To get right to the point, we know from scriptures that every child of God (every human that has ever or will ever inhabit this planet) has freedom to choose. In the wisdom of a perfect, loving parent, God planned that we would each have the opportunity and accountability for making a choice as to what kind of person we want to be. When He first proposed this plan (before any of us came here) most of us agreed that getting to choose, even if we mess up, would be preferable to the suggestion Lucifer made. He wanted to be in charge, see to it that every single one of us made choices that would enable us to return, or make it so that whatever our choices were wouldn't matter because we would just get to be back with Heavenly Father. It should be fairly obvious that it would not be a very peaceful, heavenly place if the citizens all wanted to make their own choices without regard to anyone else's choices. We could not live in love and harmony if we were able to each have things our own way. We could not all be "gods and goddesses" like our Father if we were insistent on having our own set of rules. The Star Trek character Cue (or however it was spelled- since it's a name and fiction on top of that, it doesn't really matter) was a perfect caricature of an all -powerful, self-centered being. He was pretty scary to me!
As a result of Lucifer's insistence that he have things his way, he was banished from Heavenly Father's presence and, along with those who agreed with him, was prevented from ever entering a tabernacle of clay to obtain a body that could be resurrected and live forever. However, knowing that it was important for each one of His children to truly have a total choice, Father has allowed Satan and his followers to have an influence on His children here. He can't force himself on us because we have choice but we can abdicate that choice and subject ourselves to his influence. He wants to claim being the "god of this world" but he only has power so far as we allow him to have power. If every single one of us were to refuse his way of doing things (greed, lust, revenge, hate, etc.) he would be bound. In fact, the promise is made:
And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory. And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture. And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth. (1 Ne 22: 24-26)
I don't know about you, but I like being able to make choices, however, I don't enjoy the choices other people make that cause pain, fear, or destruction. I don't want to be in charge but I want to have someone with greater power and wisdom than me in charge. I am willing to follow any rules that have been established upon righteous principles that allow and encourage the freedom and growth of every one of us. I am willing to seek greater wisdom so when I make choices, they will not impede my growth and development or that of anyone else. I'm okay with only being in charge of myself and accountable for the choices I make.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Thursday, December 27, 2018
The world isn't inherently evil- WE make it so
Jesus taught in parables a lot. He was trying to teach very mortal people about spiritual things which were abstract to beings who were focused on survival in a very physical place. However, the earth was created by God through Jesus Christ and will some day obtain a celestial glory, just as those of God's children who desire to do so. God did not create an evil world. The world of itself is not evil but those who inhabit it and use it for evil purposes make it wicked. Food is necessary- pleasing to the eye and palate. We need to eat food to give our bodies strength to perform worthwhile labors. Gluttony, wasteful killing of animals and plants, and unwillingness to share sustenance with those in need are all evil. Sexual relations are necessary to multiply and replenish the earth, cause a bond between husband and wife, and was not intended as a means of suffering. Lust, sex for personal gratification, rape and sexual abuse are all evil. Rest is to be enjoyed and is necessary for our bodies to have the strength to perform labor. Laziness, sloth, demanding others to work for us, greed to gain the fruits of labor while avoiding labor ourselves are all evil.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3:19)
Is it so hard for us to understand that our efforts to "improve" the world God made for us or "improve" His commandments only make things worse? I was thinking about the current fad of organic stuff- mostly foods. Do we not understand how we got to this point of having so many chemicals in and on plants and animals and therefore people? We don't like food with blemishes. We want it to have a certain color and appearance. We want to have cherries in Minnesota in January and broccoli in Arizona in July. We don't want bugs on our food. We don't want to eat the meat of possibly sick animals. We want our food to be cheap so we can eat whatever we prefer. We want our food suppliers to make a profit so they'll stay in business. We want them to be able to ship food to us wherever we are to have it always available. It was in response to all of these demands that chemicals and GMO's were developed. Now we're upset by all this "man-made" stuff that might be causing cancer, allergies, and who knows what else.
