Terrestrial vs. Telestial

I’ve had several concerned comments over the past few weeks wondering why it’s been so long since posting a new blog post. I’m not quite sure why it has been so long. I have started several over the past few months but just haven’t felt right about any of them. I’m hoping today will be different.

I’ve learned so much about the gospel over the past few months. My belief system seems to change a little bit every day. Things I used to think were “gospel truths” I have come to believe are simply part of the LDS culture and tradition. Things I never would have believed even a few months ago I see may indeed be true. I’m trying to separate the truth from many of these traditions in my mind.

On the other hand, many other things have been solidified in my heart and mind. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world is one of these. That Joseph Smith restored the truth back to the earth is another, and that the Book of Mormon is an authentic record, and contains the fullness of the gospel is another. I’ve come to know that the Savior Himself is interested in each of us individually to come to us and help us on our journey back to the Father.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about three different scriptures. Mosiah 3:19 “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”

What does it mean to put off the natural man?

Or perhaps Moroni 10:32 “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

What does it mean to deny yourselves of all ungodliness?

And finally, Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

How do we let virtue garnish our thoughts?

I’ve recently began to realize that as Latter-Day-Saints we have been “duped” into believing that all we need to be are good “telestial” people. We just simply need to stay away from the “bad parts” of worldliness. We have come to believe that as long as we are among the “best” of the telestialites that we will be assured a place in the Celestial Kingdom. I believe this is utterly false.

We talk of and look forward to the Millennium; the thousand year period of peace on the earth when Christ will reign personally. The wicked will be destroyed and we will enjoy a paradisiacal state… much like the Garden of Eden. The Millennium will be a terrestrial world, filled with terrestrial people… not simply good telestial people. If we are not worthy to endure Christ’s presence now, what makes us think we will be able to then? Is it possible to enjoy Christ’s presence now… in this life??? Isn’t this what we are “supposed” to be learning from living the gospel? Isn’t this what the temple endowment teaches us… to cast Satan out of our lives and to enter the presence of the Savior?

How do we do this? The scriptures are clear… Let virtue garnish your thoughts… deny yourselves of all ungodliness… put off the natural man… and many others like it. We need to repent and be very different than we currently are. We need to call upon the Savior and trust him. As we call upon him, and submit ourselves to him, He will purify our hearts.

The scriptures are very plain at what will happen at the second coming. There will be three types of people; those that are righteous and called up to meet him (these are they who submitted themselves to the Savior willingly and repented prior to his coming), those who are good people that remain upon the earth (these are they who will be called to repentance by hardship… earthquakes, calamities, famines, whirlwinds, wars, etc.), and finally the wicked that will be destroyed. I want to be among the first group!

I am cutting and pasting the following from the blog of Brother John Pontius, one of my favorite authors and speakers. His blog is a treasure and can be found at http://unblogmysoul.wordpress.com Please enjoy we he has to say on this topic.

One truth I consistently forget is that the latter-day tribulations are much, much more than a descent into chaos and war. I have a tendency to look at those approaching times and think about food storage, economic chaos, foreign invasion, no utilities and bands of hungry people. What I should be thinking about is that the earth is being changed into a Millennial state, and we are being changed with it.

The earth is presently in a Telestial state. We are all familiar with the trials and heartache of the Telestial state. During the millennium, Zion and eventually everyone and everything upon the earth will be Terrestrial. In that glorious state, our bodies will not be subject to pain, hunger, disease or aging. All of nature will produce without coercion to bless the sons and daughters of Adam. There will be no government but Jesus Christ, and peace will rule for 1000 years. This is the Millennial-Terrestial state.

All change is painful. There is a birthing process of change that cannot be avoided. The greatest change will be ruled by the fact that nothing Telestial can remain on the earth by the time the Millennial-Terrestrial day has begun. This includes people, buildings, literature, traditions, infrastructure, religion, landscape and everything else. If it is not Terrestrial, or if it is not capable of making the change into Terrestrial – it must be destroyed. Or, perhaps better stated, it will not survive the change, and will no longer exist. Even a Telestial philosophy, mindset or idea must perish. This means that wherever the idea persists, it must be altered or the holder of the idea cannot enter the Terrestrial day.

