Perfection and where I'm at.

Our discussion in Elder’s quorum was about not letting our imperfection our weaknesses, our short comings get us down. We just need to be honestly giving our best and that is good enough.

I was receiving another lesson entirely while I sat there holding my 1 year old asleep in my arms. Many scriptures entered into my mind from this week’s random readings. I have included many of them below. I’ll summarize my thoughts at the end.

Moses 1:39

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 11:20

20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

Matthew 22:37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 38 This is the first and great commandment.

 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

John 14:15

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:20

. . . Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.

John 14:23

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 

Moroni 10:32-33

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

·        Matthew 7:17-18

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Matthew 12:33

 

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

·        3 Nephi 14:17-18

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

It is NOT my job/function to make myself perfect, because it is literally not possible for me to accomplish, that is why we were given a Savior. It IS Christ’s job/function to make me perfect.

It IS my job/function to keep the commandments, and by keeping the commandments and heeding the guidance and direction from his appointed representatives Christ is able to perfect me.

It is NOT Christ’s job/function to force me to change only to invite me to obey so that he can perform a miracle of miracles with/in me.

Why should I be grieved by Christ state of progress with me? If he is perfect and the works of his hands are perfect does that not dictate that if I am keeping the commandments and following the counsel of those appointed to watch over me. Then I am just as perfect as he wants me to be right now, assuming I have repented for the times I have intentionally not followed the commandments. If I am moved by the Spirit to act or asked by a leader to do and I do my best, then, regardless of how flawed my efforts are from my perspective, are they not good and perfect in Gods eyes? He sent me and knows where Christ is with me in my progressive states of perfection.

Is it wrong to be weighed down and recognize our shortcomings? NO. We see this with Nephi and Moses and many others. It is not a sin to know the lord is not done with us yet, but we should also be glad and thankful for where he has brought us thus far.

God does not define perfection as men do, because his ways are higher than our ways, so believe him and do your part so he can do his.

The fifth phase of the Doctrine of Christ

I was reflecting on the doctrine of Christ as taught in in the scriptures and how it differs from what is typically taught in the church.

The scriptures make it clear that we need to teach these things as Priesthood Holders in D&C 88:77-78

77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.

 78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;

And again as parents we have an obligation as found in D&C 68:25

25 And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

The final phase is described in two ways as I believe I’ve mentioned before. Early in Christ’s instruction the last phase is described and "Becoming as a little Child", for example in 3 Nephi 11:37-39:

 37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

 39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

Then in other instruction the final phase is referred to "Enduring to the End". It is this last name that holds new meaning for me. For example in 2 Nephi 31:20 as stated by Nephi at the end of his life.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

It has become Very clear to me that this enduring to the end means continually working to become more like Christ until you become like him. Other names for Christ are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Christ admonition to become like a little child is to begin at the Alpha and to endure to the end is to become the Omega. It is to walk his path and live his life, and to become like him. The final phase has little to do with just enduring, as in doing good as you have always done, but to endure the process of purification that is full of trials and tribulations with an eye single to the glory of god that we might one day stand worth to receive that glory.

Doctrine of Becoming as a Little Child

In King Benjamin’s words to his people after they have taken upon themselves the name of Christ he gives this instruction. Mosiah 5:7-8

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

 8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Doctrine Covenants section 50:40-43 adds to this:

40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.

 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

 43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

Matthew 18:1-5 dictates the need to become like a little child.

 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me

Luke 18:17

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein

It is interesting to note that Christ, as far as I can find, does not teach the "Enduring to the End" as a part of the Doctrine of Christ. He does mention it when talking about the Gospel. The real interesting thing is who does teach about “Enduring to the End”. In 2 Nephi 31 were enjoy a very rear occurrence in the scriptures. Christ’s direct discussion with his Prophet, Nephi. Were he discusses the first 4 points in the Doctrine of Christ. Then we get this addition.

15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

Nephi even reaffirms in verse 20 that the Concept of 'Enduring to the End' is from the Father not Christ.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Updated 3/2/2017

I'm still preparing for my lesson on the Doctrine of Christ and I'll admit each time I pick it up I'm reminded of something I have lost sight of. The fifth element becoming like a child as taught in 3 Nephi 11 it is taught as both before and after baptism. I always considered this a mistake by the poor man that engraved the plates, that he simply corrects in the next line but then I was reminded that this part of instruction was only given to the 12 apostles of the new world. 3 Nephi 12 goes on to teach the same principle to the crowed of people. He talks about becoming meek as a child to come to baptism then teaches about the beatitudes and the expansion/clarification of the commandments and letting your light shine and how all of this helps you become a child of god and drives you towards protection. 

