Doctrine of Christ–Review and Quiz

Posted on by Jared

When the Savior was crucified in Jerusalem the Book of Mormon tells about the terrible destruction that occurred among the Nephites. Those who survived were those “who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared”. 

When the Savior descended from heaven he called on the prophet Nephi and others and taught them what hey should do and teach. He warned them about disputations and contention concerning doctrine. He then taught them saying:

32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.  (3 Nephi 11:32 – 41)

As we begin this new year, I hope that each of us will desire to understand what the Savior taught. The gospel of Jesus Christ in its simplicity is taught in these verses.

I believe our spiritual well being in this life and our opportunities in the next life are determined and shaped by the attention we give to the doctrine of Christ as taught in these verses.

I’ll suggest a method of study using these verses. No matter how much you know about the doctrine of Christ, I suggest you take the key words contained in these verses, and using just the Book of Mormon to start with, read all the verses where the key words are found to review your knowledge and understanding of the basic doctrines. 

I’ve prepared a quiz that you might find helpful. So far, over three hundred people have taken the quiz and the results are a little disappointing.

You might want to take the quiz before starting your research on the key words and then again after doing your research. This way you will be able to measure what you’ve learned.

 Take the Quiz

After taking the quiz, if you agree or disagree with the test results, please let me know. I hope to refine the quiz’s questions and answers based on your input. If you provide me with your email address I will send you the sources for the test answers. My email address is [email protected].  

 Please answer a 6 Question Survey to let me know what you think. 

Posted in Doctrine of Christ | 7 Comments

The Holy Ghost is Not a One Act Play

Posted on by Jared

The prophet Nephi teaches that the gift of the Holy Ghost is given to those who “diligently seek” for it (1 Nephi 10:17). I don’t doubt the correctness of this verse of scripture. However, I don’t think that this verse tells the whole story. There are other verses of scripture, written by other prophets, that need to be bought into the discussion to more fully understand the workings of the Holy Ghost. 

Nephi seems to be a nearly “sinless” prophet. Not all of the prophets were like Nephi. Some initially resisted the Lord when He call upon them. I’m thinking of Amulek as I write this. 

I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart . . . Alma 10:6

I think its vital for followers of Christ to understand that the Lord works with His children in many ways. Nephi was quick to respond when the Lord called on him. Other prophets needed a different approach. The Holy Ghost isn’t a one-act play. He works with the children of men in a variety of ways. 

Amulek resisted the Lord until and angel appeared to him. Amulek wasn’t the first. It also took an angel to convince Alma the younger and the four sons of Mosiah to repent.

The Lord is willing to work with you and I and those we love in many different ways. I think its important to understand this and be careful not to write someone off because they’re not responding to the message of the gospel  as we think they should.

I’ll close with one of my favorite thoughts on this subject:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught a more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).

 

 

Posted in Holy Ghost | 7 Comments

Rejecting God, Let’s Count the Ways

Posted on by Jared

There are many ways men reject God. Some do so loudly, others subtlety. Some proclaim their atheism while others ignore Him. The scriptures detail the history of  the ways mankind reject their Creator.

The scriptures teach that where “much is given, much is required”. Those who know and understand the gospel, and more importantly, have experienced the manifestations of the Spirit are held to a higher standard by the Lord than those who haven’t had the same opportunity. The Lord sums it up in these words:

“He who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.” D&C 82:3

This verse refers to an individual but it could be applied to a nation as well. Without going in to greater specifics, lets count some of the ways men and nations reject God:

1. Not relying on the Lord as we should. D&C 30:1-2

2. Loving both God and satan, but loving satan more. Moses 5:12-13

3. Israel rejected God because they wanted a King like other nations. 1 Samuel 8:4-7

4. Treating the Book of Mormon lightly. D&C 84:54-57  

5. Not understanding the importance and value of the atonement of Christ. Alma 33:16 

6. Church members disbelieving in the gifts of the Spirit. Moroni 10:24-25, Helaman 4:23

I will continue to add to this list from time to time. Do you have something you would like to add? If so, please do so.

Posted in God the Father, Jesus Christ | 2 Comments

My Experience with the Holy Ghost-Part 2

Posted on by Jared

Click Here for Table of Contents

In part 1, I discussed how I developed a relationship with the Holy Ghost by learning to recognize the subtle workings of this third member of the Godhead. We’re taught to pray to the Father in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. However, I think it is safe to say that the Holy Ghost is part of the prayer equation.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland teaching at the 2012 Seminar for New Mission Presidents spoke about new converts and church members, saying, “the Holy Ghost is the member of the Godhead with whom they will have their most frequent and the most intimate relationship…No other promise of divine companionship is so universally available to each member of the Church and yet we fear that some…members of the Church generally may take this gift too lightly.” Church News, June 30, 2012.

Nephi said the Holy Ghost “is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him…” (1 Nephi 10:17).

Diligently seeking God is the key to obtaining the Holy Ghost. My experience seeking to draw nearer to God taught me that it takes time, effort, and patience. In other words, exercising faith. We exercise faith when we pray, when we feast on the scriptures, when we repent, when we fast, and when we endure trials.

Some of the choicest experiences I’ve had with the Lord were preceded by disappointment, and heart wrenching trials. When I returned from my mission I assumed the Lord would bless me to find a wife. After all, I thought, the Lord would quickly prepare the way so that I could keep this important commandment. More on this later.

Early in my efforts to draw near to the Lord I assumed that those who were called to important church positions or who had connections with church leaders had an advantage. I didn’t understand that the Lord is “no respecter of persons”: Heavenly Father will respond to anyone who diligently seeks him. However, at the same time, it is important to understand that the Lord favors the righteous. I’ve written on this important topic here.

Growing in the Holy Ghost

When seeking a blessing we petition the Heavens by calling upon Heavenly Father in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ. The Father uses many means to answer our prayers. I think its safe to say that the Holy Ghost takes part in all or nearly all the communication we receive from Heavenly Father.

I hope the following experiences will help you understand that Heavenly Father doesn’t always answer our prayers subtlety. Sometimes we need to have experiences that grab our attention, stirring and motivating us in powerful ways.

I had been home from my mission for nearly eight years and was concerned I wasn’t married. I would say to myself, “eight years, that’s how long it took Lehi and his family as they sojourned in the wilderness before arriving in Bountiful!”

It seemed like the heavens were sealed regarding marriage. I prayed often, asking the Lord to help me find a wife. I dated a lot, almost weekly for eight years (52 x 8 = 416). I estimate I dated in excess of a hundred girls in those eight years.

I graduated from college and was dating a beautiful and charming girl I’d met at a ward outing. The only problem, she was divorced and had a little boy. That was a concern for me. Years earlier, I had decided I didn’t want to marry a divorcee.