We know that the earth will “abide the day” of this transition and will become the new home of Zion, and the Terrestrial state will cover her face. We are also informed that the earth will become the new Celestial Kingdom after the millennium. (D&C 88:17-19, 25-26)

This means that everything Telestial must be wiped off of her face. No trace or evidence of it can remain. Even the hills that were thrown up in the Telestial day must be leveled, and the valleys that fell must be raised. Everything man has built that does not exactly conform to the Terrestrial inspiration must be wiped away. Every philosophy, every religion, every principle, government, or thinking that is not equal to the Terrestrial standard must be consumed by fire.

Our only hope of “abiding the day” is not in our food storage and other physical hedges against the tide of change. It is only in our ability to use the Gospel and priesthood ordinances to change by Christ’s Grace into the Terrestrial state prior to the earth doing it. We will discuss how to do this fully in subsequent UnBlogs.

If you can lay hold upon this concept, it will literally save your life and ease your transition into the Millennial day. (D&C 88:82-85) If someone is already Terrestrial, having laid aside everything Telestial of your own free will, by your inspired discipleship, allowing Christ to make the changes in your heart, mind, and home, then when the birthing process of the Millennium begins, we will not be subject to the necessary cleansing of the earth as “she” changes. We will still feel the ground shake, and watch the trauma of so much cleansing around us, but we will not fear, and we will not be moved, but will stand in holy places. Those places will be made holy by our presence – because we, ourselves are holy. The Holy Spirit will guide us (D&C 45:56-59), and we will be a source of strength and peace to those around us as the changes occur.

If we are capable of making this change, but just choose not to, then in my opinion, the tribulations will be a great shaking and awakening of our souls. Those who awaken after the shaking begins will experience the fear and horror of those times, but in the end they will join the Terrestrial evolution and come to Zion. This is not to say that all of them will physically survive. Some will be in the clouds of heaven coming with Christ, not physically upon the earth in Zion. There will be a large mortality rate among this group who decides to change after the testimony of earthquakes, floods and fires begin. (D&C 88:89-91) But, happy day, happy day, all is well.

Those who cannot change, whose hearts are set so much upon the things of the world that they cannot evolve into the purity of the Terrestrial world, these will ultimately not evolve, and must be wiped off before the Earth can achieve its Millennial glory.

This is the reason for the tribulations – not to punish us, not to wreak vengeance – it is to cleanse the earth so that Christ can come and make His abode in Zion. If we are to remain on the earth, then we must change in synch with the earth, so that when “she” is glorified, we will be glorified with her and be welcome in the Millennial day.

May the Lord bless each of us every day! With much love,

Scott

Joseph's Prayer

For those of you who are regular readers of my blog, you know that I have an 18 year old son named Joe. He works two jobs and attends the community college. Due to choices he makes in his life, he lives on his own rather than living here at home. Although difficult for a parent, the things he is learning by being responsible for himself are invaluable. I hope that one day he makes good choices and is able to move home.

About a week ago today I had an incredible experience with him that I would like to share. This story shows how the Lord will help us teach our children if we are willing to listen. I thank God for experiences like this.

Over a several day period, Joe was having trouble with his car starting. It started sometimes, and other times it wouldn’t. At first it seemed to be a problem with the battery, since it would start if we jumped it, but as time went on it became evident that the starter motor was going bad. I encouraged Joe to take it and get it fixed before he got stranded somewhere, but ultimately that is what happened. Last Friday he had to leave it in a parking lot until I had the time to help him.

On Saturday morning we went out early to attempt to get it started. It had snowed several inches overnight to complicate issues a little. At this point we were not quite sure if the problem was with the battery or the starter so we bought a new battery before going. When we arrived at the car we tried multiple things to get it started. We tried jumping it first, then we tried the new battery but nothing seemed to work. It simply wouldn’t start.

After about 30 minutes I asked Joe to come in the car with me so we could say a prayer. We weren’t asking for the car to be miraculously repaired, we were simply asking for it to start one last time so we could take it to be repaired. I offered a simple but heartfelt prayer. Afterward, I felt 100% confident that it would start. I thought to myself what a wonderful experience this would be for Joe if it started. I was full of faith. After the prayer I tried it again and it simply wouldn’t start.

