, before my children can fully appreciate these things, and even if they understand nothing else, I want them to understand with certainty the words of a beloved song when they sing them: "I am a child of God."
Praise and compliments generally good, and I'm sure we need more of them. At the same time, I'm wary of some praise for a couple of reasons. Sometimes our seemingly positive remarks can become pride-inducing flattery. Also, a positive remark about one person can imply a negative remark about another (see "The Tongue of Angels", Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 177th Annual General Conference, April 2007).
After a moment of reflection, I decided on the most important message for my children. It is a message I don't care to broadcast to the world, though it is and should be applicable to all. The most important thing I will tell my children is this: "You are a child of God."
It's a beautiful statement so simply put, and it carries with it many important implied truths. Such a statement does not give a person any reason for boasting and does not denigrate anyone else. It does carry with it a sense of hope, destiny, and duty in righteousness. While it makes no determination of our worthiness before our Heavenly Father, it is a reminder that the evil and wasteful things of the world are unworthy of us. As my children grow it will serve as a reminder of covenants they have made with God, and throughout life it will be essential knowledge in guiding their lives, because they will come to know who they are intended to be and the eternal existence they are intended to have.
So that's what I want my kids to know.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to teach my children many things, and to raise them up with a good knowledge of the gospel. It will be vital for them to understand the Atonement and the Restoration; however, before my children can fully appreciate these things, and even if they understand nothing else, I want them to understand with certainty the words of a beloved song when they sing them: "I am a child of God."
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