I am going to stop posting here for a bit. I have a bit of a project I would like to complete, using the other blog. I will port over some of the more recent posts that are appropriate. I will post there; feel free to come and read.
http://chris-gospel-musings.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 02, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Symbolism in the Tree of Life
I had a very vivid and real image form in my mind last month as I drove to work and considered the symbolism and meanings thereof associated with the tree of life. It was/is a very beautiful image, and I was very saddened that I do not have the skills to draw it. I have, however, asked a former seminary student who has more than enough skill to draw it for me. When she sends me the drawing, I will update this post with the image and a more thorough discussion of my understanding of the symbolism associated with the tree of life (and better scripture citations).
For now, I am dumping some of my thoughts and notes here as a place holder of sorts.
For now, I am dumping some of my thoughts and notes here as a place holder of sorts.
Symbols:
Cherubim = Cherubs = Angels = Messengers – those who bring
us the message of the gospel. They speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and
speak the words of Christ (2 Ne 32).
Flaming Sword = The Spirit = The Word of God – the Spirit is
represented by fire (Nauvoo temple dedication, Nephi/Lehi in prison, children
with Christ, etc) and the word of God is often called a sword (quick and
powerful to the dividing asunder). The Spirit is the conveyance of God’s word
(2 Ne 32) and so the sword is flaming. Also, God’s words are often referred to
as piercing us to the center and piercing our hearts. Fire often represents
holiness, purity, and purification, all of which are associated with the Spirit
(baptism with fire). Quench not the Spirit! Burning in the bosom.
Tree of Life – the fruit is the love of God and is the fruit
of the Atonement and those who partake and remain are granted Eternal Life
Way (path) – Christ is the way, the truth, and the light.
The path to the tree of life is the path Jesus delineated, demarcated, and
exemplified.
Natural man I have depicted as a black or shadowy doppelganger
of ourselves. Our dark underbelly, so to speak.
The imagery:
God instructed Jehovah to place Cherubim and a flaming sword
(many messengers; one sword - only one message, only one Spirit) to guard the way
to the tree of life to prevent Adam and Eve from living forever in their sins.
The other alternatives are dying in their sins and living forever without their
sins. That is each of our choice.
As we walk the path to the tree of life, an angel (any one
of God’s servants) pierces us with the sword (shares with us the word of God
and testifies by the Spirit). This witness and teaching pierces us to the
center, pierces our hearts. It brings to our view and awareness our natural man
– figuratively driving the doppelganger from us into the light, into view. We
then wrestle with the doppelganger as we exercise our agency to decide if we
will accept or reject the word as it has been preached to us. When we accept
it, we are victorious and the natural man is reduced. We are not able to
completely banish the natural man after a single encounter with the word, so
most of the doppelganger is reabsorbed into us, but it is diminished – less dark,
less imposing, less foreboding. Part of the natural man remain on the ground
and is slain by the sword. This process is repeated frequently throughout our
life so long as we continue along the path to the tree. The entire path is
lined with God’s messengers, sent to bring us His word by His Spirit. They each
take a turn piercing our heart with the sword, expelling the natural man, and
giving us an opportunity to overcome him. As we continue to accept the word,
the doppelganger continues to shrink and fade and weaken. Eventually, we are
given the sword and slay the last of our natural man and are then permitted,
being cleansed from all sin, to partake of Eternal Life. We then are clothed in
white robes to match the fruit. We have been cleansed from the blood and sins
of this world.
If, however, we do not accept the teaching of the angel, the
natural man wins the contest, becomes larger, darker, and more powerful, though
never insurmountable.
Perhaps the angels along the way also bring with them
some of the fruit of the tree of life as we are able to partake of the fruits
of God’s love before becoming fully cleansed – the analogy breaks down a bit
there as we use the tree to represent the love of God (as Lehi describes it)
and also the gift of Eternal Life, as Adam beheld it – the two are
intrinsically connected, but not equivalent.
Sunday, September 08, 2013
It shall no more be said...
A teacher at our training yesterday shared an insight which I wanted to record and share along with some of my own thoughts.
1 Nephi 21:22-23 (quoting Isaiah 49) says
Verse 22 has some beautiful imagery (as Isaiah is prone to do) of the Gentiles, having been lifted up by the Lord shall go out and save scattered Israel, bringing them back in their arms and on their shoulders. This also is reminiscent of the 4 young men who went out to bring back in those perishing in the wilderness at the sweetwater crossing.
Verse 23, though, says that kings and queens shall be heavily involved in the work. This seems a little inconsistent. Sure the rulers of nations may do things to assist and aid in the work, but rarely will they be the ones who are acting as nursing mothers and fathers to the spiritually infantile Israel. What, then, is meant?
Jeremiah further complicates things. In 16:14-15 (immediately preceding the famous missionary passage), Jeremiah says
For generations and centuries, the children of Israel would use the Exodus as their rallying cry. When they needed their spirits bolstered, their courage rallied, their conscience tickled, or their faith strengthened, they touchstone was always "Remember the great things your God did in bringing your fathers out of Egypt. He plagued Pharoah; He parted the Red sea; he fed and lead them in the wilderness; He drove out the inhabitants of the Promised Land before them. How great is our God!"
What could the gathering of Israel do overshadow that iconic event? Surely the gathering is part of the Great and Marvelous work the Lord is bringing to pass, but for it to be so awesome as to outshine the Exodus?
Deuteronomy 30:3-4 starts to give us some insights.
1 Nephi 21:22-23 (quoting Isaiah 49) says
22 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand
to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy
sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be
thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down
to thee with their face towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet;
and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait
for me.Verse 22 has some beautiful imagery (as Isaiah is prone to do) of the Gentiles, having been lifted up by the Lord shall go out and save scattered Israel, bringing them back in their arms and on their shoulders. This also is reminiscent of the 4 young men who went out to bring back in those perishing in the wilderness at the sweetwater crossing.
Verse 23, though, says that kings and queens shall be heavily involved in the work. This seems a little inconsistent. Sure the rulers of nations may do things to assist and aid in the work, but rarely will they be the ones who are acting as nursing mothers and fathers to the spiritually infantile Israel. What, then, is meant?
Jeremiah further complicates things. In 16:14-15 (immediately preceding the famous missionary passage), Jeremiah says
14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it
shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel
out of the land of Egypt;
15 But,
The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north,
and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again
into their land that I gave unto their fathers.For generations and centuries, the children of Israel would use the Exodus as their rallying cry. When they needed their spirits bolstered, their courage rallied, their conscience tickled, or their faith strengthened, they touchstone was always "Remember the great things your God did in bringing your fathers out of Egypt. He plagued Pharoah; He parted the Red sea; he fed and lead them in the wilderness; He drove out the inhabitants of the Promised Land before them. How great is our God!"
What could the gathering of Israel do overshadow that iconic event? Surely the gathering is part of the Great and Marvelous work the Lord is bringing to pass, but for it to be so awesome as to outshine the Exodus?
Deuteronomy 30:3-4 starts to give us some insights.
