My post today is a little more like a journal entry than my typical post. I guess it is the Christmas season, or another year winding up, but my heart has been pretty full and I feel so blessed. I hope to be able to share some thoughts intelligently.
Over the past 10 days or so, I have been greatly influenced by three books. They are “Beloved Enos” by Denver Snuffer, “The Hidden Christ” by James Ferrell, and “The Beloved Bridegroom” by Donna Nielsen.
Donna Nielsen is a wonderful woman that lives here locally in Salt Lake City. She has built a name for herself as an expert in ancient Jewish culture. She has been a speaker at Education Week and also has a couple of talks on CD. On one of these CD’s she told a story that I could really relate to.
When I was a child and went to the doctor’s office, one of my favorite things to do was to look at Highlights magazine. My favorite part of Highlights was a drawing that at first glace was simply some kind of landscape drawing. Upon greater inspection, however, it became apparent that there were “hidden items” in the picture. These were items like a comb, or a teacup, or a pencil. It was fun to find all of them. Donna Nielsen’s point is that the gospel similarly has many hidden symbols that are not apparent until close inspection.
During the course of 2009, I have been blessed in so many ways… certainly in more ways than I deserve. I have learned so much about the gospel. It seems I have learned more about the Savior in the last year than I have through my entire life. I have learned more about sacred symbols than at any other time. I have learned these from personal revelation or from reading the books of great men and women like those listed above. Many times it has been a combination of the two.
Denver Snuffer, an author most of you have never heard of, has taught me that it truly is possible to have a personal witness of the Savior Jesus Christ in this life. He taught me that the books of first and second Nephi do indeed contain the fullness of the gospel. I attend the Temple differently and much more frequently since reading his first book “The Second Comforter”. His book “Beloved Enos” takes the single chapter of the book of Enos and teaches a profound lesson about symbols and personal revelation.
I’ve learned from James Ferrell’s “The Hidden Christ” that Christ can be found throughout the entire Old Testament. I have always heard this to be true but I guess I am too dense to see the parallels myself. When someone else shows them to me, they seem so obvious.
From Donna Nielsen I have learned that Christ’s parables make much more sense if you understand the context in which they are written. To understand the parable of The Wedding Feast, and of the Ten Virgins it is important to know about Jewish culture of the day. Nielsen writes “An knowledge of the Biblical marriage imagery can greatly enrich our understanding of how God relates to us through covenants. Biblical covenant marriage imagery encompasses principles as diverse as Sabbath observance, the Atonement, temple worship, and missionary work. It literally begins with Adam and ends with Zion.”
I went to the LDS Conference Center during the Christmas Season and saw “Savior of the World”. It was really great. Much of the first act of the play has to do with Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, and Mary and Joseph and the significance of their betrothal and marriage. Reading Donna Nielsen’s book has shed an unbelievable amount of light on everything that happened in those two stories and why they are significant.
In addition to great books, I have had many great experiences just brought about by life. Not all of them have been pleasant but they have taught me that Heavenly Father is in charge…and that he loves us. I have learned so much about being a parent this year by following the pattern of our Heavenly Father and His parenting methods to me. I have learned much by the example of faithful saints with whom I have served.
Yesterday I attended the funeral of Steve McAllister, a man I greatly admired. After his funeral, and all the things that were said, I admire him even more. Steve was the Stake Clerk in the Holladay North Stake. I don’t know exactly how many years he served but he was the clerk while I was on the high council; under the leadership of two Stake Presidents.
A really great poem by Rudyard Kipling titled "The Sons of Martha" was read. It was one of Steve's favorites. It deals with the story of Mary and Martha in the New Testament and goes on to explain how some are destined to be "behind the scenes". It was very moving. That was Steve... happy to be a clerk. I have so much to learn.
The Sons of Martha
Rudyard Kipling 1907
The sons of Mary seldom bother, for they have inherited
that good part;
But the Sons of Martha favour their Mother of the
careful soul and the troubled heart.
And because she lost her temper once, and because she
was rude to the Lord her Guest,
Her Sons must wait upon Mary's Sons, world without
end, reprieve, or rest.
It is their care in all the ages to take the buffet and
cushion the shock.
It is their care that the gear engages; it is their care that
the switches lock.
It is their care that the wheels run truly; it is their care
to embark and entrain,
Tally, transport, and deliver duly the Sons of Mary by
land and main.
They say to mountains, "Be ye removed." They say to
the lesser floods, "Be dry."
Under their rods are the rocks reproved-they are not
afraid of that which is high.
Then do the hill-tops shake to the summit-then is the
bed of the deep laid bare,
That the Sons of Mary may overcome it, pleasantly
sleeping and unaware.
They finger death at their gloves' end where they piece
and repiece the living wires.
He rears against the gates they tend: they feed him hungry
behind their fires.
Early at dawn, ere men see clear, they stumble into
his terrible stall,
And hale him forth a haltered steer, and goad and turn
him till evenfall.
To these from birth is Belief forbidden; from these till
death is Relief afar.
They are concerned with matters hidden - under the
earthline their altars are-
The secret fountains to follow up, waters withdrawn to
restore to the mouth,
And gather the floods as in a cup, and pour them again
at a city's drouth.
They do not preach that their God will rouse them a
little before the nuts work loose.
They do not teach that His Pity allows them to drop
their job when they dam'-well choose.
As in the thronged and the lighted ways, so in the dark
and the desert they stand,
Wary and watchful all their days that their brethren's
day may be long in the land.
Raise ye the stone or cleave the wood to make a path
more fair or flat -
Lo, it is black already with blood some Son of Martha
spilled for that!
Not as a ladder from earth to Heaven, not as a witness
to any creed,
But simple service simply given to his own kind in their
common need.
And the Sons of Mary smile and are blessed - they
know the Angels are on their side.
They know in them is the Grace confessed, and for
them are the Mercies multiplied.
They sit at the Feet - they hear the Word - they see
how truly the Promise runs.
They have cast their burden upon the Lord, and - the
Lord He lays it on Martha's Sons!
Both Stake Presidents spoke at the funeral yesterday—President Steven J. Scott, and President David C. Marriott. Both men have been great influences in my life. President Scott was the stake president that called me to the high council. He is the greatest mentor I have had in my life. At a time of a serious trial in my life—he was my closest friend. I hope that I can be as faithful as he has been throughout my life. His wife Carol is equally wonderful. Both talks by both men were wonderful and I was blessed.
As the year draws to a close, I want all who are reading this blog to know that I know that our Heavenly Father lives and that He loves us. I know that His dear Son Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world. I know that we can be forgiven of our own sins and that we can forgive others through the example of the Savior.
May we all be better in the year to come!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Joseph, Son of Jacob
It has probably become obvious to most of you that I read a lot. I really enjoy reading. I wake up around 5am every morning and try to read for an hour and a half before going on my morning run or swim. On great days like today I wake up at 4:30… well rested and can get two hours of reading in! I always give top priority to scripture study. I feel like I read intently and that I think about and ponder the things I am reading. I really try to understand what I am reading. Then something happens like happened this past weekend. I read someone else’s commentary on a particular topic or scripture, and it is something that I never would have thought of on my own. I can see someone else’s inspiration…. and wonder about my own.
For Christmas I received James L. Ferrell’s new book “The Hidden Christ; Beneath the Surface of the Old Testament”. It is a great book by a man who has had a big influence in my life with another of his books “The Peacegiver.”
Chapter 7 in “The Hidden Christ” is on the topic of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers. Coincidentally this is exactly where I am reading in “The Book of Jasher.” In Jasher the story goes into much more detail than the Old Testament. I have been really enthralled by the story and have had a hard time putting it down. However, after reading Brother Ferrell’s comments on this story… I see that I have missed the point entirely!
Ferrell write’s “The story of Joseph in Egypt is one of the most stunning in all of scripture. There is far more to Joseph and his story than meets the eye, however. For example, do you know that the story of his saving Israel from the drought is exactly parallel to the story of how Israel is being saved through the Book of Mormon in the latter days? And do you know the extent and depth to which Joseph’s story is parallel to the Savior’s? And how his brothers’ stories are parallel to ours? And how the story of the reunion of Joseph with his brothers is also a story of our reunion with the Lord? And how that story will stir your soul when you see it? Joseph is as relevant today as ever. After all, he dreamed about us.”
Farrell goes on to explain how Joseph saved Israel in two ways: he saved them temporally by providing them food, and he saved them spiritually by providing them deliverance. These two types of “saving” came to Joseph by the means of two dreams. They are a s follows: “And he said unto his brothers, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.” (Gen. 37: 6,7). In the next verse Joseph related his second dream. “And Joseph dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me”. Jacob rebuked his son: “Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow ourselves to thee to the earth?”
Ferrell writes “What are we to make of these two dreams? On one level, the interpretations seem obvious: Both imply that the family would bow before Joseph. But why two dreams? And if two dreams, why two different dreams? What meaning might there be in their similarities and differences?”
While both dreams imply that Joseph’s family would bow to him but only the second one includes his mother and father, and the sun, moon, and stars. Ferrell goes on to explain why the first dream implies that his family would bow to him temporally and the second dream implies they would bow spiritually.
Everyone knows the story of how Joseph saved his family temporally so I will not go into detail on this one. We know that when his family came to Egypt looking for food, they bowed before him. This was a fulfillment of this prophecy.
Farrell continues “Jacob recognized that Joseph’s role in providing food to the house of Israel and saving them from death was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy communicated in Joseph’s dreams. But Jacob also recognized, as Joseph’s dual dreams suggested, that there would yet be a future deliverance at Joseph’s hand—this one a spiritual deliverance: ‘Thy brethren shall bow down unto thee, from generation to generation,’ he declared, ‘unto the fruit of thy loins forever; For thou shalt be a light unto my people, to deliver them in the days of their captivity, from bondage; and to bring salvation unto them, when they are altogether bowed down under sin.
The parallel nature of Joseph’s dreams suggest that this future spiritual deliverance would parallel the pattern of deliverance established in Egypt. This pattern was as follows:
1. Joseph was broken off to a place apart from the rest of the House of Israel.
2. Joseph resided in a distant land, unknown to his family.
3. The experiences of Joseph in the distant land prepared for the salvation of Israel.
4. Israel began to be saved when they learned of Joseph who was separated.
5. The house of Israel bowed before Joseph.”
Israel’s spiritual deliverance unfolds in precisely the same way.
Just before his death, Joseph prophesied “And it shall come to pass that Israel shall be scattered again; and a branch of the fruit of the loins of Joseph shall be broken off, and shall be carried away into a far country.” (JST Gen. 50)
Ferrell continues “This prophecy is fulfilled in the story of Lehi, a descendant of Joseph, who was led away from the land of Israel to a land apart”.
In order to keep this post as short as possible, I will not go on to explain how this prophecy is fulfilled by Lehi’s move to the promised land. It seems quite obvious to those familiar with the Book of Mormon. I recommend Ferrell’s book to those want more. I would however like to outline another point of Farrell’s and that is how Joseph as a temporal and spiritual deliverer, was a type and shadow of the Saviors temporal and spiritual deliverance.
Ferrell write “Consider the majesty of Joseph’s deliverance: He saved Israel from physical death, and will save Israel from spiritual death. In overcoming the two deaths, the beloved son of Israel is in the similitude of the Beloved Son of the Father.
The following are true both of Joseph and the Lord:
• He is the beloved son.
• He reveals that he will rule over Israel.
• The children of Israel reject him out of jealousy and hate. Notwithstanding their mistreatment of him, he seeks out his brethren on behalf of his father
• But the children of Israel conspire to kill him.
• He is betrayed by the hand of Judah—or in Greek, Judas.
• He is sold for the price of a slave of his age.
• This very attempt to destroy him sets in motion events that will eventually save the house of Israel from death.
• He resists temptation perfectly.
• He begins his public mission of preparing salvation for Israel at the age of thirty.
• He provides bread for Israel, saving them from death.
• He offers that bread without a price.
• In the offering of that bread, he offers the opportunity to repent.
The extent of the parallelism is remarkable. When we understand that Joseph is a similitude of the Savior, the relationship with his brothers suddenly takes on a very personal significance. For, in an important way, Joseph’s brothers are in similitude of us. Through our sins, we, in effect, have thrown the Savior into the pit. We are the cause of his suffering—suffering that has a type in Joseph. “
As I read this chapter this morning, I couldn’t help but weep. I wept for the suffering that the Savior bore for me. I wept that I hadn’t seen this parallel by reading the story on my own. I also wept as I thought of the prophet Joseph Smith. As a young man, and as unlearned as he was, Joseph Smith nor any other man, could ever have fabricated a story that is so intertwined with the Old and New Testaments. Prophecy was fulfilled by Lehi bringing his small family out of Jerusalem into the promised land. My personal witness was strengthened today.
For Christmas I received James L. Ferrell’s new book “The Hidden Christ; Beneath the Surface of the Old Testament”. It is a great book by a man who has had a big influence in my life with another of his books “The Peacegiver.”
Chapter 7 in “The Hidden Christ” is on the topic of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers. Coincidentally this is exactly where I am reading in “The Book of Jasher.” In Jasher the story goes into much more detail than the Old Testament. I have been really enthralled by the story and have had a hard time putting it down. However, after reading Brother Ferrell’s comments on this story… I see that I have missed the point entirely!
Ferrell write’s “The story of Joseph in Egypt is one of the most stunning in all of scripture. There is far more to Joseph and his story than meets the eye, however. For example, do you know that the story of his saving Israel from the drought is exactly parallel to the story of how Israel is being saved through the Book of Mormon in the latter days? And do you know the extent and depth to which Joseph’s story is parallel to the Savior’s? And how his brothers’ stories are parallel to ours? And how the story of the reunion of Joseph with his brothers is also a story of our reunion with the Lord? And how that story will stir your soul when you see it? Joseph is as relevant today as ever. After all, he dreamed about us.”
Farrell goes on to explain how Joseph saved Israel in two ways: he saved them temporally by providing them food, and he saved them spiritually by providing them deliverance. These two types of “saving” came to Joseph by the means of two dreams. They are a s follows: “And he said unto his brothers, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.” (Gen. 37: 6,7). In the next verse Joseph related his second dream. “And Joseph dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me”. Jacob rebuked his son: “Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow ourselves to thee to the earth?”
Ferrell writes “What are we to make of these two dreams? On one level, the interpretations seem obvious: Both imply that the family would bow before Joseph. But why two dreams? And if two dreams, why two different dreams? What meaning might there be in their similarities and differences?”
While both dreams imply that Joseph’s family would bow to him but only the second one includes his mother and father, and the sun, moon, and stars. Ferrell goes on to explain why the first dream implies that his family would bow to him temporally and the second dream implies they would bow spiritually.
Everyone knows the story of how Joseph saved his family temporally so I will not go into detail on this one. We know that when his family came to Egypt looking for food, they bowed before him. This was a fulfillment of this prophecy.
Farrell continues “Jacob recognized that Joseph’s role in providing food to the house of Israel and saving them from death was a direct fulfillment of the prophecy communicated in Joseph’s dreams. But Jacob also recognized, as Joseph’s dual dreams suggested, that there would yet be a future deliverance at Joseph’s hand—this one a spiritual deliverance: ‘Thy brethren shall bow down unto thee, from generation to generation,’ he declared, ‘unto the fruit of thy loins forever; For thou shalt be a light unto my people, to deliver them in the days of their captivity, from bondage; and to bring salvation unto them, when they are altogether bowed down under sin.
