At the end of last week, I had the thought to write this week on a talk I found on prayer. But then as I was sitting in Relief Society today, I was struck by the obvious basicness of the lesson, and yet its absolute importance. So while we may get on to the other talk, for the first part of this week, I'm going to share some of the things that struck me from our lesson today.
To start, we had pictures up of all over the North American continent. Beautiful fields with flowers, dry desert plateaus, snow capped mountains, fall trees in their fall glory, plus an illustration of a planet other than ours in the solar system with all the stars surrounding it. There was also one picture of the Savior standing at a door, knocking. Many times we see this and are told that the Savior is just waiting for us to let him in, but it seems so often the door is just more difficult to open sometimes. The good news is that there are people in our lives on whom we can rely to help us open the door. Our teacher, Cassidy, relayed a story in which she couldn't open her bedroom door in her apartment. She wondered if she was just being retarded. How many times had she opened a door, or even this door? What was she doing wrong? Cassidy ended up having to call her brother at 1am who laughed a bit and then climbed in her window to assist her. The mechanism in the handle had an issue, but she related it to this picture, that Satan will always be there to put feeling into our hearts that we are inadequate. And there are many people we can call on to help us let the Savior in.
Even the fact that there is a Savior speaks to the fact that there is a God. Alma 30:44 has this, written by Alma, "All things denote there is a God, ; yea, even he earth, and all things that are upon the face of it yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." We know that God is all about order. Sometimes the creation seems truly amazing, sometimes - eh, it's just the creation. But think, we have two places which clearly speak of the creation. It is recorded both in Genesis and in Moses. I always find it amazing that the Lord appeared to Moses when he was in a "high mountain". Until I learned the symbolism for mountain in the scriptures. A mountain is a temple. Therefore I can read Moses 1:1 "The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high [temple]" (2) "And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses therefore Moses could endure his presence." And after Moses stood in the presence of the Lord, it was Satan who came tempting him saying, "Son of man, worship me." It is such like Satan to demote us to just son of Man. You wouldn't catch him reminding us of our lineage and Parentage. In fact it is his hope to dissuade us of our parentage. It was Joseph Smith who taught that God is the "Great Parent of the Universe". If he made the heavens and the earth and everything upon the earth, and we are upon the earth than we know that we must be His, and He our parent. "In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare. Truth is reason, truth eternal, tells me I've a mother there." (O My Father, Hymn 292) It is just like any father, and parent to love and want what is best for their children. To love and to help them in the ways they think are best and to plant people and things in their lives to shape them into the person they are to become. He wants us to, "Return with the Pearl, brave your way through the maze of that world. And you'll have my honor. Return to my side and I'll clothe you in raiment of light, just like thy brother. Heir to forever. Because you remembered to get the Pearl." It is earlier in the song, The Pearl, that it states, "He forgot he was the child of a King." Whenever I hear that song I wonder. How can anyone forget they are the child of a King? Its not like there isn't evidence every day they are the child of a King. Its not like there aren't parents around to remind them. Oh, I guess sometimes I forget I am the child of a King. Hmmm. It struck me like a ton of bricks. God is the Eternal Father. My Eternal Heavenly Father. He helps me in whatever ways he thinks I need it as parents let children experience life for themselves, so he does for me.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Mormon 9
A truly amazing fact is that the scriptures use logic, don't you think? In this chapter, it doesn't just say, "This is how it is therefore believe!" In this chapter, Moroni actually employs logic to explain the existence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. It is important for us to remember that as we read in the Book of Mormon that these people were told the same stories and traditions about the coming of Christ and the same history including that of Noah and Moses as the people who remained behind in Jerusalem. Just like many of the histories, most were passed verbally and carried verbally, except those on the scrolls that were kept by kings and pharaohs. So for prophets and people in the Book of Mormon to be reminded of things that we can find in the New and Old testament, it is similar to our parents recalling something out of their past to teach us something. The people in the Americas are the same people in the Book of Mormon and came from the same people originally, thus all that applied and was revealed to them is also applicable to the generations in the Book of Mormon.
