How Can We Come to Know the Truth

(Observations taken from Luke 17:11-19) 

What Happened?

1. They recognized their need to be healed
2. They recognized the Lord, who He was and what He could do for them
3. They pleaded the mercy of the Lord .
4. Christ commanded them to show themselves unto the priests
5. They went as Jesus commanded
6. As they went they were healed
7. One saw that he was cleansed
8. He turned back
9. He glorified God/ Gave Him thanks
10. And Jesus said “Arise, go thy way"
    

Application

1. We must recognize our need for the truth (D & C  123:12)
2. We must accept that we cannot do it without Christ.  (2 Nephi 31:21)
3. We must understand that we are infinitely loved by an eternal being (Psalms 8:4-5)
4. What we want will not be handed to us. We must act.  (2 Nephi 25:23)
5. The way is marked before us. We must seek out that way and follow it. (Matthew 7:14)
6. In the process we will often obtain our answers and see the miracles. (D & C 123:17)
7. We must recognize the answers when they come (D & C 8:4)
8. We must always return again and again to He who has healed us. (Mosiah 4:9)
9. We should always praise Him and give for the answers we have received. (D & C 59:21)
10. Once we have our answer, we should “go our way” be an example, and endure to the end. (2 Nephi 31:20)

My Mission, My Zion

As many of you may or may not know I just returned from serving an 18 month mission to Panama. As a post to kind of jump start my blog I thought I would share the talk which relates some of my mission experiences. Enjoy! More blog posts to come in the future. Its good to be back.

The word in Spanish for mission is ‘mision’. When split in two one ends up with two words ‘mi’ and ‘sion’. Translated into English this literally means: my Zion. As missionaries we invite others to come unto Christ. To come to know their Redeemer through the learning and applying of His restored Gospel. We then invite them to follow His example, just as He extended the invitation over two thousand years ago “Follow thou me.” I spent the past eighteen months in Panama, with the hope of bringing but “one soul unto Christ” When I left I did not know what to expect. But as I helped others come to know their Savior, their Redeemer and their Older Brother… as they came to find their Zion… it was in their journey that my mission became my Zion and what I learned from each and every one of them I wish to share with you today. With their examples of today and scriptural examples of yesterday I hope my message will encourage each of us to be better, to walk straighter; to keep our eyes always focused on those things of eternity.  May the Holy Ghost aid and guide me as I speak with all of you this morning.

We read in the scriptures often of the importance of persevering. In 2 Nephi 31:20 we learn “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” The Apostle Peter for me has always been this great example of perseverance. We see his love and devotion to our Lord and Savior numerous times during His earthly ministry. But perhaps the greatest was first the agony of his denial, followed soon after by his acceptance to lead the Lords primitive church after His ascension into heaven. We are all familiar with the story. The night before the Lord’s crucifixion He prophesied that before the cock crowed, Peter would deny Him three times. It is my personal belief that in this moment Peter felt assured that such a thing would never occur. But just as the Lamb of God predicted, before the cock crowed, Peter denied Him three times. In Luke’s moving account of this experience, we read that Peter when the Lord looked upon Him “remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept.”

I personally think it could have been very easy for Peter to leave and never return. Shame, embarrassment, or guilt could have motivated him to separate himself. But he was the one who had known who Christ was. He was the one who had stepped out of the boat, and walked onto the water to the Master. Later, he was the one to whom the Lord directed His admonition to “feed my sheep.”  He never gave up, and no matter what we have done, neither should we. Moments of discouragement, hardship and frustration may come. But we must never let these things overtake us. If we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We must keep going, keep persevering until the end. Like the first convert of my mission. 

When my companion and I met Jesus Martin he was on the street selling empanadas. We had wandered around all afternoon searching for an investigator, following an address that seemed to have never existed. A problem all too common unfortunately. When we found Jesus he asked if we had a book. We gave to him and explained briefly the Book of Mormon. We would not see him for another month. We did finally make it to his home, following a prompting of the spirit; it was not long before he expressed the sincere desire to be baptized. Yet he related to us that he had done far too many things. He struggled with problems of the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. But we looked at him and asked him if he truly desired to be baptized, to be clean. His words, reminded me all too well of the words of Peter as Christ washed His apostles feet. “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head” (John 13:9) and I saw that in Jesus’ eyes as he begged us to help him become clean. Up until the day of his baptism he struggled. But he was cleansed, through baptism by water and the spirit. Jesus has already left this life, but the Sunday before he died, he blessed the sacrament, exercising the priesthood keys that he held. His was a life of perseverance, and though he never held any high position in the church. He offered his whole soul as an offering unto God (Omni 1:26)

Just as we must persevere through our struggles, a great source of strength can be found in prayer. The admonition to “pray always” or pray without ceasing is found at least 50 times in the Bible alone.  The church, as we know was restored once again upon the earth because a fourteen year old boy entered a grove of trees and asked our Heavenly Father in prayer a simple question. God has always encouraged communication with him. On my mission I had many opportunities to see answers to prayers; but perhaps the greatest, was when a twenty one year old boy named Michael, just like the first prophet of this dispensation, asked to know the truth.

I had just been transferred to my second area. Michael lived with his grandma, mother, and younger brother behind our apartment building. This particular evening we had taught him about the Word of Wisdom and invited him to be baptized. The simplest way to put it, he was a wreck. He shed tears as he admitted that he was a man of little faith, that he did not know if the church was true and he was not sure how he could ever know. As we taught him an all too familiar scripture came to mind “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”  So we invited Michael to give the closing prayer in that moment. We all got down on our knees and Michael began to pray. With all the fervency of a lost soul looking for the way to go he pleaded to our God and our Father. He asked him, in much the same way I am sure Joseph did almost two hundred years ago, to know what he should do. Then he asked God to send him a sign, to show him, somehow, if he should be baptized into this church.  And the scriptures read concerning signs: “But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe. Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God. (Doctrine and Covenants 63: 9-10). I knew that Michael believed. I begged God, in my heart in that moment, that He would reach forth His hand and work a miracle.

All too soon, the prayer ended. But no one moved. All that could be heard was Michael sobbing and all that could be felt was the Spirit, so strong physical warmth enveloped the room and all present. We asked Michael what had happened, what he had felt but he continued to cry. His grandmother also began to implore and he finally spoke. He told us that when he had asked God to know what to do he had felt a man beside him. When he had pleaded to know if he should be baptized on the date we had challenged him and had asked for a side, the unseen man had reached out and touched his arm.

I do not know what happened to Michael. I believe that if he has not already he will one day be baptized. Michael was an example to me about the power of faith and prayer. God knows what we need before we ask it, but He implores that we ask, that we might build our faith. We must pray always. We cannot miss even one morning or one night if we do not want the adversary to treat us like “waves upon the sea, driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6) Pray always. I you have been lacking start today. I can testify that it is strength, a necessity, like water in an arid desert; it is water to our souls, in this arid and fallen world.