Joe got out of his car (where we had prayed) since it was cold and went and sat in mine. I was shocked that the car hadn’t started. I was certain it was going to and yet it didn’t. I silently offered another prayer and reasoned a bit with the Lord. “Heavenly Father, why isn’t it starting? What am I missing?” After asking these questions I sat quietly for a few moments and listened for an answer. The answer came in a very loving manner. “Scott, you already know that I will answer your prayers. Does Joe know that I will answer his?”

I stepped out of Joe’s car and went in mine where Joe was warming up. “Joe, I think you need to pray about this one.” He replied “I don’t want to pray, I don’t even know what to ask.” This response still shocks me; he grew up in a family that prayed nearly every day together. He had heard, and offered thousands of prayers in his lifetime. At this point, however, he didn’t know what to ask for. I asked him “what is it that we want?” He replied “we want the car to start.” “Then that is what you should ask for” I replied.

Joe offered a simple but to the point prayer “Heavenly Father, Please bless my dad and I that the car will start so we can go get it fixed, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” I then said “Joe, now go start your car.” Joe went to his car, and in a couple of attempts it started.

I got out and unhooked the jumper cables, put the tools away, and closed the hoods of the cars. Joe sat silently in his car. I went and sat next to him. “Joe, you can’t deny this one” I said. “I know” he replied. I then explained to him how I had been prompted to ask him to pray. He sat silently. I said “We owe Heavenly Father a prayer of thanks for this one.” I offered it and went back to my car.

The next couple of minutes I sat in my car and wept. I was so grateful that Heavenly Father would love me so much as to give me such an amazing teaching opportunity for my drifting son. I was overwhelmed with love and appreciation for him. Over and over in my mind went the thoughts “my God is a good God, my God is a powerful God, my God is a great God.” Oh how I love Him.

This important lesson teaches me that Heavenly Father really is in charge. He loves us and will help us in all we do if we will simply turn to him… and listen.

I have a painting hanging in my living room of the Savior calming the sea. It is a painting by Walter Rane titled “Master the Tempest is Raging.” I bought it after a very powerful experience I had in the Salt Lake temple while viewing it there one day.

In the midst of the trouble I was having with my two sons, ad when Matt was in the middle of his treatment at Turnabout, I was in the Salt Lake Temple. In the entrance to the Men’s locker room hangs this wonderful painting. It depicts the small ship being tossed by the sea. Each of the disciples is in various forms of panic. One disciple is clenching tightly to a rope that is tied to the sail. He has his teeth gritted and is pulling with all his might. At the same time, the Savior is standing in the front of the boat very calmly with His hand outstretched.

As I stood in the temple that morning, the eyes of my understanding were opened and I suddenly saw myself in this painting. I was grasping on to the rope (my sons) as tightly as I could. I somehow felt that if I was strong enough, or good enough, or held on tight enough, I could save my two sons, just as this disciple thought he could save the boat. The Savior on the other hand didn’t need to use any physical strength at all; without holding tightly to anything, spoke the words “peace be still” and the elements obeyed. As I stood in the temple that morning, the Spirit whispered to me “Scott, let go of the rope and trust me.” I soon realized that my sons have a Savior… and it isn’t me!

I bought a copy of this painting and display it prominently in my home to remind me to let go and to trust the Savior.

I end this post with the scripture found in Mark 4:

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Each of us encounter “great storms” in our lives. How many of us turn to the arm of the flesh to calm the storm? The words found here “Why are ye so fearful? How is it ye have no faith?” give me great comfort at times when I feel afraid. May we all learn to let go of the rope and trust the Lord!

Our Savior's Love

On December 21, 2011 my dear mother passed away. She was truly the most Christ like person I ever knew. She was kind and loving and never said an unkind thing about anyone. She always saw the good in every person and in every situation. She will be missed by all. Thank you to all who expressed their condolences and sympathies. I truly felt the influence of your prayers.

I would like to write today on a really wonderful experience that happened the day of her passing. It shows how much our Savior and our Heavenly Father really loves us, and it shows how we can receive some of the greatest blessings of our lives if we give ourselves the time and space to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit.

The night before my mother’s passing, the entire family, siblings and spouses, met at her bedside. The kind people at hospice had told us that the time was very near. The hospice nurse explained to us everything that was happening in her body, and what we could expect during the next few hours until her death. She hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for several days and her face was very frail and thin. Her heart was racing at about 130 beats a minute and she was very warm. Her body was simply shutting down. She was not conscious.

