I think our focus is often misdirected.
If a person is seated at a table and is brought a variety of good foods, we would expect them to eat heartily, wouldn't we? We would expect that the person would not merely pick at one or two items, but would make full use of the feast provided. So, given that the Church of Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing, why do we sometimes hold ourselves back from the many blessings God has to offer us?
There are plenty of baptized disciples of Christ in His restored Church that more obviously hold back. It's visible to leaders when they don't accept callings and assignments. It's visible to everyone when they refrain from worshipping together with their congregations on Sundays. But seeing this obvious sign can lead us to ignore what is actually more important; when we have an opportunity to speak with someone who is less active in the Church, it's easy to simply encourage them to come to Church meetings on Sunday without thinking about why they are choosing not to come.
So why don't people make full use of the Church of Jesus Christ? It is crucial for us to remember that when any adult (and many children) come to a public worship service on a Sunday it is by their own choice. Why do people choose to stay home? Apart from a variety of influencing factors, it ultimately is a matter of faith.
While I was serving as a high councilor in the Newburgh, New York Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ, I began to feel very strongly about faith in Jesus Christ. I realize that I run the risk of being misunderstood when I use the word "faith". In fact, during one meeting of the high council--I think it was when the stake president was asking for suggestions about topics for us to speak about in the wards we were to visit throughout the year--I spoke fairly passionately about faith as an important topic, and based on the response I felt that the meaning of what I was saying wasn't appreciated by the rest of the high council. Perhaps with time I'm able to better express the concern that I feel.
Faith is not mere belief. Belief is a component of faith, but faith also motivates us to action. When we have true faith in Jesus Christ, we not only understand on an intellectual level that He served, serves, and will serve in crucial ways to fulfill God's Plan of Happiness for us, but we also make choices to follow Him. We go out and serve other people in His name, both when asked in a calling or assignment from Church leaders, and also of our own initiative and free will (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-28).
While we as regular people have very limited insight, it's safe to say that, generally, when members of the Church of Jesus Christ stop (or never really start) attending sacrament meetings and the rest of our Sunday worship services, such lack of attendance is a sign of weak faith. Either a new member simply hasn't grown in faith sufficiently, or people who have been members of the Church for many years and who have previously acted with great faith have let that faith dwindle. It may dwindle to a point where they decide to change their beliefs. But either way, it's a case where someone should have strong faith so that they can be blessed by following God's counsel but they lack that strong faith.
For several years, I've felt that when we're speaking with other members of the Church, our focus should not be trying to convince them to "come back to Church". People will come to worship with us when their faith in Christ is strong. We also shouldn't be waiting until they have stopped showing up on Sundays. So what should we be asking about and encouraging, and when should we do it? There will be many opportunities, but perhaps the most important are when we are assigned to minister to others in our ward. When we visit them in their homes, we should ask them about the basic things that everyone should do to build faith. We should ask them about their experiences with daily scripture study, both individually and as families. We should ask them about daily prayer, both individually and as families. If someone is studying God's word and speaking to Him in prayer, their faith cannot dwindle too much; it must grow. When it does, a natural consequence will be that they want to participate in the Church more. They will want to make more use of the feast available to them.
Last thoughts for now:
Of course, it's not off-limits to encourage people to "come to Church", but we really ought to be concerned much more about their overall spiritual welfare than whether or not we see them on Sundays. The most important things for us to do are those things that help us develop our relationship with God and to build faith in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, and those things are the most basic actions that many of us have been exhorted to do since we were children. We need to study scripture daily--especially in the Book of Mormon, given its power in our time and the special purpose God had in preserving it for us--and we need to pray daily. Even a little bit each day is good; even a single verse of scripture and just a few minutes in prayer are good (though of course we should allow ourselves more of each). When we want to care for others, we should make use of the power of God's Spirit to encourage them to study scripture daily and to pray daily so that their faith will grow. When people grow in personal faith it will have a real and meaningful impact in their lives, and in their own time they will return to public worship.