The parallel nature of Joseph’s dreams suggest that this future spiritual deliverance would parallel the pattern of deliverance established in Egypt. This pattern was as follows:
1. Joseph was broken off to a place apart from the rest of the House of Israel.
2. Joseph resided in a distant land, unknown to his family.
3. The experiences of Joseph in the distant land prepared for the salvation of Israel.
4. Israel began to be saved when they learned of Joseph who was separated.
5. The house of Israel bowed before Joseph.”
Israel’s spiritual deliverance unfolds in precisely the same way.
Just before his death, Joseph prophesied “And it shall come to pass that Israel shall be scattered again; and a branch of the fruit of the loins of Joseph shall be broken off, and shall be carried away into a far country.” (JST Gen. 50)
Ferrell continues “This prophecy is fulfilled in the story of Lehi, a descendant of Joseph, who was led away from the land of Israel to a land apart”.
In order to keep this post as short as possible, I will not go on to explain how this prophecy is fulfilled by Lehi’s move to the promised land. It seems quite obvious to those familiar with the Book of Mormon. I recommend Ferrell’s book to those want more. I would however like to outline another point of Farrell’s and that is how Joseph as a temporal and spiritual deliverer, was a type and shadow of the Saviors temporal and spiritual deliverance.
Ferrell write “Consider the majesty of Joseph’s deliverance: He saved Israel from physical death, and will save Israel from spiritual death. In overcoming the two deaths, the beloved son of Israel is in the similitude of the Beloved Son of the Father.
The following are true both of Joseph and the Lord:
• He is the beloved son.
• He reveals that he will rule over Israel.
• The children of Israel reject him out of jealousy and hate. Notwithstanding their mistreatment of him, he seeks out his brethren on behalf of his father
• But the children of Israel conspire to kill him.
• He is betrayed by the hand of Judah—or in Greek, Judas.
• He is sold for the price of a slave of his age.
• This very attempt to destroy him sets in motion events that will eventually save the house of Israel from death.
• He resists temptation perfectly.
• He begins his public mission of preparing salvation for Israel at the age of thirty.
• He provides bread for Israel, saving them from death.
• He offers that bread without a price.
• In the offering of that bread, he offers the opportunity to repent.
The extent of the parallelism is remarkable. When we understand that Joseph is a similitude of the Savior, the relationship with his brothers suddenly takes on a very personal significance. For, in an important way, Joseph’s brothers are in similitude of us. Through our sins, we, in effect, have thrown the Savior into the pit. We are the cause of his suffering—suffering that has a type in Joseph. “
As I read this chapter this morning, I couldn’t help but weep. I wept for the suffering that the Savior bore for me. I wept that I hadn’t seen this parallel by reading the story on my own. I also wept as I thought of the prophet Joseph Smith. As a young man, and as unlearned as he was, Joseph Smith nor any other man, could ever have fabricated a story that is so intertwined with the Old and New Testaments. Prophecy was fulfilled by Lehi bringing his small family out of Jerusalem into the promised land. My personal witness was strengthened today.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Rich Young Man
Every now and then I read something that so profoundly touches me that I feel forever changed by it. Yesterday I had one of those experiences. I hope to be able to express my feelings adequately.
This is undoubtedly one of the most personal posts I have made on this blog. It expresses one of my greatest weaknesses. It is a weakness that I have always had but not really understood until yesterday. I hope you can be patient with me.
Brother Denver Snuffer is an author that I greatly admire. This year alone I have read his “The Second Comforter” 5 times and have given at least a half-dozen copies to others. I have read “Nephi’s Isaiah” twice, “Eighteen Verses” once, “Beloved Enos” once, and now “Come, Let US Adore Him” once. I have learned a tremendous amount from each one of them and have had several of these profound experiences from them. Yesterday’s came form his newest book “Come, Let Us Adore Him”.
Chapter 10 of this book is titled “The Rich Young Man”. Of course it tells the story found in the New Testament of the rich young man that came to the Savior asking what he must do to inherit eternal life.
In Matthew 19 we read “16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. “
Brother Snuffer writes “In answer to the young man’s question about what he must do, Christ replied simply, ‘keep the commandments.’ All of us may have hope for eternal life by keeping the commandments. But the young man knew there had to be more. He knew that people who believed in Christ, and people who were critics of Christ, all tried in their own way to keep the commandments. To the credit of the young man he wanted more. He wanted the kind of spiritual certitude that comes from something more than mere outward obedience. He wanted his heart to be right before God. So he pressed the point with Christ and asked : ‘Which?’ His question implies that if there was a commandment that could answer the awful need, the nagging uncertainty inside him, and if Christ would tell him what it was, he would readily conform to that key commandment. This was a sincere young man who genuinely wanted to find the missing key to true worship.”
Christ goes on to rehearse the Ten Commandments where the young man replies “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10: 20-21)
Over the years I have learned a lot from this story in regards to not being greedy and not being unduly caught up in the material things of the world. Quite frankly I felt like I had learned all there was to learn form this story and was doing pretty well in this area…. until yesterday.
For many years as an adult I lived a pretty average life as a Latter-Day Saint. I tried to obey the commandments. I attended the Temple regularly, and filled several key positions in the church. I felt I was mostly on the right track. Of course I had weaknesses but I felt they were pretty common and that I was doing as well as anyone else.
In 2004, however, I felt the Lord “snatched” me out of my average life and said “I expect more out of you Scott” and proceeded to put me in some opportunities to really change. Then, a year or so later he said “you are not moving quite fast enough” and proceeded to tear my world apart. The next three years were an emotional and spiritual roller coaster.
With the help of a loving Heavenly Father I was able to learn from and move on from this particular trial. Since that time I have really tried to be better in every part of my life. I try harder to keep the commandments. I attend the temple more frequently. I read and pray much more meaningfully. As a result, I have been blessed beyond my understanding.
Due to the profound trials and blessings I have had, I began to think that Heavenly Father must have something very important for me to do; therefore he is giving me all these experiences. At the same time my friends were being called to presiding positions in the church and I began to want the blessings they were receiving from serving in these positions. In my mind it was all honorable and for “serving the Lord better.” I found myself wanting more. I wanted a more sure knowledge of things. I want the ministering of angels. I want greater understanding of the mysteries. All of this changed yesterday when I read Brother Snuffer’s commentary on The Rich Young Man.
As I read Brother Snuffer’s book, the eyes of my understanding were opened and I clearly saw myself in this story. I have felt that all of my intentions have been honorable, but suddenly I saw myself asking the Lord “Which?” He gave me a clear answer that cut me to the very core that didn’t say “sell all you have”, but asked “are you willing to go unnoticed?”
The last couple of days have been very humbling. I have spent quite some time pondering how noble my intentions have been. I have asked myself over and over again if I have been serving with an eye single to God’s glory or if that has just been in my mind? Am I guilty of seeking the spotlight while thinking I am doing it for God? I have prayed earnestly and have learned I must repent and humble myself again. I want my heart to be right with God. I must seek His will.
This is undoubtedly one of the most personal posts I have made on this blog. It expresses one of my greatest weaknesses. It is a weakness that I have always had but not really understood until yesterday. I hope you can be patient with me.
Brother Denver Snuffer is an author that I greatly admire. This year alone I have read his “The Second Comforter” 5 times and have given at least a half-dozen copies to others. I have read “Nephi’s Isaiah” twice, “Eighteen Verses” once, “Beloved Enos” once, and now “Come, Let US Adore Him” once. I have learned a tremendous amount from each one of them and have had several of these profound experiences from them. Yesterday’s came form his newest book “Come, Let Us Adore Him”.
Chapter 10 of this book is titled “The Rich Young Man”. Of course it tells the story found in the New Testament of the rich young man that came to the Savior asking what he must do to inherit eternal life.
In Matthew 19 we read “16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. “
Brother Snuffer writes “In answer to the young man’s question about what he must do, Christ replied simply, ‘keep the commandments.’ All of us may have hope for eternal life by keeping the commandments. But the young man knew there had to be more. He knew that people who believed in Christ, and people who were critics of Christ, all tried in their own way to keep the commandments. To the credit of the young man he wanted more. He wanted the kind of spiritual certitude that comes from something more than mere outward obedience. He wanted his heart to be right before God. So he pressed the point with Christ and asked : ‘Which?’ His question implies that if there was a commandment that could answer the awful need, the nagging uncertainty inside him, and if Christ would tell him what it was, he would readily conform to that key commandment. This was a sincere young man who genuinely wanted to find the missing key to true worship.”
Christ goes on to rehearse the Ten Commandments where the young man replies “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10: 20-21)
Over the years I have learned a lot from this story in regards to not being greedy and not being unduly caught up in the material things of the world. Quite frankly I felt like I had learned all there was to learn form this story and was doing pretty well in this area…. until yesterday.
For many years as an adult I lived a pretty average life as a Latter-Day Saint. I tried to obey the commandments. I attended the Temple regularly, and filled several key positions in the church. I felt I was mostly on the right track. Of course I had weaknesses but I felt they were pretty common and that I was doing as well as anyone else.
In 2004, however, I felt the Lord “snatched” me out of my average life and said “I expect more out of you Scott” and proceeded to put me in some opportunities to really change. Then, a year or so later he said “you are not moving quite fast enough” and proceeded to tear my world apart. The next three years were an emotional and spiritual roller coaster.
With the help of a loving Heavenly Father I was able to learn from and move on from this particular trial. Since that time I have really tried to be better in every part of my life. I try harder to keep the commandments. I attend the temple more frequently. I read and pray much more meaningfully. As a result, I have been blessed beyond my understanding.
Due to the profound trials and blessings I have had, I began to think that Heavenly Father must have something very important for me to do; therefore he is giving me all these experiences. At the same time my friends were being called to presiding positions in the church and I began to want the blessings they were receiving from serving in these positions. In my mind it was all honorable and for “serving the Lord better.” I found myself wanting more. I wanted a more sure knowledge of things. I want the ministering of angels. I want greater understanding of the mysteries. All of this changed yesterday when I read Brother Snuffer’s commentary on The Rich Young Man.
As I read Brother Snuffer’s book, the eyes of my understanding were opened and I clearly saw myself in this story. I have felt that all of my intentions have been honorable, but suddenly I saw myself asking the Lord “Which?” He gave me a clear answer that cut me to the very core that didn’t say “sell all you have”, but asked “are you willing to go unnoticed?”
The last couple of days have been very humbling. I have spent quite some time pondering how noble my intentions have been. I have asked myself over and over again if I have been serving with an eye single to God’s glory or if that has just been in my mind? Am I guilty of seeking the spotlight while thinking I am doing it for God? I have prayed earnestly and have learned I must repent and humble myself again. I want my heart to be right with God. I must seek His will.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Adam, Where art Thou?
Some weeks ago I was talking to my good friend Jason Hewlett (If you don’t know who Jason is, Google him and you will be blessed) and asked him if he had read any good books lately. He told me that one of his favorites was “Clay in the Masters Hands” by R. Wayne Shute. Trusting his opinion I went looking for it at all my usual book sources but was unable to find it. I ultimately bought it online from Latter Day Light Books.
“Clay in the Master’s Hands” is a compilation of stories by well known LDS authors on the topic of understanding trials. I was moved by several of the stories but am writing today about the one by Brother Wayne Shute himself. It is found in the final chapter of the book that bears the same name as the title.
Brother Shute starts out his chapter by reminding us that this life is a testing ground. He then goes on to explain by a couple of compelling examples that “there are no shortcuts to greatness.” If we are to be found worthy to become joint heirs with the Savior, and to receive all that the Father has, we have some serious proving of ourselves to do. Shute writes “If we accept the fact that we are being tested when tribulation comes our way, even tribulation beyond our control, we might prepare ourselves for the test. And, from time to time, Heavenly Father may ask us for an ongoing report as to how we are meeting the challenges of mortal adversity. He might very well say to us as he said to Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam, where art thou?” or in other words, “where art thou in terms of maintaining your faith in me as you face the difficulties of mortality?”
On this topic, Martin Buber, a German Hasidic philosopher/scholar wrote “God called out “Adam, where art thou?” He knew where Adam was, but He asked the question to see if Adam knew where he was. So it is with us as we face tribulation. He knows we are suffering and He knows how well we are handling it. The question, however, is intended to help us see where we are dealing with the challenges of life, and to remind us of our relationship with Him and that there is a purpose in meeting the challenges we may be facing.”
In asking the question, God doesn’t expect to learn something He does not know. By asking this question, God intends to produce in us a look inward, to see where we are in our relationship with Him, to see how we are doing in the brief time allotted us in mortality. What He intends to do by asking this question is to produce in Adam, and all of us, an effect which helps us see where we are in facing the responsibilities which He places upon us.
“Clay in the Master’s Hands” is a compilation of stories by well known LDS authors on the topic of understanding trials. I was moved by several of the stories but am writing today about the one by Brother Wayne Shute himself. It is found in the final chapter of the book that bears the same name as the title.
Brother Shute starts out his chapter by reminding us that this life is a testing ground. He then goes on to explain by a couple of compelling examples that “there are no shortcuts to greatness.” If we are to be found worthy to become joint heirs with the Savior, and to receive all that the Father has, we have some serious proving of ourselves to do. Shute writes “If we accept the fact that we are being tested when tribulation comes our way, even tribulation beyond our control, we might prepare ourselves for the test. And, from time to time, Heavenly Father may ask us for an ongoing report as to how we are meeting the challenges of mortal adversity. He might very well say to us as he said to Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam, where art thou?” or in other words, “where art thou in terms of maintaining your faith in me as you face the difficulties of mortality?”
On this topic, Martin Buber, a German Hasidic philosopher/scholar wrote “God called out “Adam, where art thou?” He knew where Adam was, but He asked the question to see if Adam knew where he was. So it is with us as we face tribulation. He knows we are suffering and He knows how well we are handling it. The question, however, is intended to help us see where we are dealing with the challenges of life, and to remind us of our relationship with Him and that there is a purpose in meeting the challenges we may be facing.”
In asking the question, God doesn’t expect to learn something He does not know. By asking this question, God intends to produce in us a look inward, to see where we are in our relationship with Him, to see how we are doing in the brief time allotted us in mortality. What He intends to do by asking this question is to produce in Adam, and all of us, an effect which helps us see where we are in facing the responsibilities which He places upon us.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Gospel of Judas Iscariot
Several Weeks ago I picked up an interesting book at Benchmark Books called “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot”: I was intrigued by the title. The author is Bart D. Ehrman; a New York Times best selling author and a professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina. I learned some great things by this book and would like to share a few of them.
The Gospel of Judas Iscariot is an ancient scroll that was found in the 1970’s by archeologist. But due to a variety of circumstances… mostly involving money, it was not published. Because of mishandling over the next 30 years it was almost destroyed. In about 2005 National Geographic acquired it and produced a documentary that aired in April of 2006.
The Gospel of Judas was not written by Judas himself. However, according to Ehrman it is the oldest known original New Testament text. The copy found was written in about 400 A.D. This appears to be about 200 years older than any other New Testament text. Therefore it has tremendous value.
It appears to have been written by a group of people known as Gnostic. The Gnostics were a religious group that seems to have Christian roots but mingled with “the teachings of men”. Much of what I read shows that in 400 A.D., the Great Apostasy was well under way. It appears that a group of these people highly favored Judas Iscariot.