Seeing God answers prayers throughout my mission taught me that God is merciful. The story of Paul, once Saul which we find in the New Testament also bear testimony to my heart of the love and compassion of our Father and His Son. Many of you are familiar with the conversion of Saul to Paul. He was a Pharisee who “made havoc for the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison (Acts 8:3). Saul was bent on destroying the church, even as he travels on the infamous road to Damascus we read that he is “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) and then we know, that as Saul journeys on this road, the Savior appears to him beseeching “Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou me?” And thus Saul was converted to Paul and became one of the greatest missionaries of the primitive church. “And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God (Mosiah 27:26)

Thirty five year old Jaime was Saul. Jaime persecuted members of the church whenever they had the misfortune to cross his path.  Leaders came to his home to do family home evenings with his wife and kids who were faithful active members. They desired to learn. He desired to argue. He had a book of our doctrine, with biblical scriptures that disproved every single point. With that as his weapon, he went around destroying the spiritual morale of his family. He kept them from going to the temple. They wept, he was glad. This modern day Saul continued, until he began his own journey down his own personal road to Damascus.  First, he decided to go to church with his wife. But he felt nothing. He was moved by a lesson on the Book of Mormon, but still he felt no inclination to change. Then, one night, after years... seven to be exact, of praying to know what he should do, he had a dream.

“In my dream” he told us, “I was a spectator as I watched a couple walking through a deserted city. They looked for something, what I did not know. They passed abandon streets, the wife, always leading, the husband, complaining that they would never get there because she did not know where they were going. They came to a park, the center of the city. An old woman stood there. She explained ‘there are many roads, which you can take to get where you are going; there are roads upon which you can take a car, a bus. There is beautiful road to your left and the most dangerous road to your right” The husband insisted that they take one of the more comfortable roads. One that they knew would be free of danger. But the wife disagreed. She assured her husband that they must take the most dangerous road. It was the only way to get where THEY wanted to go. With complaints from the husband every step, they went. They passed ferocious animals and crossed broken bridges. Through darkness and fog and all kinds of dangers they walked. The husband complained, the wife, pressed on. Then they reached the end of the road and the crest of a hill. A man gardened not too far away. The husband insisted they ask. The wife began to walk up the hill. The husband cried in anger ‘you don’t know if that’s the way, you don’t know… we must ask!’ and he turned to ask the gardener. In that moment I cried out” Jaime told us, “and said to the man, ‘follow your wife, she knows the way, she has always known the way, follow your wife!’ and then “Jaime said “I woke up, confused, I was not sure what it all meant, but I got down on my knees as if to pray. Before I could open my mouth the words came to me ‘Follow your wife, she has always known the way, follow your wife’ and I knew” Jaime said” that I needed to be baptized.”

We met Jaime on May 2^nd, and on May 10^th he was baptized. He went from attacking the doctrines of the church, to testifying of their truthfulness. He had said never and God had only said, not yet. Now, we may not have dreams. We may not feel or see or hear angels. But God tells us that it is never too late. When Jesus taught the parables of the prodigal son, the lost sheep and the lost silver he ended each by saying “I say unto you likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repent, then over the just that need no repentance…”  (Luke 15) No matter what you have done no matter how far down the wrong road you think you have gone, the drops of blood that stained the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross of Calvary are a witness to each of us that all is not lost. They cry out to us to come back. Christ himself beckons “Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.  (D &C 6:37). Jaime taught me, that it is never too late for anyone, no, not even for you.

My last example is the Book of Mormon’s own Saul. We all know him, as Alma the Younger. He is described as being a “very wicked and idolatrous man… he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities… giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.” (Mosiah 27).  Like Alma the Younger who wandered around reaping havoc where ever he went there was once a young man named Gerald.

One day we found a key in the street. It was a part of our area that we had never been in, so we decided to knock on the nearest door. A woman named Diosalina answered and let us in. She told us about her family. About her seventeen year old son, who was rather rebellious but loved to learn English because he wants to go the States someday. We wrote down the address and went to find Gerald. When we found him there was nothing exciting about him. In fact he did not even seem interested. We left him a pamphlet about the Restoration and invited him to English classes and that was the end of the conversation. We did not even ask for his number, but we left him ours. He came to English class and lingered afterwards. He asked if he could walk with us part of the way home so that he could see where the church was. He expressed the desire to come to that Sunday’s services.  As we walked he told me that he had never been baptized. We invited him to be baptized three weeks from that day, the Saturday before I would come home. He accepted, we left him with a Book of Mormon and prayed that he would attend. He came. He stood and bore his testimony. Everyone was shocked. The following day we taught our first lesson about Joseph Smith. He told us he knew it was true. The following day we taught him about the Book of Mormon. He expressed the desire that it be shared with the world. He told us that he had burned every worldly book, movie, or CD that he’d had. He began to read the Book of Mormon, reading as much as twenty chapters in one day. That next Sunday he came to church dressed just like a missionary. He only needed the nametag. He started going out to visit people with us. Then he told us why he had changed so completely, so quickly.

He told us that he’d had a dream. In that dream he was walking from one end of town to the other. He said everything was bright and beautiful. He told us that up ahead of him he saw two girls that looked like they were preaching. Then beside him, he saw our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In his dream Christ called him by name and said “you are going to meet two girls, and these two girls are going to turn on a light in your life. If you are to progress and reach your full potential... if you desire all the blessings I have planned for you, you must accept this light into your life and you must never turn back.” Two days after this dream, we knocked on his door. He knew the moment we entered his home, that we were those girls from his dream. He told us that he knew his sins were forgiven because as he prayed he felt such joy. Like Alma the Younger who said “and oh what joy, and what marvelous light, I did behold, yea my soul was filled with joy…” (Alma 36:20). Gerald was baptized on the date that he accepted. This past week, thanks to technology, Gerald called me. He told me that for the second time he has blessed the sacrament and that he would be meeting with the branch president to discuss his desire to serve a mission. He is preparing to serve a mission and a year from now will accept a call to fulfill the deepest desire of his heart, to tell the world about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  

Alma asked the faithful saints of  Zarahemla,  “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26) Have you felt this change of heart? If you have not, do you what you have to in order to be completely converted. Gerald showed me what it means to truly be converted. To change everything about yourself so that it is in harmony with God. A true conversion is not limited to age, Gerald is only seventeen. It does not matter how much money you make or how well you are educated. What really matters is where your heart is. What do you love most? God does not care so much what you want Him to give you, but what you are willing to give Him. King Benjamin taught “unless ye become as a little child ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 3:19). As followers of the Savior, we must become as little children and then become like Him, or we will never enter into the “many mansions” that he has prepared for us. Brothers and sisters, do what you have to. Start today. And never look back.

At this moment I feel as Ammon did, when he spoke of his brothers of his experiences… they consecrated 14 years of their lives to our Lord. And while the time cannot compare my heart bursts with the words of Ammon as he recounted. “We have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all of this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many… yea and my joy is carried away, even unto the boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on His name… now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever…” (Alma 26) Seeing these people change, changed me. Their journeys strengthened my testimony. Their struggles increased my faith. I can testify that the greatest convert, is none of the people that talked of today…. But the one who humbly stands before you now. I thought I knew of the love of my Savior. But I did not truly know it until I watched each of these come to know their Savior. As they found their Zion… they guided me to mine.