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Why People Will Worship with Us on Sundays: Faith in Jesus Christ
Sunday, May 17, 2015
A Few First Steps in Member-Missionary Work
I was called to serve as a ward mission leader while we still lived in Logan, Utah, in the Logan University 52nd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On a side note, our ward was miniscule geographically. The congregation lived in apartments within a four square block chunk of town next to the hospital. But, given that there were a lot of married student church members there, our ward was normal-sized for meeting attendance.
Utah is kind of a tricky place for missionary work. One tends to expect that everyone has heard of the Church in some way or another, and some residents who are not members of the Church, who have already decided that they will never want to join, can be frustrated by the continual exposure to Church culture and by the frequent attempts at proselytization. So it's easy to expect that if one is to approach a neighbor with a message about the restored Gospel, the neighbor will know about it already and will either already be a member or will be aggravated by the message. Truthfully, there are still quite a few people who will be glad to hear the message, but it's still a challenge to know how to approach missionary work in the area.
As a ward mission leader I had to create a ward mission plan, hold regular meetings with ward missionaries, and then actively provide guidance during Sunday meetings. There are a few things I did that I truly felt were inspired, and which I believe still are or would be useful today.
I made the ward mission plan in three parts. The first page was a plan for the entire ward, and it was more general. The second page was specifically for ward missionaries, and it including activities and goals for the ward mission. The third page was for me, and it again contained specific goals.
One of my favorite items on the plan was that ward members "3. Meet our neighbors in the immediate neighborhood and know at least their names," which would be made easier as we would "4. Sit with another family at church and know at least their names." It's a simple thing to just know someone's name, yet it's usually a prerequisite to any other extensive conversation, especially about the Gospel. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a reluctance to actively share the Gospel with others was seen first in members' reluctance to merely go out of their way to learn someone else's name. As church members made this first step at church they would become more enabled to do so elsewhere. I always felt very confident that God was pleased with this simple goal.
One action I took during church meetings, specifically during an elders' quorum meeting as I recall, was "Giving each person present a small piece of paper and instructing them to silently pray and meditate for one minute, and to write the name of someone who would be blessed if that Church member shared the Gospel with them." The single minute of silence was invaluable for seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost. It was a low-pressure activity, because everyone knew that they weren't going to have to give an accounting of their thoughts to me or anyone else, and consequently people seemed to feel little or no discomfort at the exercise. At the same time, the simple act of quiet meditation and active seeking of revelation was something I felt had become too rare for many of us. Of course, there are many steps to be taken beyond simply writing down a person's name before that person can be brought into the Church, but again, the simple act is both a useful and largely necessary act that is frequently neglected. I remember feeling very distinctly that I had taken a correct action as the leader of missionary work in the ward.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to strengthen my faith. Someday I hope to find that I've been instrumental in helping others in their personal conversion to the Gospel. Maybe my thoughts from my old ward mission plan will be useful to others someday, but either way, I hope to always be ready to take simple first steps (and then all the remaining steps as well).
On a side note, our ward was miniscule geographically. The congregation lived in apartments within a four square block chunk of town next to the hospital. But, given that there were a lot of married student church members there, our ward was normal-sized for meeting attendance.
Utah is kind of a tricky place for missionary work. One tends to expect that everyone has heard of the Church in some way or another, and some residents who are not members of the Church, who have already decided that they will never want to join, can be frustrated by the continual exposure to Church culture and by the frequent attempts at proselytization. So it's easy to expect that if one is to approach a neighbor with a message about the restored Gospel, the neighbor will know about it already and will either already be a member or will be aggravated by the message. Truthfully, there are still quite a few people who will be glad to hear the message, but it's still a challenge to know how to approach missionary work in the area.
As a ward mission leader I had to create a ward mission plan, hold regular meetings with ward missionaries, and then actively provide guidance during Sunday meetings. There are a few things I did that I truly felt were inspired, and which I believe still are or would be useful today.
I made the ward mission plan in three parts. The first page was a plan for the entire ward, and it was more general. The second page was specifically for ward missionaries, and it including activities and goals for the ward mission. The third page was for me, and it again contained specific goals.
