A common thread in the scriptures is that one is either moving forward or moving backwards regarding spiritual progression. When I use the word spiritual, I mean what a man does to either comprehend the things of God more fully or less fully. We are sometime deceived by our own preceived enlightenment when this enlightment is really a way to rationalize or justify our actions. What do I mean by rationalize? Anything that keeps us from being completely blameless or guiltless is something that we have retionalized. If you can be blamed for hurting yourself or others in anyway you are not blameless. For example, someone entreats you for assistance and you say no when you could have assisted. If you honestly can say that you give not because you have not then you stand blameless. Rationalizing any kind of sin causes us to no longer stand blameless. You also comprehend less and less of the things of God. A person who presists in fighting against goodness will unknowingly find himself in state called the chains of hell. This person thinks faith is foolish; he mocks things that he may have believed in the past; he can't receive counsel; he is in a state of unbelief.
The scriptures are the repository of what God has communicated to His children. God is not silent! He has told us His will. Why doesn't God reveal himself to me directly? Why should He? He has given us His scriptures. But, He will do something for you! As you study His words through His holy prophets with real intent, He will witness the truth of them to your heart. As you apply a teaching, you will know it is true. First faith, then the witness. It never goes the other way. Sincerity and real intent also have be part of the sacred search.
I like this scripture in Mosiah 1:5. It expresses the importance of having an unchanging base to work from (in contrast to all sorts of modern ideas).
I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
Isn't it the same thing if we don't read and apply what we have? The Lamanites didn't have God's commandments and dwindled in unbelief. Anyone who doesn't read and ponder and pray in this day and age will have the same thing occur. You get to this point that you "even do not believe them when [you] are taught them, because of the [modern] traditions, which are not correct. And this is the sad truth. Let's all start progressing forward, not falling backward!
-Scott
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Trying to Do it All Yourself - Leaving God Out
I think these verses are a great metaphor or pattern for how some of us operate in our lives. I take my text from Mosiah 21 5-16. When the natural man is the operating person we learn the hard way that we can't do it all ourselves.
5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side. (We are in trouble and there's not way out)
6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires. (We think about our plight and get angry inside. The Lord let's us try out our plan)
7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land. (We do our best efforts to fix the problem ourselves without the Lord's help.)
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. (We fail. Our spirit is broken.)
9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for their brethren. (We get depressed and grieve our disappointments.)
10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites had come upon them. (We lose our self esteem and begin to fear that our situation is insuperable)
11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger against the Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven back again, suffering much loss. (we rally our spirits and with anger or determination once again and go out and try again to solve the problem)
12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the city of Nephi. (we don't learn our lesson and keep on trying to solve the problem on our own and we fail miserably. We are now demoralized.)
13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. (We finally humble ourselves and submit to yoke of bondage. We are acutely aware of our predicament)
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions. (We turn to God for help in our humble state. We ask for help)
15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. (The Lord tries our resolve to trust in Him. Some good things begin to happen but we are not delivered)
16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger. (As we stay humble, relying on the Lord, our lives are blessed in degrees.)
We have learned an important lesson. Some will learn it sooner than others. We learn this lesson experientially. We learn that trying to solve the problem ourselves seldom works very well. We learn that humbling ourselves and relying on the Lord always bring better results even if it is only peace while in bondage. Deliverance will happen in the Lord's own due time (see Mosiah 22).
5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands, for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side. (We are in trouble and there's not way out)
6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they should do according to their desires. (We think about our plight and get angry inside. The Lord let's us try out our plan)
7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of their land. (We do our best efforts to fix the problem ourselves without the Lord's help.)
8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and drove them back, and slew many of them. (We fail. Our spirit is broken.)
9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for their brethren. (We get depressed and grieve our disappointments.)
10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites had come upon them. (We lose our self esteem and begin to fear that our situation is insuperable)
11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger against the Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven back again, suffering much loss. (we rally our spirits and with anger or determination once again and go out and try again to solve the problem)
12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the city of Nephi. (we don't learn our lesson and keep on trying to solve the problem on our own and we fail miserably. We are now demoralized.)