As we gathered together, there was a strong unity between all of us. There were no hard feelings. We were able to whisper things to our mother and tell her good bye. We had a family prayer. Then most of us left. I never expected to see my mother alive again.

The following morning was Wednesday, the day I go to the temple, and I awoke at my normal 4:15 in order to read my scriptures and say my prayers before going to the temple. I thought in my heart that there wasn’t a better place for me to be at my mother’s passing than at the temple. My prayers that morning were particularly earnest and my emotions were near the surface. I had expected a call or text overnight telling me of her passing but had received neither.

As I finished my prayers, and passed through the kitchen to go take a shower, I glanced at a picture of the Savior that hangs in that room. Without much thought I paused on the picture for a moment and said under my breath “please hold her hand today.” As I turned to walk away I felt the sweet promptings of the Spirit say to me “no Scott, you should hold it yourself.” I was a little taken back by the prompting. As I hopped in the shower I continued to ask the Lord if going to be with my mother, or going to the temple where I could pray in peace for my mother was more important. I had the distinct feeling I needed to go to my mother’s side. I dressed quickly and arrived at her side about 5:45 am.

When I arrived at my mother’s home (assisted living), my sister Carolyn was standing at my mother’s door. When I asked her what was wrong, she said that a couple of nurses ad just run by and entered another room. We soon learned that our sweet friend Arva had just passed away.

Arva was another angel. She was only 81 years old and in relatively good health. She had been in a car accident and had a serious brain injury that left her nearly unable to speak. She had, however, a huge heart and treated us, and especially our mother, with great love and respect. In her very labored speech, she always asked about our mother and expressed her concern. Everyone was shocked that she had passed and we were all saddened. I honestly feel however that she passed to help my mother make this important transition.

When entering my mother’s room, I found her nearly in the same state as the previous night. Julie, Carolyn and Lance had spent the night. Lance left just prior to my arrival. I sat next to my sweet mother and held her hand. I kissed her and whispered in her ear how much I loved her and how it was okay to go. There was no response but I know she could hear me.

At about 7 am, Carolyn expressed that she didn’t think that mom would leave while she (Carolyn) was there. She knew how upset Carolyn would be. Carolyn decided to leave.

Within a few minutes my brother Steve arrived. He too had had an impression to come. Over the past few months he had been very sweet and tender with my mother and had really taken care of her.

Soon after Steve came Susan. She was very kind and wonderful. Now it was just the four of us. We each took time holding mom’s hand and talking to her. We talked about the passing of our dad and our various experiences with that occasion. I was living in Maryland when my dad passed and despite my best efforts, was not able to make it before he passed. I was always disappointed I wasn’t there.

About 7:35 my mother threw up. All that came out was the mucus in her throat. As Steve turned to wipe it up she seemed to roll on her back a little and relax. Her breathing changed; she was taking a breath only every 10 or 15 seconds. We all jumped to her side. Susan indicated that this was probably it. We pulled the bed away from the wall so we could stand on both sides and we each held her hand or arm and wept. She took only 10 to 15 of these deep breaths- exhaled a final time- and slipped into eternity.

I will never really be able to express the peace that was in that room. There was a deep love and bond between those of us that were there that morning. It was among the most spiritual events of my life. I was so happy I was there.

I am certain that I could have gone to the temple that morning and had a wonderful experience. Instead, I had a once in a lifetime sacred experience. I am so grateful for a Savior that cares enough about me to whisper a small prompting to choose between two good things. I love Him and honor His Holy Name.

My Road to Emmaus

A few weeks ago I had an experience that has taught me a profound lesson, but in a manner I am not proud of. I wish I had the opportunity of living the whole thing over. I hope we can each learn from my mistake.

Early one morning in December, I was in South Jordan and stopped by a Maverik store for a drink. When I came out, I noticed a young man sitting on the picnic table, drinking a coffee. He had a backpack at his feet. It was cold outside and he was bundled up. He had the type of wool gloves that covered his hands but left the fingers bare. I got in my car and prepared to leave, but the Spirit prompted me to approach him. I put my car back in Park and went to talk to him.

Many months ago while reading a variety of books, I kept coming upon the theme of King Benjamin’s address; particularly the part in Chapter 4 where he states:

“16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.”

