A big difference I have noticed between "successful" and"unsuccessful" people is their levels of commitment. People who want something, but don't set their mind to getting it, won't. We have to believe in our own abilities, take a little bit of wise risk, and trust in the power of the Lord to reach those things that we want. But if we don't commit to doing something 100%, we often will fall short, when we could have reached the end if only we had had a better mindset. I have a tendency to not finish things that seem hard or take too long (I think we all do, and very few people really overcome this weakness). Some examples are in that I say to myself, "I wish I were good at ___________ (basketball, soccer, the french horn, piano, singing with vibrato, studying for a test, etc.)," and then I try a few times to be good, but don't commit to becoming good. This results in me giving up at the first signs of opposition and difficulty. An example of what is better to do is when I tell myself "I am going to get an 'A' in this class," and then I pay attention and take good notes in class, do all of the homework, ask for help when I get lost or fall behind, and study on a regular basis (not just cram for a test). The difference is that I commit to getting the good grade, whereas I would just like to acquire the skill without doing my part.
The Lord wants us to be good at many things, and will help us, if we do our part. One of my favorite scriptures is James 2:17, which says: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." This helps me to realize that I can't just hope for things which I don't have at the present, but have to work for them. This applies both to personal attributes as well as to testimonies. If we want to strengthen our testimonies of something, we have to work for it: study it, apply it, pray about it, teach it, testify of it. We have to take risks.
Commitment is a synonym of Covenant. When we make a covenant, or promise with the Lord, we have to make it with all the intentions of keeping it. The Lord knows our hearts and also our weaknesses. He knows if we don't intend on following through, but he also understands that we will make mistakes and fall short in many ways. But we have to live the Gospel every day, recommitting ourselves to be obedient, and to live up to the promises we've made. As we make this daily commitment, we will find more strength in making decisions between right and wrong. Likewise, as we daily commit to personal goals, such as exercise, we will find added strength to get up and do it. If we don't commit to it, any and every little distraction or excuse will take precedence. This also applies to repentance: if we commit to overcoming our weaknesses and our faults, we will DO things to change and improve. But if we just think it might be a good idea, or something we SHOULD do, we'll never seem to get around to doing it.
Commitment is also great because it stretches our potential. If on a hike, we are feeling tired, and we tell ourselves, "OK, I can at least make it to that next hill," we will go further than if we just decide to sit down. We can break down our commitments into smaller pieces to make them seem more manageable. Work on one thing at a time that needs improvement, and soon we will be much better than we ever expected. The Lord can help us reach new potentials as well. I taught the Gospel to a couple in Arrecifes, Argentina that was looking at separating, but didn't want to because they had small children they wanted to be there for. They committed to reading the scriptures and praying every day. Within a month, they decided to get married, rather than separating, because as they committed to keep some of the commandments, the Lord helped them to change and to grow, in many ways.
We can't let others pull us from our commitments, especially our covenants. It's true, life isn't fair, and things usually don't work out like we want them to or hope they will, but that need not change our personal promise to do what we say we will. It is in these hard times that we make a little more effort to keep our word that we really grow the most. The most important is that we commit to do what is right, and don't change that goal even if everyone we know rejects us for doing so.
I know that if we commit to do many small things, that we will accomplish many great things. Also, as we fall short of our goals and covenants, we can repent and be forgiven through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the Atonement we can also be enabled to do things that we wouldn't be able to do otherwise. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to learn from our mistakes. If we commit to follow him, we will find more joy than we knew was possible.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Small and Simple
The Gospel is very simple, though not always easy to live. A few scriptures that help illustrate the simplicity of the Gospel are as follows:
Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls (Alma 37:6-7).
and
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have (2 Nephi 28:30).
In the Old Testament there is a story of a captain named Naaman. He has leprosy, a contagious disease where the skin falls off, and wants to be healed, so it is arranged for the prophet, Elisha, to heal him. When Naaman went to the house of Elisha to be healed, a messenger of Elisha came and told Namaan "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean (2 Kings 5:10). When Naaman received this instruction he was first insulted since the prophet wouldn't come talk to him directly, and secondly because of the simplicity of the task. But the his servants said unto him:
...My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean (2 Kings 5:13)?
Once he humbled himself and followed the directions of Elisha, he was healed.
In another Old Testament story, the house of Israel is in the wilderness, led by Moses, and the people are complaining that Moses took them from Egypt because they now had no bread, nor water, and they were sick of the manna that fell from heaven to feed them every day. Because of their complaints, the Lord sent fiery (or poisonous) serpents to bite them. The cure to being bitten was to look at a brass serpent that Moses had put on a pole. One simply had to look to be saved. But many wouldn't:
And [the Lord] did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished (1 Nephi 17:41).
This is a type, or a simile to the Savior. The simpleness to the cure of sin is to look to the Savior and be healed.
In the Old Testament there is a story of a captain named Naaman. He has leprosy, a contagious disease where the skin falls off, and wants to be healed, so it is arranged for the prophet, Elisha, to heal him. When Naaman went to the house of Elisha to be healed, a messenger of Elisha came and told Namaan "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean (2 Kings 5:10). When Naaman received this instruction he was first insulted since the prophet wouldn't come talk to him directly, and secondly because of the simplicity of the task. But the his servants said unto him:
...My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean (2 Kings 5:13)?