3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and
have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the
nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven,
from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch
thee:
Verse 3 is familiar. Verse 4 I had not noticed before - the gathering includes bringing in those that had been scattered beyond the veil. The gathering includes the work being doing in the temple (a careful consideration of which will yield the answer to the question of the role of kings and queens in the gathering).
How great is our God! He has brought us out from the 4 corners of the world, from sin, and from death! He has stretched forth His hand and parted the veil, bringing us through safely to the other side, the world being destroyed on the far side. He has lead us by His had to the land He has promised. Indeed, how great is our God!!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Powers of Heaven
A friend of mine asked me a couple of questions, to which I responded with my thoughts and understanding. My exact thoughts evolved over time; I have pasted in several of my email responses to my friend, so that you can see the evolution of my thoughts. This means this is a bit of a lengthy post. To me, the evolution was almost more meaningful than the final understanding itself. I really appreciated how I feel that the Lord took what little understanding I had and added to it a little at a time until I came to a much greater understanding. As I mention down below, I am certain I have a long way to go, still, but I greatly appreciate the process.
The initial email
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this scripture [Ether 12:12]. We know that Faith is an essential component to the power of the Priesthood. My question is WHY? Is it that without faith by the "receiving" party, the priesthood power to do miracles not sufficiently strong? Is that verse literal or figurative? Is it just a waste of time/mockery of the Priesthood to exercise it without faith? In terms of "Power"- how are faith & the priesthood connected? (for example, the faith of the brother of Jared was such that he could not be withheld from within the veil, or the Priesthood power to heal the sick) Is it a law of heaven that things cannot be one-sided? (meaning, in order for a gospel principle to work, you have to have at least a sliver of desire)?
The second email
I'm thinking that the power of Faith is very similar to the power of the Priesthood. In terms of ability to work the will of The Lord, I wonder if perhaps the most important distinction between the two powers of God is simply organization. (ordinances, 'government', service, structure, etc) We know that it was by the power of faith that many things were done ( Red Sea was parted, prisons tumbled etc) Ether 16 says that all they who wrought miracles, wrought them by faith (not necessarily the priesthood?) i'm just not sure I "get it"
My first response
I want to construct a more complete answer, but here are a couple of initial thoughts. There are only 2 sources of power - God and Satan. How Satan comes to have power, I do not know, but the scriptures teach that his power is actively limited and constrained by God.
All of the works of God are done with faith. By faith the worlds were made. We are taught that our faith must be centered in Christ - I can only speculate what God's faith is centered in.
Priesthood is the organization, authorization, calling, and commission to perform certain acts. If you do not hold the proper keys for an act of faith, it won't happen. If you do not have the faith to empower your actions in the priesthood, they are of little force.
There is seemingly an order of the priesthood to which all of the children of God belong by virtue of being born - faith is active and powerful and authorized in everyone, regardless of earthly ordination. Perhaps that was a pre-mortal ordination. Women in the temple perform sacred ordinances by the power of the priesthood - whether that falls under their own priesthood or a communal holding with their husbands, I do not know.
Faith is always required on the part of the recipient, but it is as judged by God. Sick children being healed or raised from the dead, or Christ healing people far distant, or Alma seeing an angel based on the prayers of others - faith is needed on both ends, but we have no accurate way to measure or quantify faith. It would deprive the receiving party of their agency if miracles were forced on them without their desire. We typically equate righteousness with faith and while it is true that they are intertwined, there are clearly examples where people can have sufficient faith for miracles despite apparent unrighteousness. Regardless, the most powerful and sublime manifestations of God's power are always evidenced when there is both righteousness and faith. Indeed, God is powerful because he is righteous. Because He lives in accordance with Divine Law, He is Divine.
Elder Packer also spoke of two kinds of faith (Your Articles of Faith, 21 March 1962) - the first is very prevalent and lets us exist. Everyone has it to some extent. It is what gives us hope of getting anything done. The second is much more rare. It causes things to happen. He says it is as real as electricity, but a thousand times more powerful. I think Ether 12:12 saying God can do no miracle among them if they have no faith is along the lines of what you are saying. There may be an immense reservoir of water all piped up and ready to go, but it does not flow until the spigot is opened. The power of God does not come into your life until invited. Invitation is by faith. Hebrews 11 is great companion reading to Ether 12.
My second response
[In response to my friend's father's comments] I really don't think that the Priesthood is the end goal of faith. Rather, I think that the Priesthood is a tool and an organization the Lord created to develop and encourage faith in His children. Alma talks about High Priests being fore-ordained to their calling because of their great faith. The intent was that their ordination was to point people to Christ - to instill faith in others. So, through our faith, we qualify for the blessings which are administered through the Priesthood, and our callings in the Priesthood are a recognition of faith, but are intended not to signify accomplishment, but an increase in responsibility to then preach and teach and share that faith.
If you go here (Lectures on Fatih - http://ia700608.us.archive.org/1/items/compilationconta00lund/compilationconta00lund.pdf) and read, (starting on Page 8, paragraph 13) about faith, you will see that Faith is the name given to the power whereby God, who is Christ, created the Earth. Certainly, He was acting within the authority and sphere of his Priesthood, as delegated to Him from the Father, but His "Priesthood" is not the power He used, but His Faith. "Priest" and "Elder" share a common linguistic root - old man, or to go before. We are called to be Priests unto God - this does not mean that we are to lend power or authority unto Him, but rather that we will act in His name and in His cause as His authorized agent. This authorization does not inherently impart power capability or capacity. Faith is the power that makes the Priesthood meaningful.
Your Dad mentioned Section 84, which, among other things, says
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Now, clearly, faith and the Priesthood are closely intertwined. But, that is the reason that you asked the question in the first place.
For me, there is a thought experiment that made a lot of sense to me as I was heading in to work today. How effectual would you think that Faith would be in someone who is not a holder of the Priesthood and is not ordained thereunder? We have many stories and example of men, women, and children receiving blessings and performing miracles through faith when they are not organized under the Priesthood. Now, how effectual do you think the Priesthood is in a man, or anyone, who is utterly devoid of Faith? Without Faith, the Priesthood does very little good, if any. From that, I understand that Faith is more and greater than the Priesthood. I remain of my opinion that the Priesthood is the sacred delegation of authority, the right to act in the name and stead of God as His duly-appointed representative. Faith is the very power of God. It is the power God uses to create and destroy, to perform miracles, and the power He imparts to us when we beg and plead for Grace. Faith is the fundamental aspect of part of what we gained through the atonement; access to God’s power by virtue of Christ’s worthiness.
BD – Priest: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/priests?lang=eng&letter=p
BD – Melchizedek Priesthood http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng&letter=m
BD – Aaronic Priesthood http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/aaronic-priesthood?lang=eng&letter=a
BD - Faith http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/faith?lang=eng&letter=f It is notable to me that none of the Priesthood things mention power, but Faith talks of it extensively.
My third response
This does mention power. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/priesthood?lang=eng&letter=p [Study helps - Priesthood]
I have, several times since I sent that email, happened across references to the power of the priesthood. They have of course caught my attention, but so far I think they have been consistent with considering the Priesthood as an organization and key. Let me know when you "get it" and you can explain it to me.