I couldn’t get these verses out of my mind. I knew that I needed to be somebody different. At that point I began to give money to beggars in almost every instance. Not only would I give money, but I try to take the time to talk to each one and get to know them a little. I tried to learn of their real needs and what I could do to help them. My life has been greatly blessed by this decision and I feel I have developed at least one real friendship out of this, or at least I have made a real difference in the life of one of God’s children.

When I approached the young man at the Maverik store, I simply asked him “how can I help you?” He was skeptical of course and wanted to know if I was a cop. I responded that I was simply someone who wanted to help him. He told me a story of how he was kicked out of his house where his wife (or girlfriend) lived with his young son because he didn’t have a job. He had tried to reach them by telephone in the Maverik but was unable to. I asked him what I could do to help him. He responded “what I really need is to go to a motel where I can have a shower and get cleaned up.” He continued “I won’t trash it or anything.”

At this point many things ran through my mind: How much is this going to cost? Is this guy just lazy and deserves to be kicked out? Will he stay in the hotel longer than one night and keep charging it to my card? Will he steal things that I will be liable for? I shamefully responded “I can’t do that but I can give you five dollars.” I gave him a five and left. As I drove away I justified my actions in many ways: Does this guy know what he is asking? He really needs to just make up with his wife. Does he seriously think I could spend that much on him? Besides, a hotel would be in the middle of check-out, check-in won’t be for a few hours.

My actions have haunted me. Almost immediately the story of The Good Samaritan came to mind where the man helped the wounded, took him to an inn, and told the innkeeper he would pay anything owed on his next visit. Why was I so blind? Why couldn’t I have helped? My personal failure to act has haunted me more as I have pondered the following scriptures and stories:

Paul, when communicating with the Hebrew in chapter 13 wrote:

1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Here we learn that angels “minister to us without disclosing their identity!” How chilling is that yet how wonderful?

Most importantly I was moved by the story of the Savior walking with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The story as found in Luke reads as follows:

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Here, the Savior Himself appeared to two disciples and remained unrevealed. What if my experience was indeed a test? What if it was indeed the Lord and I denied Him? How can I ever make this up to Him? Will I have another chance? My heart tells me YES, but my heart breaks that I made the choice I did.

May we remember the words of Paul as written to the Corinthians:

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

May I make better choices!

The Creation

Many years ago I developed the habit of purchasing the recordings of General Conference and listening to them over and over again in my car. It reached the point that I no longer listened to anything other than conference (or Mo Tab) while driving. Most of the time, since I am thick skulled, it isn’t until the 5th or 6th time that I hear a talk that I begin to hear what the speaker is saying. An example of this was a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott in April of 2009. In this talk Elder Scott mentioned that he had attended the temple every week for 14 years. He mentioned that if he ever misses, he makes it up on another date. After listening to this talk many times, sometime in July of that year the Spirit whispered to me “Scott, you need to attend the temple every week.” I obeyed.

Attending the temple every week has been an amazing experience. I attend the Salt Lake Temple 6:00 am session every Wednesday. This act of obedience has changed my life forever. My experience has taught me that revelation occurs while in the temple. Everything that happens in the temple has multiple meanings, however, most importantly I have learned that the endowment has little to do with Adam and Eve, and is a story about us individually. This week I had an amazing experience regarding the creation as depicted in the endowment. I would like to share a part of what I learned.

An important piece of what I am about to share comes from a wonderful book titled “The Hidden Christ” by James Ferrell, (the author of the very powerful book “The Peacegiver”). I highly recommend that everyone read it. It is available at Deseret and Seagull Books.

While in the temple this week, and after reading the first chapter in Ferrell’s book, I concentrated on the Creation as being not only about the creation of the earth, but about me individually. The Spirit moved upon me in a most wonderful manner. I began to understand something that I have believed for quite some time, that the pre-existence that we learn about in Sunday School is the kindergarten version of what really happened. Our pre-existence was a series of steps… call them probations, that tested our obedience. The earth had 6 creative periods… perhaps we did as well! Each test allowed time for the elements to obey. When they obeyed, another commandment was given. It wasn’t until the 6th creative period that God finally came down himself and created me in His image.

