Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Sunday, October 2, 2016
My Victory, by Crowder
We sang this song in church today. Then I heard it again on the radio. I love it. I invite you to sing along if you feel so moved. Additionally I love hearing the Irish dude chime in. :)
Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day
Remembering Jesus this Memorial Day. Hope yours is memorable. We remember the fallen.
Our freedom was paid for with a great price. We are redeemed, the debt paid, the burden forgiven. Of all the fallen warriors, I celebrate Him. Thank you, Jesus.
Our freedom was paid for with a great price. We are redeemed, the debt paid, the burden forgiven. Of all the fallen warriors, I celebrate Him. Thank you, Jesus.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Reborn
Tonight I experienced an awakening moment, where a lot of things came together in blinding realization.
In the Book of Mormon we read about those who experienced the baptism of fire. They knew it not, because it happened so gradually upon them. My ah-ha moment came in considering the nature of the covenant of baptism (or rebaptism), and wondering to what degree my soul has been baptized.
When we are baptized, we make a visual expression of our acceptance of Jesus, our commitment to him, and our desire to have our sins cleansed and remitted.
Following (re)baptisms in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 11), immediately Jesus teaches the saints how to participate in the emblems of his body and blood. With all of this there is to be no disagreement nor contention. In the prayer we illustrate to God that we seek and commit to eat and drink these emblems to "always remember him". Always is a big deal. It sounds to me like a pretty serious commitment, especially if it's a COVENANT.
As I drove home tonight a song came on the radio that is quite an immoral song. While I try not to be too judgmental, this song glorifies rape and defilation of chastity. I listened to the catchy tune, the swinging and volleying of pitch. I remembered seeing a favorite comedian of mine sing this same song with his entertaining band. Then I remembered an awards show where the band (not the comedian, but the original group) was included in raunchy demonstrations before the crowd, which I can only assume the participants were deluded, drugged, or possessed to do with their bodies what they were doing publicly. As my mind started getting disgusted that I'm still listening to this song, almost as if he read my mind, my son turned the channel. Thank you Jesus.
Why did this song turn me off? Over the last year I hardly have ever been able to listen to it. In fact, I can hardly listen to any pop music any longer, for many, many months. Why?
My ah-ha was realizing I have been reborn. I have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. I have been redeemed, and can no longer tolerate drooping in sin. The degradation of women, the glorification of sex, drugs, and defiling of anything that is good is no longer tolerable, even for a few moments.
Not that I want or seek to judge those who do. And not that I did anything of my own merit or righteousness. But my spirit, my body, and everything pertaining to it has been changed, that it can't withstand these things before feeling like a dog turning to its vomit. It is repulsive. Intolerable. Insufferable.
There is no more tolerance for my personal willful, or blind participation in sin. I have committed to always remember Him, and choose out of the nonsense. I can't just zone out and ignore it like I used to.
For this reason I have not been able to peacefully attend church while honoring my conscience. I have been incapable of acting like I am ok with settling for the doctrine to be defiled. It's not that I don't want to see my friends, or associate with those I love. It's that I cannot do it in that venue. It would be breaking the covenant and I can't do it anymore, despite missing those loved ones. Only should the Lord direct could I begin again to do so.
Further, I have not been able to pretend that the small things don't matter. They do. Where much is given much is required. Many are called but few are chosen. How does one be chosen?
So what to do now? I wait upon the Lord for further light and knowledge. I hope that by abiding this commitment He will bestow upon me, my family, and those who are wondering what in the world I am doing, great blessings.
Like Inigo Montoya says in The Princess Bride, "I am waiting for you Vizzini!" "I am waiting for you Jesus!" Only Vizzini was dead by then, and Jesus is risen, so I can have much more confidence than Inigo had.
In the Book of Mormon we read about those who experienced the baptism of fire. They knew it not, because it happened so gradually upon them. My ah-ha moment came in considering the nature of the covenant of baptism (or rebaptism), and wondering to what degree my soul has been baptized.
When we are baptized, we make a visual expression of our acceptance of Jesus, our commitment to him, and our desire to have our sins cleansed and remitted.
Following (re)baptisms in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 11), immediately Jesus teaches the saints how to participate in the emblems of his body and blood. With all of this there is to be no disagreement nor contention. In the prayer we illustrate to God that we seek and commit to eat and drink these emblems to "always remember him". Always is a big deal. It sounds to me like a pretty serious commitment, especially if it's a COVENANT.
As I drove home tonight a song came on the radio that is quite an immoral song. While I try not to be too judgmental, this song glorifies rape and defilation of chastity. I listened to the catchy tune, the swinging and volleying of pitch. I remembered seeing a favorite comedian of mine sing this same song with his entertaining band. Then I remembered an awards show where the band (not the comedian, but the original group) was included in raunchy demonstrations before the crowd, which I can only assume the participants were deluded, drugged, or possessed to do with their bodies what they were doing publicly. As my mind started getting disgusted that I'm still listening to this song, almost as if he read my mind, my son turned the channel. Thank you Jesus.
Why did this song turn me off? Over the last year I hardly have ever been able to listen to it. In fact, I can hardly listen to any pop music any longer, for many, many months. Why?
My ah-ha was realizing I have been reborn. I have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. I have been redeemed, and can no longer tolerate drooping in sin. The degradation of women, the glorification of sex, drugs, and defiling of anything that is good is no longer tolerable, even for a few moments.
Not that I want or seek to judge those who do. And not that I did anything of my own merit or righteousness. But my spirit, my body, and everything pertaining to it has been changed, that it can't withstand these things before feeling like a dog turning to its vomit. It is repulsive. Intolerable. Insufferable.
There is no more tolerance for my personal willful, or blind participation in sin. I have committed to always remember Him, and choose out of the nonsense. I can't just zone out and ignore it like I used to.
For this reason I have not been able to peacefully attend church while honoring my conscience. I have been incapable of acting like I am ok with settling for the doctrine to be defiled. It's not that I don't want to see my friends, or associate with those I love. It's that I cannot do it in that venue. It would be breaking the covenant and I can't do it anymore, despite missing those loved ones. Only should the Lord direct could I begin again to do so.
Further, I have not been able to pretend that the small things don't matter. They do. Where much is given much is required. Many are called but few are chosen. How does one be chosen?
Like Inigo Montoya says in The Princess Bride, "I am waiting for you Vizzini!" "I am waiting for you Jesus!" Only Vizzini was dead by then, and Jesus is risen, so I can have much more confidence than Inigo had.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
A Birth Day Risen Resurrection Holy Day
A few days ago some friends shared this with me. I don't understand half of what's being shared, but it appears that this Easter Sabbath is an extra noteworthy one. Last year we celebrated Passover and honored Easter in an uber low key way. This year we're celebrating it (Easter) in full, in light of it being a momentous occasion. I felt this article taught me a lot.
http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/2016/unique_easter.html
Also, the last two days we attended various worship services that we had been invited to. One was a Maundy Thursday service, and the next was a Tenebrae service. Both included performers singing this song. I love it so much I think it's worth sharing. Man of Sorrows, by Shane and Shane.
Perhaps you've heard this song before, but I'm pretty new to Christian Contemporary music, so this one is completely new to me. Being raised LDS we avoided songs which praise the cross as an idol. So that part made/makes me a little uncomfortable and in most cases I usually just replace the word cross with His name, but regardless of our thoughts on that part, it's a really, really beautiful song of praise, wholly appropriate for this fabulous weekend. Listen to it twice and I can guess you'll have trouble getting it out of your heart and mind for awhile.
Happy Resurrection Birth Day Sabbath!
http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/2016/unique_easter.html
Also, the last two days we attended various worship services that we had been invited to. One was a Maundy Thursday service, and the next was a Tenebrae service. Both included performers singing this song. I love it so much I think it's worth sharing. Man of Sorrows, by Shane and Shane.
Perhaps you've heard this song before, but I'm pretty new to Christian Contemporary music, so this one is completely new to me. Being raised LDS we avoided songs which praise the cross as an idol. So that part made/makes me a little uncomfortable and in most cases I usually just replace the word cross with His name, but regardless of our thoughts on that part, it's a really, really beautiful song of praise, wholly appropriate for this fabulous weekend. Listen to it twice and I can guess you'll have trouble getting it out of your heart and mind for awhile.
Happy Resurrection Birth Day Sabbath!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Lucky Duckie
My son absolutely loves ducks. If I'm not mistaken, "duck" was probably his first word as a baby. He had his birthday this past week, and wanted a blue stuffed animal duck as his primary gift.
The only problem is, there are next to zero blue stuffed ducks in the marketplace. We searched for months, well before Christmas (it was his request then too), and finally found ONE. Not a single duck more, unless we looked into the rubber duck category.
His grandma actually found this one pictured above and ordered it, and it came just in time for his birthday. It if would have been left up to me, he would not have received it in time, because I didn't think the odd thing around this ducky's abdomen would have been acceptable to him. But it suited him just fine, and he loves it.
This morning, as I was preparing for a much awaited dentist appointment, I heard my boys playing with this duck. They were calling him "Lucky Duckie". (I realize I'm spelling ducky/duckie two different ways. I think "Duckie" as more of a personal name... evidence that yes, I'm neurotic sometimes.) It was fun to hear their squeaky little pretend voices, talking about Lucky Duckie as their friend who had a voice with his own desires and interests to share. The thought came to me that I should take Lucky Duckie with me to the dentist, so that when I would be stressed out in the chair, perhaps this stuffed animal would help me smile. I entertained the thought just enough to realize I needed to be more brave. But it would be my first visit to have this kind of procedure, so I figured I would keep on praying and hopefully the anxiety would leave me. I'd been nervous for weeks, and finally the day was here.
Needless to say, I walked out without the ducky, wanting to be a "big girl" and went to the appointment, carrying on with my day. After some tense moments at check-in, the dentist she pointed out in good humor that I was dressed colorfully for the appointment. I was wearing spring green pants. I added to her smile by pointing out that I was also wearing green socks with shamrocks on them, for good luck, calling them "lucky socks". (Going to the dentist has long been a cause of such anxiety, I do all I can to brighten it up.) After we got started, and after sitting in the chair for about 75 minutes, the dentist went out to take care of some impressions for my tooth, and up in the corner of the room, wouldn't you know it, but I saw this:
It looks like someone wanted me to know that this appointment was lucky, after all. With a half numb face and tongue, I pointed it out to the dentist, how hard we had looked for a blue ducky for my son, and we all had some good laughs on the nature of toys these days. She said it belonged to another dentist, but since the hygienist pulled it off the shelf in the corner, I was able to find out that it is a Beany Baby toy. Never thought to search under that name for my son's toys!