Once he humbled himself and followed the directions of Elisha, he was healed.
In another Old Testament story, the house of Israel is in the wilderness, led by Moses, and the people are complaining that Moses took them from Egypt because they now had no bread, nor water, and they were sick of the manna that fell from heaven to feed them every day. Because of their complaints, the Lord sent fiery (or poisonous) serpents to bite them. The cure to being bitten was to look at a brass serpent that Moses had put on a pole. One simply had to look to be saved. But many wouldn't:
And [the Lord] did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished (1 Nephi 17:41).
This is a type, or a simile to the Savior. The simpleness to the cure of sin is to look to the Savior and be healed.
It is truly by the simple things in life that we keep ourselves on the right path for salvation. The three simplest things that we need to do with a sincere heart are: 1 Pray morning and night; 2 Study the Scriptures; 3 Attend church meetings and participate. As we do these three things, we are placing the Armor of God upon ourselves:
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).
I have noticed a very strong correlation in the last few months. Every time my life seems to get hard, and I start to get down, it is when my prayers have become insincere, my scripture study has decreased to a few verses, if anything, and my church attendance has turned into a time to criticize others in their weaknesses rather than listen to the teachings of the Spirit. But as I commit myself to really study to learn, to pray for others, and to actively participate in church meetings, my life seems to run much more smoothly.
As we study in the church, we can't expect to learn everything all at once, or even gain a testimony of key doctrines from one day to the next. But we can expect to learn here a little, and there a little. There are little lessons to be learned in every day of life. A lot of these lessons come through "tender mercies."
But behold, I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance (1 Nephi 1:20).
If we keep the commandments, we shall have eternal life. It's that simple. But what makes it easy is when we daily put on the Armor of God by praying and studying the scriptures. Being obedient, firm, steadfast, and immovable keeps us in the fight for our eternal happiness. I know that as we do this, we will have the Sword of the Spirit to attack the temptations that are constantly invading our personal lives, trying to tear us apart. If we have the Spirit and heed its counsel, we will be able to withstand the battles that we face in our lives.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost
A man, named Nicodemus, belonged to a group that generally didn't believe in Christ, called the Pharisees. He went unto Jesus by night and expressed his belief in Jesus' miracles. Jesus then taught Nicodemus an eternal principle: "Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5)." Christ is referring to a two part ordinance, or religious act, that includes baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Baptism comes from a Greek word that means to dip or immerse. This is important to know when considering how one should be baptized. Christ taught that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and also, in Ephesians 4:5 it says, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." If we wish to be united in Christ, we all must receive the same "one baptism" that is spoken of. When Christ visited the Americas after He had resurrected, He explained how contention is the doctrine of the devil, after clarifying the correct form of baptism. The people had been arguing about the right way to baptize, which argument is also seen today among the many churches. Christ explained to those who had the authority to baptize to "go down and stand in the water, and in my name ye shall baptize them. And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water (3 Nephi 11:23-26)." This made clear the importance of the prayer to be offered, the form of baptizing, and also the need for authority.
If someone wants to go to a big concert, they need a ticket, but it has to be a specific ticket. If I just make a ticket on my computer that says, "Good for one entrance to the concert," I can count on NOT getting in. Just as a valid ticket is required to enter a concert, the Priesthood authority, or God's authority given to man, is necessary in a baptism that God will recognize as valid. If we are baptized without this authority, it is as though we are just bathing ourselves. God will not count such a baptism as valid, and we will not be able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ showed us His understanding of the importance of the correct authority as He traveled over 50 miles to be baptized of John the Baptist, who held this authority. Every time that there has been a living prophet on the earth, this authority has been present. We know that God has again called a living prophet in our day. The current prophet is Thomas S. Monson.
The words of the baptismal prayer were/are important as it is a "saving ordinance." For the "one [right] baptism" to be performed, the prayer must be said just like Christ explained to the Nephites, or the ancient American people. Also, the person who performs the baptism must have the proper authority, that can be directly traced back to Jesus Christ. The baptism must also be by immersion, or in other words, the one being baptized must be completely submerged in the water by the one performing the baptism. The water doesn't need to be "blessed" or in a river, but it must be large enough to be completely immersed for a brief moment.
I know that as we are baptized we are made clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but this cleansing is not a one time thing. When we are baptized, we are born of water. We must then be born of fire, or of the Holy Ghost. This is done by the laying on of hands by one holding the authority. In Acts 8 an great story conveys the necessity of a proper baptism before receiving the Holy Ghost, the importance of authority, and also that the Apostles gave the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Part of the story reads:
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money (Acts 8:17-20).
This passage helps us to see that the authority of God is only given to righteous followers of Jesus Christ, who are members of His church. Also that this authority cannot be bought. The only way to receive the Priesthood authority is to be a worthy male member of the church.
Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost are the first two ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we are baptized, we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father, who is God. A covenant is a two way promise between man and God where God sets the conditions, we agree to meet them, and God then give us the blessings associated with the covenant and our obedience. The covenant we make at baptism has three parts that we must fulfill. The first is that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. It is through His Atoning sacrifice that we are able to become clean of our sins, so we must be willing to let others know that it is through Him that we are made spiritually clean, and essentially, happy. The second part of the covenant is that we promise to always remember Jesus Christ. Again, as we remember Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we think of the price He paid. As we remember this, we become more devoted to following Him, and making good decisions. The third part of the covenant is that we promise to keep His (Christ's) commandments. The commandments can be found in the scriptures, and are not exclusive to the "ten commandments" that the Lord gave to Moses. Other commandments were given by Christ (love the Lord thy God...,love thy neighbor as thy self, etc), and more have been given, or made clear, through modern-day prophets. As we fulfill our part of the covenant God promises us two things generally, and many other blessings personalized to each of our lives and needs. The first blessing we are promised is the remission, or cleansing, of our sins. The second blessing is that the Holy Spirit may always be with us. What great blessings!
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a constant companionship of the third member of the Godhead. In Galatians 5:22-23, we learn that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..." These are feelings and qualities that everyone would like to have. As we strive to follow Jesus Christ in every moment, and after we have been baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we are entitled to have the Spirit with us ALWAYS. This means if we are living up to our promises, or covenants, with God, we can have peace, joy, and all the other fruits of the Spirit, even in a sad and hopeless world.
As we are baptized, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and continually keep our covenants, we will find peace in this life, and Eternal Life in the next. I know this to be true because I can feel the peace in my life when I strive to follow Jesus Christ. I invite you to continue to study these doctrines in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, and then pray so that you can come to a personal belief/knowledge that these are true doctrines.
Again, please forgive me if anything I have said seems like it is not correct, and let me know so that I can either fix it or include more scriptural references to clarify myself.
Baptism comes from a Greek word that means to dip or immerse. This is important to know when considering how one should be baptized. Christ taught that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and also, in Ephesians 4:5 it says, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." If we wish to be united in Christ, we all must receive the same "one baptism" that is spoken of. When Christ visited the Americas after He had resurrected, He explained how contention is the doctrine of the devil, after clarifying the correct form of baptism. The people had been arguing about the right way to baptize, which argument is also seen today among the many churches. Christ explained to those who had the authority to baptize to "go down and stand in the water, and in my name ye shall baptize them. And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying: Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water (3 Nephi 11:23-26)." This made clear the importance of the prayer to be offered, the form of baptizing, and also the need for authority.
If someone wants to go to a big concert, they need a ticket, but it has to be a specific ticket. If I just make a ticket on my computer that says, "Good for one entrance to the concert," I can count on NOT getting in. Just as a valid ticket is required to enter a concert, the Priesthood authority, or God's authority given to man, is necessary in a baptism that God will recognize as valid. If we are baptized without this authority, it is as though we are just bathing ourselves. God will not count such a baptism as valid, and we will not be able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ showed us His understanding of the importance of the correct authority as He traveled over 50 miles to be baptized of John the Baptist, who held this authority. Every time that there has been a living prophet on the earth, this authority has been present. We know that God has again called a living prophet in our day. The current prophet is Thomas S. Monson.
The words of the baptismal prayer were/are important as it is a "saving ordinance." For the "one [right] baptism" to be performed, the prayer must be said just like Christ explained to the Nephites, or the ancient American people. Also, the person who performs the baptism must have the proper authority, that can be directly traced back to Jesus Christ. The baptism must also be by immersion, or in other words, the one being baptized must be completely submerged in the water by the one performing the baptism. The water doesn't need to be "blessed" or in a river, but it must be large enough to be completely immersed for a brief moment.
I know that as we are baptized we are made clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but this cleansing is not a one time thing. When we are baptized, we are born of water. We must then be born of fire, or of the Holy Ghost. This is done by the laying on of hands by one holding the authority. In Acts 8 an great story conveys the necessity of a proper baptism before receiving the Holy Ghost, the importance of authority, and also that the Apostles gave the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Part of the story reads:
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money (Acts 8:17-20).
This passage helps us to see that the authority of God is only given to righteous followers of Jesus Christ, who are members of His church. Also that this authority cannot be bought. The only way to receive the Priesthood authority is to be a worthy male member of the church.
Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost are the first two ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we are baptized, we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father, who is God. A covenant is a two way promise between man and God where God sets the conditions, we agree to meet them, and God then give us the blessings associated with the covenant and our obedience. The covenant we make at baptism has three parts that we must fulfill. The first is that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. It is through His Atoning sacrifice that we are able to become clean of our sins, so we must be willing to let others know that it is through Him that we are made spiritually clean, and essentially, happy. The second part of the covenant is that we promise to always remember Jesus Christ. Again, as we remember Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we think of the price He paid. As we remember this, we become more devoted to following Him, and making good decisions. The third part of the covenant is that we promise to keep His (Christ's) commandments. The commandments can be found in the scriptures, and are not exclusive to the "ten commandments" that the Lord gave to Moses. Other commandments were given by Christ (love the Lord thy God...,love thy neighbor as thy self, etc), and more have been given, or made clear, through modern-day prophets. As we fulfill our part of the covenant God promises us two things generally, and many other blessings personalized to each of our lives and needs. The first blessing we are promised is the remission, or cleansing, of our sins. The second blessing is that the Holy Spirit may always be with us. What great blessings!
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a constant companionship of the third member of the Godhead. In Galatians 5:22-23, we learn that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance..." These are feelings and qualities that everyone would like to have. As we strive to follow Jesus Christ in every moment, and after we have been baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we are entitled to have the Spirit with us ALWAYS. This means if we are living up to our promises, or covenants, with God, we can have peace, joy, and all the other fruits of the Spirit, even in a sad and hopeless world.