Changing the perspective of Laman and Nephi's relationship.

I was reading an article about how the Book of Moses seems to have been more representative of what was in the Brass Plates versus the Bible as we have it today. How many teachings that are found solely in the Book of Moses are integrated into the teachings of the Book of Mormon. The one that I found most interesting that changes the perception of Laman towards Nephi I quote it here:

A remarkable passage in the first part of the Book of Mormon pulls all these book of Moses themes about Satan together — to describe someone else. The implication is unmistakable when Laman characterizes his brother Nephi as one who lies and who deceives our eyes, thinking to lead us away for the purpose of making himself “a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure” (1 Nephi 16:38). Laman insinuates that Nephi, who chastises his wayward brothers, is himself like the devil. And resistance against him is not only righteous but required. This account has the added complexity that it is a speech of Laman, who is quoted here in a record written by the very brother he attacks. If we accept the possibility that this text is dependent on a passage in the ancient book of Moses, we then recognize a major new dimension of meaning, not only in Laman’s speech but also in Nephi’s decision to preserve the speech, thus showing his descendants and any other readers familiar with the Moses text the full nature of the confrontation between the brothers as well as the injustice of the attacks he suffered. The full irony is revealed when we reflect on the facts reported in Nephi’s record and realize that Laman’s false accusation against Nephi is an accurate self-description.⁶ 

This idea places the relationship between Laman and Nephi more akin to Cain and Able which adds an interesting dimension to this relationship.

Lessons from the Teaching the Saviour's way conference

During the teaching the Saviors way broadcast the following things seemed impressed upon my mind. What the full ramifications are unclear at present but I wanted to capture them here.

They read from the book of Enos

 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—

 2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

 4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

The thing that stood out to me, but was not said was that although Enos was most likely intending to go to the forest to hunt beast for food of flesh, the intent of the Lord was that he Hunt down the beast of his sole. To seek repentance to cleans himself from the bests of Sin that troubled his sole.

The broadcast reiterated the need to delve into the Scriptures not just read some, but to incorporate the scripture chains, and talk about them. Not to just read the scripture and let that be that. I see this a lot in class and it bothers me immensely. Personal revelation and experience backed by scripture is more what is desired.

Plus, the majority of what was shared was not by the leaders but by others. I have noticed that the instruction manuals / guides in recent years are walking away from focusing on quotes by the "Great scholars of yesteryears", and focused on the current bulwark of instruction from leaders and seeks for students to make use of the gift of the spirit they have been promised to seek and find answers and meaning and then to share those insights and experiences.  As God tried to do with Israel we are to become a nation of Priests not a Nation of those who have just studied a collection of words from past priests.

It was clear that old habits were still modeled in the mist of trying to change directions and they often fell back on old ways during the broadcast. The adage is true that habits are difficult to overcome. This direction the instruction is heading is a dangerous path that has great opportunity to increase the level of gospel understanding and instruction and it is truly exciting. Listening to the spirit is becoming more and more a the desire.

Be Fruitful, Multiply and Replenish?

After discussing these ideas with my wife she read through the accounts and felt the impression that the Replenish is referring to replenishing the Earth. Since we came from the dust of the Earth we are to replenish the Earth. That idea in itself I think has been stated before, but the twist with her remark is not the Fallen Earth but the Celestialized Earth. Basically Be Fruitful, (Do your part to receive the qualify for the Atonement), multiply (Have offspring, do missionary work etc.), and Replenish (Return with honor in Glory).The Hebrew I'm told for replenish should more accurately be translated as Fill the Earth. When I think of the term Fill I think of to complete or glorify so even with this alternate translation I can see how my wife might just be right in what it means to Replenish the Earth. This command was given to Adam before the fall as it was to the animals. They were not fallen at that time so it makes sense. Granted this argument can easily be countered with Genesis 9:1 where God gives Noah the same command but I don't believe the argument is necessary to still drive that point home. 

In the Church there is a lot of focus on the Saviors role, and the requirements that we must fulfill to receive fully from the atonement that was accomplished through his mission. Often I feel that our mission in life is really neglected in reference to the gospel. That command to Adam and Eve really sums up the entirety of our mission. It's that whole, become like a child or endure to the end that Christ teaches as the finial step in the doctrine of Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism bring you from be fruitful to becoming like a child, and Receiving the Holy Ghost guides you through the multiply onto the gaining of light upon light to the perfect day until you can return to live in glory upon the celestialized earth in the presence of all the members of the god head.