I don't know about you, but I'd say this was a pretty lucky moment. In fact, more than lucky, I'd call it a miracle, as evidence that Jesus was with me, as were angels, helping this dentist do safe, nearly pain free work. The entire time I was praying her hands would do perfect work, as though Christ were at the helm. He knows best what my mouth needs. If I'm not perfect in my faith, to heal my teeth without intervention from medical professionals, having Him guide her hands was the next best thing. I'll take the blue ducky as a sign that my impressions were true. He was indeed there, as I suspected. Thank you Jesus, thank you Father. What a gift to know I was not alone in this. Yes, I call it a sign and a miracle, thank you so much.
The only problem is, there are next to zero blue stuffed ducks in the marketplace. We searched for months, well before Christmas (it was his request then too), and finally found ONE. Not a single duck more, unless we looked into the rubber duck category.
His grandma actually found this one pictured above and ordered it, and it came just in time for his birthday. It if would have been left up to me, he would not have received it in time, because I didn't think the odd thing around this ducky's abdomen would have been acceptable to him. But it suited him just fine, and he loves it.
This morning, as I was preparing for a much awaited dentist appointment, I heard my boys playing with this duck. They were calling him "Lucky Duckie". (I realize I'm spelling ducky/duckie two different ways. I think "Duckie" as more of a personal name... evidence that yes, I'm neurotic sometimes.) It was fun to hear their squeaky little pretend voices, talking about Lucky Duckie as their friend who had a voice with his own desires and interests to share. The thought came to me that I should take Lucky Duckie with me to the dentist, so that when I would be stressed out in the chair, perhaps this stuffed animal would help me smile. I entertained the thought just enough to realize I needed to be more brave. But it would be my first visit to have this kind of procedure, so I figured I would keep on praying and hopefully the anxiety would leave me. I'd been nervous for weeks, and finally the day was here.
Needless to say, I walked out without the ducky, wanting to be a "big girl" and went to the appointment, carrying on with my day. After some tense moments at check-in, the dentist she pointed out in good humor that I was dressed colorfully for the appointment. I was wearing spring green pants. I added to her smile by pointing out that I was also wearing green socks with shamrocks on them, for good luck, calling them "lucky socks". (Going to the dentist has long been a cause of such anxiety, I do all I can to brighten it up.) After we got started, and after sitting in the chair for about 75 minutes, the dentist went out to take care of some impressions for my tooth, and up in the corner of the room, wouldn't you know it, but I saw this:
It looks like someone wanted me to know that this appointment was lucky, after all. With a half numb face and tongue, I pointed it out to the dentist, how hard we had looked for a blue ducky for my son, and we all had some good laughs on the nature of toys these days. She said it belonged to another dentist, but since the hygienist pulled it off the shelf in the corner, I was able to find out that it is a Beany Baby toy. Never thought to search under that name for my son's toys!
I don't know about you, but I'd say this was a pretty lucky moment. In fact, more than lucky, I'd call it a miracle, as evidence that Jesus was with me, as were angels, helping this dentist do safe, nearly pain free work. The entire time I was praying her hands would do perfect work, as though Christ were at the helm. He knows best what my mouth needs. If I'm not perfect in my faith, to heal my teeth without intervention from medical professionals, having Him guide her hands was the next best thing. I'll take the blue ducky as a sign that my impressions were true. He was indeed there, as I suspected. Thank you Jesus, thank you Father. What a gift to know I was not alone in this. Yes, I call it a sign and a miracle, thank you so much.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Blood of a Gentile vs an Israelite
3 Nephi 15:23
There is a quote by Joseph Smith that I frequently read, but never really understood until reading this verse from 3 Nephi 15. The quote reads like so:
Joseph speaks of the effects of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile. The reason I space out at the latter end of the quote is that it reminds me of Jane Eyre, where the concept of "bad blood" vs "good blood" is discussed. Mr. Rochester, a wealthy lord over much land, is socially forbidden from courting Jane Eyre, the governess for his young steward, because she supposedly does not have good enough blood to be in high society with him. She is poor and of "low society". In reading Joseph's words, I typically poo-pooed the discussion of blood as some cultural notion that I ought to disregard. Something akin to the slavery issue in the 1800's, to think that any soul has lesser blood than another because of their genetics.
But consider the words of Christ. "... the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice that I should not manifest myself unto them..." There is something to this notion of having the blood of a Gentile vs the blood of an Israelite. The people at Bountiful clearly were not considered Gentiles, or Christ would not have been able to minister to them. However perhaps the notion of blood may have once had a lot to do with blood, but after thousands of years of mixing blood lines, God knew that these things would get mixed? Or perhaps from it has little to do with blood, but rather had something more to do with who "knew" Him? Us knowing Him prepares the way for Him knowing us.
Have you heard the voice of the Lord speak to you, audibly? While not a frequent occurrence for me, it happened to me last year, when struggling with a very difficult issue. It surprised me, comforted me, and gave me direction all in one mild sentence in my right ear. It was undeniably Jesus, and my core knew it.
If you haven't heard His voice, seek it. If you can testify that you have heard His voice, and if my understanding is not incorrect, that it is worth considering that any Gentile blood in you has been purged, sufficient enough for you to qualify to hear His voice, as He explains in verse 23. But perhaps you are of Israel already, so that the effect of the Holy Ghost is calm serenity and filling the soul with intelligence?
Those who are Gentiles will not HEAR his voice, and can only be ministered to through the Holy Ghost, UNTIL, as Joseph Smith says, the blood of Abraham creates in them a new creation by the Holy Ghost. The effect of the pure intelligence, the mind of God, the Holy Ghost, is to purge out the Gentile in us. When we can testify that we have truly heard the voice of the Lord, I believe it is safe to say that we ought to consider that we have had our blood purged, and we are becoming (if not already) Israelite.
Understanding this brings new meaning entirely to what is being said in 3 Nephi 16, and unfolds the scriptures like never before. Thank you, Jesus! Read on.
A few days ago I read this article over at Mormon Yeshiva. I didn't read the entire piece, but the quotes and thoughts on who the Gentiles are (at the beginning) were really interesting. In summary, it might be wise to assume that we who have the gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon might well be considered Gentiles.
"And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice–that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost."
There is a quote by Joseph Smith that I frequently read, but never really understood until reading this verse from 3 Nephi 15. The quote reads like so:
The Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence.I would frequently cite these verses to highlight the effects of the Holy Ghost, stressing that it's not just emotions which may shift with the wind. But then I typically don't do anything to discuss the latter part of the quote. (Surely this is part of a lengthier discourse worth considering as well.)
Joseph speaks of the effects of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile. The reason I space out at the latter end of the quote is that it reminds me of Jane Eyre, where the concept of "bad blood" vs "good blood" is discussed. Mr. Rochester, a wealthy lord over much land, is socially forbidden from courting Jane Eyre, the governess for his young steward, because she supposedly does not have good enough blood to be in high society with him. She is poor and of "low society". In reading Joseph's words, I typically poo-pooed the discussion of blood as some cultural notion that I ought to disregard. Something akin to the slavery issue in the 1800's, to think that any soul has lesser blood than another because of their genetics.
But consider the words of Christ. "... the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice that I should not manifest myself unto them..." There is something to this notion of having the blood of a Gentile vs the blood of an Israelite. The people at Bountiful clearly were not considered Gentiles, or Christ would not have been able to minister to them. However perhaps the notion of blood may have once had a lot to do with blood, but after thousands of years of mixing blood lines, God knew that these things would get mixed? Or perhaps from it has little to do with blood, but rather had something more to do with who "knew" Him? Us knowing Him prepares the way for Him knowing us.
Have you heard the voice of the Lord speak to you, audibly? While not a frequent occurrence for me, it happened to me last year, when struggling with a very difficult issue. It surprised me, comforted me, and gave me direction all in one mild sentence in my right ear. It was undeniably Jesus, and my core knew it.
If you haven't heard His voice, seek it. If you can testify that you have heard His voice, and if my understanding is not incorrect, that it is worth considering that any Gentile blood in you has been purged, sufficient enough for you to qualify to hear His voice, as He explains in verse 23. But perhaps you are of Israel already, so that the effect of the Holy Ghost is calm serenity and filling the soul with intelligence?
Those who are Gentiles will not HEAR his voice, and can only be ministered to through the Holy Ghost, UNTIL, as Joseph Smith says, the blood of Abraham creates in them a new creation by the Holy Ghost. The effect of the pure intelligence, the mind of God, the Holy Ghost, is to purge out the Gentile in us. When we can testify that we have truly heard the voice of the Lord, I believe it is safe to say that we ought to consider that we have had our blood purged, and we are becoming (if not already) Israelite.
Understanding this brings new meaning entirely to what is being said in 3 Nephi 16, and unfolds the scriptures like never before. Thank you, Jesus! Read on.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Jesus Take the Wheel
Alma 41:12-15:
I want to share this post not to glory in myself, but to glory in my Jesus, for He hath redeemed my soul from hell today. Truly.
About a year ago, I had a really wonderful trip with my son to the grocery store. His siblings had all gone off to school, and since it was just he and I, I dared take him shopping. Typically shopping with children stresses me out so badly that I will go late at night, when I can go without kids along. But I thought I would try my patience with him, and we ventured together.
Well we had just a truly marvelous time. I felt great success at not having any personal meltdowns inside the store. (Imagine that! A mom melting down with a child in the store!) We loaded all the groceries into the trunk of our van, and he wanted to climb over the seats and play while I returned the cart to the cart return. I was happy to let him do it.
Seeing that my dad and husband both work retail and have to push carts not infrequently, I typically return the carts to the front of the store, because I hope it might be a small service to the folks that work there. On this occasion, I chose to return the cart to the front, since it was decently close to where I parked. We were about 30-40 feet away from the entrance.
