The First Vision

One of the core principles or lessons taught by LDS missionaries is the story of the "First Vision", where Joseph Smith saw God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ.  (If you'd like to read more about it, I'm quite certain you can learn more at www.mormon.org.  I'm assuming most readers of this post are already familiar with the full account of what happened, so I'll proceed accordingly.)  People can agree or disagree as to the truth of that vision, whether or not it happened, or whether or not they believe Joesph.  I believe him, but regardless of that, I want to discuss what he said he was taught, and some principles behind it.

In the year 1820, Joseph went into a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, NY, to ask God in prayer a simple question: Which church do I join?  His experience was anything but ordinary, and he shares that he experienced a stifling power overtake him, which attempted to destroy him.  Only in calling out for God to save him from this unseen power was he relieved of it, and was next presented with a visitation from God the Father and Jesus, His Son (as I noted above).

This past week I have had opportunity to share my thoughts with a family member about my thoughts relating to this vision.  I am quite perplexed.  I am a Mormon, and I believe in visions.  I believe in healings, miracles, spiritual gifts of diverse kinds.  I believe that there is an unseen world, and we can be affected for good or ill by those within that realm.  I believe that most Mormons believe likewise, or at least purport to believe so.

Despite me believing that, doesn't mean it's true.  Not all Mormons appear to believe in these things.  How do I know?

It seems that the belief of many Latter-day Saints is that the president of the LDS Church is the only one entitled to have or experience such things.  As a young adult, I felt so strongly that psychics or mediums were "of the devil", and I remember distinctly sharing with my friend's mom that going to a psychic was unacceptable.  Anything similarly related to skills of a psychic (foretelling the future, as in prophecy) were likewise considered taboo to be avoided.

Do I still feel the same?  No.  Granted, I'm not calling up "Miss Hilda" on her 1-900 number in Jamaica.  But I have had occasion to meet people with spiritual gifts that some would call "psychic".  Do I think they're evil, or of the devil?  Absolutely not.  Does that mean they're perfect?  Or that because they can see things the rest of us can't see, they must be somehow more elect or chosen by God?  I don't think so.  I think it's a gift – a marvelous one – but we all receive unique gifts.  Some are just less visible than others.

What does this have to do with Joseph Smith?  Joseph was a visionary man, much like Lehi.  Also like Nephi, Alma, Abinadi, Moses, Noah, Moroni... the list goes on and on.  Do I think that the Bible and/or Book of Mormon are the only records that have any account of living prophets?  Or do I think that if it's not in those books, then it can't be true?  No way!  Do I think that anyone can receive the gift of visions, tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc?  God willing, yes!

So why are we Mormons, Christians, so skeptical when someone says they have had a vision?  Or that they can see spirits?  Or that they can see someone's history or even their future by looking at them?  Why do we label them, medicate them, and call them schizophrenic?  I'm just curious, how this came to be.

If Joseph Smith walked up to us in our day, would we Mormons honestly believe him?  Would we sell our homes, move westward, and gather?  Would we study the words he was able to translate more fervently, if he still had a mortal body?  Would we take it more seriously?  Any of it?

Just curious.     

The Way to Judge

I'm almost at the end of my 6 Month Challenge of the Book of Mormon.  I'm a little bit sad too, knowing that while the pressure of meeting the goal will not be there, the incentive to delve into the scriptures will have to come from another source, besides a leader-driven goal. 

Today I read the 7th chapter of Moroni, where Moroni includes a sermon his father gave in a synagogue, prior to his passing.  He shares a beautiful message about faith in Christ, the mission of angels, and miracles.  One of my favorite parts speaks of good and evil things.  Mormon says,

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.  Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil." 

A short while later, he explains how to judge.

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

(photo source)

These verses mean a lot to me, especially while the things I've been learning lately tend to land me in front of skeptical eyes.  Muscles testing, in particular, while not yet entirely understood scientifically, has shown to be a "good" thing in my life, and as I "judge" that it is "good", I trust that it is a tool from God, which I can use to help bless my life and those willing to also trust it is "good".   

