In the Old Testament I read that if we reprove a wise man, it will make him yet wiser and he'll love us for it. A scorner will hate us for reproving him, but a wise man will learn from it. Which are we, wise or foolish, when someone reproves us? Do we become defensive and angry or do we try to learn from what they say and improve ourselves? Prov. 9: 8-9 "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."
In the Book of Mormon I read a familiar verse that tells us that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God. If we truly love the Lord and want to serve Him, we'll find ways to serve and love other people. Mosiah 2: 17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Some verses with a thought booklet can give us great comfort at this time when the world is in so much turmoil and so many are in need of jobs or sufficient to meet their needs. We need to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us. The thought that went with this, written by LeVerta Massey from Ypsilanti, Michigan says: In the early 1980s I was a junior in college struggling to raise two young children. I was divorced, disabled, and without chid support. One day I read a devotional guide in which the scripture was Matthew 6:25-34. As I read it, hope began to blossom. From then on, every time I because discouraged and wanted to quit school, I recited the scripture aloud. "Take no thought!" I would cry in the middle of the night. It became my daily mantra. We needed food, clothing, and shelter--and God knew it. Early one Sunday morning in January 1984, I prayed for the money to buy boots for my children. We dressed and walked to church, and as we were leaving one of the brothers shook my hand and left enough money in it to buy both children boots. I wept all the way home as I remembered that God knew of our needs. Lord, in the name of Jesus, help us to remember that you are all-knowing. Help us not to worry, but to cast all our cares upon you. Matt. 6: 25-34 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
And it shall come to pass in the last days,when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains....The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that if we hate the Lord, we love death and if we sin against Him, we wrong our own souls. When we commit sin, we're really hurting ourselves. Prov. 8: 36 "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
In the Book of Mormon I read an admonition from King Benjamin to his sons that they should search the scriptures diligently and keep the commandments of God. If they would do this, God would fulfill His promises made to their fathers and they would propsper in the land. Mosiah 1: 7 "And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we need to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power, putting on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil. If we think we're strong enough to stand up against the devil by ourselves, we're in for a fall. We need God's strengthening power, which is only a prayer away. Eph. 6: 10-11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
In the Book of Mormon I read an admonition from King Benjamin to his sons that they should search the scriptures diligently and keep the commandments of God. If they would do this, God would fulfill His promises made to their fathers and they would propsper in the land. Mosiah 1: 7 "And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we need to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power, putting on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil. If we think we're strong enough to stand up against the devil by ourselves, we're in for a fall. We need God's strengthening power, which is only a prayer away. Eph. 6: 10-11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Monday, March 29, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read that wisdom is of more value than rubies. Indeed, you can't place a monetary price on it. Prov. 8: 11 "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."
In the Book of Mormon I read that every good thing comes from God and every evil think comes from the devil. We need to come unto Christ and offer our whole souls as an offering to Him. If we continue in fasting and prayer and endure to the end, we will be saved. Omni 1: 25-26 "And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil. And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who are far from the Lord will perish, but it is good for us to trust in God and draw close to Him, declaring all His works. Ps. 73: 27-28 "For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
In the Book of Mormon I read that every good thing comes from God and every evil think comes from the devil. We need to come unto Christ and offer our whole souls as an offering to Him. If we continue in fasting and prayer and endure to the end, we will be saved. Omni 1: 25-26 "And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil. And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that those who are far from the Lord will perish, but it is good for us to trust in God and draw close to Him, declaring all His works. Ps. 73: 27-28 "For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how a whorish woman can lead a man like an ox to slaughter and the house of an adulterous woman is the way to hell. Prov. 7: 10-27 "And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the people were hard hearted, stiffnecked, and spiritually blind and deaf. But the Lord showed great mercy in not immediately sweeping them from the face of the land. He sent them prophets to teach them of Jesus Christ, even though it was hundreds of years before He would be born in the flesh. These prophets exhorted them to repentance, and it was only through these continaul efforts that the people were not destroyed. The Lord does indeed give us every opportunity to repent and come unto Him, and shows much longsuffering towards us. Jarom 1: 3, 10-12 "Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land. Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them. And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance."
Some verses with a thought booklet remind us to keep our thoughts on things of virtue and purity, honesty and truth. If we do this, the God of peace will be with us. We are what we think. If we keep our thoughts right, our actions will follow. Sometimes we guard certain aspects of our life very carefully--putting locks on our homes and cars, installing security systems, and putting our money in banks. But how careful are we about guarding our lives from the influences of Satan? To keep him out, we need to keep our thoughts centered on the Lord. Philip. 4: 8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the people were hard hearted, stiffnecked, and spiritually blind and deaf. But the Lord showed great mercy in not immediately sweeping them from the face of the land. He sent them prophets to teach them of Jesus Christ, even though it was hundreds of years before He would be born in the flesh. These prophets exhorted them to repentance, and it was only through these continaul efforts that the people were not destroyed. The Lord does indeed give us every opportunity to repent and come unto Him, and shows much longsuffering towards us. Jarom 1: 3, 10-12 "Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land. And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land. Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them. And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance."
Some verses with a thought booklet remind us to keep our thoughts on things of virtue and purity, honesty and truth. If we do this, the God of peace will be with us. We are what we think. If we keep our thoughts right, our actions will follow. Sometimes we guard certain aspects of our life very carefully--putting locks on our homes and cars, installing security systems, and putting our money in banks. But how careful are we about guarding our lives from the influences of Satan? To keep him out, we need to keep our thoughts centered on the Lord. Philip. 4: 8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we're told that a man who commits adultery lacks understanding because he destroys his own soul. You can't walk on hot coals and not burn your feet, and you can't touch your neighbor's wife and be innocent. Prov. 6: 27-29, 32-33 "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how Enos turned to the Lord and was forgiven of his sins, through faith in Jesus Christ. I'm always amazed about how he prayed all day and then continued on into the night. I remember one time trying to pray for one hour. It wasn't an easy task. I thanked the Lord for everything I could think of to thank Him for and then started praying for everyone I knew, one by one. But when I peaked at my watch, the hour was far from over. I cannot imagine how a person could pray all day and all night like that. But it seems to have brought miraculous results to Enos, as he had a total change of heart and an assurance that his sins were swept away, through faith in Jesus Christ. Enos 1: 2-8 "And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us we should never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual fervor in serving the Lord. When we're given a calling in church or asked to serve in some way, do we react with less than enthusism sometimes? This should not be! We should willingly serve wherever we're called and do so with an attitude of excitement. If we'll turn to the Lord for help, He'll strengthen us and give us the abilities we need to be up to the task. Rom. 12: 11 "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
In the Book of Mormon I read about how Enos turned to the Lord and was forgiven of his sins, through faith in Jesus Christ. I'm always amazed about how he prayed all day and then continued on into the night. I remember one time trying to pray for one hour. It wasn't an easy task. I thanked the Lord for everything I could think of to thank Him for and then started praying for everyone I knew, one by one. But when I peaked at my watch, the hour was far from over. I cannot imagine how a person could pray all day and all night like that. But it seems to have brought miraculous results to Enos, as he had a total change of heart and an assurance that his sins were swept away, through faith in Jesus Christ. Enos 1: 2-8 "And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us we should never be lacking in zeal, but keep our spiritual fervor in serving the Lord. When we're given a calling in church or asked to serve in some way, do we react with less than enthusism sometimes? This should not be! We should willingly serve wherever we're called and do so with an attitude of excitement. If we'll turn to the Lord for help, He'll strengthen us and give us the abilities we need to be up to the task. Rom. 12: 11 "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
Friday, March 26, 2010
Daily Thoughts
A verse from the Old Testament tells us to look at the commandments as a lamp that shows us the way to go and a light so we can see the pathway to follow. We should consider reproof as a way of life. Prov. 6: 23 "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
In the Book of Mormon I read the story of Sherem who denied that there would be a Christ and contended with Jacob. He was able to shake the faith of many people, but not Jacob who had great faith. Sherem claimed to believe in the scriptures, but Jacob pointed out to him that the scriptures are full of testimonies of Jesus Christ, who all the prophets down through the ages testified of. Sherem demanded a sign if he were to believe, and the sign that was given was that God struck him down. Before he died, he admitted that he had been deceived by the devil and witnessed that Christ would indeed come as prophesied by all the prophets and testified of in the scriptures. Jacob 7: 1-20 "And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words. And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea. And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost. And it came to pass that he said unto me: Show me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much. And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine. And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth. And it came to pass that he was nourished for the space of many days. And it came to pass that he said unto the people: Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people before I shall die. And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment. And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God. And it came to pass that when he had said these words he could say no more, and he gave up the ghost."
In a verse from a thought booklet Jesus instructed His apostles to go forth and perform miracles among the people, healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead, reminding them that they have freely received and they need to freely give. Indeed, we've all been given so much by the Lord and need to generously give to others to the best of our abilities. God pours out blessings extravagantly for us. Shouldn't we be lavish in giving to others? Matt. 10: 8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
In the Book of Mormon I read the story of Sherem who denied that there would be a Christ and contended with Jacob. He was able to shake the faith of many people, but not Jacob who had great faith. Sherem claimed to believe in the scriptures, but Jacob pointed out to him that the scriptures are full of testimonies of Jesus Christ, who all the prophets down through the ages testified of. Sherem demanded a sign if he were to believe, and the sign that was given was that God struck him down. Before he died, he admitted that he had been deceived by the devil and witnessed that Christ would indeed come as prophesied by all the prophets and testified of in the scriptures. Jacob 7: 1-20 "And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem. And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words. And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea. And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost. And it came to pass that he said unto me: Show me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much. And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine. And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth. And it came to pass that he was nourished for the space of many days. And it came to pass that he said unto the people: Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people before I shall die. And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment. And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God. And it came to pass that when he had said these words he could say no more, and he gave up the ghost."
