Joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

Do you ever feel like the “Plan of Happiness” has let you down? Have you ever wondered, where the Joy of the gospel is in your life? Have you thought to yourself, I made and am keeping all the covenants, but feel like the covenant path is more of a dead end.

I think, that in many ways, you and I feel this way from time to time, because we have a worldly view of Joy.

What really is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Two weeks ago, in sacrament we were taught what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, as was taught by Jesus Christ here in the Americas over two millennia ago.

Recently I noticed that in both 3 Nephi 11 where Christ teaches the Doctrine of Christ and 3 Nephi 27 where he teaches the Gospel of Christ, The Savior is only talking to his apostles. You might be surprised that roughly 1/3 of everything recorded of Christ’s post mortal ministry in the Americas was exclusively to the 12 that were chosen. This fact is obscured today by our modern chapter breaks. 

It made me think quite differently about the other parts of what Christ taught during his ministry to the Nephites. I decided to give a bit more focus today on what he was teaching the multitude vs. what he taught exclusively to the Apostles. I am not an Apostle. I am just one member of the Multitude. So, let’s investigate what he did spend his time teaching the multitude, and see how we might find greater Joy in living His gospel.

Missionary Work

First Christ teaches the multitude that they will be blessed if they “give heed” to the words of the twelve, and be baptized. Then he tells the multitude that “Greater” will be the blessings of those that believe on the words of the multitude and are baptized. These people had not even been baptized and Christ was already encouraging them to do missionary work.

So how does missionary work bring us joy? 

When it comes to missionary work, what thoughts and feelings come to your mind and heart? For me a lot of excuses and negative experiences come to mind. That's not because all of my experiences have been negative. There have truly been some wonderful experiences. If you notice in the scriptural accounts of missionary work, even they had some pretty horrible experiences associated with missionary work, hunger, fatigue, people attacking them, being stripped down and humiliated, thrown into prison, loss of family, friends, and life. It is easy for things like this to stick out in our mind when we focus on ourselves. Yet with all those things that happened, do you remember the end result?

Do you remember the sons of Mosiah, who gave up the kingdom to teach the gospel to their enemies. Who saw their enemies sacrifice their own kingdoms and lives in return for the gospel they preached. Do you remember that great reuniting of Alma the younger and these sons of King Mosiah after their 14-year mission among the Lamanites.

“16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.”

 

Persecuted

How did they get from the worldly detractors of Joy to these levels of ecstasy and how do we follow in their footsteps. In what are known as the beatitudes, Christ taught about this apparently worldly discrepancy

 

“ 10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, ...

11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.”

I find that in today’s world many a person seeks out opportunities to identify and choose to experience, persecution towards themselves, their families, their ancestors, and their friends as justification for their lack of joy, opportunity, and blessings. Yet these “persecuted people’ do not seem very joyful about it. The difference seems to be for who sake they are persecuted. The Lord taught it must be for his name sake, no one else’s. To suffer for the Lord’s sake is a different kind of persecution and thus has a different result. 

Let your light shine

Christ taught the multitude, and us today about “salt” and what happens when it losses it savor and about “lighting a candle” and putting it “on a candlestick” to ‘let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works”

In a worldly sense with all the Youtubers, Instagrammers, bloggers and Facebook posts, it seems people are giving a lot of flavor to life and letting their light shine like never before.

Christ once again clarifies that the end result of showing our light should be, to, “glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Christ further instructs that HE is the light, that we are to shine, his light in our own lives. Are we showing forth our own light as the world directs or are we doing as the Savior taught and showing the Light of the only begotten of the Father?

Forgive 

Christ taught the multitude and us today to Not be angry with our brother, and to reconcile our differences, to agree with our adversary. The world takes great pleasure in publicly displaying the polar opposite of these teachings, placing mocking, retaliation and retribution over mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness. 

 

“44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;”

 

I know personally the Joy that comes from praying for your enemies and for your own heart to be softened when you have done wrong or been wronged. It does not always remove the conditions, but it does give the strength to bear them, much like it did for the People of Alma when they were burdened and persecute by the Amulonites.  