My fourth and, for now, final response
Mel pointed out this talk from the most recent conference: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/this-is-my-work-and-glory?lang=eng
Elder Ballard indicated that "The Power of the Priesthood" is the power by which the world was created, and several other things that Joseph Smith positively identified as being associated with Faith. At first, I was a bit confused, but then I realized that this reinforces my earlier statement that there really are only two powers - God's and Satan's (though, sometimes it sounds like Satan's power is given to him of God; I don't have that sorted out yet).
Sometimes, the scriptures will use "power" to be synonymous with ability, capability, or capacity. That is not the useage we have been discussing. Sometimes, also, people will refer to the power of the priesthood, meaning the strength and support and ability to do that comes from the organization of the priesthood, which is also not what we are talking about. That is the aspect of the priesthood (the authority and organization) that I had been thinking of and focused on, but it is not a complete picture. Just as Jesus Christ has many names and titles, which help us to understand His attributes and His roles in the Plan of Salvation, so also the Power of God has multiple names, which helps emphasize to us the various aspects of that power.
Power of
-the Priesthood
-Faith
-the Atonement
-righteousness
-Heaven
-Creation/procreation
-the Holy Ghost
Calling it the Priesthood Power highlights that God is the Great High Priest, and that we are organized and unified under His order, and only in obedience to that organization and authority can the power flow into our lives.
Faith highlights our need to follow the Savior and trust in Him. We report through Christ in the priesthood order, and so the power that comes into our life comes through Him, as we are faithful to Him. Faith is that characteristic in us that describes our acceptance of and devotion to Christ as our Savior.
The Atonement is the act of God that cleanses us and makes us worthy recipients of God's power. Because of and through the atonement, we are permitted access to and use of that power. It is a gateway, an access key.
Righteousness is the characteristic of God that makes Him powerful; the more closely we align our behavior with His, the more freely the power can flow into and through us to bless others. Because God is perfectly obedient (read: righteous), he is perfectly powerful and able to do all things.
The power of heaven further differentiates God's power from Satan's.
The power of creation/procreation epitomizes God. He is the only and great Creative Being in the universe. Satan's powers are unable to create; only to destroy. This is also a sacred power which he entrusts His children with. The abuse of that power constitutes the most common grievous sins: immorality and murder.
The Holy Ghost is the medium or vehicle through which God's power is often manifest in our lives. The cleansing, strengthening, and transforming affects of the atonement are wrought within us through the workings of the Holy Ghost. Our hearts are comforted and healed through God's power by the workings of the Holy Ghost.
I feel that this is a more complete and accurate picture of God's power and the scripture's use of the word power. I am sure there is yet much for me to learn, though.
The initial email
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this scripture [Ether 12:12]. We know that Faith is an essential component to the power of the Priesthood. My question is WHY? Is it that without faith by the "receiving" party, the priesthood power to do miracles not sufficiently strong? Is that verse literal or figurative? Is it just a waste of time/mockery of the Priesthood to exercise it without faith? In terms of "Power"- how are faith & the priesthood connected? (for example, the faith of the brother of Jared was such that he could not be withheld from within the veil, or the Priesthood power to heal the sick) Is it a law of heaven that things cannot be one-sided? (meaning, in order for a gospel principle to work, you have to have at least a sliver of desire)?
The second email
I'm thinking that the power of Faith is very similar to the power of the Priesthood. In terms of ability to work the will of The Lord, I wonder if perhaps the most important distinction between the two powers of God is simply organization. (ordinances, 'government', service, structure, etc) We know that it was by the power of faith that many things were done ( Red Sea was parted, prisons tumbled etc) Ether 16 says that all they who wrought miracles, wrought them by faith (not necessarily the priesthood?) i'm just not sure I "get it"
My first response
I want to construct a more complete answer, but here are a couple of initial thoughts. There are only 2 sources of power - God and Satan. How Satan comes to have power, I do not know, but the scriptures teach that his power is actively limited and constrained by God.
All of the works of God are done with faith. By faith the worlds were made. We are taught that our faith must be centered in Christ - I can only speculate what God's faith is centered in.
Priesthood is the organization, authorization, calling, and commission to perform certain acts. If you do not hold the proper keys for an act of faith, it won't happen. If you do not have the faith to empower your actions in the priesthood, they are of little force.
There is seemingly an order of the priesthood to which all of the children of God belong by virtue of being born - faith is active and powerful and authorized in everyone, regardless of earthly ordination. Perhaps that was a pre-mortal ordination. Women in the temple perform sacred ordinances by the power of the priesthood - whether that falls under their own priesthood or a communal holding with their husbands, I do not know.
Faith is always required on the part of the recipient, but it is as judged by God. Sick children being healed or raised from the dead, or Christ healing people far distant, or Alma seeing an angel based on the prayers of others - faith is needed on both ends, but we have no accurate way to measure or quantify faith. It would deprive the receiving party of their agency if miracles were forced on them without their desire. We typically equate righteousness with faith and while it is true that they are intertwined, there are clearly examples where people can have sufficient faith for miracles despite apparent unrighteousness. Regardless, the most powerful and sublime manifestations of God's power are always evidenced when there is both righteousness and faith. Indeed, God is powerful because he is righteous. Because He lives in accordance with Divine Law, He is Divine.
Elder Packer also spoke of two kinds of faith (Your Articles of Faith, 21 March 1962) - the first is very prevalent and lets us exist. Everyone has it to some extent. It is what gives us hope of getting anything done. The second is much more rare. It causes things to happen. He says it is as real as electricity, but a thousand times more powerful. I think Ether 12:12 saying God can do no miracle among them if they have no faith is along the lines of what you are saying. There may be an immense reservoir of water all piped up and ready to go, but it does not flow until the spigot is opened. The power of God does not come into your life until invited. Invitation is by faith. Hebrews 11 is great companion reading to Ether 12.
My second response
[In response to my friend's father's comments] I really don't think that the Priesthood is the end goal of faith. Rather, I think that the Priesthood is a tool and an organization the Lord created to develop and encourage faith in His children. Alma talks about High Priests being fore-ordained to their calling because of their great faith. The intent was that their ordination was to point people to Christ - to instill faith in others. So, through our faith, we qualify for the blessings which are administered through the Priesthood, and our callings in the Priesthood are a recognition of faith, but are intended not to signify accomplishment, but an increase in responsibility to then preach and teach and share that faith.
If you go here (Lectures on Fatih - http://ia700608.us.archive.org/1/items/compilationconta00lund/compilationconta00lund.pdf) and read, (starting on Page 8, paragraph 13) about faith, you will see that Faith is the name given to the power whereby God, who is Christ, created the Earth. Certainly, He was acting within the authority and sphere of his Priesthood, as delegated to Him from the Father, but His "Priesthood" is not the power He used, but His Faith. "Priest" and "Elder" share a common linguistic root - old man, or to go before. We are called to be Priests unto God - this does not mean that we are to lend power or authority unto Him, but rather that we will act in His name and in His cause as His authorized agent. This authorization does not inherently impart power capability or capacity. Faith is the power that makes the Priesthood meaningful.
