Book of Mormon Challenge

Pick one of the challenges, or make up your own.  These challenges certainly might not be easy, but the point of this is to stretch yourself and do more than what you’ve done before.

1. Figure out the highest number of times you’ve read or listened to the Book of Mormon in one year’s time, and double that amount.

2. Take one hour of each day (no skipping, and no cutting time back) and diligently study the Book of Mormon. You may veer off and study other things as well, but the Book of Mormon should be your launchpad. If you only get 1/2 hour one day, make it up the next day by doing 1 1/2 hours.

3. Give away at least 2 copies of the Book of Mormon a month for the entire year. You can be creative, and give them with a testimony, story, or challenge to members of the church as well if you like, but you must give away one a week for a year.

4. Memorize a chapter a month for a year.

Filed under: Teachings , Book of Mormon, challenge, give, new year, ponder, pray, read, resolution, scriptures, study

Oh Come, Oh Come Immanuel

Oh Come, Oh Come Immanuel

Filed under: Teachings

America and the Everlasting Decree of God Concerning this Land

Sheri Dew:
My dear friends, here is the sobering reality: our constitution was written for a moral people.  It will not survive a people who collectively lose their virtue.
Sheri Dew, No One Can Take Your Place

The Everlasting Decree of God Concerning this Land

Ether 2:7-12
And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people.
8 And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and forever, should him, the true and only God, or they should be off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them.
9 And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is

Filed under: Book of Mormon, Doctrine, Teachings, scriptures , america, commandments, continent, covenant, decree, earth, flag, land, moral, promise, promised land, united states, united states of america, usa, virtue

Thanksgiving

Alma 26

8 Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever.

Psalms 136

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Mosiah 2

20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

2 Nephi 9

52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

Alma 37

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Filed under: Teachings

Ambition

In her song called Reaching, Katherine Nelson says, “Our dreams are meant to guide us to the things we’re reaching for.” Our ambitions are an essential part of our being, because they remind us that there is something greater than what we now have. Our very ability to dream and experience ambition encourages us to turn to the most important things in our lives. If we stay close to the Lord, He will lead us to those things. That is when we experience the greatest feelings of fulfillment and contentment.

satan is fully aware of the ambitious nature of our hearts, and will do all in his power to misdirect those ambitions to things of little or no worth.

Filed under: Teachings , ambition, dream, effort, important, priorities, work, worth

The Weak and Simple

I was thinking a while back about my mission and about the time I first arrived in my first area. I was so overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy that it seemed I’d never be an effective missionary. I felt like I was at the bottom of an ocean, fighting to reach the surface, while I was expected to be walking on top of it. I’d prepared myself in every way I could have thought of, and read the Book of Mormon a few times already, but my feelings of inadequacy led me to think that I knew practically nothing about the gospel. As I look back, I wonder a bit how I could have been so overwhelmed. But I most surely was overwhelmed.
The MTC was not an easy experience for me, though it was wonderfully rewarding and I learned SO much. I have thought a lot about the terrible feelings of intimidation I had felt at that time for the work, and I have since wondered why I felt that way. The more I think about it, though, the more I have come to appreciate that the Lord gave me that experience, because of the amazing lessons it taught me.
When I started my mission, I felt incredibly weak. I felt like the lowest of all the missionaries, partly because I was the newest missionary, and partly because I seemed to struggle to speak up and really talk to people. I truly was weak, and I cannot deny that.
I learned a lot while on my mission, and I like to think about it this way: Imagine before the restoration, the situation that the Lord was in. He had brought his church to the earth. Jesus Christ himself had been the restorer of it. It had previously been in a state of apostasy, because of the wickedness of the children of Israel. Now, once again, after His

Filed under: Teachings, scriptures , calling, companion, courage, faith, fear, holland, inadequacy, intimidation, lds, missionary, mormon, motherhood, mothers, mtc, prayer, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, weak, weakness, work

Why I Do Not Support Gay Marriage

This life is not the beginning of our existence, and death is not the end of it. In fact, this life is a very short part of our eternal existence.