When I returned to my car, I got a decent scolding from a mom who observed that I had left my child in the car, unattended. I don't know if she believed it evil that I left him to return the cart, or if she mistakenly assumed that I had gone shopping completely without him. Either way, she unleashed her evil wrath at my horrid negligence at leaving my poor child with a piece of pretzel in his hands.
"He could have choked!" she stressed. Well, obviously he didn't. But SuperMom of the Year felt it her job to correct me, regarding the state laws pertaining to leaving children unattended.
I had simply walked the damned cart to the front of the store. Seriously woman.
Well I googled the "law" she claimed, and found that many states do not permit you to leave your child unattended, period. I read one mom's horrific account of a complete stranger who videotaped her leaving her child in the car when she ran inside for a quick whatever. She was taken to court, lost custody of her child, and had lots of fines and lawyer costs. Her defense was that it was a 70 degree day out, and her son was playing a Nintendo DS or something. He was fine. But the onlooker videotaped her, her license plate, and her son; then they turned her in, and never once spoke to her.
{And lest anyone take this to mean I condone leaving kids unattended in hot cars, that is NOT what I'm doing. I understand the need for the laws to prevent kids being harmed through that kind of negligence. We saw it happen just a few weeks ago, and parents ought to not be stupid about this. It's serious, and I get it.}
Back to the other mom with the kid playing the DS. It was a horrific example of abuses of this law and a complete lack of common sense, or even common courtesy from her accuser. She was put through hell because she left her 9 year old kid in the car, and he didn't want to go inside but was content to play a video game in the cool air.
Well anyways, this put quite a bit of anxiety in me, and I resolved to be careful how I left my kids, and I would also keep my eye out for this woman. Today I saw her again.
I saw her brown car with the white stripe on the top. My hands began shaking. I waited for her to get out of the car to make sure it was her. I pulled up next to her car, peeked in the window, and sure enough, it looked like her. Unnerved, I pulled forward and into the shade, to see if when she got out, her features were the same in my memory. Yep. I watched her and her friend examine something on the back end of her car, and walk into the store.
Recognizing the increase in the shaking of my hands, I pondered what I should do. For a year I've been wondering if she would have confronted me had she realized I'd just simply returned the cart to the cart return. I have wanted to set her straight, and see if her intent was to be a mean human, or if she just jumped to conclusions. I hoped maybe she was just mistaken and had a measure of common sense, and I could go back to dreaming that people in this town were kind and concerned, not concerned and rude.
Eventually I realized I could not walk in the store and confront her, and pulled away, but first wondered what they were looking at on the back of her car. In giving it a glance, I noticed her car registration was expired. Not barely expired, but FOUR MONTHS expired. I pulled out my cell phone, took a pic, zoomed in further, and took a close up pic. Oooh, WOW!!! The woman who had cause to accuse me of breaking the law, leaving my child endangered, and invoking the fear of all hell into me was in the store, leaving her beautiful car right there with an expired registration.
Holy cow. I could so easily accuse her. I could so easily call the police that second and have her car impounded, fined, or something that would give her a true pain in the arse. Jesus take the wheel!
And he did. And drove me to the store just across the parking lot, where my dad and husband were ironically both on shift working. The verses above this post were swimming through my mind.
I shared with both my dad and Dan the scenario. I had evidence in my hands that my previous accuser was driving while breaking the law. Raw, living evidence. Should I go confront her? Ask her to apologize for bringing unnecessary anxiety into my life? Should I ask to be friends, and thank her for caring enough to bring the dangers of my actions to my attention? Should I take my evidence to the police, and let them decide, and tell me if I have any standing for my fears of leaving my kids even momentarily unattended ever since the incident a year ago?
My dad and husband had varying views. Fortunately my dad distracted me with something else, and I had to ignore the severe temptation to confront her and bring contention into my otherwise beautiful day – ironically which was again, a beautiful day with my son.
I let Jesus take the wheel, and drove home. I am learning that something truly magical happens when we go to our Lord for help in situations like this. I used to seek others' opinions or solutions. I used to also trust in the arm of the flesh, and think I had to sort it out, or act as judge and jury, holding onto grudges. But again, LOVE... LOVE wins.
The Spirit whispered that I could go give her a hug. I could offer her a free massage, because obviously she was stressed to approach a stranger and be Mrs. Police Officer. I could ask her if she knew how much her actions bothered me. Or I could simply let Jesus work it out, and let HIM hold the judgment, and take hold of this ONE scenario in my life as an opportunity to forgive as I want to be forgiven. This used to be so hard, but on a daily basis I am finding that the more I call out to Him when my hands start shaking with apprehension or contention, the more quickly He takes over! I love it! It is truly, truly a wonder – wonderful – to behold. He is quicker, more fast acting than any essential oil, vitamin, psychotherapist, or guru. I don't even need to read a scripture verse to call on Him. He's so quick, even if I don't get to call Him by name. I just think of Him, and there He is.
By giving it completely to Him, He offered me healing. All I had to do was let go of the tightness of my grip on the situation.
Thank you, Lord! One step at a time, right?
LOVE to you!
~Jen:)
"And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish–good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.
Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually ; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.
This is Alma, talking to his son, Corianton.For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all."
I want to share this post not to glory in myself, but to glory in my Jesus, for He hath redeemed my soul from hell today. Truly.
About a year ago, I had a really wonderful trip with my son to the grocery store. His siblings had all gone off to school, and since it was just he and I, I dared take him shopping. Typically shopping with children stresses me out so badly that I will go late at night, when I can go without kids along. But I thought I would try my patience with him, and we ventured together.
Well we had just a truly marvelous time. I felt great success at not having any personal meltdowns inside the store. (Imagine that! A mom melting down with a child in the store!) We loaded all the groceries into the trunk of our van, and he wanted to climb over the seats and play while I returned the cart to the cart return. I was happy to let him do it.
Seeing that my dad and husband both work retail and have to push carts not infrequently, I typically return the carts to the front of the store, because I hope it might be a small service to the folks that work there. On this occasion, I chose to return the cart to the front, since it was decently close to where I parked. We were about 30-40 feet away from the entrance.
When I returned to my car, I got a decent scolding from a mom who observed that I had left my child in the car, unattended. I don't know if she believed it evil that I left him to return the cart, or if she mistakenly assumed that I had gone shopping completely without him. Either way, she unleashed her evil wrath at my horrid negligence at leaving my poor child with a piece of pretzel in his hands.
"He could have choked!" she stressed. Well, obviously he didn't. But SuperMom of the Year felt it her job to correct me, regarding the state laws pertaining to leaving children unattended.
I had simply walked the damned cart to the front of the store. Seriously woman.
Well I googled the "law" she claimed, and found that many states do not permit you to leave your child unattended, period. I read one mom's horrific account of a complete stranger who videotaped her leaving her child in the car when she ran inside for a quick whatever. She was taken to court, lost custody of her child, and had lots of fines and lawyer costs. Her defense was that it was a 70 degree day out, and her son was playing a Nintendo DS or something. He was fine. But the onlooker videotaped her, her license plate, and her son; then they turned her in, and never once spoke to her.
{And lest anyone take this to mean I condone leaving kids unattended in hot cars, that is NOT what I'm doing. I understand the need for the laws to prevent kids being harmed through that kind of negligence. We saw it happen just a few weeks ago, and parents ought to not be stupid about this. It's serious, and I get it.}
Back to the other mom with the kid playing the DS. It was a horrific example of abuses of this law and a complete lack of common sense, or even common courtesy from her accuser. She was put through hell because she left her 9 year old kid in the car, and he didn't want to go inside but was content to play a video game in the cool air.
Well anyways, this put quite a bit of anxiety in me, and I resolved to be careful how I left my kids, and I would also keep my eye out for this woman. Today I saw her again.
I saw her brown car with the white stripe on the top. My hands began shaking. I waited for her to get out of the car to make sure it was her. I pulled up next to her car, peeked in the window, and sure enough, it looked like her. Unnerved, I pulled forward and into the shade, to see if when she got out, her features were the same in my memory. Yep. I watched her and her friend examine something on the back end of her car, and walk into the store.
Recognizing the increase in the shaking of my hands, I pondered what I should do. For a year I've been wondering if she would have confronted me had she realized I'd just simply returned the cart to the cart return. I have wanted to set her straight, and see if her intent was to be a mean human, or if she just jumped to conclusions. I hoped maybe she was just mistaken and had a measure of common sense, and I could go back to dreaming that people in this town were kind and concerned, not concerned and rude.
Eventually I realized I could not walk in the store and confront her, and pulled away, but first wondered what they were looking at on the back of her car. In giving it a glance, I noticed her car registration was expired. Not barely expired, but FOUR MONTHS expired. I pulled out my cell phone, took a pic, zoomed in further, and took a close up pic. Oooh, WOW!!! The woman who had cause to accuse me of breaking the law, leaving my child endangered, and invoking the fear of all hell into me was in the store, leaving her beautiful car right there with an expired registration.
Holy cow. I could so easily accuse her. I could so easily call the police that second and have her car impounded, fined, or something that would give her a true pain in the arse. Jesus take the wheel!
And he did. And drove me to the store just across the parking lot, where my dad and husband were ironically both on shift working. The verses above this post were swimming through my mind.
"...the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish–good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful."
I shared with both my dad and Dan the scenario. I had evidence in my hands that my previous accuser was driving while breaking the law. Raw, living evidence. Should I go confront her? Ask her to apologize for bringing unnecessary anxiety into my life? Should I ask to be friends, and thank her for caring enough to bring the dangers of my actions to my attention? Should I take my evidence to the police, and let them decide, and tell me if I have any standing for my fears of leaving my kids even momentarily unattended ever since the incident a year ago?
My dad and husband had varying views. Fortunately my dad distracted me with something else, and I had to ignore the severe temptation to confront her and bring contention into my otherwise beautiful day – ironically which was again, a beautiful day with my son.
"Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually..."I had asked the Lord after the incident with her a year ago to give me another try. I didn't like how I handled this beast of a woman last year, and I wanted a chance to do better. Here it was. Would I be merciful, vindictive, or exact judgment?
"Judgment is mine, and I will repay."Ok Lord. It's all you.
I let Jesus take the wheel, and drove home. I am learning that something truly magical happens when we go to our Lord for help in situations like this. I used to seek others' opinions or solutions. I used to also trust in the arm of the flesh, and think I had to sort it out, or act as judge and jury, holding onto grudges. But again, LOVE... LOVE wins.
