The Holy Ghost is to Our Spirits What the Sun is to the Earth

Posted on by Jared

Recently I was pondering the importance of the Holy Ghost when the following thought came to my mind: “The Holy Ghost is to our spirits what the sun is to the earth.” I was a little surprised at first, but the more I thought about it the more instructive it became.

The Earth without the Sun

I don’t know a lot about earth science, but I think I would be safe in saying that without the sun the earth would be a dead planet. I remember studying the importance of photosynthesis to life on the earth. Plants utilize energy from sun light to make oxygen. Without oxygen where would we be? How about the water cycle? Without the sun there would be no water cycle. I think it is safe to say that the earth without the sun would be a very different place than we currently know.

Our Spirits without the Holy Ghost

The scriptures teach that because of the fall of Adam we are spiritually dead.

…for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. Helaman 14:16

Spiritual death is real and we are all recipients of this “gift”, it is part of the great plan of happiness. In order to ascend we must first descend (D&C 88:6). To be spiritually dead means many things, but the most telling is that we are “enemies to God” (Mosiah 3:19).

Without the Holy Ghost we are fallen beings, spiritually dead, and therefore enemies to God.

Our Spirits with the Gift of the Holy Ghost

As members of the church we have been baptized for the remission of sins, and confirmed by the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (Act 2:38). Those who diligently seek for the gift of the Holy Ghost will find Him, and will eventually be “born again”. To be born again means we are no longer spiritually dead. We are made alive in Christ because we are partakers of the blessings of the atonement. And like all newborns we can mature and become like our parent. As sons and daughters of Christ we mature to become like Him.

Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost

The process to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost begins when we’re baptized and confirmed. The question then becomes, “what do I need to do to receive this promised gift of the Holy Ghost?” Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost doesn’t happen automatically, no more than garden produce begins to grow just because the sun rises.

Following are a few things I’ve learned that are essential to fulfill our baptismal covenant and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost:

1. Desire. This is number one on my list because the scripture and common sense teach that we must desire something before we can hope to receive it. In my opinion, desire both precedes, and follows faith. We receive blessings according to our desires (Ether 3:2).

It appears to me that many church members are casual in their desire for the gift of the Holy Ghost. If this is the case, then I fear the Lord will withhold this gift until we hunger and thirst for it (3 Nephi 12:6, Jarom 1:4).

2. Accept and understand our fallen nature. Until we accept and understand we are fallen beings, we will lack the desire to come unto Christ with the faith necessary to be born again. The Book of Mormon teaches the idea that it takes a revelation from God for church members to understand that in spite of our efforts to keep the commandments we are still fallen beings until we receive a remission of our sins (Mosiah 4:2-3).[1]

3. Cry unto the Lord in mighty prayer. Ask Heavenly Father to bless you with the gift to engage in mighty prayer. I believe prayer of this kind is inspired of the Lord. I don’t believe we can do this on our own. Enos said:

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul… Enos 1:4

This kind of prayer, because it is a gift from the Lord, opens the heavens and allows us to commune with our Heavenly Father on a level that is beyond human capacity.

Summary

We are fallen beings living in a fallen world, therefore we are enemies to God until we change and become true followers of Christ. As baptized church members we have the right to receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, if we diligently seek for this gift. As we strife to keep the commandments and be true followers of Christ we will eventually receive a remission of our sins and thus be born again, becoming sons and daughters of Christ.

 

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[1] King Benjamin’s people are described as being “highly favored people of the Lord” because they were “diligent in keeping the commandments” (Mosiah 1:11 & 13). Certainly this highly favored group of former day Saints could recount many instances of service and sacrifice on their part in behalf of the Lord’s work. These people were very much like church members are today. They attended their meetings, donated of their time and substance, served one another in the church and raised their families up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Included in this group of people were church leaders, the equivalent of today’s Prophets, Apostles, Stake Presidents, Patriarchs, Bishops, Relief Society Presidents, High Councilman and so forth (Words of Mormon 1:15-18).