"For I Desired Mercy and Not Sacrifice..." (Hosea 6:6)

Recently in my study of the New Testament I have noticed that Jesus refers to this passage quiet a few times when telling the Pharisees how their outward acts will not be enough for the kingdom that He is establishing. Jesus draws on this prophecy specifically and it is from this prophecy that I would like to found a discussion on the idea that the kingdom that Christ established, the kingdom of God, is a kingdom of the purging of the hearts. In many instances we are asked ourselves to examine our motives behind our actions. Do we do it for the glory of men or to please God? Is our heart focused on the things of the eternities? How do we view others? How do we view God?

In 1 Samuel 16:7 the Lord tells Samuel that he doesn't look on the outward appearance but rather "on the heart". Over and over again in His ministry Jesus reminds us that it is why we do things, not how much we do that really matters. This concept comes up numerous times in His ministry as He teaches His disciples to avoid "the leaven of the Pharisess" for they have corrupted the law with their oral traditions.

Jesus uses Hosea's prophecy to rebuke the Phariesees when they attempt to dispute whether Jesus' disciples break the Sabbath when they eat from the corn of a field that they are walking through. (See Matthew 12). In my study of Matthew I have found that Jesus often does things like this so that the Phariesees will call Him out on it and He has an opportunity to teach the correct principle. In this case He declares himself Lord over the Sabbath. I invite you, my dear reader, to consider that perhaps we should reevaluate the attitude of our heart. The Lord said. "Where treasure is, there is your heart also" (Matt. 6:21). Allow me to give an example of my own.

Every Sunday two men go to church. One of them goes so his neighbors know that he is a good person because he goes to church and spends a few hours listening to a sermon about God. He dresses in his finest apparel and everyone that sees him knows that he is off to church to worship the Lord. Many people admire him for the pristine way in which he takes his seat and listens to the sermon, his back erect, his head upright. To them, it is as if he is proud to be in the presence of God. Yet as he sits there and, to others, appears to listen to the sermon his mind wanders to the football game he will watch after church or the fact that he needs to wash his car. Instead of learning about how he can minister to others, he is thinking of what his wife will make for dinner that night.

Man number two. This man has come on hard times. He only has one worn out suit with many patches meant to cover up the holes of the jacket. He walks to church every Sunday no matter the whether and takes his seat at the back of the church. He doesn't want to be noticed. He is simply there so that God can patch up his broken soul and contrite heart. He wears a look of serenity and peace as the sermon begins and no one notices the man's tears as he silently thanks God for the preachers words. It was exactly what he needed to hear that day.

The soul searching question I invite each of you to consider is: what man am I? What do we think about as we sit in church? Why do we even go to church? God should not be someone that we simply think about one day a week and then forget about the rest of the time. There is a great example of the contrast between these two types of individuals in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma has come across the Zoramites which had built synagogues and there they did gather one day out of the week to worship and if any man desired to worship he must stand atop a tower of sorts. There they would offer the same prayer as everyone else. We read "Whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice" (Alma 31:14). In contrast Alma then preaches to the humble who have been cast out of the synagogue. "I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye." (Alma 32:8)

Who are you? Where is your heart? My hope for each of you is that you strive to be of humble heart, especially this time of year as we give thanks to others and to God for all that we have been given and all that He has blessed us with. Turn to the Lord, in this admonishment I echo the explanation of Peter when Jesus asked His disciples if they would turn from Him. Where else would we go? May God watch you over in this holiday season, until you read again.

"Let Your Light So Shine Before Men..." (Matthew 5:16)

David A. Bednar's series of short videos about the light of Christ has inspired me to address the topic of the light of Christ at a deeper level. All of us, I believe are guilty of looking at another individual and judging them on how we perceive them. My dear reader, I exhort you to remember "man looketh upon the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). We are all His beloved sons and daughters. As such each of us has traces of the divine, a spark of deity that, when cultivated and nurtured, has the potential to burst into flame and consume all that is rebellious and un-Christlike within us. This spark can cause our seed of faith to blossom and bloom into a beautiful flower of certainty that will root us in the Gospel and attach us firmly to Him. Yet what is this "spark"? How do we recognize it? And how do we cultivate it into a power of such caliber, that it can change the world?

There are a plethora of referees to light in the Bible. From Christ being a light to guide our feet (Psalm 119:105) to prophecies of Christ which compare Him to "the light of the morning" (2 Samuel 23). Yet the light that I wish to speak of is similar to what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 4:6 when he writes "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Yet this light comes before we believe in Christ. Every man who has, lived, does live, and will yet live upon this Earth and any other Earths God has created has been instilled with the light of Christ. The world would call it a conscious. The little voice inside your head that each of us wrestles with when attempting to make what we view as life changing decisions. Perhaps the best place to look for an explanation of this kind of light is not found int he Bible at all but rather, in the pages of The Book of Mormon.

This particular definition of light comes at a time when the people of the American continent (Lamenites and Nephites) are extremely wicked. They are destroying one another without mercy. Mormon, the father of Moroni and editor of the book of Mormon writes in an epistle to his son "for so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually." (Moroni 9:5). Yet he admonishes his son "And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently" (Moroni 9:6). Despite the wickedness of the people Mormon, and in turn Moroni, were determined to try and call the people to repentance, to guide them to a remembrance of their God and a realization of their own wickedness. And just like Mormon did to his son I pray for your my dear reader that as the world departs more and more from the path of righteousness and the ways of God, "may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing of his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever" (Moroni 9:25)

As a result of all this wickedness Moroni writes somewhat of the things of God, thinking that he should have already been destroyed by the Lamenites considering the sore battles that have previously ensued. Yet he lives for a purpose he knows not. From this context comes the explanation of the light that is the center of this post, even the light of our Lord and Redeemer. "For behold, the Spirit [or light] of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;" (Moroni 7:16). Let's ponder upon this verse for a moment shall we. If God is our Father (which I boldly submit that He is) and he loves each of us as His child, would He not instill in each of us a personal compass that can guide us back tot he right path when we stray and ultimately lead us back to Him? If the goal of the Plan of Happiness is to have every soul return to Him why would he save some and not others? I submit to you that through this light, even the light of Christ, we come to understand the ways of God, our paths can be lit before us as we come to a knowledge of His Gospel and the truth He has revealed in these, the Latter Days.

Even some Latter Days Saints confuse the light of Christ with the Holy Ghost, which is the third member of the Godhead and confirmed upon you after baptism. So what exactly are the differences? We must fully understand the first, before we can understand the second.  In  verses of scriptures the light of Christ is explained as “the Spirit [which] giveth light to every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 84:46) “the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed” (D&C 88:13; “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (D&C 84:45), “the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18;), “the Spirit of truth” (D&C 93:26), “the light of truth” (D&C 88:6), “the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:17), and “the Holy Spirit” (D&C 45:57). President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has said: "Conscience affirms the reality of the Spirit of Christ in man. It affirms, as well, the reality of good and evil, of justice, mercy, honor, courage, faith, love, and virtue, as well as the necessary opposites—hatred, greed, brutality, jealousy (see 2 Ne. 2:11, 16). Such values, though physically intangible, respond to laws with cause-and-effect relationships as certain as any resulting from physical laws (see Gal. 6:7–9). The Spirit of Christ can be likened unto a “guardian angel” for every person..."