A Ministering Angel Provides a Divine Nudging

While contemplating what I should do, I went to the Wilkinson Center to get something to eat. When I walked in I passed by a girl whom I barely glanced at. After I took a step or two a voice spoke to me saying, “that was Jill” (not her real name). I turned around and said “where?” I walked back to where I could better see the girl I had walked by–it was Jill! I hadn’t seen her since high school. She was a friend I often thought of. I had wondered if she might have been my wife if I hadn’t fell away from the church in my teen years. I had often wondered if she was married and what she was doing. I stood there for a moment in awe at what had just occurred.

She didn’t see me. I looked around the nearly empty cafeteria to see if she were with someone. I saw several young boys sitting together and assumed these were her children. While Jill was getting food I walked over to the boys and asked them if their mother’s name was Jill. I told them I was an old friend of their mom’s. In a few minutes Jill returned to the table. She was surprised and seemed to be at a loss for words. She was pregnant and looked tired, even worn out. We talked briefly, she was busy taking care of some hungry boys.

The next morning I went to the University Mall. I walked a short distance and as I turned a corner there was Jill. She had entered the mall from another entrance. She was pushing a baby carriage and was about 40 feet away. We were both surprised at this second chance meeting. We smiled and waved to each other and went our ways.

Meeting Jill and her boys had a profound impact on me. I realized just how far behind I was in the important matters of life.

I’m sharing this very sacred experience with the hope those who read it will realize that Heavenly Father answers prayers in many ways. I’ve wondered who it was that spoke to me from the other side of the veil. I’ve had this kind of experience a few other times. Each time it was the same, I heard a voice speak, as one person speaks to another. There wasn’t a feeling of the Spirit, no impression, nothing other than a voice telling me something.

I believe it was a ministering angel who not only spoke to me, but somehow influenced both Jill and me to meet on both occasions. Why the second meeting? I believe the Lord provided a second witness to verify the truthfulness of the first witness. I also believe I was being taught how the Lord accomplishes his purposes. He can work to bring about his purposes subtlety or be very apparent and powerfully manifest his presence.

I had no idea I was being influenced to be where I would meet Jill on these two occasions. I imagine Jill would say the same thing. The timing of these events is also curious, if either of us would have been a minute or two off schedule in either meeting, we might have entirely missed each other.

By the way, I married in the Salt Lake Temple a few weeks after this divine nudging.

A Vision Provides Comfort and Knowledge

The day of the funeral the family gathered at my in-laws home. I was in the front yard feeling the weight of losing a young member of my wife’s family and wondering how such a terrible event could befall a faithful family. I looked heavenward and offered a silent prayer pleading with the Lord for understanding and for mercy to be extended to the family.

Suddenly I found myself in the presence of many spirits. Somehow the veil was partially lifted—sadness and sorrow gave way to joy and peace as the realization of what was happening swept over me. The heavens were opened and I was literally in two worlds. Impressions of the spirit came into my mind and I knew that the front yard and the surrounding area were filled with spirits—thousands of them. I was standing in a crowd of spirits. I understood that many of the spirits were pre-mortal and had come to comfort the family (as well as to observe and learn).

I was anxious that all the family could share in this experience. I found my father-in-law in the garage and told him what I was experiencing. I then went into the house and told  others. None of them shared the experience I was having. This caused me concern. Why was I given this experience and not the Father, Mother, or another family member? My father-in-law had been a Bishop and also served in a Stake Presidency. I had never been blessed to hold any significant church position. My heart ached. Would they believe me?

Gradually the “vision” left me and familiar surroundings filled my senses—but the power of what had just transpired remained. The Lord had given a spiritual gift to the family—but more was yet to come. Within the hour a ward member while walking down the street to visit the family had a similar experience.  She also testified that the streets were filled with spirits. Thus the Lord provided a second witness—much to my relief (2 Cor. 13:1, D&C 6:28).

A Sanctifier

So far I’ve talked about the Holy Ghost as a revelator. He does more. The Savior taught:

Now this is the commandment: 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

When we adequately repent we can experience the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost. There are two kinds of repentance: the kind that justifies and the kind that sanctifies.

There is a verse in the Book of Mormon where the Savior explains the kind of repentance that sanctifies. This is the kind of repentance that Enos, the people of king Benjamin, Alma and others experienced.

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.    3 Nephi 9:20

The Savior teaches the necessity of offering a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit before we can experience fire and the Holy Ghost. Go here for a three part essay on this subject.

Offering a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit is not easily done. I know by my own experience the pain and joy associated with this transforming event. I’ve written about my experience here.

The Book of Mormon account of King Benjamin’s people provide one of the best examples of what it means to offer up a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. They are described as a people who were diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord. A highly favored people of the Lord.

Notwithstanding the goodness of his people, on this day, king Benjamin taught them of their nothingness in comparison to all that the Lord had done for them. He taught them, “…I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.”  Mosiah 2:21

At the conclusion of king Benjamin’s Spirit filled teachings, his listeners had fallen to the ground because the fear of the Lord had come upon them. We can only imagine the power that must have been contained in king Benjamin’s words to have this effect–“they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified…” Mosiah 4:2

They were humbled “in the depths of humility”, as is everyone who offers up the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Once this sacrifice was made the record says, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having  received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ…” Mosiah 4:3

No follower of Christ can escape the requirement of offering up a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We fool ourselves if we think that diligently serving the Lord in our church callings is sufficient. Our works, no matter how great, will not have the power to save us in the celestial kingdom. At some point, each Latter-day Saint will need to be awakened to a sense of their nothingness—their worthless and fallen state. Then, like king Benjamin’s people, they will plead for forgiveness with sufficient humility that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon them, and like the people of king Benjamin, they will receive a remission of their sins.

Summary

I agree with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that church members generally may take the Holy Ghost too lightly. I’m not being critical when I say this because I’ve done the same thing.

One of the reasons I’m writing is to testify that average church members can experience the manifestations of the Holy Ghost much like the writers of the Book of Mormon did. 

I think some church members measure their standing with Heavenly Father by the church callings they’ve received—the more prominent the calling the higher their standing—I thought this way until the Lord showed me differently. I hope I can persuade my readers to measure their standing with Heavenly Father by the guidance they receive from the Holy Ghost.

I hope my readers will take a moment and reflect on their experiences with the Holy Ghost. Are you acquainted with the manifestations of the Holy Ghost by the presence of  spiritual gifts? When you read from the scriptures do you feel the Spirit of the Lord? Can you recall an answer to prayer? Have you been comforted by the Spirit when you’ve grieved? Are spiritual experiences generously sprinkled in your walk through life? If yes, keep the good work up, if not, have the courage to face up to the issues that are hindering the Spirit from being part of your daily walk.

Our attitudes and assumptions about what it takes to get close to the Lord can help or hinder us. I hope what I’ve written will help my family, friends, and interested others to awaken to their spiritual possibilities if they are in need. 

I’ll close with a scripture that encourages followers of Christ to rely on the Lord no matter what level of spirituality their at.