The Spirit whispered that I could go give her a hug. I could offer her a free massage, because obviously she was stressed to approach a stranger and be Mrs. Police Officer. I could ask her if she knew how much her actions bothered me. Or I could simply let Jesus work it out, and let HIM hold the judgment, and take hold of this ONE scenario in my life as an opportunity to forgive as I want to be forgiven. This used to be so hard, but on a daily basis I am finding that the more I call out to Him when my hands start shaking with apprehension or contention, the more quickly He takes over! I love it! It is truly, truly a wonder – wonderful – to behold. He is quicker, more fast acting than any essential oil, vitamin, psychotherapist, or guru. I don't even need to read a scripture verse to call on Him. He's so quick, even if I don't get to call Him by name. I just think of Him, and there He is.
"...and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again."Daymon Smith points out in his Volume One: A Cultural History of the Book of Mormon that these verses are the only space in the Book of Mormon where the concept or word "restoration" is discussed. And it is entirely a different principle than how we refer to the word in the church today. But I really love this teaching, in this accurate form. I wish we would stress it more, as followers of Christ. Rather than exact justice on this stranger woman, I was able to practice extending a measure of good for bad. She didn't even know I was there!!! But here in my hands, I had the power to accuse *anonymously,* or forgive. I could also pretend to be her judge, and confront her with shaking hands and a heart full of fear (which she had dished out, thereby offering my own form of "restoration"), but it felt so much better to give it to Christ, including the fearful, trembling heart. Would He offer me a better reward, for letting Him do the job of judge and jury? After all, He knows her better than I do, and He knows what was plaguing her to say and do what she did. He knows how to teach and coax her better, and He knows that it would do me a world of ill and near heart attack to confront her. Let's test Him.
By giving it completely to Him, He offered me healing. All I had to do was let go of the tightness of my grip on the situation.
For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all."I hope that in this one instance, I (actually, "We") got it right. Joy! Yay! It feels good to know that I can go to sleep, confident that I (We) did what Jesus suggested in this one instance.
"...I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell!" (2 Ne. 33:6)
Thank you, Lord! One step at a time, right?
LOVE to you!
~Jen:)
Thursday, July 16, 2015
The Root of the Gay Dilemma
Late last night I read a post on a blog (I linked it so you can read it before proceeding), which brought up a potential quandry for the LDS Church, to remain with or to part with the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts will be making a formal decision, whether or not to allow gay scout leaders in their ranks. The potential policy change caused a lot of inner soul searching for me, and I'm still in the thick of it.
The Bible, most especially the Old Testament, teaches that men lying with men, and women with women, is an abomination. Most of the laws and commandments in the Bible stem from a principle which fits into God's plan. There are a lot of laws and commandments, such as not eating bacon, for example, which the Christian world at large disregard. Even so, practicing Jews refuse to eat bacon or meat from bi-cloven hoofed animals. For breaking this commandment, one would face the condemnation required, should they be ascribers to the Mosaic Law.
[Sidenote: I watched this video from Todd White a few nights ago which really blessed my understanding of Condemnation vs. Righteousness in relation to Christ and the Mosaic Law. Please watch if you get a chance. It's worth the time.]
Previously I've written that I think there are other sins to worry about, and we are just as potentially guilty of many of them. I wonder if our condemnation is just as dire as those who live a homosexual lifestyle. As I pondered the heart of the sin, the question came, "Does God approve of homosexual relations? If so, why the commandment not to? If not, why?" The answer I had was because it thwarts the plan of bringing souls into mortality. If one is living a lifestyle which prohibits child birthing, they are limiting opportunities for children to come to the earth.
If that wasting of such an opportunity is an abomination, it makes additional sense why abortion is such a horrid sin (beyond the murder-in-the-womb element), but it also raises the question for me, in what other instances might our actions thwart God's plan by prohibiting souls to come to earth?
Birth control pills? Vasectomies? Tubes tied? Condoms? Are these thwarting God's plan? No, really.
Are those who use these things, or have partaken of these surgeries, likewise thwarting God's plan?
Is the condemnation the same? Can we say it does not fall under the same heading as gay relations which cease the reproduction of offspring?
I know I for one, tend to believe that I don't conceive of more children because I don't feel capable of mentally handling more. At the moment it would do me in to add to my "collection". :) I am just as guilty as preventing further life to be born as one who chooses a homosexual life, am I not? Is there justification for me, because society, and Christians in general, find "family planning" or birth control acceptable? So why does it cause me such concern if gays are permitted into the Boy Scouts? Is it a skewed view I have, because society passes judgment (or lack thereof)?
Why is homosexuality the measuring stick of a civilization's righteousness or wickedness? In the Book of Mormon, sexual sin was not so descriptive to delineate between homosexuality, adultery, polygamy, etc., but rather it was labeled "lasciviousness". Is our acceptance of lasciviousness in general a litmus test? Does our legalization of gay marriage, and the government's possessive nature of the institution of marriage mean we are more tolerant of not only private sins, but also public ones? Have we permitted the governmentalization of religion and spirituality? In essence, have we become a theocracy, where the religion of the day is atheism?
Why is homosexuality the measuring stick of a civilization's righteousness or wickedness? In the Book of Mormon, sexual sin was not so descriptive to delineate between homosexuality, adultery, polygamy, etc., but rather it was labeled "lasciviousness". Is our acceptance of lasciviousness in general a litmus test? Does our legalization of gay marriage, and the government's possessive nature of the institution of marriage mean we are more tolerant of not only private sins, but also public ones? Have we permitted the governmentalization of religion and spirituality? In essence, have we become a theocracy, where the religion of the day is atheism?
As a whole, I feel like society's judgments are often off, and traditionally misguided. This might be another case where we justify our sin while pointing out the faulty character traits or sins of another. Does God approve of homosexuality? I don't believe so. Are there male souls born into female bodies? I believe it certainly is possible, as wow, what a test that would be for the male soul and those who are around him/her. Are there humans walking around with spirits of the opposite sex attached to their souls, causing gender confusion? I believe so in many counts. (Dr. Melvin Fish talks about this in his books, worth considering.) I also believe it is a sin and a condemnation that we do nothing to administer clearing of those spirit attachments, and consider that kind of healing to be witchcraft or priestcraft. What do we have to say for ourselves, that the real gifts of healing from same-sex attraction are not found in our ranks? As "key-holders", are we going to be held accountable for our deficiency in administering these gifts?
The other day I posted a post regarding a Church survey I had participated in. My stance was to share that I believe we ought to make Church a more Jesus-focused place, and less about pointing to sin. After reading Anonymous Bishop's post about the gays, I will say that my heart was blown to pieces, but now I wonder if I've gained some bandaging. All I can do is thank Jesus for offering me some mild confidence in my answers. I believe my turmoil with the Boy Scouts, and also the Church, is more over their fiscal choices on belt loops and certifications, rather than their flip-flopping over how to handle homosexuality. There are less expensive ways to instill positive values in boys. Look at what we do (or did) for the Young Women.
Can we not duplicate that for the boys, gender appropriate? I remember as a young girl, I couldn't wait to get to Girl's Camp to be like my big sisters. And the most they earned, after 4 years of camp, was a neckerchief with one patch, and two patches if they completed another 2 years and became a "Summiteer". (Although truth be told, there was more variety in patches throughout the history of the program.) We ought to sincerely consider our participation in extravagances where such funds really could be providing for those who are "roughing it" on a more permanent basis.
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| (Photo source, thanks Vintage Kids Stuff!) |
Can we not duplicate that for the boys, gender appropriate? I remember as a young girl, I couldn't wait to get to Girl's Camp to be like my big sisters. And the most they earned, after 4 years of camp, was a neckerchief with one patch, and two patches if they completed another 2 years and became a "Summiteer". (Although truth be told, there was more variety in patches throughout the history of the program.) We ought to sincerely consider our participation in extravagances where such funds really could be providing for those who are "roughing it" on a more permanent basis.
Thank you, Jesus, for providing me a measure of clarity. I hope I'm listening to the right Spirit in this view. It feels much better, and much more loving, patient, and kind than the one which ostracizes. As for whether or not my son will attend his first scout camp this next month, the jury's still out.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
What do you think, Jesus?
If you told me a year ago that the Church does opinion polls to gather the insights of its members, I'd have probably been skeptical. I read about it in various blogs, but just didn't pay much attention. However in the last 11 months, I've received 6 invitations to complete an opinion poll for the Church. I have completed every one I've been asked to complete. The topics have ranged from gay marriage to youth issues (I'm not supposed to discuss them with other members, like you people reading this) to other procedural things which I don't really recall. At first I felt obliged to provide the info, but I noticed afterwards that I indeed felt quite slimy. Why?
Well probably because I felt like I'm contributing to a Wizard of Oz scenario. We believe in modern prophets, modern revelation. If we believe in these, then why would there ever be a need to opinion poll, ANYONE?
When I presented the fact that I've received 6 invites in less than a year to my husband, he said, "You know it costs a lot of money to have polls done, right? Like Scott Rasmussen and Zogby are making bocu bucks. Like millions... You've gotta pay someone to come up with the questions, to send out the letters, to gather and collect the data... yeah, it's not cheap. They're probably having focus groups and such. At the end of the day who cares? If you're trying to get the pulse of the Church members... why do you need to poll them? Did King Benjamin have focus groups and pollsters going around?"
I don't know what cost this comes to the Church at. Probably much less, I would think, seeing that it's an in-house operation. And to be honest, this post isn't about nit-picking at money. But it is about bringing to light the fact that this is going on, and if you know me, you know I'm anything but a liar. And I just got my 6th survey request.
I'm not supposed to say what the topic for this one was about, but I will say that I let them know I don't see the need for opinion polling if we are a church built upon living revelation. Are we not? If God is directing the Church, which "god" are we serving by asking mortals what they think about every jot and tittle, and then shifting policy, procedure, or in this case, resources to match the trending beliefs? Shouldn't we be more concerned about asking Jesus what He thinks?
Well probably because I felt like I'm contributing to a Wizard of Oz scenario. We believe in modern prophets, modern revelation. If we believe in these, then why would there ever be a need to opinion poll, ANYONE?