Alms

The Son of God teaches us “that ye should do alms unto the poor.” When I read the word ‘Alms’ I think of money, so I looked it up and found it means “Any thing given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing, otherwise called charity.” Christ further explained that when we give alms we should not be like the hypocrites, that “sound a trumpet,” but instead “That thine alms may be in secret;” I have often seen names of donners on Plaques, and Bricks and even park benches. Enshrining their generosity.

Although Christ teaches to give to the poor, it is also my own observation that nowadays most of the world is far more likely to give to organizations, kick starters, and investment opportunities, than to the poor.  I encourage you to keep this commandment more fully, because, “thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.”

Do you not know that in giving, both the receiver and the giver are blessed?

My own family has sought to give where we can, and we have benefited as the receivers of many blessings as a result.

Prayer

Christ teaches the people how to pray and then demonstrates several times how it is too be done. Even in teaching about Prayer he taught,

 

“when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”

 

Letting your light shine starts to appear very difficult to me. How am I or you to set an example, and shine forth HIS light, when the things we have been asked to do, seem to all be done in secret. Yet in Gods calculations it all works out. I do not know how many times things I thought were done in secret were made apparent to those around me through no effort of my own. I think the key is not to try and hide it, but to just live it, without bringing attention to it.

Fasting

The Lord goes on for some time about Fasting. Now the world has normally seen fasting in a negative light. Why deny yourself when there are so many pleasures to enjoy. Recently the world has latched onto the idea of fasting as a means of losing weight to become “healthy and attractive” through intermittent fasting. I find now that I regularly hear people talking about their fasting now that it is somewhat in vogue, yet Christ message about fasting is clear:

 

“when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Once again he is showing us not to shine a light on our own efforts. At the end of the book of Helaman we read this account of the people of the church as they were receiving persecution from many of their brethren. Notice the outcomes of Fasting and prayer.

 

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

I hope you noticed that health and attractiveness where not among the benefits they identified. I think this people exhibit a greater understanding of what Christ meant when he taught:

 

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I often think we lose out on so many blessings and joy because we are unwilling to wait on God; we get in his way by seeking the praises of the world in hopes of some instant gratification, losing out on eternal rewards. I often wonder when we tell people that we went to the Temple or were helping the Missionaries or the many other Good things we do as members of the Church, what are our motives in telling that to others. 

Not only are we to learn from the things Jesus taught, but we are to do the things we saw him do. What are some of the things he did while ministering to the multitude? 

Even before choosing the twelve from the people, Christ invited all to:

 

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

 

Christ clearly wants us to know him, to know the cost of our salvation, and to see that God has fulfilled his end of the covenant he made with us. 

Do you remember the multitudes response?

 

16...they did cry out with one accord, saying:

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.

When Christ perceived that the multitude was weak and could not understand he did something truly amazing. He had started the day showing the wounds of his suffering and now he was asked the multitude to bring their suffering and afflicted to him so that he might heal them, and he did heal them.

Do we share our afflictions, our sufferings, our burdens, our wounds with the Lord. Do we share them with each other? It has been my experience that we as members often hide our burdens, but that does not appear to be the Saviors way.

Christ ended his first discussion with the newly called disciples teaching them to, “become as a little child”

Now he was going to teach the multitude what that meant.

11 And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.

12 So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; …

 

Then he prayed with them. This is what we have recorded of that prayer:

 

16..The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father…

20 And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.

21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22 And when he had done this he wept again;

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

14 And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude ...and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; ...

Now the world would mock these things as the foolish imaginations of an uneducated young man of the early 1800s, but they are wrong.

When I read these things I see Christ taking those who need not the baptism of water, because

“… baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; …”

and thus the Savior baptized the children with Fire and the Holy Ghost. He is showing them the marvels that await those that put their faith in him and DO the things he has commanded. He is showing them what it is to become as a little child, a Child redeemed of God in all of its Joy and Glory. 