What does it mean to be created in His image? Is it really what we have always been taught? In the world of popular entertainment, stars are created all the time. Let’s use The Back Street Boys as an example. Somewhere along the line, some producer created a concept (image) in his mind that there was room in the industry for a “boy band.” This producer put together a series of tests or auditions to find individuals who were capable of reaching the producer’s vision. Ultimately the right boys were found. The producer didn’t create the boys from nothing- meaning he brought together matter and organized it into boys- he put together a method for boys that already existed to be created in his image. I am beginning to believe this is what is meant by us being created in God’s image.

In the Book of Abraham there is the very familiar story of Abraham seeing the Council in Heaven where he saw many of the “noble and great ones.” However, just prior to this story, Abraham sees another vision we pay little attention to. It is a vision of the heavenly bodies, including Kolob which is a star nearest to God. Ferrell draws an amazing parallel between the vision of the heavenly bodies and the vision of the spirits. He shows how they unfold in nearly identical fashion. I now quote Ferrell.

“Let’s begin by considering the content and structure of Abraham’s vision of the heavenly bodies:

1.If two heavenly bodies exist, one whose reckoning of time is longer than another’s, there shall be another heavenly body whose reckoning is longer still.
2.There are many great ones- stars- that are near the throne of God.
3.These are the “governing ones.”
4.One among them- the “greatest”- is: “nearest unto the throne of God,” or as God says: “nearest onto me.” This great one is called “Kolob” because it is nearest unto God, and its reckoning is after the reckoning of the Lord’s time.
5.Kolob is “set… to govern” the earth and other plants of the same order.

Compare this to the vision of the spirits that follows it:

1.If two spirits exist, one being more intelligent than the other, there shall be another more intelligent than they.
2.There were many noble and great ones who dwelt in the midst of God.
3.These will be made “rulers.”
4.“And there stood one among them that was like unto God.”
5.This one was sent to make an earth to “prove them herewith,” and he rules “in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, in all wisdom and prudence, over all the intelligences (Abraham’s) eyes have seen from the beginning.”

The parallelism is quite stunning. The stars and the spirits each increase in greatness as they approach God. Given the striking parallel structures of these visions, the vision of the stars gives us a way to visualize the relationship of the spirits with God- that is, our relationship with God. Like Jesus, the star nearest to God is the “first creation” and closest to God. We are told in the explanation of Facsimile No. 2 in the book of Abraham that there is another- a third- standing next to Kolob that holds the “key of power” or right to govern over the other heavenly bodies. So we have three entities at the center that govern all things, perhaps in the similitude of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.”

Ferrell continues: “These visions suggest that spirits relate to God in precisely the same way and according to the same laws as heavenly bodies relate to God. What immediately follows the parallelism is an account of the creation of a heavenly body being made fit for the presence of God. This implies that the story of a heavenly body being prepared for God is also the story of man being prepared for God. The first step in such a process is to “take up orbit” around those who have been called to govern on the Lord’s behalf. By obeying in this way, we signal our willingness to obey the Lord.

“We will go down,” the Lord said, “and we will make an earth whereon these (spirits) may dwell.” Why? “In order to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” “They who (do) shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” – “glory in the same kingdom” with God himself.

“Let’s consider the creation in broad strokes to see how completely the earth was transformed by the creative process, and how that change mirrors the conversion that is offered to man.

In the beginning, before it had taken up orbit around the source of light, the earth was empty, desolate, and dark. This seems a pretty good description of man’s state so long as he insists living for himself, on his own terms, refusing to hearken to the light of Christ. But the spirit moved upon the darkness and the earth moved into proximity with the light. Under the influence of the light, a “firmament” or atmosphere of life sustaining air was formed above and around the earth. In this application to ourselves, we might consider this to be as representation of the nourishing influence of the Spirit in our lives. Under the influence of this light and within the protective canopy of this air or spirit, the earth began to come to life. Isn’t this what happens to us when we are nourished by the Spirit and bathed by the light? We, too, come to life as it were, and begin to bring forth good fruit.
Interestingly, it is a t this point in the process, after the Lord has sown his seeds and nourished his creation by his own light and spirit, that he then guides that creation into the orbit of those that he has set up to govern- the “lights in the firmament of heaven” the “greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.”

I have a firm testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I believe with all my heart that it is God’s work on the earth. I believe that it’s leaders are inspired. I know President Monson personally and know him to be a man of God. I know he is the prophet called to lead the church at this time. I also believe that there are others called to provide light in our lives. We have all been touched by others that have great light, but no particular standing in the church. The light is the light of Christ.

