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.

The Light of Christ . . . is what exactly?

2020 has been a great year for our family, full of miracles and choices that from an outside observer would seem absolute lunacy. Prior to the starting of 2020 I had been struggling for 7 ½ years. I was at a great paying job where for some reason I was hated for doing my job. I was in fear every day I went to work. My whole body would tense up when others were around. It was like being locked in a room with an unfamiliar and very vicious dog unsure of what was going to trigger an attack. And that dog did attack, and to often.  It got bad enough I feared for my life and would carry an audio recorder with me so if actual violence occurred I could have some form of proof.   I would pray in personal, couple and family prayer that My heart would be softened and that my coworkers would be blessed. My work Life was very dark for me.

I was reading my scriptures individually, as a family and as a couple. I was going to church, fulfilling callings, performing home teaching and ministering assignments, and even dutifully having family home evening which I lead and initiated each week as Husbands should. I was attending the temple regularly and I was preparing and taking names each time. I was still feeling God’s love, I was still having near daily revelation. I was not alone, but my work life was absolutely miserable. 

At the end of 2019 things drastically changed. I felt inspired that I was done.  I was going to change careers. I had a new heading and I was spending all of my free time working towards that goal. Doing things I had never imagined that I would even learn about. Only to reach the last stage of that preparation to receive my finial certification when I was denied that opportunity because of the pandemic. 

Things started to change drastically at work, on the first of January 2020. There was no change of personnel. I have no idea what the catalyst was, but my body no longer tensed up,. I didn’t feel the need to carry the recorder anymore.  I was calm and unafraid.  Then a call came to my phone, at my desk, at work, inquiring if I would be interested in a job. The same kind of job I was already doing, only near Goldendale. I had interviewed for many jobs over the last 3 years, but would always get to the interview and feel it was not what the lord wanted and turn it down. Which was really hard because I knew how bad things were for me at my job at the time. And well I’m here now, so you know the end of that story.

Today I am going to talk about struggles and light, specifically the struggle between Good and Evil and the Light of Christ. I pray that the spirit will be here today. The term, “Light of Christ” is only found in the scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. Yet it is a term that is used throughout Christendom and although referred to by many different names is taught throughout the Bible. We even have record of Jesus Christ himself teaching about it, and since he is the master teacher I will start first with his words.

In the end of 1832 the Prophet Joseph smith was under attack from members inside the church living in Missouri, or Zion as it had been designated by the Lord. He was greatly troubled because of these attacks. In these circumstance he meet with 8 other high Priests and received the revelation now recorder as Section 88 of the doctrine and covenants and commonly referred to as the “olive leaf . . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise” as it was described by the prophet.

I think it is interesting that Joseph Smith referred to this revelation in that way. In some Hebrew traditions the Olive tree is the representation of the tree of life. In Revelations we learn that the Tree of Life exist in the, "midst of the Paradise of God" (Revelations 2:&). In the Saviors words about the Light of Christ he says that the Light of Christ , “ giveth life to all things “ (D&C 88:13)  Mormon teaches, as you may remember from you reading this week, that the Light of Christ is how we should judge between Good and Evil.

In the Garden of Eden there were two tree. The Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil. It was not the tree of right and wrong. It was of knowledge of Good, which is another name for God. Christ's birth was the Good Tidings brought by the angels to the shepherds, Jesus is the Good Shepard, and It was Christ that taught the rich young man that, "No one is good except god alone."(Mark 10:18) and as Mormon declared “all things which are good cometh of Christ;” (7:24). The term Evil here is translated from the Hebrew word Ra and means, "willful disobedience of God and his intentions for human beings." So it is possible that both trees of the garden represent distinct aspects of the Light of Christ.

Even Eve taught about the Light of Christ without calling it by names as recorded in Moses 5:11 -

Were it not for our transgression we . . . never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

In section 88 Christ starts by letting Joseph know, despite all his troubles, he is on the right path and then says he is sending in some help.