In a verse from a thought booklet Jesus instructed His apostles to go forth and perform miracles among the people, healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead, reminding them that they have freely received and they need to freely give. Indeed, we've all been given so much by the Lord and need to generously give to others to the best of our abilities. God pours out blessings extravagantly for us. Shouldn't we be lavish in giving to others? Matt. 10: 8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament a list of things the Lord hates are named and we're told to keep the commandments. Prov. 6: 16-20 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh blies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
In the Book of Mormon I read that God has shown great mercy and patience in giving us every opportunity to repent and come unto Him. But if we are stiffnecked and harden our hearts, quenching the Spriit, rejecting the words of the prophets, and rejecting the word of Christ, we'll end up in a lake of fire and brimstone in endless torment. We need to be wise and repent so that we can obtain eternal life. Jacob 6: 4-12 "And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die? For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire? Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God? And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment. O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. O be wise; what can I say more?"
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that sometimes a way will seem right to us, but in the end it is the way to death. Have you ever prayed for something that seemed really good for you but God didn't seem to answer your prayers? Maybe years later you looked back on it and realized that God was right all along. Maybe if he'd given you the job you prayed for or the companion you wanted, it would have turned out to be a disaster. If He'd healed us of an illness when we wanted to be healed, we would have missed out on all the lessons and growth we gained from struggling through it. We need to trust in the Lord and His eternal perspective and know that when he answers our prayers with "no" there is a reason for it and it is for our best good in the long run. Prov. 16: 25 "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
In the Book of Mormon I read that God has shown great mercy and patience in giving us every opportunity to repent and come unto Him. But if we are stiffnecked and harden our hearts, quenching the Spriit, rejecting the words of the prophets, and rejecting the word of Christ, we'll end up in a lake of fire and brimstone in endless torment. We need to be wise and repent so that we can obtain eternal life. Jacob 6: 4-12 "And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die? For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire? Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God? And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment. O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. O be wise; what can I say more?"
A verse with a thought booklet reminds us that sometimes a way will seem right to us, but in the end it is the way to death. Have you ever prayed for something that seemed really good for you but God didn't seem to answer your prayers? Maybe years later you looked back on it and realized that God was right all along. Maybe if he'd given you the job you prayed for or the companion you wanted, it would have turned out to be a disaster. If He'd healed us of an illness when we wanted to be healed, we would have missed out on all the lessons and growth we gained from struggling through it. We need to trust in the Lord and His eternal perspective and know that when he answers our prayers with "no" there is a reason for it and it is for our best good in the long run. Prov. 16: 25 "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read some verses that condemn slothfulness. They tell the sluggard to look at the industrious ant who works hard even though unsupervised and gathers food for the harvest. The sluggard is told to arise out of sleep and get to work! Prov. 6: 6-9 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?"
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the master of the vineyard wept and grieved over his trees that did not bring forth good fruit, in spite of the fact that he'd done everything he could to nourish them. Do you think this might be simmilar to how the Lord feels when He does everything He can to nourish and strenghten us, but we choose to make bad decisions in our lives and bring forth instead "evil fruit." Jacob 5: 40-41, 46-47 "And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard? And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit ; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive-tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them. But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?"
Some verses with a thought booklet liken thirsting for God to a hart who pants after water brooks. Have you every been really thirsty and nothing sounded better than a cool drink of water? Imagine thirsting after God with that same zeal. Do we think of Him day and night, with tears continually because we want to find Him so much? That's how much we should want to find God. It should be the desire of our souls. Ps. 42: 1-3 "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?"
In the Book of Mormon I read about how the master of the vineyard wept and grieved over his trees that did not bring forth good fruit, in spite of the fact that he'd done everything he could to nourish them. Do you think this might be simmilar to how the Lord feels when He does everything He can to nourish and strenghten us, but we choose to make bad decisions in our lives and bring forth instead "evil fruit." Jacob 5: 40-41, 46-47 "And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard? And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit ; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive-tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them. But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?"
Some verses with a thought booklet liken thirsting for God to a hart who pants after water brooks. Have you every been really thirsty and nothing sounded better than a cool drink of water? Imagine thirsting after God with that same zeal. Do we think of Him day and night, with tears continually because we want to find Him so much? That's how much we should want to find God. It should be the desire of our souls. Ps. 42: 1-3 "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?"
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it says that those who embrace immoral women go down to hell. Prov. 5: 3-5 "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell."
In the Book of Mormon I read how the Lord likened the House of Isreal to a tame olive tree which waxed old and began to decay. However, instead of giving up on it, the master of the vineyard pruned it, dug about it, and nourished it to try to prevent it from perishing. The Lord likewise shows much patience with us, giving us every opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Jacob 5: 3-5 "For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive-tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive-tree began to decay; and he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not. And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to his word."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation and will give us strength. So we have no need to be afraid. Ps. 27: 1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
In the Book of Mormon I read how the Lord likened the House of Isreal to a tame olive tree which waxed old and began to decay. However, instead of giving up on it, the master of the vineyard pruned it, dug about it, and nourished it to try to prevent it from perishing. The Lord likewise shows much patience with us, giving us every opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Jacob 5: 3-5 "For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of Israel, like unto a tame olive-tree, which a man took and nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, and he saw that his olive-tree began to decay; and he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it perish not. And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, and nourished it according to his word."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation and will give us strength. So we have no need to be afraid. Ps. 27: 1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Monday, March 22, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we're told not to withhold doing goood to others when it's in our power to do it. Prov. 3: 27 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that tells us that prophets testified of Jesus Christ many hundreds of years before He was born, and they wrote about Him with the intent to teach others the hope of His glory. Jacob 4: 4 "For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the temptations that come into our life are no different that what others experience. But God is faithful and will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that we can't stand up against it. In other words, no temptation will be given to us that we can't resist if we really want to, and are willing to allow the Lord to help us overcome. That throw all our excuses out the window. Things like "The devil made me do it" or "Nobody could have resisted that!" just don't hold water. 1 Cor. 10: 13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that tells us that prophets testified of Jesus Christ many hundreds of years before He was born, and they wrote about Him with the intent to teach others the hope of His glory. Jacob 4: 4 "For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the temptations that come into our life are no different that what others experience. But God is faithful and will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that we can't stand up against it. In other words, no temptation will be given to us that we can't resist if we really want to, and are willing to allow the Lord to help us overcome. That throw all our excuses out the window. Things like "The devil made me do it" or "Nobody could have resisted that!" just don't hold water. 1 Cor. 10: 13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it says we should not be weary of the chastening of the Lord because he corrects those He loves, just as a father chastens a child he loves. Prov. 3: 11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that the judgments of God will come up against those who break the hearts of their wives and children, causing them to sob and lift up their voices to God. Those who pierce the hearts of their wives and children with deep wounds will have to answer to God. Jacob 2: 35 "Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds."
I read a comforting verse with a thought booklet telling us that when we're laboring under heavy burdens, we can come to Christ and He will give us rest. We don't need to struggle alone with our problems and trials--all we need to do is come unto Him and He will help us. Matt. 11: 28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
In the Book of Mormon I read a verse that the judgments of God will come up against those who break the hearts of their wives and children, causing them to sob and lift up their voices to God. Those who pierce the hearts of their wives and children with deep wounds will have to answer to God. Jacob 2: 35 "Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds."
I read a comforting verse with a thought booklet telling us that when we're laboring under heavy burdens, we can come to Christ and He will give us rest. We don't need to struggle alone with our problems and trials--all we need to do is come unto Him and He will help us. Matt. 11: 28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it tells us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, and He'll direct our paths. Prov. 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine cown understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
In the Book of Mormon I read about how we should seek the Kingdom of God before seeking for riches. And we should only seek after riches for the intent of doing good--clothing the naked and feeding the hungry, rather than trying to use the riches to put ourselves above others. Having a lot of money does not make us better than anyone else and pride will destroy our souls. Jacob 2: 13-19 "And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they. And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you. O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust! O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls! Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to be cheerful in all circumstances, pray all the time, and thank God no matter what happens. I think praying continually and thanking God in all things are the keys to being able to be cheerful in all circumstances. When our hearts are full of gratitude, we are happy. 1 Thes. 5: 16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
---------------------------------------------------
In the Book of Mormon I read about how we should seek the Kingdom of God before seeking for riches. And we should only seek after riches for the intent of doing good--clothing the naked and feeding the hungry, rather than trying to use the riches to put ourselves above others. Having a lot of money does not make us better than anyone else and pride will destroy our souls. Jacob 2: 13-19 "And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they. And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you. O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust! O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls! Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet tell us to be cheerful in all circumstances, pray all the time, and thank God no matter what happens. I think praying continually and thanking God in all things are the keys to being able to be cheerful in all circumstances. When our hearts are full of gratitude, we are happy. 1 Thes. 5: 16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
---------------------------------------------------
Friday, March 19, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it tells us that if we keep the commandments and don't forget the law, we'll have long, peaceful lives. Prov. 3: 1-2 "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."
I read in the Book of Mormon how the people knew of Christ, through revelation and prophesy, hundreds of years before He was born in the flesh. They labored diligently to teach these doctrines and persuade all men to come unto Christ and not rebel against God. Jacob 1: 6-8 "And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come. Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not center in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness. Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi."
Some verses with a thought booklet teach us the importance of forgiving others. When the disciples were taught this, they thought they needed more faith in order to do this. But Jesus taught them that they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed and they could perform mighty miracles. The thought that went with this, written by Bob LaForge from Freehold, New Jersey, says: When we struggle with forgiving others, the problem is often not that we do not have enought faith to forgive but rather that we do not want to. We want to see them suffer for what they did. We want them to feel the same hurt that they made us feel. It is only when we understand just how much God has forgiven us that we can truly put thse thoughts and feelings aside and forgive. When we are sinned against, we must focus not on the offense but on God's forgivensss and his power to move a mulberry tree--and us--to forgive. Luke 17: 3-6 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."
I read in the Book of Mormon how the people knew of Christ, through revelation and prophesy, hundreds of years before He was born in the flesh. They labored diligently to teach these doctrines and persuade all men to come unto Christ and not rebel against God. Jacob 1: 6-8 "And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come. Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not center in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness. Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi."