As we are baptized, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and continually keep our covenants, we will find peace in this life, and Eternal Life in the next. I know this to be true because I can feel the peace in my life when I strive to follow Jesus Christ. I invite you to continue to study these doctrines in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon, and then pray so that you can come to a personal belief/knowledge that these are true doctrines.
Again, please forgive me if anything I have said seems like it is not correct, and let me know so that I can either fix it or include more scriptural references to clarify myself.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Repentance
Imagine a child lives in a large, white, beautiful house. His parents tell him to leave the house while it is cleaned. While he is out he plays around in the mud. His parents call him back to the house, but as he arrives, they refuse to let him enter the house because he is dirty and the house was just cleaned. In this life we are outside our heavenly home and are daily covering ourselves with "mud." We desire to return to our heavenly home, but our parents won't let us in if we are not clean like the house. This is the struggle we all have in life, but the "mud" we cover ourselves with is sin.
We all make errors in this life: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." We are all given the ability to choose, known as agency, and we tend to feel bad, or guilty, when we choose to do things we know are wrong. This is a blessing, known as the Light of Christ, that helps us to correct the eternal consequences of our sin. When we persist in choosing the wrong choices, we are conditioned to ignore the bad feelings of guilt that come from sin. Thus the longer we fall into sin, the harder it is to decide to change as well as act to pull ourselves out of the pit. As we try to feel good about ourselves in this life, we must continually go through a process known as repentance, which rids the feelings of guilt that accumulate from our errors.
Repentance is a difficult process that can often be embarrassing, depressing, and even cause more feelings of guilt. But the results of repentance includes a clear conscience, a light burden, and joy. To analyze this process we will follow Alma the Younger's repentance found in Alma 36:6-25. The following steps occurred in Alma's pursuit of repentance: recognition, take responsibility, realize the effects, remember Christ and His Atonement, request forgiveness, receive forgiveness, rejoice, restoration of light, and recommitting to God. To be fully repentant, we must undergo a similar process each time we sin. If we only do a few of the steps required, we will not be forgiven of our sins. It's an all or nothing deal.
As we repeat this process on a daily schedule, we will feel a peace of conscience, God's love for us, and more self worth. We will be on a straight course heading to a Celestial life. We will be clean and will not feel out of place as we enter our Father's clean home. The only way this is possible is through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and also the Savior of all mankind. I am eternally in debt to Him and the best thing I can do to repay Him is to be obedient to the commandments. I will also share what I know so that others can be obedient as well. Please share what you know with the world.
We all make errors in this life: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." We are all given the ability to choose, known as agency, and we tend to feel bad, or guilty, when we choose to do things we know are wrong. This is a blessing, known as the Light of Christ, that helps us to correct the eternal consequences of our sin. When we persist in choosing the wrong choices, we are conditioned to ignore the bad feelings of guilt that come from sin. Thus the longer we fall into sin, the harder it is to decide to change as well as act to pull ourselves out of the pit. As we try to feel good about ourselves in this life, we must continually go through a process known as repentance, which rids the feelings of guilt that accumulate from our errors.
Repentance is a difficult process that can often be embarrassing, depressing, and even cause more feelings of guilt. But the results of repentance includes a clear conscience, a light burden, and joy. To analyze this process we will follow Alma the Younger's repentance found in Alma 36:6-25. The following steps occurred in Alma's pursuit of repentance: recognition, take responsibility, realize the effects, remember Christ and His Atonement, request forgiveness, receive forgiveness, rejoice, restoration of light, and recommitting to God. To be fully repentant, we must undergo a similar process each time we sin. If we only do a few of the steps required, we will not be forgiven of our sins. It's an all or nothing deal.
As we repeat this process on a daily schedule, we will feel a peace of conscience, God's love for us, and more self worth. We will be on a straight course heading to a Celestial life. We will be clean and will not feel out of place as we enter our Father's clean home. The only way this is possible is through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and also the Savior of all mankind. I am eternally in debt to Him and the best thing I can do to repay Him is to be obedient to the commandments. I will also share what I know so that others can be obedient as well. Please share what you know with the world.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Faith
Faith is one of the most mentioned topics in the scriptures. Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, but rather to hope for things which are not seen, which are true (Alma 32:21). Or as another church leader put it, "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)." In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (Articles of Faith 1:4)." This means that the steps necessary for our salvation are the four listed in this verse, first of which is faith. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation on which we need to base our lives (Helaman 5:12). All of the other principles and ordinances of the Gospel are based on faith. Without faith, we will not feel the need to repent, nor will we believe in the power of the Lord's Atonement to allow us to repent. If we don't repent, we can't be baptized. And if we aren't baptized by water, we can't be baptized by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
Faith is like a seed. If we plant a principle in our hearts, giving at least the benefit of a doubt that it may be true, and then nurture it by studying about it, it may start to grow within us. If we feel that it is growing, or feel a good feeling within as we learn more about it, then we know that it must be a good seed, or a true principle. We can apply this to any eternal principle. Prayer is one of the best ways to nurture the seed. We never need fear asking our loving Heavenly Father to know if something is right or not, or true or not. He has told us to many times to ask and promises that we will receive.