Ending

I know that worldly joy will never bring us Heavenly Joy. I know that the joy of the gospel is real and worthy of our every effort. I know that if we keep the commandments and Live our lives as Christ has shown us, we can see and experience the kinds of joys discussed here today. The covenant path is not a dead end. There is an overabundance of Joy in Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Plan of Happiness will never let you down, because it is the plan of Our Loving and Eternal Heavenly Father, Amen

 

Abraham’s third wife? – Keturah

 

Abraham’s third wife? – Keturah

Among my study for Come Follow me I watched several youtube channels that deal with the come follow me curriculum. I am always surprised how much I disagree with them and where the spirit leads me as a result. One of the posed the question, “How many children di Abraham have” I answered 2, which was wrong. The answer is 8. Where did the other 6 children come from? Genesis 26:1 gives us her name, Keturah, and very little else about here. We learn the names of her sons and some of their children’s names.

We learn that she is the ancestor to Jethro who gives the priesthood to Moses trough the lineage of Keturah’s son Midian. Jethro was a “priest of Median” Exodus 2:16:

6 And the sons of Moses, according to the Holy Priesthood which he received under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro;

7 And Jethro received it under the hand of Caleb;

8 And Caleb received it under the hand of Elihu;

9 And Elihu under the hand of Jeremy;

10 And Jeremy under the hand of Gad;

11 And Gad under the hand of Esaias;

12 And Esaias received it under the hand of God.

13 Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed of him

- Doctrine and Covenants 84

There are two lines of reasoning from rabbinical texts regarding Keturah. The first is what we all would expect, she is another concubine of Abrahams that was elevated to wife after Sarah’s death.

The second strain which for a long time was the most popular is where I would like to spend some time. Rabbinical texts give significant support that Keturah is none other than Hagar the mother of Ishmael.

Much like how Abram had his name changed by the Lord to Abraham and Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah, Hagar’s name was changed by the Lord to Keturah, because her deeds were as pleasing as incense and because she had known no other man from the day she left Abraham. The name Keturah has several possible meanings related to incense, along with being bound or sealed. Sari and Sarah means Princess. Rabbinical texts indicate that Hagar was in actuality a princess of Egypt, having been born of one of the Pharaoh’s concubines and was given to Sarai as a handmaid. Some accounts indicate this was Pharaoh’s idea and others indicate it was Hagar’s. It makes me rethink Gods dealings with Egypt and how he often sends his people to Egypt for refuge and how he in many ways makes Egypt and its descendant’s central characters in his plan.

When Gen 25:1 states that Abraham took “another” wife the word used is “va-yosef” meaning to fulfill a divine command.

We read that when Isaac first meets Rebekah that he is:

62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.

- Genesis 24

The savvy ready might recall the history of Lahai-roi:

6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

13 And she called the name of the Lord that pake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

- Genesis 16

What was Isaac doing in lahai-roi? Rabbinical texts indicate that he was bringing Hagar back for his Father, Abraham as directed by God in fulfilling Hagar’s demand for justice because of her shame by her treatment by Sarah.

6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

- Genesis 25

In Gen25:6 the word used for concubines, “pilegshim”, is not plural but singular. Hagar was a concubine because Abraham already had a wife. Now that Sarah was dead, Hagar would have become a wife no longer a concubine.

Other rabbinical and historical texts demonstrate that Abraham had a love of Astronomy and Astrology. We see this in the Bok of Abraham. Abraham wanted to pass this information along to his son Isaac but legend has it that God sent the Arch angle Michael to stop Abraham. Since Abraham could not pass the Abrahamic covenant on to the children of Keturah he gave them his knowledge of Astronomy and astrology. If you note in Genesis 25:6 the last we see of Keturah’s children is they are sent Eastward, unto the east country, just after being given gifts by Abraham. Primarily in the scriptures when they speak of the East they are talking about Arabia.

Who else do we know of that loved astronomy and came from the East bearing gifts. The wise men of the Nativity story. Think how beautiful that is, that the decedents of the largest portion of Abrahams’ family were special witnesses of the birth and beginning of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant that all nations of the earth would be blessed through his decedent, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.

 

 

What is wrong with the story of Jacob and Esau?

 

What is wrong with the story of Jacob and Esau?

With the come follow curriculum this year we have been reviewing the Old Testament and if I am like many others many of these stories are very troubling. Mainly because it is difficult to see WHY God would have orchestrated the details. I have come to conclude he didn’t. And the proof is in the details

Rebekah when great with child and struggling pleaded to the lord for understanding:

“If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.”

