The Scriptures

Our lesson in Relief Society today had many points to it that I found thought provoking, things I hadn't thought of before. I didn't take notes, so I'll probably miss some, but I'll try to remember what struck me. First of all, the message came from Elder Todd D Christofferson of the 12 apostles and was entitled, The Blessing of Scripture. He basically said that scripture does 3 things for us: Enlarges our Memories, Distinguishes truth from error, and Brings us to Christ.

He started by talking about William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English in the 1530's. He had sought the approval of Catholic church authorities, who stated translating the Bible into English would be to cast pearls before swine, but he decided to do it anyway. People paid great prices to receive those "illegal" copies of the Bible. If they would pay so much for them, why don't we? (something to think about)

Enlarges our Memories: How does reading the scriptures 'enlarge our memory'? Usually with the ways our minds work, we are either people who learn through lists and direct facts, or though stories. I'm sure that is why the Old Testament and Book of Mormon are story based doctrines, and the New Testament and Doctrine and Covenants are list and direct facts based. The bottom line is whatever we put in is what we will get out, in the was of the Lord. If we put in effort to learn something or study it, the Lord will stretch our minds to hold it. It isn't a one to one ratio, but rather a I do work and the Lord blesses me in the way I need kind of ratio, sometimes making the balance tipped extremely in our favor. We also are reminded of the Pride Cycle (turn to the Lord, be blessed, live blessedly and forget the Lord, full of pride, trials from the Lord due to lack of humility, become humble: repeat) in constant study in hopes of not having to relieve it constantly.

Distinguish Truth from Error: God uses scripture to unmask erroneous thinking, false traditions, and sin with its devastating effects. A gal in the room stated that in the Book of Mormon, Korihor taught there were no absolute moral standards. Korihor's philosophy taught that every man prosper by his genius, conquers by his strength and when he dies that is the end. Alma's son, Corianton had believed Korihor's philosophy and dabbled in sexual sin. He father told him, "Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?” (Alma 39:5) Our worldly morality today is much of the opinion of Korihor, our society has imagined a Jesus who wants people to work for social justice but makes no demands on personal life and behavior. The scriptures are the touchstone for measuring correctness and truth, all things leading to God.

Brings us to Christ: We equated this with having and increasing our faith. Faith comes by the witness of the Holy Spirit to our souls, Spirit to spirit, as we hear or read the word of God. And faith matures as we continue to feast upon the word. As members of the LDS church we have access to over 900 pages of scriptural text. We cannot return to Christ without faith that he exists or rather a spirit to spirit confirmation that he is there. It is then that we use our resources to draw nearer to him.

All these things work together for our sole benefit. Whenever we are lost, distracted, unsure, or hurt the scriptures can pull us up, out of our bereft state and allow us to heal while safely cradled in the Savior's arms.

Quick Thought: Move On

In focusing on what we've lost, we rob ourselves of this moment's opportunity to gain. Look ahead and press forward with confidence, because pining over the past is detrimental to growth, healing and happiness. Learn from experience and then use that knowledge in the here and now, trusting that it will lead you to the beautiful future awaiting. The road ahead may be uncertain, but in refusing to travel it, the road behind was taken in vain.

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." -Anonymous

The Lord's University #2

I often enjoy finding scriptures in the Old and New Testaments that reflect my feelings on what we are taught in church. As I reflected further on this University of the Lord concept, I turned to the scriptures and found what I was looking for. Joseph had an Institute teacher that showed that 'mountain' was often a replacement for temple in the scriptures. Sometimes it is important to be able to distinguish between where the Lord is talking about a physical mountain vs a temple. Moses went into the mountains to seek the Lord and found him there, as did Aaron.

Isaiah 2:2-3 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us ago up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the flaw, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Later in Isaiah (Chp 65 v 9 & 11) "Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it...But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain" In 1993 in a conference address, Pres. Monson stated that when the Salt Lake City Temple was erected it was called, "The Mountain of the Lord's house."

2 Nephi 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand

Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the claw shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.