Simple Testimony Sunday: Mormon

Tonight while I was getting my little girl in bed, she started playing mommy, instead of me being mommy, and tried to get me to fall asleep.  She did this my drawing with her fingers on my cheeks, trying to get me to close my eyes.  It was the wildest thing, because instantly I was thinking that this was what my mom used to do to me, and now I do this with my kids.  The odd part is, I don't remember ever doing this to my mom, but it seems like a very special, simple habit.

I do, however, remember doing this with my grandmother, and for some reason, it just reminded me how short life can be, as it seemed that I did this with her towards the end of her mortal life.  And somehow, that led me to wonder what impressions people get by my words or actions, perhaps thinking I might be extreme, over the top, or just plain "out there".  But really, as time goes by and I see more and more what's important (and what's not), I don't care.  Today I was thinking about Mormon, and how during his time, he had a "sober mind", and was probably considered a bit too serious by some.  At age 10, he was given instructions for a major responsibility regarding these plates of brass which he would take care for at age 24.  At age 15, he was commanding the whole of the Nephite armies, and from then until the end of his life, all he saw was destruction, in the form of both war and murder among his people.  He wanted to preach to his people, and God forbade it, as the people had wilfully turned away from Him (Mormon 1:16).   

But then it was also marvelous.  Mormon writes that he was visited of the Lord (Mormon 1:15), and shown our day.  All of man's days, actually, from the beginning to the end of the world.  (How does that happen, if we have agency to affect the course of our lives?)  It seems as if the majority of what Mormon writes is directed pointedly at us - those who have lived since the Book of Mormon has come unearthed.  And it is marvelous, the things that Mormon shares.  I am grateful for the work he did, and what he endured, to bring this to my life.

Interestingly enough, despite the horrors that Mormon witnessed, and the sacrifices he likely made in abridging so much of what we now have as the Book of Mormon, I think it's wild to see what has become of his name.  I wonder, if when God showed him what would transpire in future times, what he thought of the fact that millions of people who have accepted this book as scripture would call themselves after his name.  Mormons.  We take upon ourselves the name of Christ when we are baptized, but the world refers to us as Mormons.  Very, very interesting.

So grateful for Mormon this Sabbath day!  He truly testified of Christ.  I hope when my kids tickle my face to try to get me to sleep when I'm older, that they know that I tried to do the same.

I know He lives!

Jesus talks about Isaiah's Prophecies, Part 1

Last week I read something that really startled me.  I've been wanting to share it, but haven't really had the words.  I'm not even sure how clearly I can share it now, but I'm going to try.  It was a prophecy contained in 3 Nephi 20.

Jesus came and visited the Nephites who had been in Bountiful, at the temple site.  He spent the whole day with them, working and showing marvelous miracles among the people.  He also chose 12 to stand as "disciples", to minister and run the affairs of the congregations after he would leave.

They went home that night, after Jesus had ascended, and they gathered together the next day, with an even greater crowd, some people having traveled all night to get there.  More and more wonderful things occur, such that I can't even imagine how Mormon, the compiler of the Book of Mormon, even figured out what to include in this account.  There is just so much!

{After studying these verses for several days, I've lost track of whether or not the part I want to discuss here is during the 2nd or 3rd day of Jesus' visit.  It's amazing how much he packed into just a short span of days.  I'll likely come back to 3 Nephi when I finish my 6 month challenge.} 

He starts talking about Isaiah's prophecies, and how they are so important that we need to search them out.  In 3 Nephi 15:6, he says,

"Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled."

This was a very interesting point.  Why doesn't he destroy the prophets' words?  In Sunday School, it was recently discussed how Jesus "fulfilled" the law of Moses.  I was confused, because some folks were saying that even though the law was fulfilled, some, like Peter, apparently were still abstaining from eating particular forms of meat.  I was really confused by the whole thing, as I'm not by any means a scholar of the law of Moses.  I'd barely call myself a student.