“And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along”. D&C 78:18

Click Here for “My Experience with the Holy Ghost-Part 1”

Click Here for Table of Contents

Posted in Book: Alive in Christ, Holy Ghost | 2 Comments

My Experience with the Holy Ghost-Part 1

Posted on by Jared

Click Here for Table of Contents

As I previously wrote, the most important thing a follower of Christ can do in this life is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is made available to each church member through the ordinance of baptism. After baptism, actually receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is based on our diligent seeking and the Lord’s will.

Before going on, I want to emphasize a few things:

First, the Lord has provided the scriptures and prophets to answer our questions. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel and has been a great influence in my life. (D&C 20:8-9)

Second, as I wrote before, we differ in our receptiveness to the things of the Spirit.

Third, the church callings we’ve had, currently have, and will have are not an indicator or limitation of our receptiveness to things of the Spirit. I’ve also learned that the Lord is no respecter of persons, meaning, the Lord doesn’t focus His gifts and blessings on just those in leadership positions. Average members of the church have the same opportunity for blessings as church leaders.

Fourth, a careful reading of the scriptures teaches that one of the most important understandings a follower of Christ can have is a correct view of his or her nothingness (Mosiah 3-4) coupled with   a correct view that they are a beloved son or daughter of Heavenly Father. (D&C 76:24)

Fifth, there is nothing I can pass on to you that will provide a quick and easy way to access the things of the Spirit. Each of us is required to diligently seek, hunger and thirst in order to receive the things of the Spirit. I hope what I write will increase your faith, hope, and desire to draw nearer to God so that you can receive those things Heavenly Father has prepared for you.

Understanding the Workings of the Spirit

Relating sacred experiences are just words on a page, that is, until the Spirit participates. It is my prayer and my hope that the Lord’s Spirit will bear witness to the spirits of those who read my words. When this happens, spiritual communication occurs.

As a parent, with children who so far don’t have eyes that see or ears that hear, I pray the Lord will bring them to the knowledge of their Savior. I hope the words of their father will  inspire them. Additionally, I desire that my children who are active in the church will diligently seek for greater access to the Spirit. And lastly, I hope that my extended family, friends and interested others will be motivated by the experiences I share to seek after greater light and knowledge than they now have.

At this point, some readers may be asking themselves, “how do I know if I have the companionship of the Holy Ghost?” The answer is as you might expect. You’ll know by the spiritual experiences you’re having. I think it’s important from time to time to measure our  experiences with the Holy Ghost. Are we having frequent manifestations of the Spirit? If yes, then we know we’re on course, if not, then it may be the right time to take steps to do something about it.

I keep a journal to record sacred experiences. As I’ve reviewed my journal, I am very grateful the Lord has been so kind to me. I’ve selected a few experiences that I hope will be helpful to you in your efforts to better understand the workings of the Spirit. Not everyone experiences the workings of the Spirit in the same way. However, I believe that what I’ve prepared will be useful to nearly everyone.

A Sheep is Lost then Found

When I was in high school I joined with those who liked to party. Many weekends were spent figuring out ways to acquire alcohol, usually in the form of Coors beer. We didn’t have much trouble. There was always a way to find a case of beer, and when things went well we would buy a keg.

On one occasion, while a group of us were partying, the subject turned to religion. As we talked, the Spirit of the Lord joined our conversation. I wasn’t the only one who felt His Spirit, several others recognized it too.  It was the same Spirit I felt at church years earlier. It may surprise those reading this, but I know by this and other experiences that  the Lord doesn’t abandon his sons and daughters who fall into error and sin.

On a July holiday, along with a group of friends I drove to a resort. We were all drinking heavily. Early in the morning, I joined a friend in his high powered sports car to go for a ride. As we drove away, I realized that my friend was very drunk, but the thrill of riding in his sports car was too exciting to worry about safety. I admit, I was a mindless youth. We collided head on with another vehicle. The driver and another passenger in our car were hurt badly but eventually recovered. Those in the other car also recovered. I was ejected from the car, slamming into the windshield of the car we hit and then flung into a field at the side of the highway. After I regained conscientiousness, I walked away with nothing more than a few loose teeth and a powerful feeling that I had been protected, and that it was time for me to mend my ways. I realized I was being watched over, but I was angry with the Lord and not ready to change my ways.

I decided to include these stories to testify that the Lord didn’t turn his back on me because of my course of life. I believe the door is always open, and that the Lord beckons to his children in many ways to follow him.

A few years later, I was drafted into the army and decided to stop ignoring the Lord long enough to ask him a question. With the prospect of going to war I started to think about heaven and hell and the stories I’d heard about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I’ve already related this experience and won’t repeat it. I will just say that the Lord showed me in a powerful manner that there are two powers influencing our journey in mortality.

When the Lord leaves the ninety-and-nine to reclaim his lost sheep he does so with full knowledge of their sins. He is not shocked or offended. He beckons to them with tenderness and mercy-he is our Redeemer.

The Lord Answers My Prayer

After my experience with the “messenger” and being delivered by the power of prayer, I was anxious to change my life. Transitioning from a natural man to a follower of Christ wasn’t easy. I struggled. I attempted to stop smoking and drinking, but I ended up having several false starts. I was in a barracks with several hundred soldiers. It didn’t take me long to realize I needed to find a new location, and new friends. I was learning that repentance required change on many levels.

I prayed that Heavenly Father would bless me to find a new place to live, a place away from the barracks and the distractions of army life. It was hard to study with non-stop Beatles music filling the air. Within days I was reassigned. It was perfect, my new assignment required only two soldiers and allowed me ample free time to study. I drank in the doctrines of the Book of Mormon and started to attend church.

I made progress. I was living the word of wisdom and enjoyed my new found friends at church. I’m so thankful for their examples and kindness!

When I think about the answer to my prayer to be relocated from the loud and noisy barracks life to a place of solitude, I want to make sure you realize the significance of this event. It represents the way the Lord answers prayer. I’ll explain.

I like the word  serendipity. It means to find something valuable by luck. However, I’ve learned that prayer can create serendipitous experiences. I believe the Lord intervened and I was selected for the reassignment because of prayer. The Lord answers some prayers quietly. In other words, it can appear to be a coincidence rather than an answer to prayer because things unfold naturally. There is no feeling of the Spirit, no indication that God has intervened, yet what is needed and prayerfully sought for comes about.

Experiencing Moroni’s Promise

As I studied the Book of Mormon I learned about the workings of the Spirit. My new location allowed me to read and ponder the Book of Mormon. I read it slowly, I wasn’t in a hurry. I prayed earnestly to have Moroni’s promise of obtaining a witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon by the power of the Holy Ghost.

