I was really struck by a simple phrase that I read this morning. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. The sentence is this: “When the wheat is fully ripe, the Lord will return.”(The Second Comforter, Denver Snuffer). I’m not quite sure why this phrase had such impact on me, but it has. I hope to be able to share my thoughts on this topic.
In Matthew 13 we read the parable of the wheat and the tares. It reads as follows:
“24¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
I have obviously read this parable many times in my life. I feel like I have even understood what it says, but I guess I never really understood my role as being the wheat.
I have always known that we live in the last days, and that Christ will soon come. Somehow, however, I have confused the events that would actually lead to the second coming. When we read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, it came because of the wickedness of these two cities. The Book of Mormon is full of stories where the wicked were destroyed. I have always believed that Christ would come when the world was so wicked that He would destroy it. I think that perhaps I have misunderstood this until now.
The parable tells us wait until the harvest, gather the tares and burn them, then gather the wheat. Obviously the wheat must be ripe before it is gathered. So what do we need to do, as the wheat, in order to become ripe?
We often hear the term “the Stakes of Zion” and that Zion is “ the pure in heart”. Section 97 of the Doctrine and Covenants says the following:
18And, now, behold, if Zion do these things she shall prosper, and spread herself and become very glorious, very great, and very terrible.
19And the nations of the earth shall honor her, and shall say: Surely Zion is the city of our God, and surely Zion cannot fall, neither be moved out of her place, for God is there, and the hand of the Lord is there;
20And he hath sworn by the power of his might to be her salvation and her high tower.
21Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn.
22For behold, and lo, vengeance cometh speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind; and who shall escape it?
23The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people; yea, it shall not be stayed until the Lord come;
24For the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works.
25Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatsoever I have commanded her.
26But if she observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore affliction, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire.
If Zion is indeed defined as “the pure in heart” then it seems quite clear what we must do to establish Zion in our own lives: We must become pure in heart! A statement undoubtedly easier said than done. In John Pontius’s book “The Triumph of Zion”, one of the most influential books I have read, he states that Zion is an “individual matter” and can be achieved long before the actual city of Zion is established. Related to this, President Spencer W. Kimball said “When Satan is bound in a single home – when Satan is bound in a single life – the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life.” Zion must be established before the Second Coming.
The pure in heart (D&C 97:21). Zion also means a place where the pure in heart live. The city built by Enoch and his people that was eventually taken to heaven because of righteousness was named Zion (D&C 38:4; Moses 7:18–21, 69). In the latter-days a city named Zion will be built near Jackson County, Missouri (United States of America), to which the tribes of Israel will gather (D&C 103:11–22; 133:18). The Saints are counseled to build up Zion wherever they are living in the world. A few scriptures on the topic:
• The city of David was called Zion, 1 Kgs. 8:1
• Out of Zion shall go forth the law, Isa. 2:2–3 (Micah 4:2; 2 Ne. 12:2–3).
• The Redeemer shall come to Zion, Isa. 59:20
• I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you
to Zion, Jer. 3:14
• In mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, Joel 2:32 (Obad. 1:17).
• Blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion, 1 Ne. 13:37
• The daughters of Zion are haughty, 2 Ne. 13:16 (Isa. 3:16).
• Wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!, 2 Ne. 28:19–25
• Seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion, D&C 6:6 (D&C 11:6).
• Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good,
D&C 21:7
• The New Jerusalem shall be called Zion, D&C 45:66–67
• Independence, Missouri, is the place for the city of Zion, D&C 57:1–3
• A scourge remaineth upon the children of Zion until they repent, D&C 84:58
• The Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and
one mind, Moses 7:18–19
• Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent,
A of F 1:10
Denver Snuffer also makes the following comments: “The Millennium will happen as people prepare themselves for it.It would do little good to have the Lord return if there were not people prepared for His presence awaiting Him. If that were to occur before people are prepared, the whole earth would be wasted at His coming.”
In my own life, as I have earnestly tried to change my life, and to allow the Spirit to bring about “the mighty change” spoken of in the scriptures, I have been drawn to people with similar interests. From my perspective I see Zion being established in the hearts of people everywhere. I see an increase in spirituality and in people striving to do what is right. At the same time I see the ways of the world going in the opposite direction. I am offended by things I see on television and on the internet.
A dear friend told me he had lunch with a former Bishop and recently released Stake President. The Stake President told him that out of 22 missionaries that went out in recent months, 8 are home prematurely because they lied about their worthiness. This same president said that affairs and immorality were increasing in his stake. I am sure they are in mine and others as well, but righteousness and goodness are as well. It appears the Wheat and the Tares are growing together, even in the church. God’s promises are sure, Zion will prevail. It is our duty to choose which side we will take. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) May we all strive to establish Zion in our own lives!