“Isn’t this how we grow as well, As we stay in orbit, as it were, of the light of Christ, and the Spirit, and as we follow that light, do we no bring forth more abundantly? Do we not sustain and nourish all that is around us? Do we not ultimately receive the image of God in our countenances?”

“The parallelism implies that the being who was able to create an earth that was able to come into the presence of God is the same being who can bring us into the presence of God. That being is of course the Savior. The Saviors various names testify of his creative role. On the first day, the “light of the world” introduced light. On the second day. “he that breath unto the people” introduced air. On the third day, the “living water, and the “true vine” introduced water, soil, and vegetation. On the fourth day, the light which is in all things” caused the sun, moon, and stars to shine on the earth. On the fifth day, the “fisher of men” brought forth fishes and fowls. On the sixth day, “the Good Shepherd” and “the Lamb of God” prepared an earth to bring forth the animals and all creeping things. And the Son of Man formed man and woman “in the image of God.”

Just as it was the Savior who transformed the earth, so, too, it is the Savior who transforms man.

Order

I want to begin today by telling you about a real treat that is coming next month. My dear friend Yvonne Bent, who is a fantastic gospel scholar, is holding an event that many of you may want to attend. The title of the event is “About Sacred Geometry” and will be held October 14 and 15th at the Springville Museum of Art. Yvonne’s description reads “See distinct spiritual connections with science and the universe. Decipher the treasures you’ve seen all your life, but haven’t known how to unravel their mysteries. Understand the secrets known by Da Vinci, Euclid, Abraham, and Joseph.” Please go to www.aboutsacredgeometry.com for details.

The following ideas may seem rather dull to many of you but they are something that have been on my mind quite a bit lately. While in the temple a few months ago a friend asked me if I knew anything about the order of prayer. I had to admit that I knew nothing, however, I promised to find out what I could. After several weeks of studying, pondering, and praying, I feel I am beginning to understand a little. It is not my intention to disclose much on that topic in this setting, but I would like to discuss a few of my thoughts as I pondered this topic. Many of my thoughts contemplated what is meant by the word “order.”

It is really quite remarkable how many definitions there are for the word order. The dictionary has more than twenty. Please bear with me as I share a few of them as how they were are used in our daily speech.
1.I arranged them in order.
2.a. I checked to see that the shipping department was in order.
b. The escalator is in good working order.
3. a. The revolution overcame the old order
b. The police finally restored order.
4. A prescribed form or customary procedure: the order of worship
5. An authoritative indication to be obeyed: The Sargent ordered his men, or the Sargent received his orders.
6. A sales order.
7. A request of a customer at a restaurant.
8. A grade of the Christian ministry: the order of the priesthood.
9. A group living under religious rule: The Order of Saint Benedict
10. An organization of people united by a common fraternal bond or social aim: The United Order
11. A group of people upon whom a government or sovereign has formally conferred honor for unusual service or merit: the Fraternal Order of the Police
12. Degree of quality or importance; rank: poetry of a high order.
13. To give an order or orders; request that something be done or supplied.

Idioms:
in order that
So that.

in order to
For the purpose of.

in short order
With no delay; quickly.

on order
Requested but not yet delivered.

To Order
According to the buyer's specifications.

This list isn’t even complete and I am tired just thinking about it!

What does the Lord mean when using the word order? Consider the following:

2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. Alma 13:2

3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood. D&C 107: 3-4

57 And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. D&C 76:57

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. Exodus 40:4

2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; D&C 131:2

16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. Alma 13:16

7 And the Gods ordered the expanse, so that it divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so, even as they ordered.

It seems to be clear from these examples that the Lord uses all of the many definitions throughout the scriptures.

It appears that the definition above that best describes the order of prayer is number 4: A prescribed form or customary procedure: the order of worship. I’m not going to pretend that I know, however, that this is the intended definition.

Similarly I ask myself the meaning of the word order when used in the proper name of the Melchizedek Priesthood as found in D&C 107:3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God. Once again, I will not pretend to know the answer, I am simply asking questions that may be significant in our personal gospel study.

My prayers are with each of you as you study the scriptures. I pray that you will find great joy in them as I have. I often feel like running to the room where I study the scriptures in the morning as I anticipate what will be revealed to me that day. I hope you can feel likewise.