As I read, I noticed a “feeling” that accompanied my reading. The feeling was subtle, yet tangible. I noticed that it invigorated me both mentally and physically. It may sound odd, but I was able to play ping pong better when the Spirit lingered with me after my reading sessions. There were only two of us at the new location. For recreation we occasionally played ping pong. When my friend noticed my increased skill, he would ask, “have you been reading your scriptures today?”

When I completed my reading of the Book of Mormon, I didn’t need to ask if it was true. I knew it was true by the feelings I experienced each time I read from its pages. This taught me that the Lord communicates with us through our feelings. When the Holy Ghost is influencing us there is generally a feeling of peace present in our heart (“I will tell you…in your heart” (D&C 8:2)).

The Lord Helps Me See Things Differently

A few years ago one of my sons asked me to co-sign on a loan for a motorcycle. I was surprised he asked. I’d made it a point to tell my children I didn’t like motorcycles and to never ask me to help them obtain one. He pressed me, explaining that it was very important to him. He was older and on his own and was able to pay for it. I told him I would fast and pray and go to the temple before I made the final decision, but made it clear to him that, short of a miracle, the answer would be no.

As my wife and I entered the temple, I consulted my feelings and told her I was dead set against helping. I personally knew several families who had lost loved one in motorcycle crashes. As the session started, I said to Heavenly Father, “if he should get hurt or killed, how would I ever get over it?” I prayed silently, asking Heavenly Father to bless me to make the best decision. As I pondered on my son’s request, I noticed my feelings softening. By the time I walked out of the temple, my heart was changed. I was very surprised, but confident the Lord had changed the feelings of my heart and answered my prayer.

Examples of Warnings from the Lord

Through the years, I have been guided by the Spirit in ways that has allowed me to circumvent difficulties. Here are three examples of how the Lord provides warnings. 

1. While on my church mission, my missionary companion and I met a man who wanted to learn more about the church. He invited us to his home. We were excited. When we visited his home the feeling entered my heart to leave as soon as possible and never return. I was very surprised. After we left I asked my companion how he felt about the visit. He said that the Spirit told him the same thing. The strength of this manifestation was compelling. We had no doubt the Spirit of the Lord was the source of the feelings we experienced. He called several times to make another appointment, but we knew the Lord didn’t want us to associate with him.

2. My work requires that I hire staff members. On one occasion, I interviewed an individual and thought she would be ideal for the position I had open. I invited her for a second interview. From my window I saw her entering the building. At that moment I had a very anxious feeling suddenly enter my heart. When she entered my office for the interview I knew for certain I shouldn’t hire her.  No reason was given, I just knew I shouldn’t hire her.

3. On another occasion, I was urged to sign a new contract that would modify the existing employment contract I was on. Over the course of several months I pondered and prayed about the decision. Many of my associates decided to sign it. I was contacted by several people with the company who told me if I didn’t sign the contract I might regret it. I prayed and fasted about it one last time before making the final decision. When I woke up the next morning I could feel the presence of the Spirit. I had many thoughts come in to my mind. Not only about the details of the contract but about the intentions of company management. As I pondered and made the effort to wrote down my impressions it was revealed to me that “they draw near to you with their lips but their hearts are far from you”. With the passage of time, my decision not to sign the contract has proven to be accurate.

Thoughts and Feelings Were Presented to My Mind and Heart by the Spirit

Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart (D&C 8:2).

I was driving to work on a beautiful fall morning. It had rained some and the streets were slightly wet. Before I had driven very far, I realized that I was more at peace than usual. Instead of hurrying along, I found myself thinking, “take it easy and enjoy the beauty of the day, don’t be in a hurry”. When I approached the intersection of Highland Drive and Walker Lane I did something I never do. When the light turned red and I began to slow, instead of taking the empty lane at the stop light,  I stayed in the right lane and came to a stop behind the car in front. I remember thinking how odd it was for me to do that.  The car in front of me turned right so now I was the first car at the light and the lane next to me was still empty. Suddenly, a Corvette came roaring west on Walker lane, the light changed and the driver of the Corvette lost control while making a left turn. She spun completely around and came to a stop in the lane next to me as though she was some kind of precision stunt driver. I was stunned at what had taken place and just sat there looking at her. She pulled forward into the intersection, make a right turn in front of me and proceeded to go eastbound on Walker Lane.

I continued the drive to my office, and expressed thanks to Heavenly Father that I had been protected. If I had moved to the left lane when I slowed for the light I would have been hit when she lost control. The events of that morning revealed some interesting things about the workings of the Spirit: I wasn’t warned of impending danger; circumstances didn’t arise that morning to change my schedule; I didn’t take a different route for some unknown reason. Rather, I was influenced by the spirit to change my driving pattern from hurried to relaxed; to take it easy. This resulted in a blessing.

There is another aspect of this experience that I would like to relate. I had been asking Heavenly Father for a period of time to teach me to better understand the workings of  his Spirit. I believe this experience was an answer to that prayer. It taught me how the Spirit can weave impressions into our minds and how our feelings can be influenced by his Spirit.

Summary

My experience with the Spirit has taught me that the Lord answers prayers. How he chooses to answer can vary. Most prayers are answered subtlety, like those I’ve related above. Sometimes we’re aware that a prayer has been answered, other times we’re not sure. I’ve concluded, as a general rule, when the Lord answers our prayers it occurs subtlety and without fanfare.

I’ve learned that when I feel the whisperings of the Spirit moving me in the opposite or different direction than I’m thinking, to pay close attention.

I think it is important to ask the Lord to teach you how to pray,  how to recognize answers to prayer. Therefore, I urge my loved ones and others who may read my words to diligently seek the gift of the Holy Ghost. Pray continually that you can understand God’s dealings. Ask him to teach you to pray.

In part 2, I will discuss other ways the Lord has chosen to answer my prayers. Most prayers are answered subtlety, but on occasion the manifestation of the answer is very evident.

Please Take a 5 Question Survey by Clicking Here

 

My Experience with the Holy Ghost-Part 2 

Click Here for Table of Contents

Posted in Book: Alive in Christ | 4 Comments

Drawing Nearer to God Through the Book of Mormon-Part 3

Posted on by Jared
                                                                                                                  Baptism of Fire and the Ghost-4
                                                                            Gift of the Holy Ghost-3    
                                  Power of the Holy Ghost-2
The Light of Christ-1

The purpose of this article is to explore the “precepts” (doctrine) found in the Book of Mormon that can enable us to draw nearer to God if we diligently apply them.

A few years ago, I attended a BYU Education Week class. The teacher drew the diagram above to illustrate the various ways the “Spirit” is manifested. It is like an ascending staircase or rungs on a ladder. It begins with the light of Christ and ends with being born again by the baptism of  fire and the Holy Ghost. 

I like this diagram because it illustrates the various ways humankind experiences the manifestations of the Spirit as taught in the standard works. In this series of articles I have so far been focusing on the last two steps. Let’s take a moment and reflect on the first two steps. I’ll provide a brief explanation. 

