"Kept From the Truth Because They Know Not Where To Find It..." (D&C 123:12)

The following post is a response to a comment a received not along ago regarding truth.

Dear Anonymous Bradley

To begin, I apologize for not replying last night when I initially read your comment. I felt the need to sleep on it and approach it with a clear head. That being said I also apologize for the length of this reply, I have spent some time thinking about what you have said and naturally, as I do with all my blog posts, I try to see it from every angle.

Thank you for your comment. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the fact that you read and enjoy my blog. It means a lot to hear from readers like you. It especially means a lot because the opinion you expressed is not one that I am used to hearing. I have come to appreciate very much, those that think and don’t take what they are told at face value. I believe that’s how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is. He always wanted people thinking outside of their comfort zones.

Honestly I agree with you on many things. Though I would not go as far to say that Joseph Smith preached false doctrine (I would be really interested in discussing civilly what facets of teachings you label as such). I personally think that at times he may have preached his opinion as opposed to the inspired word of the Lord. Because, not in spite, of my personal study, I believe that he was a prophet of God who was called to restore the Church with all the truth people are seeking, to the earth. With that out of the way I also believe as you, that he was human and that some of the things he said proved that. I think when we, as latter day saints hear things like that our knee jerk reaction is to deny it and yell “no your wrong.” I had a New Testament professor proclaim in class that Jesus was an impoverished peasant from Galilee and people automatically denied it. But it’s true. Historically speaking, that’s what he was.

Now to address your comment on truth. I think a lot of Latter Day Saints feel if they have an opinion opposite to what some general authority has said it is a sin and they must take it to their grave, never to be uttered in the light of day. This way of thinking is very ludicrous to me .For example, on occasion I wear a beautiful, dainty silver cross around my neck. Now there have been some general authorities that have suggested we focus more on the Resurrection as opposed to His death but to me this cross that I wear symbolizes both. It also reminds of all that my Lord and Savior has done with me and if anyone were to call me on it I would simply explain that. I like to think that the Savior himself would have worn one merely to make people re-evaluate their perceptions of weather it’s okay to wear or not.

I think a lot of people do “run from the truth” as you put it because they feel like doubting their faith at some point or another is a sin. I have had a few good wake up calls as I’ve personally studied work of non-LDS New Testament scholars. What is important to remember is that sometimes you’re wrong. Sometimes some things that you’ve grown up being told your whole life are wrong. Granted I have not stumbled across anything that has challenged a core doctrine of my faith that has caused me to question my membership in this church. However, I have been led to define my faith. What exactly do I believe in? Am I going to let this get under my skin or am I going to check multiple sources to develop my own opinion? The great thing about our Father is that He never asked us to follow blindly. We are always admonished in the scriptures to seek learning “by study and also by faith”

This vaguely reminds me of the Bread of Life sermon that is found in the New Testament Book of John. The writer of the Gospel of John loved to portray Jesus as the religious revolutionary that caused great divisions in the crowds that he taught and encountered. One of his main points was that those who Jesus taught could not understand what He was teaching because Jesus was a being of light, of the world above and they were beings of the world below, blinded by darkness. This is very evident in the Bread of Life sermon. To paraphrase, some of the crowd understands that He is not talking about literally eating His flesh and drinking His blood. However, most interpret His words literally and think He is referring to cannibalism. As those who used to follow Him so devoutly leave He turns to His disciples and asks if they will leave Him too. Peter’s response is perhaps one of my favorite in all of scripture “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of Eternal life” (John 6:68).

At times we will come across things that shake our faith. It is healthy. It strengthens our faith and our loyalty to the master if we can accept what we have discovered. Even if it’s merely accepting that there is a difference in opinion. Again I am so grateful for you comment and apologize for the length of mine. May God bless you now and always, until you read again.

Haley

"All Little Children are Alive in Christ..." Moroni 8:22

I intended to do this post some time ago but felt I needed to take time to ponder the subject and really figure out how I was going to present to the readers of my blog. The shooting in Connecticut was tragic indeed. It is one of those moments in our history where we realize just how wicked the world is becoming and how badly people need God in their lives. As has been anticipated, there has been political back lash regarding gun control from the left and the right side of the aisle. However, I am not going to discuss the politics from a Latter Day Saint perspective. Rather I am going to talk about an aspect of my religion that gives me hope regarding the children that were killed that day.