One of my favorite items on the plan was that ward members "3. Meet our neighbors in the immediate neighborhood and know at least their names," which would be made easier as we would "4. Sit with another family at church and know at least their names." It's a simple thing to just know someone's name, yet it's usually a prerequisite to any other extensive conversation, especially about the Gospel. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a reluctance to actively share the Gospel with others was seen first in members' reluctance to merely go out of their way to learn someone else's name. As church members made this first step at church they would become more enabled to do so elsewhere. I always felt very confident that God was pleased with this simple goal.
One action I took during church meetings, specifically during an elders' quorum meeting as I recall, was "Giving each person present a small piece of paper and instructing them to silently pray and meditate for one minute, and to write the name of someone who would be blessed if that Church member shared the Gospel with them." The single minute of silence was invaluable for seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost. It was a low-pressure activity, because everyone knew that they weren't going to have to give an accounting of their thoughts to me or anyone else, and consequently people seemed to feel little or no discomfort at the exercise. At the same time, the simple act of quiet meditation and active seeking of revelation was something I felt had become too rare for many of us. Of course, there are many steps to be taken beyond simply writing down a person's name before that person can be brought into the Church, but again, the simple act is both a useful and largely necessary act that is frequently neglected. I remember feeling very distinctly that I had taken a correct action as the leader of missionary work in the ward.
Last thoughts for now:
I hope to strengthen my faith. Someday I hope to find that I've been instrumental in helping others in their personal conversion to the Gospel. Maybe my thoughts from my old ward mission plan will be useful to others someday, but either way, I hope to always be ready to take simple first steps (and then all the remaining steps as well).
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Few That Are Chosen
There are several ways of making a particular distinction; that is, several different appellations: an elect people, a chosen people, a peculiar people.
Doesn't it seem strange to consider some people as "special"? In principle, God loves us all, right? And he's no respecter of persons? Of course. (Acts 10:34, Doctrine and Covenants 1:35, 38:16) Then why and more importantly how are certain peoples distinguished in the eyes of the Lord?
I was reading to my children just now before they went to bed. Because it's Sunday, we were reading from the scripture story picture books produced by the Church. We read the story of the Jaredites. Something struck me as interesting, especially in the abbreviated form. While the Jaredites started out as a righteous people (or at least they were following a very righteous man--the brother of Jared), after they reach the promised land the next thing that happens is this: they become wicked. Very wicked. Wicked to the point of being destroyed (by themselves, in this case, but destroyed all the same).
This isn't really surprising, because there is already precedent. Those of us with extended hindsight can see the same occurrence happening throughout scripture. The first instance was with Adam and Eve, two of the most trusted of Heavenly Father's spirit children: a bulk of their children became so wicked that they merited destruction by flood. Another easily remembered example comes from the people of Isreal after the Exodus. They looked to a prophet for deliverance, trusted him enough to follow him out of Egypt, and received help from God in the form of many wonders, but then committed such abhorrent sins that they had to wander in the wilderness until that generation had died (40 years).
Another example is that of Lehi's family, though in their case it's more clear that the actions of a few people early on had a significant bad influence on their progeny. In general, however, we see simply that civilizations often have a trend of becoming wicked even if they have the best starting conditions. I know of only one exception; the city of Enoch was so righteous (a true Zion) that it was taken into heaven (see Moses 7:23). Even the Nephites, after having had the wicked sifted out from among them through disaster and having received a visit from the resurrected Christ Himself, only maintained their righteousness for a couple of centuries.
Why does this happen? Because we are granted the ability to exercise our own moral agency, and to maintain the standards of Zion requires full dedication, which most are not willing to give. God knows that, given our agency, we will use it in different ways, and we're all going to use it poorly at times. Individuals, families, and nations will often turn to wickedness. I suppose that God could at a given moment get a report showing what percent of His children, after their final judgment, merited each kingdom; either way, He knows that some will inherit celestial glory, some will inherit terrestrial glory, some will inherit telestial glory, and some will inherit no glory at all.
While God knows we will sin, He has planned for us to succeed. The key is that we have been provided with a Savior who has atoned for us all:
"O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
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.