Showing posts with label The Triumph of Zion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Triumph of Zion. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Faith and Belief
Once again I have been really taken by a wonderful book by author John Pontius titled “The Triumph of Zion.” This book is definitely in the top five of the best and most influential books I have ever read. It has caused me to think of things I have never thought of before and it has helped me understand the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants better. It seems to make the entire Plan of Salvation make more sense and has helped me understand what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel.
The topic I would like to write about today is found toward the end of the book and is a small section titled “Faith and Belief.” He explains the difference between faith and belief and then goes on to explain how our beliefs have a tendency to squash of faith. I hope to be able to explain.
“Faith is a result of exposure to the Spirit of the Lord and is a gift of God. Faith does not naturally reside in man. When we obey some principle of truth, a commandment of God, or any whispering of the Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord touches our souls with a tiny increase of faith regarding that principle.
One can only have faith in things that are true (Alma 32:21). We can’t have faith in a falsehood. Only to the extent that a principle contains truth can we exercise faith in it. For this reason, faith is always centered in Christ, because all truth flows from Christ.
Unlike faith, which is always pure, our belief structure includes both elements of truth and impurities of human assumption, tradition, false conclusions, and out-and-out lies. Most of what we believe comes from the experience of our lifetime, all of which occur in the natural world, and most of which are in some way tainted. Such false beliefs are hostile to our progress unless overridden by revealed truth.”
I will give a personal example of how belief squashes faith. For most of my adult life I believed that it was not possible or perhaps unlikely that faithful members of the church were able to have a personal visit by the Savior while in this life. I believed this blessing was only reserved for Apostles and Prophets… and I wasn’t even sure about all of them. This was my belief! However, over the past 18 mos. or so, my belief has totally changed. I was introduced to Denver Snuffer’s “The Second Comforter” and had a very powerful witness born to me that this great blessing is indeed available to all who seek it. Since that time I have read several books on the topic including very clear teachings from Elder Bruce R. McConkie in “The Promised Messiah” and “The Millennial Messiah” that have taught me the truth of this matter. The Book of Mormon teaches this topic abundantly. I now have overwhelming faith in the matter that Christ will appear to each of us if we are faithful and as we “seek His face.”
Brother Pontius goes on to write “Our every act is driven by a belief. Whether that belief is based upon truth, or upon misconception, determines whether the act is righteous or evil. Often, faith can be profound, while our belief about how that faith applies to us can limit, or even eliminate, our enjoyment of the fruits of our faith. Such faith-opposing believing is called “unbelief” in the scriptures. It is not necessarily an absence of faith and can coexist with faith quite companionably. But it is nevertheless an effective and often long-lived damnation of our faith.
An example might be: We may have faith that Heavenly Father loves us and has the power to heal an illness or disease we may have. But we simultaneously believe (or assume because of what others have taught us) that Heavenly Father wants us to learn some lesson through our suffering, or that we must seek a medical solution first, only turning to Him as a last resort. Or, we may conclude that since we haven’t personally seen this magnitude of healing with our own eyes, He may just not be doing healings of this degree nowadays, and thus, we doubt the will of God to heal us—not His power, but His intention to do so. We have great faith He can, we just don’t believe He will, and thus uninspired belief (unbelief) smothers our faith.
Another example may be: We read the scriptures and have complete faith that the brother of Jared (or any other righteous figure) truly experienced the profound blessings, visions, revelations and angelic visitations they record. And, even though the same prophet records that God is no respecter of persons and liberally grants the same blessings to all who righteously seek them, we believe that the scriptures are largely for our education and not a prototype of our personal spiritual potential. We may conclude that such things do not happen in this day, or if they do, that would happen to someone more highly placed or more obedient. We thereby doubt, not God’s power, which is a by-product of our faith, but His will to grant us a place within His promises. Such doubt by definition is unbelief.
We extinguish the fire of faith with the cold rains of unbelief. The Lord told Moroni 4:
7 ‘And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.’
This verse contains one of the most incredible pronouncements of promise this dispensation has ever been given.” In fact, I personally believe (Scott Webb speaking) that this is part of what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. Pontius goes on to write “It is saying when—notice that it doesn’t say if, it implies when—we rend the veil of unbelief and develop faith like the brother of Jared’s, God will unfold unto us all of His revelations, which means that we will know all things, which would enable us to part the veil in many places and lay hold upon all promised blessings. This promise isn’t being made just to the Quorum of the Twelve. This is a promise that is held out to every person who chooses to seek and obtain it. We have access to the same gifts in this day, in this priesthood, in this Church, as the brother of Jared used to rend the heavens in his day, which lit up sixteen stones and his eternity.”