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And it Came to pass in the Hundred and Eighty Fifth Year There Were Many Dissensions in the Church

Posted on by Jared

The Book of Mormon covers a history of over a 1000 years. In that period, many dissented from the truth as taught by the prophets of God, beginning with Laman and Lemuel. Dissent from God’s plan is not new. Dissent is as old as God.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints was established 185 years ago. During this time many have dissented from the church. Their impact then and now is succinctly described in the following verse:

“And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people…giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them”. Mosiah 27:9

The Book of Mormon uses the word dissenters to describe those who left the church. The word “dissenters”, with all its word forms occurs approximately 50 times in the Book of Mormon.

For example:

AND it came to pass in the fifty and fourth year there were many dissensions in the church…Helaman 4:1

6 Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions, notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea, notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for they were high priests over the church.
7 And there were many in the church who believed in the flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from the church… Alma 46:6-7

If we were to write a verse of scripture to describe our day it might read:

And it came to pass in the hundred and eighty fifth year there were many dissensions in the church. And thus were the Mormons afflicted, and began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the rising internet generation.

Reasons for Dissent

There are many reason for dissension from the church. The Book of Mormon repeatedly points out that prosperity is a contributing factor to church members rejecting their covenants. In prosperous times church members were described as “stiffnecked,” they “began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom…“ Helaman 16:15

Education was another factor that contributed to church members losing humility and becoming stiffnecked: “people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches…insomuch that the church began to be broken up.” 3 Nephi 6:14

It is important to add, that wealth and education are blessings from Heavenly Father.  The problem is pride, not wealth and education.

The Lord prospers His followers when they turn to Him.

And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land. Alma 62:51

The scripture teach that education is a virtue except when when they forget God.

O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God…but to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. 2 Nephi 9:28

Dwindle in Unbelief

The Book of Mormon uses the term “dwindle” to describe what happens to church members, “they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord.”  2 Nephi 1:10

Alma went to church members in Zarahemla and asked a series of questions with the intent to teach them that the zeal they had for the gospel was dwindling. He asked, “if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” Alma 5:26

In 1833, just a few years after the church was organized, members were warned that “they were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers…in the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel…” D&C 101:7-8

When things are going well, it is human nature to begin to forget God. Our day, is a day of great prosperity for many church members. Thus, we see many in the bloggernacle in a state of dwindling faith, “and they began to disbelieve in the spirit of prophecy and in the spirit of revelation”. Helaman 4:23

Summary

And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment–seat of Christ. (Book of Mormon | Preface Title Page:2)

The title page of the Book of Mormon explains to the reader an important point that needs to be reemphasized in this generation of fault-finders: God’s servants are not infallible.

Church members are also warned about lifting their heel against the Lord’s anointed in language that in unmistakable. 

Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.  D&C 121:16

I hope church members who are struggling in their faith in this era of the internet will turn to the Lord for answers. I did, so I know by experience He will answer any seeker who diligently calls upon Him.

 

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Testimony—Three Kinds: Hoping, Believing, Knowing

Posted on by Jared

“The mystery of Godliness, how great it is” (D&C 19:10). This verse of scripture infers that the rational mind of man cannot find God in the usual ways.

By the power of the rational mind man has conquered the air, sea, and space, but not the mystery of Godliness. This mystery can only be discovered by God revealing Himself—by revelation.

…no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. Jacob 4:8

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?  even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:11

Revelations come in many ways. On occasion, mortals are dramatically exposed to God’s revelations. In the time it takes to draw a few breaths of life giving air, a man or woman’s view of life and eternity can be forever altered when God reveals Himself. Whether our revelation(s) are grand or unimposing, they are an invitation from God, an invitation to follow Him for more.

Grand Revelations

The apostle Paul while traveling with others by the light of the noon day sun is blinded by the brightness of the Saviors glory. He hears the voice of the resurrected Christ saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me” (Acts 22:7). Paul is an enemy of the church. He even consented to the death of a church leader—Stephen (Acts 22:20). An enemy of the church becomes a mighty Apostle.