Some verses with a thought booklet teach us the importance of forgiving others. When the disciples were taught this, they thought they needed more faith in order to do this. But Jesus taught them that they only needed faith the size of a mustard seed and they could perform mighty miracles. The thought that went with this, written by Bob LaForge from Freehold, New Jersey, says: When we struggle with forgiving others, the problem is often not that we do not have enought faith to forgive but rather that we do not want to. We want to see them suffer for what they did. We want them to feel the same hurt that they made us feel. It is only when we understand just how much God has forgiven us that we can truly put thse thoughts and feelings aside and forgive. When we are sinned against, we must focus not on the offense but on God's forgivensss and his power to move a mulberry tree--and us--to forgive. Luke 17: 3-6 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament we read the fate of those who refuse to hearken to the counsel of the Lord and turn from His reproof--He will not answer when they call to Him in their distress. However, those who deed heed the words of the Lord will dwell safely and their fears will be quieted. Prov. 1: 23-33 "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."
In the Book of Mormon I read Nephi's parting words, a very moving discourse that testifies of Christ. He says that his words are of great worth, but there are many who will harden their hearts against them and esteem them as things of naught. He said he prayed continaully for these people, weeping into his pillow at night, wanting to persuade them to do good and to believe in Christ so they could have eternal life. Hw showed great faith in Jesus Christ and great charity for the people, and hoped to meet many of them spotless before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Ne. 33: 2-7 "But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil. I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that it's important to be people of integrity and list some qualities that we must posses in order to demonstrate integrity--doing what's right, walking blamelessly, not slandering others, not doing evil to a friend, honoring those who fear the Lord, keeping our word, lending money without charging interest, and not taking bribes. We need to be the kind of people who can be trusted. Ps. 15: 1-5 "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."
In the Book of Mormon I read Nephi's parting words, a very moving discourse that testifies of Christ. He says that his words are of great worth, but there are many who will harden their hearts against them and esteem them as things of naught. He said he prayed continaully for these people, weeping into his pillow at night, wanting to persuade them to do good and to believe in Christ so they could have eternal life. Hw showed great faith in Jesus Christ and great charity for the people, and hoped to meet many of them spotless before the judgment seat of Christ. 2 Ne. 33: 2-7 "But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil. I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that it's important to be people of integrity and list some qualities that we must posses in order to demonstrate integrity--doing what's right, walking blamelessly, not slandering others, not doing evil to a friend, honoring those who fear the Lord, keeping our word, lending money without charging interest, and not taking bribes. We need to be the kind of people who can be trusted. Ps. 15: 1-5 "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it says that the Lord heals broken hearts and binds up wounds. And He is so knowledgable that He knows all the stars by name, has great power and infinite understanding. Ps. 147: 3-5 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite."
In the Book of Mormon I read that once we're on the right path--repenting of our sins, being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost--we need to endure to the end and press forward with a steadfastness in Christ and feasting upon His word. If we do these things, we're receive eternal life. But if we deny Him after having witnessed that we're willing to keep the commandments, it would have been better never to have known Him at all. 2 Ne. 31: 14-21 "But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect rightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet are from a Messianic Psalm of David--telling about how Christ would cry out "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and about how he would be mocked and his garments would be parted among them and they'd cast lots for his vesture. Isn't it amazing that such minute details of the crucifixion could be foretold so many hundreds of years before they occurred? God knows all things that are going to occur, even down to the last detail, and He can reveal these things to His prophets. Ps. 22: 1, 7-8, 18 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."
In the Book of Mormon I read that once we're on the right path--repenting of our sins, being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost--we need to endure to the end and press forward with a steadfastness in Christ and feasting upon His word. If we do these things, we're receive eternal life. But if we deny Him after having witnessed that we're willing to keep the commandments, it would have been better never to have known Him at all. 2 Ne. 31: 14-21 "But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect rightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
Some verses with a thought booklet are from a Messianic Psalm of David--telling about how Christ would cry out "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" and about how he would be mocked and his garments would be parted among them and they'd cast lots for his vesture. Isn't it amazing that such minute details of the crucifixion could be foretold so many hundreds of years before they occurred? God knows all things that are going to occur, even down to the last detail, and He can reveal these things to His prophets. Ps. 22: 1, 7-8, 18 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Daily Thoughts
A verse in the Old Testament tells us that he whose hope is in the Lord will be happy. Ps. 146: 5 "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:"
In the Book of Mormon I read some verses that talk about the day when animals will be at peach with each other and none will hurt or destroy. And the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. What a great day that will be. 2 Ne. 30: 12-15 "And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the heavens declare the glories of God and the firmament shows His handywork. When we look at the wonders of creation all around us, how can we doubt that there is a God? Everything He has created testifies of Him. Ps. 19: 1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
In the Book of Mormon I read some verses that talk about the day when animals will be at peach with each other and none will hurt or destroy. And the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. What a great day that will be. 2 Ne. 30: 12-15 "And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
A verse with a thought booklet tells us that the heavens declare the glories of God and the firmament shows His handywork. When we look at the wonders of creation all around us, how can we doubt that there is a God? Everything He has created testifies of Him. Ps. 19: 1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
Monday, March 15, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it says that the Lord hears and answers our prayers and is near to those who call upon Him. He preserves those who love Him and fulfills their desires. Ps. 145: 18-20 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy."
In the Book of Mormon I read that just because we have a Bible we don't need to suppose that it contains all the Word of God and that no more should be written. God speaks to all men in different lands. 2 Ne. 29: 10-11 "Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we can call upon God when we feel distressed or problems surround us, and He will hear us and give us strength. We need to put our trust in Him. Ps. 18: 2-6 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."
In the Book of Mormon I read that just because we have a Bible we don't need to suppose that it contains all the Word of God and that no more should be written. God speaks to all men in different lands. 2 Ne. 29: 10-11 "Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written. For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that we can call upon God when we feel distressed or problems surround us, and He will hear us and give us strength. We need to put our trust in Him. Ps. 18: 2-6 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord is gracious and full of compasion and mercy. He is slow to anger. These are all attributes that we should try to emulate. Ps. 145: 8 "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."
In the Book of Mormon I read that wo be unto those who allow Satan to stir them up to anger against that which is good, or those who allow themselves to be lulled into false security thinking all is well in Zion, or there is no hell or devil, or who deny the power of God thinking that He's already done His work so there's no need for more of His word. Satan has various different lies for all kinds of personalities of people. He uses whatever will work best for each individual. We need to be on our guard against all these lies and false precepts and put our trust in the Lord, not in man. 2 Ne. 28: 19-31 "For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish; For behold, at that day shall he rage in the bhearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell ; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the crock dreceiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall. Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept , here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that faith without works is dead. It is no profit to tell people in need to part in peace but do nothing to help them. Even the devils believe, but that won't save them. We need to put out faith into action and show our faith by what we do. James 2: 14-20 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
---------------------------------------
In the Book of Mormon I read that wo be unto those who allow Satan to stir them up to anger against that which is good, or those who allow themselves to be lulled into false security thinking all is well in Zion, or there is no hell or devil, or who deny the power of God thinking that He's already done His work so there's no need for more of His word. Satan has various different lies for all kinds of personalities of people. He uses whatever will work best for each individual. We need to be on our guard against all these lies and false precepts and put our trust in the Lord, not in man. 2 Ne. 28: 19-31 "For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish; For behold, at that day shall he rage in the bhearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell ; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the crock dreceiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall. Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept , here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that faith without works is dead. It is no profit to tell people in need to part in peace but do nothing to help them. Even the devils believe, but that won't save them. We need to put out faith into action and show our faith by what we do. James 2: 14-20 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
---------------------------------------
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it talks about the greatness of God and how He is worthy of all the praise we can give Him. Ps. 145: 1-5 "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One ageneration shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."