Yet what is this light of Christ meant to help us do? We previously discussed in Moroni how it is meant to help individuals determine right from wrong. This concept affirms the idea of agency, a foundational pillar of God's plan for each and every one of us. I have discussed with you the idea of a pre-existance, that we lived with God as spirits before we came to Earth. How everyone that is now upon the Earth chose to come here and follow the plan that our Eternal Father in Heaven laid out for us. Nephi affirms this idea of choice "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Ne. 2:27). Yet we are admonished to “quench not the Spirit” (1 Thes. 5:19). Thus we can see that “[all] are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil” (2 Ne. 2:5) I think every one understands this idea. When you first do some thing you feel to be wrong or against your moral standards it is difficult correct? You feel like everyone knows what you have done and the guilt can some times be unbearable. Yet when you do it a second, a third and even a fourth time unpunished it becomes easier, potential consequences do not appear quiet so ominous, the light of Christ, your conscious, becomes quieter and quieter until it is stifled completely and you cease to hear its guiding voice and recognizing His directing light.

As I have previously said, he Light of Christ existed in us before we came to this Earth. D&C 93:23 says "Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth" This light will be with us every moment that we live and will not perish when the mortal part of us has turned to dust. It is ever there. Every man, woman, and child that has ever existed and will ever exist upon this Earth- everyone, no matter where they live or what they believe or what they do—has within them the imperishable light of Christ. In this respect, all men are created equally. The light of Christ in everyone is a testimony that God is no respecter of persons (D&C 1:35). He treats everyone equally for we are all His children and He loves us all the same.

Now for the Holy Ghost. It is important to know that the Holy Spirit can work through this light of Christ. It must be conferred upon us after baptism and we must receive it. If we do not heed the promptings the Holy Ghost will not strive with us. The Holy Ghost works through the Light of Christ to witness to us that some thing we hear or learn about is true. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." (1 Corinthians 2:10). President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke of the teachings of the Holy Ghost and of the Spirit of Christ: “Every man can receive a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, even when he is out of the Church, if he is earnestly seeking for the light and for the truth. The Holy Ghost will come and give the man the testimony he is seeking, and then withdraw; and the man does not have a claim upon another visit or constant visits and manifestations from him. He may have the constant guidance of that other Spirit, the Spirit of Christ.”

My dear reader. You have the spirit of Christ. If you have been baptized and confirmed by the proper authority you also have the continual companionship of the Holy Ghost. There are so many beautiful promises in the scriptures about the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Christ told his disciples in Jerusalem before he ascended into heave:  “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). I testify to you that this is true. You were once taught of the things that I write about on this blog. If you prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, which is the word of God, with a desire to act upon the revelation you will receive the Lord will manifest the truth of these things unto you (see Moroni 10:3-5). Learn from the feet of the missionaries. Come to know the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, cultivate this light of Christ through heeding the impressions you experience and walking in righteousness before the Lord. Let His light shine through you and may He bless you, until you read again.

Be Not Drunk With Wine... But Be Filled With The Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of Mormons is their abstinence from wine and other strong drinks. Critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints often use the story of Christ turning water into wine in discussions about the health habits of latter Day Saints. The common argument: "Jesus drank wine... so why don't you (or the cases of investigators: I)?" They accuse Latter Day Saints of claiming that their God is a God of change. Yet no really looks hard enough because if they did I sincerely feel that it would make a lot of sense to a lot of people, especially to those who are familiar with the scriptures and the ways of our eternal Father in heaven. To sum it up, there are numerous reasons why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints don't partake of such things as alcohol, tea (except herbal), and coffee. However, there are two main points I would like to discuss in this post. One, the common reason, Latter Day Saints do it because the Lord has commanded it; and another, not so common reason, because the Lord desires to separate His people from the rest of the world. 

However, before I jump into the two reasons I have submitted for your consideration I wish to outline the heath, formally known as the Word of Wisdom, of the Mormon Church. It can be found in the Doctrine and Covenants in Section 89; in these verses can be found numerous health guidelines. I do not intend to outline all of them but let’s discuss a few.

All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; (verse 14)

Here is discussed the importance of grains. We were all taught as children about the food pyramid. We were all taught that out of everything we ate what we should partake most frequently of included breads and grains. In this verse the Lord has admonished the same thing of his Saints. To make grains a staple part of their diet.

And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

About forty years ago or, before everyone learned how bad it was for you, every one smoked except for a minority, that minority consisted in large part of Latter Day Saints. Joseph Smith had received this revelation from the Lord long before things like lung cancer and other problems were known to be caused by partaking of tobacco containing substances. The Lord is all knowing and He desires to protect all of His children, including the Saints, from the harmful things of this world, but spiritual and temporal. This admonishment is evidence of His desire. Science has proved that this suggestion is not unfounded, why should we not heed the words of God? (Verse 8)

That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father… And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies… And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.”(Verse 5,7,9)

Definitely the most controversial aspect of the latter Day Saint health code, is the admonishment not to drink coffee, tea, or wine. We could spend hours debating back and forth about the positive and negatives aspects of these difference beverages but for Latter Day Saints it really all comes down to the fact that they believe the Lord has commanded it, so they do it.

So let’s discuss that concept, the idea that the Lord has commanded so we do it. A lot of us as individuals like to know why we have to do something. I know I do. But that is not the way of our Father. As I have previously mentioned we are here to be tested. Let us recall the Saviors reminder, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). No one ever said the crosses we would have to carry would be easy. The path that Christ walked was not one of ease and comfort why should it be for us? For a great reward requires a great sacrifice. Now if you will look in your Pearl of Great Price (another book in the scriptural canon of Latter Day Saints) to the Book of Abraham. In this the book the Lord further explains the purpose of such commandments like the Word of Wisdom. “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:26). The Lord wants to see how we will react when He interacts with us in our lives.

Recall for a moment the story of the ten lepers. Ten lepers came to Christ and desired that He should heal them. In compassion he commanded them, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.” Luke records “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). When the ten formerly leprous men realized what had occurred then went off rejoicing. Only one returned to thank the Master for what He had done. Yet Christ, being all knowing and in tune with His Father would have known that this would occur. Yet he commanded all of them to do such a thing when He, I’m sure, very well knew that only the one would return to express His gratitude. He even asks the one “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17) I submit to you that the Lord performed this miracle and then blessed the individuals according to the way they reacted. I do not think we can surprise God but I believe we can affirm to kind of people he knows we are. Why would we not want to prove that we are willing to pick up our crosses and follow after Him? Why would not want to called his sheep?