Genesis 25:22 (King James Version)

In reply God gives her this insight:

 “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:23

This is in many ways just like how Adam was shown the generations of the earth, Enoch, Noah, and even Abraham. Rebekah was shown the grand picture of what was going to happen to the descendants of the two babies in her womb. Note God talks about Nations and people not specifically about her sons Jacob and Esau.

 I will assume you are familiar with how this story progresses with Rebekah directing Jacob to deceive his father and Jacob following his mother’s wishes. The interesting thing is that the “Birthright blessing” Jacob gives him appears to align with what God has told Rebekah.

 “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.”

Genesis 27:28-29 

Please note this blessing that was intended for Esau but given to Jacob at first glance appears to accomplish the future that God has shown Rebekah. Looking closely this blessing is specific to Jacob not his posterity. You should also not the Abrahamic covenant was not a part of this blessing. After the deception is revealed Isaac gives Jacob the blessing that was intended to him.

 “And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother. And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.”

Genesis 28:1-4

If you will remember the story of Jacob he never is served by Esau. Jacob is never Lord over his brother during his life. Nor does Esau box down to him. Jacob is tricked by his soon to be Father in-law several times, he is also tricked several times by his own children each time through deception.

Rebekah also suffers never again seeing her son Jacob and,

“Rebekah loved Jacob.” – Genesis 25:28.

 I feel had for Esau in this story. I have always been taught that Esau didn’t care about his birthright or the Abrahamic covenant. That he was exaggerating about being near death when he sold his birthright to Jacob for pottage. Let me ask you, if you were near death would you take an extra bit of inheritance that is to be used to provide for your mother if your father dies, when you know your mother doesn’t favor you. She loved Jacob and it is unclear she showed much love to Esau. In fact we see latter:

 “And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.”

Genesis 26:34-35

 It is unclear that any form of intention for providing a wife for Esau was made nor was the intention that he should marry a relative. When Jacob is sent off to Padan-aram to find a wife we see the following take place:

 “When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram; And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.”

Genesis 28:6-9

It appears that once Esau knew the expectation of his parents he sought after it. Wasn’t it the example set for Esau that is someone wanted what was yours you give it. We see this with Abraham and Isaac. Rebekah’s death is not recorded, but it is assumed she died before Jacobs reconciliation with Esau which means Jacob never had need to provide for his mother and thus the intend of the Birthright never came into account. Also if Isaac and Rebehka had need assistance it would have been given by Esau fulfilling the Birthright responsibility even without the birthright or the blessings that come with it.

 To see the greif that Esau shows at learning of the de3ception and the loss of the birthright blessing:

 “And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. . . Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? . . . And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. ”

Genesis 27:34, 36, 38

 To try and argue that he didn’t care about this blessing you would have to have a very cold heart. Isaac does give him a blessing:

 “Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.”

Genesis 27:39-40

 We have no record that Esau had to live by the sword in his life, nor did he ever serve his brother as far as what is recorded. He does have dominion over land and a great people and he did break the yoke from off his neck.

 I would also like to talk about Jacob’s part in these events. We are told straight off that Isaac is experiencing the effects of age:

 “And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see,”

Genesis 27:1

Jacob knows his eyes were a problem so he tries to use all of his senses to make sure that he is doing the right thing, because he knows the significance this blessing for Esau has.

 “And he [Jacob] came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?”

Genesis 27:18

Isaac hears Jacob coming and is confused by the sound. He only assumes it is one of his sons by the response, “My father”. He even uses his sense of time: 

“How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son?”

Genesis 27:20 

He is still uncertain so he uses his sense of touch. 

“Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.”

Genesis 27:21

He uses his sense of hearing: 

“The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Genesis 27:22 

He is still unsure. I have been told many times by those that are aging or on medication how unnerving it is to not be able to trust your senses. Isaac askes again this time using his sense of Logic” 

“Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.”

Genesis 27:24 

Still questioning the validity of who was before him he tries his sense of Taste: 

“Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.”