Joseph Smith, a boy of fourteen, raises his voice in prayer and encounters the power of Satan and just as he is about to be overcome a light brighter than the noon day sun suddenly fills his view—God the Father introduces His Son, Jesus Christ to Joseph—a boy becomes a prophet.

Alma, the son of a prophet, and the four sons of Mosiah, the sons of a Nephite King are secretly going about to destroy the church (Mosiah 27:10). They are described as the “vilest of sinners” (Mosiah 28:4). Their church destroying ambitions are interrupted when an angel of God appears to them. Five apostates become powerful missionaries and church leaders.

These few examples reveal some things about the Lord’s dealings with the children of men. The scriptures are given to mankind to reveal the mystery of Godliness. Consider the layer of mystery that is pealed back by learning about Joseph Smith, Alma, the sons of Mosiah, and Paul. For starters we learn that some of God’s most powerful prophets come from the most unlikely circumstances: a fourteen year old farm boy, from the ranks of vile sinners, and a persecutor of the saints.

Not So Grand Revelations

As a coin has two sides, so do the stories of those who make up the Lord’s church. Everyone loves a miracle laden story, but what about those who have called on the Lord to gain a testimony, but have never received one. This is another mystery of Godliness. We’re taught that there needs to be opposition in all things, so it’s not surprising that this happens (Mark 9:24). However, I wonder if these members who hope to acquire a testimony are being “ignored”. Could the “hope” they have, that moves them to follow Christ, be a revelation? I think it is—a revelation of hope.

Average Revelations

Then there is the group that is in between the two extremes, the “average church member”. The Lord reveals Himself to them in a hundred different ways. Those who follow Christ can have various kinds of revelation that form their testimonies. Some will use the word “believe” to declare their testimony; others will use the word “know”. The important thing is that they use the word that is accurate and comfortable for them—without concern.

Summary

Regardless of the kind of testimony we’ve been given: hoping, believing, knowing—it is an invitation from God, an invitation to move to the next step in His plan.

The purpose of the gospel is to bring about a “mighty change” in each person who chooses to follow Christ. The Lord revealed a grand mystery when He said that “it is my work and glory to bring to past the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). From this scripture we learn that even though there are different kinds of testimonies given to mankind, the Lord’s plan is the same for each of us. Each has an invitation to the follow Christ and inherit “eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7).

 

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One Part Faith, Twelve Parts Doubt—A Recipe to Reduce Faith and Increase Doubt

Posted on by Jared

Faith and doubt are topics that make up much of what is written in the Bloggernacle. I got to thinking the other day about the ratio of post and comments in the Bloggernacle that feed faith or doubt. I don’t know what the actual ratio is, but I came up with 1 to 12. It seems to me that for every post and comment that builds faith there are 12 that fuel doubt.

There is a lot of anti-Mormon material on the internet, and there is also a great deal of doubter material as well. Anti-Mormon material, as a rule, is presented by non-members and doubter material is produced by church members, many who appear to be active members who hold positions of influence in their Wards and Stakes. Doubter post may be more damaging to faith than anti-mormon disinformation. 

An anti-mormon, according to Jeff Lindsey is “the activists who attack the Church in a way intended to generate misunderstanding, fear, and shock … [someone who] strives to stir up anger toward the Church and relies on misinformation or half-truths, … especially when they do it for a living”.

I would describe a doubter-mormon as one whose post and comments nudge out faith and bump open the door to doubt on topics in church history and doctrine that are difficult to explain. Topics like the priesthood ban, the Book of Abraham, and polygamy, to name a few.

By definition, topics that are difficult to explain can be interpreted in various ways. Doubter-mormons focus on interpretations that  are skewed towards doubt instead of faith.

In other words, they have become professional doubters, they don’t appear to be interested in resolving their doubts, but seem to enjoy their role as a doubter.

We live in a world that is designed to try our faith (1). It appears that some church members forget this revealed truth. Because they forget this fundamental truth when they encounter opposition to their faith they turn to doubt, and some even pick up verbal stones, to cast at the prophets. This result in diminished manifestations of the Spirit. And before long, if not checked, they spiral down into apostasy.  