First, recall in the New Testament when Christ is teaching His disciples in Matthew 18:3 we read "except ye be converted and become a little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." and continued in verse 4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I invite you to ponder for a moment on the humility of the little children in your life. How sweet and innocent they are. Indeed I often feel that in interacting with small children we come to know the ways of our Savior just a little bit better for they are fresh from His presence.

Another instance of the importance of little children in the plan of salvation is seen in the Book of Mormon. In the crowning even of this other testament of Jesus Christ the Master Himself visits that people of the Americas in the flesh. As he teaches among the people he commands them to bring their little ones forward. We read "And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, he commanded that multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground... and he took their little children one by one and blessed them and prayed unto the Father for them.. and angels did minister unto them" (see 3 Nephi 17). Perhaps the sweetest aspect of this account is the fact that the Savior took them "one by one" on an individual basis and blessed them and prayed for them. We even read that He wept over them. I am certain that the day of the shooting the Savior wept as the little children were killed. Yet the Book of Mormon also teaches us that "the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory, and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgement which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them at the last day." (Alma 14:11) Essentially, God allows bad things to happen to good people that He might judge the wicked with justice and we know that the little children dwell with Him in the paradise of God.

The final doctrine that brings me such great hope as we grieve the loss of those sweet spirits from this world. In D&C 137 we read of the qualifications and blessings of the Celestial Kingdom which, from previous posts, we know to be the highest degree of glory where the righteous will go to dwell with a loving and all powerful Heavenly Father. In this chapter we read "All children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the Celestial kingdom of heaven" Thus these children who lost their lives are now dwelling with God in his Eternal glory. I hope that this post has brought you some peace. That it has helped you see the peace that the Gospel can bring to your lives. I pray that God comforts you as go throughout this New Year. May He bless you this year and all the rest of your lives my dear readers. Until you read again.

"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.

How Beautiful Are They To The Eyes Of Them Who There Came To The Knowledge Of Their Redeemer..."(Mosiah 18:30)

Thus closes the story of the people that Alma converted after being converted himself by the prophet Abinadi. For many Latter Day Saints, the focus of this chapter is the actual experience of the people when they were baptized and the covenant they made with God. However, the other day I was reading this chapter and I got to thinking about the above verse. I started to ponder on why the forest of Mormon and the waters of Mormon were so beautiful to the people. The verse tells us they came to know their Redeemer but what was involved in the experience of coming to know and developing that relationship? Is there a way for us to apply this process to our own lives that we may draw closer to Christ and like the people of this chapter, “come to know [our] Redeemer?”

Perhaps the best place to start is a brief summary of what occurred leading up to this chapter. Essentially, like many prophets of old, the Lord commanded Abinadi to go preach among a people that was ruled by an evil king named Noah. After one failed attempt he returns many years later and once he is discovered he is arrested and brought before the king. Abinadi preaches the truth, claiming that if the king and the priests do not repent they shall suffer the same death that they will cause him to suffer. He preaches of faith and repentance, declares that they do not teach the Law of Moses, and above all that “redemption cometh through Christ the Lord…” (Mosiah 16:15). After Abinadi does this he is executed by fire; prophesying as he dies that the day will come when King Noah’s life will also be consumed in fire, which does in fact occur.

Just like many missionaries Abinadi did not witness the fruit of his efforts. Yet there was one man among the priests, named Alma, who was moved by the spirit and fled from the presence of the king. While in hiding he came to know God, in a sense he experienced his own “Waters of Mormon Moment”. He then preached to the people in private, all that would hear. After some time he lead them to the Waters of Mormon where he baptized them, having received authority from God to do so. Here most Latter Days Saints focus on what we will refer to as the “requirements of baptism” but in this post we are going to look at five points that brought about these peoples’ “Waters of Mormon Moment” in which they came to know God.