So here, in Mormon 9, we read that Moroni knows that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It begs the question as to why so many people say that there cannot be prophets, seers, and revelators today, when they did happen in the past. Why is it that God worked such miracles in the time of Moses, that he couldn't do the same now, as the time of Christ's return approaches? It really doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it. Moroni even makes reference that the God to which he refers to is the same God from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The fact that God performed miracles in olden days with time-line gaps in his miracles, makes even more sense that there was a brief (in his eyes) time without the gospel on the earth and that it is back now. I find it interesting that Moroni was dealing with such unbelief during this time that He felt the need to explain it. We're really not in that different of a place. And not only that, but this is simply 400 years after the coming of Christ.
Amazing the similarities! The people didn't believe and they thought God had changed and that miracles couldn't happen anymore. Hmmmm, sounds like today, doesn't it? Why else would the Joseph Smith story be so difficult to accept? Miracle acceptance?Moroni states that miracles stop occurring because people stop believing. Why would the Almighty show himself to us when we don't even believe in Him? And why does it not make sense that Joseph Smith and latter day prophets, who seek the Lord knowing His power and glory and believing that He will answer, would answer Joseph's prayer and begin His miracles again? It does! It does make sense. It makes sense that the same things that were present in the time of Moses on down to Jesus, is present today, including speaking with tongues, casting out devils, and healing the sick. His work is such a great work. So much potential of the Lord's work relies, and survives in spite of the imperfection within men. It survives because it is not prudent to rise up against the works of the Lord. We have seen His power and His Glory and what He can do.It is simply difficult to imagine! Only 400 years (like 4 generations) since Christ came and visited them and they are unbelieving already? Remarkable.
Moroni continues that I should not doubt, but Believe! I should go to the "Lord with all my heart and work out out [my] own salvation with fear". I used to wonder why I would 'fear' the Lord. He is my father, what is to fear? But as I studied more about fearing God, I understood more. To fear God is to respect him and be humble toward his requests and teachings. It isn't that I should be scared, but in awe, like the song, I Can only Imagine "When I stand in His presence, to my knees will I fall? Will I scream hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?" How will that humility and respect manifest in me? Or will I run to throw my arms around Him and be joyful? And will He be joyful at my works? At my choices? Will He be pleased with the things I chose in my life?This chapter really is a great one.
I love it how Moroni points out that he is not a perfect man. And that we should be thankful that we know he is not a perfect man because we can learn from his imperfections. He also gives us instruction to, "be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." I love the phrase, "Be wise." Not be smart. Not be careful, but 'be wise'. Wisdom is mostly gained through experience and learning from other's records, trials and experience. Be wise, learn from those around you and grow into who you are. My son has a book that teaches, "be the person God made you to be."God is a miracle worker. It is true. But he can only work miracles in my life if I allow him. He will not force me, I need to go to him for my salvation and as a disciple of Christ.
I am a believer and I will strive to make that known as I live my life and work to improve myself until the day I meet my maker.
So here, in Mormon 9, we read that Moroni knows that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It begs the question as to why so many people say that there cannot be prophets, seers, and revelators today, when they did happen in the past. Why is it that God worked such miracles in the time of Moses, that he couldn't do the same now, as the time of Christ's return approaches? It really doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it. Moroni even makes reference that the God to which he refers to is the same God from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The fact that God performed miracles in olden days with time-line gaps in his miracles, makes even more sense that there was a brief (in his eyes) time without the gospel on the earth and that it is back now. I find it interesting that Moroni was dealing with such unbelief during this time that He felt the need to explain it. We're really not in that different of a place. And not only that, but this is simply 400 years after the coming of Christ.
Amazing the similarities! The people didn't believe and they thought God had changed and that miracles couldn't happen anymore. Hmmmm, sounds like today, doesn't it? Why else would the Joseph Smith story be so difficult to accept? Miracle acceptance?Moroni states that miracles stop occurring because people stop believing. Why would the Almighty show himself to us when we don't even believe in Him? And why does it not make sense that Joseph Smith and latter day prophets, who seek the Lord knowing His power and glory and believing that He will answer, would answer Joseph's prayer and begin His miracles again? It does! It does make sense. It makes sense that the same things that were present in the time of Moses on down to Jesus, is present today, including speaking with tongues, casting out devils, and healing the sick. His work is such a great work. So much potential of the Lord's work relies, and survives in spite of the imperfection within men. It survives because it is not prudent to rise up against the works of the Lord. We have seen His power and His Glory and what He can do.It is simply difficult to imagine! Only 400 years (like 4 generations) since Christ came and visited them and they are unbelieving already? Remarkable.