It is an eternal principle that family consists of a man and a woman with their children. It is also an eternal principle that every man has always been a man, and every woman has always been a woman. Likewise, every man will always be a man, and every woman will always be a woman.

The few occasions where there is a physical defect in which a baby is born with either no sexual organs or both male and female organs does not change the eternal identity of that child, which includes his or her gender.

Gender is part of our eternal identity, and according to eternal principles, marriage is to be between a man and a woman. No other combination is a marriage in the eternal sense, and therefore no other combination can last forever. No matter what the government decrees, that eternal principle will not change.

For those who live a life in accordance with eternal principles, a simple mortal marriage is the seed that grows into an eternal marriage in the next life. No other seed will grow into an eternal marriage. There is no way for it to happen. Just as a pebble planted and watered cannot grow, a marriage between two people of the same gender cannot grow into an eternal marriage, and will end with death.

The sad part about this is

Filed under: Teachings , attraction, Children, eternity, family, gay marriage, gender, homosexuality, identity, marriage, men, potential, religion, same gender relationships, same sex marriage, tendencies, trials, Women

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

It’s interesting to me to see how the Book of Mormon demonstrates a pattern that can be seen in today’s society of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The pride cycle, the secret combinations, the people’s trusting in money and position – all of it sounds quite familiar to our time.

Here are a few examples -

Never in Nephite history had the Lamanites and Nephites learned to really get along until now, buying, selling, and trading in a manner that would have been unheard of in previous generations. In our day, never in history has there been a more global economy. Never in history have people been as able to buy, sell, trade, and visit other countries as it is able today.

The Nephites had been dealing with secret combinations for over a generation, but now secret combinations were threatening their very lifestyles. Gangs have been an internal issue for a few decades, but now terrorists threaten both the freedoms of their own countries and the economy of the world.

Following the Nephite prophets became extremely unpopular. Our society has become so “individualistic” that following a prophet is considered blindness, and those who do so are thought of as extremists.

These are just a few examples, but the more one studies the Book of Mormon, the more they find parallels between the time just preceding Christ’s appearance to the Nephites and the time preceding His appearance to the world.
Since both the Sunday school and Relief Society/priesthood lessons mention the Second Coming this week, here is an index to the recent Second Coming series from this blog:

The Second Coming Series

Part 1:Studying the Signs of the Second Coming of Christ

Part 2:The Restoration and Spreading of the Gospel

Part 3:The Earth in Turmoil

Part 4:The Gathering of Israel

Part 5:Destruction of the Wicked

Part 6:The Day is at Hand

Part 7:Three Comings

Part 8:Zion

Part 9:Conditions During the Millennium

Part 10:The Work and Purpose of the Millennium

Filed under: Second Coming , blindness, book, Christ, coming, cycle, government, individualism, Jesus, jesus christ, lesson, millennium, money, mormon, parallel, position, power, pride, priesthood, prophet, relief society, scripture, second, Second Coming, secret combination, sign, terrorism, times

Read Scriptures Together

I’ve been trying to find a way for us to be able to share insights on the scriptures in a format that would allow the pages themselves to be a method of studying the scriptures.  This is a challenge, because pasting the chapters onto the website would be a big project, and starting from nothing and expecting everyone to pick up the idea and run with it is unrealistic.

So when I came across a site that’s already doing it, I realized that all the work needed for the project is already done!  It really looks like a great site, and it’s a great opportunity to study scriptures and participate in a discussion about what you read.