In the Book of Mormon we're told that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and that He is still a God a miracles--performing miracles according to the faith of the children of men. In other words, if we don't have miracles in our lives like the people in ancient scriptures had, it's not because God has changed, it's because we're lacking in faith. 2 Ne. 27: 23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about people whose hearts are so hard that their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes are closed when it comes to hearing and seeing the things of God that could convert them and heal them. They are not able to understand the things of God because their hearts are not right and they really don't want to understand. Matt. 13: 13-15 "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
In the Book of Mormon we're told that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and that He is still a God a miracles--performing miracles according to the faith of the children of men. In other words, if we don't have miracles in our lives like the people in ancient scriptures had, it's not because God has changed, it's because we're lacking in faith. 2 Ne. 27: 23 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
Some verses with a thought booklet talk about people whose hearts are so hard that their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes are closed when it comes to hearing and seeing the things of God that could convert them and heal them. They are not able to understand the things of God because their hearts are not right and they really don't want to understand. Matt. 13: 13-15 "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
Friday, March 12, 2010
BYU Studies Symposium Notes
BYU STUDIES SYMPOSIUM:
Establishing the Church on Earth, With Heaven's Hand:
According to the Laws of God and Man--Legal Insights into the Organization of the Church (David Stott): Next month marks 180 years since the organization of the church. There are no minutes of the meeting on April 6, 1830. Some guess work has to be used. It oopened with prayer. Vote to accept Joseph and Oliver Cowdery as "teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God" and be organized. They gathered in the farmhouse of Peter Whitmer. Ordination of Joseph Smith as "prophet, seer, revelator, and translator" and Oliver Cowdery as elder. Blessed bread and wine. Confirmation of Holy Ghost to "each individual member". Received revelation (Later D&C 21). Called and ordained others to priesthood offices. Testimonies. In additional to this being spiritually significant to those who attended, there were legal reasons David Whitmer said, "The reason we met on that day was this; the world had been telling us that we were not a regularly organized church, and we had no right to officiate in the ordinance of marriage, hold church property, etc." In the 1800's a Corporation is defined as a legal entity composed of individuals united under a common name, the members of which succeeded each other. Benefits of Religious Corporations: 1. Perpetual succession. 2. Property management. 3. Legal rights: contracts, seals, etc. New York Religions Incorporation Statute: 1. Minister gives notice of meeting to congregation. 2. Congregation assembles at the church where church regularly meets to worship. 3. Two elders elected to preside at election of trustees, judge the trustee's qualifications and return name of winners 4. Three to nine trustees elected to take over church's property and transact church's affairs. 5. Certificate filed with county clerk. Fee paid. Fulfilled on April 6, 1830? 1. Joseph Smith gave notice of the upcoming meeting. 2. The Whitmer's home could qualify, although the Whitmers had never hosted a formal church meeting before April 6, 1830. It was the setting for future conferences. 3. While Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were sustains as leaders of the Church, there is no record that they ever presided over the election of any trustees 4. Documents list six elders as original members, but there is no record that the congregation voted on them, and they did not perform trustee-like duties afterward. 5. No one has found such a certificate nor record of a fee paid. However, historical records are lost and after all these years it's hard to say what was really the case. If they didn't form a religious corporation, what did they form? A religious society is a regularly operating church that did not hold incorporated status. There were churches being formed all the time. Most of them were branches of already formed churches. For example, the Presbyterian church required two ruling elders, usual exercises of public worship, election of the ruling elders, setting apart of elders, and baptisms. The Methodist church required finding a permanent leader, preacher received congregation, and enrolled names in general register. The Baptist church required uniting in mutual covenant, articles adopted, church name given, and officers elected. Episcopal required notice given, articles of Association adopted, adopt a name, and elect officers. According to the customs of the day, Joseph Smith notified brethren that he had received commandment to organize the Church. A sustaining vote was taken as to whether the congregation accepted Joseph and Oliver as their leaders. Members oversaw the administration of the sacrament, prophesied and witness. Joseph and Oliver ordained elders to other priesthood offices, confirmed members, and performed baptisms. Church adopted official name, commandment received to keep a record, Articles and Covenants. Nowhere do records mention incorporation, but merely organization. They organized legally according to established practices. Laws of the land can be considered as common law. Ten months previously Joseph Smith had been commanded to organize the church. He formed a religious society, not necessarily a religious corporation. The manuscript history emphasizes obeying the will of the Lord.
A Revelation Given to Oliver, Hyrum, Josiah and Joseph... Ye Shall Go to Kingston. The Canadian Copyright Revelation. (Stephen Ehat): Joseph Smith received a revelation which gave four men command to go to Kingston. Ontario. Kingston was home to a number of printers who were able to purchase a copyright. Just this last year a copy of this revelation was published. Joseph Smith said he granted the four men to purchase a copyright IF the people would not harden their hearts. We see John Whitmer's copy of the revelation. Previously, this revelation was misunderstood. William McClelland contradicted himself in commenting on it, saying no copy existed but that he had read a copy of it. The revelation was conditional, but William McClelland considered it a false prophecy. David Whitmer likewise mentions this, but says they failed to sell the copyright and does not mention the condition "if they harden not their hearts." The trip was to sell a copyright not to secure one. No promise was actually given that they would sell a copyright. McClelland and Whitmer got some facts right, but many wrong. They were wrong in asserting that this was a failed revelation. No promises were given, and we can see that now that the actual revelation has been published. What was the copyright they were trying to sell? It was probably the common-law prepublication, author's copyright, one that the prophet already possessed. A copyright is intangible personal property, but it is a right and can be enforced in law. This is what the law was in Great Britain and in the United States and Canada. This is important so we can ask an important question: When did the copyright of the Book of Mormon come to be? Under the common law of the State of New York, the prophet acquired the copyright the moment pen was put to paper. He as possessed of it long before the book was published. The document he filed simply stated what he already had. Later registration simply recorded what already existed. They wanted to sell rights to print the book with the prophet's permission. The four emissaries were able to find able purchasers in Kingston, but were not able to find willing purchasers there. Lake Ontario was frozen over that winter and the four crossed over on the ice into Canada. They could have ridden horses over the lake. There is much more to be discovered about this revelation.
Looking for God's Hand in History (Brian O. Cannon): Providential history fell from fashion but was revived in the 1900's. A Christian view of history believes in an intervention by God. God is sovereign in the affairs of man. God will triumph. God's will is to be accomplished. In the 1950's and 1960's it became respectable to be a Christian and also a scholar. The Christian historian could look for God in history. Could divine influence be behind historical occurrences? God is resourceful in dealing with His children. You can identify God's hand in things like the Fall of the Roman Empire. By the mid 1970's, liberal scholars' views began to change. In 1975 "A Christian View of History" expressed skepticism about easy answers regarding God's dealings in history. The Old Testament seems to say that those who obey the commandments are blessed and those who don't are punished. But in the New Testament it seems to say that even the righteous will suffer. Newer scholars took a look at American Wars and concluded that they had been unjust and Christians had perverted judgment to promote them. Some Christians were uncomfortable with these contentions. Some believe that God is present but we can't discern His hand in history. In recent years other scholars have pursued other options. Some believe that God intervenes in specific incidences. God is the author of peace. The believing historical might look for good coming out of evil--such as a better standard of living coming out of the plague for those who survived. Believing historians can see interventions from God without necessarily writing about it. Some say the fall of corrupt civilizations are the evidence of God's hand. Many Christians profess God's hand in their own personal lives. Many scholars write with the idea that revelation has ceased. Latter-day Saints of course have a different canon. We can draw upon modern prophets. In 1970 a BYU professor outlined that humans have agency and their actions make a difference in history. God has intervened, in Christ's ministry and the restoration of the Gospel. But respecting agency can delay ultimate outcomes. How does our understanding of revelation impact history? There are three possible paths LDS historians can take--the impact of revelation, taking a middle ground between saying nothing is the result of God's intervention and saying that everything is, and divine inspiration granted to men and women. God's purposes can entail failure in one goal but success in the ultimate goal. Even the most faith filled historians work without the mantle of authority. We should not claim to know more of God's dealings than we can really know. When Christian's try to explain what God is doing, we need to add a "perhaps" which allows God to come in and say, "actually, no." We can see things, but sometimes they're through a glass darkly.
Wilford Woodruff's Recording of Testimony March 12, 1987, Salt Lake City, Testimony in Context of New Discoveries (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel): He spoke his testimony into a "talking machine" and this has been preserved and is in the church archive. He as baptized in the 1830's and was acquainted with Joseph Smith. He was a remarkable record keeper. He dedicated the Salt Lake Temple. Recording was made on three wax cylinders. Over time our memories are shaped by our experiences. When he made a note in his journal about a date with a young woman at BYU years ago, it didn't have much significance. But since that young woman later became his wife, he now expounds on that memory when recounting it to his children and grandchildren. Our memories do play tricks on us. Wilford was an eye witness to events in church history in the 1840's. There are many events of which there is no contemporary record so we have to rely on people's reminiscences. In 1844 there was uncertainty of who the next prophet would be. March 26, 1844, a counsel was held and last charge given, but why was this not recorded in Wilford Woodruff's diary? No diary contains an account of the meetings, although it was one of the longest counsel meetings held in Nauvoo. They considered sacred and confidential matters, and this is probably why none of the participants wrote about them in their diaries. In October 1844 Wilford Woodruff began to talk about the last charge meeting in seeking to settle the controversy of who would succeed as prophet. He choose to speak on this subject in his recording. President Woodruff's words were transcribed and kept in the Church Archives in Salt Lake City. Joseph Daynes, from Daynes Music, was President Wilford's son in law and had access to a recording device which he brought to President Woodruff with the idea in mind to capture his testimony. They then played the actual recording from the old cylinder. He bore a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and had given him his endowments, and had also given endowments to Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others. He remembered Joseph Smith speaking with power from God. He was in his 91st year of age when he bore this testimony and was the last person left alive in the flesh to have witnessed these meetings firsthand. He was acutely aware of his witness as to meetings held with Joseph Smith. He doesn't talk about the first vision, the restoration of the priesthood, or essential building blocks of the restoration, but rather speaks of events he was a firsthand witness to. Wilford Woodruff provides his memory and interpretation of events. His testimony is invaluable as an eye witness. He gave similar testimony on many occasions previous to this. Wilford Woodruff was personally involved in these events--not as an observer, but as a participant. He wanted to present an accurate recording of these events for the benefit of generations yet unborn. He had his counselors also bear testimony that they had heard him bear this testimony as it was recorded.