I. Demonstrated a Desire to Follow God Regardless of Consequences

 Growing up I was always reminded that it is easy to stand for God in a crowd. It is when we must stand alone that our faith is tested and our testimonies refined. The people that gathered at the Waters of Mormon knew perfectly well that the soldiers of King Noah were hunting down anyone who claimed to believe in the words of the now deceased Abinadi. They knew that it was possible that they would be martyred just like him for what they were choosing to do. It is something to be admired and emulated. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Thomas S. Monson has counseled Church members “an individual testimony is necessary to be strong enough to withstand all the forces pulling us in the wrong direction or all the voices encouraging us to take the wrong path." In order to be like the people of Mormon and have our own “Waters of Mormon Moment” we must develop our own testimonies strong enough to stand up for what we believe. As Alma teaches the people we must stand for God “at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in, even until death,” (Mosiah 18:9). I think the question to ask ourselves is “am I willing to stand for God not matter the cost to me?” Recall what Christ said: “whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:25). Seek ye first the things of the Eternities my dear readers that when Christ returns to claim His people we shall know Him for we will be like Him.

II. Experienced a “Spiritual Rebirth”

It was Jesus who stated “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” it is through this rebirth both of water of the Holy Ghost that we are transformed from natural man to saint. King Benjamin taught “For the natural man is an enemy to God…” (Mosiah 3:19) Yet the rebirth that I am speaking of is neither of these. It is a rebirth that comes with our everyday choices, the kind of rebirth that occurs each time we pray or choose to study our scriptures. It helps us put off the desire for the things of the world and enables us to focus on the eternal. We no longer yearn for the temporal, pride causing, and materialistic whims of the flesh. Christ said “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23)

I would like to draw your attention to another example of a “Waters of Mormon Moment “in the scriptures; specifically, the conversion experience of King Lamoni’s father. Upon first meeting Ammon and his son Lamoni, the father of Lamoni declares “I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom” (Alma 20:23). However later on after Aaron (Ammon’s brother) teaches Lamoni’s father of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Lamoni’s father prays to the Lord “I will give away all my sins to know thee” (Alma 22:18). This change is a product of the “spiritual rebirth” of turning one’s heart to God and through that transformation of the heart and coming to know Him in a way that one has not previously. It is like walking out of a dark room into the bright light of day. Everything becomes more beautiful, more enriching, and further understood. My dear reader, choose the things of God, choose to follow Him, and one day you will look back and wonder how you ever lived any differently. Elder David A. Bednar has declared “Through faith in Christ, we can be spiritually prepared and cleansed from sin, immersed in and saturated with His gospel, and purified and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.” Such is the spiritual rebirth that each of us can experience, I invite each of you to partake of His redemption and live.

III. Personified Their Faith By Their Actions

I have done quite a few posts on the need for works not to secure our salvation but to validate it. Our actions coupled with our faith act as a testament before God that our heart is truly turned to him. So I will not argue the necessity but rather the blessings of righteous works. For the people at the Waters of Mormon they sealed their faith with a full immersion baptism, just as Christ was baptized in the New Testament. (See Matthew 3) Think of many of the parables Christ gave including the ten virgins, the good Samaritan, the sheep and the goats, and even the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in which he “seeing the multitudes… went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him” (Matt. 5:1). Christ readies Himself and then the people come unto Him. He didn’t idly sit at the base of the mountain and teach. He wanted only those willing to navigate the slope to hear His words; only those which were prepared to work for it. Coming unto Him implies that we must do something. We as children of God plead for Christ to come unto us, I cannot recall a time that He has not answered my desperate appeal. Is it not only fair that we return the favor?

In personifying their faith by their actions the people at the Waters of Mormon came to know God because they strove to DO what He wanted them to DO. Recall the verse in James 2:2 that says “faith without works is dead” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said “we are truly spirit children of God and therefore should act accordingly.” The word I would like to draw your attention to is the word act. It does not say “speak” or “think” or even “believe” it says act. To me that implies the need for more from us. As the hymn “More Holiness Give Me” pleads “more holiness give me; more strivings within; more faith, gratitude, and purity; more fit for the kingdom; more purpose in prayer; and more trust in the Lord” (Hymn #131). These things cannot be obtained without action, without evidence of our devotion to God found in all that we do, not just what we say in front of a congregation at Church or upon our knees before God. He asks us to pick up our crosses and follow after Him, do it.