Moroni continues that I should not doubt, but Believe! I should go to the "Lord with all my heart and work out out [my] own salvation with fear". I used to wonder why I would 'fear' the Lord. He is my father, what is to fear? But as I studied more about fearing God, I understood more. To fear God is to respect him and be humble toward his requests and teachings. It isn't that I should be scared, but in awe, like the song, I Can only Imagine "When I stand in His presence, to my knees will I fall? Will I scream hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?" How will that humility and respect manifest in me? Or will I run to throw my arms around Him and be joyful? And will He be joyful at my works? At my choices? Will He be pleased with the things I chose in my life?This chapter really is a great one.
I love it how Moroni points out that he is not a perfect man. And that we should be thankful that we know he is not a perfect man because we can learn from his imperfections. He also gives us instruction to, "be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." I love the phrase, "Be wise." Not be smart. Not be careful, but 'be wise'. Wisdom is mostly gained through experience and learning from other's records, trials and experience. Be wise, learn from those around you and grow into who you are. My son has a book that teaches, "be the person God made you to be."God is a miracle worker. It is true. But he can only work miracles in my life if I allow him. He will not force me, I need to go to him for my salvation and as a disciple of Christ.
I am a believer and I will strive to make that known as I live my life and work to improve myself until the day I meet my maker.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Tuesday: Contined reflections on Resurrection
Being a person who loves to sing, it is often that I am reading a scripture or reviewing a talk when a hymn or song pops into my head. I was at EFY when I was 15 and the leader of our group knew sign language. "His Hands", by Kenneth Cope, was on our CD for EFY for the year. The beauty of how the sign language visualized this song, really is hard to put into words. But as they apply to the resurrection, please know, the 'His' to whom the song refers, is Jesus. If you ever have a moment to listen to the song, please take it. This quote is actually starting in the chorus after the second verse.
"His hands would serve his whole life though, showing man what hands might do. Giving, ever giving endlessly. Each day was filled with selflessness, and I'll not rest until I make of my hands what they could be. 'Til these hand become like those from Galilee.
"His hands clasped in agony as they lay pleading, bleeding in the garden. While just moments away, other hands betray Him, out of greed, shameful greed. And then his hands are trembling, straining to carry the beam that they've been nailed to. As he stumbles through the streets, headed for the hill on which he'd die. He would die! They take His hands, His mighty hands, those gentle hands and then they pierce them. They pierce them! He lets them, because of love! From birth to death was selflessness and clearly now I see him with His hands calling to me. And though I'm not yet as I would be, he has shown me how I could be. I will make these hands like those from Galilee.
It is as we strive to be better, to do more, and be more like Christ that we become purified. Each day, as the day starts, I tell myself, "God is perfect and people are not. Today I will avoid judging people based on their imperfections, but rather myself on my progress toward God."
Perfection cannot be attained by me in this life. This I know to be true. It is why having a Savior is necessary. But it does not mean I cannot work toward perfection. It is as I draw closer to perfection that I will better understand the Savior. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us we have people in high places in the church to help us, to lead us and give us encouragement in becoming perfected. Also, it says we need to have a unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God who was a perfect man. Please do be discourged by the perfection concept. I Know this! I will always fall short if I go it alone. I will always need the Savior. He was perfect in life, perfect in death, and perfect in resurrection. And perfect enough to perfect even someone as imperfect as me. D&C 1:38 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself." D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." 1 Peter 5:10, "...the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus...make you perfect".
Mormon 9:12-13 A clear path from the start to the end. God created Adam, Adam fell. Because Adam fell came Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. Because of the redemption of man came resurrection and loosing of the eternal bands of temporal death.
A thought for tomorrow: A God of Miracles (more discussion on Mormon chapter 9)
"His hands would serve his whole life though, showing man what hands might do. Giving, ever giving endlessly. Each day was filled with selflessness, and I'll not rest until I make of my hands what they could be. 'Til these hand become like those from Galilee.