When I presented the fact that I've received 6 invites in less than a year to my husband, he said, "You know it costs a lot of money to have polls done, right? Like Scott Rasmussen and Zogby are making bocu bucks. Like millions... You've gotta pay someone to come up with the questions, to send out the letters, to gather and collect the data... yeah, it's not cheap. They're probably having focus groups and such. At the end of the day who cares? If you're trying to get the pulse of the Church members... why do you need to poll them? Did King Benjamin have focus groups and pollsters going around?"
I don't know what cost this comes to the Church at. Probably much less, I would think, seeing that it's an in-house operation. And to be honest, this post isn't about nit-picking at money. But it is about bringing to light the fact that this is going on, and if you know me, you know I'm anything but a liar. And I just got my 6th survey request.
I'm not supposed to say what the topic for this one was about, but I will say that I let them know I don't see the need for opinion polling if we are a church built upon living revelation. Are we not? If God is directing the Church, which "god" are we serving by asking mortals what they think about every jot and tittle, and then shifting policy, procedure, or in this case, resources to match the trending beliefs? Shouldn't we be more concerned about asking Jesus what He thinks?
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Jesus, Lover of my Soul
Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide;
Oh, receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—
Lo! on Thee I cast my care.
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name,
Source of all true righteousness;
Thou art evermore the same,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.
- Charles Wesley, 1740
Monday, November 17, 2014
Because of Iniquity
During the sacrament yesterday I opened up 3 Nephi to study the sacrament again. I began with what first caught my eye, which was the highlighted verse of 3 Nephi 15:17:
Growing up in LDS culture (although not really – it was more LDS culture outside of LDS culture), I always viewed the "other sheep" as the Nephites and Lamanites. This is where all the videos pointed, and it is explained during missionary discussions. I had the concept down when I was 14. Jesus visited the players in the Book of Mormon, and this is one reason the Book of Mormon is so important. We are to open our minds to the concept that Jesus visited other people outside those in Jerusalem from 0 to 34 AD.
The verses surrounding this often quoted verse are often overlooked. I found some really interesting points as I studied.
Backing up a few verses, Jesus talks to the twelve disciples who he had chosen, and tells them they are a "light" unto this people, "who are a remnant of the house of Joseph" (vs.12). What does that mean? Who and what are the house of Joseph? We often gloss over this in church, assuming everyone knows, and that we automatically know who this Joseph is. Who is Joseph?
I am going to assume that Christ is referring to Joseph, who is the youngest son Jacob (AKA "Israel"). We learn about him in Genesis. We also learn that he has 11 other brothers. These are the "Twelve Tribes of Israel" we often talk about. So we assume this is the same Joseph that he is referring to here, but it only says that they are of the house of Joseph.
Christ continues,
Jesus the explains what the Father permitted him to share, which was the basic fact that there were other sheep whom he must bring (vs.16). But he explains that because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they didn't understand his words. So the Father commanded him to say no more.
Imagine if the Jews had not been so stiffnecked and unbelieving. What more might they have learned? And what more might the world know?
It's a beautiful thing we have this record in the Book of Mormon, because Christ explains that the Father did give him permission to share this. He says the Father commanded him to tell them (the Nephites) that they were separated from the Jews because of their iniquity. And it's because of the Jews' iniquity that they still did not know of this remnant.
The coolest part though, to me, is that he says that the Father has separated other tribes. Once again, because of iniquity the Jews have no idea regarding them. They Jews thought that Jesus was referring to visiting the Gentiles, when in actuality he meant the Nephites. (The Gentiles would be converted through the Holy Ghost, and Christ would not minister to them personally. vs. 23) Another interesting point this reveals is that we and the Jews do not always understand his words. We think it to mean something it does not necessarily mean. And Christ admits it.
Moving into Chapter 16, we learn of even more sheep. This is what intrigues me the most. These people had never been ministered to yet by him personally. And he would go there next. Have they kept a record? Have they received his gospel? Are they on the face of the earth? Are they hidden in the earth? Under the face of the great deep? Is it possible that the religions of the earth, which seem to vary so deeply, are actually part and parcel of the whole? Part of the one fold, with one shepherd, but we reject their precepts because they do not match our own? What if this is part of the grand design? Or do we need to wait for Christ to introduce us, in the end, to the idea that just maybe he taught them too, and that their varying messages are actually of Him?
It's not too far of a stretch for me, when I have Christ informing me in these pages of the Book of Mormon. And blessed are they that believe.
"That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."I kept reading into verse 18:
And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them."Often times when I read scriptures, I find I'm directed to a middle of a chapter. Because I start in the middle, I find I'm missing the context, so I begin reading backwards. Then forwards, then often backwards again. My sacrament study began with other sheep.
Growing up in LDS culture (although not really – it was more LDS culture outside of LDS culture), I always viewed the "other sheep" as the Nephites and Lamanites. This is where all the videos pointed, and it is explained during missionary discussions. I had the concept down when I was 14. Jesus visited the players in the Book of Mormon, and this is one reason the Book of Mormon is so important. We are to open our minds to the concept that Jesus visited other people outside those in Jerusalem from 0 to 34 AD.
The verses surrounding this often quoted verse are often overlooked. I found some really interesting points as I studied.
Backing up a few verses, Jesus talks to the twelve disciples who he had chosen, and tells them they are a "light" unto this people, "who are a remnant of the house of Joseph" (vs.12). What does that mean? Who and what are the house of Joseph? We often gloss over this in church, assuming everyone knows, and that we automatically know who this Joseph is. Who is Joseph?
I am going to assume that Christ is referring to Joseph, who is the youngest son Jacob (AKA "Israel"). We learn about him in Genesis. We also learn that he has 11 other brothers. These are the "Twelve Tribes of Israel" we often talk about. So we assume this is the same Joseph that he is referring to here, but it only says that they are of the house of Joseph.
Christ continues,
"Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land" (vs.15).Why does Christ need the Father to command him regarding what he says? Over the course of the next several verses, he refers to "the Father" so frequently, and he intimates that he only speaks what he is commanded to speak. (Although in some instances, when he completes what he is commanded to speak, we have record of him doing other things, like blessing children.)
Jesus the explains what the Father permitted him to share, which was the basic fact that there were other sheep whom he must bring (vs.16). But he explains that because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they didn't understand his words. So the Father commanded him to say no more.
Imagine if the Jews had not been so stiffnecked and unbelieving. What more might they have learned? And what more might the world know?
It's a beautiful thing we have this record in the Book of Mormon, because Christ explains that the Father did give him permission to share this. He says the Father commanded him to tell them (the Nephites) that they were separated from the Jews because of their iniquity. And it's because of the Jews' iniquity that they still did not know of this remnant.
The coolest part though, to me, is that he says that the Father has separated other tribes. Once again, because of iniquity the Jews have no idea regarding them. They Jews thought that Jesus was referring to visiting the Gentiles, when in actuality he meant the Nephites. (The Gentiles would be converted through the Holy Ghost, and Christ would not minister to them personally. vs. 23) Another interesting point this reveals is that we and the Jews do not always understand his words. We think it to mean something it does not necessarily mean. And Christ admits it.
Moving into Chapter 16, we learn of even more sheep. This is what intrigues me the most. These people had never been ministered to yet by him personally. And he would go there next. Have they kept a record? Have they received his gospel? Are they on the face of the earth? Are they hidden in the earth? Under the face of the great deep? Is it possible that the religions of the earth, which seem to vary so deeply, are actually part and parcel of the whole? Part of the one fold, with one shepherd, but we reject their precepts because they do not match our own? What if this is part of the grand design? Or do we need to wait for Christ to introduce us, in the end, to the idea that just maybe he taught them too, and that their varying messages are actually of Him?
It's not too far of a stretch for me, when I have Christ informing me in these pages of the Book of Mormon. And blessed are they that believe.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
3 Nephi 19 - The Three Prayers of Christ
A week or two God revealed the most beautiful things to me, hidden in chapters 19 and 20 of 3 Nephi. So beautiful they are! A quick synopsis of background before I get into it.
Jesus ends his prayer for a moment, stands up, looks at his disciples, who are praying with words given to them, and they were filled with desire. Desire for what?
So as they're praying – they, meaning the disciples – Jesus blesses them. I don't know how they can remain focused, because quite frankly, if Jesus were to utter direct words of blessing on my ears to hear, I think I would instantly be a puddle of tears and awe. But they manage to continue, and he blesses them, and his countenance smiles upon them. The light of it shines on them, and they turn literally white. Whiter than anything on the planet, it says. They were as white as the garments and countenance of Christ. And he tells them to pray on.
And again, Jesus turns from them again, and steps a little ways away and begins to pray again! Now he asks,
He pauses, checks on the disciples again, and smiles upon them. They were white, even as white as Jesus now. Is this different now, than the previous whiteness? Was the previous whiteness white in countenance and garments? And now their physical being is white? Have they received the purification, literally, soul –body and spirit– that he just supplicated the Father for?
So he steps off again. Prayer number three.
What was said here? Prayer #1 involves Christ asking for those who believe in these words to receive the Holy Ghost. And it happens. Prayer #2 he asks for them (and us) and all who believe to be purified. And they are. Prayer #3 happens and their hearts – their heart layers – I believe these are veils of forgetfulness, or of knowingness – of being able to speak heavenly tongues – the language of Jesus – the language of the Father(s) – is spoken, and NO MAN CAN REPEAT IT. I can't even analyze it to put words to it. It is marvelous.
This is not some lame secret. This is nothing that man is capable of uttering, because we have heart walls, shields, veils, that prohibit us from literally speaking it. This is no secret combination, where someone swears you to secrecy, and if you share or break confidence then you incur the wrath of their pseudo-god, ending a friendship or relationship. No. This is pure, undefiled, Godliness. This is the language of Christ, the PURE LANGUAGE OF CHRIST.
When he is done praying these beautiful, gorgeous, heavenly blessed words, he goes back to the disciples, and says,
Lucky ducks, right? Jesus pretty much tells them how awesome it is for him too, to be finally sharing some of these awesome things that the Jews just couldn't get open enough to receive. Seriously. How flipping cool would that be to have participated in such beautiful, truly glorious things?
Chapter 20 is next.
These events are post Resurrection. It is after the earthquakes, storms, and insane mists of darkness that happened months before and covered the earth, when the world went crazy and people were crying, mourning, and moaning for days on end because of all the destruction. This was global destruction, and we are now witnessing it from the view of the Nephite civilization.