God Bless

Unexpected

I am writing this post today from the heart of Kolkata (Calcutta), India. It’s about three in the afternoon and it is hot and rainy. Ann, my two sons Joe and Matt, and I are here working for an organization that educates the children of the slums. It has been a life changing experience for all of us.

The reason I am taking the time to write a post at this time is because I had an incredibly moving experience this morning... one that I didn’t expect. I feel a need to share my experience before it fades in my memory. I want to credit my good friend and travel partner Rand Snyderman for his insights on this topic.

Several days ago we had the opportunity of visiting one of the Seven Wonders of the World... the Taj Mahal. I have to admit it was very spectacular and wonderful. As you well know, it was built as a mausoleum for the third wife of famous king. The king himself is also buried in this monumental setting. Despite the majority of India practicing the Hindu faith, this monument is Muslim and considered a holy site. As I visited this fascinating place, I felt nothing.

In stark contrast, this morning I visited the home of Mother Teresa, Missionaries of Charity. This is the place that Mother Teresa lived during the last 2 or 3 decades of her life, and the place she is now buried. As I entered I immediately felt the Spirit. I knew it was a very different place from others I have been. It wasn’t the same as the temple, but it was indeed a sacred place. As I climbed the humble stairs that led to her meager sleeping quarters, with a small cot, and a small desk, in a 6’ X 8’ room, my heart was touched and I wept.

I walked through a very small museum with a timeline of her life. It quoted many of her famous sayings and shared her thoughts as she dedicated more and more of herself to the Savior by dedicating her life to the poor. I will quote from the text of the timeline.

“It was on the 10th of September in 1946, Mother Teresa was thirty six years old. She was on a train on her way to Darjeeling to make her yearly retreat, where she would spend eight days in silence, praying to God. On that train she experienced Jesus speaking to her. He was asking her to give up everything, even Loreto (the convent where she had been living and serving), and follow Him into the slums, to serve Him in the people who had nothing or no one and who were suffering so much - the poorest of the poor. Jesus was thirsting to love and be loved by them. It was a new vocation, a call within a call. Mother Teresa knew that it was God who was asking this of her and that it was to be his work. Still, she was afraid - she didn’t know how she could do what Jesus wanted but at the same time, she didn’t want to say no to him.”

“For more than six months Mother Teresa kept hearing Jesus speak to her. He told her “My little one - come, come, carry Me into the holes of the poor. Come, be my light, I cannot go alone- they don’t know Me- so they don’t want Me. Once she saw a vision: she saw many very poor people and children calling out to her: “Come, come, save us - bring us to Jesus.”

A small plaque rests on top of her grave that reads “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

Mother Teresa suffered many hardships throughout her life. She suffered from many illnesses that were prevalent among the poor with whom she was serving. However, not until her death were her innermost thoughts shared through her personal journal. I quote once again fro the museum.

“There was something , however, that the sisters and the people never knew about Mother Teresa. They knew about the pain in her body but they never knew about the pain terrible pain she had in her soul. She loved God with her whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and she used to feel God’s great love for her. Then everything changed for her. As soon as she began to work among the poor, she didn’t feel that God was close to her anymore, even though she continued to love God as much as before. For many years she felt that God had abandoned her, that He didn’t want her, even that He didn’t love her at all. But He of course did. God was hiding His presence from her. He was letting her share how He felt when He was dying on the cross and how many of the poor people feel- lonely, unwanted and unloved. She understood the poor so well because she experienced the same rejection and loneliness as they did. Mother Teresa did not act on her feelings but kept on praying, loving, and serving God. Her smile smile kept anyone from guessing what she was feeling inside.”

For the past several days we have been working among these same poor. It has been life changing. However, we have done it from the relative comfort of a school. Although hot and poorly ventilated, it has been relatively clean. Each night we have gone home to a hot meal and hot shower. Never have we worked in the squalor of the slums. My heart has been touched by Mother Teresa.

At times when we feel abandoned by the Lord, or feel that he is not responding to our pleas, do we consider that He is teaching us an important lesson? Can we learn to love others as Mother Teresa did, and keep a smile throughout our trials?

On a personal note, I have recently been prompted by the Lord to do something that I consider very difficult. I have wondered how I could possibly do what he is asking me to do. After learning more about Mother Teresa today and feeling of her goodness and devotion, I feel encouraged that I too can do difficult things.