The second reason, the one that is not as common as the first is the idea that God wishes to make His people holy. The word holy in Hebrew is kodesh, the root “kadash” also means to be separated or divided. In making His holy God wishes to separate them. Consider for a moment the laws of Old Testament Judaism. One of the defining characteristic was the fact that they didn’t eat pork, or anything that God revealed to be defiled or unholy. I ask you: does this commandment have any eternal significance? Other than being a commandment of God was the eating of pork going to kill a Jew or damn them to hell? Not at all, the Lord commandment it because he wanted His chosen people to be different. He wanted them to be Holy. The same explanation can be offered for the word of wisdom. The Lord has commandment Latter Day Saints to not drink not because He will damn them to hell if they do or that a glass every once in a while will cause detrimental problems to their health but because he wants to separate his people and make them holy. In the New Testament the Lord commanded “Therefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:17). The Lord has used the Word of Wisdom to separate His Saints just as he used a kosher diet to separate the Jews. Question not the Lord for His ways are just and they will guide you to Eternal life.

It is possible that I have helped some of you understand further this concept. Before ending I would like to share one last thing with you, that is, the blessings of doing what the Lord asks. If you will return to section 89 the Lord outlines blessings for sticking to this health code of sorts. He says that if one follows these guidelines they “shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (verses 18-21). I testify that even though we cannot understand the ways of God we can be blessed by following all the things that He commands us to do. Our Savior said “f ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). Be not of the world my dear readers, glorify him in all that you do. May He bless you until you read again. 

“For God So Loved the World That He Gave His Only Begotten Son…” (John 3:16)

This next lesson is one that is very dear to my heart and soul as a Latter Day Saint and a Christian. We are going to discuss the role that Jesus Christ plays in the theology of Mormonism. He is vital to the plan. His atoning sacrifice is at the center of the intricate and perfect path that will lead us back to Him and help us gain Eternal Life. But first, let me be clear on the Christ that I speak of. There are many who believe that the “Mormon Christ” is different from the “Christian Christ” as a Latter Day Saint I am here to tell you that such a thing could not be further from the truth. I had someone tell me once “Mormons don’t believe that Jesus carried His cross like other Christians do.” Granted had I not been eleven years old I probably would have questioned them further on the matter. As it is, I will tell you what I believe from growing up as a Latter Day Saint in the Mormon Church.

We believe in a Christ that was born in a manger, with no place in which to lay his head. His virgin mother Mary, wrapped him in swaddling cloth and wise men from the East and shepherds visited him. A new star appeared in the sky as angels heralded his entering into the world. The experience of Christ’s birth of those who dwelt in the America’s is very similar to the experience of those in Bethlehem. The Book of Mormon records “And it came to pass also that a new star did appear according to the word… “ (3 Nephi  1:19).  Latter Day Saints believe in the Messiah born in the manger, brought forth by a virgin, the literal son of God.  In his article Dr. Robert J. Matthews, Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University we learn, “The Book of Mormon tells us that the person we call Jesus Christ is the God of that whole world, and of all people,  and has been working among all nations to the extent of their willingness and ability, and in accordance with His own timetable.”

Yet even long before his birth, the Savior of the world was prophesied of by prophets of old. Isaiah prophesied that “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). Jeremiah recorded “Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the Earth” (Jeremiah 23:5). The King, was Jesus Christ, the God of the Old Testament. Jehovah, the Only  Begotten Son of the Father.  Just like Biblical prophets, the prophets of the Book of Mormon looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. A prophet by the name of Samual preached to the people of Zarahemla, a city built up by the people of the Americas, “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall  believe on the Son of God the same shall have everlasting life.”

Perhaps even more beautiful than the prophecies of Christ’s coming into the world is the prophecies of his atonement, the sacrifice that would provide a way for all men to return to our Father in Heaven if they believe on the name of Christ and do all that He has commanded them. Alma prophesied “And he shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and tempations of every kind and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith He will take upon himself the pains and sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death , which bind his people, and he will take upon him their infirmities that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11-12). The purpose for the atonement of Jesus Christ, for all his suffering, tribulation, and eventual death was so that he would know how to comfort those who had such experiences. Even on the cross who knew what it felt like to be forasaken by God so he could understand what it felt like to sin, so he could know what it felt like to be completely an utterly alone. He had no place to go that he might better understand the plight of the homeless, he fasted for forty days that he might know to mollify the parched and the famish. He was tortured “stricken for our iniquities and bruised for our transgressions” that he might know how to offer solace to all his suffered, in whatever form that might be.

The question remains: why did this sacrifice need to be made? Why was it necessary for Jesus Christ to kneel beneath the pains of the world and be lifted up upon the cross? One of my favorite verses explains it better than I ever could “And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for [our] sins, through faith and repentance and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory” (Alma 22;14). Nephi tells us “Wherefore all mankind were in a lost and fallen state and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer” (1 Nephi 10:6). Essentially, without Christ and his sacrifice the Plan of Salvation would be null and void we would be subject unto the devil (see 2 Nephi 9) and never be able to return to the presence of God. All Christian denominations refer to this as the concept of grace and just like any other Christian denomination Latter Day Saints revere this concept as doctrine and the word of God. Without Christ we cannot be saved.

The atonement is real. That it's power is strong enough to overcome all the hardships that we experience in life. No matter who or where we are. No matter what we've done or how far from God we may feel. Christ sacrifice was an infinite and all-encompassing atonement. Whatever past regrets may haunt our minds and weigh down our spirits the sacrifice of the Lamb can heal all wounds, take away all pain, and soothe all sorrows. There is a balm in Gilead and it is the love of a Father in Heaven coupled with the selfless sacrifice of the Lamb. His blood erases any stain, straightens any path, overcomes any weakness that we, as mortals but still beloved children of God, may have, and mends all that is broken. I testify that He lives, the Savior and Redeemer of the world lives. He pleads for our souls before the Father masking our imperfections with the perfect life that He lived. Come unto Him and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Partake of the fruit of His love and forgiveness, taste of its sweetness and revel in the knowledge that Christ died for you. Had you been the only one for which a debt needed to be paid He would have paid the price because you are beloved, you hold a spark of divinity, and you are capable of becoming like Him. Make a promise to yourself now. If you have experienced the peace of having Christ at the center of your life but have strayed from that of late, return to Him. If you have never experienced it, discover Him. If you are walking in His footsteps faithfully, live for Him. May God bless you and may you all experience the joy of a Christ centered life, until you read again. 

"All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience" (D&C 122:7)

I am changing my tone a little bit for this post. Normally my posts are very intellectual drawing on scriptures and logic to explain doctrinal concept that I see as rather controversial in the world of religion that mingles to often with personal opinion and hostility. Today's post is founded upon an email I sent to a very dear friend some time ago who is now serving a mission for our Lord and Savior (and doing a good job of it too). I pray that you, my dear reader can be uplifted by it just as I pray he was uplifted by it.

I know life can be hard; believe me I know. But I can personally testify that through the grace of our Savior and his atonement,  just as I have, you can once again find the peace that comes from living a life shoulder to shoulder with Him. The experiences of this past year (I can without a doubt say that it has been one of great adversity but also great growth for me) have shown me numerous things that I thought I knew but I guess never fully understood. There are four thoughts that I wish to share with you. Four lessons that I believe will help you get through whatever difficulties you are currently facing and aid you the rest of your life. Just as they have helped me once again refocus my gaze on what really matters.