The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. The Light of Christ is not a being, it is not a member of the Godhead. The Light of Christ is an influence, it influences mankind for good (conscience) and helps prepare those who are responsive to receive the power of the Holy Ghost. 

The power of the Holy Ghost is available to honorable men and women who have not received baptism. Moroni promised that anyone who reads the Book of Mormon could have a manifestation from the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:4-5). The Bible gives the example of Cornelius, the Book of Mormon of Abish (Alma 9:16). They were honorable people who had experience with the power of the Holy Ghost even though they were not baptized members of Christ church.

The gift of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost are reserved for those who have received the ordinance of baptism. Click here for the Bible Dictionary  

There are General Rules and Then There are Exceptions to the General Rules

The Book of Mormon provides examples of those who experienced conversion by the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost according to the pattern taught by Nephi (2 Nephi 31:13); however, there are other examples, three to be exact, that don’t fit neatly into the pattern we’ve studied so far; they are exceptions to the rule:

1. The Book of Mormon describes Alma and the four sons of Mosiah as “the vilest of sinners” on one page (Mosiah 28:4) and a few pages later refers to them as holy prophets of God (Alma 10:7; 20:15).

Alma and the four sons of Mosiah were busy seeking to destroy the church of God. This all came to a sudden halt when an angel appeared to them. Even though the angel spoke directly to Alma, those who were with him joined in the experience. They all fell to the earth in astonishment. Alma “became dumb, that he could not open his mouth, yea, and became weak…carried helpless” and laid before his father. Two days later, when Alma regained his strength, he testified, “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit”.  (Mosiah 27:19, 24).

Why did the Lord send an angel to these young apostates that resulted in Alma’s conversion? The Book of Mormon answers this question:

And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith (Mosiah 27:14).

The angel came because of the prayers and faith of his people, and Alma’s father, who prayed with much faith.

2. The Book of Mormon describes the Lamanites as being a wild and ferocious people who delighted in murdering the Nephites (Alma 17:14-15). For example, King Lamoni would kill his servants if they allowed his flocks to be scattered (Alma 17:27-29).

The four sons of Mosiah, like Alma, also experienced the mighty change and became servants of the Lord. They desired to teach the Lamanites and so they plead with their father many days for permission to impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites. King Mosiah inquired of the Lord and received a promise they would be delivered out of the hands of the Lamanites (Mosiah 28:1-9).

The Book of Mormon details the first conversion of a Lamanite. Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah became a servant to king Lamoni. He won the kings confidence when he miraculously defended the kings flocks. The king was astonished at Ammon’s power thinking that he must be more than a man. Ammon used this opportunity to teach the gospel to King Lamoni. King Lamoni believing the words of Ammon prayed saying:

O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.
And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead. Alma 18:41-42

After some time passed, Lamoni arose and declared:

“I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name.” Alma 19:13

Lamoni had seen a vision of the Lord’s coming, the Lord poured out his Spirit on Lamoni and his houshold to the extent that “their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33, 36). Those who believed were baptized, and a church was established among them (Alma 19:35-36).

Why did the Lord pour out his Spirit on the Lamanites beginning with king Lamoni and his household? The Book of Mormon answers this question:

“Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites” (Ether 12:15). 

3. In the 5th chapter of Helaman two sons of Helaman, Nephi and Lehi, are having great success teaching the gospel to the Nephites and Lamanites. While traveling to the land of Nephi they were taken by an army of the Lamanites and cast into prison. After being held in prison for many days, the Lamanites decided to slay them. But when they came for them, Nephi and Lehi were “encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not”. The Lamanites, and dissenters from the Nephites were astonished. While Nephi and Lehi were surround by a pillar of fire they were overshadowed by a cloud of darkness. They also heard the voice of the Lord telling them to repent.  One of the Nephites, Aminadab, who once belonged to the church of God, told those who were witnessing this event, nearly three hundred souls:

“You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you” (Helaman 5:41).

When they did as Aminadab said the cloud of darkness was dispersed and they were all encircled about by a pillar of fire.

“And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words” (Helaman 5:45).

Why did the Lord pour out his Spirit on men who were prepared to kill Nephi and Lehi? Again, the Book of Mormon answers this question:

“Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost” (Ether 12:14).

Why would people described as vile sinners and wild and ferocious murders be blessed with marvelous conversion experiences?

The answer is the same for each of the three accounts: Heavenly Father answers the prayers of righteous parents, missionaries, and any one who  exercises faith.

“Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements and/or heal the sick, or influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.”  Bible Dictionary

Principles in Conflict

Over the decades, I have learned that nearly everything I thought was the “gospel truth”, sooner or later needed to be added upon. When I was young, I thought the Ten Commandments meant what they said, until I was drafted into the army and had to reevaluate one of them.

I’ve found myself reevaluating many things over the years. Some of you may find yourself needing to reevaluate your ideas about some things as you’ve read this series of articles. For example, king Lamoni and those who held Nephi and Lehi in prison were born again before they were even baptized (with the exception of Aminadab, it appears all or most of the others were not baptized members of the church).

When principles come into conflict, the higher principle prevails. It’s not my purpose to explore exception to the rules, but I think its important to realize that principles on occasion come into conflict. If I were living in Hitler’s Germany and my parents were hiding Jews, and Hitler’s Brown Shirts came to my parents door asking about questions, I would obey the higher principle, and deceive them to protect my parents and the Jews they were hiding.

Disposition to Do Evil

It’s important to have a correct understanding of the scriptures. Sometimes that can be difficult because of reading scriptures in isolation. The Book of Mormon states that the people of king Benjamin had no more disposition to do evil after they were born again. The same idea is stated in the account of king Lamoni’s conversion (Mosiah 5:2, Alma 19:33).

This leaves the student of the Book of Mormon with the thought that those who are born again are changed to the point that they are never again tempted to sin. However, further study reveals something different.

Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son, received a remission of sins, and was a prophet. The following verse helps us see that even a prophet needs to repent and strive to do better after being born again:

“After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world…” (D&C 20:5).

King Benjamin taught his people the importance of maintaining a remission of sins (Mosiah 4:13, 26). If they couldn’t commit sin again why would he teach them how to maintain a remission of sins?

Alma asked church members in Zarahemla, “Have ye spiritually been born of God?”, then he added, “can ye feel so now”? (Alma 5:14, 26).

Nephi counsels those who have been born again to “…press forward with a steadfastness in Christ…and endure to the end…” (2 Nephi 31:20).

As long as we’re in a fallen world we are subject to sin and error (the only exception would be those who are transfigured like the three Nephites).

Are There Degrees of Being Born Again?

I’ve wondered if everyone who is born again receives the same degree of the “mighty change”. I assume there are some things that are the same for all who are born again, and others things that may vary. Could the depth and breath of the change be different from person to person. I don’t know the answer, but I think the question is interesting.