I encourage all who are reading this blog to look at your own life… find the places where belief is overpowering your faith, then go to the Lord in earnest prayer and ask for His help in overcoming your unbelief. I have experienced this in my own life and testify of its efficacy. May we all seek His face.
The topic I would like to write about today is found toward the end of the book and is a small section titled “Faith and Belief.” He explains the difference between faith and belief and then goes on to explain how our beliefs have a tendency to squash of faith. I hope to be able to explain.
“Faith is a result of exposure to the Spirit of the Lord and is a gift of God. Faith does not naturally reside in man. When we obey some principle of truth, a commandment of God, or any whispering of the Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord touches our souls with a tiny increase of faith regarding that principle.
One can only have faith in things that are true (Alma 32:21). We can’t have faith in a falsehood. Only to the extent that a principle contains truth can we exercise faith in it. For this reason, faith is always centered in Christ, because all truth flows from Christ.
Unlike faith, which is always pure, our belief structure includes both elements of truth and impurities of human assumption, tradition, false conclusions, and out-and-out lies. Most of what we believe comes from the experience of our lifetime, all of which occur in the natural world, and most of which are in some way tainted. Such false beliefs are hostile to our progress unless overridden by revealed truth.”
I will give a personal example of how belief squashes faith. For most of my adult life I believed that it was not possible or perhaps unlikely that faithful members of the church were able to have a personal visit by the Savior while in this life. I believed this blessing was only reserved for Apostles and Prophets… and I wasn’t even sure about all of them. This was my belief! However, over the past 18 mos. or so, my belief has totally changed. I was introduced to Denver Snuffer’s “The Second Comforter” and had a very powerful witness born to me that this great blessing is indeed available to all who seek it. Since that time I have read several books on the topic including very clear teachings from Elder Bruce R. McConkie in “The Promised Messiah” and “The Millennial Messiah” that have taught me the truth of this matter. The Book of Mormon teaches this topic abundantly. I now have overwhelming faith in the matter that Christ will appear to each of us if we are faithful and as we “seek His face.”
Brother Pontius goes on to write “Our every act is driven by a belief. Whether that belief is based upon truth, or upon misconception, determines whether the act is righteous or evil. Often, faith can be profound, while our belief about how that faith applies to us can limit, or even eliminate, our enjoyment of the fruits of our faith. Such faith-opposing believing is called “unbelief” in the scriptures. It is not necessarily an absence of faith and can coexist with faith quite companionably. But it is nevertheless an effective and often long-lived damnation of our faith.
An example might be: We may have faith that Heavenly Father loves us and has the power to heal an illness or disease we may have. But we simultaneously believe (or assume because of what others have taught us) that Heavenly Father wants us to learn some lesson through our suffering, or that we must seek a medical solution first, only turning to Him as a last resort. Or, we may conclude that since we haven’t personally seen this magnitude of healing with our own eyes, He may just not be doing healings of this degree nowadays, and thus, we doubt the will of God to heal us—not His power, but His intention to do so. We have great faith He can, we just don’t believe He will, and thus uninspired belief (unbelief) smothers our faith.
Another example may be: We read the scriptures and have complete faith that the brother of Jared (or any other righteous figure) truly experienced the profound blessings, visions, revelations and angelic visitations they record. And, even though the same prophet records that God is no respecter of persons and liberally grants the same blessings to all who righteously seek them, we believe that the scriptures are largely for our education and not a prototype of our personal spiritual potential. We may conclude that such things do not happen in this day, or if they do, that would happen to someone more highly placed or more obedient. We thereby doubt, not God’s power, which is a by-product of our faith, but His will to grant us a place within His promises. Such doubt by definition is unbelief.
We extinguish the fire of faith with the cold rains of unbelief. The Lord told Moroni 4:
7 ‘And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.’
This verse contains one of the most incredible pronouncements of promise this dispensation has ever been given.” In fact, I personally believe (Scott Webb speaking) that this is part of what is meant when we hear that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel. Pontius goes on to write “It is saying when—notice that it doesn’t say if, it implies when—we rend the veil of unbelief and develop faith like the brother of Jared’s, God will unfold unto us all of His revelations, which means that we will know all things, which would enable us to part the veil in many places and lay hold upon all promised blessings. This promise isn’t being made just to the Quorum of the Twelve. This is a promise that is held out to every person who chooses to seek and obtain it. We have access to the same gifts in this day, in this priesthood, in this Church, as the brother of Jared used to rend the heavens in his day, which lit up sixteen stones and his eternity.”
I encourage all who are reading this blog to look at your own life… find the places where belief is overpowering your faith, then go to the Lord in earnest prayer and ask for His help in overcoming your unbelief. I have experienced this in my own life and testify of its efficacy. May we all seek His face.
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