Faith precedes miracles and knowledge. Miracles only confirm faith, they don't build it. For this reason, people were able to see the Savior perform miracles or see angels, and still deny the existence of God or reject the miracle. The Book of Mormon starts out telling of a family that leaves Jerusalem in the year 600 b.c. There are four brothers in this family, two of which are rather rebellious. These two, the oldest two, see angels and miracles on several occasions, and their father is even a prophet of God, yet they doubt and return to their complaints time and time again. The youngest brother, Nephi, on the other hand, uses these experiences to confirm his faith which he has developed through small and simple things. It is by small means that the Lord confounds the wise (Alma 37:6). It is also line upon line that we grow in our faith. Each time we pray, read in the scriptures, serve, attend a church meeting, or do other simple acts, we add a bit to our overall faith, like drops of oil into a lamp. As we sin, or even just slack off, the lamp loses the oil we've put into it. If we wish to greet the Lord at midnight when he comes, we must have our lamps filled with these little drops of oil. We can't put it off till the end, or we won't be prepared. Elder David A. Bednar, one of the 12 living Apostles of Jesus Christ, explained in a conference to the world in October, 2009, that our simple actions are like paint strokes in a magnificent painting. If we just look at one stroke, there is nothing that impressive. But if we add many such strokes, and look at the whole picture, we have something beautiful. Our lives can become beautiful things if we fill them with lots of little good things. Thus prayer, scripture study, church attendance, service, and other similar acts will lead to a wonderful foundation of faith in our lives.
As we build faith on Jesus Christ we will be blessed with our needs. Plus our faith will convert into knowledge and testimony. Thus we may be confident of truths such as that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior, that our Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for our happiness, that there is a living prophet of God today on the earth, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God together with the Bible, and that we can live together as families forever as we live the Gospel. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope and happiness it brings to my life, as well as the peace. I invite all to find out these truths for themselves by studying them with an open heart, and asking God if they are true. Only the Spirit can give us a confirmation of truth. Science can't, and neither can logic. If we already have an idea set, and won't move from it, then God can't give us additional truth, so keep your mind and your heart open to the fruits of the Spirit as you pray to ask our Heavenly Father. The fruits of the Spirit, as explained in Galatians 5:22-23, are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The correct way to pray, as taught by Jesus Christ, is to address Heavenly Father, then express the feelings and desires of our hearts, such as gratitude or asking for something (including an answer of whether or not something is true). We close saying something like, "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Jesus taught that "whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given you (3 Nephi 18:20). We should also avoid repeating the same prayers or words as Christ explained in Matthew 6:7. Here is a summary of how to pray:
1. "Dear Heavenly Father,
2. "I'm grateful for...(tell Him what you are grateful for)
3. "I ask thee...(ask for whatever you need or want, as long as it is a good thing)
4. "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
If you pray like this, with faith, you will receive answers to your prayers
For more on prayer see Matthew 6, Alma 33-34, Enos 1, Alma 36:18, and the Bible Dictionary.
For more on faith see Alma 32 (The Book of Mormon), Hebrews 11 (The New Testament), Ether 12 (The Book of Mormon), and also the Bible Dictionary.
Faith is like a seed. If we plant a principle in our hearts, giving at least the benefit of a doubt that it may be true, and then nurture it by studying about it, it may start to grow within us. If we feel that it is growing, or feel a good feeling within as we learn more about it, then we know that it must be a good seed, or a true principle. We can apply this to any eternal principle. Prayer is one of the best ways to nurture the seed. We never need fear asking our loving Heavenly Father to know if something is right or not, or true or not. He has told us to many times to ask and promises that we will receive.
Faith precedes miracles and knowledge. Miracles only confirm faith, they don't build it. For this reason, people were able to see the Savior perform miracles or see angels, and still deny the existence of God or reject the miracle. The Book of Mormon starts out telling of a family that leaves Jerusalem in the year 600 b.c. There are four brothers in this family, two of which are rather rebellious. These two, the oldest two, see angels and miracles on several occasions, and their father is even a prophet of God, yet they doubt and return to their complaints time and time again. The youngest brother, Nephi, on the other hand, uses these experiences to confirm his faith which he has developed through small and simple things. It is by small means that the Lord confounds the wise (Alma 37:6). It is also line upon line that we grow in our faith. Each time we pray, read in the scriptures, serve, attend a church meeting, or do other simple acts, we add a bit to our overall faith, like drops of oil into a lamp. As we sin, or even just slack off, the lamp loses the oil we've put into it. If we wish to greet the Lord at midnight when he comes, we must have our lamps filled with these little drops of oil. We can't put it off till the end, or we won't be prepared. Elder David A. Bednar, one of the 12 living Apostles of Jesus Christ, explained in a conference to the world in October, 2009, that our simple actions are like paint strokes in a magnificent painting. If we just look at one stroke, there is nothing that impressive. But if we add many such strokes, and look at the whole picture, we have something beautiful. Our lives can become beautiful things if we fill them with lots of little good things. Thus prayer, scripture study, church attendance, service, and other similar acts will lead to a wonderful foundation of faith in our lives.