(1) We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;  And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them… Abrabam 3:24-25

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Is America in Peril?

Posted on by Jared

I admit—I’ve developed a pessimistic view of America’s future in recent years. When the twin towers went down on 9-11-2001, I was amazed at the way American’s responded. Everywhere I looked people were flying our flag; in their cars, houses, and businesses. When President Bush went before congress for a televised speech it was a God touched moment. I felt it, as did many others.

Peggy Noonan, wrote:

“I find myself thinking in mystical terms of President Bush’s speech to Congress and the country, and I know from conversations with many people that I am not alone. It seemed to me a God-touched moment and a God-touched speech…” (God is Back, Friday, September 28, 2001, Wall Street Journal).

We were united for a moment, but then, we quickly forgot. When I saw this occurring I started to be discouraged. And then I observed an era of discord sweep over America as we sought to confront our enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq.

When I read the Book of Mormon and the warnings to America contained therein, I feel a deep concern for our country, our future, and our children ( Ether 2:7-11).

I’ve been making this a matter of prayer and fasting for awhile asking for guidance in preparing for what appears to be some difficult days just ahead for America. Recently I purchased a book, America in Peril—Ten Stages in the Destruction of a Promised Land, by Douglas E. Brinley.

The title alone is discomforting, I assumed my state of pessimism would be confirmed as I began to read it. It was for first 200 pages. However, in chapter 14, America’s Hope, I was surprised as the author brought up some very important points that lifted my hopes for America. He pointed out something I was aware of, but haven’t focused on enough, “The sermons of recent presidents of the Church project an optimism that can only come through inspiration and revelation.” Brother Brinley quotes from the previous 5 prophets (President’s Lee, Kimball, Benson, Hunter, and Hinckley) and then summarizes their message as follows:

“The possibility of good news appears to be grounded in “if” clauses. If the Latter-day Saints follow their prophets, if divine laws embodied in constitutional principles are upheld, if the Church’s youth rise above the gross evils of immorality and continue to serve missions, if temples and temple work are used to redeem the dead, if the members of the Church live the principles of the gospel, share the message of the Restoration, marry in the temple, and so forth, then the judgments of God will be delayed (1 Nephi 22:17-20, 26), or the Saints will be preserved in the midst of the gathering evil. And if the honest in heart among the Gentiles, who fear God and understand biblical principles, respond to the message of the Restoration and join in the effort to restore decency among the people, there is hope for the future of our society. Latter-day Saints, obviously, have no small role to play in this winding-up scene. We must be models, individually and as families, to lead the Gentiles back to a state of goodness. We must light the way out of the present moral abyss and set this nation back on the path of righteousness. If this can be done in sufficient numbers, this nation will survive the severe tests and challenges that lie ahead.” (Page 222)

Summary

One day the prophet might be inspired to warn America in no uncertain terms—to repent or perish, but that day hasn’t come yet. The message of the prophets is that the Lord will continue to bless and preserve America because of the righteousness of Latter Day Saints and other good people who occupy this country. That doesn’t mean we won’t have some severe difficulties, but the Lord will not abandon America as long there is sufficient numbers of righteous people (Alma 62:40).

If the Latter Day Saints will do their part, then there is hope for America.

 

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Spending (Quality) Time with the Lord

Posted on by Jared

Spending Time with the Lord

Spending time with the Lord is a worthy goal. Spending quality time with the Lord is even better. 

Relationships are built in many ways, but “time” is a primary ingredient in each. Time to relationships, is like water to a flower, no matter what else we do right, without water a flower won’t develop and grow.

If we want to know our Father in Heaven there are things we can do to draw near to him. It is a matter of making time for him.  Here is a short list of proven ways:

1. Prayer

2. Reading the Scriptures

3. Striving to keep the commandments

4. Serving in church callings

5.  Providing for the poor and needy

If we sincerely and diligently do these things, the Lord will draw near to us (D&C 88:63).