I highly recommend that everyone check out readscripturestogether.com, and join in the discussions.  It is set up and controlled by Tom Johnson, a faithful member of the church, and follows the Sunday School lesson schedule.  It is fairly new, and this is a great opportunity to share the gospel and discuss it’s principles with other members.

http://readscripturestogether.com/

Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, insight, lds, mormon, scriptures, study, sunday school, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tom johnson

D&C 38:7

Filed under: Uncategorized , D&C, eye, magic, scriptures, see

Mick Jagger Meets a General Authority

This is an excerpt of a talk given by Elder Gene R. Cook of the 1st quorum of the seventy at Ricks College several years ago. He tells of an experience where he sat next to Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones on a plane for 2½ hours, discussing the effect of rock music on today’s Youth. This talk is also recorded in a set of cassettes called 13 lines of Defense: Living the Law of Chastity, published by Deseret Book.

Sometimes young people have a feeling that the music they listen to doesn’t have anything to do with chastity. And yet, as I’ve had the opportunity to interview many youth in varying countries throughout the world, I’ve found that it is just not so. I believe, without any doubt, that there is music of the Lord. I also believe there is good music that men have created–some romantic music, maybe some good cowboy music, and just plain fun songs, etc.

Those can be okay. They can cheer you up and they’re fun to be involved with. It ought not to surprise us that the devil has his own music as well. That kind of music is found throughout the world and has a great impact on young people especially. Let me try to bring this principle alive by relating a true story that happened with an individual of whom you have probably heard. How many of you have heard of Mick Jagger? I think almost everyone has as he is one of the most famous rock stars in the world. Well, you might be surprised to know that I had about 2 ½ hours with him on an airplane and it was quite an experience. I’m going to relate part of that to you to try to illustrate this important point about selecting wholesome music.

Mr. Jagger and I were on a flight that originated in Mexico and were headed, I believe, to either Houston or Dallas. As I sat down in the plane, the seat next to me was empty. Later a man came and sat down by me. I noticed immediately that he was reading a rock magazine. I offered a silent prayer as I often do when I try to talk to people about the Church. I prayed that the Lord would inspire me in what to say as I talked to this man.

After the prayer, I said something like, “My name is Gene Cook. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What’s your name?”

And he said, “My name is Mick Jagger.”

Not realizing who he was I said

Filed under: Uncategorized , 13 lines, adultery, atheist, band, Book of Mormon, cook, family, freedom, gene, general authority, Jagger, jesus christ, lds, lie, mick, morality, mormon, music, Philosophy, plane, procreation, rock, rolling stones, rules, safety, scriptures, sing, song, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, youth

Book of Mormon Insights

Title Page -

THE
BOOK OF MORMON
AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY
THE HAND OF MORMON
UPON PLATES
TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Have you ever wondered why the prophets in the Book of Mormon used gold for the plates? Why not bronze or copper? Surely they would have been easier to come by. I did a little research one day, and I found a jewelry website that gave a little insight into the reasons gold is so unique. Here’s what it said:

(Information taken from Man and His Gold, published by The Gold Information Center)

“Why Gold is Unique Of all the world’s precious metals”

Filed under: Uncategorized , Book of Mormon, gold, lds, metal, mormon, plates, scripture, study, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We Do Not Doubt Our Mothers Knew It

Alma 56:47-49

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

As a member of the church with pioneer ancestry, my testimony is occasionally downplayed by unbelievers. “You are a product of your parents upbringing. You believe because your parents made you go to church.”

When I hear that, I think to myself, “Thank heaven for such great parents.” They never made me go to church, but they taught me that if I go to church, I’ll live a better, happier life. They taught me that if I did not doubt, God would help me.

I am a product of my parents great example and teachings. Because they taught me right, when I came of age, I sought to know these things for myself – and like Enos, I received the answer I sought.

Thank heaven for such great parents.

Filed under: Uncategorized , alma 56, Example, lds, mormon, mothers, Parents, prayer, raised, stripling warriors, teaching, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dayspring

Click here to listen to the podcast –> Dayspring

Filed under: Uncategorized , day, God, jesus christ, lds, mormon, season, space, time, universe

The Second Coming: Part 10

The Work and Purpose of the Millennium

Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field, and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.

And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my countenance.

And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.