Coming to Terms: The Challenge of Creating Christian Vocabulary in a Non-Christian Land (Van C. Gessel): He is a student of Japanese culture so begins with an apology as to his inadequacies. "Please forgive me for having been born." Our problems with language began before the Tower of Babel. Certainly there was and is a Celestial language, but words can be twisted to convey half truths, as was done by the serpent to Adam and Eve. There is a corruption in communication. Part of our fallenness is through our ability to communicate. Language only gives a portion of what we think. We not only speak but think in a specific language. The things in heaven cannot be fully expressed by language. All forms of language are symbols. It was a challenge to translate the Book of Mormon into Japanese which had different definitions of things like the Godhead. It's like dancing on ropes with feathered legs. Some feel that if there is no specific Japanese word for a certain connotation, we have to create one. The results have ranged from mediocre and disastrous. Latter day Saint missionaries arrived in Japan later than the Catholics and Protestants. They had been struggling for many years with translating Christian vocabulary. Sometimes Latter day Saints adopted the same vocabulary that existed in earlier translations of the Bible. This was problematic. No Japanese word for "soul" exists that means both spirit and body. Sometimes Japanese Buddhist terms were used to describe Christian terms. One Catholic priest declared that salvation can only come from Dainichi, which actually meant a Buddhist god. Lacking a name for God makes it difficult to be converted to God. Many names for God are used in Japan by Christians. Tenshu, Shin, Kami+ sama have been used. These mean: Lord of Heaven, the incomprehensible power of nature, the Honorable Mr. Spirit Essence that resides in the trees, streams, and our deceased ancestors. Tortured translations could cause some Japanese Christians to say they believe in the gods of Shinto or Buddhism. Buppo can be used to mean Christian faith or Buddhist Law. Tamashii can mean spirit or spirit essence in all kami. Tera means church or Buddhist temple. Nambanji can mean Catholic church or Buddhist temple of the Southern Barbarism. If one wishes to treat the truth with words of error and lies, they impart the wrong meaning. Using foreign terms to express Christian vocabulary may not convey meaning to Japanese listeners. Some words are: Amma can mean soul, anjo for angel, fides for faith, graca for grace, inferno for hell, orotio for prayer, and spirito for spirit. To Japanese ears this can sound like gibberish. Exporting foreign words into Japanese does not convey clear meaning. Foreign religious terms still used in Japan: Amen, pan Sute-ku & Wa-do, Baputesuma and Endaumento. These are borrowed words or loaned words. The problem with using borrowed words in Japanese is that they stand out like sore thumbs to the Japanese ear. This presents a huge barrier before core doctrines can even be taught. Only 1% of the Japanese are converts. Part of the problem is explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that can be delicious to them. There are words, phrases or grammatical expressions that can easily be misinterpreted, or interpreted in multiple and sometimes contradictory ways. Ten no On-chichi can mean Heavenly Father or can also be defined as zenjinrui no rei no chichi, the Father of all mankind which is a Spirit. Only Begotten Son can mean only child. Michi can mean the path or way, or is also do, as in Shinto Dao de Jing, the mother that rears the ten thousand creatures, each after its kind. There are terms that just don't communicate, no way, no how. Some words impede communication. Kan'in means adultery or advowtry. Nobody would know what advowtry would mean. The word chosen for atonement, aganai/shokuzai, means to pay money to get something out of hock. This does not give a clear understanding of atonement. If we're ever to free ourselves from secular vocabulary, we'll need to make our own translation of the Bible in Japanese, which would be a daunting task that he would not wish on anyone. However, words are not our only weapon. We've been commanded to take the gospel to every people and every tongue. We have the responsibility to keep trying to improve our communication skills. After all we can do, it is by the grace of God adding His convincing power of the Holy Ghost, that men are converted. He who receives the Word of God by the Spirit understands by the Spirit. The Spirit will give utterance and fill in the linguistic gaps once we've done all we can do.
Covenantal Faithfulness in the Land of Zion (Taylor Halverson): The Lord offers hints that Zion is a physical location and covenants are associated with the land. A land is given in exchange for faithfulness. In D&C 59 God establishes the stipulations for covenantal faithfulness in the land of Zion. A suzerain is a great lord of king who exercises some form of dominion over a dependent person. Suzerain vassal treaty instruction--preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, recording and depositing the text, list of witnesses, curses and blessing. Stipulations are Thou shalts and Thou shalt nots. The Ten Commandments are examples of this. D&C 59 says, "Yea blessed are they who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth." We need to demonstrate our faithfulness to God. In the last dispensation, God invited his people to a land of promise, to Zion. This promise was conditioned on faithfulness to the stipulated terms of the covenant. Similar to the covenant with Israel at Mr. Sinai, God stipulated many of the Ten Commandments as the basis for demonstrating covenant fidelity. What more appreciate covenant could God implement with his people in the last dispensation? Zion, therefore is both a covenant and a place. The place of Zion is secured by a covenant. The covenant is meaningless without a place to live the covenant. Ultimately, God's use of an ancient treaty format to invite his people into Zion both physically and covenantally reinforces the responsibility that those of the restoration have to fulfill the covenant that they might enjoy the fruits of Zion.
Jean Valjean and Alma the Younger: Putting on the Armor of Light (Robin Hancock): He tries to read 50 books a year on all different subjects. In 2004 he read Les Miserables. It became the longest running play on Broadway. The Lord in His mercy to gather His children, finds other ways to inspire his children. Jesus Christ is the light. If people won't come to church, they can be inspired in their entertainment. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a great inspiring story. Latter-day Saints are inspired by the story of Alma the Younger and his transformation from a sinner to a missionary. The story of Jean Valjean and his turning his life toward the light, is a great inspiration. Readers were influenced by this novel. He was a released convict who could not get a room in the inn. But he found a kindly bishop who took him in. Having been in prison for 19 years he had bad habits and stole silverware from the bishop. Caught by the police, the bishop gave the silverware to him and told him he'd forgotten to take the candlestick also. He could see a gentler light shining on his soul and was able to change his life. He'd never cried in that 19 years in prison, but now he was open to the Light of Christ and he was able to change his life. The bishop didn't just save Valjean from prison, but changed his whole former path of life. Now look at the story of Alma the Younger and it enhances our understanding. Alma was a miserable one, the vilest of sinners. He could not have been much further from the light of the gospel. His father's prayers had brought an angel to visit him. One of the most popular songs from Las Miserables is "Bring Him Home." Alma the Younger was brought home. The Light of Christ fused Alma's soul with joy. He later asked "Have you tasted of the light?" Every living organism has an inner drive for turning toward the light and growth. The difference between a plant and man is that we have our agency. Light has transformative power but we can choose to turn toward it or away from it. Alma and Jean Valjean were both miserable and racked with torment. The critical moment for both turned on Light. The moment of transformation hinges on the prominent role of light. Light is the organizing element. Reaching for the light saved them from spiritual destruction. Revealed gospel knowledge enriches the great literature of the world.
Why Have Native American Wards? (Jessie L. Embry): She said she heard an interesting discussion of the problems of language in teaching the gospel in Japanese. She wants to talk about native American wards, which includes several cultures. There were a lot of native Americans at BYU who were not active in the church and did not feel included in regular wards. In 1965 a native American ward was created and the people involved seemed to enjoy it. But several years later this ward was dissolved and direction was given that all cultures should be given consideration in regular wards. However, a married group of native Americans continues to meet as a ward even today and they meet in her stake. It helps bring people together. It brings together a lot of tribes. There can be problems associated with this.
The Nauvoo Music and Concert Hall: A Prelude to the Exodus (Darrell Babidge): In Nauvoo, music came from the concert hall, but this was short lived. It was filled with music for a few short months and became a haven. Parts of the building were used for a school while the rest of the building was finished. Brigham Young gave sermons in the building. A grant concert of instrumental music for three days was a celebration of the completion of the building. It could seat 700-800 people. Heber C. Kimball gave a dedicatory prayer. The room was filled with intense and burning melody. John Taylor wrote a song called "The Seer" about Joseph Smith. Parley P. Pratt wrote "Sacred to Truth This Hall Shall be." The hall was filled to overflowing. The program changed nightly. The concert was a great success. Joseph Smith had hoped the building would be filled with music for many years, but it was among buildings the saints tried to sell before leaving to head west. People were trying to sell their homes as well. In 1846 the last concert was held. The building was sold to the Episcopal Church and a few years later there was no longer any building standing there.
Luke 13:23-30 and the Israelite Temple (Matthew Brown): Luke talks about the quantity of individuals saved. There are sections that match with verses in Revelation 21 and 22. They talk about entering in at the gate. Many seek to enter in and shall not be able. There are angels at the gates. There is a river of the water of life and a tree that bears fruit. Taught in the streets. Workers are iniquity shall depart. The first shall be last. There is a close connection between these two New Testament sets. Tabernacle pillars and veil with cherubim. The entrance liturgy. Luke 13:25-27 and Psalms 24:7-10. Request for entrance through a gate. Response from the Lord. Statement by petitioner about identification. Response from the Lord. Second century Christian writers specified that the Savior entered Heaven through its doors. December 24, 562 dedication rites were held for Hagia Sophia. There was the element of knocking on the church doors to gain entrance, saying "Lord, Lord, open to us." The bishop struck the door frame three times with his staff as he allowed them to enter. The bishop represented Jesus Christ. "To stand without and to knock" was done at early churches.
Applying Modern Source Criticism to Accounts of the Book of Mormon Plates (Larry E. Morris): What is source criticism? Everything from diaries to letters, everything under the sun, we need to ask questions to try to decide how much we want to trust that document. He wanted to compare documents about the Book of Mormon plates with documents about Lewis and Clark documents which were from the same time period. Historians like firsthand accounts. Every time a story passes from one person to another, it loses details or details are added. How much time passed from the event itself until it was recorded? The statements about the plates were recorded within months of the event, at the latest 9 months. With Lewis and Clark, some of the entries were completed months after the event. Group statements. Plates: Three witness and eight witnesses both gave group statements. L&C: petition to senate and house, signed by eight expedition members, undated. Provenance of compositions. Plates: Original signed documents not extant. L&C: Early notes used in writing journals are not extant. Original not extant, printed in 1845. Physical ability to observe. No reason to believe either group was affected by limitations in sight or hearing. Social ability to observe. Plates: Witnesses were farmers who spent their days pulling up stumps, clearing rocks, plowing fields, etc. L&C: Expedition members were either experienced soldiers or woodsmen and hunters. When they spoke to Indians, they needed a translator. Sometimes they had to use translators who weren't very good so it's hard to trust what they wrote about what the Indians said. Ability to report. Plates: Witnesses may have originally been biased in Joseph's favor and may have felt pressure to conform; later, however, most were biased against Joseph and probably felt pressure to deny previous testimony. L&C: Captains were under pressure to cast Jefferson in a positive light, men under pressure to cast captains in positive light. Character or reliability of witnesses. In both cases, people had good reputations. They were honest and law abiding citizens. Contradiction or corroboration. Plates: There are 40 instances when one of the eight witnesses related his testimony. Statements contradicting these witness statements come from third hand and anonymous sources. L&C: Internal consistency among various journals, with George Shannon also offering corroboration. Examples of contradictory views from Indians. Intent of compositions. Plates: Three witnesses bore record of the reality of the plates and the work. The eight witnesses bore record of the reality of the plates only. L&C: Find most direct water route across continent. Best historical record. Plates: Strong corroboration from several first and second hand sources. L&C: Very limited corroboration from other sources. There is actually better evidence for the plates than there is for the record of the Lewis and Clark expedition. He believes the existence of the plates is without question.