13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies. (We finally humble ourselves and submit to yoke of bondage. We are acutely aware of our predicament)
14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions. (We turn to God for help in our humble state. We ask for help)
15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage. (The Lord tries our resolve to trust in Him. Some good things begin to happen but we are not delivered)
16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks, and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger. (As we stay humble, relying on the Lord, our lives are blessed in degrees.)
We have learned an important lesson. Some will learn it sooner than others. We learn this lesson experientially. We learn that trying to solve the problem ourselves seldom works very well. We learn that humbling ourselves and relying on the Lord always bring better results even if it is only peace while in bondage. Deliverance will happen in the Lord's own due time (see Mosiah 22).
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Ransomed Host
Last Sunday in sacrament meeting we sang, Hymn #180, Father in Heaven, We Do Believe.
1. Father in Heav’n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.
2. We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.
3. O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.
4. Humbly we take the sacrament
In Jesus’ blessed name;
Let us receive thru covenant
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
5. We will be buried in the stream
In Jesus’ blessed name,
And rise, while light shall on us beam
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost
And seal us as thine own,
That we may join the ransomed host
And with the Saints be one.
When I renew my covenants (verse 4), do I receive the Spirt's heavenly flame? In verse 6, we read that when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, we then join the ransomed host and become one with Saints. Until these promises (verse 1) occur individually in each one of us, we haven't joined the ransomed host. We sometime assume, as members of the Church, that we have - - since we are members. But, I think this knowledge is an individual knowledge that only each individual knows for himself. I will have to study this topic more.
1. Father in Heav’n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.
2. We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.
3. O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.
4. Humbly we take the sacrament
In Jesus’ blessed name;
Let us receive thru covenant
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
5. We will be buried in the stream
In Jesus’ blessed name,
And rise, while light shall on us beam
The Spirit’s heav’nly flame.
6. Baptize us with the Holy Ghost
And seal us as thine own,
That we may join the ransomed host
And with the Saints be one.
When I renew my covenants (verse 4), do I receive the Spirt's heavenly flame? In verse 6, we read that when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, we then join the ransomed host and become one with Saints. Until these promises (verse 1) occur individually in each one of us, we haven't joined the ransomed host. We sometime assume, as members of the Church, that we have - - since we are members. But, I think this knowledge is an individual knowledge that only each individual knows for himself. I will have to study this topic more.
40 Years in the Wilderness
I have had a feeling or impression for many years that the outward rules and commandments of the Church are in a way like the Law of Moses in the Book of Mormon. This isn't an exact comparison since Christ has already come but I think it fits. Like the Law of Moses, we keep the 'check list' as it were until the time comes that we are told by the prophets to modify our position. We can move ahead a follow Christ more fully but we also continue to do those things that are intended to point us to Christ. Sometimes these things are a little strange but many aspects of the Law of Moses were strange.
I have noted down the following verses. Sometimes I will substitute phrases like, "outward commandments' or 'outward rules' in place of the Law of Moses in these verses. I believe, as these verses say, that everything the Church does points us toward Christ.
It sometimes feels, to me, like we the Church stepped back a pace a hundred years ago and began to teach 'school master' teachings to help our ancestors prepare to come unto Christ. Maybe we have been wandering, figuratively speaking, 40 years in the wilderness. I have noted that talking of Christ has increase dramatically over my life time.
Here are the verses:
> Alma 25:16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses;
> but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus
> they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon
> the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.
>
> Alma 25:15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
> that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled.
> But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of
> Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and
> believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that
> he should be revealed unto them.
>
> 2 N 25:24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
> Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall
> be fulfilled
>
> Jacob 4:5 And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
> souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness,
> even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto
> the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
> God and his Only Begotten Son.
>
> Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did
> labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;
> teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading
> them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though
> he already was.
>
> 3 Nephi 15:2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he
> perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
> would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that
> old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
It seems very reasonable to me that Christ would have His Church move forward at pace commensurate to the spirtual level of main body of saints. Introducing higher laws too soon would not be in the best interest of the Church's progress in the last days. The Lord clearly explains in Jacob 5:
[65] And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
[66] For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard....[73] And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
As we become more righteous, the time will come when greater things will become the standard. As always, these laws will probably be introduced slowly at first.