3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.

4 This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;

5 Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ.

Growing up in the church I remember many lessons on the Light of Christ, but it confuses me that they never seemed to incorporate this teaching from the savior himself.

Elder Marion G. Romney helped fill in some of my gaps in understanding of the Light of Christ. He taught that there are actually  3 distinct phases to the, “Light of Christ”

“The first one is the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world;

The second phase is the gift of the Holy Ghost;

And the third is the more sure word of prophecy.”

This 3rd phase is the one the Lord spoke of in section 88. Which makes sense since all present where already members of the church and well acquainted with the gift of the Holy Ghost. We also hear it referred to as having ones “Calling and election made sure”, or as Christ termed it the Holy Spirit of promise, the “Other” or “Second Comforter”. It, “is the promise which (the Lord) give(s) . . . of eternal life, even the glory of the Celestial kingdom"

I find it interesting that Christ describes his qualifications to give this message:

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

It makes me feel like he describing how he because one with and a source of the Light of Christ. It was not because he was blessed to be born spiritually and physically of god, although he was. It was not because he was chosen and agreed to be the linchpin of the Father’s plan in the celestial courts above, although he was. It was because he suffered and endured such trials that he qualified to have such mastery and oneness with the light of Christ that he became The Christ.

Christ goes on to teach that the Light of Christ “proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space” (88:12) It is how the Sun, moon, stars, and earth where created and continue to operate. Speaking of that, Our Son Devon was baptized yesterday and I would like, with his permission to share something that happened in his Baptismal interview. The Bishop asked if he knew that Jesus Loves him. Devon responded, "Well yea, He made this whole world for us, what else says love like that". The Light of Christ is the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things., (88:7-10, 13) 

The Light of Christ might sound like the 4th member of the godhead, but the Light of Christ is not a personage at all. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints we know that God the Father and Jesus Christ have glorified perfected physical bodies and the Holy Ghost a spirit body, and none can literally be everywhere. The Light of Christ is how they fill the immensity of space and are through all things and in all things. It is how they are all knowing  and even how they are all powerful. If we want to become like God, then it is essential for us to grow in the Light of Christ.

So how do we use the Light of Christ to judge between Good an Evil? Mormon explains in chapter 7 of Moroni:

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ (or the Light of Christ) is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

 If we would follow this council think how drastically different our lives would be. Think of how different our choices would be. Think how our priorities would change.

Mormon continues by says that although the Light of Christ is given to everyone that enters into the world, we are still required to “search diligently” to be able to make proper use of it in judging Good and evil. Do you search diligently in the light of Christ? It is also interesting that he suggest that it is by searching diligently in the Light of Christ that we can become, “a child of Christ.” This phrase makes me think of how Christ taught the Nephites at the Temple in Bountiful that after we are baptized we need to, "become as a little child".  After Baptism you are confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints and commanded to Receive the Holy Ghost. If received, this gift will guide you in what you should do to gain more light. What sort of things will the Holy Ghost direct you to do to increase in the Light of Christ?

The Third and Last reference that uses the exact phrase Light of Christ is found in Alma 28. Here Mormon finishes his abridgment of the Missionary labors of Ammon and his brothers, or the sons of Mosiah. If you remember their missions included being put in prison, fighting off bandits, civil wars , and the slaughter of many of the saints because the had believed in the words of the Sons of Mosiah's. With this in mind Mormon shares this:

14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life. (Alma 28)

Christ gives a nice summary of how his Laborers in the vineyard interact with the Light of Christ in section 50 of the Doctrine of Covenants.

26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.

27 Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.

28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin.

29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.

 I know that "he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) I know that despite how dark and foreboding the world might become around us, that we can, like Ammon and so many before us, receive the Joy of Celestial glory here in the Flesh, and its fullness for all eternity, that we might hear the Master speak to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" It is by increasing in the Light of Christ that we will become like and one with the Savior and one with the Father. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.