A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

As I pointed out earlier, church members are not required to have strong doctrinal knowledge of the things of the Spirit in order to receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. There is however, a certain condition of the heart that needs to be met. The Savior emphasized the importance of this quality of heart, saying:  “…ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost…” (3 Nephi 9:20)

I don’t think this quality of heart is easily attained. It isn’t the kind of thing we wake up one morning and decide to offer to the Lord by noon. My experience with the Savior taught me that a broken heart and a contrite spirit is realized when we’re facing a crisis or trial of some kind and turn to the Lord with all our might, mind, and strength.

Full conversion is often realized in the furnace of affliction. The fiery trials encountered in the furnace of affliction have the potential to break hearts and create the needed contriteness of heart that results in a follower of Christ offering the sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, then as the scripture above declares, the Savior will  baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost.

Summary

I’m of the opinion church leaders are responsible to teach basic gospel principles. Church manuals, meetings, and conferences attest to this.  That said, the Lord would have us feast upon the words of Christ (2 Nephi 31:20). Feasting on the words of Christ is one of those things best done individually. Maybe it can be likened to climbing a mountain, ultimately it is done by individual effort. 

It’s important to note that the injunction to feast pertains to the words of Christ. This narrows the subject matter down. If we’re going to grow in the Holy Ghost we need to focus our attention on those things that we’ve been given for that purpose. The Book of Mormon says that some church members look beyond the mark. Doing so can lead to frustration and difficulty instead of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon says that there are those among us who “despise the words of plainness”. Apparently their not satisfied with what the Lord has given his followers to feast on (Jacob 4:14). 

I hope I can persuade those reading my words to understand the importance of prioritizing their feasting. In other words, feast on those things that invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon, as Joseph Smith said, would help a man “…get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” 

Earlier I referred to something Elder Neal  Maxwell wrote:

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

I associate the low hanging fruit with the basic activity in the church many active members enjoy.  I believe this level of commitment is settling for sacred power and gifts far below our privilege. The abundant feast of spiritual opportunity is found in the unplucked fruit on the higher branches. The low hanging fruit is nourishing, meeting our basic needs, while the fruit on the higher branches is where the abundant feast of sacred powers and gifts are obtained.

Each church member has a choice to make. We can be satisfied with diminished sacred experiences. Or we can exercise faith and reach for the fruit representing an abundant feast of sacred experiences. 

The Book of Mormon provides the answers to what the higher hanging fruit is and how to pluck it. 

I hope what I’ve written will motivate those who read it to reach for the higher hanging fruit. I have reached forth, plucked some of the higher hanging fruit, and experienced part of the feast. I continue to reach for more. 

Click, Reaching for the Higher Hanging Fruit for additional thoughts on this important subject.

Posted in Book: Alive in Christ | 6 Comments

Drawing Nearer to God Through the Book of Mormon-Part 2

Posted on by Jared

Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, then he added the powerful thought that “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book”. My focus in this chapter is to show from the pages of the Book of Mormon how the prophet-writers got nearer to God.

The Savior taught, “Now this is the commandment: 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

The Savior is teaching that repentance, faith in His name, baptism, and reception of the Holy Ghost will make His followers spotless at the judgment day. This verse is a general statement of the entire plan of salvation. It teaches how we get nearer to God

In another verse the Savior teaches about the Godhead, saying:

…“The Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one” 3 Nephi 11:36.

Studying the scriptures this way is like constructing a building with bricks; each brick adds one more part towards the completion of the structure.

Enos-How He Got Nearer to God

The book of Enos is only one chapter in length. Even though it is small it stands out because it teaches precepts (doctrine) showing how Enos got  nearer to God.

Enos is the son of Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother. When Jacob saw that he was getting old, he talked with Enos about taking on the responsibility of care taker and contributor to the plates that would eventually be part of the Book of Mormon. Enos agreed to take the plates and promised to care for them.

Enos begins his account by stating, “I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins”.  This short sentence is packed with doctrinal implications.

There are two parts to this sentence. The first part is about wrestling with the Lord in prayer, the second part is about obtaining a remission of sins. We’ll look at the first part next, and the second part will follow.

Wrestling with the Lord in Prayer

Enos uses the term “wrestle” to describe his prayer before God. We generally associate the word “wrestle” with the idea of a physical struggle with another individual. Wrestle and prayer are an odd combination of words, yet this is how Enos decided to record his experience for those who would read his testimony.

This language conveys the feeling that his prayer was a struggle, it was difficult, requiring great effort. He gives more detail, “I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens”.

What caused Enos to call upon Heavenly Father with such determination—all day and into the night? He continues his account.

“I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker…”

Enos went to hunt beast in the forest. It wasn’t until he was already on the hunting trip that he started thinking about his father’s words about eternal life and the joy of the saints. Apparently something happened after he left for the forest. It appears the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him and provided the spiritual wherewithal that made it possible for Enos to call upon the Lord all day and into the night.

Why was Enos calling on the Lord with such resolve?  He answers, “…my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker,  in supplication for mine own soul”.

Enos was praying for his “own soul”. He said the thoughts of eternal life sunk deep into his heart. To me this means his thoughts turned to Jesus Christ and how the atonement applied to him personally, to his eternal life. At one point, Enos asked the Lord, “how is it done?” The Lord answered, “because of thy faith in Christ”. Enos was focused on the Savior’s atonement in his supplication for his own soul.

Obtaining a Remission of Sins

The second part of the sentence we looked at above, “before I received a remission of my sins”, addresses the precept (doctrine) of, “remission of sins”. Enos said that the result of his wrestle with the Lord in mighty prayer was that he received a remission of sins. Remember, there are two baptisms necessary in order to complete the baptism covenant: the baptism of water and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Savior taught about the second baptism saying, “…they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins” 3 Nephi 12:2.

The Book of Mormon teaches that there is only one way to receive a remission of sins; and that is by fire and the Holy Ghost. Enos’s wrestle with the Lord in mighty prayer resulted in his baptism by fire and the Holy Ghost.

As we learned in part 1, the scriptures use a variety of terms to describe the second baptism:

1. Mighty Change
2. Converted
3. Born Again
4. Becoming a son or daughter of Christ
5. Remission of sins
6. Baptism with fire and with the Holy Ghost

Putting It All Together

I have a couple of questions at this point in our study that will focus attention on some important doctrinal points.

Enos says that his father Jacob “taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”. Enos grew up in the home of a prophet. He obviously knew the gospel plan, had faith in Christ, was baptized and received the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Like us, he had a testimony, and had spiritual experiences. Like us, he sinned, repented and sought forgiveness. But until he wrestled with the Lord in mighty prayer he  never received a remission of sins. A question arises out of all of this: what is the difference between forgiveness of a sin(s) and remission of sins?

Before answering this question, a few thoughts on scripture need to be considered.