The back of the book has this excerpt “Throughout the Christian tradition Judas has been portrayed as the rotten apple in the apostolic barrel. Nowhere in the Christian tradition has he been treated kindly. Until now. The Gospel of Judas insists that Judas was the only one of the disciples who understood hi Lord… Only Judas had a glimpse of the truth. And to him alone did Jesus reveal all that needs to be known.”
This idea intrigued me at first. Several years ago I read a series of books by Andrew Skinner that were titled “Gethsemane”, “Golgotha”, and “The Garden Tomb” (I highly recommend this series). Skinner proposed an idea in one of these books that has remained with me. Now he wasn’t proposing this idea as fact, but simply a different way of looking at Judas. He essentially said that he couldn’t comprehend that one of Jesus’ most faithful followers would turn against him. He instead proposed the idea that Judas truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah. His problem was that Jesus just wasn’t acting fast enough in saving the Jews. He therefore decided to turn Jesus over to the enemy believing full well that angels would come down to protect him, and force His glory to be proven. He was stunned at the outcome and therefore “went and wept bitterly”.
I am not saying that I believe this idea but it has caused me to do some serious thinking. It doesn’t seem to make Judas any less guilty; he was still following Satan by “forcing” others to be saved. He was also not being humble in saying “thy will be done” but rather “my will be done”. How many of us are guilty of this?
The greatest things I learned from “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot” was Bible history that is known among scholars; but unfamiliar to me. Ehrman writes “It comes as a surprise to many people to learn that our earliest source for knowing about the life of Jesus is not one of the Gospels of the New Testament but the writings of the Apostle Paul. Even though the Gospels are placed first in the New Testament, that does not mean they were first to be written—the New Testament is arranged not according to when the books were written but according to genre, with the Gospels first, then the book of Acts, then the letters (of Paul and others), and then the book of Revelation. Although they are placed in the middle of the New Testament, Paul’s letters were the first of the New Testament books to be written. In fact they are the earliest Christian writings that we have, of any kind whatsoever. The Gospels of the New Testament were written thirty-five to sixty-five years after the life of Jesus.
Although some of the above material was not new to me, the following was ”Mark was probably the first Gospel to be written, later to be expanded by Matthew and Luke.” Speaking of the Gospel f Mark Ehrman writes “He is not simply stating historical facts but is telling a story. His understanding of Jesus has affected how he tells the story. Beneath the surface of the narrative is a theological agenda, which affects everything he says about Jesus; Especially his relationship with others.
When you read Marks Gospel carefully, it is clear that he wants to portray Jesus as the messiah of the Jews, the Son of God, who was destined to die for the sins of others. What is striking is that almost no one in the entire narrative understands Jesus’ identity, not even the disciples. The people form his hometown can’t understand how he can say and do such wonderful things—is this not the carpenter’s son? The leaders of the people think he is inspired and empowered by the devil, and Jesus constantly laments ‘Do you not yet understand?’”
Matthew appears to have used Mark’s text as a basis for his. Matthew was written 10 to 15 years after Mark wrote his. Matthew seemed to want to emphasize the things he feels Mark left out. Ehrman points out three major additions:
1) Matthew is much longer than Mark, mostly because he adds large sections of Jesus’ teachings that are absent in Mark. For example in Matthew is the only place we get the Sermon on the Mount.
2) Matthew is often thought of as the most “Jewish” of the Gospels. He places the largest emphasis on the Jewish Law. He wrote “Do not think that I came to destroy the law and the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill”. He emphasizes the “fulfillments” of prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures.
3) He can also be seen as the most “anti-Jewish” as well. It is here that that Jesus most vigorously opposes the Jewish leaders of his day calling them hypocrites.
Like the book of Matthew, Luke was written ten or fifteen years after Mark. It appears that Luke used the book of Mark as one of his sources. Luke describes the three temptations of Jesus in detail. And Luke portrays the crucifixion as a Satanic act to lash back at the Son of God for his goodness and example.
One of the more striking differences that is offered by Luke is the way that Jesus faces his death. Mark’s narration is powerful but lean. Mark’s account tells how one of his followers betrays him, another denies him, and none stand by him in his hour of need. He is silent on his way to the crucifixion, while being nailed to the cross and while on the cross. In Mark it is where Jesus who has been betrayed, denied, condemned, rejected, mocked, and abandoned, even by the Father… that leaves Jesus to say “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Luke provides a very different account of the events. In Luke Jesus is not at all silent on his way to the crucifixion. On the way he tells a group of women “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
While being nailed to the cross Jesus cries “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He tells one of the thieves “Truly I tell you, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” And in his final moment he says “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” It is in Luke that Jesus is fully in charge of his own death.
I must admit that I had never really paid attention to the differences between the four Gospels. I had even read them in “horizontal harmony” and still hadn’t noticed the differences. I for one am guilty of lumping them all together. It wasn’t until I read “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot” that I was taught that each of the authors wrote with specific purposes in mind and for specific audiences.
I have much more to learn!
The Gospel of Judas Iscariot is an ancient scroll that was found in the 1970’s by archeologist. But due to a variety of circumstances… mostly involving money, it was not published. Because of mishandling over the next 30 years it was almost destroyed. In about 2005 National Geographic acquired it and produced a documentary that aired in April of 2006.
The Gospel of Judas was not written by Judas himself. However, according to Ehrman it is the oldest known original New Testament text. The copy found was written in about 400 A.D. This appears to be about 200 years older than any other New Testament text. Therefore it has tremendous value.
It appears to have been written by a group of people known as Gnostic. The Gnostics were a religious group that seems to have Christian roots but mingled with “the teachings of men”. Much of what I read shows that in 400 A.D., the Great Apostasy was well under way. It appears that a group of these people highly favored Judas Iscariot.
The back of the book has this excerpt “Throughout the Christian tradition Judas has been portrayed as the rotten apple in the apostolic barrel. Nowhere in the Christian tradition has he been treated kindly. Until now. The Gospel of Judas insists that Judas was the only one of the disciples who understood hi Lord… Only Judas had a glimpse of the truth. And to him alone did Jesus reveal all that needs to be known.”
This idea intrigued me at first. Several years ago I read a series of books by Andrew Skinner that were titled “Gethsemane”, “Golgotha”, and “The Garden Tomb” (I highly recommend this series). Skinner proposed an idea in one of these books that has remained with me. Now he wasn’t proposing this idea as fact, but simply a different way of looking at Judas. He essentially said that he couldn’t comprehend that one of Jesus’ most faithful followers would turn against him. He instead proposed the idea that Judas truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah. His problem was that Jesus just wasn’t acting fast enough in saving the Jews. He therefore decided to turn Jesus over to the enemy believing full well that angels would come down to protect him, and force His glory to be proven. He was stunned at the outcome and therefore “went and wept bitterly”.
I am not saying that I believe this idea but it has caused me to do some serious thinking. It doesn’t seem to make Judas any less guilty; he was still following Satan by “forcing” others to be saved. He was also not being humble in saying “thy will be done” but rather “my will be done”. How many of us are guilty of this?
The greatest things I learned from “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot” was Bible history that is known among scholars; but unfamiliar to me. Ehrman writes “It comes as a surprise to many people to learn that our earliest source for knowing about the life of Jesus is not one of the Gospels of the New Testament but the writings of the Apostle Paul. Even though the Gospels are placed first in the New Testament, that does not mean they were first to be written—the New Testament is arranged not according to when the books were written but according to genre, with the Gospels first, then the book of Acts, then the letters (of Paul and others), and then the book of Revelation. Although they are placed in the middle of the New Testament, Paul’s letters were the first of the New Testament books to be written. In fact they are the earliest Christian writings that we have, of any kind whatsoever. The Gospels of the New Testament were written thirty-five to sixty-five years after the life of Jesus.
Although some of the above material was not new to me, the following was ”Mark was probably the first Gospel to be written, later to be expanded by Matthew and Luke.” Speaking of the Gospel f Mark Ehrman writes “He is not simply stating historical facts but is telling a story. His understanding of Jesus has affected how he tells the story. Beneath the surface of the narrative is a theological agenda, which affects everything he says about Jesus; Especially his relationship with others.
When you read Marks Gospel carefully, it is clear that he wants to portray Jesus as the messiah of the Jews, the Son of God, who was destined to die for the sins of others. What is striking is that almost no one in the entire narrative understands Jesus’ identity, not even the disciples. The people form his hometown can’t understand how he can say and do such wonderful things—is this not the carpenter’s son? The leaders of the people think he is inspired and empowered by the devil, and Jesus constantly laments ‘Do you not yet understand?’”
Matthew appears to have used Mark’s text as a basis for his. Matthew was written 10 to 15 years after Mark wrote his. Matthew seemed to want to emphasize the things he feels Mark left out. Ehrman points out three major additions:
1) Matthew is much longer than Mark, mostly because he adds large sections of Jesus’ teachings that are absent in Mark. For example in Matthew is the only place we get the Sermon on the Mount.
2) Matthew is often thought of as the most “Jewish” of the Gospels. He places the largest emphasis on the Jewish Law. He wrote “Do not think that I came to destroy the law and the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill”. He emphasizes the “fulfillments” of prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures.
3) He can also be seen as the most “anti-Jewish” as well. It is here that that Jesus most vigorously opposes the Jewish leaders of his day calling them hypocrites.
Like the book of Matthew, Luke was written ten or fifteen years after Mark. It appears that Luke used the book of Mark as one of his sources. Luke describes the three temptations of Jesus in detail. And Luke portrays the crucifixion as a Satanic act to lash back at the Son of God for his goodness and example.
One of the more striking differences that is offered by Luke is the way that Jesus faces his death. Mark’s narration is powerful but lean. Mark’s account tells how one of his followers betrays him, another denies him, and none stand by him in his hour of need. He is silent on his way to the crucifixion, while being nailed to the cross and while on the cross. In Mark it is where Jesus who has been betrayed, denied, condemned, rejected, mocked, and abandoned, even by the Father… that leaves Jesus to say “my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Luke provides a very different account of the events. In Luke Jesus is not at all silent on his way to the crucifixion. On the way he tells a group of women “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children.”
While being nailed to the cross Jesus cries “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He tells one of the thieves “Truly I tell you, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” And in his final moment he says “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” It is in Luke that Jesus is fully in charge of his own death.
I must admit that I had never really paid attention to the differences between the four Gospels. I had even read them in “horizontal harmony” and still hadn’t noticed the differences. I for one am guilty of lumping them all together. It wasn’t until I read “The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot” that I was taught that each of the authors wrote with specific purposes in mind and for specific audiences.
I have much more to learn!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Servant-Friend-Son
Imagine if you will a large beautiful estate. Imagine a large mansion on many acres with beautifully manicured gardens. Imagine a perfect interior with maids and butlers taking care of every detail. Imagine now that the owner is a loving, generous man with a loving, down to earth family. The owner and his family care deeply for their friends and family, and also for the well being of all those who work for them. They are a great family.
Despite the goodness of this man, there is a hierarchy of caring for others. What I mean by this is that it is human nature to care first of all about family, then friends, and then others (servants). You can imagine that in this wealthy man’s world… servants are not treated the same way friends are, and friends are not treated the same way the children are.
To illustrate this better, imagine a party at the estate. Guests would arrive and be treated with hospitality. Family would be honored and hold high esteem. The servants would serve, plain and simple.
Now what does this have to do with anything? How does this apply to us and our relationship with Heavenly Father? Let’s take a look at the scriptures to see how we can progress from being a servant, to a friend, to a son or daughter.
In Doctrine and Covenants 1:17 we read “ 17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments.” Here the Lord calls the prophet his “servant”.
Later we hear the Lord refer to Joseph as His friend. In D&C 93:45 we read “45 Verily, I say unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me.
Later, as Joseph proved that he would abide in the Covenant , the Lord called him his son. In D&C 121: 7-8 we read “ 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”
In “The Three Pillars of Zion” by Larry Barkdull we read the following: “This pattern—servant- friend- son—might help us understand our progression in the Covenant. A servant receives and fulfills the commandments of the Lord. A servant might know his Lord, but not intimately.
A friend, on the other hand, because of his relationship with the Lord, is in a position to ask what he can do for the other person. Friends do not command each other; rather, one friend might request something of the other, knowing that his friend would help. Friends share intimate conversations, they know a great deal about each other, and they have much in common. It is worth noting that friends and servant do not enjoy eternal relationships, as does family. The status of servant or friend can be temporary, but always these relationships are defined by set boundaries. Therefore, if we are to progress from servant to friend or family, something significant in the relationship must change. That brings us to the ultimate stage of the Covenant: children of God.
A child—a son or daughter—is part of the most intimate relationship: family. A child comes to know everything about his Parent, ‘Your name is my name and your work is my work. I am yours forever by covenant; we are linked together by blood; we are bound together by eternal love.’ While one of the greatest manifestations of love is offering your life for a friend (John 15:13), the ultimate sacrifices are made within family, which is the highest level of friendship. There the greatest loyalties are forged. We enter the Covenant to serve the Lord, become his intimate friend, and become his child to whom he bequeaths all that he has. In Mosiah 27:25 we read “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters”. Zion people walk and talk with their Father and Brother and enjoy their familial relationship.”
I hope one day to be worth to be called a son of God!
Despite the goodness of this man, there is a hierarchy of caring for others. What I mean by this is that it is human nature to care first of all about family, then friends, and then others (servants). You can imagine that in this wealthy man’s world… servants are not treated the same way friends are, and friends are not treated the same way the children are.
To illustrate this better, imagine a party at the estate. Guests would arrive and be treated with hospitality. Family would be honored and hold high esteem. The servants would serve, plain and simple.
Now what does this have to do with anything? How does this apply to us and our relationship with Heavenly Father? Let’s take a look at the scriptures to see how we can progress from being a servant, to a friend, to a son or daughter.
In Doctrine and Covenants 1:17 we read “ 17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments.” Here the Lord calls the prophet his “servant”.
Later we hear the Lord refer to Joseph as His friend. In D&C 93:45 we read “45 Verily, I say unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., or in other words, I will call you friends, for you are my friends, and ye shall have an inheritance with me.
Later, as Joseph proved that he would abide in the Covenant , the Lord called him his son. In D&C 121: 7-8 we read “ 7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”
In “The Three Pillars of Zion” by Larry Barkdull we read the following: “This pattern—servant- friend- son—might help us understand our progression in the Covenant. A servant receives and fulfills the commandments of the Lord. A servant might know his Lord, but not intimately.
A friend, on the other hand, because of his relationship with the Lord, is in a position to ask what he can do for the other person. Friends do not command each other; rather, one friend might request something of the other, knowing that his friend would help. Friends share intimate conversations, they know a great deal about each other, and they have much in common. It is worth noting that friends and servant do not enjoy eternal relationships, as does family. The status of servant or friend can be temporary, but always these relationships are defined by set boundaries. Therefore, if we are to progress from servant to friend or family, something significant in the relationship must change. That brings us to the ultimate stage of the Covenant: children of God.
A child—a son or daughter—is part of the most intimate relationship: family. A child comes to know everything about his Parent, ‘Your name is my name and your work is my work. I am yours forever by covenant; we are linked together by blood; we are bound together by eternal love.’ While one of the greatest manifestations of love is offering your life for a friend (John 15:13), the ultimate sacrifices are made within family, which is the highest level of friendship. There the greatest loyalties are forged. We enter the Covenant to serve the Lord, become his intimate friend, and become his child to whom he bequeaths all that he has. In Mosiah 27:25 we read “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters”. Zion people walk and talk with their Father and Brother and enjoy their familial relationship.”