IV. Took Steps Forward on the Path of Discipleship

Though this concept somewhat ties into the previous in many ways, it deserves a brief discussion of its own. The people that gathered at the Waters of Mormon and that were then baptized by Alma took numerous steps on the path of discipleship before reaching this climactic moment. They believed on his words, they listened with open hearts, they learned with a desire to know. Every little thing that we do that brings us closer to Christ propels us forward on the path of discipleship. Every day we make decisions that can cause us to move forward, backwards, and some decisions even result in a brief detour to enticing worldly pleasures. In another General Conference address President Dieter F. Uchtdorf assured us “the first step on the path of discipleship begins in the exact place where we stand! We do not have to prequalify to take that first step.” The step does not have to be huge either. It can simple be a conscious choice. A choice to pray every morning before you leave the house, a choice to read a little bit from the scriptures every night before bed, a choice to be kinder, more patient, or more humble.

 Many of the steps we take will not be acknowledged or noticed by others. I submit to you that the most monumental (at least for me) have been the steps I have taken that only God has known. Praying for the desire to serve others more selflessly, to love God more deeply, and to find greater joy in my journey are just as a few. The smallest righteous act can be the first step you will take on the road to your eternity with a loving Heavenly Father who waits. So what are you waiting for? The only person holding you back, is you.

V. Aligned Their Will With God’s

Perhaps one of the hardest things to do in my opinion is to understand the will of our Heavenly Father and then to faithfully trust in it. A well-known scripture reads: “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Yet it is difficult to do. Many people find it testing to trust in something when it causes them to take a few steps into the dark. Yet that is what the people at the Waters of Mormon did and in order to have a similar experience as them we must do the same. They did not know if their actions would cost them their lives. That at same point it would bring them into bondage to wicked people who roamed the land. Yet they faithfully trusted, knowing that what they were doing was right before God, heeding not to the worries of what man could do. Christ taught “fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28).

This life is not meant to be easy because it was not easy for Him. If we are to be disciples of the Lamb of God who was scourged and bruised for the sins of the world we take a slight sip from the bitter cup that He had to drink for our sakes. As I have previously mentioned remember Christ promised “he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:39). One’s life has not been fully lived until that life is lost in a love for the Savior and for His fellow men. The will of God will not make us miserable. Though at times, when we must sacrifice, when we must walk away from what we deem is the “best” for us, it may seem that way. Yet God’s job is not to make His children agonize over lost opportunities. He loves us too much to do that. His goal is to “ bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Seek God’s will, whatever it might be, in prayer, in fasting, in study, and in faith. Life as you know it will end, for yours will become a life for God, there can be no greater cause then this. Reach for it, it is there, you just have to know where to look.

A Personal Experience and a Challenge

So as not to take away too much from He who is to be the center of this post I will keep many of the personal details as private as I can while still making my point. There was a time not long ago when I desperately wanted something. I prayed earnestly for this desire of my heart. It was a righteous desire as far as I could tell (yet who am I to know the ways of God?) Up to that point God had not dissuaded me from my efforts to obtain what I longed for. In fact, at times, it felt like He strengthened me and gave me patience to do what I needed to obtain it. Then, one night, with a few harsh words, all that I had hoped and prayed for was ripped from me. I walked in the dark for a time and I suffered the growing pains of my affliction. I begged God for understanding, for mercy, and above all, for relief. Yet it didn’t come in the way I thought it would. No angel came from heaven to tell me why or to assure me that the light would shine again. No angels from heaven anyway. Rather, God sent them in the form of friends. People were there to help me realize that beyond this deep rooted desire there was life. That I was not the product of an individual’s words or insults but clay in the hands of God, being molded and refined into something beautiful. Though at the time I did not realize it I now know that the darkness that I wandered in was for me, a Waters of Mormon moment. In the midst of that trial I came to know my Redeemer and how precious are those moments of tearful prayers and sob-wracked pleas. How beautiful are the lessons I learned and the understanding I gained. My challenge to you, my dear readers, is to come to recognize these “Waters of Mormon Moments” as they come. Recognize your trials as a furnace to fire you into a beautiful instrument for God’s use. I leave you now with the same words that Mormon left with his son ““Be faithful in Christ … [and] may [He] lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death … and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever. And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever” (Moroni 9:25-26) and as always, may God never cease to bless you until you read again.