And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (2 Nephi 9:20-24)
How do we receive the grace of our Savior? By making and keeping covenants. Without them, human nature will lead us to error (or, put differently, "the natural man is an enemy to God"--Mosiah 3:19). That's the distinguishing factor, and therein lies the "why" of the distinction as not just the "chosen people" or the "elect" but also as the "covenant people" of the Lord. We are distinguished in that we are supposed to make a demonstrated willful act to show that we will follow the will of God through His plan. Sure, we are still imperfect after making covenants; some of us will make mistakes and repent, and others will even fail to repent and lose their reward. Thus, among the covenant people of God there can still be and sometimes are great problems, and we are ever in need of prophets and other leaders to guide, inspire, and encourage us. But in each case of an "elect" people they have made covenants. Even in the passage above we see a necessary covenant: baptism. It is through baptism that we become the covenant people of the Lord, or, in other words, latter-day saints.
Last thoughts for now:
Making and keeping covenants is how we become the chosen people of God as members of His Church, and He has given us these covenants in order to allow us to be sanctified and justified and thus to fulfill His plan. That's the "why"; that's why some are "chosen" despite the fact that we all invariably misuse our agency to some degree. The beauty of it (and this is real beauty) is that "he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice". We all can receive the greatest blessings of God if we are willing, and if we take care to keep our hearts set on the kingdom of God. It is my goal to have such willingness in my heart. It is my goal to encourage others to do the same.
Doesn't it seem strange to consider some people as "special"? In principle, God loves us all, right? And he's no respecter of persons? Of course. (Acts 10:34, Doctrine and Covenants 1:35, 38:16) Then why and more importantly how are certain peoples distinguished in the eyes of the Lord?
I was reading to my children just now before they went to bed. Because it's Sunday, we were reading from the scripture story picture books produced by the Church. We read the story of the Jaredites. Something struck me as interesting, especially in the abbreviated form. While the Jaredites started out as a righteous people (or at least they were following a very righteous man--the brother of Jared), after they reach the promised land the next thing that happens is this: they become wicked. Very wicked. Wicked to the point of being destroyed (by themselves, in this case, but destroyed all the same).
This isn't really surprising, because there is already precedent. Those of us with extended hindsight can see the same occurrence happening throughout scripture. The first instance was with Adam and Eve, two of the most trusted of Heavenly Father's spirit children: a bulk of their children became so wicked that they merited destruction by flood. Another easily remembered example comes from the people of Isreal after the Exodus. They looked to a prophet for deliverance, trusted him enough to follow him out of Egypt, and received help from God in the form of many wonders, but then committed such abhorrent sins that they had to wander in the wilderness until that generation had died (40 years).
Another example is that of Lehi's family, though in their case it's more clear that the actions of a few people early on had a significant bad influence on their progeny. In general, however, we see simply that civilizations often have a trend of becoming wicked even if they have the best starting conditions. I know of only one exception; the city of Enoch was so righteous (a true Zion) that it was taken into heaven (see Moses 7:23). Even the Nephites, after having had the wicked sifted out from among them through disaster and having received a visit from the resurrected Christ Himself, only maintained their righteousness for a couple of centuries.
Why does this happen? Because we are granted the ability to exercise our own moral agency, and to maintain the standards of Zion requires full dedication, which most are not willing to give. God knows that, given our agency, we will use it in different ways, and we're all going to use it poorly at times. Individuals, families, and nations will often turn to wickedness. I suppose that God could at a given moment get a report showing what percent of His children, after their final judgment, merited each kingdom; either way, He knows that some will inherit celestial glory, some will inherit terrestrial glory, some will inherit telestial glory, and some will inherit no glory at all.
While God knows we will sin, He has planned for us to succeed. The key is that we have been provided with a Savior who has atoned for us all:
"O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
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.
And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it." (2 Nephi 9:20-24)
How do we receive the grace of our Savior? By making and keeping covenants. Without them, human nature will lead us to error (or, put differently, "the natural man is an enemy to God"--Mosiah 3:19). That's the distinguishing factor, and therein lies the "why" of the distinction as not just the "chosen people" or the "elect" but also as the "covenant people" of the Lord. We are distinguished in that we are supposed to make a demonstrated willful act to show that we will follow the will of God through His plan. Sure, we are still imperfect after making covenants; some of us will make mistakes and repent, and others will even fail to repent and lose their reward. Thus, among the covenant people of God there can still be and sometimes are great problems, and we are ever in need of prophets and other leaders to guide, inspire, and encourage us. But in each case of an "elect" people they have made covenants. Even in the passage above we see a necessary covenant: baptism. It is through baptism that we become the covenant people of the Lord, or, in other words, latter-day saints.