Is it so hard for us to understand that our demands to find easier ways to do things has caused the messes we find ourselves in? We didn't want to have to work so hard so now we are obese and out of shape and have to suffer hours of paid hours in a gym also paying a trainer if we lack our own sufficient motivation so we can exercise to avoid heart attacks and strokes and being so big we can't move? We are in constant turmoil over the source of energy, using up fossil fuels, risking nuclear power hazards, and creating pollution and global warming- all so we don't have to work so hard ourselves.
I don't want to go into all the porn in an effort to keep life exciting or the deaths and resulting mourning of the loss of loved ones by people wanting to do more adrenalin-pumping thrills or the greed and chest thumping causing contention and wars or the lust for drugs, alcohol, and other addictions to try to please this natural man in us........ The wisdom of God is foolishness to man but it sure doesn't seem like our wisdom is so great. "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4)
After Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to many and ate food. He, as well as other heavenly beings as described by those who have seen them, was very white. This is not a worldly racist thing. White will be what we are in the absence of color which we have due to blood in our bodies and other physical attributes which effect skin color. White is a sign of purity not just a worldly label for race and ethnicity. When we are resurrected, we will no longer have blood to carry pathogens through our bodies so we will not get sick. We will no longer require sustenance so we will not get fat, although we obviously COULD eat. I just don't quite understand how that works with a resurrected body. But we will also have the blessing or curse (depending on choices made here and now) of not having addictions. We will not smoke or inject drugs or require certain beverages or foods to make us satisfied. Those who "require" those things in order to be happy will only be frustrated because they won't work in bodies quickened by spirit rather than blood. (For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit- 1Peter 3:18) Now is the time to repent/change- not wait until we get old or we have some kind of "proof" that giving in to physical lust is NOT a good idea. Self-control is not evil. There IS a better way to do things than the way the world would promote. We CAN be happy and peaceful FOREVER. There are only two choices and we get to decide.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. (Mosiah 3:19)
Is it so hard for us to understand that our efforts to "improve" the world God made for us or "improve" His commandments only make things worse? I was thinking about the current fad of organic stuff- mostly foods. Do we not understand how we got to this point of having so many chemicals in and on plants and animals and therefore people? We don't like food with blemishes. We want it to have a certain color and appearance. We want to have cherries in Minnesota in January and broccoli in Arizona in July. We don't want bugs on our food. We don't want to eat the meat of possibly sick animals. We want our food to be cheap so we can eat whatever we prefer. We want our food suppliers to make a profit so they'll stay in business. We want them to be able to ship food to us wherever we are to have it always available. It was in response to all of these demands that chemicals and GMO's were developed. Now we're upset by all this "man-made" stuff that might be causing cancer, allergies, and who knows what else.
Is it so hard for us to understand that our demands to find easier ways to do things has caused the messes we find ourselves in? We didn't want to have to work so hard so now we are obese and out of shape and have to suffer hours of paid hours in a gym also paying a trainer if we lack our own sufficient motivation so we can exercise to avoid heart attacks and strokes and being so big we can't move? We are in constant turmoil over the source of energy, using up fossil fuels, risking nuclear power hazards, and creating pollution and global warming- all so we don't have to work so hard ourselves.
I don't want to go into all the porn in an effort to keep life exciting or the deaths and resulting mourning of the loss of loved ones by people wanting to do more adrenalin-pumping thrills or the greed and chest thumping causing contention and wars or the lust for drugs, alcohol, and other addictions to try to please this natural man in us........ The wisdom of God is foolishness to man but it sure doesn't seem like our wisdom is so great. "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4)
After Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to many and ate food. He, as well as other heavenly beings as described by those who have seen them, was very white. This is not a worldly racist thing. White will be what we are in the absence of color which we have due to blood in our bodies and other physical attributes which effect skin color. White is a sign of purity not just a worldly label for race and ethnicity. When we are resurrected, we will no longer have blood to carry pathogens through our bodies so we will not get sick. We will no longer require sustenance so we will not get fat, although we obviously COULD eat. I just don't quite understand how that works with a resurrected body. But we will also have the blessing or curse (depending on choices made here and now) of not having addictions. We will not smoke or inject drugs or require certain beverages or foods to make us satisfied. Those who "require" those things in order to be happy will only be frustrated because they won't work in bodies quickened by spirit rather than blood. (For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit- 1Peter 3:18) Now is the time to repent/change- not wait until we get old or we have some kind of "proof" that giving in to physical lust is NOT a good idea. Self-control is not evil. There IS a better way to do things than the way the world would promote. We CAN be happy and peaceful FOREVER. There are only two choices and we get to decide.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Punishment or consequence??