However, when Jesus says he doesn't destroy the prophets, I was surprised.  I think I must have affiliated the concept of "fulfilling the law of Moses" with "fulfilling the prophets" together.  This is not the case.  Isaiah's prophecies, among other prophecies left to us in the scriptures, are still yet to be fulfilled.

SCANDALOUS!!!

A few years ago I attended my first "Cutman" family reunion.  My mom was the only daughter of Oscar and Mary, and for some reason, we never attended those family reunions.  Perhaps because they were always held the same day as my dad's reunions were, and for some reason that held more weight.  Being a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my grandma always gave me the impression that her family (and I assumed her husband's as well) didn't like our entire family, because we were Mormon.  Whether or not that's true, I really, really don't know.  She spent much of her (and my) life thinking that people just didn't like her.  I don't fully  understand all or even part of the history behind that.  But regardless, I only ever really knew (even vaguely) about four relatives on my mom's side of the family.

(photo source)

 Anyways, back to the reunion.  My sister and I were listening to one of the folks tell a story that was pretty "scandalous".  (SHRIEK!)  Oh my!  (Fainting.)  The scandal.  I honestly can't remember a single detail of it.  Looking back, though, one thing seems clear.  My ancestors were most definitely watching.

(photo source)

I truly feel our ancestors are mindful of us.  In the book Life Everlasting, Duane Crowther shares countless accounts of people with life-after-death experiences, where they testify that loved ones do in fact, often watch over their mortal descendants.  (Sometimes they have other duties as well, besides this.)  There are several accounts where it is described that some spirits cannot progress, without certain work being done by their mortal descendants.  And they can't progress nearly as fast without a body.  This is one reason it's important for us to use our time wisely here, for the most effecient growth possible.

As I've researched one line of my grandmother's family, I've come to what appears to be a block.  In 1867, one of my grandfathers was born to what appears to be a single mother and non-present father.  (The census lists her as single, but she had two children between 1867 and 1880, who both appeared on the census with their father's last name.)  My grandmother wasn't able to find info past this couple, and I have to wonder why, when some of her research was quite extensive.  Sure, there are physical barriers to record-keeping.  Few documents remain, and for those that do, they are very minimal with details.  But I have to wonder:  Do my ancestors, who are quite possibly well aware of my judgmental tendencies, keeping guard over my access to their personal situations?  After all, I hastily labeled another ancestor as "scandalous", laughing them to scorn.  If it were me, would I grant my posterity access to records about my life, when they showed haughty, self-righteous tendencies?  Hail no!

I know some of this sounds like a stretch.  But many people report miraculous stories of ancestors helping them find them, beyond the veil.  If that is true, then why couldn't it hold that the opposite could occur?

So dear Kate and Jacob, I hope you'll forgive my prior judgment.  I've learned the negative effects of criticism and scoffing, and want nothing to do with it.  Forgive me, please, and let me find out which of all the multiple Jacob Shindels born in the mid-1800s is the father to George Washington Shindel and Pearl Shindel!  I'll send heavenly Mint Oreos your way.  Or whoopie pies or whatever it is you prefer.

~Jen:)
xoxo

A Word about Mormon

I found something new while reading "The Words of Mormon" a few days ago.  He writes,

"...I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.  And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ..." (Words of Mormon 1:3-4, underline added)

(photo source)

It seems clear to me, that Mormon, who was abridging hundreds, if not thousands of plates, had searched out these few books, ranging from the words of Nephi, up through where we read about Benjamin's people.  These are just a few short pages, but he found them invaluable enough to seek out among hundreds, and to include them for our use and knowledge.  There must be some pretty precious thoughts included here.

Thank you, Mormon!!!

~Jen:)
xoxo