I hope one day to be worth to be called a son of God!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Peacegiver
I approach today’s post as reverently as possible. I know that may sound strange but I am writing about two books that have had significant influence in my life. I am quite certain that most of you are familiar with one of them…. and have never heard of the other.
I’m not going to write about the scriptures- meaning the 4 Standard Works. Please know that without a doubt, the 4 Standard Works; The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price continue to be held in the highest esteem in my life. I have however been forever changed by two contemporary books that I would like to talk about.
The two books I am referring to are “The Peacegiver” by James L. Farrell and “The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil” by Denver C. Snuffer. “The Peacegiver” is a widely known book in the LDS community- published by Deseret Book and sold many places. “The Second Comforter” on the other hand is by a very small publisher and is available at only one bookstore that I know of; Benchmark Books in Salt Lake City. Today I will only write about The Peacegiver.
I quote from the jacket flap of “The Peacegiver” “What does the atonement mean, practically speaking? How is Christ the answer to a strained relationship with a spouse, child, parent, or sibling? What if I am being mistreated—how can the atonement help me cope with that? How can I discover the desire to repent when I don’t feel the need to repent? And how can I invite others to do the same? These are the challenging, difficult questions of daily life, questions to which the gospel must provide answers if it is to have living, cleansing redeeming power.
The Peacegiver is a book about the answers to these questions. Unlike other books about the atonement, The Peacegiver is written as an extended parable. It tells the story of a man struggling, with the help of a loved one, to come unto Christ.”
“My peace I give unto you,” the Savior declared. The Peacegiver explores in a deeply personal way what we must do to receive the peace he stands willing to give.
I first read The Peacegiver in the Fall of 2005. I was in a place personally that I really needed the blessings of the atonement. It was during this reading that I learned… and understood for the first time that not only was the atonement powerfully capable of taking away my own sins, but was also able to take away the sins of others: perhaps those who had hurt and offended me. I really learned for the first time how to forgive.
In the months that followed my first reading I was taught many great lessons by the Spirit about the atonement. I learned while reading in 1 Corinthians 6 that we have been bought with a price! “19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
What is the price that has been paid for us? What is our worth? The obvious answer is that we were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. God gave the life of His own Son in exchange for ours!
In order to understand this concept better, while pondering, I was blessed with the following illustration. When we buy a house, we take out a mortgage. We are bound by this mortgage and have a legal obligation to pay for it. Of course we pay the party that “owns” the mortgage. However, during any given time during the time we owe the mortgage, the owner of it may sell it to another without our consent or approval. We are then under no obligation to continue to pay the original holder of the loan…. They don’t own it any more: It has been bought with a price.
The atonement is very similar. We may have someone who has really hurt or offended us: They really “owe” us. But Christ has already bought that debt. It is no longer owned by the individual that hurt us. Since Christ is now the owner of it, do we continue to harbor our hurt feelings toward Him? How could we when he has done the same for us?
It is my hope that we can all remember “we are not our own… we have been bought with a price”. I pray we can all forgive one another and strive to live more like Him.
I’m not going to write about the scriptures- meaning the 4 Standard Works. Please know that without a doubt, the 4 Standard Works; The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price continue to be held in the highest esteem in my life. I have however been forever changed by two contemporary books that I would like to talk about.
The two books I am referring to are “The Peacegiver” by James L. Farrell and “The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil” by Denver C. Snuffer. “The Peacegiver” is a widely known book in the LDS community- published by Deseret Book and sold many places. “The Second Comforter” on the other hand is by a very small publisher and is available at only one bookstore that I know of; Benchmark Books in Salt Lake City. Today I will only write about The Peacegiver.
I quote from the jacket flap of “The Peacegiver” “What does the atonement mean, practically speaking? How is Christ the answer to a strained relationship with a spouse, child, parent, or sibling? What if I am being mistreated—how can the atonement help me cope with that? How can I discover the desire to repent when I don’t feel the need to repent? And how can I invite others to do the same? These are the challenging, difficult questions of daily life, questions to which the gospel must provide answers if it is to have living, cleansing redeeming power.
The Peacegiver is a book about the answers to these questions. Unlike other books about the atonement, The Peacegiver is written as an extended parable. It tells the story of a man struggling, with the help of a loved one, to come unto Christ.”
“My peace I give unto you,” the Savior declared. The Peacegiver explores in a deeply personal way what we must do to receive the peace he stands willing to give.
I first read The Peacegiver in the Fall of 2005. I was in a place personally that I really needed the blessings of the atonement. It was during this reading that I learned… and understood for the first time that not only was the atonement powerfully capable of taking away my own sins, but was also able to take away the sins of others: perhaps those who had hurt and offended me. I really learned for the first time how to forgive.
In the months that followed my first reading I was taught many great lessons by the Spirit about the atonement. I learned while reading in 1 Corinthians 6 that we have been bought with a price! “19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
What is the price that has been paid for us? What is our worth? The obvious answer is that we were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. God gave the life of His own Son in exchange for ours!
In order to understand this concept better, while pondering, I was blessed with the following illustration. When we buy a house, we take out a mortgage. We are bound by this mortgage and have a legal obligation to pay for it. Of course we pay the party that “owns” the mortgage. However, during any given time during the time we owe the mortgage, the owner of it may sell it to another without our consent or approval. We are then under no obligation to continue to pay the original holder of the loan…. They don’t own it any more: It has been bought with a price.
The atonement is very similar. We may have someone who has really hurt or offended us: They really “owe” us. But Christ has already bought that debt. It is no longer owned by the individual that hurt us. Since Christ is now the owner of it, do we continue to harbor our hurt feelings toward Him? How could we when he has done the same for us?
It is my hope that we can all remember “we are not our own… we have been bought with a price”. I pray we can all forgive one another and strive to live more like Him.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Leadership
This blog is a little different than any other I have written; it is simply a personal observation and not really based on my reading. Please let me know what you think.
Leadership
What a unique day. I woke up early again this morning and tried to read in C.S Lewis’ book “The Weight of Glory”. I just haven’t been able to get into it. He has so many inspirational books… but for me, this is not one of them! I gave up on it and put it back on the shelf. I looked for something else and was drawn to “Leadership and Self Deception” by the Arbinger Institute. I have read this book before and really learned from it. I just felt this morning the need to re-read it.
For those not familiar with it let me give a synopsis. The book is like a short novel or narration, about a new employee, Tom, and his interactions with his boss and others, talking about the company’s foundation for success, the recognition and elimination of self-betrayal and self-deception.
The premise of the book is that we mess these things up, not from a lack of skill or “technique” but because we are deceiving ourselves about what’s going on, always in the same way. That may sound overly simplistic: could all these different problems really be due to a common cause?
After my reading time I got ready to go for my morning run. It has become my habit to listen to the radio while I run in the morning. I normally listen to a talk radio program called the Bob Lonsberry Show. He is a rather quirky individual that is humorous but insightful. He often talks about moral lessons that he has learned from his own life experience. Today he had an interesting one that deals with… as you guessed it… Leadership!
Bob told a story about when he was 24 years old; he entered the army and went to basic training. Of course he was several years older than the other recruits. He was a returned missionary and he was married. He decided that to make basic training easier he was going to hang “just in the middle of the pack”. He wasn’t going to do anything to get noticed… either good or bad. He did just that.
Upon graduation, as everyone was shaking hands, and congratulating one another, he was approached by his drill Sergeant. What the Sergeant said stung him. The Sergeant said “You did a good job, but it is too bad that you decided to hang back and not step up as a leader.” This comment has changed the rest of his life.
This comment caused me to reflect on another person in my life that in a small lesson on leadership has had a big impact on my life. I hope that mentioning his name will not embarrass him in any way for he is someone that many of you may know. He is a high priest in my ward by the name of Bill Quist.
Bill is a guy that you will find in any ward. He sits in the back corner of Sunday School or Priesthood meeting and always seems to make off-the-wall comments. They often make you laugh, and sometimes make you wonder what it has to do with the lesson, but he is a faithful and dependable brother in the gospel. Several years ago Bill was called to lead the music in Priesthood Meeting opening exercises. I am certain that no other person has ever taken this responsibility more seriously. He insisted that people watched him as he led. He would often speed up or slow down… or sometimes even stop in the middle of a song simply to test if people were watching. If not… you were reprimanded. This caused all kinds of moaning and groaning in the audience.
On one particular Sunday as this process was going on… and people were not watching or following him… he stopped and said “years ago I decided that when I was called to be the leader of something, that by-golly I was going to lead.” This lesson has stuck with me for all these years and I have looked up to Bill Quist as someone to follow ever since. This is the type of leader I want to be.
Leadership of course needs to be done in humility. In Matthew 18 we read
“1 AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Of course Jesus Christ is our ultimate leader. He is our perfect example. He is all powerful… yet humble and willing to submit to the Father. We would be wise to follow Him.
Leadership
What a unique day. I woke up early again this morning and tried to read in C.S Lewis’ book “The Weight of Glory”. I just haven’t been able to get into it. He has so many inspirational books… but for me, this is not one of them! I gave up on it and put it back on the shelf. I looked for something else and was drawn to “Leadership and Self Deception” by the Arbinger Institute. I have read this book before and really learned from it. I just felt this morning the need to re-read it.
For those not familiar with it let me give a synopsis. The book is like a short novel or narration, about a new employee, Tom, and his interactions with his boss and others, talking about the company’s foundation for success, the recognition and elimination of self-betrayal and self-deception.
The premise of the book is that we mess these things up, not from a lack of skill or “technique” but because we are deceiving ourselves about what’s going on, always in the same way. That may sound overly simplistic: could all these different problems really be due to a common cause?
After my reading time I got ready to go for my morning run. It has become my habit to listen to the radio while I run in the morning. I normally listen to a talk radio program called the Bob Lonsberry Show. He is a rather quirky individual that is humorous but insightful. He often talks about moral lessons that he has learned from his own life experience. Today he had an interesting one that deals with… as you guessed it… Leadership!
Bob told a story about when he was 24 years old; he entered the army and went to basic training. Of course he was several years older than the other recruits. He was a returned missionary and he was married. He decided that to make basic training easier he was going to hang “just in the middle of the pack”. He wasn’t going to do anything to get noticed… either good or bad. He did just that.
Upon graduation, as everyone was shaking hands, and congratulating one another, he was approached by his drill Sergeant. What the Sergeant said stung him. The Sergeant said “You did a good job, but it is too bad that you decided to hang back and not step up as a leader.” This comment has changed the rest of his life.
This comment caused me to reflect on another person in my life that in a small lesson on leadership has had a big impact on my life. I hope that mentioning his name will not embarrass him in any way for he is someone that many of you may know. He is a high priest in my ward by the name of Bill Quist.
Bill is a guy that you will find in any ward. He sits in the back corner of Sunday School or Priesthood meeting and always seems to make off-the-wall comments. They often make you laugh, and sometimes make you wonder what it has to do with the lesson, but he is a faithful and dependable brother in the gospel. Several years ago Bill was called to lead the music in Priesthood Meeting opening exercises. I am certain that no other person has ever taken this responsibility more seriously. He insisted that people watched him as he led. He would often speed up or slow down… or sometimes even stop in the middle of a song simply to test if people were watching. If not… you were reprimanded. This caused all kinds of moaning and groaning in the audience.
On one particular Sunday as this process was going on… and people were not watching or following him… he stopped and said “years ago I decided that when I was called to be the leader of something, that by-golly I was going to lead.” This lesson has stuck with me for all these years and I have looked up to Bill Quist as someone to follow ever since. This is the type of leader I want to be.
Leadership of course needs to be done in humility. In Matthew 18 we read
“1 AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Of course Jesus Christ is our ultimate leader. He is our perfect example. He is all powerful… yet humble and willing to submit to the Father. We would be wise to follow Him.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Screwtape Letters
It is a humbling experience to read C.S. Lewis’ book ‘The Screwtape Letters’. For those who are not familiar with this book, I will give a brief overview. The Screwtape Letters is a novel published in 1942. The story takes the form of a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, a junior tempter named Wormwood, so as to advise him on methods of securing the damnation of a British man, known only as "the Patient".
Screwtape holds an administrative post in the bureaucracy ("Lowerarchy") of Hell, and acts more as a mentor than a supervisor to Wormwood, the inexperienced tempter; almost every letter ends with the signature, "Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape". In the body of the thirty-one letters which make up the book, Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining faith and promoting sin in his Patient, interspersed with observations on human nature and Christian doctrine.
The Screwtape Letters was dedicated by C.S. Lewis to his friend J. R. R. Tolkien.
Each one of the letters discusses a topic that I struggle with personally. I am not sure whether it makes me feel better or not that the weaknesses that I struggle with are typical of most of us. (Maybe I just wanted to feel special or unique… a pride thing). I will discuss a couple of them here and perhaps a couple more in a future post.
In one of the letters from Screwtape, Wormwood learns how to distract a “Christian” from an important thought that the “Enemy” (God or the Spirit) put into his head. Screwtape writes “I struck instantly at the part of the man that which I had best under my control and suggested that it was just about time that he had some lunch. The Enemy made the counter-suggestion that this was more important than lunch. I replied “Quite”. In fact much too important to be tackled at the end of a morning! And I added ‘Much better to come back after lunch and go into it with a fresh mind’. He was already half way to the door. Once he was in the street the battle was won”.
President Monson touched on this in the Last General Conference when he said “We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes”.
Screwtape writes several letters that show how to distract someone who is working on his own spirituality, to forget about those he should be serving. He writes “let his reflection be ‘My feelings are now growing more devout, or more charitable’ so fix his attention inward that he no longer looks beyond himself to see our Enemy or his own neighbors.”
Screwtape advises “Do what you will, there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient’s soul. The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbors whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know. The malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary.”
This teaches me that as we strive to be more obedient to the commandments and to grow personally closer to the Savior, that we must do this through service and humility, and not merely by reading, pondering, and praying.
Screwtape holds an administrative post in the bureaucracy ("Lowerarchy") of Hell, and acts more as a mentor than a supervisor to Wormwood, the inexperienced tempter; almost every letter ends with the signature, "Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape". In the body of the thirty-one letters which make up the book, Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining faith and promoting sin in his Patient, interspersed with observations on human nature and Christian doctrine.
The Screwtape Letters was dedicated by C.S. Lewis to his friend J. R. R. Tolkien.
Each one of the letters discusses a topic that I struggle with personally. I am not sure whether it makes me feel better or not that the weaknesses that I struggle with are typical of most of us. (Maybe I just wanted to feel special or unique… a pride thing). I will discuss a couple of them here and perhaps a couple more in a future post.
In one of the letters from Screwtape, Wormwood learns how to distract a “Christian” from an important thought that the “Enemy” (God or the Spirit) put into his head. Screwtape writes “I struck instantly at the part of the man that which I had best under my control and suggested that it was just about time that he had some lunch. The Enemy made the counter-suggestion that this was more important than lunch. I replied “Quite”. In fact much too important to be tackled at the end of a morning! And I added ‘Much better to come back after lunch and go into it with a fresh mind’. He was already half way to the door. Once he was in the street the battle was won”.
President Monson touched on this in the Last General Conference when he said “We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes”.