Spending Quality Time with the Lord

Spending quality time with the Lord would include all the above, and could include three additional ingredients:

 1. Boldness

2. Keep a journal

3. Fasting and prayer

Boldness and confidence go hand in hand. I’ve learned that it is appropriate to ask Heavenly Father for manifestations of His spirit to bless our lives. Spiritual experience deepen and strengthen our faith. 

I suggest that in meekness, we boldly ask the Lord for what we need. In my estimation the greatest needs each of us has is to fulfill our baptismal covenant and receive the promised gift of the Holy Ghost.

This should be the part of our prayers everyday. Ask Heavenly Father to give us promised gift of the Holy Ghost that we were promised when we were baptized. Explain to him what we are doing, and willing to do in order to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is where a journal comes in. We can write in journal those things we discuss with the Lord in prayer and then record our spiritual experiences when they are received.

Last but not least, is fasting and prayer. In fact, fasting and prayer may be the most important, as well as the most neglected, principle we have available to draw on the powers of heaven.

Be persistence, which is part of being bold. Don’t give up on obtaining an answer from the Lord. Learn how the Lord deals with His people. This is done by reading and praying about the scriptures.

Write down your feelings in your journal as you read the scriptures, and remember that many of the accounts in the scriptures can be duplicated in your life. The Lord gave us the scriptures for that very purpose.

To find examples in the scriptures about how to draw near to the Heavenly Father go here, and type in the search box, “cried unto the Lord” (put quotes as shown to narrow the results).

Because of the testimony I’ve been given about the Book of Mormon I always start there and then move to the other books of scripture.

Searching through these scripture will provide examples of how the Lord deals with those who seek Him diligently.

I wouldn’t spend my time writing about this subject unless I had first hand experience. I have had many wonderful manifestations of the Spirit by doing what I written in this post.

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Weightier Matters of the Gospel

Posted on by Jared

A story is told about a life insurance agent who neglected to secure life insurance for his own family. He died in a car accident, and to the surprise of all who knew him, left his family uninsured. He had helped other families realize the security that life insurance provides, but left his family to endure crushing debt, heartache, and questions.

As followers of Christ we can have the security that a vibrant testimony provides. But like the insurance agent we can neglect the weightier matters of the gospel to our spiritual undoing. President Monson addressing this concern said:

Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be tested, we must face challenges and difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack and crumble—that is, if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth are not deeply embedded within us.

We can rely on the faith and testimony of others only so long. Eventually we must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable to withstand the storms of life, which will come. “How Firm a Foundation,” Ensign, Nov 2006.

First Things—First

I urge all those who read these words to make sure you’re not making the same kind of mistake the life insurance agent made. He neglected to obtain something that was readily available to him. 

Each of us needs to have “our own strong and deeply placed foundation” of testimony. The Lord has provided the means to acquire such a testimony, but we need to put forth the effort. There is no better foundation to our testimony than one based on the Book of Mormon.

It is my personal opinion that some members of the church have a Sunday School knowledge of the the Book of Mormon, but have neglected to obtain a “strong and deeply placed” testimony that comes by power of the Holy Ghost.

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our faith. It is another testament of Jesus Christ, and contains the fullness of the gospel. Those who follow the teachings contained therein will talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, and will know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Those who have obtained such a testimony by pleading with the Lord for one will be prepared for the storms of life. Read again the requirements and the promise belonging to the Book of Mormon:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Moroni 10:4

Summary

A cultural, academic, or institutional testimony is a man made testimony, it is not the same as a Holy Ghost-testimony. Having an authentic Holy-Ghost-testimony of the Book of Mormon is a supernal gift!  I hope every member of the church will do whatever it takes to gain one. If it requires repentance, fasting and prayer, or confession then I hope you will be willing to make the sacrifice. I would not stop calling on the Lord for such a blessing. It is the right of every church member to have this blessing.

Some members might find it worthwhile to work with their Bishop as they pursue a testimony. Invest whatever it takes.

When a church member possesses a God given testimony of the Book of Mormon, the anti-Mormon crowd lose another possible convert. In this age of the internet, too many church members are having their undernourished testimonies crack and crumble when they encounter information about church history and doctrine that is new to them.  