Genesis 27:25 

Then still unsure he makes one last request and uses another sense, that of smell: 

“And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:”

Genesis 27:26-27 

In the end according to Isaacs senses of Time and Sound he perceived it was Jacob, but his sense of Touch, Taste, Smell and Logic told him this was indeed Esau. This showed how much weight Isaac placed on this blessing so it is not surprising his reaction when we discovered he had been deceived even though he had tried to be so careful.

 “And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.”

Genesis 27:33

“And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.”

Genesis 27:35

“And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?”

Genesis 27:37 

Isaac not knowing how to proceed did the best he could have been expected. Had Rebekah shared God’s vision with her Husband? If she had did they both understood it differently? 

In my own life I have had knowledge of my future at times and I have even taken efforts to hasten its arrival. Each time when I was at a decision point I have had to restrain myself and ask God if these was really what he wanted. That has saved me from untold trouble and heartache more times than I can count.

“On Both Sides of the Veil”

 

    I was sitting in stake conference this weekend and it was a special occasion, because we like many others stakes around the world, were receiving a new stake presidency. Something odd stuck out to me in the talks that I had never really thought much about, the Veil.

    One of the new catch phrases that have been disseminating down is “The work of Salvation on both sides of the Veil” Which I understand what they are talking about, but I think the wording is actually false. What is being conveyed in the phrase is that work of salvation that is done for the departed, or those on the other side of the veil. My concern is that the doctrine of the Veil is actually not well understood.

    We are taught that the veil was put in place to block our remembrance of our premarital existence. The rational being that if we remembered our pre mortal life the test that mortality provides would fail to provide the TEST necessary, because we would already know the answers. Faith would not be needed. In this vain of logic this Veil is as important as agency to this phase of eternal progression. The doctrine that is unclear is when that Veil is removed.

    There really is not much by way of accepted scriptures on this topic, nor is there much in “spoken” scripture. From what I can find the removal of the veil cannot take place until after someone has both accepted the gospel and satisfactorily completed the “test”, or they have been resurrected and await judgment. The process is not an immediate event, but a slow process just as the resurrection is a process. There are clearly example of people who have, finished the test early, or be permitted to have some clarity given, although only momentarily, in the scriptures such as Moses, the Brother of Jared and Joseph Smith Jr.

    Symbolically in the Temple we pass through the veil once we have received all the knowledge, and covenants necessary to do so. This is done at the conclusion of the Endowment, but prior to sealing ordinances. That all being so then who are we helping on the other side of the Veil. It would stand to reason they don’t need our help, because they have already made it as far as us.

    Perhaps I have been looking at this the wrong way. Am I doing work to help those in Spirit prison or Spirit Paradise?  From what I have read and found those in Spirit prison are clearly not on the other side of the veil. If they were it would invalidate the Test. The Test covers all points between birth and resurrection which in its entirety is also known as the second Estate. Is it possible that those in Spirit Paradise, who are those sent to preach to those in Spirit Prison, may actually be or in process of having the veil removed from them. So am I actually doing this work to help them? That does not feel right nor does it make sense to me. Is this new catch phrase doctrinally in error?

The Doctrine of Receiving the Record

 

    There is a doctrine of the gospel that I can’t say I have heard much spoken about and I have often wondered what it really was talking about or how it worked, that I call the Doctrine of Receiving the Record.

    In 3 Nephi 11 of the Book of Mormon we have the account of Christ coming to the American continent where he specifically teaches the Doctrine of Christ. When most people teach about this doctrine they focus on the latter portion relating to Faith, repentance, baptism etc. They seem to skip completely over the first part which tells repeatedly about the importance of the record of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

    So what are we to understand from this? They are all bearing record but why. I can only surmise that it is because we need to receive it not just as a group, but individually.

    One part has been clear to me that Receiving the testimony of the Holy Ghost is related to the receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. After Baptism of water we have hands placed upon our heads and are then Confirmed a member of the church and directed or commanded to “Receive the Holy Ghost”, specifically NOT the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This, to me, appear to be the first step in this process, but what comes next? How do we progress in this Doctrine of Christ to receive the record of the Son and then the Father?

    Recently I was in a stake priesthood meeting and by no surprise one of the speakers talked about the Oath and Covenant of the priesthood as found in Doctrine and Covenants section 84, in ways that are quite normal throughout the church, but honestly are contrary to the intent of the Oath and Covenant as I understand it. There were some things that jumped out to me as they never have before. The Spirit was finally giving me some answers to long sought after questions.