Screwtape writes several letters that show how to distract someone who is working on his own spirituality, to forget about those he should be serving. He writes “let his reflection be ‘My feelings are now growing more devout, or more charitable’ so fix his attention inward that he no longer looks beyond himself to see our Enemy or his own neighbors.”
Screwtape advises “Do what you will, there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient’s soul. The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbors whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know. The malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary.”
This teaches me that as we strive to be more obedient to the commandments and to grow personally closer to the Savior, that we must do this through service and humility, and not merely by reading, pondering, and praying.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Great Sin
“There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I do not think that I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault that makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.
The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit.” (C.S. Lewis ‘Mere Christianity’).
Latter-day Saints are aware of the sin of pride. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of how pride destroys. It caused the ultimate destruction of the Nephite nation. Pride has been preached from the pulpit in conference after conference and was preached in detail by President Ezra Taft Benson in the 1980’s.
C.S. Lewis writes “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: The pleasure of being above the rest.”
My thoughts are drawn back to a Gospel Doctrine lesson that Ann (my wife) gave while teaching the New Testament some years ago. The lesson dealt with the story of Mary and Martha. As you will recall, these two women were having the Savior over to their home for dinner. After Jesus arrived, Martha busied herself preparing the meal for their guests. Mary on the other hand sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as he taught the others in the house.
In Luke 10 we read “38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Volumes have been written about this event and Ann and I have discussed it in detail. It appears to us that both Mary and Martha were doing a good thing. Neither was doing something more “right” than the other. We concluded that there was no real problem until Martha started to express that what she was doing was more important than what Mary was doing. I think it did become a pride thing.
I was so impressed by the comments of President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve, when talking about Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “He never sought the limelight. He personified the statement of the Master, who said, ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ Now Joseph will experience another promise of the Lord: ‘He that shall humble himself shall be exalted’
The natural man is selfish. He wants the attention to be on himself. He wants to look good in the eyes of others. He wants to be recognized for his accomplishments. The humble follower of Christ does the opposite. He does all things to glorify the Father. He looks for opportunities to serve others. He doesn’t receive strength in the ‘arm of the flesh’ but in the power of God.
When Nephi was looking prophetically to our day, he wrote the following (2 Ne. 28:14 “They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.”
This verse is pretty frightening: It says ‘all have gone astray… except for a few’.
In Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ he summarizes “The proud will fail. Their failure will come as a natural consequence of their unfitness to be in God’s presence. Their pride will keep them from doing what is required to be in His presence. Had Naaman not returned to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, he would have died a leper. Many of us die lepers because we find such things as dipping in rivers childish. Too often we join Naaman in asking ‘Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers in Damascus, better than all of the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and become clean?’ And join him too in reacting: ‘So he turned and went away in a rage.’ Be humble enough to do as the prophets ask you and submit to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. You will be healed if you do.”
We are all familiar with the verses found in D&C 121 “ 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Recent experiences in my own life have taught me that I am guilty of pride. I have been far too selfish as well. But as I have made the effort to recommit myself to obeying the commandments and earnestly repenting every day, I am learning that in a very kind manner, the Lord makes me aware of my faults and gives me the motivation and strength to overcome them. I realize this will take a lifetime but I am working on it.
The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit.” (C.S. Lewis ‘Mere Christianity’).
Latter-day Saints are aware of the sin of pride. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of how pride destroys. It caused the ultimate destruction of the Nephite nation. Pride has been preached from the pulpit in conference after conference and was preached in detail by President Ezra Taft Benson in the 1980’s.
C.S. Lewis writes “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: The pleasure of being above the rest.”
My thoughts are drawn back to a Gospel Doctrine lesson that Ann (my wife) gave while teaching the New Testament some years ago. The lesson dealt with the story of Mary and Martha. As you will recall, these two women were having the Savior over to their home for dinner. After Jesus arrived, Martha busied herself preparing the meal for their guests. Mary on the other hand sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as he taught the others in the house.
In Luke 10 we read “38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Volumes have been written about this event and Ann and I have discussed it in detail. It appears to us that both Mary and Martha were doing a good thing. Neither was doing something more “right” than the other. We concluded that there was no real problem until Martha started to express that what she was doing was more important than what Mary was doing. I think it did become a pride thing.
I was so impressed by the comments of President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve, when talking about Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “He never sought the limelight. He personified the statement of the Master, who said, ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ Now Joseph will experience another promise of the Lord: ‘He that shall humble himself shall be exalted’
The natural man is selfish. He wants the attention to be on himself. He wants to look good in the eyes of others. He wants to be recognized for his accomplishments. The humble follower of Christ does the opposite. He does all things to glorify the Father. He looks for opportunities to serve others. He doesn’t receive strength in the ‘arm of the flesh’ but in the power of God.
When Nephi was looking prophetically to our day, he wrote the following (2 Ne. 28:14 “They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.”
This verse is pretty frightening: It says ‘all have gone astray… except for a few’.
In Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ he summarizes “The proud will fail. Their failure will come as a natural consequence of their unfitness to be in God’s presence. Their pride will keep them from doing what is required to be in His presence. Had Naaman not returned to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, he would have died a leper. Many of us die lepers because we find such things as dipping in rivers childish. Too often we join Naaman in asking ‘Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers in Damascus, better than all of the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and become clean?’ And join him too in reacting: ‘So he turned and went away in a rage.’ Be humble enough to do as the prophets ask you and submit to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. You will be healed if you do.”
We are all familiar with the verses found in D&C 121 “ 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Recent experiences in my own life have taught me that I am guilty of pride. I have been far too selfish as well. But as I have made the effort to recommit myself to obeying the commandments and earnestly repenting every day, I am learning that in a very kind manner, the Lord makes me aware of my faults and gives me the motivation and strength to overcome them. I realize this will take a lifetime but I am working on it.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
God's Time
Today’s post is a short one and likely the last one from C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” for awhile. His last few chapters are slightly confusing as he is trying to explain the Christian belief of the Trinity. He has one very interesting thought however that I would like to share. It deals with the question of how God can handle listening to prayers of millions of people at a time. He writes,
“Almost certainly God is not in Time. His life does not consist of moments following one another. If a million people are praying to Him at ten-thirty tonight, He need not listen to all in that one little snippet which we call ten-thirty. Ten-thirty – and every other moment from the beginning of the world—is always in the present for Him. If you like to put it that way, He has all eternity in which to listen to the split second of prayer put up by a pilot as his plane crashes in flames.
That is difficult, I know. Let me try to give something, not the same, but a bit like it. Suppose I am writing a novel. I write ‘Mary laid down her work; next moment came a knock at the door!’ For Mary who has to live in the imaginary time of my story there is no interval between putting down the work and hearing the knock. But I, who am Mary’s maker, do not live in that imaginary time at all. Between writing that first half of that sentence and the second, I might sit down for three hours and think steadily about Mary. I could think about Mary as if she were the only character in the book and for as long as I pleased, and the hours I spent in doing so would not appear in Mary’s time (the time inside the story) at all.”
This is quite a concept and makes sense to me. Any thoughts???
“Almost certainly God is not in Time. His life does not consist of moments following one another. If a million people are praying to Him at ten-thirty tonight, He need not listen to all in that one little snippet which we call ten-thirty. Ten-thirty – and every other moment from the beginning of the world—is always in the present for Him. If you like to put it that way, He has all eternity in which to listen to the split second of prayer put up by a pilot as his plane crashes in flames.
That is difficult, I know. Let me try to give something, not the same, but a bit like it. Suppose I am writing a novel. I write ‘Mary laid down her work; next moment came a knock at the door!’ For Mary who has to live in the imaginary time of my story there is no interval between putting down the work and hearing the knock. But I, who am Mary’s maker, do not live in that imaginary time at all. Between writing that first half of that sentence and the second, I might sit down for three hours and think steadily about Mary. I could think about Mary as if she were the only character in the book and for as long as I pleased, and the hours I spent in doing so would not appear in Mary’s time (the time inside the story) at all.”
This is quite a concept and makes sense to me. Any thoughts???
Monday, November 16, 2009
Here am I, send me
It is tradition in the Young Men’s program in our ward to have a “combined quorum” meeting once a month. This is where the Deacons, Teachers, and Priests all meet together for a priesthood lesson. We hold it on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Traditionally the instructor is a member of the Bishopric or a member of the YM’s Presidency. For yesterday’s lesson I asked a member of our Stake Presidency to teach; President Craig Wilson, the 2nd Counselor.
President Wilson taught a lesson that was thoughtful and inspiring. This morning I haven’t been able to get it off my mind so I would like to write about it. I hope that you will be inspired as was I.
The actual lesson title was “Respect for Womanhood”. Interestingly if you Google this topic, only LDS references are available: Is this not taught anywhere else? President Wilson came to the topic a bit differently so I hope I can do it justice. He related the following story.
“A couple of weeks ago, while driving to an appointment, I was listening to NPR. It just happened to be the day of the memorial service for the men and women of the armed forces who lost their lives at Fort Hood earlier in the month. A general from the Special Forces spoke where he with great emotion, told of a saying they have in the Special Forces… A saying that comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
This verse has obvious application to the Special Forces. When a job or a mission is hard, or dangerous, or scary… who will go? The men and women of the armed forces stand and say ‘Here am I, send me’; meaning I am ready… and willing! We also know that these are the words of the pre-mortal Savior when asked by the Father “who will go and be the Savior of the world”. But what do these words have to do with holders of the Priesthood… young and old?
It is obvious that we live in the last days of this earth. Sin, greed, calamity, and destruction are very pervasive throughout the world. Who will carry the sword of truth and virtue in the world today? It must be the Priesthood of God. In order to do so we must be as the Special Forces; trained, prepared, brave, and willing. But how do we do this?
It is my experience that the greatest place to receive the strength we need to be the defenders of all that is “virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy” is in the Temple. For young and old, the Temple is the place to receive the special training the Lord offers to those who really want to follow him.
The reason the Temple is the training ground spoken of is for several reasons: First of all, we all know that only those worthy of a recommend are allowed into the Temple. Just as the Special Forces has a ‘weeding out’ process, so does the Temple. As people go to the Temple worthily, they are in essence going to the Lord’s ‘advanced training’. Only those in tune with the Spirit will receive the special instructions they need to advance.
Second, Temple attendance requires continued faithful service and obedience. Please know that as I share the following I do so to prove the point; not to draw attention to myself.
Those of you who know me well know that the only thing I listen to in my car is Conference and “Mo Tab”. I do this because I believe that I am a little denser than most people and it takes things longer to get into my thick skull that it does yours. My experience is that it takes till about the 5th time that I hear a conference talk to realize what is being said.
About 6 months ago, as I was listening to Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk... for about the 5th time, that I heard him say that he attended the temple every week… and had done so for 14 years… and never missed! As I thought about my own life, I realized this is something I needed to do. As a result, I have been to the Temple every week since that time. If I need to miss for any reason, I make it up by going twice the following week. This effort has changed my life!
The first benefit I get from attending the temple weekly is that it is a constant reminder to ‘choose the right’. When I am tempted to make a bad choice during the week, which is pretty much constantly, I think to myself “I am going to the temple in a couple of days… or I have just come out of the temple”, and the temptation wanes.
The second benefit is receiving special instruction form the Lord. This is a topic far too sacred do discuss in this setting, but I have learned by experience that revelation happens on the Temple like nowhere else. The Lord does indeed have mysteries he is willing to share with those who are willing to listen and to learn. As we attend the Temple, and diligently strive to keep the commandments, and to repent of all of our sins, we become prepared to say ‘Here am I, send me’.
President Wilson taught a lesson that was thoughtful and inspiring. This morning I haven’t been able to get it off my mind so I would like to write about it. I hope that you will be inspired as was I.
The actual lesson title was “Respect for Womanhood”. Interestingly if you Google this topic, only LDS references are available: Is this not taught anywhere else? President Wilson came to the topic a bit differently so I hope I can do it justice. He related the following story.
“A couple of weeks ago, while driving to an appointment, I was listening to NPR. It just happened to be the day of the memorial service for the men and women of the armed forces who lost their lives at Fort Hood earlier in the month. A general from the Special Forces spoke where he with great emotion, told of a saying they have in the Special Forces… A saying that comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
This verse has obvious application to the Special Forces. When a job or a mission is hard, or dangerous, or scary… who will go? The men and women of the armed forces stand and say ‘Here am I, send me’; meaning I am ready… and willing! We also know that these are the words of the pre-mortal Savior when asked by the Father “who will go and be the Savior of the world”. But what do these words have to do with holders of the Priesthood… young and old?
It is obvious that we live in the last days of this earth. Sin, greed, calamity, and destruction are very pervasive throughout the world. Who will carry the sword of truth and virtue in the world today? It must be the Priesthood of God. In order to do so we must be as the Special Forces; trained, prepared, brave, and willing. But how do we do this?
It is my experience that the greatest place to receive the strength we need to be the defenders of all that is “virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy” is in the Temple. For young and old, the Temple is the place to receive the special training the Lord offers to those who really want to follow him.
The reason the Temple is the training ground spoken of is for several reasons: First of all, we all know that only those worthy of a recommend are allowed into the Temple. Just as the Special Forces has a ‘weeding out’ process, so does the Temple. As people go to the Temple worthily, they are in essence going to the Lord’s ‘advanced training’. Only those in tune with the Spirit will receive the special instructions they need to advance.
Second, Temple attendance requires continued faithful service and obedience. Please know that as I share the following I do so to prove the point; not to draw attention to myself.
Those of you who know me well know that the only thing I listen to in my car is Conference and “Mo Tab”. I do this because I believe that I am a little denser than most people and it takes things longer to get into my thick skull that it does yours. My experience is that it takes till about the 5th time that I hear a conference talk to realize what is being said.
About 6 months ago, as I was listening to Elder Richard G. Scott’s talk... for about the 5th time, that I heard him say that he attended the temple every week… and had done so for 14 years… and never missed! As I thought about my own life, I realized this is something I needed to do. As a result, I have been to the Temple every week since that time. If I need to miss for any reason, I make it up by going twice the following week. This effort has changed my life!
The first benefit I get from attending the temple weekly is that it is a constant reminder to ‘choose the right’. When I am tempted to make a bad choice during the week, which is pretty much constantly, I think to myself “I am going to the temple in a couple of days… or I have just come out of the temple”, and the temptation wanes.
The second benefit is receiving special instruction form the Lord. This is a topic far too sacred do discuss in this setting, but I have learned by experience that revelation happens on the Temple like nowhere else. The Lord does indeed have mysteries he is willing to share with those who are willing to listen and to learn. As we attend the Temple, and diligently strive to keep the commandments, and to repent of all of our sins, we become prepared to say ‘Here am I, send me’.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Forgiveness Part Two
This post is much more personal in nature and I pray that you bear with me as I express some rather private feelings and ideas. I have had a couple of experiences this week that have once again shown me how far from perfect I am. I continue to be just a man trying to do what is right while getting it wrong along the way. How grateful I am for the Atonement!
We are all imperfect. Each of us has at times in our lives done things that disappoint or offend those whom we love. This week I had an experience where I was reminded of a time that someone who looked up to me, witnessed me being less than I should have been. Although this happened nearly ten years ago, the hurt goes on. It goes on to both parties; to the person I offended as well as to me.
While driving today, and listening to our most recent General Conference on CD, I was wondering why the hurt of sins long repented of continue to cause us grief. Then came the talk by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on this very subject. He said “Sometimes we wonder why we remember our sins long after we have forsaken them. Why does the sadness for our mistakes at times continue following our repentance?