As we build faith on Jesus Christ we will be blessed with our needs. Plus our faith will convert into knowledge and testimony. Thus we may be confident of truths such as that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Savior, that our Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for our happiness, that there is a living prophet of God today on the earth, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God together with the Bible, and that we can live together as families forever as we live the Gospel. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope and happiness it brings to my life, as well as the peace. I invite all to find out these truths for themselves by studying them with an open heart, and asking God if they are true. Only the Spirit can give us a confirmation of truth. Science can't, and neither can logic. If we already have an idea set, and won't move from it, then God can't give us additional truth, so keep your mind and your heart open to the fruits of the Spirit as you pray to ask our Heavenly Father. The fruits of the Spirit, as explained in Galatians 5:22-23, are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The correct way to pray, as taught by Jesus Christ, is to address Heavenly Father, then express the feelings and desires of our hearts, such as gratitude or asking for something (including an answer of whether or not something is true). We close saying something like, "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Jesus taught that "whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given you (3 Nephi 18:20). We should also avoid repeating the same prayers or words as Christ explained in Matthew 6:7. Here is a summary of how to pray:
1. "Dear Heavenly Father,
2. "I'm grateful for...(tell Him what you are grateful for)
3. "I ask thee...(ask for whatever you need or want, as long as it is a good thing)
4. "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
If you pray like this, with faith, you will receive answers to your prayers
For more on prayer see Matthew 6, Alma 33-34, Enos 1, Alma 36:18, and the Bible Dictionary.
For more on faith see Alma 32 (The Book of Mormon), Hebrews 11 (The New Testament), Ether 12 (The Book of Mormon), and also the Bible Dictionary.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
An Infinite and Eternal Sacrifice
The Atonement of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, was unlike any other sacrifice. His sacrifice was the end of all animal sacrifices which were a type and a shadow unto His eternal sacrifice. His sacrifice was eternal due to his foreordination, his birth, and his righteousness. Though His sacrifice is eternal, it is applied personally to each son or daughter of God.
Christ's was the great, the last, the infinite, and the eternal sacrifice. Each of these words is significant in understanding the significance of His sacrifice. Adam was told to offer up the firstlings of the flock. He was later told by an angel that this sacrifice was a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father. In the Law of Moses, unblemished animals were brought to the tabernacle where a priest would perform a sacrifice for sin, shedding the blood of the animal. These sacrifices were needed many times in a person's life. Christ's sacrifice was the great sacrifice because it was a higher type of sacrifice, and was the last sacrifice because His is infinite and eternal.
Christ's sacrifice was infinite, which means without limits, or without end. His sacrifice reaches unto all of God's children who have ever come, or ever will come to the earth to receive a body. It spreads to all time and to all creatures of His creating. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve explained that “some gifts coming from the Atonement are universal, infinite, and unconditional. These include His ransom for Adam’s original transgression [and] the Resurrection from the dead of every man, woman, and child who lives, has ever lived, or ever will live on earth (Liahona, March, 2008).” This helps to see that it applies to everyone. All who once lived will be resurrected, and all will be returned to God to be judged. The fall of Adam has been overcome.
Christ was foreordained to be the Savior of the world, the one to save the world from sin. He was humble and offered to give all of the glory of such an Atonement to the Father, whose perfect plan required a Savior. Being foreordained did not guarantee that Christ would be able to perform such a sacrifice. Two other important aspects prepared Christ to perform this Atonement: His birth and the life He led.
Christ was the offspring of Mary and God the Father, born into the humblest of circumstances. Having these parents He inherited special abilities to help Him perform the Atonement. Being the son of a mortal Mary, Christ was able to be tempted, was a mortal Himself, and could therefore die. Being the Son of the Living God meant that He had power that man does not have, and a special connection to the Father that would help Him shape His life. Christ learned at a very young age that He was the Son of God, and followed the Spirit to learn of his foreordination. He lived a perfect life and overcame temptation. Thus He was unblemished and able to be sacrificed for sin.
Christ's sacrifice, as previously mentioned, was not on the same level as those required by the Law of Moses. As Alma 34:10 states, it must not be “a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.” Eternal in this scripture can mean “godly.” Since Christ was the literal Son of God in the flesh, He was able to perform a godly, or eternal sacrifice. Any other man who attempted to do so would die in the agony of such a sacrifice. And even if one did so without dying, his sacrifice would not be eternal because he were merely a man. This is why Christ's sacrifice is at a higher level than those made previously.
Jesus Christ's Atonement was performed for all of His creations. Some might see this as being impersonal, but studying the scriptures reveals that it is not so. In Alma 7:11-13 it teaches that the Son of God would suffer “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” He suffered all things that He would be able to understand the pains and difficulties of any single person, since everyone passes different circumstances in life. The word for succor in Spanish is socorrer. This is translated as “to help” or “to come to the aid of.” Christ succors us as He comes to our aid and helps us in our trials. But we must go to Him for His help. We must take His yoke upon us, and His Atonement provides the process needed to take His yoke and burden upon us, which yoke is easy and which burden is light (see Matthew 11:28-30).
I know that Christ's burden is light. Sin carries a heavy burden that is awkward, uncomfortable, and shameful. Though Christ's yoke is not without weight, it is so easy and light when compared to sin. To me this means that if I am willing to put off sin, and make a commitment, or covenant with Christ, then I can have a small burden of commandments, as opposed to the damnation which is sin's burden.