Your Dad mentioned Section 84, which, among other things, says
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Now, clearly, faith and the Priesthood are closely intertwined. But, that is the reason that you asked the question in the first place.
For me, there is a thought experiment that made a lot of sense to me as I was heading in to work today. How effectual would you think that Faith would be in someone who is not a holder of the Priesthood and is not ordained thereunder? We have many stories and example of men, women, and children receiving blessings and performing miracles through faith when they are not organized under the Priesthood. Now, how effectual do you think the Priesthood is in a man, or anyone, who is utterly devoid of Faith? Without Faith, the Priesthood does very little good, if any. From that, I understand that Faith is more and greater than the Priesthood. I remain of my opinion that the Priesthood is the sacred delegation of authority, the right to act in the name and stead of God as His duly-appointed representative. Faith is the very power of God. It is the power God uses to create and destroy, to perform miracles, and the power He imparts to us when we beg and plead for Grace. Faith is the fundamental aspect of part of what we gained through the atonement; access to God’s power by virtue of Christ’s worthiness.
BD – Priest: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/priests?lang=eng&letter=p
BD – Melchizedek Priesthood http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/melchizedek-priesthood?lang=eng&letter=m
BD – Aaronic Priesthood http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/aaronic-priesthood?lang=eng&letter=a
BD - Faith http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/faith?lang=eng&letter=f It is notable to me that none of the Priesthood things mention power, but Faith talks of it extensively.
My third response
This does mention power. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/priesthood?lang=eng&letter=p [Study helps - Priesthood]
I have, several times since I sent that email, happened across references to the power of the priesthood. They have of course caught my attention, but so far I think they have been consistent with considering the Priesthood as an organization and key. Let me know when you "get it" and you can explain it to me.
My fourth and, for now, final response
Mel pointed out this talk from the most recent conference: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/this-is-my-work-and-glory?lang=eng
Elder Ballard indicated that "The Power of the Priesthood" is the power by which the world was created, and several other things that Joseph Smith positively identified as being associated with Faith. At first, I was a bit confused, but then I realized that this reinforces my earlier statement that there really are only two powers - God's and Satan's (though, sometimes it sounds like Satan's power is given to him of God; I don't have that sorted out yet).
Sometimes, the scriptures will use "power" to be synonymous with ability, capability, or capacity. That is not the useage we have been discussing. Sometimes, also, people will refer to the power of the priesthood, meaning the strength and support and ability to do that comes from the organization of the priesthood, which is also not what we are talking about. That is the aspect of the priesthood (the authority and organization) that I had been thinking of and focused on, but it is not a complete picture. Just as Jesus Christ has many names and titles, which help us to understand His attributes and His roles in the Plan of Salvation, so also the Power of God has multiple names, which helps emphasize to us the various aspects of that power.
Power of
-the Priesthood
-Faith
-the Atonement
-righteousness
-Heaven
-Creation/procreation
-the Holy Ghost
Calling it the Priesthood Power highlights that God is the Great High Priest, and that we are organized and unified under His order, and only in obedience to that organization and authority can the power flow into our lives.
Faith highlights our need to follow the Savior and trust in Him. We report through Christ in the priesthood order, and so the power that comes into our life comes through Him, as we are faithful to Him. Faith is that characteristic in us that describes our acceptance of and devotion to Christ as our Savior.
The Atonement is the act of God that cleanses us and makes us worthy recipients of God's power. Because of and through the atonement, we are permitted access to and use of that power. It is a gateway, an access key.
Righteousness is the characteristic of God that makes Him powerful; the more closely we align our behavior with His, the more freely the power can flow into and through us to bless others. Because God is perfectly obedient (read: righteous), he is perfectly powerful and able to do all things.
The power of heaven further differentiates God's power from Satan's.
The power of creation/procreation epitomizes God. He is the only and great Creative Being in the universe. Satan's powers are unable to create; only to destroy. This is also a sacred power which he entrusts His children with. The abuse of that power constitutes the most common grievous sins: immorality and murder.
The Holy Ghost is the medium or vehicle through which God's power is often manifest in our lives. The cleansing, strengthening, and transforming affects of the atonement are wrought within us through the workings of the Holy Ghost. Our hearts are comforted and healed through God's power by the workings of the Holy Ghost.
I feel that this is a more complete and accurate picture of God's power and the scripture's use of the word power. I am sure there is yet much for me to learn, though.
Extra-dimensional Beings
I have a theory - it may be wild and zaney, but it helps me to visualize and conceptualize some things, so perhaps it may be meaningful or useful to someone else.
The basic premise is that "beings" of a certain dimension cannot perceive and therefore cannot comprehend things of a higher dimension. To a dot (zero dimensions), a line, a square, and a rock all look the same. To a line, a square looks like a line. It can only perceive forward and backward, not side to side, so the side-to-side-ness of the square is hid to the line's view. A line, however, may perceive a dot better than the dot perceives itself, because it has a greater vantage point and hence greater knowledge about the dot.
The same holds true on up the dimension scale. A square thinks a pyramid is a triangle and has no understanding of its "up" dimension. We are 4-dimensional beings - we exist in the up, left, forward dimensions as well as in time, but since we are on the same plane as time, we cannot view it from various vantage points, and so it is linear to us - it only goes forward and backward. Were we 5-dimensional beings, we could observe time much the was a line would observe a dot. We could look at it from all sides and turn it over and around.
So, I assert that God may be a being of greater dimensions, because he can perceive the entirety of time - all of time is laid out before Him, just as all of a square is visible to you or me. It may be more accurate to say He is a being of a Spiritual sphere, rather than a temporal or physical one, or to say He is a being of a Celestial sphere, rather than a Telestial one as are we. However you wish to describe it, the idea is that God can comprehend us as we cannot comprehend ourselves. He can see all there is to see about us, and so it is no wonder He knows just what we need, who we will be, etc, etc - it isn't deterministic, it is observational for Him.
Similarly, it is only through the workings of the Spirit (a being of the same sphere as God) speaking to our Spirit (which was once of at least a similar sphere) that we can even hope to understand God. Using the tools and resources of this Earthly sphere/plane/dimension/world, we will never come to a complete or accurate understanding of God and His personality.
Where the model breaks down is that we can, through the Spirit, through diligent study and prayer, through faith come to know the very nature of God - in fact, we are commanded to. Interestingly, it seems to be Charity that allows us to see God as he really is and to become more like him (see Moroni 7:48). He is a pretty impressive teacher, indeed, who can teach a line what a mountain is! :)
The basic premise is that "beings" of a certain dimension cannot perceive and therefore cannot comprehend things of a higher dimension. To a dot (zero dimensions), a line, a square, and a rock all look the same. To a line, a square looks like a line. It can only perceive forward and backward, not side to side, so the side-to-side-ness of the square is hid to the line's view. A line, however, may perceive a dot better than the dot perceives itself, because it has a greater vantage point and hence greater knowledge about the dot.