1. Happiness is a Choice

Its such a simple concept but is so life changing when embraced and fully understood. It is what has gotten me out of the darkness that I've been wandering through for what felt like an eternity. I woke up a recent morning and I made the decision that I wouldn't let past mistakes hurt me any longer. I'm going to be happy. I am blessed in so many ways and it is a disservice to myself to not acknowledge all that He has given me. I am going to serve a mission. Not just a literal, go out into the field and serve, kind of mission. My life is going to be a mission for Him. We cannot be properly receptive to the Holy Ghost when we let darkness and despair dampen our vision of Eternal Life with our loving Heavenly Father. I have learned the hard way how it feels to be far from the Lord and I can testify that it is not a place of happiness or joy. The scriptures tells us "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15) Choose to serve the Lord my dear readers. That includes choosing to rejoice in this beautiful life he has given us. The Savior suffered to cover all our pains, disappointments, sins, and yes even our broken hearts. The only thing that is truly ours to give is our will, with the debt to Him that we have accumulated, I can think of no better way to repay Him than by living a joyful, service-filled life. I pray you go about your life with the desire to be happy and a yearning to bring others that happiness. Therein embodies that joy of the Celestial Kingdom and a life with our Lord.

2. Be Not Afraid

Fear, such a corrosive emotion. It decays the spirit and imprisons the mind. It can swallow even the faintest gleam of hope if we do not face it and learn to replace it with faith. The scriptures teach us "the Lord did not give us a spirit of doubt or of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7). I loved that scripture when I first read it eight years ago and I love it even more now. What we feel when we look at ourselves and say that we are not good enough... that we are not worth it... that we cannot do it... is not from God but from Satan, the father of all lies. I'm sure all of you know this. But do you know it. Do you believe it with all that you are? Do you truly understand the contrast between the dark, foreboding grip of the adversary and the gentle, inviting embrace of the Spirit? I pray that you do. If not, I implore you to never cease to ask the Lord for His Spirit to be constantly with you. When He leaves, when we allow the troubles of life to turn our gaze away from Him, it is like we are engulfed in a storm from which there is no harbor. Our sails must be ever raised in the name of our God. In the midst of the pelting hail we must turn our gaze heavenward and cry for the Lord's guidance. He will not leave us comfortless. Even when it seems that there is no comfort to be had. We must press on. Christ is the ultimate example. Even though he had every power to stop the pain of the atonement He chose to do His Father's will. I pray that we be just like Him. May we, in the midst of our pain, always look up towards heaven and know that Christ is never far way. As you go forward be not afraid my friend. "Weeping endureth for a night but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). Always remember that no matter how harsh our storms may seem if we do not turn our back on Him, He will never cease to be with us.

3. Love, Even in Loss

 I have never been one to simply lay down and let the adversary have his way with me. Eventually, after all the blows I've taken this past year, I got up. I don't think I got up spiritually until recently but the day we said goodbye, I physically and literally made the choice to pick myself up and go on. I honestly believe that I didn't start becoming my old self again until I started to really love those around me. Previously I selfishly wished that someone would just take my hand and tell me everything was going to be alright. Then, I started noticing the need to take the hands of others and be the comfort that they needed. Have I always done it willingly, no. But gradually, as I've prayed for opportunities the Lord has brought people to me that could use my help and influence. I don't pretend to be the answer to all their problems but I pray that like you are going to be, I can be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Just remember that even when we fail, lose someone or something we love, or feel as if we just can't go on, reach out. Think of the hymn "Because I Have Been Give Much". “Because I have been given much I too must give.” How selfish is it to expect everyone else to give to us when there are so many which need our love and companionship. I pray that as you go about your life you reach out in love. No matter how difficult or monotonous the days may seem, no matter how unsuccessful you may feel, even if you come to regret any of your past decisions never forget to love with all that you have. Have charity my friends, “it never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8) and if you are found possessed of it, neither will you.

4. Some Times the Brightest Rainbows Only Come After the Harshest Storms

How merciful the Lord is my friend. It took until a short time ago for me to realize that it was all in my hands. That I could spend my days wallowing in thoughts of what could have been or pick myself up and strive to notice the rainbows. As a child I always loved the spectra of light that represented a wonderful promise from God; a promise that he would never again flood the Earth. I think in many forms, He sends us spiritual rainbows, beautiful reminders that if we will but be obedient and always live for Him that our lives will not always be flooded with adversity and trials. He does not promise that there will never be rain, He simply assures us that we will never be engulfed in a storm that He will not help us through. I think it is absolutely magnificent. Moroni reminds us that the Lord's grace is sufficient for all men (Ether 12:27). I have a firm testimony of this and all I have told you. He lives and He lives to call us back to Him. He did not send us here to fail. He sent us here to live, to learn, to grow, and above all, to succeed. Remember that as you live for Him my friend. Remember it as you teach those whom God has prepared for you. Never forget that the sun always comes with the dawn, that at some point the clouds break to show the sky again. Endure. Endure with faith. Endure with patience. Endure with love. Look for life's rainbows and strive always to stand tall in the storms.

I do not pretend to understand any portion of the ways of the Lord. I am far from perfect and far from making it back to our Father in Heaven. But I have a testimony; a testimony of the power of adversity and trials to help us grow; a testimony of the power of the priesthood and the reality of our Lord. I know He lives. What a comforting concept! What a joyous proclamation. I pray my dear reader that you study the scriptures with diligence for they are the words of God. Pray with sincerity, for the Lord hears and answers your prayers. Serve with charity, have patience in affliction, let virtue garnish your thoughts and actions, accept the Lord's will with humility, strive for godliness, seek wisdom, gain knowledge both of spiritual and secular things, endure with temperance, and above all feed your faith. As you go throughout your life never forget what your trials have taught you. The Lord is always there even when we choose to turn our back on him. He believes in you, He loves you, and He waits for you. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know that Christ lives for He is my rock and my companion. I bear witness of the Holy Ghost and his ability to guide us in all the ways of righteousness. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, feast upon its pages, there is no greater joy then understanding and becoming more like Him. I know that this church is led by a prophet, heed his words and you will face all things in this life with courage and strength. I pray that you accept all things that the Lord places before you and always have the faith to say "thy will be done." I hope you are well. I hope you are noticing the Lord's hand in your life and preparing with real intent to serve with the purpose of bringing salvation to those you will meet. You have been called and chosen. Thrust in your sickle with all your might and reap the rewards of a life deserving of all the Father hath. I leave these things with you in the name of our Lord, our Savior and Redeemer, our God and our King, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.