If a student doesn't bother to do homework or study for an exam and they fail, is it because the teacher is punishing them or is it a consequence? If a person falls off a cliff and gets badly hurt, is it because God punishes them or is it a consequence of the natural law of gravity?
I think of punishment as being an uncomfortable situation or action that a person with power or authority forces upon someone else, whether the punished person knowingly did something to offend the authority or just because the authority decides they can issue the punishment at their discretion. Not all punishments "fit the crime" and not all punishments are perpetrated by the authority. In our household, we had the policy that if a child used a "bad word", they would get their mouth washed out with soap. It didn't happen often but one time the offending child even went into the bathroom and washed his own mouth out rather than have me do it. He did it as vigorously or even more so than I would have! When punishments are severe or unrelated to the "crime", the person being punished will feel they are being treated unfairly. The authority could well be accused of using their power unjustly. But consequences are simply the natural result of an action. If you disobey a traffic law, you will get a ticket whether or not you knew about the law. As a driver, it is your responsibility to educated yourself about the laws governing the privilege of controlling a motor vehicle. It can feel "unfair" if you really had no idea about law and it wasn't an egregious act on your part.
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated- and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 10:20,21)
That which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin [which is the unwillingness to obey God's law] , cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. (DE&C 88:34,35)
The wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't just "punish" those who aren't His favorites because He has the power, even though He truly does have power to do anything He chooses! He loves us so much that He has stated that His "work and glory" is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life" of every one of His children- US! He does not have any interest is having us fail. He has done all He could by sending ministering angels, the Holy Ghost, His Only Begotten Son, and prophets to guide, direct, advise, and teach us. On top of that, He allowed that Only Begotten Son to come to earth as an insignificant mortal baby, grow up, be rejected, despised, mocked, and eventually murdered to balance the justice of our receiving the consequences of our rebellion and sin. We have been handed mercy. The sad thing is, there are so many who refuse to accept it. God will not and CANNOT interfere with eternal, irrevocable laws that govern what will happen to us. He can sometimes perform miracles like having Moses part the sea, but He won't part the waters for every person who drives off a bridge or capsizes a boat. Jesus healed lepers so those around Him would know who He was. But people die every day of cancer and countless other diseases. God does have power to do any and every thing, but He will not interfere with our freedom to make our own choices. This whole thing is about the opportunity for each of His children to come to this planet, have a physical body and memory of being with Him before veiled and hidden, then to have the chance to choose what kind of person we want to be. If we seek to become our own God, make our own laws that we decide is "fair", then that's what we choose. He cannot and will not stop us. But He cannot and will not interfere with the consequences of our choice. Many will claim "ignorance of the law" and given further opportunities to be taught the fulness of the gospel but ultimately will make their own choice. We won't choose the consequences, only make our choice.
I think of punishment as being an uncomfortable situation or action that a person with power or authority forces upon someone else, whether the punished person knowingly did something to offend the authority or just because the authority decides they can issue the punishment at their discretion. Not all punishments "fit the crime" and not all punishments are perpetrated by the authority. In our household, we had the policy that if a child used a "bad word", they would get their mouth washed out with soap. It didn't happen often but one time the offending child even went into the bathroom and washed his own mouth out rather than have me do it. He did it as vigorously or even more so than I would have! When punishments are severe or unrelated to the "crime", the person being punished will feel they are being treated unfairly. The authority could well be accused of using their power unjustly. But consequences are simply the natural result of an action. If you disobey a traffic law, you will get a ticket whether or not you knew about the law. As a driver, it is your responsibility to educated yourself about the laws governing the privilege of controlling a motor vehicle. It can feel "unfair" if you really had no idea about law and it wasn't an egregious act on your part.