And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you;

Filed under: Uncategorized , family history, genealogy, God, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, missionary, mormon, ordinances, Second Coming, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, work

The Second Coming: part 9

Conditions During the Millennium

What will life be like during the thousand years that Christ reins on earth?

Both modern and ancient prophets have told us much about life during the millennium. We know “that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory,” meaning earth will become a paradise. What will that mean for those living on the earth? Here are a few of the things we know for sure:

1. Resurrection/no death or disease

2. Satan Bound

3. All things revealed and all prayers answered

4. No Sickness

5. Animals not brutal

6. No War

7. Life in the Millennium

The Resurrection

When Christ comes, the righteous, both living and dead, will be caught up to meet Him.

Gospel Principles:

“The Millennium is the thousand-year period when Jesus will reign on the earth. At the beginning of this period of time, the righteous will be caught up to meet Jesus at his coming. His coming will

Filed under: Uncategorized , animals, brigham young, celestial, Christ, devil, Doctrine, God, gospel fundamentals, gospel principles, hope, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, journal of discourses, lds, life, lucifer, millennium, mormon, paradise, peace, prayer, resurrection, safety, satan, Second Coming, Teachings, temple, terrestrial, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Second Coming: part 8

Zion

And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

Moses 7:18

The establishment of Zion is a major part of the last days. Before the Lord comes, Zion will be established. Though there are many spiritual aspects of the establishment of Zion in which we must become pure in heart, this discussion focuses primarily on some of the physical aspects of Zion. These include:

1. The city of Zion

2. The Church to stand independent

3. Zion as a place of refuge

4. Return of the city of Enoch

5. Two world capitals

The City of Zion

And righteousness will I

Filed under: Uncategorized , adam-ondi-ahman, capital, church, city of enoch, enoch, jerusalem, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, lds, millennium, mormon, new jerusalem, pure in heart, refuge, safety, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

The Second Coming: part 7

Three Comings

Jesus Christ’s second coming will be a world event, but there are at least two other appearances that He will make prior to making Himself known to the entire world. Though we do not know if there will be other appearances that He will make as part of His second coming, the prophets have declared clearly at least three:

1. Christ’s appearance to the Saints in Zion

2. His appearance to the Jews

3. His appearance to the whole world

Christ’s Appearance to the Saints in Zion

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God; wherefore, gird up your loins and I will suddenly come to

Filed under: Doctrine, Second Coming, Teachings , adam-ondi-ahman, Christ, jerusalem, Jesus, jesus christ, jews, lds, millenium, mormon, mount of olives, priesthood meeting, saints, Second Coming, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

The Second Coming: part 6

The Day is at Hand

1. Prophets declare that the time is close
2. The Gospel to reach every nation
3. Prophecy of the Rainbow
4. Silence for Half an Hour
5. Two witnesses
6. Our responsibility to prepare for His coming

The Prophets Declare that the Time is Close

Though we do not know the time, the prophets have declared that the time is close. For those who

Filed under: Second Coming , church of jesus christ of latter day saints, jesus christ, lds, mormon, prepare, rainbow, Second Coming, ten virgins, two witnesses

The Second Coming: part 5

Destruction of the Wicked

What do we know about the destruction of the wicked that is to occur at the second Coming of Jesus Christ? The Lord and His prophets have told us a great deal about this part of the second coming. Unfortunately, over the centuries, ever since Christ taught that He would be coming again to the earth to cleanse the earth from sin, there have been many false doctrines taught that have confused the minds of Christ’s followers.

Here is a list of a few of the things that the scriptures and modern day prophets have assured us will occur:

1.Prior to Christ’s coming, the world will greatly increase in evil
2.There will be a separation of the wheat and the tares
3.The righteous will be brought to the safety of Zion
4.The Lord will be wearing red at His coming
5.The wicked will be destroyed
6.There will be a second and final destruction of the wicked after the millennium
7.The righteous need not fear

Prior to Christ’s Coming, Evil will Increase

“And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be

Filed under: Second Coming , destruction, fulness of iniquity, jesus christ, lds, millennium, Second Coming, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wheat and tares, wicked, wickedness

The Worth of Souls

It has been said that every child born on this earth is Heavenly Fathers attempt to make a perfect human being.