“For By Grace Are Ye Saved Through Faith” (Ephesians 2:8)

Perhaps one of the most controversial religious issues since the mode for baptism could be the question of whether one is saved by grace or by works. It has been the debate among many denominations for as long as anyone can remember. I have touched on this topic numerous times in posts past but only recently did I decide to dedicate en entire post to this particular issue. First, let me place a disclaimer. Anything and everything I post here is my own opinion and thoughts from the research that I do. I in no way reflect the beliefs of the Church as a whole. The only real way to get answers and understand our doctrines is to study it for yourself by reading the Book of Mormon and talking with missionaries. Now that I’ve made that clear what is my position, as a Latter Day Saint, on the concept of grace and works in regards to the salvation of man?

There are two words in Hebrew that mean grace. The first “khanan” which implies grace or favor granted with the expectation of something in return later. Essentially “I’ll do this for you now but later I expect something in return.” It is give and take. The second and the one that will fit nicely into this discussion is the word “Khesed” which means an eternal gift. Really something that is given without strings attached. However, “khesed” also implies a contractile relationship. Everyone knows that in the signing of a contract there must be giving and taking on both sides. “khesed”, the freely given grace with the underlying tone of a contract is the grace that Paul talks about in his letters to the Ephesians. Yes it is freely given, it is a gift, but it is also given under the pretenses that there is to be give and take on both ends.

Yet there is another evidence of the concept of grace meaning a contractile relationship. When reading the New Testament in Greek you come across the word “pistis” which means “faith” but it also means “a relationship through a contract” Once again the idea is presented that faith is an action word; a word of giving as well as receiving.

But what of works?

For the sake of being on the same page we shall define works for this post as something that you do; an action and something that God cannot do for you. Based off of this concept is it safe to say that merely having faith in Jesus Christ is a work? It is something that we must choose to do; God cannot do it for us.

Critics of the need for works in being saved will say that it is through faith alone that ye are saved. Yet the only time the Bible mentions “faith alone” is in James 2:24 which says “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

So what does it mean to have faith?

Is faith nothing more than believing and trusting? Searching the scriptures, we see faith also involves assent to God's truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13), obedience to Him (Romans 1:5, 16:26), and it must be working in love (Galatians 5:6).  From these scriptures I think it is safe to assume that having faith is a thing of action. In fact Paul teaches that faith in Christ is a lifelong process; not a one-time experience. In his letter to the Philippians he says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). I do not think this means that we are completely on our own, that salvation depends solely on what we do. Rather, I interpret this verse to refer to the idea that even after we have accepted Christ and developed a faith in Him we must work to strengthen that faith in Him that has redeemed us from a lost and fallen state.

So our faith is constantly growing. It is subject to change. Recall the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23). If one looks at the seeds as faith then it is evident that, in some instances, the seeds are sown but do not take root, are choked by tears, or baked in the sun. Faith is something that must be cultivated and nourished and that, my dear readers, takes action. It takes work.

Christ himself emphasized the need for works in the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). He separates the sheep and the goats according to what they have done. He tells his faithful “For I was in hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in. Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me” (25:35-36). Such things require action.   We cannot merely accept Christ and then do nothing. We must live for Him as surely as He died for us.

Many critics of the Church will accuse Latter Day Saints of believing that we can earn our salvation. We do not believe that. As mentioned in a previous post we believe that all are saved through the resurrection. Thus God is a merciful God for everybody will take on immortally. Yet many use the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 which states “it is by grace we are saved after all we can do.” Yet what is “all we can do” A wonderful example is found in Alma 24:11 which says “It was all that we could do to repent.” Latter Day Saints believe that you must have faith in Jesus Christ, and then you must repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ with the proper authority, receive the Holy Ghost and continue in righteousness all the rest of your days.

We believe that it is through Christ that you are saved. For without the atonement and the shedding of His blood we could not return to the presence of God. Yet why do Latter Day Saints believe you need works? It was explained briefly in a post on baptism but another great reason in the concept of two deaths. First is a physical death; the separation of the body and the spirit; second, the separation of our spirits from the presence of God which is known as a spiritual death. Physical death is overcome through the resurrection of Christ for as surely as He was resurrected so will we be resurrected to dwell in perfection and immortality forever. 2 Nephi 9 says “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from the first death into life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy of Israel; and then cometh the judgment and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God” (2 Nephi 9:15). Here is where our works come in. We will be judged according to how we have lived out lives and from there will reside in one of the three degrees that has also been previously mentioned; this assignment to a degree of glory will either separate us from the Father or allow us to dwell in His presence for all eternity.

We stand by what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” Through Christ we can live lives of righteousness, faith and joy. Through Him we can repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Because of our faithfulness to our Redeemer we can prove our love and our gratitude for the gift of His grace by serving others, developing our talents, accepting callings, and growing into men and women of God. It is through faith that we are saved but it is by works that our salvation is justified before God. Now my dear reader, my question to you is this:

How has faith, in conjunction with works brought you closer to your Father in Heaven and your Savior?

God bless you my dear readers, until you read again.

“He Revealeth His Secret Unto His Servants, the Prophets” (Amos 3:7)

There are varying opinions on whether God still communicates with His children through prophets today. Some Christian denominations believe that this line of communication ceased with the death of Christ, for thus the barrier between men and God was removed and there was no more need for a mediator. Yet a modern day prophet is a distinguishing feature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in order to understand them you must understand their doctrine on Prophets.

For the Latter Day Saint the best place to start the discussion of the necessity of prophets is to teach about dispensations. To put it simply a dispensation is a period of time that follows a predictable pattern. They begin with a restoration of truth upon the Earth (God’s truth); the people are righteous and blessed for their obedience. Then they begin to prosper, become proud and wicked. Eventually their wickedness leads to an apostasy, an event in which God removes His influence from the people because they are too wicked. That is essentially dispensations in laymen terms. To be more specific the Bible Dictionary of the King James version expounds it as “a period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the Earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys, and who has divine commission to dispense the Gospel to the inhabitants of the Earth” The person previously described is a prophet whom God has called

Yet what evidence have you of dispensations in the Bible? Well in Ephesians 1:10 Paul writes of “the dispensation of the fullness of times” in which the Lord “might gather together all things in Christ”. This implies that there were other dispensations prior to "the end of days". Based on what has been discussed up to this point I submit to you that you can identify at least one dispensation with Adam, one with Enoch, another with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Christ with his apostles in the Meridian of time. During these periods of time the priesthood resided upon the Earth and prophets acted as a means to warn the people and bring them to God.

However, with the dispensation of Christ you run into something that is a little unique from other dispensation. Yes in other dispensations the Lord withdrew from the people and thus a new prophet had to be called at a later time to usher in a restoration. But with the ascension of Christ into Heaven the wicked people of that time started to kill off the Apostles od the Master. The New Testament records these events for us and as they die, the priesthood dies with them. Only this isn’t any withdrawal of the priesthood. This “withdrawal” lasts thousands of years and becomes known in LDS doctrine as the Great Apostasy.

Such an event is prophesied of a great deal in the Old and New Testaments. In Amos the Lord says “The days come, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12). Peter writes of “false prophets” that “shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2). Essentially this apostasy was a starvation of God’s word and understanding of Him until God saw fit to bring about a restoration of things once again.