The same holds true on up the dimension scale. A square thinks a pyramid is a triangle and has no understanding of its "up" dimension. We are 4-dimensional beings - we exist in the up, left, forward dimensions as well as in time, but since we are on the same plane as time, we cannot view it from various vantage points, and so it is linear to us - it only goes forward and backward. Were we 5-dimensional beings, we could observe time much the was a line would observe a dot. We could look at it from all sides and turn it over and around.
So, I assert that God may be a being of greater dimensions, because he can perceive the entirety of time - all of time is laid out before Him, just as all of a square is visible to you or me. It may be more accurate to say He is a being of a Spiritual sphere, rather than a temporal or physical one, or to say He is a being of a Celestial sphere, rather than a Telestial one as are we. However you wish to describe it, the idea is that God can comprehend us as we cannot comprehend ourselves. He can see all there is to see about us, and so it is no wonder He knows just what we need, who we will be, etc, etc - it isn't deterministic, it is observational for Him.
Similarly, it is only through the workings of the Spirit (a being of the same sphere as God) speaking to our Spirit (which was once of at least a similar sphere) that we can even hope to understand God. Using the tools and resources of this Earthly sphere/plane/dimension/world, we will never come to a complete or accurate understanding of God and His personality.
Where the model breaks down is that we can, through the Spirit, through diligent study and prayer, through faith come to know the very nature of God - in fact, we are commanded to. Interestingly, it seems to be Charity that allows us to see God as he really is and to become more like him (see Moroni 7:48). He is a pretty impressive teacher, indeed, who can teach a line what a mountain is! :)
The Power of the Atonement
This is a short article I wrote with some thoughts on a few of the facets of the power of the Atonement. Dad had suggested that I flesh it out with some personal experiences, which I think would be great, but I haven't done it yet.
A Go-do
The experience that has most recently changed and enhanced my understanding of the Atonement was instigated by a talk from Elder Bednar. He indicated that something he commonly does when he visits the various Stakes and Districts is to hold a Q&A session with the youth. Almost invariably, someone will ask him a question about the power of the Atonement. His response is to call up the youth, hand him or her one of his business cards, and offer the youth a great opportunity. Elder Bednar invites the youth to search through the Book of Mormon and find every instance of the power in the Atonement in someone’s life – look for phrases such as “in the strength of the Lord, we…” or “the Lord strengthened me that I…” He says not to use a search feature, but to read the whole book searching for instances of the power of the Atonement in people’s lives and keep track of them. Upon completion of the read-through, the youth is to write a page on what the Atonement means and send it in to Elder Bednar, who would review it, offer comment, and, if appropriate, provide suggestions of other things to consider. What an opportunity that would be! I came to realize that the biggest chunk of learning would not come from Elder Bednar’s feedback, but from the sincere study of the scriptures and through the ministrations of the Spirit. Well, what was stopping me from partaking? Fortunately, nothing. This is the exercise which I undertook. (It turns out my method for keeping track of things was flawed, so I am going through again extracting and compiling, but I still gained much from the exercise.) The power of the Atonement to bless and lift our lives is boundless. It is all-encompassing and limitless. I do not even begin to comprehend it fully, but I would like to share with you four aspects of the power of the Atonement I have seen in my life: 1) cleansing, 2) healing, 3) transforming, and 4) sustaining and enabling.
The Cleansing Power of the Atonement
This is perhaps the most discussed aspect of the Atonement. Nevertheless, it is real. Through the power of the Atonement, our sins can be scrubbed out of us. The cleansing and purifying presence of the Holy Ghost is a marvelous and wondrous feeling. The joy and happiness that attend the cleansing are such that I wish they would never end. In a very real, palpable way, our sins taint, stain, and sully our souls. In a very real, palpable, and joyous way, Christ’s Atonement is the best and only soul-detergent.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 26:27-28; Mosiah 3:11, 16, 19; Jeremiah 33:8; 1 John 1:4-10; Alma 5:21, 27; Mormon 9:6; Moroni 6:3-4, and 3 Nephi 27:20)
The Healing Power of the Atonement
Whether because of our own decisions, the decisions of others, or just because of the nature of life, each of us feels pain. Pain of body, mind, spirit, or heart – each can be excruciating. I cannot consider myself to have suffered in the way that so many people I know and love have suffered. But, I have been healed in a way that everyone can be. The Atonement is not meant to merely pay the price of sins but leave us wallowing in the misery that accompanies them. We all learn that wickedness never was happiness and that true happiness lies in obedience to Heavenly Father’s plan. In between those two is the power of the Atonement to lift us from the vale of misery and set us upon the heights of the mountain of the Lord. The power of the Atonement can lift us from the oppressive consequences of sin (whether they are ours or not) and heal us, make our heart, mind, spirit, or body whole. I know that at some point, according to the will of the Lord, each who seeks will receive the healing balm of the Savior’s Atonement to remove pain and suffering. And how sweet it is!
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include Isaiah 57:17-21; 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 25:2; 2 Nephi 16:10 (Isaiah 6:10); and Doctrine and Covenants 112:13)
The Transforming Power of the Atonement
The scriptures are replete with examples of individuals and peoples who have miraculous and awe-inspiring changes wrought on them such that they turn from a life of rebellion (or apathy) to a life of devotion. I know that that same power of the Atonement can and does work in my own life to change me from who I was into who I need and want to be. Sometimes the changes are slow, small, and almost imperceptible. Sometimes the changes are more abrupt, but the power of the Atonement is there, extended to each of us, ready for the asking to lift, change, and transform those parts of us that need to become more like the Savior. Through the power of the Atonement, we can put off the natural man and become saints.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include 2 Nephi 3:13, 21; Ether 12:27; Bible Dictionary: Grace; John 1:12; Doctrine and Covenants 11:30; Doctrine and Covenants 39:4; Alma 36; 13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 24; Mosiah 5:2-3; and 3 Nephi 6:14 in conjunction with 3 Nephi 9:20)
The Sustaining and Enabling Power of the Atonement
I have learned that, like Moses said, man is nothing; I of myself am weak and powerless to accomplish the work Heavenly Father has sent me to Earth to complete. I have also learned that the Savior is eager to extend the power of the Atonement into my life to increase my capacity, give me strength, bear me up, and to help me continue on when I would otherwise be unable to. I have seen the power of the atonement work in my life to enable me to have more patience, more charity, or more desire to serve. I have felt the sustaining power of the Atonement when I am asked to serve, but do not think I have the strength. I know that the Lord will support and strengthen me as I try to serve Him and be an instrument in His hands.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include 1 Nephi 5:8 in conjunction with 1 Nephi 3:7 and 1 Nephi 17:3; 1 Nephi 7:17; 2 Nephi 1:10; Philippians 4:13; Alma 17:3, 4, 17, 29, 36)
Ask, and it shall be given you
God is eager to fill our lives with the power of the Atonement, but He will not do so unbidden or against our will. We must ask and seek and desire to have the Atonement work in us to cleanse, heal, transform, and enable. He is full of love and so very willing to help. We need but ask. And hope. And trust. And, sometimes, have patience. He will apply the power of the Atonement in our lives for our best good and for our eternal gain.