(you can also view this post on scripturenews.com)

"The Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" (Matt. 1:1)

I have taken a great interest in the New Testament lately as I've studied it both on my own and in my formal schooling. I thought my readers would enjoy a dissection of some of the chapters I have been studying and as always I would like to take both a logical and a devotional viewpoint. The above verse opens the Book of Matthew (let it be noted that scholars aren't actually sure that it was written by Matthew but it is attributed to him as far as we can tell). I would like to begin with a little history on this Book before I delve into its first chapter. The Book was written in about 70 A.D.-80 A.D. It is believed that Matthew was writing specifically to the Jewish Christians and out of all the synoptic (coming from the Greek word which means "to view in the same way") Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which are called such because they look at the life of Christ is similar sense (though there are distinct differences), Matthew is the book most interested with the "kingdom of God". John we will put in a realm all its own for it takes its own path in describing the ways of Christ

My focus on this verse (with more to follow) is to explain why Matthew wrote the way he did, evidences that He wrote specifically to the Jews/Christians of that time and some interesting insights into his writings. It must first be noted that this time in history Christians (recently converted Jews), were not to eager to allow Gentiles into the Church. They claimed that if they wanted to become Christian they must, essentially, first become Jewish. It could be argued that Matthew is definitely the most harsh of the four Gospels and I hope that this post will transform your study of the Book of Matthew from a casual reading into a rediscovery of both the literary and spiritual grace that is the Book of Matthew. 

Let's talk about the very first verse (which is the title of this post). In this verse, right off the bat, Matthew puts forth three very bold claims. 

I. That Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. 

I think to often people apply the word Christ as the last name of Jesus. This is a mistake that invite everyone to correct. The name Christ comes from the Greek word "Christos" which means anointed and that is similar to the Hebrew word "Mashiah" which also means anointed To understand why this would be significant to the Jews we must go way back into the Old Testament. The first significant act of anointing occurred in Exodus 40. After Israel's miraculous departure from Egypt, God gave the Israelites detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, an elaborate tented structure designed to be the center of worship for the nation. After its completion, God told Moses, "And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy” (Exodus 40:9). So the purpose of the oil was to make a place (in this case the tabernacle) holy. To make holy, or sanctify, in Hebrew comes from the word "kodesh" and the root "kadash" which means to sanctify but it also means to separate. Fundamentally, the purpose of anointing was to sanctify, or separate some thing or some one from the rest of the world. 

So what is significant about Christ being the Lord's anointed? Well think of how Christ lived his life: His entire life was set apart for God's holy use. He testified many times "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). So Christ acting as the anointed one of the Lord consecrated Himself and His life for God. I think it is safe to say from the sparse accounts we have from his life that He did just that. 

II. A Davidic King/ Of Davidic Monarchy

Since Matthew was writing to the Jews, who had extensive knowledge of the Torah, he asserted as His second claim that Christ came from a Davidic line. There are a plethora of prophecies by ancient prophets declaring that the Messiah that would deliver Israel would be a "Son of David". The Lord tells David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” This prophecy assured King David that the Messianic line would continue through His descendants, thus the Christ, the Messiah, had to be a descendant and in turn apart of the Davidic monarchy, making it more fitting that at times he was called "king of the Jews" than we realize. 

III. Son of Abraham

In Genesis 12:2-3 the Lord promised Abram "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This established the requirement that the Messiah would come through the lineage of Abraham. Within this claim of Abrahamic seed Matthew also asserts the important that "all the [nations] of the earth would be blessed". Matthew was declaring indirectly that God is no respecter of persons, that the Messiah had come to redeem all people, Jew and Gentile alike, the bottom line was that Gentiles should not be excluded from joining the Church. 

To come will be discussion of the lineage presented in the first chapter of Matthew, mainly why Matthew presents us with the lineage of Joseph when Joseph wasn't Christ's actual Father. I pray my dear readers that as you study all these things for yourself that you do so with the intention of drawing closer to Christ, of experiencing the joy of His influence in your life, and share that influence with those around. I testify that Christ was and is the Savior that the Old Testament and Book of Mormon prophets testified of, he redeemed from our sins and He has the power to save you from yourself. In the sacred name of that Redeemer I ask that God bless you 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.