In another post I will discuss how God prepared the world for the Restoration of the priesthood and His Gospel but now I think it is fitting to talk of the man that God called to head this dispensation. The dispensation that Peter referred to as "the dispensation of the fullness of times."  I am speaking of Joseph Smith. In “the midst of [the] war of words and tumult of opinion” Joseph describes in his own words a time when “priest [was] contending against priest, and convert against convert” (Joseph Smith History 1:6). Joseph felt as many of us often do wondering “what is to be done?” As many of us probably would have he turned to the Bible for his answer. He explains “I was one day reading the epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Joseph Smith History 1:10). He describes “never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine” Feeling like he’d received an answer to his prayer, or a way to find an answer, he did what I think most of us would do. He decided to ask God.

On a beautiful spring day in 1820 in the early hours of the morning, when Joseph Smith was just 14 years old he retired to a predetermined spot with the intent to ask God which religion, if  any, was right. When he knelt down to offer up the desires of his heart he explains “I was seized upon by some power, which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction” I shall take the liberty to guess that you are familiar with the very real being that is known as Lucifer or Satan. To summarize, he was cast out of heaven because he sought to take away the agency of men and take the glory for the success of all returning to the Father for himself. God the Father would not have it and Satan, even the Son of the Morning, was cast from heaven along with all those who chose to follow him.

I propose to you that if this account of a fourteen year old boy is true and God was trying to use him to restore the Gospel once again upon the Earth, Satan, who wishes to make everyone miserable like unto himself, would not want these events to transpire. Yet God will always prevail. Joseph goes on to say “exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy… and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair… to the power of some actual being from the unseen world… I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.” This magnificent light released Joseph from the hands of the evil presence that had wished to destroy him and when he looked he explains “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

I don’t think anyone, when they pray, anticipates an answer like this. Many critics of the Church balk claiming that God would not appear to a 14 year old boy. How could you trust such an account? Yet recall the calling of Samuel. It is clear that he was young when God called to him (see 1 Samuel 3:1-20). The ancient Jewish historian Josephus speculates that Samuel was about twelve years old. Despite exactness it is safe to assume from the verses that he was young and that the Lord did in fact speak to him. So for the Lord, calling prophets in their youth was not an unheard of practice but it seems to get the critics buzzing now a days.

Joseph Smith records that Christ told him that he “must join none of [the Churches], for they were all wrong; and… all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof.” [reference Isaiah 29:13] Just as God had in prior dispensations He had called another prophet to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all the organization, powers, and doctrines that existed in Christ’s time; a beacon for all those searching for answers and truth. So why do we need prophets today? The answer is really rather simple. To guide in Christ’s stead until the Messiah, the anointed one, returns to reign in all His resurrected glory. Thank you for taking the time to read my dear readers and may God never cease to bless you, until you read again. 

"Except A Man Be Born of Water and of the Spirit He Cannot Enter into the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5)

There is much debate over what the above passage means. Lately I have heard the popular explanation that Christ is referring to our physical birth as the “baptism of water” and we are baptized by fire when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. No disrespect to those individuals. I wholeheartedly vouch for people practicing and worshiping God however they see fit but allow me the opportunity to shed some light on the LDS view of this section and our opinion on baptism in general.

As always, I like to start at the very beginning. In this case I would like to draw your attention to the meaning of the word “baptism” in the original Greek. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek verb “baptidzo” which means “to immerse.” The process of baptism consists of immersion, submersion and emergence. In the world of the Latter Day Saint baptism symbolizes birth, burial and resurrection of the body which gives added meaning to Christ’s words when he says “except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God”(John 3:3). Yet there are many interpretations of this scripture (as previously mentioned) based on the claim that baptism is not needed for salvation. Let me teach you a concept that I intend to expound upon later, I am going to give you your first taste (for the LDS among you consider this a great review), of the Plan of Salvation.

In the Pearl of Great Price (a book that Latter Day Saints also revere as scripture) the Lord says to Moses “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). As Latter Day Saints we do not believe anyone is going to hell, unless you deny the Christ after the heavens have been opened to you. However, that is another post and will not be discussed in depth at this time. We believe in the resurrection of all mankind. God is no respecter of persons. He loves all of His children. In Jeremiah 1:5 He says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee” Just as a child is created to look like its parents we too are created to look like our Father in Heaven (see Genesis 1:26-27). God does not love in the way we humans comprehend the word. In 1 John 4:8-10 John explains that love “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herin is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” I personally interpret this verse to point to God’s eternal love for each of us as His children, whether we have accepted His son or not, we are His for He is our Father and He created us. 

Latter Day Saints believe that we will all be resurrected; no matter what we have done. This goes back to the idea of an all-encompassing atonement. This concept is spelled out beautifully in Alma 42:23 when the prophet Alma is talking to his son about justice and mercy. He teaches “But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice” (Alma 43:23). So mercy comes in the fact that all men will be resurrected but justice comes through the judgment of all men based on whether they have accepted Christ and other contributing factors that I feel impressed not to bring up at this time.

If you will recall when Paul writes his letter to the Corinthians he write of “Celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial” (1 Corinthians 15:40) essentially, Latter Day Saints believe that these “bodies” are, to put it simply, heavens of sorts. “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, another glory of the stars, for one star differeth from another star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). When the time comes we will stand before God and be judged according to the way we have lived our lives. Thus the demands of justice can be met.

To summarize you have the highest degree, which is the Celestial Kingdom or Degree. God the Father rules over this Kingdom, here those who have been baptized with the proper authority and have had all other appropriate ordinances performed will dwell with God. The next degree is the Terrestrial Kingdom, where Christ where rule and those who were good, accepted Christ, etc… will go here. Finally in the Telestial Kingdom, where the Holy Spirit reigns, those who may not have lived the way they should will dwell for eternity (I do intend to do a post outlining the Plan of Salvation at  some point but for now email me with your questions and I will do my best to answer them). 

So back to baptism; Latter Day Saints believe it is essential to get to the Celestial Kingdom. That view is based on scriptural teachings such as Matthew 28:19 which commands “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” If baptism were not necessary why would Christ command His disciples to go out and do it?

Latter Day Saints believe like other denominations that you first must have faith in Christ and then be baptized. We believe without the atonement even if you were baptized it would be null and void because there would be no cleansing blood of the Savior to provide a way for us to repent. However, after you have that faith and repented of your sins, we believe the next step is baptism. It is a symbolist act that represents the cleansing that accepting Christ does for your sins and your spirit. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Nephi writes of the importance of baptism “And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also, the voice of the Son came unto me saying: He that is baptized in my, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost; wherefore follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:11-12).

Baptism by immersion is necessary to receive “all that the Father hath.” It is not necessary to be saved in the sense that many Christians view the word but it is necessary if we wish to receive the highest reward that God longs to give us. I can testify, as a witness for Him, that he is a God mercy, a God of justice and a God of love. His plan, even the Plan of Salvation, is perfect. No one will be left feeling cheated or unhappy for the atonement of Christ satisfied the law of justice and allows mercy to have its affect. I testify that each and every one of us will cry out as Nephi did “Oh how great [is] the goodness of our God” (2 Nephi 9:10). God bless you my dear readers, until you read again.