At the start of 3 Nephi 19, people are gathering. (For a little precursor to this, see here for some thoughts on what happens just before the events of chapter 19.) They had heard noise about what had happened earlier that day, how Jesus came and discussed the essentials of bread and wine representing him. He discussed how to pray, what it meant, and the beauties of the ordinance. He taught who can partake of it, and that none should be refused from worshiping together, however those unworthy – meaning those unbaptized –should not partake of it, yet. They need to follow this essential doctrine before stepping further on the path. So many other gems in this chapter.
Heading into chapter 19, people are allll hopped up. What an incredible awesome, miraculous day they had just seen. When was the last time you experienced such things? I haven't read it all just now, but in skimming things, it appears that everything that happened between 3 Nephi 11 and 3 Nephi 18 happens in one day. (Not necessarily the destruction. I think that happened months before Christ actually came to descend among the Nephites. I'm just saying the messages between 11-18 are one day.) These chapters are LOADED and if I'm reading things right, I'm pretty sure they are all being downloaded in aprox. 1 day.
But to just highlight one event, when was the last time you had anyone leave your presence by having a cloud overshadow you, and then they ascended into heaven? I have yet to see such.
So the people are gathering, some of them hustling it up ALL night to get to where they anticipate he will come the next day. I mean it is noised ALL about. I imagine I couldn't sleep either, and would be waking up the neighbors saying, "Get the heck over here and SEE THIS!!!"
When everyone arrives, they meet the 12 disciples Jesus had called out and "touched" (18:36) the day before. These twelve start separating the gathering crowd into 12 different bodies, because it is just so big! Verse 6 says they (the disciples) taught them (the multitude, in groups), and then instructed them to kneel on the earth and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Then the disciples joined suit. What are they doing?
Well Jesus had not yet arrived. They are beckoning him in prayer!
Verse 7-8 describes how the disciples then "minister" to them, using the exact same words Jesus had used, and then knelt again. Did they issue the bread and wine here? I am not entirely sure. It is not clear, although surely God could tell you if you asked. One of the almost last things he went over the night before was the importance of remembering him through the bread and wine. I believe this was probably what they were doing, but I could be wrong.
What happened next though is eye opening. They begin praying for the Holy Ghost to be given to them. Really??? They had not yet received the Holy Ghost? These were people that survived the destructions of the Nephite civilization. Had they not yet obviously had the gospel and baptism and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints as we now assume they had? ;) You know, exactly like we have it now??? No.
They sought the Holy Ghost. The real, first Comforter. So they prayed fervently, and went to the water's edge, where they met Nephi. Nephi received baptism first. (Still no Christ present in the flesh.) Who baptized Nephi? And as soon as Nephi came out of the water, he began baptizing the others Jesus had chosen.
Was this something Jesus instructed the night before? So Nephi is just now baptized! And he baptizes the other eleven. And they rise out of the water, and their WISH is GRANTED! No waiting, just boom! There! Holy Ghost DID. FALL. UPON. THEM. and they were FILLED with the Holy Ghost and with FIRE!!! And they were circled – surrounded – with something so much like fire, from heaven. And the multitude saw it, and knew it was true. Then come the angels.
And the angels minister to them. Can you imagine? But it gets better.
Then comes Jesus! Again! To ALL of them!!! Party on!!! Can you imagine this??? Were they cheering? Were they falling to the earth? This is the very first experience for the bulk of them, right, meeting their God? Remarkable. Think about that for a moment. Can you really imagine this? I get all weepy when hearing that song, "I Can Only Imagine". I really have no idea how I'd react, but pretty much all of those emotions wrapped into one is how I imagine it.
(Feel free to just listen. Or just hit play and read the rest because listening to this song while you read changes the whole tone of the rest. Wow.)
So the instruction begins... now. Get ready to rumble, because this. is. pure. awesomeness.
Jesus instructs the multitude to kneel. They listen and obey. And then the disciples. Check. And when they're alllll kneeling, he instructs the disciples to pray. All 12. They are praying –to–Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.
Jesus steps a little bit away. He prays to the Father.
"Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world.
Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. {Could he also be talking about us here???}
Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; {prayer answered immediately, by the way} and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them. {Noted.}
And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one." {Jesus prays for those present and NOT present, who believe on the words of those present. Present and future. Why? He wants us to be one.}
Jesus ends his prayer for a moment, stands up, looks at his disciples, who are praying with words given to them, and they were filled with desire. Desire for what?
So as they're praying – they, meaning the disciples – Jesus blesses them. I don't know how they can remain focused, because quite frankly, if Jesus were to utter direct words of blessing on my ears to hear, I think I would instantly be a puddle of tears and awe. But they manage to continue, and he blesses them, and his countenance smiles upon them. The light of it shines on them, and they turn literally white. Whiter than anything on the planet, it says. They were as white as the garments and countenance of Christ. And he tells them to pray on.
And again, Jesus turns from them again, and steps a little ways away and begins to pray again! Now he asks,
"Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words {here again!}, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them."
He pauses, checks on the disciples again, and smiles upon them. They were white, even as white as Jesus now. Is this different now, than the previous whiteness? Was the previous whiteness white in countenance and garments? And now their physical being is white? Have they received the purification, literally, soul –body and spirit– that he just supplicated the Father for?
So he steps off again. Prayer number three.
"And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed.
And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open that they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.
Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by man."
What was said here? Prayer #1 involves Christ asking for those who believe in these words to receive the Holy Ghost. And it happens. Prayer #2 he asks for them (and us) and all who believe to be purified. And they are. Prayer #3 happens and their hearts – their heart layers – I believe these are veils of forgetfulness, or of knowingness – of being able to speak heavenly tongues – the language of Jesus – the language of the Father(s) – is spoken, and NO MAN CAN REPEAT IT. I can't even analyze it to put words to it. It is marvelous.
This is not some lame secret. This is nothing that man is capable of uttering, because we have heart walls, shields, veils, that prohibit us from literally speaking it. This is no secret combination, where someone swears you to secrecy, and if you share or break confidence then you incur the wrath of their pseudo-god, ending a friendship or relationship. No. This is pure, undefiled, Godliness. This is the language of Christ, the PURE LANGUAGE OF CHRIST.
When he is done praying these beautiful, gorgeous, heavenly blessed words, he goes back to the disciples, and says,
"So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief.
Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard."
Lucky ducks, right? Jesus pretty much tells them how awesome it is for him too, to be finally sharing some of these awesome things that the Jews just couldn't get open enough to receive. Seriously. How flipping cool would that be to have participated in such beautiful, truly glorious things?
Chapter 20 is next.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Karma
Dear Daniel,
There is a law, irrevocably decreed...
Love you!
~Mom<3
There is a law, irrevocably decreed...
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. - Jesus (Luke 6:31)
Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. - Jesus (D&C 6:33)
Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been – if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people. -Alma (Alma 9:28-9)We reap what we sow. As we treat others, we shall so be treated. This has been called a "Universal Truth", and I believe it. Take care to treat others, regardless of who they are, with love, respect, and kindness.
Love you!
~Mom<3
Saturday, October 26, 2013
A Lesson on Jesus
Last week in Primary I was supposed to share a lesson with my 6 year olds about how "Jesus Said to Love Everyone". Rather than drone on about stories that my class has historically not enjoyed, of late I have ended up winging the lesson. Not to put the parents into a state of worry, let me clarify. We certainly study the scriptures and learn of God, but not in the recommended fashion. See, we actually open up the scriptures, and devote most of the class to direct scripture. Yes, they are only six. But they seem to love it a lot more than the stories in the pink manual that really don't edify.
This past week we focused on this verse:
Does Jesus mess around, when he talks? Does he insert twists and half truths, or is it ALL truth?
I reaffirmed in this class that Christ is God, the source of ALL truth. We discussed what LIGHT is. What is light?
We turned off the lights. We turned them on again. We talked about the sun, and how the earth circles around it. We talked about how without the sun, there would be no life. The plants would not grow, for without the sun, photosynthesis would not take place. (Ok, didn't use that big word!) Gardens would not grow, we would not see one another. We talked about the darkness that preceded Christ's visit to these people, and how after all the destruction, the tempests, the whirlwinds, the earthquakes, the cities being raised up and buried by ocean waters, how there was NO light for three days. The light and the life of the world was removed, symbolically and literally. Three days of utter and complete darkness. I wonder if the Holy Spirit was permitted to remain with those righteous, or if all influence of God departed. There was certainly a great amount of weeping and wailing.
Think about it. Electricity is energy. The sun emits energy, constantly. Without the sun's radiance, we would have no life. No purity, no cleansing, no fire. The breath we take, every moment, every unconscious, unthinking second, every breath comes from God. Christ is the center of it all. Without him, we have no life. He is within us, and without our spirit's connection to his, we would be nothing, for when his influence on our body leaves, it is left but a carcass. Christ is the life of the world.
It was a very enlightening class. I was touched to hear one of the children's mothers report on Facebook that her son (in my class) was excited to see a bright light in the sky and thought it was Jesus coming. I always wonder the same, and wonder when it'll happen. Hoping I'm ready, but realizing that I'm not there yet. Thank Jesus for an atonement.
~Jen<3
This past week we focused on this verse:
"And behold, I am the light and the life of the world..."taken from 3 Nephi 11:11. (Angel numbers there.)
Does Jesus mess around, when he talks? Does he insert twists and half truths, or is it ALL truth?
I reaffirmed in this class that Christ is God, the source of ALL truth. We discussed what LIGHT is. What is light?
We turned off the lights. We turned them on again. We talked about the sun, and how the earth circles around it. We talked about how without the sun, there would be no life. The plants would not grow, for without the sun, photosynthesis would not take place. (Ok, didn't use that big word!) Gardens would not grow, we would not see one another. We talked about the darkness that preceded Christ's visit to these people, and how after all the destruction, the tempests, the whirlwinds, the earthquakes, the cities being raised up and buried by ocean waters, how there was NO light for three days. The light and the life of the world was removed, symbolically and literally. Three days of utter and complete darkness. I wonder if the Holy Spirit was permitted to remain with those righteous, or if all influence of God departed. There was certainly a great amount of weeping and wailing.