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated- and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 10:20,21)
That which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin [which is the unwillingness to obey God's law] , cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. (DE&C 88:34,35)
The wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't just "punish" those who aren't His favorites because He has the power, even though He truly does have power to do anything He chooses! He loves us so much that He has stated that His "work and glory" is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life" of every one of His children- US! He does not have any interest is having us fail. He has done all He could by sending ministering angels, the Holy Ghost, His Only Begotten Son, and prophets to guide, direct, advise, and teach us. On top of that, He allowed that Only Begotten Son to come to earth as an insignificant mortal baby, grow up, be rejected, despised, mocked, and eventually murdered to balance the justice of our receiving the consequences of our rebellion and sin. We have been handed mercy. The sad thing is, there are so many who refuse to accept it. God will not and CANNOT interfere with eternal, irrevocable laws that govern what will happen to us. He can sometimes perform miracles like having Moses part the sea, but He won't part the waters for every person who drives off a bridge or capsizes a boat. Jesus healed lepers so those around Him would know who He was. But people die every day of cancer and countless other diseases. God does have power to do any and every thing, but He will not interfere with our freedom to make our own choices. This whole thing is about the opportunity for each of His children to come to this planet, have a physical body and memory of being with Him before veiled and hidden, then to have the chance to choose what kind of person we want to be. If we seek to become our own God, make our own laws that we decide is "fair", then that's what we choose. He cannot and will not stop us. But He cannot and will not interfere with the consequences of our choice. Many will claim "ignorance of the law" and given further opportunities to be taught the fulness of the gospel but ultimately will make their own choice. We won't choose the consequences, only make our choice.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
POWER
I have heard of zealous people who play with deadly snakes and indulge in other risky behaviors on the grounds that they have "enough faith" so God will protect them. I do believe that God is aware of those who trust in Him. However, He is totally in charge. He controls when someone arrives in mortality and when someone leaves. We can take that power into our own hands by suicide or murder but that is evidence that we don't trust God. It is really important to God that we trust Him. Just as any loving parent, He loves us, takes care of us, blesses us, and wants us to believe that whatever He decides, whether or not we understand, is what is best for us and everything we may not be fully aware of. He expresses His frustration thus: O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore their wisdom is foolishness, and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. (2Ne 9:28) He warns us ahead of time and reminds us after experiences where we might forget to pay attention to greater wisdom. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. (Deut. 8: 17) Even great Bible heroes like King David can forget. I am amazed when I read 2 Samuel 22 how expressive David is about how much he loves and worships God, yet, ultimately he gives in to the natural man (who is the enemy of God) and forgets to obey and trust God who has given him EVERYTHING!! In the book of Acts 8 we can read about Simon, a former sorcerer, who watches the apostles give the Holy Ghost to people and admires "their power" but obviously has no clue what the power is or whose power it actually is. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for they heart is not right in the sight of God.
God has given us the information we need if we want to be like His prophets or Jesus's apostles. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15,16) There have been several people who have manages to have incredible power to persuade people, cause miracles, and feel confident and at peace. We read of such a man in Helaman chapter 10: Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou has done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to they word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. Although Nephi was unusual as a righteous man, he was not the only one. He was "cleansed every whit from his iniquity".
So, the irony is that those who seek to have power to do miracles can only do so if they don't seek this power so others can admire them. God gives this power, not for the puffing up of men in their pride and vanity, but for the "work" to be done. Whether it's to get people to listen to the gospel or relieve the suffering of those He has determined should be relieved at the moment or any other purpose He determines in His greater wisdom and love, His power cannot be used except by those who are cleansed every whit from their iniquity. The power never belongs to individual men. The Lord can take it away any time- He can take THEM away any time. That's what we need to remember. And it's not because He is a big, mean boss who wants everything His way. It's because He loves us beyond what we can even comprehend and He is wiser beyond what we can comprehend. He wants to give us ALL that He has, but only when we're ready to deal well with it.
God has given us the information we need if we want to be like His prophets or Jesus's apostles. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:15,16) There have been several people who have manages to have incredible power to persuade people, cause miracles, and feel confident and at peace. We read of such a man in Helaman chapter 10: Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou has done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to they word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will. Although Nephi was unusual as a righteous man, he was not the only one. He was "cleansed every whit from his iniquity".