A-UN, Alpha and Omega, the Name of God Intoned by Koma-inu at Japan's Shinto Shrines. (Mark A. Riddle): On either side of the entrance to a Japanese Shinto shrine, there is a matched pair of creatures that are mirror images of each other. They are lion dogs, but are not realistic representations of lions or dogs. They are composite mythical beasts. Often one of the pair is a unicorn. One has its mouth open and uttering "ah" and the other has it's mouth closed and is uttering "mmm." This is the Asian equivalent of Alpha and Omega, or saying what we can recognize as the name of Jesus Christ. This is name by which He is known by all the world. He showed pictures of several examples of this. They are symbolic and are supposed to prevent evil spirits from entering by saying the name of God. The Bible associates the lion with Judah. The unicorn or wild ox is associated with Joseph. The combination of the lion and unicorn represents Judah and Joseph. We find in the symbolism of the lion and unicorn in Japan the uniting of Joseph and Judah also. This is not accidental. The royal arms of Scotland also has the lion and the unicorn together. They make claims that British royalty were descended from King David. These symbols can be traced across Asia spanning four millennia. From very earliest temples we know anything about, these symbols were present. They flank thrones and temples. He believes the symbolism was developed by the dispersed of Israel in Japan and was originally intended to mean these things.
The Letters of Gordon B. Hinckley: (Matthew Wilcox): In doing research on Elder Hinckley, you can really see humor and insight into his personality by reading his letters. When he was a missionary in England, missionary methods were not very effective in trying to bring interest to uninterested crowds. When he returned home, Elder Hinckley wrote letters, giving reports to Elder Joseph F. Merrill. He talked about illustrated lectures. He appealed to the First Presidency and it about took the heart out of him. President McKay had an appreciation for these things. He used his sense of humor saying there had been very little setup and a good deal of upset. This humor helped him get through these things, a recently returned missionary working with the church leaders. He spent his time getting lectures in order and gathering materials he felt missionaries needed in Europe. This was in 1935, in the middle of the great Depression. He was torn about whether to see the lecture business through, go to school, or find work elsewhere. Elder Merrill wrote saying Elder Hinckley should be given a job. He became quite frustrated when two months after coming home, he didn't feel he had concrete results. He gave all of himself in England and continued to do that after his mission. He was working and praying against terrific odds. He was finally offered a job. He had to find his own desk and typewritten and paper. He's an example of giving your whole soul. He showed his characteristic wit. He was given the talent and drive and motivation he needed to get the job done. He was even then being prepared for someday being the prophet.
Establishing the Church on Earth, With Heaven's Hand:
According to the Laws of God and Man--Legal Insights into the Organization of the Church (David Stott): Next month marks 180 years since the organization of the church. There are no minutes of the meeting on April 6, 1830. Some guess work has to be used. It oopened with prayer. Vote to accept Joseph and Oliver Cowdery as "teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God" and be organized. They gathered in the farmhouse of Peter Whitmer. Ordination of Joseph Smith as "prophet, seer, revelator, and translator" and Oliver Cowdery as elder. Blessed bread and wine. Confirmation of Holy Ghost to "each individual member". Received revelation (Later D&C 21). Called and ordained others to priesthood offices. Testimonies. In additional to this being spiritually significant to those who attended, there were legal reasons David Whitmer said, "The reason we met on that day was this; the world had been telling us that we were not a regularly organized church, and we had no right to officiate in the ordinance of marriage, hold church property, etc." In the 1800's a Corporation is defined as a legal entity composed of individuals united under a common name, the members of which succeeded each other. Benefits of Religious Corporations: 1. Perpetual succession. 2. Property management. 3. Legal rights: contracts, seals, etc. New York Religions Incorporation Statute: 1. Minister gives notice of meeting to congregation. 2. Congregation assembles at the church where church regularly meets to worship. 3. Two elders elected to preside at election of trustees, judge the trustee's qualifications and return name of winners 4. Three to nine trustees elected to take over church's property and transact church's affairs. 5. Certificate filed with county clerk. Fee paid. Fulfilled on April 6, 1830? 1. Joseph Smith gave notice of the upcoming meeting. 2. The Whitmer's home could qualify, although the Whitmers had never hosted a formal church meeting before April 6, 1830. It was the setting for future conferences. 3. While Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were sustains as leaders of the Church, there is no record that they ever presided over the election of any trustees 4. Documents list six elders as original members, but there is no record that the congregation voted on them, and they did not perform trustee-like duties afterward. 5. No one has found such a certificate nor record of a fee paid. However, historical records are lost and after all these years it's hard to say what was really the case. If they didn't form a religious corporation, what did they form? A religious society is a regularly operating church that did not hold incorporated status. There were churches being formed all the time. Most of them were branches of already formed churches. For example, the Presbyterian church required two ruling elders, usual exercises of public worship, election of the ruling elders, setting apart of elders, and baptisms. The Methodist church required finding a permanent leader, preacher received congregation, and enrolled names in general register. The Baptist church required uniting in mutual covenant, articles adopted, church name given, and officers elected. Episcopal required notice given, articles of Association adopted, adopt a name, and elect officers. According to the customs of the day, Joseph Smith notified brethren that he had received commandment to organize the Church. A sustaining vote was taken as to whether the congregation accepted Joseph and Oliver as their leaders. Members oversaw the administration of the sacrament, prophesied and witness. Joseph and Oliver ordained elders to other priesthood offices, confirmed members, and performed baptisms. Church adopted official name, commandment received to keep a record, Articles and Covenants. Nowhere do records mention incorporation, but merely organization. They organized legally according to established practices. Laws of the land can be considered as common law. Ten months previously Joseph Smith had been commanded to organize the church. He formed a religious society, not necessarily a religious corporation. The manuscript history emphasizes obeying the will of the Lord.
A Revelation Given to Oliver, Hyrum, Josiah and Joseph... Ye Shall Go to Kingston. The Canadian Copyright Revelation. (Stephen Ehat): Joseph Smith received a revelation which gave four men command to go to Kingston. Ontario. Kingston was home to a number of printers who were able to purchase a copyright. Just this last year a copy of this revelation was published. Joseph Smith said he granted the four men to purchase a copyright IF the people would not harden their hearts. We see John Whitmer's copy of the revelation. Previously, this revelation was misunderstood. William McClelland contradicted himself in commenting on it, saying no copy existed but that he had read a copy of it. The revelation was conditional, but William McClelland considered it a false prophecy. David Whitmer likewise mentions this, but says they failed to sell the copyright and does not mention the condition "if they harden not their hearts." The trip was to sell a copyright not to secure one. No promise was actually given that they would sell a copyright. McClelland and Whitmer got some facts right, but many wrong. They were wrong in asserting that this was a failed revelation. No promises were given, and we can see that now that the actual revelation has been published. What was the copyright they were trying to sell? It was probably the common-law prepublication, author's copyright, one that the prophet already possessed. A copyright is intangible personal property, but it is a right and can be enforced in law. This is what the law was in Great Britain and in the United States and Canada. This is important so we can ask an important question: When did the copyright of the Book of Mormon come to be? Under the common law of the State of New York, the prophet acquired the copyright the moment pen was put to paper. He as possessed of it long before the book was published. The document he filed simply stated what he already had. Later registration simply recorded what already existed. They wanted to sell rights to print the book with the prophet's permission. The four emissaries were able to find able purchasers in Kingston, but were not able to find willing purchasers there. Lake Ontario was frozen over that winter and the four crossed over on the ice into Canada. They could have ridden horses over the lake. There is much more to be discovered about this revelation.
Looking for God's Hand in History (Brian O. Cannon): Providential history fell from fashion but was revived in the 1900's. A Christian view of history believes in an intervention by God. God is sovereign in the affairs of man. God will triumph. God's will is to be accomplished. In the 1950's and 1960's it became respectable to be a Christian and also a scholar. The Christian historian could look for God in history. Could divine influence be behind historical occurrences? God is resourceful in dealing with His children. You can identify God's hand in things like the Fall of the Roman Empire. By the mid 1970's, liberal scholars' views began to change. In 1975 "A Christian View of History" expressed skepticism about easy answers regarding God's dealings in history. The Old Testament seems to say that those who obey the commandments are blessed and those who don't are punished. But in the New Testament it seems to say that even the righteous will suffer. Newer scholars took a look at American Wars and concluded that they had been unjust and Christians had perverted judgment to promote them. Some Christians were uncomfortable with these contentions. Some believe that God is present but we can't discern His hand in history. In recent years other scholars have pursued other options. Some believe that God intervenes in specific incidences. God is the author of peace. The believing historical might look for good coming out of evil--such as a better standard of living coming out of the plague for those who survived. Believing historians can see interventions from God without necessarily writing about it. Some say the fall of corrupt civilizations are the evidence of God's hand. Many Christians profess God's hand in their own personal lives. Many scholars write with the idea that revelation has ceased. Latter-day Saints of course have a different canon. We can draw upon modern prophets. In 1970 a BYU professor outlined that humans have agency and their actions make a difference in history. God has intervened, in Christ's ministry and the restoration of the Gospel. But respecting agency can delay ultimate outcomes. How does our understanding of revelation impact history? There are three possible paths LDS historians can take--the impact of revelation, taking a middle ground between saying nothing is the result of God's intervention and saying that everything is, and divine inspiration granted to men and women. God's purposes can entail failure in one goal but success in the ultimate goal. Even the most faith filled historians work without the mantle of authority. We should not claim to know more of God's dealings than we can really know. When Christian's try to explain what God is doing, we need to add a "perhaps" which allows God to come in and say, "actually, no." We can see things, but sometimes they're through a glass darkly.