Think about it. Electricity is energy. The sun emits energy, constantly. Without the sun's radiance, we would have no life. No purity, no cleansing, no fire. The breath we take, every moment, every unconscious, unthinking second, every breath comes from God. Christ is the center of it all. Without him, we have no life. He is within us, and without our spirit's connection to his, we would be nothing, for when his influence on our body leaves, it is left but a carcass. Christ is the life of the world.
It was a very enlightening class. I was touched to hear one of the children's mothers report on Facebook that her son (in my class) was excited to see a bright light in the sky and thought it was Jesus coming. I always wonder the same, and wonder when it'll happen. Hoping I'm ready, but realizing that I'm not there yet. Thank Jesus for an atonement.
~Jen<3
Friday, July 12, 2013
Your Dream Last Night
Magdalene,
Tonight you began telling us a "story". You have always been a wonderful storyteller, but it has been a long time since you have offered to tell us a story at bedtime. Tonight it began with a fuzzy winter glove of mine.
You put it on your hand, and began teaching us about death and the resurrection.
"This, is like you. The glove is your body, and this (your hand) is you! When you die, your body goes here (in the ground), and your spirit goes up here (arm in the air, swimming)."
It quickly turned from a story to an account of a dream, apparently from last night.
"I saw Grandma last night."
What??? I believe in dreams. You had my rapt attention.
What did she look like? What was she wearing?
"She was wearing white earrings," you said.
Were they hoops or just small earrings?
"They were round circles, like this big." (You made a circle with your thumb and index finger.
I asked you if she was old or young, or just looked like Grandma. "She just looked like Grandma." You said she hugged you, and then flew up in the sky.
How did she fly? "With her wings."
What were her wings like? I'd never seen angel wings. "They were big. Angel wings. You know, like a pegasus." Oh.
Next you cooly and calmly said that Jesus and Mary were there too. Not Grandma, but Mary.
Was Jesus a baby?
"No. They were both grown up."
Did you see anyone else?
"Yeah, Alma was there. The older one. You know, the one who was with Noah. Not Noah and the ark, but the other Noah. The king."
Oh. What did Alma look like?
"He had white hair."
Really? Wait, are you sure it was Alma?
"Um, yeah. It wasn't the younger one, it was the dad."
Oh. Wow!
So what did they say?
"Um, they were eating."
Eating?
"Yeah."
Were they at a picnic table, or a dinner table? Or just walking around?
"They were at a picnic table."
Oh. Just eating? I can't remember if you said they were eating or just talking. Maybe you remember?
What else happened?
"Abinadi was there."
Really?
"Yeah. The one with the handcuffs."
Oh. Did he have handcuffs on in your dream?
"No. He was just... normal."
Oh. And what about Grandma? Did she say anything else?
"No. She just gave me wings, and I flew up with her."
And then what?
"That was all."
Oh. Okay. So then you woke up?
"Yeah."
Okay.
Just thought you might want to remember this dream. I know it would take me a long time to write in your journal. Typing goes much faster.
Love you baby!
~Mom<3
Tonight you began telling us a "story". You have always been a wonderful storyteller, but it has been a long time since you have offered to tell us a story at bedtime. Tonight it began with a fuzzy winter glove of mine.
You put it on your hand, and began teaching us about death and the resurrection.
"This, is like you. The glove is your body, and this (your hand) is you! When you die, your body goes here (in the ground), and your spirit goes up here (arm in the air, swimming)."
It quickly turned from a story to an account of a dream, apparently from last night.
"I saw Grandma last night."
What??? I believe in dreams. You had my rapt attention.
What did she look like? What was she wearing?
"She was wearing white earrings," you said.
Were they hoops or just small earrings?
"They were round circles, like this big." (You made a circle with your thumb and index finger.
I asked you if she was old or young, or just looked like Grandma. "She just looked like Grandma." You said she hugged you, and then flew up in the sky.
How did she fly? "With her wings."
What were her wings like? I'd never seen angel wings. "They were big. Angel wings. You know, like a pegasus." Oh.
Next you cooly and calmly said that Jesus and Mary were there too. Not Grandma, but Mary.
Was Jesus a baby?
"No. They were both grown up."
Did you see anyone else?
"Yeah, Alma was there. The older one. You know, the one who was with Noah. Not Noah and the ark, but the other Noah. The king."
Oh. What did Alma look like?
"He had white hair."
Really? Wait, are you sure it was Alma?
"Um, yeah. It wasn't the younger one, it was the dad."
Oh. Wow!
So what did they say?
"Um, they were eating."
Eating?
"Yeah."
Were they at a picnic table, or a dinner table? Or just walking around?
"They were at a picnic table."
Oh. Just eating? I can't remember if you said they were eating or just talking. Maybe you remember?
What else happened?
"Abinadi was there."
Really?
"Yeah. The one with the handcuffs."
Oh. Did he have handcuffs on in your dream?
"No. He was just... normal."
Oh. And what about Grandma? Did she say anything else?
"No. She just gave me wings, and I flew up with her."
And then what?
"That was all."
Oh. Okay. So then you woke up?
"Yeah."
Okay.
Just thought you might want to remember this dream. I know it would take me a long time to write in your journal. Typing goes much faster.
Love you baby!
~Mom<3
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Jesus' Wheels
Dear Josten,
Today was a delightful day at church, wasn't it? A member of the Temple Presidency spoke to us with his wife during Sacrament Meeting. We learned about the Holy Ghost in Primary, and after church, we got to witness a baptism and confirmation.
Twice within and after the meetings I got to walk out to the car, and in the parking lot saw two of the shiniest black cars I'd ever seen. Both belonged to members; one to the visiting member of the Temple Presidency and the other to a member of the ward.
As I said, both cars were black. One was an SUV, and one was some sort of modified hot rod. I was struck by how shiny and clean each appeared. They were clearly brand new – models I had never seen before on the road. I will admit that I was struck with intense jealousy, but it wasn't that I wanted those cars, but I wanted the ability to purchase the kind of cars that hey had, if I wanted to. We talked about coveting on the way home, and it occurred to me that this is probably one of the more less spoken of commandments of those given to Moses so long ago, and also repeated by Abinadi to King Noah.
So when we got home, and were visiting after dinner, I posed the question: If Jesus were mortal again, and couldn't appear by descending and ascending and doing marvelous means of appearing and disappearing, what car would he drive? I was wondering if it'd be an old jaloppy that needs a good re-paint, with broken windows and door handles, or something shiny like what I saw in the church parking lot.
You first guessed he would drive a Ferrari. "No wait, a minivan."
Interesting food for thought! I guess it's good that Jesus doesn't need to drive. From what I have read and learned, he has much better means of transportation, way better than cars.
~Mom<3 :)
Today was a delightful day at church, wasn't it? A member of the Temple Presidency spoke to us with his wife during Sacrament Meeting. We learned about the Holy Ghost in Primary, and after church, we got to witness a baptism and confirmation.
Twice within and after the meetings I got to walk out to the car, and in the parking lot saw two of the shiniest black cars I'd ever seen. Both belonged to members; one to the visiting member of the Temple Presidency and the other to a member of the ward.
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As I said, both cars were black. One was an SUV, and one was some sort of modified hot rod. I was struck by how shiny and clean each appeared. They were clearly brand new – models I had never seen before on the road. I will admit that I was struck with intense jealousy, but it wasn't that I wanted those cars, but I wanted the ability to purchase the kind of cars that hey had, if I wanted to. We talked about coveting on the way home, and it occurred to me that this is probably one of the more less spoken of commandments of those given to Moses so long ago, and also repeated by Abinadi to King Noah.
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s." (Exodus 20:17)"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s." (Mosiah 13:24)
The Lord goes even further in a commandment to Martin Harris, about 1829:
And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God— (D&C 19:26)
Makes me wonder if that commandment is extended to us. That's a whole other question I should probably not delve too far into for one post.
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| (photo source) |
You first guessed he would drive a Ferrari. "No wait, a minivan."
Interesting food for thought! I guess it's good that Jesus doesn't need to drive. From what I have read and learned, he has much better means of transportation, way better than cars.
~Mom<3 :)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Primary 3, Lesson 5
Dear Daniel,
I'm a little disturbed today by a paragraph in my Primary Manual. I'll share the last paragraph with you.
And does telling a 5 year old that they should not expect Heavenly Father and Jesus to appear to them "deny the power thereof"? I'm not saying that's the case, but I am certainly pondering it.
I understand the point of the lesson, and the idea that we shouldn't feel sad and depressed if we haven't experienced such things, yet. But the scriptures are FULL of people experiencing these things, and partly why they're included is to show us that these things do happen! I find this last line very, very disturbing. God wants us to seek such things, which is why I believe so many things in the scriptures are veiled from our view. It reminds me of when we encouraged you to walk. We stood a little ways away, and waited for you to step into our arms. We stepped back so you could step forward in faith.
God is an unchanging God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How many times is that line repeated throughout scripture? So just as James' admonition spoke to Joseph about God upbraiding (scolding) not for us asking, He does not scold us for asking with sincerity either. He wants us to, He expects us to, and when we choose not to, it is it OUR condemnation. Just because He has not appeared to us, or to common, everyday man, does not mean that He won't, can't, or that we shouldn't hope that He will.
Don't forget to ask, little one. Maybe someday, He will appear to you.
~Mom<3
I'm a little disturbed today by a paragraph in my Primary Manual. I'll share the last paragraph with you.
"Be sure to emphasize that Heavenly Father and Jesus usually answer prayers by giving us a peaceful feeling, which the children will learn more about in another lesson. The children should not expect Heavenly Father and Jesus to appear to them to answer their prayers."Daniel, I find this very, very disturbing. This book was published/copyrighted in 1994 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I sustain my leaders; I teach from the manual put out by the Church. However, this teaching is no different than any other church, which tells us that these things no longer happen. They can, they should, and they do. This is the kind of teaching that God told Joseph was "corrupt".
"I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that 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.”Does God want us to draw until Him with our hearts? Or only our lips? What is the difference between the two? How do we draw near to God with our lips, and not our hearts too?
And does telling a 5 year old that they should not expect Heavenly Father and Jesus to appear to them "deny the power thereof"? I'm not saying that's the case, but I am certainly pondering it.
