Worthiness is a Process (the gospel is here to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable)
Worthiness is a word that is used often in Mormon circles. For example, worthiness interviews are conducted in every stake, ward, and branch in the church. The purpose is to determine if an individual is worthy to:
1. Obtain a temple recommend
O God, Wilt Thou Make Thyself Known Unto Me?
"O God...wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee..." Alma 22:18
These few words spoken by an old man, King Lamoni; in his first prayer, are full of meaning for those who desire to know God.
The Eyes of Shepherd are Upon You–Cafeteria, New Order, Former…Mormons
Those who call themselves Mormon are a family. And as many of us know by experience, members of a family can be all over the place regarding their feelings towards their Mormonism. Following is a short-list of attitudes, or the state of mind, among Mormons I am currently acquainted with:
The Savior Could There Do No Mighty Work…He Marvelled at Their Unbelief
The Savior while in mortality drew many people after Him because of the mighty works he did. However, in his home town of Nazareth the scriptures teach something different occurred there:
Our Proclivity for Sin and Error
The scriptures testify, abundantly so, of the propensity of men to sin. This is even true for those who have been given significant Spiritual experiences. One would suppose that those who have been so blessed would never sin again, but the scriptures and church history provide a different prospective. Prophets and church leaders are subject to sin and error just like the rest of us.
For example, Nephi, the son of Lehi appears to be a near perfect man. He does everything his prophet father asks of him, even with the intolerable burden of two older brothers working against his every effort. Nephi’s propensity for goodness is matched by his older brother’s propensity for wickedness. However, the impression of Nephi perfection is diminished when he reveals the turmoil going on in his heart when he says, “notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. 2 Nephi 4:17-18
Keeping the Commandments without Making Covenants has no Power to Sanctify
For those who have made covenants to follow Christ there is a simple plan that needs to be obeyed in order to realize the promised blessings. The following scripture clearly describes the plan and promise:
Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. 3 Nephi 27:20
Eugene England’s “Reconversion” to the Book of Mormon
Eugene England wrote a book titled, Converted to Christ Through the Book of Mormon. Following is part of the introduction he wrote for the book. He makes several important observation about the power of the Book of Mormon:
1. To reconvert life-long church members by bringing them to Christ.
Heavenly Father Provides Us with Mountains to Climb, But Oft Times We Choose Hills Instead
Acquiring and growing a testimony is like climbing a mountain. As we ascend we can turn and view the vista behind us, and feel a sense of accomplishment at how far we've come. As we continue to climb we arrive at the top and feel a rush of accomplishment and growth. However, as we look into the distance we soon become aware that there are towering peaks before us that need to be climbed. We know if we leave theses unclimbed we'll be missing out on experience, experience that we need and should not put off.
The Savior Teaches a Unique Doctrine Regarding Forgiveness Over Dinner
It is early Christmas morning and I am reflecting on the Savior-Jesus Christ. For whatever reason there might be for the Savior to know and love a person like me is beyond my grasp to understand. I testify that He has been my friend when there is no reason I know of for His friendship. My life is unremarkable, except for the fact that He has been there so often, and led me along giving me knowledge and experiences such that I am constrained to say that He and His Father are the greatest realities of my life.
As I contemplate on these things this morning I feel a kinship with an unnamed sinner the Savior befriended and forgave.
Begging for a Remission of Your Sins
Have you begged the Lord for a remission of your sins?
First, a definition of the word "beg" may be helpful to set aside any emotional response we may have to the word. Some among us may feel offended by this word thinking that God would never require His sons and daughters, the elect; those holding the priesthood, those who have made sacred covenants in the temples, to beg.
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- Exercising Faith When Dealing With Health Problems—My Ten Year Journey
- Friday Quiz: The Purpose of the Atonement
- Friday Quiz: It Is By Grace That We Are Saved, After All We Can Do
- Worthiness is a Process (the gospel is here to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable)
- Friday Quiz: Does the Book of Mormon support the Biblical account of the flood?
- Friday Quiz: Basic Gospel Doctrine Question (I’ll bet you’ll be surprised by the answer)
- Listening, Two Way Prayer–For the Intellectual Mormon Too
- Friday Quiz: Book of Mormon Question–Men Who Would Be Kings
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