Click here for information about recognizing a testimony of the Book of Mormon written by those who have received one.

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Plateauing Faith—Thoughts on Fighting Spiritual Boredom, Apathy, and Apostasy

Posted on by Jared

Plateauing: to reach a state or level of little or no growth or decline, esp. to stop increasing or progressing; remain at a stable level of achievement; level off.

Reaching a plateau in any aspect of our life is better than never having done so. Think about it. Reaching a plateau means one has achieved something of worth. It could mean you’re at the pinnacle, the zenith of something meaningful. However, the word laurels and the phrase “don’t rest on your laurels” comes to mind. 

In other words, it can be “boring” to reach a plateau. When it comes to matters of faith how does one know if he/she has plateaued and what can be done, if we have?

First, are you bored? Is the thrill you once experienced attending church and serving in your calling dissipating or a distance memory? If so, then you have probably reached a plateau in your church life.

The remedy might be to tackle a new challenge. The best place to kick—start your plateauing faith is to take an inventory of your laurels. If you’re know for your intellectual laurels, but lack and equivalent degree of spirituality then, it might be time to plow that field. If the reverse is true, then maybe its time to read and study those things you’ve always thought about, but left on the shelf.

One word of caution, not all endeavors are of equal value. Choose your endeavors carefully.

Neal Maxwell observed:

“Happily, many of us have already picked and been greatly nourished by the low-hanging fruit from the gospel tree. Yet, on the higher branches, much fruit still remains, unreached for and unplucked. Neglecting to harvest this fruit deprives us of greater joy and of greater capacity to help others. The further feast includes, for example, those fruits of repentance ripened from correcting our sins of omission. The ‘cease and desist’ portion of repentance is surely vital but so is doing the good heretofore undone.

The higher hanging fruits also embody the sweet savor of submissiveness, the nourishing nectar of consecration, and the milk of meekness. All these await our stretching grasp and represent the further expression of love of God for us ( 1 Nephi 11:21-22). This fruit, said Lehi, is ‘most sweet’ and will ‘make one happy’ (1 Nephi 8:11, 10;11:7)

No wonder God, who ‘delight(s) to honor’ those who will so stretch, urges us onward (D&C 76:5). His own beckoning arm is stretched out and even extended all the day long (D&C 103; Jacob 6:5)”.

He knows all about stretching (2 Nephi 19:12, 17, 21).”

Neal Maxwell;  Whom the Lord Loveth P 7-8.

I’d liked to suggest that acquiring the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit is a mountain we can climb, and never find a “plateau”.

God bless each of us in our efforts to keep the gospel of Jesus Christ a vital and invigorating  part of our daily life.

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Am I Utilizing the Things the Lord has Given Me so that I can Receive a Celestial Inheritance?

Posted on by Jared

When I contemplate all that I have been given by the Lord and then reflect on what I am doing with it, I have to confess I am concerned for my eternal well-being. Something I read the other day heightened this concern. In a conference talk given by Marion G. Romney about the requirements of receiving a celestial body at the time of our resurrection, and the laws we must obey to attain to such a body, he said:

“Obedience to this law is a prerequisite to resurrection with a celestial body. Great will be the glory of those who attain it, and sad indeed will be those who do not attain it. The Prophet Joseph Smith, in remarks at a funeral, said that ‘the disappointment of hopes and expectations at the resurrection would be indescribably dreadful’. (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, 6:51.) Ensign, May 1975, p. 85.

I don’t know if trepidation should be our reaction to reading this, but I have to admit that is how I respond. I want to receive those things that Heavenly Father has made available to me and you. I desire to attain to a resurrection with a celestial body and enter into the Celestial Kingdom as a joint heir with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Often I look around me and attempt to detect the barriers that exist in my life and in our culture that impedes my receiving an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom. There are many. However, the atonement, the Holy Ghost, living prophets, the scriptures, and repentance are gifts from the Lord to help us identify and conquer the barriers, obstacles, and pitfalls before us. Surely, these gifts are more than enough to subdue the enemies of our soul and to win our crown, that is, if we utilize them. Therein lies the challenge, ask yourself, as I have, “Am I utilizing the things the Lord has given me so that I can receive a celestial inheritance?“

Following are a few thoughts I’d like to share with you with the wish that by doing so all of us can live nearer to the Lord and have a brighter hope of receiving Eternal Life (D&C 14:7).