A Go-do
The experience that has most recently changed and enhanced my understanding of the Atonement was instigated by a talk from Elder Bednar. He indicated that something he commonly does when he visits the various Stakes and Districts is to hold a Q&A session with the youth. Almost invariably, someone will ask him a question about the power of the Atonement. His response is to call up the youth, hand him or her one of his business cards, and offer the youth a great opportunity. Elder Bednar invites the youth to search through the Book of Mormon and find every instance of the power in the Atonement in someone’s life – look for phrases such as “in the strength of the Lord, we…” or “the Lord strengthened me that I…” He says not to use a search feature, but to read the whole book searching for instances of the power of the Atonement in people’s lives and keep track of them. Upon completion of the read-through, the youth is to write a page on what the Atonement means and send it in to Elder Bednar, who would review it, offer comment, and, if appropriate, provide suggestions of other things to consider. What an opportunity that would be! I came to realize that the biggest chunk of learning would not come from Elder Bednar’s feedback, but from the sincere study of the scriptures and through the ministrations of the Spirit. Well, what was stopping me from partaking? Fortunately, nothing. This is the exercise which I undertook. (It turns out my method for keeping track of things was flawed, so I am going through again extracting and compiling, but I still gained much from the exercise.) The power of the Atonement to bless and lift our lives is boundless. It is all-encompassing and limitless. I do not even begin to comprehend it fully, but I would like to share with you four aspects of the power of the Atonement I have seen in my life: 1) cleansing, 2) healing, 3) transforming, and 4) sustaining and enabling.
The Cleansing Power of the Atonement
This is perhaps the most discussed aspect of the Atonement. Nevertheless, it is real. Through the power of the Atonement, our sins can be scrubbed out of us. The cleansing and purifying presence of the Holy Ghost is a marvelous and wondrous feeling. The joy and happiness that attend the cleansing are such that I wish they would never end. In a very real, palpable way, our sins taint, stain, and sully our souls. In a very real, palpable, and joyous way, Christ’s Atonement is the best and only soul-detergent.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 26:27-28; Mosiah 3:11, 16, 19; Jeremiah 33:8; 1 John 1:4-10; Alma 5:21, 27; Mormon 9:6; Moroni 6:3-4, and 3 Nephi 27:20)
The Healing Power of the Atonement
Whether because of our own decisions, the decisions of others, or just because of the nature of life, each of us feels pain. Pain of body, mind, spirit, or heart – each can be excruciating. I cannot consider myself to have suffered in the way that so many people I know and love have suffered. But, I have been healed in a way that everyone can be. The Atonement is not meant to merely pay the price of sins but leave us wallowing in the misery that accompanies them. We all learn that wickedness never was happiness and that true happiness lies in obedience to Heavenly Father’s plan. In between those two is the power of the Atonement to lift us from the vale of misery and set us upon the heights of the mountain of the Lord. The power of the Atonement can lift us from the oppressive consequences of sin (whether they are ours or not) and heal us, make our heart, mind, spirit, or body whole. I know that at some point, according to the will of the Lord, each who seeks will receive the healing balm of the Savior’s Atonement to remove pain and suffering. And how sweet it is!
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include Isaiah 57:17-21; 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 25:2; 2 Nephi 16:10 (Isaiah 6:10); and Doctrine and Covenants 112:13)
The Transforming Power of the Atonement
The scriptures are replete with examples of individuals and peoples who have miraculous and awe-inspiring changes wrought on them such that they turn from a life of rebellion (or apathy) to a life of devotion. I know that that same power of the Atonement can and does work in my own life to change me from who I was into who I need and want to be. Sometimes the changes are slow, small, and almost imperceptible. Sometimes the changes are more abrupt, but the power of the Atonement is there, extended to each of us, ready for the asking to lift, change, and transform those parts of us that need to become more like the Savior. Through the power of the Atonement, we can put off the natural man and become saints.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include 2 Nephi 3:13, 21; Ether 12:27; Bible Dictionary: Grace; John 1:12; Doctrine and Covenants 11:30; Doctrine and Covenants 39:4; Alma 36; 13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 24; Mosiah 5:2-3; and 3 Nephi 6:14 in conjunction with 3 Nephi 9:20)
The Sustaining and Enabling Power of the Atonement
I have learned that, like Moses said, man is nothing; I of myself am weak and powerless to accomplish the work Heavenly Father has sent me to Earth to complete. I have also learned that the Savior is eager to extend the power of the Atonement into my life to increase my capacity, give me strength, bear me up, and to help me continue on when I would otherwise be unable to. I have seen the power of the atonement work in my life to enable me to have more patience, more charity, or more desire to serve. I have felt the sustaining power of the Atonement when I am asked to serve, but do not think I have the strength. I know that the Lord will support and strengthen me as I try to serve Him and be an instrument in His hands.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include 1 Nephi 5:8 in conjunction with 1 Nephi 3:7 and 1 Nephi 17:3; 1 Nephi 7:17; 2 Nephi 1:10; Philippians 4:13; Alma 17:3, 4, 17, 29, 36)
Ask, and it shall be given you
God is eager to fill our lives with the power of the Atonement, but He will not do so unbidden or against our will. We must ask and seek and desire to have the Atonement work in us to cleanse, heal, transform, and enable. He is full of love and so very willing to help. We need but ask. And hope. And trust. And, sometimes, have patience. He will apply the power of the Atonement in our lives for our best good and for our eternal gain.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
F Y I
I made another blog. It is intended for quick little bits of thought or further answers to questions, all based on seminary preparation, class, and/or reflection.
http://kentzerohour.blogspot.com/
http://kentzerohour.blogspot.com/
Friday, November 04, 2011
If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work
We are all called - continuously to serve God, discretely to other calls and modes of service. In the allegory of the olive tree, the Lord of the vineyard tells his servant to go and call other servants. We, as those called, may respond in one of three ways (there are other nuances, I am sure, but these are the three main ways I can think of):
1) We may be unprepared and hence afraid of the call. Adam, in the garden of Eden, when called by God, was ashamed and afraid because he was unprepared to meet God (Gen 3:10 or Moses 4:16). Alma the Younger, similarly, thinking of when he would be called into God's presence cried out and wished that he might be made extinct, both body and soul (Alma 36:15; see also Mosiah 2:36-39).
2) We may be unprepared, but filled with pride. When Father asked whom He could send, Lucifer volunteered for the position (Moses 4:1, Abraham 3:27-28). Christ had be selected and prepared from the beginning to be the Savior. Lucifer had not received that same training. He was unprepared to fulfill the role as it needed to be. yet, in his pride, he thought he could best God and propose a new plan, with him at its center. President Benson in "Beware of Pride" indicated that it was Satan's prideful desire to dethrone God (see also DC 76:28). His pride blinded him to his lack of preparation, and rather than submit to God's will, he chose to rebel. You could argue that this group is not truly called, yet, but calls themselves and takes the honor unto themselves (Hebrews 5:4).