Last thoughts for now:
Making and keeping covenants is how we become the chosen people of God as members of His Church, and He has given us these covenants in order to allow us to be sanctified and justified and thus to fulfill His plan. That's the "why"; that's why some are "chosen" despite the fact that we all invariably misuse our agency to some degree. The beauty of it (and this is real beauty) is that "he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice". We all can receive the greatest blessings of God if we are willing, and if we take care to keep our hearts set on the kingdom of God. It is my goal to have such willingness in my heart. It is my goal to encourage others to do the same.
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 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.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
They Shouldn't Have Been Baptized
I've been a full-time missionary before, so I know how it feels. We set goals, we worked with people, we knew the truth of the Gospel and the Church and we wanted good things for others. Thus, we wanted people to be baptized. We taught them and invited them to be baptized, and they accepted and were baptized. Between those last two steps, there's an interview. The purpose of the interview is to ensure that the person is ready to make this vital covenant. Some people shouldn't make it past this interview but somehow slip through.
Maybe that doesn't sound like a problem to some people. Some missionaries don't see any baptisms during their entire mission, and even those who do still want to see more. Is it a bad thing if some people are baptized when they're not ready?
Absolutely.
In Moroni 7:39, Mormon makes it clear that some people should not be in the Church. "But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church."
That's not to say that the Gospel isn't right and true for everyone, because it is. It doesn't mean that Jesus didn't die for everyone or that God doesn't love everyone, because They did and do. But people should not join the Church until they have sufficient faith in Christ and have made changes in their lives.
Mormon himself addressed this issue in the previous chapter (Moroni 6:1-3):
"And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.
And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."
I've seen it too many times. Maybe it's because a missionary wants to get one more baptism before he leaves, or maybe it's just general over-zealousness. People get baptized without truly having received a testimony from God of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Without that testimony, they don't have much reason to stay around. Sometimes they don't even last long enough to be confirmed.
Making and keeping covenants is the key to progressing toward eternal life. It's a tragedy for people to make serious covenants like baptism but not understand what they're doing. It's a tragedy for people to make serious covenants like baptism and then turn away from the truth.
Does that mean that kids shouldn't be baptized when they're eight years old? No. It means that parents need to teach their children well so that they'll be ready.
I don't think anyone fully understands how important their baptismal covenants are when they get baptized, but it is vital that we make covenants of our own free will, with knowledge of what we're doing, and with a real knowledge. When that isn't the case for some people, they're doing it for the wrong reasons and it hurts them.
Last thoughts for now:
The Gospel is for everyone. Baptism is for everyone. The Holy Ghost is for everyone. Temple ordinances are for everyone. The Atonement of Jesus Christ and covenants are for everyone, but we have to make ourselves ready.
Maybe that doesn't sound like a problem to some people. Some missionaries don't see any baptisms during their entire mission, and even those who do still want to see more. Is it a bad thing if some people are baptized when they're not ready?
Absolutely.
In Moroni 7:39, Mormon makes it clear that some people should not be in the Church. "But behold, my beloved brethren, I judge better things of you, for I judge that ye have faith in Christ because of your meekness; for if ye have not faith in him then ye are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church."
That's not to say that the Gospel isn't right and true for everyone, because it is. It doesn't mean that Jesus didn't die for everyone or that God doesn't love everyone, because They did and do. But people should not join the Church until they have sufficient faith in Christ and have made changes in their lives.
Mormon himself addressed this issue in the previous chapter (Moroni 6:1-3):
"And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.
And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end."
I've seen it too many times. Maybe it's because a missionary wants to get one more baptism before he leaves, or maybe it's just general over-zealousness. People get baptized without truly having received a testimony from God of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Without that testimony, they don't have much reason to stay around. Sometimes they don't even last long enough to be confirmed.