Wilford Woodruff's Recording of Testimony March 12, 1987, Salt Lake City, Testimony in Context of New Discoveries (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel): He spoke his testimony into a "talking machine" and this has been preserved and is in the church archive. He as baptized in the 1830's and was acquainted with Joseph Smith. He was a remarkable record keeper. He dedicated the Salt Lake Temple. Recording was made on three wax cylinders. Over time our memories are shaped by our experiences. When he made a note in his journal about a date with a young woman at BYU years ago, it didn't have much significance. But since that young woman later became his wife, he now expounds on that memory when recounting it to his children and grandchildren. Our memories do play tricks on us. Wilford was an eye witness to events in church history in the 1840's. There are many events of which there is no contemporary record so we have to rely on people's reminiscences. In 1844 there was uncertainty of who the next prophet would be. March 26, 1844, a counsel was held and last charge given, but why was this not recorded in Wilford Woodruff's diary? No diary contains an account of the meetings, although it was one of the longest counsel meetings held in Nauvoo. They considered sacred and confidential matters, and this is probably why none of the participants wrote about them in their diaries. In October 1844 Wilford Woodruff began to talk about the last charge meeting in seeking to settle the controversy of who would succeed as prophet. He choose to speak on this subject in his recording. President Woodruff's words were transcribed and kept in the Church Archives in Salt Lake City. Joseph Daynes, from Daynes Music, was President Wilford's son in law and had access to a recording device which he brought to President Woodruff with the idea in mind to capture his testimony. They then played the actual recording from the old cylinder. He bore a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and had given him his endowments, and had also given endowments to Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and others. He remembered Joseph Smith speaking with power from God. He was in his 91st year of age when he bore this testimony and was the last person left alive in the flesh to have witnessed these meetings firsthand. He was acutely aware of his witness as to meetings held with Joseph Smith. He doesn't talk about the first vision, the restoration of the priesthood, or essential building blocks of the restoration, but rather speaks of events he was a firsthand witness to. Wilford Woodruff provides his memory and interpretation of events. His testimony is invaluable as an eye witness. He gave similar testimony on many occasions previous to this. Wilford Woodruff was personally involved in these events--not as an observer, but as a participant. He wanted to present an accurate recording of these events for the benefit of generations yet unborn. He had his counselors also bear testimony that they had heard him bear this testimony as it was recorded.
Coming to Terms: The Challenge of Creating Christian Vocabulary in a Non-Christian Land (Van C. Gessel): He is a student of Japanese culture so begins with an apology as to his inadequacies. "Please forgive me for having been born." Our problems with language began before the Tower of Babel. Certainly there was and is a Celestial language, but words can be twisted to convey half truths, as was done by the serpent to Adam and Eve. There is a corruption in communication. Part of our fallenness is through our ability to communicate. Language only gives a portion of what we think. We not only speak but think in a specific language. The things in heaven cannot be fully expressed by language. All forms of language are symbols. It was a challenge to translate the Book of Mormon into Japanese which had different definitions of things like the Godhead. It's like dancing on ropes with feathered legs. Some feel that if there is no specific Japanese word for a certain connotation, we have to create one. The results have ranged from mediocre and disastrous. Latter day Saint missionaries arrived in Japan later than the Catholics and Protestants. They had been struggling for many years with translating Christian vocabulary. Sometimes Latter day Saints adopted the same vocabulary that existed in earlier translations of the Bible. This was problematic. No Japanese word for "soul" exists that means both spirit and body. Sometimes Japanese Buddhist terms were used to describe Christian terms. One Catholic priest declared that salvation can only come from Dainichi, which actually meant a Buddhist god. Lacking a name for God makes it difficult to be converted to God. Many names for God are used in Japan by Christians. Tenshu, Shin, Kami+ sama have been used. These mean: Lord of Heaven, the incomprehensible power of nature, the Honorable Mr. Spirit Essence that resides in the trees, streams, and our deceased ancestors. Tortured translations could cause some Japanese Christians to say they believe in the gods of Shinto or Buddhism. Buppo can be used to mean Christian faith or Buddhist Law. Tamashii can mean spirit or spirit essence in all kami. Tera means church or Buddhist temple. Nambanji can mean Catholic church or Buddhist temple of the Southern Barbarism. If one wishes to treat the truth with words of error and lies, they impart the wrong meaning. Using foreign terms to express Christian vocabulary may not convey meaning to Japanese listeners. Some words are: Amma can mean soul, anjo for angel, fides for faith, graca for grace, inferno for hell, orotio for prayer, and spirito for spirit. To Japanese ears this can sound like gibberish. Exporting foreign words into Japanese does not convey clear meaning. Foreign religious terms still used in Japan: Amen, pan Sute-ku & Wa-do, Baputesuma and Endaumento. These are borrowed words or loaned words. The problem with using borrowed words in Japanese is that they stand out like sore thumbs to the Japanese ear. This presents a huge barrier before core doctrines can even be taught. Only 1% of the Japanese are converts. Part of the problem is explaining the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that can be delicious to them. There are words, phrases or grammatical expressions that can easily be misinterpreted, or interpreted in multiple and sometimes contradictory ways. Ten no On-chichi can mean Heavenly Father or can also be defined as zenjinrui no rei no chichi, the Father of all mankind which is a Spirit. Only Begotten Son can mean only child. Michi can mean the path or way, or is also do, as in Shinto Dao de Jing, the mother that rears the ten thousand creatures, each after its kind. There are terms that just don't communicate, no way, no how. Some words impede communication. Kan'in means adultery or advowtry. Nobody would know what advowtry would mean. The word chosen for atonement, aganai/shokuzai, means to pay money to get something out of hock. This does not give a clear understanding of atonement. If we're ever to free ourselves from secular vocabulary, we'll need to make our own translation of the Bible in Japanese, which would be a daunting task that he would not wish on anyone. However, words are not our only weapon. We've been commanded to take the gospel to every people and every tongue. We have the responsibility to keep trying to improve our communication skills. After all we can do, it is by the grace of God adding His convincing power of the Holy Ghost, that men are converted. He who receives the Word of God by the Spirit understands by the Spirit. The Spirit will give utterance and fill in the linguistic gaps once we've done all we can do.
Covenantal Faithfulness in the Land of Zion (Taylor Halverson): The Lord offers hints that Zion is a physical location and covenants are associated with the land. A land is given in exchange for faithfulness. In D&C 59 God establishes the stipulations for covenantal faithfulness in the land of Zion. A suzerain is a great lord of king who exercises some form of dominion over a dependent person. Suzerain vassal treaty instruction--preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, recording and depositing the text, list of witnesses, curses and blessing. Stipulations are Thou shalts and Thou shalt nots. The Ten Commandments are examples of this. D&C 59 says, "Yea blessed are they who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth." We need to demonstrate our faithfulness to God. In the last dispensation, God invited his people to a land of promise, to Zion. This promise was conditioned on faithfulness to the stipulated terms of the covenant. Similar to the covenant with Israel at Mr. Sinai, God stipulated many of the Ten Commandments as the basis for demonstrating covenant fidelity. What more appreciate covenant could God implement with his people in the last dispensation? Zion, therefore is both a covenant and a place. The place of Zion is secured by a covenant. The covenant is meaningless without a place to live the covenant. Ultimately, God's use of an ancient treaty format to invite his people into Zion both physically and covenantally reinforces the responsibility that those of the restoration have to fulfill the covenant that they might enjoy the fruits of Zion.
Jean Valjean and Alma the Younger: Putting on the Armor of Light (Robin Hancock): He tries to read 50 books a year on all different subjects. In 2004 he read Les Miserables. It became the longest running play on Broadway. The Lord in His mercy to gather His children, finds other ways to inspire his children. Jesus Christ is the light. If people won't come to church, they can be inspired in their entertainment. "It's a Wonderful Life" is a great inspiring story. Latter-day Saints are inspired by the story of Alma the Younger and his transformation from a sinner to a missionary. The story of Jean Valjean and his turning his life toward the light, is a great inspiration. Readers were influenced by this novel. He was a released convict who could not get a room in the inn. But he found a kindly bishop who took him in. Having been in prison for 19 years he had bad habits and stole silverware from the bishop. Caught by the police, the bishop gave the silverware to him and told him he'd forgotten to take the candlestick also. He could see a gentler light shining on his soul and was able to change his life. He'd never cried in that 19 years in prison, but now he was open to the Light of Christ and he was able to change his life. The bishop didn't just save Valjean from prison, but changed his whole former path of life. Now look at the story of Alma the Younger and it enhances our understanding. Alma was a miserable one, the vilest of sinners. He could not have been much further from the light of the gospel. His father's prayers had brought an angel to visit him. One of the most popular songs from Las Miserables is "Bring Him Home." Alma the Younger was brought home. The Light of Christ fused Alma's soul with joy. He later asked "Have you tasted of the light?" Every living organism has an inner drive for turning toward the light and growth. The difference between a plant and man is that we have our agency. Light has transformative power but we can choose to turn toward it or away from it. Alma and Jean Valjean were both miserable and racked with torment. The critical moment for both turned on Light. The moment of transformation hinges on the prominent role of light. Light is the organizing element. Reaching for the light saved them from spiritual destruction. Revealed gospel knowledge enriches the great literature of the world.
Why Have Native American Wards? (Jessie L. Embry): She said she heard an interesting discussion of the problems of language in teaching the gospel in Japanese. She wants to talk about native American wards, which includes several cultures. There were a lot of native Americans at BYU who were not active in the church and did not feel included in regular wards. In 1965 a native American ward was created and the people involved seemed to enjoy it. But several years later this ward was dissolved and direction was given that all cultures should be given consideration in regular wards. However, a married group of native Americans continues to meet as a ward even today and they meet in her stake. It helps bring people together. It brings together a lot of tribes. There can be problems associated with this.