Our Duty

When I reflect upon my life and ponder upon the experiences I’ve been through, and when I look about me and observe the experiences of others, I am brought to the conclusion, that for those who would follow Christ, there are but three possibilities as it pertains to our discipleship.

Elder Erastus Snow said;

“We will suppose that drawn immediately in front of you is the line of your exact duty. Satan will make every effort to hold you back from that line. When he discovers that it is impossible to hold you back, his next effort will be to push you as far beyond it as possible; and, being forced beyond the line of duty into superstitious observances, is liable to get you into as much difficulty as being held back from toeing it squarely.“

Many of us are trying to get to the line, a few are on it, and a few have gone beyond the line. There is one common need that all of us have no matter where we are in relation to the line—that is repentance. For those who are on the line it takes repentance to stay on the line. For those who are allowing themselves to be held back from the line, repentance is the cure. For those few who have allowed themselves to go beyond the line repentance is also needed.

Repentance

With this in mind I’d like to relate to you some of the things I’ve been learning about the awesome subject of repentance.

A friend of mine provided me with a thoughtful comment on repentance given by Hugh Nibley:

“Who is a righteous man? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting, he is a righteous man. There is hope for him, and no matter how good he has been his entire life if he is not repenting he is wicked. The difference is the way he is facing. The man on top of the stairs facing down is much worst off than the man on the bottom of the stairs facing up. The direction we are facing is what determines if we are good or bad.“

I think this is a profound thought. The only time a person would not be in need of repentance is if they are perfect. To my knowledge perfection is not possible in this life for any man or woman.

This being true, then it necessarily follows that it doesn’t matter what our depth of spiritual experiences have been or what church positions we’ve had or have or the number of acceptable sacrifices we’ve make, we need to acknowledge our nothingness before the Lord, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith (Mosiah 4:11). Otherwise, we might begin to trust in ourselves that we are righteous and become as the holier-than-thou Pharisee in the parable found in Luke 18:9-14.

Another great thought on the deeper meaning of repentance comes from President Ezra Taft Benson. He draws a distinction between repentance and reformation:

“Repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great willpower and self discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation. Repentance involves not just a change of actions, but a change of heart.” (Ensign, Oct. 1989 p. 2)

One of the great learning experiences of my life came when I understood the difference between repentance and reformation. It was at this point I came to understand in a special way my reliance upon the atonement of Jesus Christ.

It is so easy for Latter Day Saints to “look beyond the mark” in this area because of the emphasis we put on of self-reliance. True repentance is a gift from the Lord. All that we can do to deny ourselves of ungodliness is required, but ultimately it is because of the atonement of Christ that we have hope and are reconciled to God (Jacob 4:11 and Moroni 7:41).

Sometimes we measure the Lord, and what He can do, with the measure of a man. This always leaves the Lord short. Measure the Lord by the measure He has given us—the scriptures and living prophets. In our generation it seems that many Saints struggle in their faith when it comes to the ability of the Lord to succor (D&C 62:1) them, and forgive (Mosiah 26:30) them.

On the subject of forgiveness I like what Boyd K. Packer said in a conference address:

“except for the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.” (B. Packer; Ensign Nov 95, p. 20.) (This even includes murder I’m told).

I began this message with the hope that you and I are personally free from the bondage of sin. We are free from the bondage of sin when we come unto the Lord and follow him with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of our sins.

Then the promise is that we will be given the Holy Ghost and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. 

Once we have access to the gift of the Holy Ghost we are on the path that leads to eternal life. Then we must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save and endure to the end. If we do, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (D&C 84:49-51; 2 Nephi 31:13, 18, 19-20).