Only through the correct process of repentance will Christ's Atonement heal us and free us of our sins. I know that through my personal prayers I can be forgiven of the large majority of my sins. I know that through my priesthood authority I can receive forgiveness of all other sins, besides denying the Holy Ghost. The Celestial Kingdom is the destination that we all have in this life. As President Uchtdorf explained in the April, 2008 General Conference that a few degrees can make a huge difference in our final destination, as opposed to our desired destination. Christ wants us to receive Exaltation and His Atonement provides the corrections that we need to be on course for that goal. We must daily analyze our lives and make adjustments to reset our destination of Exaltation.
The Atonement also means that I can put off the natural man and become a saint (see Mosiah 3:19). If I am to enter the Kingdom of God, I must be even as a little child. A child is humble, and as Alma taught his son Helaman in Alma 37:33, humility and lowliness of heart are fruits of faith. Proverbs 3:34 teaches that the LORD gives grace unto the lowly. And Moroni 10:32 teaches that if we deny ourselves of all ungodliness, then Christ's grace is sufficient for us to make us perfect, through his Eternal sacrifice. If we desire perfection, like we have been commanded to obtain, we must be humbled by Christ's Atonement.
I love the parable by President Packer on Justice and Mercy. I know that I am eternally in debt because of my sins. I know that when I make mistakes, I can always find Christ in a quiet place, waiting to help me pay the price of my foolishness. I can never repay all that Christ has done, and the only way that I can be sure that He will help free me from such a great debt, is to be His friend. He has already said that His servants are His friends. So I must be Christ's servant by living His Gospel, sharing it with others, serving my fellow beings, and keeping my covenants. I know that as I do so I will grow closer to my Savior, which will help me to make better decisions and avoid sin that I might otherwise encounter. Christ's Atonement is the only way that any of God's children can expect to return to His presence, and gain all that the Father has. I know that this is the Father's plan and His desire for each of us. I know that Jesus Christ's Atonement is the ultimate expression of love.
Christ's was the great, the last, the infinite, and the eternal sacrifice. Each of these words is significant in understanding the significance of His sacrifice. Adam was told to offer up the firstlings of the flock. He was later told by an angel that this sacrifice was a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father. In the Law of Moses, unblemished animals were brought to the tabernacle where a priest would perform a sacrifice for sin, shedding the blood of the animal. These sacrifices were needed many times in a person's life. Christ's sacrifice was the great sacrifice because it was a higher type of sacrifice, and was the last sacrifice because His is infinite and eternal.
Christ's sacrifice was infinite, which means without limits, or without end. His sacrifice reaches unto all of God's children who have ever come, or ever will come to the earth to receive a body. It spreads to all time and to all creatures of His creating. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve explained that “some gifts coming from the Atonement are universal, infinite, and unconditional. These include His ransom for Adam’s original transgression [and] the Resurrection from the dead of every man, woman, and child who lives, has ever lived, or ever will live on earth (Liahona, March, 2008).” This helps to see that it applies to everyone. All who once lived will be resurrected, and all will be returned to God to be judged. The fall of Adam has been overcome.
Christ was foreordained to be the Savior of the world, the one to save the world from sin. He was humble and offered to give all of the glory of such an Atonement to the Father, whose perfect plan required a Savior. Being foreordained did not guarantee that Christ would be able to perform such a sacrifice. Two other important aspects prepared Christ to perform this Atonement: His birth and the life He led.
Christ was the offspring of Mary and God the Father, born into the humblest of circumstances. Having these parents He inherited special abilities to help Him perform the Atonement. Being the son of a mortal Mary, Christ was able to be tempted, was a mortal Himself, and could therefore die. Being the Son of the Living God meant that He had power that man does not have, and a special connection to the Father that would help Him shape His life. Christ learned at a very young age that He was the Son of God, and followed the Spirit to learn of his foreordination. He lived a perfect life and overcame temptation. Thus He was unblemished and able to be sacrificed for sin.
Christ's sacrifice, as previously mentioned, was not on the same level as those required by the Law of Moses. As Alma 34:10 states, it must not be “a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.” Eternal in this scripture can mean “godly.” Since Christ was the literal Son of God in the flesh, He was able to perform a godly, or eternal sacrifice. Any other man who attempted to do so would die in the agony of such a sacrifice. And even if one did so without dying, his sacrifice would not be eternal because he were merely a man. This is why Christ's sacrifice is at a higher level than those made previously.
Jesus Christ's Atonement was performed for all of His creations. Some might see this as being impersonal, but studying the scriptures reveals that it is not so. In Alma 7:11-13 it teaches that the Son of God would suffer “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” He suffered all things that He would be able to understand the pains and difficulties of any single person, since everyone passes different circumstances in life. The word for succor in Spanish is socorrer. This is translated as “to help” or “to come to the aid of.” Christ succors us as He comes to our aid and helps us in our trials. But we must go to Him for His help. We must take His yoke upon us, and His Atonement provides the process needed to take His yoke and burden upon us, which yoke is easy and which burden is light (see Matthew 11:28-30).
I know that Christ's burden is light. Sin carries a heavy burden that is awkward, uncomfortable, and shameful. Though Christ's yoke is not without weight, it is so easy and light when compared to sin. To me this means that if I am willing to put off sin, and make a commitment, or covenant with Christ, then I can have a small burden of commandments, as opposed to the damnation which is sin's burden.