The Nauvoo Music and Concert Hall: A Prelude to the Exodus (Darrell Babidge): In Nauvoo, music came from the concert hall, but this was short lived. It was filled with music for a few short months and became a haven. Parts of the building were used for a school while the rest of the building was finished. Brigham Young gave sermons in the building. A grant concert of instrumental music for three days was a celebration of the completion of the building. It could seat 700-800 people. Heber C. Kimball gave a dedicatory prayer. The room was filled with intense and burning melody. John Taylor wrote a song called "The Seer" about Joseph Smith. Parley P. Pratt wrote "Sacred to Truth This Hall Shall be." The hall was filled to overflowing. The program changed nightly. The concert was a great success. Joseph Smith had hoped the building would be filled with music for many years, but it was among buildings the saints tried to sell before leaving to head west. People were trying to sell their homes as well. In 1846 the last concert was held. The building was sold to the Episcopal Church and a few years later there was no longer any building standing there.
Luke 13:23-30 and the Israelite Temple (Matthew Brown): Luke talks about the quantity of individuals saved. There are sections that match with verses in Revelation 21 and 22. They talk about entering in at the gate. Many seek to enter in and shall not be able. There are angels at the gates. There is a river of the water of life and a tree that bears fruit. Taught in the streets. Workers are iniquity shall depart. The first shall be last. There is a close connection between these two New Testament sets. Tabernacle pillars and veil with cherubim. The entrance liturgy. Luke 13:25-27 and Psalms 24:7-10. Request for entrance through a gate. Response from the Lord. Statement by petitioner about identification. Response from the Lord. Second century Christian writers specified that the Savior entered Heaven through its doors. December 24, 562 dedication rites were held for Hagia Sophia. There was the element of knocking on the church doors to gain entrance, saying "Lord, Lord, open to us." The bishop struck the door frame three times with his staff as he allowed them to enter. The bishop represented Jesus Christ. "To stand without and to knock" was done at early churches.
Applying Modern Source Criticism to Accounts of the Book of Mormon Plates (Larry E. Morris): What is source criticism? Everything from diaries to letters, everything under the sun, we need to ask questions to try to decide how much we want to trust that document. He wanted to compare documents about the Book of Mormon plates with documents about Lewis and Clark documents which were from the same time period. Historians like firsthand accounts. Every time a story passes from one person to another, it loses details or details are added. How much time passed from the event itself until it was recorded? The statements about the plates were recorded within months of the event, at the latest 9 months. With Lewis and Clark, some of the entries were completed months after the event. Group statements. Plates: Three witness and eight witnesses both gave group statements. L&C: petition to senate and house, signed by eight expedition members, undated. Provenance of compositions. Plates: Original signed documents not extant. L&C: Early notes used in writing journals are not extant. Original not extant, printed in 1845. Physical ability to observe. No reason to believe either group was affected by limitations in sight or hearing. Social ability to observe. Plates: Witnesses were farmers who spent their days pulling up stumps, clearing rocks, plowing fields, etc. L&C: Expedition members were either experienced soldiers or woodsmen and hunters. When they spoke to Indians, they needed a translator. Sometimes they had to use translators who weren't very good so it's hard to trust what they wrote about what the Indians said. Ability to report. Plates: Witnesses may have originally been biased in Joseph's favor and may have felt pressure to conform; later, however, most were biased against Joseph and probably felt pressure to deny previous testimony. L&C: Captains were under pressure to cast Jefferson in a positive light, men under pressure to cast captains in positive light. Character or reliability of witnesses. In both cases, people had good reputations. They were honest and law abiding citizens. Contradiction or corroboration. Plates: There are 40 instances when one of the eight witnesses related his testimony. Statements contradicting these witness statements come from third hand and anonymous sources. L&C: Internal consistency among various journals, with George Shannon also offering corroboration. Examples of contradictory views from Indians. Intent of compositions. Plates: Three witnesses bore record of the reality of the plates and the work. The eight witnesses bore record of the reality of the plates only. L&C: Find most direct water route across continent. Best historical record. Plates: Strong corroboration from several first and second hand sources. L&C: Very limited corroboration from other sources. There is actually better evidence for the plates than there is for the record of the Lewis and Clark expedition. He believes the existence of the plates is without question.
A-UN, Alpha and Omega, the Name of God Intoned by Koma-inu at Japan's Shinto Shrines. (Mark A. Riddle): On either side of the entrance to a Japanese Shinto shrine, there is a matched pair of creatures that are mirror images of each other. They are lion dogs, but are not realistic representations of lions or dogs. They are composite mythical beasts. Often one of the pair is a unicorn. One has its mouth open and uttering "ah" and the other has it's mouth closed and is uttering "mmm." This is the Asian equivalent of Alpha and Omega, or saying what we can recognize as the name of Jesus Christ. This is name by which He is known by all the world. He showed pictures of several examples of this. They are symbolic and are supposed to prevent evil spirits from entering by saying the name of God. The Bible associates the lion with Judah. The unicorn or wild ox is associated with Joseph. The combination of the lion and unicorn represents Judah and Joseph. We find in the symbolism of the lion and unicorn in Japan the uniting of Joseph and Judah also. This is not accidental. The royal arms of Scotland also has the lion and the unicorn together. They make claims that British royalty were descended from King David. These symbols can be traced across Asia spanning four millennia. From very earliest temples we know anything about, these symbols were present. They flank thrones and temples. He believes the symbolism was developed by the dispersed of Israel in Japan and was originally intended to mean these things.
The Letters of Gordon B. Hinckley: (Matthew Wilcox): In doing research on Elder Hinckley, you can really see humor and insight into his personality by reading his letters. When he was a missionary in England, missionary methods were not very effective in trying to bring interest to uninterested crowds. When he returned home, Elder Hinckley wrote letters, giving reports to Elder Joseph F. Merrill. He talked about illustrated lectures. He appealed to the First Presidency and it about took the heart out of him. President McKay had an appreciation for these things. He used his sense of humor saying there had been very little setup and a good deal of upset. This humor helped him get through these things, a recently returned missionary working with the church leaders. He spent his time getting lectures in order and gathering materials he felt missionaries needed in Europe. This was in 1935, in the middle of the great Depression. He was torn about whether to see the lecture business through, go to school, or find work elsewhere. Elder Merrill wrote saying Elder Hinckley should be given a job. He became quite frustrated when two months after coming home, he didn't feel he had concrete results. He gave all of himself in England and continued to do that after his mission. He was working and praying against terrific odds. He was finally offered a job. He had to find his own desk and typewritten and paper. He's an example of giving your whole soul. He showed his characteristic wit. He was given the talent and drive and motivation he needed to get the job done. He was even then being prepared for someday being the prophet.
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament I read about how the Lord knows us perfectly and understands us the way no one else can. No matter where we go or what we do, we cannot hide from the Lord. He knows our very thoughts. Ps. 139: 1-12 "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord wants all people to come unto Him and does not ask anyone to depart from Him. He gives commandments and wants people to repent and receive salvation. 2 Ne. 26: 23-25, 27-28, 32-33 "For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance. Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden. And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the righteous will be blessed but the ungodly will perish. We need to meditate day and night upon the law and not walk in step with ungodly sinners. Ps. 1: 1-6 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
In the Book of Mormon I read that the Lord wants all people to come unto Him and does not ask anyone to depart from Him. He gives commandments and wants people to repent and receive salvation. 2 Ne. 26: 23-25, 27-28, 32-33 "For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness. He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance. Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden. And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell us that the righteous will be blessed but the ungodly will perish. We need to meditate day and night upon the law and not walk in step with ungodly sinners. Ps. 1: 1-6 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it tells us that idols cannot see, hear, nor speak, and are made by men's hands. How silly to trust in something like that! We may not be worshipping the kind of idols they did in ancient days, but do we place our trust in things just as silly--money and the things it can buy? Ps. 135: 15-18 "The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them."
In the Book of Mormon I read some wonderful verses that say we need to talk of Christ, preach of Christ, and rejoice of Christ so that our children will know where to look for a remission of their sins. We need to speak plainly so as to not only be understood, but so as to not be misunderstood. We need to teach the right way, which is to believe in Christ and not deny Him. We need to worship Him with our whole might, mind, strength, and soul. If we do this, we won't be cast out. 2 Ne. 25: 26, 28-29 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law. And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out."
A verse with a thought bookle tells us that the Lord will give us strength and bless us with peace. Ps. 29: 11 "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."
In the Book of Mormon I read some wonderful verses that say we need to talk of Christ, preach of Christ, and rejoice of Christ so that our children will know where to look for a remission of their sins. We need to speak plainly so as to not only be understood, but so as to not be misunderstood. We need to teach the right way, which is to believe in Christ and not deny Him. We need to worship Him with our whole might, mind, strength, and soul. If we do this, we won't be cast out. 2 Ne. 25: 26, 28-29 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law. And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out."
A verse with a thought bookle tells us that the Lord will give us strength and bless us with peace. Ps. 29: 11 "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Daily Thoughts
In the Old Testament it tells us that it is pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. Ps. 133: 1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
In the Book of Mormon I read that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do. In other words, we need to do our part by keeping the commandments and repenting of our sins, but after we've done everything we can do, it is only by the grace of God that we can find salvation. We cannot do it on our own no matter how hard we try. It took the atonement of Christ for us to have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of our sins. 2 Nephi 25: 23 "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of doubting Thomas who refused to believe in the risen Lord until he had seen Him for himself and touched His nail prints with his hands. When he finally did see for himself, the Lord told him that it was much more blessed to believe without having to see first. We have the words of the scriptures and prophets to help us believe. Let's have faith to believe without having to actually see for ourselves. John 20: 24-31 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
In the Book of Mormon I read that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do. In other words, we need to do our part by keeping the commandments and repenting of our sins, but after we've done everything we can do, it is only by the grace of God that we can find salvation. We cannot do it on our own no matter how hard we try. It took the atonement of Christ for us to have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven of our sins. 2 Nephi 25: 23 "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
Some verses with a thought booklet tell the story of doubting Thomas who refused to believe in the risen Lord until he had seen Him for himself and touched His nail prints with his hands. When he finally did see for himself, the Lord told him that it was much more blessed to believe without having to see first. We have the words of the scriptures and prophets to help us believe. Let's have faith to believe without having to actually see for ourselves. John 20: 24-31 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)