I’ll close with the words of Brigham Young:

“Take a course to open and keep open a communication with your Elder Brother or file-leader-our Savior. Were I to draw a distinction in all the duties that are required of the children of men, from first to last, I would place first and foremost the duty of seeking unto the Lord our God until we open the path of communication from heaven to earth-from God to our own souls. Keep every avenue of your hearts clean and pure before him.” JD 8:339.

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My Testimony of Jesus Christ—Our Advocate with the Father

Posted on by Jared

I bear testimony of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. All those things we read about them in the scripture are true. I’ve received a witness of this fact. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father.

I can bear testimony of Jesus Christ based on my own personal experiences, from my own book of scripture as it were. It gives me great joy to ponder and reflect upon the blessings the Lord has, in his condescension’s, brought to pass in my life.

As a boy, I’d learned at church that if you were born in the covenant you were the elect of God. I wasn’t born into the covenant, my mother was inactive and my father wasn’t a member of the church, so I concluded I wasn’t elect.

I loved my mother and father with and overflowing love and it tore me up inside to experience the pain that came to my family when my parents divorced, so based on what I’d  learned at church I assumed in the honesty of my heart I must have messed up real bad in the pre-existents or else my prayers for my family would have been answered differently—I stopped attending church. I was in the 8th grade.

Years later, as a 19 year soldier preparing for deployment in Viet Nam, I felt a stirring in my soul, I decided to read the Book of Mormon and test the promise made by the prophet Moroni. After making this decision, before I even opened the Book of Mormon, the Lord left the 99 and my journey back to activity in the Lord’s church began.

The Lord gave me an unusual spiritual experience which taught me powerfully that there are two powers in the universe—the power of God and the power of satan. This experience changed my life. 

The Savior taught:

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing… Luke 15:4-5

This scripture was literately fulfilled. I learned what it is like to be carried on the Saviors shoulders. I came to know something of his unconditional love. The Lord nurtured me and led me by my hand, giving me answers to my prayers. When I read the Book of Mormon for the first time, it was a daily spiritual feast. It was an awesome experience.

In those days of spiritual refreshing, He raised up friends, helped me overcome challenges, provided opportunities, and showed me great compassion and kindness. He is a true Friend!

I love the Lord because he loved me first. I am awed by undeserved blessings that have come to me. When I’ve sought him diligently, with lowliness of heart, I’ve been given dreams and visions that comforted my soul and taught me wondrous things. I know now that I’m not a second class member of his church.

On a few special occasions, unseen ministering spirits came in answer to my prayers. When experiencing a severe trial, when I thought my heart would break, the comforter spent the night with me and my pain was turned to joy. I do not have words to describe these experiences. When I cried out for mercy, seeking a forgiveness of my sins, he forgave me and sent fire and the Holy Ghost, as I partook of the sacrament.

I had supposed, because of what I learned at church, that these kinds of experiences were reserved for those the Lord calls to important positions in the church. I know now, that is a false tradition had among us. I’ve learned the Lord is no respecter of persons and that he gives his gifts for the benefit of those who love him and keep all his commandments, and him that seeketh so to do…D&C 46:9.

I’ve learned that mighty prayer is the primary means to obtaining things of the Spirit. Having said that, I don’t want to create the impression I have an open channel to the Lord. There have been many times I have sought guidance on very important issues, and it was has though the heaven were sealed. I have just accepted these experiences and moved on and done the best I could.

Most often I have received answers to prayers by the whisperings of the spirit that comes into the heart and mind. I must emphasize that these things have come to me because of the Lord’s condescension’s and not because of any special worthiness in me.

The Lord has given me these experiences and I bear testimony of the Lord’s grace because I want to be an instrument in his hands to increase faith, refresh testimonies, and increase hope in the promises we have as covenant followers of Christ.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers us!

Listen to the words of our Savior Jesus Christ:

HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being.

And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.

Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him-

Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life. D&C 45:1-5.

It is my fervent desire to come unto Christ and be perfected in him and receive eternal life. I hope the same for you.

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