"His hands clasped in agony as they lay pleading, bleeding in the garden. While just moments away, other hands betray Him, out of greed, shameful greed. And then his hands are trembling, straining to carry the beam that they've been nailed to. As he stumbles through the streets, headed for the hill on which he'd die. He would die! They take His hands, His mighty hands, those gentle hands and then they pierce them. They pierce them! He lets them, because of love! From birth to death was selflessness and clearly now I see him with His hands calling to me. And though I'm not yet as I would be, he has shown me how I could be. I will make these hands like those from Galilee.
It is as we strive to be better, to do more, and be more like Christ that we become purified. Each day, as the day starts, I tell myself, "God is perfect and people are not. Today I will avoid judging people based on their imperfections, but rather myself on my progress toward God."
Perfection cannot be attained by me in this life. This I know to be true. It is why having a Savior is necessary. But it does not mean I cannot work toward perfection. It is as I draw closer to perfection that I will better understand the Savior. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us we have people in high places in the church to help us, to lead us and give us encouragement in becoming perfected. Also, it says we need to have a unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God who was a perfect man. Please do be discourged by the perfection concept. I Know this! I will always fall short if I go it alone. I will always need the Savior. He was perfect in life, perfect in death, and perfect in resurrection. And perfect enough to perfect even someone as imperfect as me. D&C 1:38 "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself." D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." 1 Peter 5:10, "...the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus...make you perfect".
Mormon 9:12-13 A clear path from the start to the end. God created Adam, Adam fell. Because Adam fell came Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. Because of the redemption of man came resurrection and loosing of the eternal bands of temporal death.
A thought for tomorrow: A God of Miracles (more discussion on Mormon chapter 9)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Alma 40:25-26 and chapter 41
I have thought it both tiring and exhalting (mostly at the same time) that we're constantly exhorted to do better. It is hard to feel like you're doing your best, but it isn't enough! I don't really think that is it. When it is your best, it is enough, that is the beauty of the atonement and resurrection. But as Alma 41 states, we are judged by our works, so have good works and be restored good. And as that comes to fruition, everything is restored to its proper order and the heirarchy that the scriptures explain.
After reading my blog yesterday, a friend asked me if I thought those with a lost limb or something missing at birth would be resurrected that way. My first inclination is to say that we don't know for sure. But this chapter states having things restored to their proper order. I don't know that it will happen immediately - only the Lord knows for sure - but the scriptures clearly state they will be restored.
But remember, restored to wholeness, but perhaps not perfection, because we are raised as we were. Also, I love in verse 9, where it warns that we shouldn't risk another offense against the Lord. I think this is one instance where it is not easier nor better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. With the Lord, forgiveness can be granted, but Alma is suggesting it is better not to use it on things you can avoid rather than waste it on things that could have been omitted; particularily when going against doctrinal issues. We know that we cannot be changed from sin to happiness just because of the resurrection. Its purpose is to restore us, not to purify.
Even in dealing with the resurrection, the scriptures teach us about 'paying it forward.' At the very end of chapter 41, it states, "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again." It makes the connection that through this law, the sinner is more condemned than the person who strives to do good.
Alma 41:13-14 Resurrection, the scriptures here state, is basically equivalent to restoration. Restoring the body and the spirit to one another after the waiting period after death. So what you were on earth, will be restored in full swing. And then in the following verse it discusses how it is to be done; giving specific instructions.
After reading my blog yesterday, a friend asked me if I thought those with a lost limb or something missing at birth would be resurrected that way. My first inclination is to say that we don't know for sure. But this chapter states having things restored to their proper order. I don't know that it will happen immediately - only the Lord knows for sure - but the scriptures clearly state they will be restored.
But remember, restored to wholeness, but perhaps not perfection, because we are raised as we were. Also, I love in verse 9, where it warns that we shouldn't risk another offense against the Lord. I think this is one instance where it is not easier nor better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. With the Lord, forgiveness can be granted, but Alma is suggesting it is better not to use it on things you can avoid rather than waste it on things that could have been omitted; particularily when going against doctrinal issues. We know that we cannot be changed from sin to happiness just because of the resurrection. Its purpose is to restore us, not to purify.
Even in dealing with the resurrection, the scriptures teach us about 'paying it forward.' At the very end of chapter 41, it states, "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again." It makes the connection that through this law, the sinner is more condemned than the person who strives to do good.