I understand the point of the lesson, and the idea that we shouldn't feel sad and depressed if we haven't experienced such things, yet. But the scriptures are FULL of people experiencing these things, and partly why they're included is to show us that these things do happen! I find this last line very, very disturbing. God wants us to seek such things, which is why I believe so many things in the scriptures are veiled from our view. It reminds me of when we encouraged you to walk. We stood a little ways away, and waited for you to step into our arms. We stepped back so you could step forward in faith.
God is an unchanging God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How many times is that line repeated throughout scripture? So just as James' admonition spoke to Joseph about God upbraiding (scolding) not for us asking, He does not scold us for asking with sincerity either. He wants us to, He expects us to, and when we choose not to, it is it OUR condemnation. Just because He has not appeared to us, or to common, everyday man, does not mean that He won't, can't, or that we shouldn't hope that He will.
Don't forget to ask, little one. Maybe someday, He will appear to you.
~Mom<3
Sunday, October 14, 2012
On Joseph
There's more I hope to share on my thoughts on the First Vision. Hopefully I'll work on that tomorrow. Tonight I want to share how much I absolutely LOVE Joseph Smith. I am beyond words thankful for the sacrifice he offered in basically doing all he could to do what God asked him to do. I think I'll share a few things I have in common with Joseph, just for fun.
We both grew up a few miles outside a town called Palmyra. ;)
We both lived in the country for much of our youth.
We both were relatively poor, or "indigent" during our youth.
We both work hard, although I have to imagine he worked a LOT harder than I do, or ever did.
We both believe in the words of the Bible.
We both sought truth at a young age.
We both had faith that God answers prayers.
We both did things that weren't always popular.
We have both been misunderstood, from time to time.
We both moved across the country, and not necessarily because we wanted to.
We both enjoyed having lots of fun, when the time is right.
We both believe in visions.
We both enjoy children.
We both believe that God lives, and hears and answers our prayers.
We both believe in meditation, pondering, and prayer.
I don't know why I'm sharing such an odd list, but I've always felt a kinship with Joseph. I don't know what my relationship is to him, but I have always believed him, and felt wholeheartedly that what he experienced was true. I'd like to think that in an eternal realm, we were at least friends, if not very good acquaintances. There's often a story of how Joseph loved playing a game called "pulling sticks". I'd like to think that at least once, even though I'm a woman, I'd get a chance to beat him at that game. I look forward to a time when I can call him "Brother Joseph", as the saints did nearly 200 years ago.
Joseph was indeed a prophet, and I am beyond thankful for what he did to bring forth the Book of Mormon, among many wonderful other restored blessings of Christ's gospel. Thank God for Joseph, the Book of Mormon, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We both grew up a few miles outside a town called Palmyra. ;)
We both lived in the country for much of our youth.
We both were relatively poor, or "indigent" during our youth.
We both work hard, although I have to imagine he worked a LOT harder than I do, or ever did.
We both believe in the words of the Bible.
We both sought truth at a young age.
We both had faith that God answers prayers.
We both did things that weren't always popular.
We have both been misunderstood, from time to time.
We both moved across the country, and not necessarily because we wanted to.
We both enjoyed having lots of fun, when the time is right.
We both believe in visions.
We both enjoy children.
We both believe that God lives, and hears and answers our prayers.
We both believe in meditation, pondering, and prayer.
I don't know why I'm sharing such an odd list, but I've always felt a kinship with Joseph. I don't know what my relationship is to him, but I have always believed him, and felt wholeheartedly that what he experienced was true. I'd like to think that in an eternal realm, we were at least friends, if not very good acquaintances. There's often a story of how Joseph loved playing a game called "pulling sticks". I'd like to think that at least once, even though I'm a woman, I'd get a chance to beat him at that game. I look forward to a time when I can call him "Brother Joseph", as the saints did nearly 200 years ago.
Joseph was indeed a prophet, and I am beyond thankful for what he did to bring forth the Book of Mormon, among many wonderful other restored blessings of Christ's gospel. Thank God for Joseph, the Book of Mormon, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
The First Vision, Part 3
Joseph Smith History 1:18-19:
In drawing near unto God with our lips, are our hearts near to Him too? This was what was pointed out to Joseph as a reason not to unite with the churches of his day. Many religions and individuals go to great lengths to dispute that Joseph was a prophet. Regardless of technicalities of what people believe, it's important not to overlook the heart of the message.
Ignoring the reasons which I have found broadly on websites to dispute Joseph's veracity, let's look again at the main thing which was emphasized in the lips/hearts relationship. Often in the scriptures, prophets will quote other prophets as an addition to their testimony. Here Joseph is quoting the message he was given, yet also citing scripture. Whether or not we believe Joseph, it was already referenced in Isaiah, citing the Lord.
Isaiah 29:13: "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
and also in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 33:31: And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."
and again in Christ's mortal ministry
Luke 6:46: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
This idea has really sat with me this week. A good friend posted on her Nerdbook wall that when we find people disputing over politics, we should consider kneeling down and begging God for mercy, to save us from the challenges we face, rather than trusting in the arm of the flesh. Amen! It feels as though so many people claim to worship God, but when it comes down to it, we do very little that He asks. We trust in our own strength, rather than asking Him to give us of His.
For example,
One friend told me how she is Catholic, and is very devout even though her parents aren't, but because her parents "really bothered [her]" she yelled the Lord's name in a very profane way to tell her mother to leave her alone. Why would someone who revered God do this? Screaming the Savior's name as a manner of profanity to express anger, by a Catholic? Why??? Are we not commanded not to take the Lord's name in vain? Do Catholics not believe the Bible? I hear people of countless denominations do this. It is very clear in Exodous that this is not something to be taken lightly, but so many "followers" do it, and quite flippantly I would add. This is probably one of the easiest of the "Big 10" to keep, but why is it so disregarded?
We draw near unto Him with our lips, but our hearts of far from Him.
Some of my friends who read this blog are of a faith that believes that because the Law of Moses was fulfilled when Christ came, that there is no need to revere the Old Testament. With that, there appears to be less heed given to keeping the Sabbath day holy. Why? We don't de-value the commandment not to take life, just because Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses, but commandments like this one which is one I believe is intended to offer us great blessings by it's observance are disregarded. How about not requiring our manservant or maidservant to work? How many of us so quickly and easily make a habit out of making people serve us food, sell us unnecessary goods and services, or even do our own unnecessary work on the Sabbath? Laundry? Lawn mowing? Excessive baking or large meals for company? It was given to us as a day of rest – as a blessing. Why don't we revere it? Would we be less stressed during the week if we honored this one?
I suppose some don't revere it because we draw near unto Him with our lips, but our hearts are far from Him. I don't care what religion we each are. This message given to Joseph and previous prophets is one that should not be overlooked with the gloriousness of the vision he experienced. The message is important, and while Joseph was given more in that vision which he was not permitted to share, it doesn't negate the importance of what brevity we were given. We're not just to think (for those that are Latter-day Saints) that this is a reason we can get puffed up in pride, thinking how lucky we are to not have to affiliate with such a church. Perhaps we should use it as an added measure of caution, so that we don't puff up ourselves, drawing near unto God with our lips, but allowing our hearts to drift far, far, far from Him.
Joseph Smith History 1:20: He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that 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.”
In drawing near unto God with our lips, are our hearts near to Him too? This was what was pointed out to Joseph as a reason not to unite with the churches of his day. Many religions and individuals go to great lengths to dispute that Joseph was a prophet. Regardless of technicalities of what people believe, it's important not to overlook the heart of the message.
Ignoring the reasons which I have found broadly on websites to dispute Joseph's veracity, let's look again at the main thing which was emphasized in the lips/hearts relationship. Often in the scriptures, prophets will quote other prophets as an addition to their testimony. Here Joseph is quoting the message he was given, yet also citing scripture. Whether or not we believe Joseph, it was already referenced in Isaiah, citing the Lord.
Isaiah 29:13: "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
and also in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 33:31: And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."
and again in Christ's mortal ministry
Luke 6:46: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
This idea has really sat with me this week. A good friend posted on her Nerdbook wall that when we find people disputing over politics, we should consider kneeling down and begging God for mercy, to save us from the challenges we face, rather than trusting in the arm of the flesh. Amen! It feels as though so many people claim to worship God, but when it comes down to it, we do very little that He asks. We trust in our own strength, rather than asking Him to give us of His.
For example,
One friend told me how she is Catholic, and is very devout even though her parents aren't, but because her parents "really bothered [her]" she yelled the Lord's name in a very profane way to tell her mother to leave her alone. Why would someone who revered God do this? Screaming the Savior's name as a manner of profanity to express anger, by a Catholic? Why??? Are we not commanded not to take the Lord's name in vain? Do Catholics not believe the Bible? I hear people of countless denominations do this. It is very clear in Exodous that this is not something to be taken lightly, but so many "followers" do it, and quite flippantly I would add. This is probably one of the easiest of the "Big 10" to keep, but why is it so disregarded?
We draw near unto Him with our lips, but our hearts of far from Him.
Some of my friends who read this blog are of a faith that believes that because the Law of Moses was fulfilled when Christ came, that there is no need to revere the Old Testament. With that, there appears to be less heed given to keeping the Sabbath day holy. Why? We don't de-value the commandment not to take life, just because Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses, but commandments like this one which is one I believe is intended to offer us great blessings by it's observance are disregarded. How about not requiring our manservant or maidservant to work? How many of us so quickly and easily make a habit out of making people serve us food, sell us unnecessary goods and services, or even do our own unnecessary work on the Sabbath? Laundry? Lawn mowing? Excessive baking or large meals for company? It was given to us as a day of rest – as a blessing. Why don't we revere it? Would we be less stressed during the week if we honored this one?
I suppose some don't revere it because we draw near unto Him with our lips, but our hearts are far from Him. I don't care what religion we each are. This message given to Joseph and previous prophets is one that should not be overlooked with the gloriousness of the vision he experienced. The message is important, and while Joseph was given more in that vision which he was not permitted to share, it doesn't negate the importance of what brevity we were given. We're not just to think (for those that are Latter-day Saints) that this is a reason we can get puffed up in pride, thinking how lucky we are to not have to affiliate with such a church. Perhaps we should use it as an added measure of caution, so that we don't puff up ourselves, drawing near unto God with our lips, but allowing our hearts to drift far, far, far from Him.
Joseph Smith History 1:20: He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?
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