Some would say he has failed many times.

But I would say that God does NOT make mistakes, and he has been successful every time.

Every child is born with a different set of circumstances, challenges, and fellow beings.

Jesus Christ has provided that for every person who follows Him, he/she can and will be perfect.

Filed under: Uncategorized , birth, born, lds, mormon, perfect, perfection, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worth of souls

The Second Coming: part 4

The Gathering of Israel

That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

Deuteronomy 30:3

One of the greatest aspects of the second coming is the gathering of Israel. While the gathering of Israel is generally thought of us one great event, it can be broken down to separate parts, which include:

1.The saints gathering to church headquarters.
2.Israel gathering by the preaching of the gospel throughout the world.
3.The Jews returning to Jerusalem.
4.The return to Adam Ondi Ahman and the building of Zion.
5.The return of the lost tribes from the north.
6.The return of the city of Enoch in the Millennium.

The Saints Gathering to Church Headquarters

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with

Filed under: Second Coming , 10 tribes, church, gathering, israel, jesus christ, jews, last days, lds, lost tribes, mormon, moses, prophet, Second Coming, signs, temple, ten tribes, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

The Second Coming: part 3

The Earth in Turmoil

…And the rocks of the earth must rend; and because of the groanings of the earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of God, to exclaim: The God of nature suffers.

D&C 88:87-92

87 For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree.
88 And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people.
89 For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.
90 And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
91 And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.
92 And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is

Filed under: Second Coming , bridegroom, Christ, church, earth, fires, food storage, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, last days, lds, lightening, moon, mormon, prepare, prophet, Second Coming, signs, stars, storms, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, turmoil

The Second Coming: part 2

The Restoration and Spreading of the Gospel

There are two great categories of signs of the second coming. We are all aware of those that involve calamities and destructions to precede that time, but the greater category, and more important signs are those involving the restoration of the gospel. The gospel is to spread into all the world – and must be, before His coming. Because we are in the midst of the fulfillment of these prophecies, they are often overlooked, but they are the most important prophecies relating to His coming.

Joseph Fielding Smith:

“Many things have taken place during the past one hundred and thirty-six years to impress faithful members of the Church with the fact that the coming of the Lord is near. The gospel has been restored. The Church has been fully organized. The priesthood has been conferred upon man. The various dispensations from the beginning have been revealed and their keys and authorities given to the Church. Israel has been and is being gathered to the land of Zion. The Jews are returning to Jerusalem. The gospel is being preached in all the world as a witness to every nation. Temples are being built, and ordinance work for the dead, as well as for the living, is performed in them. The hearts of the children have turned to their fathers, and the children are seeking after their dead. The covenants which the Lord promised to make with Israel in the latter days have been revealed, and thousands of gathered Israel have entered into them. Thus the work of the Lord is advancing, and all these things are signs of the near approach of

Filed under: Second Coming , Christ, church, gathering, gospel, israel, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, kirtland temple, last days, lds, missionary, mormon, moses, preach, prepare, prophet, restoration, Second Coming, signs, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

The Second Coming: part 1

Studying the Signs of the Second Coming of Christ

And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

-Alma 13:25

Joseph Smith once asked the Lord when the second coming of Christ would be. In his words:

“I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man, when I heard a voice repeat the following:

15 Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the face of the Son of Man; therefore let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter.

16 I was left thus, without being able to decide whether this coming referred to the beginning of the millennium or to some previous appearing, or whether I should die and thus see his face.