3) We may be prepared and willing. This is the response of Israel/Jacob (Genesis 46:2, 31:11), Isaac (Genesis 22:7), Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Moses (Exodus 3:4), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8), and Christ (Abraham 3:27). And hopefully each of us. Note that Isaiah and Moses (we could add Enoch and several others) expressed their concern about their lack of preparation; the Lord made up the difference. I am sure some of the others may have felt similarly. Isaac asked to be bound that he might not interfere with what he knew to be the Lord's will.
What is the preparation of each of these servants of God and Christ? What preparation is needed of each of us as we are called?
Psalms 24:3-4 indicates we need 4 things to worthily be in God's presence and DC 121:45 adds 1.5 more.
1) clean hands - Isaiah 1:16-19 and Alma 13:11 combine to make it clear that our hands, garments, and sins are to be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. We are to avail ourselves of the atonement at every opportunity.
2) pure heart (including virtue garnishing thoughts unceasingly) - A pure heart means that you are not dividing your attentions (Matthew 6:24), but that you have an eye single to the glory of God (DC82:19, see also Moses 1:39 for what our eye's should be single to); the Lord requires the heart and a willing mind (DC64:34).
3) no vanity - we must press forward, relying wholly on the merits of Him who is mighty to save (2 Nephi 31:19) so that we acknowledge His hand in all things and lean not unto our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and this, along with Charity, will help to preserve us from pride that there be no vanity in us.
4) no deceit - God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7, DC124:71, see also Zeezrom in Alma 11-12 and Sherem in Jacob 7). We also learn in DC 121 that the priesthood and the Spirit both are withdrawn from those who attempt to exercise vanity in their calling.
5) Charity - Charity is a gift of God, through the Spirit. You cannot properly serve anyone for whom you have not developed at least a little charity. The greater your charity toward someone the easier and more joyous and more rewarding your service will be. You will also not begrudge the time spent in the service. This is more from my own experience than from a reading of the scriptures, but that does not make it less true.
Psalms 24 indicates that these attributes qualify us to ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place, that is, to go where He is and stand with Him. DC 121:45 adds that our confidence shall wax strong in God's presence, that is, we will be comfortable in His presence, which to me means that we will be worthy and invited to be there. Ultimately, what these and other scriptures indicate is that these attributes, along with the others that you develop while in the service of God (or your fellow men Matthew 25:40, Mosiah 2:17) qualify you for Eternal Life with God. Therefore, each call to serve is a call to exaltation: the Lord calling you from the wilderness into His home.
P.P. (post post :), as opposed to post script)
I wish to note that there is no such thing as prepared and unwilling. Your unwillingness to serve disqualifies you for the divine help, without which you cannot succeed. Elder Bednar taught that the Lord does not call a man because of who he is or what he has done, but because of who he may become, through the service.
Similarly, there is no such thing as unprepared and willing. Your willingness qualifies you for the help of the Spirit, which is the quintessential element in any preparation (see also DC 4:5 - faith, hope, charity (which are gifts of the Spirit) and an eye single to the glory of God (which is your willingness to serve in the Lord's way) qualify (=prepared) you for the work). What you may lack at the outset you will gain along the way, if you permit God to lead you.
1) We may be unprepared and hence afraid of the call. Adam, in the garden of Eden, when called by God, was ashamed and afraid because he was unprepared to meet God (Gen 3:10 or Moses 4:16). Alma the Younger, similarly, thinking of when he would be called into God's presence cried out and wished that he might be made extinct, both body and soul (Alma 36:15; see also Mosiah 2:36-39).
2) We may be unprepared, but filled with pride. When Father asked whom He could send, Lucifer volunteered for the position (Moses 4:1, Abraham 3:27-28). Christ had be selected and prepared from the beginning to be the Savior. Lucifer had not received that same training. He was unprepared to fulfill the role as it needed to be. yet, in his pride, he thought he could best God and propose a new plan, with him at its center. President Benson in "Beware of Pride" indicated that it was Satan's prideful desire to dethrone God (see also DC 76:28). His pride blinded him to his lack of preparation, and rather than submit to God's will, he chose to rebel. You could argue that this group is not truly called, yet, but calls themselves and takes the honor unto themselves (Hebrews 5:4).
3) We may be prepared and willing. This is the response of Israel/Jacob (Genesis 46:2, 31:11), Isaac (Genesis 22:7), Abraham (Genesis 22:11), Moses (Exodus 3:4), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8), and Christ (Abraham 3:27). And hopefully each of us. Note that Isaiah and Moses (we could add Enoch and several others) expressed their concern about their lack of preparation; the Lord made up the difference. I am sure some of the others may have felt similarly. Isaac asked to be bound that he might not interfere with what he knew to be the Lord's will.
What is the preparation of each of these servants of God and Christ? What preparation is needed of each of us as we are called?
Psalms 24:3-4 indicates we need 4 things to worthily be in God's presence and DC 121:45 adds 1.5 more.
1) clean hands - Isaiah 1:16-19 and Alma 13:11 combine to make it clear that our hands, garments, and sins are to be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. We are to avail ourselves of the atonement at every opportunity.
2) pure heart (including virtue garnishing thoughts unceasingly) - A pure heart means that you are not dividing your attentions (Matthew 6:24), but that you have an eye single to the glory of God (DC82:19, see also Moses 1:39 for what our eye's should be single to); the Lord requires the heart and a willing mind (DC64:34).
3) no vanity - we must press forward, relying wholly on the merits of Him who is mighty to save (2 Nephi 31:19) so that we acknowledge His hand in all things and lean not unto our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and this, along with Charity, will help to preserve us from pride that there be no vanity in us.
4) no deceit - God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7, DC124:71, see also Zeezrom in Alma 11-12 and Sherem in Jacob 7). We also learn in DC 121 that the priesthood and the Spirit both are withdrawn from those who attempt to exercise vanity in their calling.
5) Charity - Charity is a gift of God, through the Spirit. You cannot properly serve anyone for whom you have not developed at least a little charity. The greater your charity toward someone the easier and more joyous and more rewarding your service will be. You will also not begrudge the time spent in the service. This is more from my own experience than from a reading of the scriptures, but that does not make it less true.
Psalms 24 indicates that these attributes qualify us to ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place, that is, to go where He is and stand with Him. DC 121:45 adds that our confidence shall wax strong in God's presence, that is, we will be comfortable in His presence, which to me means that we will be worthy and invited to be there. Ultimately, what these and other scriptures indicate is that these attributes, along with the others that you develop while in the service of God (or your fellow men Matthew 25:40, Mosiah 2:17) qualify you for Eternal Life with God. Therefore, each call to serve is a call to exaltation: the Lord calling you from the wilderness into His home.
P.P. (post post :), as opposed to post script)
I wish to note that there is no such thing as prepared and unwilling. Your unwillingness to serve disqualifies you for the divine help, without which you cannot succeed. Elder Bednar taught that the Lord does not call a man because of who he is or what he has done, but because of who he may become, through the service.