Alma 41:13-14 Resurrection, the scriptures here state, is basically equivalent to restoration. Restoring the body and the spirit to one another after the waiting period after death. So what you were on earth, will be restored in full swing. And then in the following verse it discusses how it is to be done; giving specific instructions.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
My purpose here
And by here, I don't mean earth, but rather on this blog. The thought occurred to me, that so often I learn things while I'm studying that I want to share and don't know how, this will be a great way.
The topic of research and learning for the week of January 10-16, 2010 is The Reserrection.
I started researching this after having conversations with friends and family. There are many misconceptions regarding the resurrection and wanted to clear some things up.
Sunday's thought:
Alma 40:6 - time between death and resurrection, 21 - both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works. 23 - "... all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame."
Hmmm, perfect frame? What does 'perfect frame' mean? So I looked and researched 'perfect frame' and found this! Alma 11:43, "...both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time..." The whole verse is actually very good, speaking specifically regarding the resurrection when our spirit and body are reunited.
Many times my husband and I have discussed that so many people in our LDS faith believe that when you're resurrected, you're instantly perfect, and the scriptures do say that we are restored to our perfect frame. But even as we are now, our bodies are perfected, for Heavenly Father is perfect and we are made after him. I think, from reading and studying the above texts, that it is just that we will be reunited with our body in a bodious form. Now I realize bodious is not a word, but when our body has been on this earth without our spirit in it, we turn into dust and decomposition. So when our soul and body reunite, I believe it is in a body form, having been returned to that after the decomposition has taken place. I don't think we'll be altered, but restored to that same state to which we left our bodies. Our minds and spirits will be the same as that scripture says, Alma 11:43, that we will have 'a bright recollection of all our guilt'. So why would our body not be restored to its pervious state in the same way?
I was so intrigued by that verse, that I did not read on until just now! Holy Cow! In verse 44, it says that all shall be resurrected, and not only that, but again, repeating that everything shall be restored. I think that means that whatever you have in this life, you shall have when you go to stand before the Lord. It continues on and specifically says, "as it is now". Wow, well there's my answer. The verse continues on that we shall be that way when we are "brought and...arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the father....to be judged." We are brought to stand and be judged in the same physical state in which we died.
Other scriptures to consider:
D&C 129:1-3 Angels are resurrected personages; spirits are not resurrected.
D&C 138
D&C 76
The topic of research and learning for the week of January 10-16, 2010 is The Reserrection.
I started researching this after having conversations with friends and family. There are many misconceptions regarding the resurrection and wanted to clear some things up.
Sunday's thought:
Alma 40:6 - time between death and resurrection, 21 - both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works. 23 - "... all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame."
Hmmm, perfect frame? What does 'perfect frame' mean? So I looked and researched 'perfect frame' and found this! Alma 11:43, "...both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time..." The whole verse is actually very good, speaking specifically regarding the resurrection when our spirit and body are reunited.
Many times my husband and I have discussed that so many people in our LDS faith believe that when you're resurrected, you're instantly perfect, and the scriptures do say that we are restored to our perfect frame. But even as we are now, our bodies are perfected, for Heavenly Father is perfect and we are made after him. I think, from reading and studying the above texts, that it is just that we will be reunited with our body in a bodious form. Now I realize bodious is not a word, but when our body has been on this earth without our spirit in it, we turn into dust and decomposition. So when our soul and body reunite, I believe it is in a body form, having been returned to that after the decomposition has taken place. I don't think we'll be altered, but restored to that same state to which we left our bodies. Our minds and spirits will be the same as that scripture says, Alma 11:43, that we will have 'a bright recollection of all our guilt'. So why would our body not be restored to its pervious state in the same way?
I was so intrigued by that verse, that I did not read on until just now! Holy Cow! In verse 44, it says that all shall be resurrected, and not only that, but again, repeating that everything shall be restored. I think that means that whatever you have in this life, you shall have when you go to stand before the Lord. It continues on and specifically says, "as it is now". Wow, well there's my answer. The verse continues on that we shall be that way when we are "brought and...arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the father....to be judged." We are brought to stand and be judged in the same physical state in which we died.
Other scriptures to consider:
D&C 129:1-3 Angels are resurrected personages; spirits are not resurrected.
D&C 138
D&C 76
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)