You will remember a tender story told by President James E. Faust. “As a small boy on the farm . . . , I remember my grandmother . . . cooking our delicious meals on a hot woodstove. When the wood box next to the stove became empty, Grandmother would silently pick up the box, go out to refill it from the pile of cedar wood outside, and bring the heavily laden box back into the house.”
President Faust’s voice then filled with emotion as he continued: “I was so insensitive . . . I sat there and let my beloved grandmother refill the kitchen wood box. I feel ashamed of myself and have regretted my [sin of] omission for all of my life. I hope someday to ask for her forgiveness.”
More than 65 years had passed. If President Faust still remembered and regretted not helping his grandmother after all those years, should we be surprised with some of the things we still remember and regret?
The scriptures do not say that we will forget our forsaken sins in mortality. Rather, they declare that the Lord will forget.”
This story came to me at an opportune time. I thank the Lord for think of me at an hour of need.
This brings me to a related subject that has been on my mind for several weeks now. I am a witness that when we ask the Lord what He wants us to work on, He lets us know! Not in an angry accusing way, but in a loving kind way. This is one of the answers the Lord gave me. It came while reading Denver Snuffer’s book ‘The Second Comforter’. It deals with judging others. Snuffer writes “Criticism of fellow Saints has almost become a cottage industry. There is a widely held attitude the Saints should be better than they are, and the attitude has led to open criticism of the Saints by the Saints… This is wrong. The Saints are just as they should be. They are human, frail weak and vulnerable. They need your example and your encouragement. They do not need your criticism and judgment piled on in the latter-days. These times are tough. No one has it easy. Saints struggle. That is as it should be. You are here to help them, not to condemn them. Imitate Him. Do something to avoid condemning His Saints. He doesn’t condemn them, so why should you? The Saints deserve your mercy.”
This paragraph caused me to do some serious pondering in my own life. I repented and stopped judging a couple of people that I thought “should have been better”. We all know the importance of avoiding “evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed”. It is widely spread in the LDS culture to believe this is referring to Church leaders. Perhaps it is, but anyone who has been through the Temple has been “anointed”. My belief is that it applies equally to them.
I conclude as I began; all of us are imperfect and I know most are really trying to do what is right. I know I am trying but I often feel like Nephi in 2nd Nephi “17 O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted."
I pray we can all be more forgiving.
We are all imperfect. Each of us has at times in our lives done things that disappoint or offend those whom we love. This week I had an experience where I was reminded of a time that someone who looked up to me, witnessed me being less than I should have been. Although this happened nearly ten years ago, the hurt goes on. It goes on to both parties; to the person I offended as well as to me.
While driving today, and listening to our most recent General Conference on CD, I was wondering why the hurt of sins long repented of continue to cause us grief. Then came the talk by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on this very subject. He said “Sometimes we wonder why we remember our sins long after we have forsaken them. Why does the sadness for our mistakes at times continue following our repentance?
You will remember a tender story told by President James E. Faust. “As a small boy on the farm . . . , I remember my grandmother . . . cooking our delicious meals on a hot woodstove. When the wood box next to the stove became empty, Grandmother would silently pick up the box, go out to refill it from the pile of cedar wood outside, and bring the heavily laden box back into the house.”
President Faust’s voice then filled with emotion as he continued: “I was so insensitive . . . I sat there and let my beloved grandmother refill the kitchen wood box. I feel ashamed of myself and have regretted my [sin of] omission for all of my life. I hope someday to ask for her forgiveness.”
More than 65 years had passed. If President Faust still remembered and regretted not helping his grandmother after all those years, should we be surprised with some of the things we still remember and regret?
The scriptures do not say that we will forget our forsaken sins in mortality. Rather, they declare that the Lord will forget.”
This story came to me at an opportune time. I thank the Lord for think of me at an hour of need.
This brings me to a related subject that has been on my mind for several weeks now. I am a witness that when we ask the Lord what He wants us to work on, He lets us know! Not in an angry accusing way, but in a loving kind way. This is one of the answers the Lord gave me. It came while reading Denver Snuffer’s book ‘The Second Comforter’. It deals with judging others. Snuffer writes “Criticism of fellow Saints has almost become a cottage industry. There is a widely held attitude the Saints should be better than they are, and the attitude has led to open criticism of the Saints by the Saints… This is wrong. The Saints are just as they should be. They are human, frail weak and vulnerable. They need your example and your encouragement. They do not need your criticism and judgment piled on in the latter-days. These times are tough. No one has it easy. Saints struggle. That is as it should be. You are here to help them, not to condemn them. Imitate Him. Do something to avoid condemning His Saints. He doesn’t condemn them, so why should you? The Saints deserve your mercy.”
This paragraph caused me to do some serious pondering in my own life. I repented and stopped judging a couple of people that I thought “should have been better”. We all know the importance of avoiding “evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed”. It is widely spread in the LDS culture to believe this is referring to Church leaders. Perhaps it is, but anyone who has been through the Temple has been “anointed”. My belief is that it applies equally to them.
I conclude as I began; all of us are imperfect and I know most are really trying to do what is right. I know I am trying but I often feel like Nephi in 2nd Nephi “17 O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted."
I pray we can all be more forgiving.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
I begin this post once again with thoughts from C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”. He states in his Forgiveness chapter with the idea that likely the most unpopular of Christian virtues is “Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He validates this by saying “Because in Christian morals, ‘thy neighbor’ includes ‘thy enemy,’ so we come up against the terrible duty of forgiving our enemies.”
Everyone seems to think that forgiveness is a wonderful virtue… until they have to forgive someone. Then it becomes very difficult. Lewis asks “I wonder how you’d feel about forgiving the Gestapo if you were a Pole or a Jew?”
Many of us are very bold in telling ourselves and others that we would gladly give our lives for our faith… but are we willing to for-give? We continue to read in Mere Christianity “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.’ There is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms. It is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive we shall not be forgiven. There are no two ways about it. What are we to do?”
All of us have had to forgive others throughout our lives. I have had some pretty amazing experiences with this in my own life that I will share. One in particular is too sacred and I will keep it to myself. However, C.S. Lewis, in his amazing fashion puts a new spin on this idea when he writes “I remember Christian teachers telling me long ago that I must hate a bad man’s actions, but not hate the bad man: or, as they would say, hate the sin but not the sinner. For a long time I used to think this was a silly, straw splitting distinction: how could you hate what a man did and not hate the man? But years later it occurred to me that there was one man to whom I had been ding this all my life—namely myself. However much I might dislike my own cowardice or conceit or greed, I went on loving myself. There has never been the slightest difficulty about it. In fact the very reason why I hated the things was that I loved the man. Just because I loved myself, I was sorry to find that I was the sort of man who did those things.”
A couple of years ago, when were studying the teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball in Priesthood meeting and Relief Society, we had a lesson about forgiveness (As author of ‘The Miracle of Forgiveness’ he is considered an expert on the subject). The discussion was lively; many ideas were expressed. Someone asked “are we supposed to forget about others sins?” Another asked “how can we forget our own sins?” The most thought provoking question was “do we need to be “buddy buddy” with someone who has hurt us? The question was based around a financial deal that had gone bad. The discussion in the high priests quorum ultimately concluded with the consensus that “you need to forgive but you don’t necessarily need to “hang out” with them.” This answer caused me to do some serious thinking and I have come to the conclusion that they were wrong.
Undoubtedly there are some reading this blog that have experienced serious hurt from someone they deeply trusted. Perhaps an adult was abused as a child by a love one. Perhaps a Father had an internet addiction that caused serious hurt. Or perhaps a spouse had an inappropriate relationship outside of marriage. In each of these instances, forgiveness is not only the act of forgiveness itself… but learning to once again love and adore the sinner. Now that is forgiveness!!!
Some months ago I had an experience that has changed my life. I was reading in Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ (a book I will one day discuss in detail) and read how the standards of the Lord are so high, that he not only asks us to forgive our enemies, but to pray for them! I was touched deeply by this thought: I had to take some action.
I had a business associate who had deeply offended me and cost me thousands of dollars in losses over many years. He had flat out lied to my face and made life difficult for me for a time. After reading this quote, I knew I needed to not only forgive him… but to pray for him. I knelt down, and in the most awkward manner possible, began to pray for him. It was very difficult but something I knew I must do. For the next week or so, I prayed for this individual morning and night. I prayed for his success and for his family. I was sincere but it was difficult. A few days later I forgot about it.
About a week later, to my huge surprise, this man came into my office and asked to meet with my brother and I. As we sat to talk, his eyes filled with tears and he proceeded to apologize for the way he treated us. He was sincere and truly broken hearted and contrite. I sat in amazement!
Of course my brother and I forgave him and we parted friends. After he left I sat pondering in my heart… thanking the Lord. I went to my brother who knew nothing of my prayers, and said “let me tell you the rest of the story.” We marveled together of the Lord’s goodness.
Yes, forgiveness is a Christian virtue; perhaps the most difficult. But learning to forgive… and I mean really forgiving is one of the most God-like characteristics we can develop. My we never give up on this one!
I begin this post once again with thoughts from C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”. He states in his Forgiveness chapter with the idea that likely the most unpopular of Christian virtues is “Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself.” He validates this by saying “Because in Christian morals, ‘thy neighbor’ includes ‘thy enemy,’ so we come up against the terrible duty of forgiving our enemies.”
Everyone seems to think that forgiveness is a wonderful virtue… until they have to forgive someone. Then it becomes very difficult. Lewis asks “I wonder how you’d feel about forgiving the Gestapo if you were a Pole or a Jew?”
Many of us are very bold in telling ourselves and others that we would gladly give our lives for our faith… but are we willing to for-give? We continue to read in Mere Christianity “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.’ There is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms. It is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive we shall not be forgiven. There are no two ways about it. What are we to do?”
All of us have had to forgive others throughout our lives. I have had some pretty amazing experiences with this in my own life that I will share. One in particular is too sacred and I will keep it to myself. However, C.S. Lewis, in his amazing fashion puts a new spin on this idea when he writes “I remember Christian teachers telling me long ago that I must hate a bad man’s actions, but not hate the bad man: or, as they would say, hate the sin but not the sinner. For a long time I used to think this was a silly, straw splitting distinction: how could you hate what a man did and not hate the man? But years later it occurred to me that there was one man to whom I had been ding this all my life—namely myself. However much I might dislike my own cowardice or conceit or greed, I went on loving myself. There has never been the slightest difficulty about it. In fact the very reason why I hated the things was that I loved the man. Just because I loved myself, I was sorry to find that I was the sort of man who did those things.”
A couple of years ago, when were studying the teachings of President Spencer W. Kimball in Priesthood meeting and Relief Society, we had a lesson about forgiveness (As author of ‘The Miracle of Forgiveness’ he is considered an expert on the subject). The discussion was lively; many ideas were expressed. Someone asked “are we supposed to forget about others sins?” Another asked “how can we forget our own sins?” The most thought provoking question was “do we need to be “buddy buddy” with someone who has hurt us? The question was based around a financial deal that had gone bad. The discussion in the high priests quorum ultimately concluded with the consensus that “you need to forgive but you don’t necessarily need to “hang out” with them.” This answer caused me to do some serious thinking and I have come to the conclusion that they were wrong.
Undoubtedly there are some reading this blog that have experienced serious hurt from someone they deeply trusted. Perhaps an adult was abused as a child by a love one. Perhaps a Father had an internet addiction that caused serious hurt. Or perhaps a spouse had an inappropriate relationship outside of marriage. In each of these instances, forgiveness is not only the act of forgiveness itself… but learning to once again love and adore the sinner. Now that is forgiveness!!!
Some months ago I had an experience that has changed my life. I was reading in Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ (a book I will one day discuss in detail) and read how the standards of the Lord are so high, that he not only asks us to forgive our enemies, but to pray for them! I was touched deeply by this thought: I had to take some action.
I had a business associate who had deeply offended me and cost me thousands of dollars in losses over many years. He had flat out lied to my face and made life difficult for me for a time. After reading this quote, I knew I needed to not only forgive him… but to pray for him. I knelt down, and in the most awkward manner possible, began to pray for him. It was very difficult but something I knew I must do. For the next week or so, I prayed for this individual morning and night. I prayed for his success and for his family. I was sincere but it was difficult. A few days later I forgot about it.
About a week later, to my huge surprise, this man came into my office and asked to meet with my brother and I. As we sat to talk, his eyes filled with tears and he proceeded to apologize for the way he treated us. He was sincere and truly broken hearted and contrite. I sat in amazement!
Of course my brother and I forgave him and we parted friends. After he left I sat pondering in my heart… thanking the Lord. I went to my brother who knew nothing of my prayers, and said “let me tell you the rest of the story.” We marveled together of the Lord’s goodness.
Yes, forgiveness is a Christian virtue; perhaps the most difficult. But learning to forgive… and I mean really forgiving is one of the most God-like characteristics we can develop. My we never give up on this one!
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Law of Sacrifice and the Sacrament
As the Young Men’s President of my Ward, I have the opportunity of being connected to the administration of the Sacrament every week. Recent reading, Temple attendance, and pondering have given me some interesting insights to the relationships between the Law of Sacrifice as explained in the Old Testament, and the Sacrament instituted at the Last Supper of the Savior, and ultimately to the Sacrament we take each week as Latter Day Saints.
This is a rather difficult subject, and one that will continue to play out in my mind throughout my life but I would like to express my feelings today. I pray I can do the topic justice. Please know these ideas are mine and by no means do they represent doctrine of the LDS faith.
We read in Moses in the Pearl of Great Price that after Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden for disobedience, (Moses 4:27) “Unto Adam, and also unto his wife, did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them.” In the very next chapter we read (Moses 5:5-8)” And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth .
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.”
I don’t think that it was a coincidence that the “coats of skins” and the sacrifice of animals came at the same time. It seems to reason that the Lord taught Adam the Law of Sacrifice while He was making the coat of skins for him. Where else would he have taken the skins from? We know that Adam had recent named all of the animals: Were these coverings made from animals that Adam was familiar and fond of?
Any time there have been covenant people of the Lord on the earth, the Lord has required the Law of Sacrifice from them. Nowhere are the ordinances of the law better outlined than in the book of Leviticus. Brigham Young, and many others for that matter, taught that all things in the Old Testament point to Christ. Many of the symbols found in the Law of Sacrifice in Moses’ day are obvious; the lamb was to be the first born, without blemish, no bones were to be broken etc. The relationship of these to Christ is without question. How do they compare however, to the Sacrament today?
In the Old Testament, as I understand it, the sacrifice was laid upon the alter. There were specific steps to follow for each part of the animal, the meat and the blood. There is no question that flesh was cut of “torn” apart and the blood was sprinkled around the alter. Interestingly the meat was not to be consumed by the fire, but along with the hide of the animal, was to be used for the use of the priests and their families (coats of skins?).
In Leviticus 4 we read “ 3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
4 And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock’s head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.
5 And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock’s blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
And in verse 20 we read “And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
The Sacrament in our own Wards today takes place at the front of the chapel where all can see. How is it similar to an alter that might have been found in an ancient Temple or a Latter Day Temple? (This is a point for all to ponder). Ancient sacrifices were performed behind a veil. Is the tablecloth covering the sacrament a type of veil? (Another point to ponder). The Priests tear the bread (Christ’s body) into pieces, and water (the blood) is poured into cups.