17 I believe the coming of the Son of Man will not be any sooner than that time.”

D&C 130:14

If the prophet cannot even receive an answer to this question, surely we cannot hope to get even close. In his life, Jesus said,

“¶ But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

Filed under: Second Coming , Christ, church, gospel, Jesus, jesus christ, Joseph Smith, last days, lds, mormon, prepare, prophet, restoration, Second Coming, signs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, zion

Train Ride

Life is like a train ride, and the train is traveling at a very high speed. Every few miles there comes an opportunity to transfer to another line, but because of the speed of the train, you often realize too late that you’ve missed a transfer that you’d planned on taking.

Sometimes you pull the cord to indicate that you want to get off at the next station, only to find after the transfer that this train is not headed in the direction you wanted to go. Other times you transfer to another train hesitantly, unsure

Filed under: Uncategorized , agency, career, choice, decisions, family, lds, life, marriage, mormon, ride, stations, track, train, transfer

The Scriptures are Like an Ocean

Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures…
(D&C 26:1)

The scriptures are like an ocean; hundreds of thousands of miles of water. Most of us who have accepted the gospel are sailing those seas. Some have sailed in cruise liners and others in lifeboats. Some have floated aimlessly as the wind carries them while others have sailed to specific destinations.

Some have spent their lives in an effort to cross every foot of the ocean, and others have concentrated their efforts on knowing and understanding all the weather patterns of certain regions. Some have mastered the winds on the surface, while others have probed the abyss and submarined in the the deepest ocean.
Those who know the ocean best have sailed the expanse, studied it’s patterns, and plunged it’s depths. They have seen remarkable storms, vast horizons, and incredible sea life. They have worn out their lives in the study of these great waters.

How often do we find ourselves living our lives on the dry land, only occasionally visiting the beach to collect a few broken shells? The sea is too great to see and experience all of it in one lifetime, but lets be where it is, fully engaged in it’s exploration.

Filed under: Uncategorized , beach, lds, mormon, ocean, scripture, study

Fish Philosophy

Imagine you are a fish in a pond.

While in school, your teacher tries to convince you that it is impossible to see through water. Of course this seems ridiculous to you at first, but then he stirs up the mud at the bottom of the pond. Soon the entire pond is completely clouded. You cannot even see the fish around you or the teacher. “See?” Your teacher says, “you are in water and you cannot see. Now you know that it is impossible to see through water.”

Some of you and your classmates recognize that it is not water that is blocking your vision, but the mud that your teacher spread in front of you that makes it impossible to see. You recognize that when the mud settles, you will again be able to see again like normal, because the mud and water will again be separated.

But some of the fish begin to feel confused and lost. In panic, they turn to the teacher for help. The teacher replies, “The only safe place is the bottom of the pond. At least there, you can feel something beneath you.” They follow, because they don’t know what else to do.

As the mud settles, they are buried in the mud. Their “new perception” that mud is the same as water is therefore confirmed in their minds, and they remain in the muck ever after.

Though unhappy in their new state, they pride themselves on their new understanding, wondering how they could have ever been deluded into thinking that what they once experienced was sight. They scoff at the fish above, swimming happily about the pond. They mock them, telling them that their childish belief in “Clear” water is just a tradition that their parents convinced them of. They say, “Yeah, we once thought as you do, but now we see what water really is. Sight is an illusion. You cannot trust your senses. The only safe place is the bottom of the pond.”

The wise know the difference between the mud and the water.

Filed under: Uncategorized , fish, lds, mormon, mud, perception, Philosophy, pond, teaching, water

Moving in His Majesty and Power

D&C 88:47 “…any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.”

The closer we get to the Lord, and the more we are made perfect by him, the more we will see things as they really are. Recognizing the hand of the Lord in all things does not mean seeing things that aren’t there, but rather seeing things as they really are. To see a flower as God’s creation, to see a sunset as a type of His coming, to see a mountain as a symbol of a temple, is not simply an exercise of the imagination.

This ability to see things as they really are is a sign of how close we are coming to Him, and how far we are in the perfecting process. That is why “if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God,” (Moroni 10:33) because you cannot look upon anything without being reminded of His power.

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