35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;

36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;

37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;

38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.

40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.

48 And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.

    I would like to first articulate that the oath and covenant of the priesthood has nothing to do with Ordination in the Priesthood and everything to do with receiving the ordinances of the priesthood  which are available to all worthy members.

    If I understand what this is saying then, as we listen to (and follow) the record of the Holy Ghost, we will be brought to Christ and receive his record, by way of his servants, (note it does not distinguish ordained servants, for example ordinances for women in the temple are not done by ordained men ) through receiving the ordinances of the priesthood. Once we partake of the ordinances of the priesthood and live the associated covenants we will be taught by the Father the covenants and receive his record and when we live them as he has taught them to us we receive the Father’s kingdom.

    I would like to point out one other things as it relates here

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.

    In the past I have always been taught that the power of godliness is all of God’s power, but as I read it presently it stands out to me that this is talking about the Power to make one like God which is really what the Doctrine of Christ is all about. Helping us reach our greatest Potential and making it our Reality.

What is the Power of the priesthood?

 

    Over the last couple of years the “Power of the Priesthood” has been emphasized over and over again. We have been implored to study it and build up our Power in the priesthood. We have been directed to do this in meetings throughout the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To include General conference, Sacrament, Priesthood, Stake Priesthood, Sunday School meetings. It is a trend that if you haven’t noticed is considered really important, and you must not be paying any attention at all.

    The Priesthood is important and holds a very important place and is spoken of in the scriptures, specifically in the Doctrine and Covenants, but really mostly ignored through all other works of scripture. The Book of Mormon hardly even uses the term, Priesthood. In fact only Alma the Younger uses the term Priesthood at all in the Book of Mormon.

    For a man who has been given the responsibility over the Church his father established and the responsibility over the National religion as inherited from King Mosiah, who ran the equivalent of the States Religion, with the transition to governance by Judges verses the past Theocratic Monarch. Then as Alma the younger stepped away from his role of Chief Judge he repeatedly struggled to convey his authority to the people, now having separated the Church from state it is no wonder we have his words regarding the role of Priesthood Authority, but never does he mention Priesthood Power!

    Most places in the Book of Mormon where you would expect to find the term Power of the Priesthood it talks instead of the Power of the Holy Ghost which is oddly not something we talk much of in the Lexicon of the Church. Although I feel most of the time when we say Power of the Priesthood we are really talking about the Power of the Holy Ghost. If the book that holds the “fullness of the gospel” is so silent on Priesthood how important can the Power of the Priesthood be.

    If you look for the exact term “Priesthood power” you will find zero (0) references. Only a quick search of the exact phrase “Power of the Priesthood” will you find any references to this doctrinal topic in all conical scripture. You might be surprised to find there are only two (2) results for this term that is so important.

    They are found in D&C 128:8 and D&C 132:45 and in both cases they are talking about the exact same thing. This makes it really easy to identify what the Power of the Priesthood is. I encourage all to read these verses and there surrounding verses to uncover the mystery to Power of the Priesthood’s importance.

    All I can weed out of these verses is that Priesthood Power is the administration process by which ordinances, specifically sealings, are recorded on Earth and in Heaven to have eternal import. Wait! What?

    The Power of the Priesthood is simply and most accurately: The administrative function of recording simultaneously the accomplishment of sealings on Earth and in Heaven. Which is truly a remarkable thing, but why are we spending so much time talking about it, and why are we attaching so much to it that is simply not there according to the scriptures.

    I admit my search criteria might be considered overly restrictive. If you were to search for instead “Power of” you will get many more results. But here is a synopsis of those that pertain to the question at hand.

Doctrine and Covenants 113:8 – Denotes that The power of the Priesthood is to bring again Zion, and redemption if Israel by putting on Priesthood Authority. This is talking about what Priesthood Authority has the power to accomplish, not “Power of the Priesthood.”

Doctrine and Covenants 112:30 – Talks about Power of the Priesthood as it relates to Priesthood Keys over a dispensation, once again Authority not some ominous Power.