After the “offerings” are prepared, the Priests kneel (as at an alter) and offer the following prayers: (Moroni 4) “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
And (Moroni 5) “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.”
Through modern revelation we learn that through this ordinance we are able to renew the covenants we made at baptism. Through proper preparation and sincere repentance, this offering is able to give us forgiveness for our sins.
In Ancient Israel a lamb without blemish was able to be offered as a sacrifice to allow for forgiveness from sins. In our day, as we offer a sacrifice of a broken heart, and a contrite spirit, and are willing to give up the things of the world and repent, a Lamb, without blemish is able to wash away our sins, and we are able to receive forgiveness so that we too may be found “spotless at the last day”.
This is a rather difficult subject, and one that will continue to play out in my mind throughout my life but I would like to express my feelings today. I pray I can do the topic justice. Please know these ideas are mine and by no means do they represent doctrine of the LDS faith.
We read in Moses in the Pearl of Great Price that after Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden for disobedience, (Moses 4:27) “Unto Adam, and also unto his wife, did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them.” In the very next chapter we read (Moses 5:5-8)” And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth .
Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.”
I don’t think that it was a coincidence that the “coats of skins” and the sacrifice of animals came at the same time. It seems to reason that the Lord taught Adam the Law of Sacrifice while He was making the coat of skins for him. Where else would he have taken the skins from? We know that Adam had recent named all of the animals: Were these coverings made from animals that Adam was familiar and fond of?
Any time there have been covenant people of the Lord on the earth, the Lord has required the Law of Sacrifice from them. Nowhere are the ordinances of the law better outlined than in the book of Leviticus. Brigham Young, and many others for that matter, taught that all things in the Old Testament point to Christ. Many of the symbols found in the Law of Sacrifice in Moses’ day are obvious; the lamb was to be the first born, without blemish, no bones were to be broken etc. The relationship of these to Christ is without question. How do they compare however, to the Sacrament today?
In the Old Testament, as I understand it, the sacrifice was laid upon the alter. There were specific steps to follow for each part of the animal, the meat and the blood. There is no question that flesh was cut of “torn” apart and the blood was sprinkled around the alter. Interestingly the meat was not to be consumed by the fire, but along with the hide of the animal, was to be used for the use of the priests and their families (coats of skins?).
In Leviticus 4 we read “ 3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
4 And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock’s head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.
5 And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock’s blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
And in verse 20 we read “And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
The Sacrament in our own Wards today takes place at the front of the chapel where all can see. How is it similar to an alter that might have been found in an ancient Temple or a Latter Day Temple? (This is a point for all to ponder). Ancient sacrifices were performed behind a veil. Is the tablecloth covering the sacrament a type of veil? (Another point to ponder). The Priests tear the bread (Christ’s body) into pieces, and water (the blood) is poured into cups.
After the “offerings” are prepared, the Priests kneel (as at an alter) and offer the following prayers: (Moroni 4) “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
And (Moroni 5) “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.”
Through modern revelation we learn that through this ordinance we are able to renew the covenants we made at baptism. Through proper preparation and sincere repentance, this offering is able to give us forgiveness for our sins.
In Ancient Israel a lamb without blemish was able to be offered as a sacrifice to allow for forgiveness from sins. In our day, as we offer a sacrifice of a broken heart, and a contrite spirit, and are willing to give up the things of the world and repent, a Lamb, without blemish is able to wash away our sins, and we are able to receive forgiveness so that we too may be found “spotless at the last day”.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Book of Jasher
Some months ago I was introduced to a really great little bookstore in Salt Lake City by the name of Benchmark Books. I had never heard of it before but since hearing about it I have come to know that many people are aware of it. It is located on the second floor of the building directly north of McDonalds on 33rd South and Main Street. It is an awesome little store that deals with LDS books that are rare, out of print, or simply not available elsewhere. I have become a real fan of it.
Since Benchmark Books is just a couple of blocks from my office, I go there from time to time at lunch just to browse. On occasion I ask the person behind the counter if they have any recommendations. I have been greatly blessed by some of the recommendations I have received.
One book that was recommended to me is The Book of Jasher. It is one of the “lost” books of the Old Testament. It is referred to in the book of Joshua as well as in 2nd Samuel. I had never heard of it before but have since found that it is contains very valuable insight.
An article was written about it in Meridian Magazine in 2002 by John P. Pratt. He states the following: “The book is a history of the world from the creation until the period of the Judges in Israel. It contains much more information than is found in Genesis for that same period, which makes very interesting reading and clears up many confusing issues in the Bible. It is written mostly as a secular history, but it does contain many references to what God was doing. It is similar to the Books of Joshua through Chronicles in the Bible which describe many historical events such as battles and wars, but which also point out the hand of God in the affairs of men.
Perhaps the closest approach to an official acknowledgment of the Book of Jasher among the latter-day saints was when the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted from it as a source which had "not been disproved as a bad author." The saints became more enamored with the book than did the rest of the Judeo-Christian world, and certain members of the Church secured the copyright and republished the work in 1887 in Salt Lake City.” The copy I have is one of these publications.
Anyone who has read the Book of Jasher will agree that it certainly contains much truth (many stories from the Bible), and it certainly appears to contain some later interpolations of men, so reading by the Spirit seems like an excellent way to discern which is which.
Pratt continues: “There seems to be no doubt in anyone's mind that the book contains many authentic Hebrew traditions. It is definitely not a forgery in the sense of being a modern fiction, as was the 1751 book of the same name. Ginzberg in his landmark collection Legends of the Jews quotes from it freely and it is listed in Jewish encyclopedias as an authentic source. But all of these sources agree that the Book of Jasher most likely was written in Spain about the twelfth century AD. It is thought to have been composed by an author compiling many old Jewish traditions (called Midrash) dating back to around the time of Christ and fabricating a few of his own. So how is it known that Jasher is quoting Midrash rather than Midrash quoting the real Book of Jasher also quoted in the Old Testament? It is deduced principally from the chapter describing where the descendants of Noah settled, because European names from many centuries after Christ are included (Jasher 10). In other words, the principles of higher criticism apparently require that if a few verses are found in the work which can definitely be dated to the eleventh century in Spain, then the entire work must have been authored at that time.
If the work claimed to have been produced by one author, as did the fraudulent Pseudo-Jasher, then that argument might be valid. This book, on the other hand, is implied to be a set of annals which have been handed down through a long series of authors. Nowhere is there any implication that it was all one big revelation given to a prophet in the manner that Genesis was given to Moses (Moses 1:40). Because the spirit of the book is that of a continual series of people adding to the work, much like the prophets of the Book of Mormon handing the plates down to the next author, I would not be surprised if interpolations were made in good faith to update the story somewhat of what had happened to the nations since the reign of the Judges. Thus, the method of modern scholars of discrediting the entire book because of a few interpolations and insisting on a late date for its origin is not compelling.
The translator of the 1840 edition agrees because he maintained that this book is indeed the book mentioned in the Old Testament. He concludes, "the book is, with the exception of some doubtful parts, a venerable monument of antiquity; and that, notwithstanding some few additions may have been made to it in comparatively modern times, it still retains sufficient to prove it a copy of the book referred to in Joshua 10 and 2 Samuel 1." In other words, a few later interpolations do not disqualify the entire book. Now let's look at the two places it is apparently quoted in the Old Testament.
Joshua 10:13. It is easy to find the place where the book of Joshua apparently quotes this Book of Jasher:
And when they were smiting, the day was declining toward evening, and Joshua said in the sight of all the people, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon, until the nation shall have revenged itself upon its enemies.
And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Joshua, and the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens, and it stood still six and thirty moments, and the moon also stood still and hastened not to go down a whole day. (Jasher 88:63-64)
The translator notes that the word he rendered "moments" just means "times", a usage with which he is not familiar. To me this quote, although exactly what the doctor ordered, is not compelling because if someone were going to fake a Book of Jasher, this is exactly the kind of verses that would be fabricated as proof. Let us now consider the other reference, which is much more convincing.
Samuel 1:18. As seen in the above quotation of this reference, the Bible states that David taught the children of Judah the use of archery, as stated in the Book of Jasher. Here, at first blush, it looks like the Book of Jasher is disqualified, because its history stops at the reign of the Judges, long before the reign of David. Thus, if this book were merely feigning to be the lost scripture, it would appear that the author was unaware of this second scripture reference, which apparently disqualifies it. Indeed, one reviewer rejected the book citing this weakness as the principal reason.
But on closer inspection, the promised reference is not only present after all, the mystery of why the Biblical author included the source is also explained. The reason is that it is David himself who was quoting the Book of Jasher, rather than the Book of Jasher merely recording David's actions. Jasher contains the injunction that the children of Judah should learn the art of the bow and David considered the Book of Jasher of such high authority that if it commanded to teach the art of the bow, he was determined to do it. That puts an entirely different light on the subject. Here is the actual quote, from the last words of Jacob to his son Judah:
Only teach thy sons the bow and all weapons of war, in order that they may fight the battles of their brother who will rule over his enemies. (Jasher 56:9)
This passage goes a long way as evidence that this Book of Jasher is indeed the Book of Jasher. The quote, once found, solves the mystery of why a reference was needed (to give David's source), and yet it was so obscure that some reviewers have overlooked it entirely, which strongly argues that it was not fabricated solely to fulfill the requirement of having been quoted.”
I would like to conclude with a final quote from John Pratt “Before concluding, I must share a thought from William W. Phelps, who stated,
... some will turn to the words of eternal life, for life and salvation, whether they are found in the old bible, book of Mormon, lost book of Jasher, or the book of Enoch, mentioned by Jude. Though men are afraid of the books of God, or afraid that God will suffer any more to be in the world, I expect that when the dead, small and great, stand before him, that the books will be opened; even the books of Jehovah, and men will be judged according to what is written in the books.
After all the research effort made to produce this article, my conclusion is exactly the same as the conclusion of Mordecai M. Noah's introduction to the first English translation in 1840:
Without giving it to the world as a work of Divine inspiration, or assuming the responsibility to say that it is not an inspired book, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it a work of great antiquity and interest, and a work that is entitled, even regarding it as a literary curiosity, to a great circulation among those who take pleasure in studying the Scriptures.”
Since Benchmark Books is just a couple of blocks from my office, I go there from time to time at lunch just to browse. On occasion I ask the person behind the counter if they have any recommendations. I have been greatly blessed by some of the recommendations I have received.
One book that was recommended to me is The Book of Jasher. It is one of the “lost” books of the Old Testament. It is referred to in the book of Joshua as well as in 2nd Samuel. I had never heard of it before but have since found that it is contains very valuable insight.
An article was written about it in Meridian Magazine in 2002 by John P. Pratt. He states the following: “The book is a history of the world from the creation until the period of the Judges in Israel. It contains much more information than is found in Genesis for that same period, which makes very interesting reading and clears up many confusing issues in the Bible. It is written mostly as a secular history, but it does contain many references to what God was doing. It is similar to the Books of Joshua through Chronicles in the Bible which describe many historical events such as battles and wars, but which also point out the hand of God in the affairs of men.
Perhaps the closest approach to an official acknowledgment of the Book of Jasher among the latter-day saints was when the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted from it as a source which had "not been disproved as a bad author." The saints became more enamored with the book than did the rest of the Judeo-Christian world, and certain members of the Church secured the copyright and republished the work in 1887 in Salt Lake City.” The copy I have is one of these publications.
Anyone who has read the Book of Jasher will agree that it certainly contains much truth (many stories from the Bible), and it certainly appears to contain some later interpolations of men, so reading by the Spirit seems like an excellent way to discern which is which.
Pratt continues: “There seems to be no doubt in anyone's mind that the book contains many authentic Hebrew traditions. It is definitely not a forgery in the sense of being a modern fiction, as was the 1751 book of the same name. Ginzberg in his landmark collection Legends of the Jews quotes from it freely and it is listed in Jewish encyclopedias as an authentic source. But all of these sources agree that the Book of Jasher most likely was written in Spain about the twelfth century AD. It is thought to have been composed by an author compiling many old Jewish traditions (called Midrash) dating back to around the time of Christ and fabricating a few of his own. So how is it known that Jasher is quoting Midrash rather than Midrash quoting the real Book of Jasher also quoted in the Old Testament? It is deduced principally from the chapter describing where the descendants of Noah settled, because European names from many centuries after Christ are included (Jasher 10). In other words, the principles of higher criticism apparently require that if a few verses are found in the work which can definitely be dated to the eleventh century in Spain, then the entire work must have been authored at that time.
If the work claimed to have been produced by one author, as did the fraudulent Pseudo-Jasher, then that argument might be valid. This book, on the other hand, is implied to be a set of annals which have been handed down through a long series of authors. Nowhere is there any implication that it was all one big revelation given to a prophet in the manner that Genesis was given to Moses (Moses 1:40). Because the spirit of the book is that of a continual series of people adding to the work, much like the prophets of the Book of Mormon handing the plates down to the next author, I would not be surprised if interpolations were made in good faith to update the story somewhat of what had happened to the nations since the reign of the Judges. Thus, the method of modern scholars of discrediting the entire book because of a few interpolations and insisting on a late date for its origin is not compelling.
The translator of the 1840 edition agrees because he maintained that this book is indeed the book mentioned in the Old Testament. He concludes, "the book is, with the exception of some doubtful parts, a venerable monument of antiquity; and that, notwithstanding some few additions may have been made to it in comparatively modern times, it still retains sufficient to prove it a copy of the book referred to in Joshua 10 and 2 Samuel 1." In other words, a few later interpolations do not disqualify the entire book. Now let's look at the two places it is apparently quoted in the Old Testament.
Joshua 10:13. It is easy to find the place where the book of Joshua apparently quotes this Book of Jasher:
And when they were smiting, the day was declining toward evening, and Joshua said in the sight of all the people, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon, until the nation shall have revenged itself upon its enemies.
And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Joshua, and the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens, and it stood still six and thirty moments, and the moon also stood still and hastened not to go down a whole day. (Jasher 88:63-64)
The translator notes that the word he rendered "moments" just means "times", a usage with which he is not familiar. To me this quote, although exactly what the doctor ordered, is not compelling because if someone were going to fake a Book of Jasher, this is exactly the kind of verses that would be fabricated as proof. Let us now consider the other reference, which is much more convincing.
Samuel 1:18. As seen in the above quotation of this reference, the Bible states that David taught the children of Judah the use of archery, as stated in the Book of Jasher. Here, at first blush, it looks like the Book of Jasher is disqualified, because its history stops at the reign of the Judges, long before the reign of David. Thus, if this book were merely feigning to be the lost scripture, it would appear that the author was unaware of this second scripture reference, which apparently disqualifies it. Indeed, one reviewer rejected the book citing this weakness as the principal reason.
But on closer inspection, the promised reference is not only present after all, the mystery of why the Biblical author included the source is also explained. The reason is that it is David himself who was quoting the Book of Jasher, rather than the Book of Jasher merely recording David's actions. Jasher contains the injunction that the children of Judah should learn the art of the bow and David considered the Book of Jasher of such high authority that if it commanded to teach the art of the bow, he was determined to do it. That puts an entirely different light on the subject. Here is the actual quote, from the last words of Jacob to his son Judah:
Only teach thy sons the bow and all weapons of war, in order that they may fight the battles of their brother who will rule over his enemies. (Jasher 56:9)
This passage goes a long way as evidence that this Book of Jasher is indeed the Book of Jasher. The quote, once found, solves the mystery of why a reference was needed (to give David's source), and yet it was so obscure that some reviewers have overlooked it entirely, which strongly argues that it was not fabricated solely to fulfill the requirement of having been quoted.”