Only through the correct process of repentance will Christ's Atonement heal us and free us of our sins. I know that through my personal prayers I can be forgiven of the large majority of my sins. I know that through my priesthood authority I can receive forgiveness of all other sins, besides denying the Holy Ghost. The Celestial Kingdom is the destination that we all have in this life. As President Uchtdorf explained in the April, 2008 General Conference that a few degrees can make a huge difference in our final destination, as opposed to our desired destination. Christ wants us to receive Exaltation and His Atonement provides the corrections that we need to be on course for that goal. We must daily analyze our lives and make adjustments to reset our destination of Exaltation.
The Atonement also means that I can put off the natural man and become a saint (see Mosiah 3:19). If I am to enter the Kingdom of God, I must be even as a little child. A child is humble, and as Alma taught his son Helaman in Alma 37:33, humility and lowliness of heart are fruits of faith. Proverbs 3:34 teaches that the LORD gives grace unto the lowly. And Moroni 10:32 teaches that if we deny ourselves of all ungodliness, then Christ's grace is sufficient for us to make us perfect, through his Eternal sacrifice. If we desire perfection, like we have been commanded to obtain, we must be humbled by Christ's Atonement.
I love the parable by President Packer on Justice and Mercy. I know that I am eternally in debt because of my sins. I know that when I make mistakes, I can always find Christ in a quiet place, waiting to help me pay the price of my foolishness. I can never repay all that Christ has done, and the only way that I can be sure that He will help free me from such a great debt, is to be His friend. He has already said that His servants are His friends. So I must be Christ's servant by living His Gospel, sharing it with others, serving my fellow beings, and keeping my covenants. I know that as I do so I will grow closer to my Savior, which will help me to make better decisions and avoid sin that I might otherwise encounter. Christ's Atonement is the only way that any of God's children can expect to return to His presence, and gain all that the Father has. I know that this is the Father's plan and His desire for each of us. I know that Jesus Christ's Atonement is the ultimate expression of love.
Monday, January 24, 2011
I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
I know that God is our Eternal Father. I know that He is our creator, yet knows each of us personally. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our perfect example. Christ was born in the humblest of circumstances, yet rose to be the greatest of all. He was literally the Son of the Living God and of Mary. He lived a perfect life, free from sin. For these reasons, he was able to pay the price for sin in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was the ultimate and eternal sacrifice. He paid this price out of love for each one of us personally and also for His love for the Father. He decidedly died on the cross to overcome physical death, a result of the fall of Adam. Being the Son of God, he had power over death and was thus resurrected on the third day after His crucifixion. He completed His scrifice by suffering for our sins in Gethsemane, submitting to death on the cross, and resurrecting the third day. This sacrifice is known as the Atonement. Through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel (Articles of Faith 1:3).
Christ taught this gospel while he ministered during three years. He fulfilled the Law of Moses, and reinstated the full law that was in play before the Law of Moses. His gospel explains this full law, which contains all that we must do to inherit Eternal Life, or life with God the Father and with Jesus Christ. The gospel basically consists of five steps: first: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second: repentance; third: baptism by immersion; fourth: reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; and fifth: enduring in the faith 'till the end of our lives. Everyone who lives these five steps during their life will be eligible for Eternal Life. Christ will be the judge of whether or not we fulfilled these five steps sufficiently. Thus all may be "saved" by following these steps.
I know that Christ is the Savior of the world and my personal Savior. Without Him, I could never return to live with my Father in Heaven, because I, like all humankind, am imperfect. Like those in the New Testament, in following Christ's gospel, I am His disciple. His disciples were called saints then, and since He in unchangeable, I, being His disciple, am a saint. Christ established a single church when He was on the earth. When His true followers were all persecuted and killed in the years following the crucifixion, the Priesthood Authority of Christ was lost for many years. We are now in the last days, and in recent years, the Priesthood authority and the single true church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through a living prophet. I am a member of that church, and thus, I am a latter-day saint of Jesus Christ's church. Or in other words, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church of Jesus Christ
"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God's plan.
I'll follow Him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ;
I'll honor His name.
I'll do what is right;
I'll follow His light.
His truth I will proclaim."
-Children's Songbook
Christ taught this gospel while he ministered during three years. He fulfilled the Law of Moses, and reinstated the full law that was in play before the Law of Moses. His gospel explains this full law, which contains all that we must do to inherit Eternal Life, or life with God the Father and with Jesus Christ. The gospel basically consists of five steps: first: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second: repentance; third: baptism by immersion; fourth: reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; and fifth: enduring in the faith 'till the end of our lives. Everyone who lives these five steps during their life will be eligible for Eternal Life. Christ will be the judge of whether or not we fulfilled these five steps sufficiently. Thus all may be "saved" by following these steps.
I know that Christ is the Savior of the world and my personal Savior. Without Him, I could never return to live with my Father in Heaven, because I, like all humankind, am imperfect. Like those in the New Testament, in following Christ's gospel, I am His disciple. His disciples were called saints then, and since He in unchangeable, I, being His disciple, am a saint. Christ established a single church when He was on the earth. When His true followers were all persecuted and killed in the years following the crucifixion, the Priesthood Authority of Christ was lost for many years. We are now in the last days, and in recent years, the Priesthood authority and the single true church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through a living prophet. I am a member of that church, and thus, I am a latter-day saint of Jesus Christ's church. Or in other words, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church of Jesus Christ
"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God's plan.
I'll follow Him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ;
I'll honor His name.
I'll do what is right;
I'll follow His light.
His truth I will proclaim."
-Children's Songbook
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