Similarly, there is no such thing as unprepared and willing. Your willingness qualifies you for the help of the Spirit, which is the quintessential element in any preparation (see also DC 4:5 - faith, hope, charity (which are gifts of the Spirit) and an eye single to the glory of God (which is your willingness to serve in the Lord's way) qualify (=prepared) you for the work). What you may lack at the outset you will gain along the way, if you permit God to lead you.
Friday, September 23, 2011
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things
Consider, if you will, the account of the creation found in the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price (Or you could look at Moses' account in Genesis; there it is in chapter 1 instead of 2).
At the end of each creationary period, God declared the creation "good" (emphasis is mine).
I have long believe that meant that the various creations were well made. While I do not doubt that to be the case, I have found that the book of Abraham (also in the Pearl of Great Price) uses different wording that provides an additional understanding of what "good" might mean (emphasis is mine, again).
In both accounts, the first (light/dark) and second (firmament, water dividing) do not get pronounced as good or obedient. It is said that they were as they were ordered. The lights and the waters do not have living souls, perhaps, whereas the plants, all manner of animal life, and man do? Just a guess there. The beasts are pronounced good/obedient, but then after man is made, God looks over all of creation and calls the entirety very good/obedient.
The point I am moving towards is that when Moses says "good" it can be understood to mean "obedient" or that it did as it was commanded - live, multiply replenish, fulfill measure of creation, etc. This doesn't seem a very large stretch of meaning for me. Think of good v. evil - in this case, good is the opposite of evil. Synonyms for the antonym (that's fun to say) of evil include righteous and obedient and true and faithful. When God made everything, He made it in a Good, Righteous, Obedient state. Creation later fell with Adam, but that is too large of a tangent.
Keeping in mind that good=obedient, remember the famous scripture mastery verse in Abraham 3:22-23,
At the end of each creationary period, God declared the creation "good" (emphasis is mine).
Moses 2:
10 And I, God, called the dry land Earth; and the gathering
together of the waters, called I the Sea; and I, God, saw that all things which
I had made were good.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, every herb yielding
seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed should be in itself,
after his kind; and I, God, saw that all things which I had made were good;
18 And the sun to rule over the day, and the moon to rule
over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and I, God, saw that
all things which I had made were good;
21 And I, God, created great whales, and every living
creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their
kind, and every winged fowl after his kind; and I, God, saw that all things
which I had created were good.
25 And I, God, made the beasts of the earth after their
kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything which creepeth upon the earth
after his kind; and I, God, saw that all these things were good.
31 And I, God, saw everything that I had made, and, behold,
all things which I had made were very good.
Abraham 4:
10 And the Gods pronounced the dry land, Earth; and the
gathering together of the waters, pronounced they, Great Waters; and the Gods
saw that they were obeyed.
12 And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth grass
from its own seed, and the herb to bring forth herb from its own seed, yielding
seed after his kind; and the earth to bring forth the tree from its own seed,
yielding fruit, whose seed could only bring forth the same in itself, after his
kind; and the Gods saw that they were obeyed.
18 And the Gods watched those things which they had ordered
until they obeyed.
21 And the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring
forth great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters
were to bring forth abundantly after their kind; and every winged fowl after
their kind. And the Gods saw that they would be obeyed, and that their plan was
good.
25 And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the
beasts after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that
creepeth upon the earth after its kind; and the Gods saw they would obey.
31 And the Gods said: We will do everything that we
have said, and organize them; and behold, they shall be very obedient. And it
came to pass that it was from evening until morning they called night; and it
came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they called day; and
they numbered the sixth time.In both accounts, the first (light/dark) and second (firmament, water dividing) do not get pronounced as good or obedient. It is said that they were as they were ordered. The lights and the waters do not have living souls, perhaps, whereas the plants, all manner of animal life, and man do? Just a guess there. The beasts are pronounced good/obedient, but then after man is made, God looks over all of creation and calls the entirety very good/obedient.
The point I am moving towards is that when Moses says "good" it can be understood to mean "obedient" or that it did as it was commanded - live, multiply replenish, fulfill measure of creation, etc. This doesn't seem a very large stretch of meaning for me. Think of good v. evil - in this case, good is the opposite of evil. Synonyms for the antonym (that's fun to say) of evil include righteous and obedient and true and faithful. When God made everything, He made it in a Good, Righteous, Obedient state. Creation later fell with Adam, but that is too large of a tangent.
Keeping in mind that good=obedient, remember the famous scripture mastery verse in Abraham 3:22-23,
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the
intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these
there were many of the noble and great ones;
23 And God saw these
souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said:
These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he
saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them;
thou wast chosen before thou wast born.
True to form, God chose those souls that were obedient and gave them further gifts and responsibilities. Those spirits who were obedient were called and chosen to preach the gospel, shepherd the flock, and lead Zion in the ways of righteousness.
I think this works well with what Alma had to say about High Priests (think Christ, Melchizedek, Abraham, Adam, Seth, Noah, Enoch among others) in Alma 13:3-13 (it is a long quote, but the whole thing worth reading - go read it). Consider also what God says about High Priests (and others) in Doctrine and Covenants 76:51-70 (57) - another long quote but one I suggest you read in its entirety.
I think there is a lot of harmony in these passages and an interesting insight into what the Lord means when He says He seeth not as a man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. What is He looking for there? Love. The kind of love that goes with "If ye love me, keep my commandments." The kind of love that spurs you on to obedience.
"Remember... and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God." (Alma 37:35)
"O be wise, what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Learning by Faith
"Thou Art a Teacher Come from God", Thomas S. Monson, Conference Report, October 1970, pp. 104-108:
The goal of gospel teaching today... is not to "pour information" into the minds of class members.... The basic goal of teaching in the Church is to help bring about worthwhile changes in the lives of boys and girls, men and women. The aim is to inspire the individual to think about, feel about, and then do something about living gospel principles.
As teachers, we are to inspire students to
Think about (ask questions, wonder, study personally, ponder)
Feel about (feel and recognize the Spirit)
and then Do something about living gospel principles (apply and act on the knowledge and promptings gained)
and I would add (as a special instance of "do")
Testify (about what they have learned so that the truths can be confirmed and cemented in their minds and hearts).
As modeled by young Joseph Smith:
JSH 1:8 - mind called up to serious reflection
1:10 - reflected on what, who, which
JSH 1:8 - feelings were deep and often poignant
1:12 - never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this at this time to mine (promptings of the Spirit)
JSH 1:14 - retire to the woods to ask of God (prayer is a form of work)
JSH 1:20 - Joseph responds to his mother and indicates that he has learned for himself the answer to the question he had been pondering. He testified of the truth learned.
1:10 - reflected on what, who, which
JSH 1:8 - feelings were deep and often poignant
1:12 - never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this at this time to mine (promptings of the Spirit)
JSH 1:14 - retire to the woods to ask of God (prayer is a form of work)
JSH 1:20 - Joseph responds to his mother and indicates that he has learned for himself the answer to the question he had been pondering. He testified of the truth learned.
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