In truth, the scripture we’ve been given are a great treasure, but there is more needed. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“The last word has not been spoken on any subject. Streams of living water shall yet flow from the Eternal Spring who is the source of all truth. There are more things we do not know about the doctrines of salvation than there are things we do know”.  A New Commandment: Save Thyself and Thy Kindred!, Ensign, Aug 1976, 7

The Book of Mormon doesn’t provide an answer for every question. Students of the scriptures who attempt to squeeze doctrine into a neat and orderly, one size fits all, will be frustrated in their attempts.

We need to view doctrine in proper perspective. Instead of viewing doctrine as a detailed, complete blueprint or technical drawing, I think we should view it as general statements given by prophets who readily confessed that they saw through a glass darkly (1 Corin 13:9,12), don’t understand everything (1 Nephi 11:17), and are aware of their limitations and weaknesses (1 Nephi 19:6).  All who follow Christ see through a glass darkly, this includes the apostles and prophets, but the Lord has assured his followers that what we have been given is adequate for us to receive exaltation (Helaman 3:29-30).

What is the Difference Between Forgiveness and Remission of Sins?

Even though the words are sometimes used interchangeably (Enos 1:2 and1:5) there is obviously a difference. However, I don’t know of a scripture that clearly teaches the difference and I’ve been unable to find a church leader clarifying the difference.

Blaine Yorgason contemplating the the difference between forgiveness and remission of sins wrote:

“Forgiveness Not Always a Remission of Sins…there can be a difference between being forgiven of a sin and obtaining a remission of sins.

If a person commits a particular sin and then feels bad enough about it to confess it in humility and ask forgiveness of the Lord, he or she is freely forgiven of that sin…In our day the Lord has said, “I, the Lord, forgive sins unto those who confess their sins before me and ask forgiveness” (D&C 64:7).

Interestingly, this forgiveness seems to be granted even though the person may be committing other sins at the time. Thus, one who enjoys lusting may at the same time repent of and obtain forgiveness for stealing or lying. Or one who gossips may repent of and obtain forgiveness for immorality.” I Need Thee Every Hour, by Blaine M. Yorgason, p. 113-114.

At this point, let’s go back to the Book of Mormon for more examples of those who experienced the baptism of the Spirit, or in other words, fire and the Holy Ghost. As you read, ask yourself if the people who lived during King Benjamin’s reign repented and experienced the manifestations of the Holy Ghost prior to receiving a remissions of their sins.

The People Who Lived During King Benjamin’s Reign

King Benjamin was nearing the end of his life and was visited by an angel.  He and his people already knew about the coming of the Savior (having the plates of brass and also the plates of Nephi in their possession, see Mosiah 1:16). The angel provided additional details. King Benjamin gathered his people into a group to teach them what he’d learned from the angel. He taught them about the Lord Omnipotent, Jesus Christ, taking on Himself a tabernacle of clay, working mighty miracles, and suffering death to atone for the sins of mankind. He also taught them the doctrine of the Fall, saying, “I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness…” (Mosiah 4:11). His words were carried into the hearts of his people by the power of the Holy Ghost to the extent that they were overcome and had fallen to the ground:

AND now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them.

And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth.  And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.

And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them. (Mosiah 4:1–3)

The people of King Benjamin were a righteous people. They were described as “a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord” (Mosiah 1:11), and a “highly favored people of the Lord” (Mosiah 1:13). They had constructed a temple (Mosiah 1:18), and there were many holy men among them (The Words of Mormon 1:17). Yet, prior to the experience recorded above, they had not received a remission of their sins! They had been baptized with water, but not with fire and the Holy Ghost.

Prior to this experience, the people of Benjamin were much like church members today: they had faith in Jesus Christ, they repented, were baptized by immersion for the remission of sins, and they received the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Let’s stop here and consider a few things:

As the scripture above teaches, the people of King Benjamin were baptized by the Spirit, receiving a remission of their sins, thus completing their baptismal covenant. I love reading this account. However, it raises at least two important questions:

  1. Was this their first experience with repentance?
  2. Was this their first experience with the Holy Ghost?

To answer Yes to either of these questions leads to difficulty. How could a people be described as a diligent people in keeping the commandments, a highly favored people of the Lord, and having many holy men among them, and at the same time conclude this is their first experience with the Holy Ghost and repentance? This conclusion runs counter to what the Book of Mormon tells us about King Benjamin and his people.

I think the obvious answer is no. The people of king Benjamin had established the church and built a temple many years prior to receiving a remission of their sins as recorded in Mosiah 4:3. They followed Christ by living the same gospel principles we do today. They had faith in Jesus Christ, repented, received baptism for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon says they had prophets and holy men and “…they did speak the word of God with power and with authority…” However, with all this they had never fully completed their baptism covenant by receiving a remission of their sins until the day king Benjamin gathered them together. Before this day, they had repented and had experiences with the Holy Ghost but they had never received a remission of sins by fire and the Holy Ghost.

Remember, the Savior taught that a remission of sins comes through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 12:2), therefore, remission of sins and repentance are not the same thing; the gift of the Holy Ghost and fire and the Holy Ghost are not the same. King Benjamin’s people experienced something new, something they had never before experienced. It’s evident from this account that there are dimensions of repentance, and the Holy Ghost being taught in these chapters, that invites our study.

This is a new idea for most of those who are reading this, so I’ll repeat it for emphasis. The Book of Mormon teaches the doctrine of “forgiveness” and the doctrine of “remission of sins” are different, separate kinds of experiences. The Book of Mormon also teaches that the Holy Ghost is manifested in different ways.

With the example of king Benjamin’s people in mind it becomes apparent to the student of the Book of Mormon that there is more to the doctrine of repentance and the Holy Ghost than is generally recognized.

Nephi’s Teachings on the Doctrine of Christ Explains What Happened to Enos and the King Benjamin’s People

In 2 Nephi 31:13 Nephi teaches that there are three parts to the ordinance of baptism:

“…take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…”

Nephi lays out three kinds of baptism in this verse:

1. Baptism by water
2. Baptism by the Holy Ghost (we would call this in our day the gift of the Holy Ghost because it comes as a result of baptism).
3. Baptism by “fire and the Holy Ghost”.

After receiving the first baptism, baptism by water, Nephi breaks down the experience with the Holy Ghost into two parts: “…behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost…”

In addition to Nephi’s teachings, we have the a scripture in Moses 6:60 that supports three  baptisms:

“For by the water [baptism] ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit [Holy Ghost] ye are justified, and by the blood [baptism of fire] ye are sanctified” (I added the information in the brackets.)