Doctrine and Covenants 131:5 – Talking about the means by which a person is sealed up unto eternal Life.

    Most of the other 40+ search results are talking about the Power of the Holy Ghost, or power of my Spirit. Not relating to Priesthood.

    If you really want to know about what leaders are calling the Power of the Priesthood, I strongly encourage you to study the Power of the Holy Ghost and just understand when people are using the wrong term that this is what they are really talking about most of the time.

 

 

Greater love hath no man?

 

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

     This statement by the savior himself has puzzled and perplexed me off and on over the years. In my youth it seemed quite straight forward. Christ, the son of God, was declaring to what extent his love for us would take him, to the Mount of Olives and on to Golgotha.  He would Die for us. Which is true.

     We have been taught that the pure love of Christ, or Charity, is a trait that is worthy of our efforts to obtain for ourselves and not just obtain, but to emulate. Does that mean, we too must Die for the ones we love, our friends, in order to truly follow in his footsteps. To become like him.

     Just previous to this classification of what great love is, the Lord gives a commandment that harkens back to the two greatest commandments. He declares in John 15:12 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

     I know that my death would not be seen as a sign of love from my wife and children, my brothers and sisters, my co-workers and colleagues. So how can that equate to the Greatest of Loves?

     Although the savior did die for us, he did not use that term. He used the term “lay down his life.” I think that that is really the key to understanding what he is teaching here, it is why he was so saddened when he returned from his father’s presence to find his “friends” fishing once more, having returned to their lives.

     When your children come to you and ask for help, do you tell them you need 5 more minutes, or do you think to yourself, “I love you”, and stop what you’re doing, laying down your life, and giving it to them for that small moment so they can show you a picture of something colorful and unrecognizable.

     When you here that someone miles away needs help with something that seams meaningless and a huge time suck and completely unworthy of your time when you already feel like you are overwhelmed with what’s already on your plate, and you go and help anyway, never mentioning the sacrifice you made to be in there presence. Is that not the Greatest Love?

     I think it is important that he said that life is “laid down” because when you return; it is still there. It still needs to be done, and lived. I also think it stands out that he is not asking you to do this just for a Stanger, a nameless face in the crowd, that just stands in need. The Son of Man specifies that this Love, greatest of all is done for a Friend. That is not to imply that we should not do service for strangers because then it doesn’t really count. No I don’t mean that at all, nor do I think that the greatest of all did either. Service to a Friend, that is the level of association we should develop and foster with those that we serve, those that we love.

     I know I have served many people that I knew nothing about, moving their stuff. “STUFF!”  I remember talking to a mother and daughter as they were leaving there pew in the chapel after a sacrament meeting and saying something to the effect of, “I think your daughter left her stuff”. The mother turned to her daughter and said something like, “Love, you don’t want to leave your treasures behind.”  The daughter quickly and eagerly complied. I am still trying to take positive action from that lesson. I  have worked in yards removing blackberries and cutting and hauling fire wood, helped build and remodel homes, never even knowing who they were that I served, not even their names. To be fair I have been ok with that, but maybe I should care more, I know the savior would.

     I have heard lots of definitions in my life as to what “Love” is and almost as many variations on what it means to be “a friend.” Christ’s definition here in the following two verses seams to stand in stark contrast to what I have heard before. John 15:14

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

    This definition terrifies me. It sounds like every Popular Mean girl trope ever presented in literature or Video format. Where every reader or viewer on the outside instantly sees as Toxic, and Abusive, and you just want to grab there poor little minions and say “Run away”! But this is the sacrificial lamb the linchpin of the Father’s plan of happiness, saying the equivalent of, “You will do it if you love me.” It is like he wants you to be his Servant.  He even points this out as Christ goes on to say in verse 15 

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 

    The Master calls them friends because he shares with them the Why of his commandments. He is sharing with them his burdens, the demands on him and his time. He is sharing the most important things of his life with them. He is sharing with them the gospel that he received from his father, our Heavenly Father. It is that sharing of knowledge and burden that makes us more than servants in the Savior eyes, but his Friends. 

    As has been said before, “the miracle was not that the Savior Died, but that he lives again.” My I invite you all too Lay down your lives a little more often, and to make a friend out of those your serve. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.