So, the irony is that those who seek to have power to do miracles can only do so if they don't seek this power so others can admire them. God gives this power, not for the puffing up of men in their pride and vanity, but for the "work" to be done. Whether it's to get people to listen to the gospel or relieve the suffering of those He has determined should be relieved at the moment or any other purpose He determines in His greater wisdom and love, His power cannot be used except by those who are cleansed every whit from their iniquity. The power never belongs to individual men. The Lord can take it away any time- He can take THEM away any time. That's what we need to remember. And it's not because He is a big, mean boss who wants everything His way. It's because He loves us beyond what we can even comprehend and He is wiser beyond what we can comprehend. He wants to give us ALL that He has, but only when we're ready to deal well with it.
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Let it go- no, REALLY LET IT GO!
I have been experiencing a strange increase in bad dreams recently. I rarely remember my dreams but there have been instances lately where I vividly remember my dreams because I wake up suddenly. One time I hit Russ in the face by swinging my arm over on him. One time I woke up screaming. The worst was recently falling out of bed! The first time, in my dream I was trying to get someone out from under a bed I was on, by sweeping my arm around under it. The second time I was running like crazy being chased by someone on a motorcycle wearing a dark, full-face helmet. The recent time I was being circled by a large, fierce wolf and I was swinging my arm at him trying to scare him away. This may not seem like anything to most people. But, to me, it's an indication of a very unsettled feeling in my mind and soul. None of those scenarios were related to anything I had read or seen on tv or movies. Although I know I can't do anything about it and don't consciously talk about it, I know there are so many unpleasant things going on in the world and I don't like it. I'm sorry for the horrible fires, rioting, flooding, frustration, anger, earthquakes, etc. etc. I like Readers Digest because generally it has informative articles in a wide range of topics and stories where tense, worrisome events occurred but are now over so I don't have to be anxious about how it's going to turn out. I just read an article of frank admissions by a con artist. As a public service, he explains how con men work to cheat people out of their life savings. He describes how ruthless and cold-hearted this kind of person is. About a year ago, I nearly emptied out what we have in the bank to such a dishonest person. Fortunately, it was worked out thanks to the help of people who know more than I do about technology, but only after many hours of panic and stomach churning! Through all this I am reminded of what the Lord has warned us:
In the generation in which the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21)
(When the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled) And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. (D&C 45)
I have no problem with the Lord's admonitions to seek Him. Why would anyone NOT want to seek someone who is more powerful and wise than any human being who might be able to fix all this? Why would anyone NOT want to seek all He has to offer rather than the fleeting treasures of Satan's offers in Babylon? It's really stressful, though, when you know there is a better way than what the world offers and you want so badly for everyone else to get it! If everyone else DID get it, the world would be so different! We know that during the Millenium, Satan will be bound simply because nobody will listen to him. That's all it would take. We just need to have everyone stop listening to him. Easy, right? Apparently not because there have been prophets and ministering angels working on humans since Adam and Eve but Cain slew his brother Abel and the iniquity has continued since then.
They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:16)
So, in an effort to be a good steward on the earth as God expects and would be most beneficial to all of us, what do we do about global warming? What do we do about the poor, downtrodden, sick, afflicted, abused? What do we do about wars and rumors of wars? What do we do about people's really bad use of their freedom to choose for themselves? How do we change the world without forcing anyone to give up their freedom to choose for themselves?
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness no matter what anyone else is doing. We cannot pray away iniquity. God knows He cannot force anyone to be anything other than what they choose to be. He banished Satan knowing he was being who he wanted to be and would continue forever. We need to be able to be in the world but not be of (or part of) the world.
I know I will continue to be troubled but I'm writing this in hopes that thinking it all the way through will help to calm my soul. I know the Lord knows what is happening here. I know He knows the hearts and thoughts of all men. So why am I writing this?
I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. (D&C 38:30)
In the generation in which the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21)
(When the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled) And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. (D&C 45)
I have no problem with the Lord's admonitions to seek Him. Why would anyone NOT want to seek someone who is more powerful and wise than any human being who might be able to fix all this? Why would anyone NOT want to seek all He has to offer rather than the fleeting treasures of Satan's offers in Babylon? It's really stressful, though, when you know there is a better way than what the world offers and you want so badly for everyone else to get it! If everyone else DID get it, the world would be so different! We know that during the Millenium, Satan will be bound simply because nobody will listen to him. That's all it would take. We just need to have everyone stop listening to him. Easy, right? Apparently not because there have been prophets and ministering angels working on humans since Adam and Eve but Cain slew his brother Abel and the iniquity has continued since then.