Making and keeping covenants is the key to progressing toward eternal life. It's a tragedy for people to make serious covenants like baptism but not understand what they're doing. It's a tragedy for people to make serious covenants like baptism and then turn away from the truth.
Does that mean that kids shouldn't be baptized when they're eight years old? No. It means that parents need to teach their children well so that they'll be ready.
I don't think anyone fully understands how important their baptismal covenants are when they get baptized, but it is vital that we make covenants of our own free will, with knowledge of what we're doing, and with a real knowledge. When that isn't the case for some people, they're doing it for the wrong reasons and it hurts them.
Last thoughts for now:
The Gospel is for everyone. Baptism is for everyone. The Holy Ghost is for everyone. Temple ordinances are for everyone. The Atonement of Jesus Christ and covenants are for everyone, but we have to make ourselves ready.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Same Old, Same Old
Sometimes people complain that they always hear the same thing in church, or they don't want to watch General Conference because "they always say the same stuff". I've known people who didn't see the need to read scripture more than once.
Well, yes, we do hear the same thing over and over again. I know of five reasons why:
1. Each time we receive a particular message, we may learn more if we invite the Holy Ghost's influence and have readied ourselves by practicing more basic principles. Many people have had the experience of learning something new from a passage of scripture they've read multiple times before. We hear things repeated because there is deeper knowledge to gain.
2. Simply hearing the truth from the prophets will bring us the Holy Ghost and ready us for personal revelation on any topic. Many people have listened to a witness of Christ and received personal revelation for something that is important but unrelated to what is being spoken.
3. We haven't really listened yet. So often we hear the standard answers: pray, read your scriptures, go to church. Are we doing these things? I tend to think I'm a good person, but I know that I have often forgotten to pray in the morning and I sometimes struggle to read my scriptures. (It's been pretty bad recently. I wake up early and go to work, leaving the house at 6:00 am at the latest. I haven't made it a habit recently to read my scriptures in the morning, and then I don't get to them later. Then, in my Gospel Doctrine class, I know I don't have as much to contribute because I haven't done enough studying.) Anyway, we hear things repeated because we often haven't obeyed yet.
4. There are other people listening who haven't heard it yet. So many people are only hearing the restored Gospel for the first time. We can be patient as they are enlightened by glorious truth, particularly since it's still good for us.
5. Repetition reinforces ideas. Truth ought to be reinforced in our lives (especially to counteract the falsehoods that come to us over and over again).
Beyond that, we actually do hear some new things in General Conference sometimes, and it can be thrilling. I should give a list of my favorite conference talks some time.
Last thoughts for now:
It's okay to hear a good thing again. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing.
Well, yes, we do hear the same thing over and over again. I know of five reasons why:
1. Each time we receive a particular message, we may learn more if we invite the Holy Ghost's influence and have readied ourselves by practicing more basic principles. Many people have had the experience of learning something new from a passage of scripture they've read multiple times before. We hear things repeated because there is deeper knowledge to gain.
2. Simply hearing the truth from the prophets will bring us the Holy Ghost and ready us for personal revelation on any topic. Many people have listened to a witness of Christ and received personal revelation for something that is important but unrelated to what is being spoken.
3. We haven't really listened yet. So often we hear the standard answers: pray, read your scriptures, go to church. Are we doing these things? I tend to think I'm a good person, but I know that I have often forgotten to pray in the morning and I sometimes struggle to read my scriptures. (It's been pretty bad recently. I wake up early and go to work, leaving the house at 6:00 am at the latest. I haven't made it a habit recently to read my scriptures in the morning, and then I don't get to them later. Then, in my Gospel Doctrine class, I know I don't have as much to contribute because I haven't done enough studying.) Anyway, we hear things repeated because we often haven't obeyed yet.
4. There are other people listening who haven't heard it yet. So many people are only hearing the restored Gospel for the first time. We can be patient as they are enlightened by glorious truth, particularly since it's still good for us.
5. Repetition reinforces ideas. Truth ought to be reinforced in our lives (especially to counteract the falsehoods that come to us over and over again).
Beyond that, we actually do hear some new things in General Conference sometimes, and it can be thrilling. I should give a list of my favorite conference talks some time.
Last thoughts for now:
It's okay to hear a good thing again. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing.
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