I would like to conclude with a final quote from John Pratt “Before concluding, I must share a thought from William W. Phelps, who stated,
... some will turn to the words of eternal life, for life and salvation, whether they are found in the old bible, book of Mormon, lost book of Jasher, or the book of Enoch, mentioned by Jude. Though men are afraid of the books of God, or afraid that God will suffer any more to be in the world, I expect that when the dead, small and great, stand before him, that the books will be opened; even the books of Jehovah, and men will be judged according to what is written in the books.
After all the research effort made to produce this article, my conclusion is exactly the same as the conclusion of Mordecai M. Noah's introduction to the first English translation in 1840:
Without giving it to the world as a work of Divine inspiration, or assuming the responsibility to say that it is not an inspired book, I have no hesitation in pronouncing it a work of great antiquity and interest, and a work that is entitled, even regarding it as a literary curiosity, to a great circulation among those who take pleasure in studying the Scriptures.”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mere Christianity
Dear readers,
This blog is simply a forum for me to express and to share my feelings about things I am reading in the scriptures and other great books. I hope they are a benefit to you and will perhaps cause you to read the books I refer to. I apologize for the length of this one—it was difficult to edit.
I have recently been reading C.S. Lewis’s Book Mere Christianity and have been intrigued by some of the concepts that he introduces. C.S. Lewis was an Irish-born British novelist, academic, literary critic, lay theologian and Christian apologetic. He was born in 1898 and died in 1963 at the age of 64. I am willing to bet that he is quoted in General Conference more than any other non Latter-Day-Saint.
In this book he begins by introducing the thesis that humans are born with built in morals. He illustrates this idea by referring to two people quarreling when one says “How’d you like it if anyone did the same to you?” – “That’s my seat, I was there first” – “Give me a bit of your orange, I gave you a bit of mine” People say things like this every day; children and adults; educated as well as uneducated.
Lewis continues “Now what interests me about all these remarks is that the man who makes them is not merely saying that the other man’s behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about.” Rarely does the offender admit that he has violated the unspoken standard. Nearly always he tries to make out that what he has been doing is still within keeping of the standard. He pretends there is some special reason that he took the seat, or didn’t give up a piece of his orange. There is always some extenuating circumstance. “It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties had in mind some kind of Law or Rule of fair play or decent behavior… about which they really agreed.” He continues “ quarrelling means trying to show that the other man is in the wrong. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you and he some sort of agreement as to what right and wrong are.”
As Latter-Day-Saints we commonly refer to this “built in” morality as the light of Christ or the Spirit of Christ. In Moroni 7:16 we read “For behold. The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. Continuing on in Moroni 7:18-19 we read: And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
So what are the moral standards that everyone knows or is born with? C. S. Lewis claims there are seven of them; Four that everyone should adhere to, and another three that are for Christians specifically. They are: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Chastity, Forgiveness, Humility. Since the three Christian virtues he discusses are well known among LDS, here I will deal only with the first four.
Prudence is defined as “discretion in practical affairs; Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense; Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident; Careful about one's conduct; circumspect. C.S. Lewis reminds us that Christ stated that we are to become as a little child. In 3 Ne. 9:22 we read “Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. “ Lewis continues, “Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary, He told us not only to be ‘as harmless as doves’ but also ‘as wise as serpents.’ He wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head”.
Temperance is the trait of avoiding excesses, or moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression. It might be defined as the act of giving up something individually for the benefit of the greater whole. Lewis says “ But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something he does not condemn… One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting everyone else to give it up.” I have been guilty of this in my own life and find this something that we should look at in our own lives; to keep us from judging others.
Lewis writes “Justice means much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts. It is the name for everything we should now call ‘fairness’; it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life”. As Latter-Day-Saints, we recognize that Justice and Mercy are two of the attributes of God and the beauty of the Atonement.
Strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage is what is meant by Fortitude. Lewis writes “Fortitude includes both kinds of courage—the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that ‘sticks it’ under pain. ‘Guts’ is perhaps the nearest modern English. You will notice, of course, that you cannot practice any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play.”
I will end this blog post with a final quote from Mere Christianity that draws a great conclusion that I certainly agree with. “We might think that the ‘virtues’ were necessary only for this present life—that in the other world we could stop being just because there is nothing to quarrel about and stop being brave because there is no danger. Now it is quite true that there will probably be no occasion for being the sort of people that we can become only as a result of doing such acts here. The point is not that God will refuse you admission to His eternal world if you have not got certain qualities of character: the point is that if people have not got at least the beginning of those qualities inside them, then no possible external conditions could make a ‘Heaven’ for them—that is, could make them happy with the deep, strong, unshakable kind of happiness God intends for us.”
This blog is simply a forum for me to express and to share my feelings about things I am reading in the scriptures and other great books. I hope they are a benefit to you and will perhaps cause you to read the books I refer to. I apologize for the length of this one—it was difficult to edit.
I have recently been reading C.S. Lewis’s Book Mere Christianity and have been intrigued by some of the concepts that he introduces. C.S. Lewis was an Irish-born British novelist, academic, literary critic, lay theologian and Christian apologetic. He was born in 1898 and died in 1963 at the age of 64. I am willing to bet that he is quoted in General Conference more than any other non Latter-Day-Saint.
In this book he begins by introducing the thesis that humans are born with built in morals. He illustrates this idea by referring to two people quarreling when one says “How’d you like it if anyone did the same to you?” – “That’s my seat, I was there first” – “Give me a bit of your orange, I gave you a bit of mine” People say things like this every day; children and adults; educated as well as uneducated.
Lewis continues “Now what interests me about all these remarks is that the man who makes them is not merely saying that the other man’s behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about.” Rarely does the offender admit that he has violated the unspoken standard. Nearly always he tries to make out that what he has been doing is still within keeping of the standard. He pretends there is some special reason that he took the seat, or didn’t give up a piece of his orange. There is always some extenuating circumstance. “It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties had in mind some kind of Law or Rule of fair play or decent behavior… about which they really agreed.” He continues “ quarrelling means trying to show that the other man is in the wrong. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you and he some sort of agreement as to what right and wrong are.”
As Latter-Day-Saints we commonly refer to this “built in” morality as the light of Christ or the Spirit of Christ. In Moroni 7:16 we read “For behold. The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. Continuing on in Moroni 7:18-19 we read: And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.
So what are the moral standards that everyone knows or is born with? C. S. Lewis claims there are seven of them; Four that everyone should adhere to, and another three that are for Christians specifically. They are: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Chastity, Forgiveness, Humility. Since the three Christian virtues he discusses are well known among LDS, here I will deal only with the first four.
Prudence is defined as “discretion in practical affairs; Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense; Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident; Careful about one's conduct; circumspect. C.S. Lewis reminds us that Christ stated that we are to become as a little child. In 3 Ne. 9:22 we read “Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved. “ Lewis continues, “Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence: on the contrary, He told us not only to be ‘as harmless as doves’ but also ‘as wise as serpents.’ He wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head”.
Temperance is the trait of avoiding excesses, or moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression. It might be defined as the act of giving up something individually for the benefit of the greater whole. Lewis says “ But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something he does not condemn… One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting everyone else to give it up.” I have been guilty of this in my own life and find this something that we should look at in our own lives; to keep us from judging others.
Lewis writes “Justice means much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts. It is the name for everything we should now call ‘fairness’; it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life”. As Latter-Day-Saints, we recognize that Justice and Mercy are two of the attributes of God and the beauty of the Atonement.
Strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage is what is meant by Fortitude. Lewis writes “Fortitude includes both kinds of courage—the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that ‘sticks it’ under pain. ‘Guts’ is perhaps the nearest modern English. You will notice, of course, that you cannot practice any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play.”
I will end this blog post with a final quote from Mere Christianity that draws a great conclusion that I certainly agree with. “We might think that the ‘virtues’ were necessary only for this present life—that in the other world we could stop being just because there is nothing to quarrel about and stop being brave because there is no danger. Now it is quite true that there will probably be no occasion for being the sort of people that we can become only as a result of doing such acts here. The point is not that God will refuse you admission to His eternal world if you have not got certain qualities of character: the point is that if people have not got at least the beginning of those qualities inside them, then no possible external conditions could make a ‘Heaven’ for them—that is, could make them happy with the deep, strong, unshakable kind of happiness God intends for us.”
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Lost Coin
In Chapter 15 of Luke, the Saviour intoduces three parables that deal with those who have become "lost". They are the parable of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son. Each story targets a distinct group of people that have "wandered" in one way or another. This post will express my thoughts on each of them.
The Story of the Lost Sheep tells of a shepherd that has 100 sheep. When he notices that one of the sheep has wandered off, he leaves the "ninety and nine" and goes off searching for the one. When he finds the one, he rejoices and carries the lost lamb back to the fold.
Author Larry Barkdull, in his book Rescuing Wayward Children tells the following: "President David O. McKay suggests that the lost sheep is like many who stray innocently with no rebellious intent. Rebelliousness is not always the issue, he said. In the parable, the sheep was seeking its livelyhood legitimately, albeit ignorant of the consequences, and wandered into unknown and dangerous territory seeking better grass. Suddenly, it is lost. The sheep is no different from some children in the Church who wander unwittingly; seeking success in education, career, or other pursuits, they one day look up and find themselves far from the Church and disconnected from gospel principles. Their wandering has misled them in defining truth and what constitutes true success, and they are now too lost to find their way back without a good shepherd to guide them."
It is easy for me to picture a sheep, with its head down, paying little attention what is going on around it, following clump of grass after clump of grass. Suddenly it puts its head up and realizes it does't recognize any of its surroundings. We are all guilty of this in our own lives at some level. I know that on occasion I look up and find myself off the path that I know is right. At times like these, when we are suddenly lost, if we listen carefully, we will hear the voice of the Shepherd calling out to us as He comes to our rescue.
In what is likely the most familiar of the three parables, that of the Prodigal Son, a young man becomes rebellious and leaves the way of his father and goes out into the world afer his own pursuits. After living a wild and riotous life, he finds himself broken and alone... and far from home. He realizes he has lost everything and offers to come back and be a servant in his fathers house. But his father rejoices at his return, kills the fatted calf, and celebrates the return of his lost son.
How true is this story in each of our lives as well? It is our nature to want to do things on our own. Even our small children say "I do it" when we try to help them do something. It is our pride that makes us think we can do it on our own. Even our first parents, Adam and Eve, fell into the trap of thinking they could do it on their own or some other way. It is by paying attention to the Spirit that we see the error of our ways and return to our Father in Heaven.
The story that seems to be the least familiar, at least with me, is that of the Lost Coin. This story also seems to have significant parallels in my own life. Particularly as it relates to watching over things we have charge of like children, siblings, parents, home teaching families, etc.
The woman in the parable loses a coin in her own home (how does this relate to our own children?). In order to find it she lights a candle (adds more light), and cleans her home (cleans the inner vessel.... repents). She seeks the coin diligently until she finds it.
We too are guilty of losing things of value in our lives simply by the clutter of our lives. This clutter comes in many shapes and sizes. For some it is sports, for others it is simply making a living. Much of it comes from the never ending barage of "electronic noise" in out lives. This includes television, computers, ipods, cell phones, facebook, email, and the list goes on and on. If we are constantly stimulated by these distractions, when will we ever have time to hear the still small voice?
In Alma we are taught "God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." This is a little hard to hear. We typically want the problems in our lives to be "someone elses" fault. It can't possibly be me! How many times have we heard ourselves say, after listening to a talk or sermon that talks about one problem or another, my wife/husband/sister/etc. really needs to hear this?
The Lord has taught us this principle in many ways in the scriptures. In Matthew 5 we read "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the alter, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift". And, "First cast out the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye". Again I quote form Larry Barkdull "To successfully seek out that which we have neglected and carelessly lost, we need to shine an honest light on our own house and begin sweeping."
The Story of the Lost Sheep tells of a shepherd that has 100 sheep. When he notices that one of the sheep has wandered off, he leaves the "ninety and nine" and goes off searching for the one. When he finds the one, he rejoices and carries the lost lamb back to the fold.
Author Larry Barkdull, in his book Rescuing Wayward Children tells the following: "President David O. McKay suggests that the lost sheep is like many who stray innocently with no rebellious intent. Rebelliousness is not always the issue, he said. In the parable, the sheep was seeking its livelyhood legitimately, albeit ignorant of the consequences, and wandered into unknown and dangerous territory seeking better grass. Suddenly, it is lost. The sheep is no different from some children in the Church who wander unwittingly; seeking success in education, career, or other pursuits, they one day look up and find themselves far from the Church and disconnected from gospel principles. Their wandering has misled them in defining truth and what constitutes true success, and they are now too lost to find their way back without a good shepherd to guide them."
It is easy for me to picture a sheep, with its head down, paying little attention what is going on around it, following clump of grass after clump of grass. Suddenly it puts its head up and realizes it does't recognize any of its surroundings. We are all guilty of this in our own lives at some level. I know that on occasion I look up and find myself off the path that I know is right. At times like these, when we are suddenly lost, if we listen carefully, we will hear the voice of the Shepherd calling out to us as He comes to our rescue.
In what is likely the most familiar of the three parables, that of the Prodigal Son, a young man becomes rebellious and leaves the way of his father and goes out into the world afer his own pursuits. After living a wild and riotous life, he finds himself broken and alone... and far from home. He realizes he has lost everything and offers to come back and be a servant in his fathers house. But his father rejoices at his return, kills the fatted calf, and celebrates the return of his lost son.
How true is this story in each of our lives as well? It is our nature to want to do things on our own. Even our small children say "I do it" when we try to help them do something. It is our pride that makes us think we can do it on our own. Even our first parents, Adam and Eve, fell into the trap of thinking they could do it on their own or some other way. It is by paying attention to the Spirit that we see the error of our ways and return to our Father in Heaven.
The story that seems to be the least familiar, at least with me, is that of the Lost Coin. This story also seems to have significant parallels in my own life. Particularly as it relates to watching over things we have charge of like children, siblings, parents, home teaching families, etc.
The woman in the parable loses a coin in her own home (how does this relate to our own children?). In order to find it she lights a candle (adds more light), and cleans her home (cleans the inner vessel.... repents). She seeks the coin diligently until she finds it.
We too are guilty of losing things of value in our lives simply by the clutter of our lives. This clutter comes in many shapes and sizes. For some it is sports, for others it is simply making a living. Much of it comes from the never ending barage of "electronic noise" in out lives. This includes television, computers, ipods, cell phones, facebook, email, and the list goes on and on. If we are constantly stimulated by these distractions, when will we ever have time to hear the still small voice?
In Alma we are taught "God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." This is a little hard to hear. We typically want the problems in our lives to be "someone elses" fault. It can't possibly be me! How many times have we heard ourselves say, after listening to a talk or sermon that talks about one problem or another, my wife/husband/sister/etc. really needs to hear this?
The Lord has taught us this principle in many ways in the scriptures. In Matthew 5 we read "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the alter, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift". And, "First cast out the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye". Again I quote form Larry Barkdull "To successfully seek out that which we have neglected and carelessly lost, we need to shine an honest light on our own house and begin sweeping."
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