They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. (D&C 1:16)
So, in an effort to be a good steward on the earth as God expects and would be most beneficial to all of us, what do we do about global warming? What do we do about the poor, downtrodden, sick, afflicted, abused? What do we do about wars and rumors of wars? What do we do about people's really bad use of their freedom to choose for themselves? How do we change the world without forcing anyone to give up their freedom to choose for themselves?
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness no matter what anyone else is doing. We cannot pray away iniquity. God knows He cannot force anyone to be anything other than what they choose to be. He banished Satan knowing he was being who he wanted to be and would continue forever. We need to be able to be in the world but not be of (or part of) the world.
I know I will continue to be troubled but I'm writing this in hopes that thinking it all the way through will help to calm my soul. I know the Lord knows what is happening here. I know He knows the hearts and thoughts of all men. So why am I writing this?
I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. (D&C 38:30)
Sunday, December 02, 2018
Reflecting on my purpose
Isaiah spoke of Jesus Christ who was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives...; to comfort all that mourn. It is an unbelievable gift that He suffered as He did for no other reason that to help all of us. His Father- our Father- planned for His only Begotten, only perfect Son to be scorned, abused, and slaughtered to pay the price of justice for all of us as we waste time and energy doing unnecessary and sometimes downright evil things that hurt ourselves and others. Yet, rather than be sorry we often try to justify ourselves in what we are doing. Alma (Book of Mormon chapt 42:30) warned his son Corianton about this: O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility. It saddens me when I hear people try to avoid responsibility for their actions by claiming that they don't think it's fair for God to expect a higher level of behavior, like it's God's fault for expecting too much. His only desire is, like any good parent, for us all to be happy and achieve a level of accomplishment that makes us feel good about ourselves. 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. Sometimes people become humble and truly repent and feel gratitude for having been "released from bondage"- the bondage of their own weaknesses. Wonderful! Then, like a dog returning to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11), we start being tempted and give in then try to justify ourselves. It's too hard. Somebody else made me do it. I've been doing good up til now. I'm not doing anything others aren't doing........
I'm not claiming perfection. I'm not being self-righteous. I know I keep messing up. I also keep repenting. If we don't want to "shame Christ" and what He did, we need to humble ourselves and turn to Him with full purpose of heart, not half-heartedly, not part-time only on certain occasions, not with exclusions but FULL purpose and real intent. We can do this. He knows we can. That's why He did what He did. But it's our own choice.
I'm not claiming perfection. I'm not being self-righteous. I know I keep messing up. I also keep repenting. If we don't want to "shame Christ" and what He did, we need to humble ourselves and turn to Him with full purpose of heart, not half-heartedly, not part-time only on certain occasions, not with exclusions but FULL purpose and real intent. We can do this. He knows we can. That's why He did what He did. But it's our own choice.
Saturday, December 01, 2018
Ritual or covenant?
By definition, a ritual is a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. A covenant is an agreement generally implying a promise on the part of all parties involved. Many people have considered baptism a ritual, occasioned by a sprinkling of water on the head. Even those who follow the example of Jesus Christ who was submerged by John the Baptist in the River Jordan often perform what they perceive as a ritual in order to be cleansed from past sins. This is a simple, one-time performance with very little consideration beyond it. However, a careful study of the four gospels in the New Testament discloses the prerequisite of repentance which involves a purposeful decision on the part of the one desiring baptism to make a change in their life. This change, being "reborn", is not a one-time instantaneous occurrence. It is the beginning of being someone unlike what you had been up to the moment of making the covenant with God. Rather than baptism being a ritual, like a pass to enter the kingdom of God, it is a covenant where we declare our desire and intention to be a different person. The Book of Mormon further clarifies our part of the covenant: as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life- I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? (Mosiah 18: 8-10) For God's part of the covenant, He promises to remember our sins no more, take us into His kingdom and consider us His. This is no small thing and should not be done lightly. God takes it seriously, and so should we.
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