I have noted down the following verses. Sometimes I will substitute phrases like, "outward commandments' or 'outward rules' in place of the Law of Moses in these verses. I believe, as these verses say, that everything the Church does points us toward Christ.
It sometimes feels, to me, like we the Church stepped back a pace a hundred years ago and began to teach 'school master' teachings to help our ancestors prepare to come unto Christ. Maybe we have been wandering, figuratively speaking, 40 years in the wilderness. I have noted that talking of Christ has increase dramatically over my life time.
Here are the verses:
> Alma 25:16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses;
> but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus
> they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon
> the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.
>
> Alma 25:15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
> that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled.
> But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of
> Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and
> believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that
> he should be revealed unto them.
>
> 2 N 25:24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
> Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall
> be fulfilled
>
> Jacob 4:5 And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
> souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness,
> even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto
> the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
> God and his Only Begotten Son.
>
> Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did
> labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence;
> teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading
> them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though
> he already was.
>
> 3 Nephi 15:2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he
> perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he
> would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that
> old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
It seems very reasonable to me that Christ would have His Church move forward at pace commensurate to the spirtual level of main body of saints. Introducing higher laws too soon would not be in the best interest of the Church's progress in the last days. The Lord clearly explains in Jacob 5:
[65] And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
[66] For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard....[73] And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
As we become more righteous, the time will come when greater things will become the standard. As always, these laws will probably be introduced slowly at first.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Being Guided in Wisdom's Paths
Mosiah 2:36 says:
[36] And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved --
I like to change this scripture and phrase it positively: ... the Spirit of the Lord ... may have place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.
So the Holy Ghost guides those how follow Him in wisdom's paths. Too me, wisdom's paths means that we don't make all sorts of mistakes in this life. Life isn't a crap shoot where you get what you get. Things go more successfully. The person knows that he has been bless and prospered beyond his own capability. He is preserved in tough times.
Here's a poem quoted by Elder Boyd K. Packard:
With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
“Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.”
It might take time for the Lord untie the knots that we create in our lives.
[36] And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved --
I like to change this scripture and phrase it positively: ... the Spirit of the Lord ... may have place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved.
So the Holy Ghost guides those how follow Him in wisdom's paths. Too me, wisdom's paths means that we don't make all sorts of mistakes in this life. Life isn't a crap shoot where you get what you get. Things go more successfully. The person knows that he has been bless and prospered beyond his own capability. He is preserved in tough times.
Here's a poem quoted by Elder Boyd K. Packard:
With thoughtless and impatient hands
We tangle up the plans
The Lord hath wrought.
And when we cry in pain He saith,
“Be quiet, man, while I untie the knot.”
It might take time for the Lord untie the knots that we create in our lives.
Delivery From bondage in the Last Days
Delivery from bondage in these days is different from Book of Mormon times but the same principles apply. Our bondage could be mental, emotional or physical bondage.
We might be in debt. We might have been traumatized when we were young. These things bring bondage upon us. What is the best way to get out of bondage? Can the Lord really help us when we bring bondage upon ourselves? Can he help us when we were mentally or emotionally placed in bondage by others? Below is a good recipee from the scriptures. In Mosial 7:33 it says,
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
First, we turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. We make adjustments in lives to walk in humility before God - no faking it! We then serve him with all diligence of mind. Keep focused on your godly walk among the children of men. In time the Lord will deliver you from bondage!
Mosiah 29:20 we read, But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
Here we read that we need to humble ourselves before God and cry mightly unto him. Anyone who puts his trust in the Lord will always be delivered out of bondage.
We might be in debt. We might have been traumatized when we were young. These things bring bondage upon us. What is the best way to get out of bondage? Can the Lord really help us when we bring bondage upon ourselves? Can he help us when we were mentally or emotionally placed in bondage by others? Below is a good recipee from the scriptures. In Mosial 7:33 it says,
But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
First, we turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. We make adjustments in lives to walk in humility before God - no faking it! We then serve him with all diligence of mind. Keep focused on your godly walk among the children of men. In time the Lord will deliver you from bondage!
Mosiah 29:20 we read, But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
Here we read that we need to humble ourselves before God and cry mightly unto him. Anyone who puts his trust in the Lord will always be delivered out of bondage.
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