In 3 Nephi 12, Christ discusses that he had chosen 12 disciples. I always wondered why they are called disciples, instead of apostles. Verse 1 describes that they are called, given POWER and authority to baptize. Christ tells the multitude that they are Blessed IF they give heed to the words of THESE twelve, which were chosen from among them to minister and to be their servants. He expresses that he has given them POWER to baptize with water, and after that HE will baptize them with fire and with the Holy Ghost. And they are Blessed if they will believe in him and be baptized.
A few days ago I began studying a lesson for my Primary class on the Sacrament. It directed me to 3 Nephi 18: 1-11. I read it, and was led well beyond verse 11. Baptism and the sacrament tie in so beautifully together, but I think we have a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings and FALSE TRADITIONS regarding them. I don't even know how much some of the false traditions matter, but a false tradition is something that damned the Lamanites (damned meaning their progression was stopped). These false traditions were things that were taught to them, and they simply believed because it was much like tradition. Much like how Mormons celebrate Halloween and Christmas and Easter, which in reality are defunct pagan holidays. (Why do Mormons celebrate Halloween again? Because we believe in witches, evil ghosts and spells? We've got some great trunk or treat pics I'm sure we all have on our cameras. My nephew who is going on a mission soon won 1st prize in ours this week for his great rendition of a pirate ship on the back of his SUV. I was happy for him when he won. It was fun. But also not exactly something I would imagine Christ's 12 disciples participating in if they were to make an impromptu appearance. No offense!) Anyways...
The Lamanites were damned due to their traditions. But when they let go of their traditions, we have stories of King Lamoni and the marvelous transformations that happened when they simply gave up everything to know the God Ammon spoke of. (Forgive me if I'm mixing up names. Just going from memory.) What are our traditions which keep us from knowing Christ?
Back to verse 1. These twelve disciples were given power to baptize. Why only 12? What's the significance of 12? The symbolism?
And down the road, three of these 12 request to tarry on the earth. That's 1/4. Why 1/4? They certainly still have power to baptize. And they roam the earth. Where are they? And why do we not plea to heaven for them to baptize us?
God can bestow his power on whomever he feels to. Today is October 31st, the day that some believe the "realms" are more open than others. I don't remember the tradition or explanation why. But it's no wonder people have unexplainable things happen on this day, if that is the case. And it's no wonder it is chosen by witches and werewolves to howl at the moon. I wonder what would happen if all God-fearing people, particularly those who believe in the "3 Nephites" would supplicate their Father to allow them to make their presence known, offer baptism to those seeking it, and grow closer to returning Zion.
THAT would be something to celebrate!
A few days ago I began studying a lesson for my Primary class on the Sacrament. It directed me to 3 Nephi 18: 1-11. I read it, and was led well beyond verse 11. Baptism and the sacrament tie in so beautifully together, but I think we have a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings and FALSE TRADITIONS regarding them. I don't even know how much some of the false traditions matter, but a false tradition is something that damned the Lamanites (damned meaning their progression was stopped). These false traditions were things that were taught to them, and they simply believed because it was much like tradition. Much like how Mormons celebrate Halloween and Christmas and Easter, which in reality are defunct pagan holidays. (Why do Mormons celebrate Halloween again? Because we believe in witches, evil ghosts and spells? We've got some great trunk or treat pics I'm sure we all have on our cameras. My nephew who is going on a mission soon won 1st prize in ours this week for his great rendition of a pirate ship on the back of his SUV. I was happy for him when he won. It was fun. But also not exactly something I would imagine Christ's 12 disciples participating in if they were to make an impromptu appearance. No offense!) Anyways...
The Lamanites were damned due to their traditions. But when they let go of their traditions, we have stories of King Lamoni and the marvelous transformations that happened when they simply gave up everything to know the God Ammon spoke of. (Forgive me if I'm mixing up names. Just going from memory.) What are our traditions which keep us from knowing Christ?
Back to verse 1. These twelve disciples were given power to baptize. Why only 12? What's the significance of 12? The symbolism?
And down the road, three of these 12 request to tarry on the earth. That's 1/4. Why 1/4? They certainly still have power to baptize. And they roam the earth. Where are they? And why do we not plea to heaven for them to baptize us?
God can bestow his power on whomever he feels to. Today is October 31st, the day that some believe the "realms" are more open than others. I don't remember the tradition or explanation why. But it's no wonder people have unexplainable things happen on this day, if that is the case. And it's no wonder it is chosen by witches and werewolves to howl at the moon. I wonder what would happen if all God-fearing people, particularly those who believe in the "3 Nephites" would supplicate their Father to allow them to make their presence known, offer baptism to those seeking it, and grow closer to returning Zion.
THAT would be something to celebrate!
One thing I like about "12" is that it symbolizes a covenant family. It was never really about establishing a religious hierarchy, IMO, but it was a symbol of the family. A symbol that God makes covenants in families, and that we should look forward to those families which God has made covenants with, because it is they through whom we have hope, who's covenant and family, if we are faithful, we will fall under. It is they who proved what the Gospel is, and that it can be lived in its fulness.
ReplyDeleteJesus commissioned the 12 in Jerusalem to go gather Gentiles. By this symbolism, we Gentiles are being shown that we also have the opportunity to be part of the covenant. How? By linking ourselves to the fathers of the covenant, by coming all the way up to the mark as they did. Joseph taught that if we expect the same blessings as them, we must have promises made directly to us by heaven.
https://www.gospel-fulness.org/Content/Detail/115
https://www.gospel-fulness.org/Content/Detail/31
Also, I thought it is interesting that the Lord said to them "I give you power to baptize." Likewise when we seek like authority, I think we would also need to hear him speak this to us.
Great post, thank you.
This is my favorite one that we have a record of:
Delete"And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I will establish my covenant with you, which I made unto your father Enoch, concerning your seed after you.
"And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant, which I made unto thy father Enoch; that, when men should keep all my commandments, Zion should again come on the earth, the city of Enoch which I have caught up unto myself.
"And this is mine everlasting covenant, that when thy posterity shall embrace the truth, and look upward, then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness, and the earth shall tremble with joy; And the general assembly of the church of the firstborn shall come down out of heaven, and possess the earth, and shall have place until the end come. And this is mine everlasting covenant, which I made with thy father Enoch." (Genesis 9:21, Inspired Version)