Joseph Smith also taught there is one baptism, consisting of three parts.The prophet taught, “There is but one baptism; it takes the baptism of water, of the Holy Ghost, and of fire to constitute one full baptism.” (Daniel Tyler statement. They Knew the Prophet, Hyrum L. Andrus, p51. Also, The Words of Joseph Smith, P. 354, Andrew F. Ehat)

Click Here for Part 3

Posted in Book: Alive in Christ | 8 Comments

My Experience with Faith

Posted on by Jared

Faith is a term that can be used to describe the state of mind one possesses when they seek to do something. When someone starts a business, enters into a contract, climbs a mountain, writes a book, for example, it can be said they are exercising faith. However, faith is most often associated with religious thought and endeavors. (Sometimes the words believe and trust can be used in the place of faith.) 

I’ve learned that faith can ebb and flow depending on what is happening in our lives. When our prayers are answered we see the hand of the Lord guiding us, we can feel our faith surge.  When our prayers go unanswered the opposite can occur, we don’t see the hand of the Lord guiding us, we can feel our faith retreat. 

My earliest experience with religious faith came when as a child I was taught that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayer. I remember my mother teaching me to pray.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

As I grew older my faith in God diminished. I’d learned some things at church that lead me to think of myself as a second class spirit. I didn’t forget God, I just thought of myself as being second class.

That all changed one day. It was 1966, the Viet Nam war was in full swing. I had been drafted and was in basic training preparing to go to war. As a worldly nineteen year old I decided to ask Heavenly Father if there was anything to the stories I had heard about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.

My prayer was answered in a way that didn’t leave any room for doubt or the possibility of ever forgetting (see My Experience with the Savior). As I look back to that experience with nearly fifty years of reflection, I realize now what an incredible blessing I was given. I came away from that experience knowing that Heavenly Father was there, heard my prayer, and delivered me. I also learned that there are two powers competing for our attention and that God was the ultimate power. My faith was increased many fold because of this manifestation. 

In the next few paragraphs I am going to try to distill a life time of experience with faith into a few brief paragraphs. I do so with the hope that something I pass along will be useful to my readers.

1. Faith is a gift of the Spirit available to all church members ( Moro. 10:11; 1 Cor. 12:9).

I think of faith as a prerequisite gift. Without the gift of faith none of the other gifts of the Spirt are available. The scriptures teach that we lived in a pre-mortal existence before we came to mortality. We had opportunities there, as we do here, to seek and cultivate the gift of faith. Without faith there are no miracles, no manifestations of the gift of the Holy Ghost, or gifts of the Spirit (Ether 12:12).

Learn all you can about the doctrine of faith from the scriptures and church leaders. But know this, the Lord bestows the gifts of the spirit on all church members who seek them, not just those who preside in leadership positions. It’s important to understand this, otherwise we incorrectly reason that the gifts of the spirit are for a few individuals holding prominent leadership positions instead of being dispersed widely and generously throughout the church (D&C 46:8-12). 

2. Secure the gift of the Holy Ghost and the associated gifts of the Spirit for yourself.  

Attending church meetings and fulfilling our callings are essential to be a true follower of Christ, doing so is evidence of our faith. However, this alone is not enough.

Activity in the church is essential but insufficient in and of itself to secure the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think this is clearly portrayed in the parable of the Ten Virgins.

We need to diligently exercise faith in addition to attending church and fulfilling our callings. The Book of Mormon illustrates the kind of faith I’m referring to. Lehi, Nephi, Enos, Alma the older, Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah, and many others practiced this kind of faith. There are many verses from the Book of Mormon that teach this principle, I think the following verse is among the best :

…they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. Alma 17:2-3

If we do likewise we will secure similar blessings. I can testify that this is true, I’ve done as they did, and experienced the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit that flow therefrom.  

3. Dealing with challenges to our Faith

As followers of Christ we’re going to encounter opposition and have trials of our faith (2 Nephi 2:11, Mosiah 23:21). Heavenly Father designed our mortal experience saying he would have a tried people.  Opposition and trials come in many forms.  In the internet age some church members are being tried by issues in church history

When I returned from my mission in the early 1970’s I decided to learn all I could about doctrine and church history. In that pre-internet day I had to do extensive research to find what is now available with the click of a mouse.  It didn’t take long before I learned things that were challenging. I can understand the heartache and disappointment that can come to those who discover faith destroying information on the internet.  Some lose their faith but still attend church, others abandon their faith altogether. A few leave the church but then feel obligated to destroy the faith of others.  

Even though my research uncovered information that  was unsettling, I was able to deal with it because of the depth and breadth of my testimony. I had already been through several crisis of faith. I’d learned that turning to God with full purpose of heart and pleading with Him for help is the key to surviving a crisis of faith. Not everyone has sufficient faith and testimony to deal with the various challenges that can visit them, church history is but one kind. I think the best explanation for various ways we can respond to challenges to our faith is found in the Saviors parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-25). 

4. The Lord warns his followers not to put their trust in the arm of fresh (2 Nephi 28:31).  

However, that doesn’t mean we can’t have confidence in the skills and talents of well-trained men and women; God can and does work through them to our benefit. The key is to have faith in Heavenly Father, not in the arm of flesh.

I learned this when I’ve needed medical attention. In our day, the Lord has revealed many things to mankind through the sciences.  When help is needed,  have faith in Heavenly Father relying on his guidance and then seek help from “the arm of flesh”. 

5. Have Faith in Christ

The forth Article of Faith list four  basic principle of the gospel. The first principle is to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a reason why this is listed first. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind. He came into the world to atone for our sins.  

He descended below all things. This means he suffered for my sins, and your sins. He willing did this so we wouldn’t have to suffer for sin if we would have faith in Him and repent.

I find it difficult to write about the Savior. I don’t feel I can begin to write anything meaningful. I hope I can be His friend, He has been a friend to me. One day, soon I hope, I will meet Him and I hope to be made a joint-heir and invited to follow Him into the presence of the Father.     

6. How does one know if s/he is making progress in things of the Spirit?

Should we decide to take the pulse of our spirituality to determine our standing with the Lord there is one sure way to know if we are moving in the right direction: are we experiencing the fruits of the Spirit on a regular basis, does the Lord hear and answer our prayers, do we see his hand guiding our walk–in other words, are we the recipients of his tender mercies? If yes, then we’re doing something right, if not, President Thomas S. Monson counseled:

“If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal. As you do so, you will be entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life—necessities for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn here on earth. Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely gives if we but seek them.” Stand in Holy Places, Oct 2011 General Conference

Please Take a 5 Question Survey by Clicking Here
Posted in Book: Alive in Christ, Faith | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Lord’s Dealings

Posted on by Jared

The Book of Mormon doesn’t waste any time getting into the topic of prayer. On the first page (verse 5) Lehi prayed to the Lord “with all his heart”. His prayer was answered by vision, the account says the experience caused him to be “overcome with the Spirit”.

Lehi eventually is told in a dream to depart Jerusalem with his family. Lehi tells his family and they leave town taking only provisions and tents. They left behind their home, land, gold, silver and precious things.

Lehi’s wife and children didn’t participate in the vision and dream so understandably they had questions. The Book of Mormon account provides a view into the various personalities of Lehi’s sons.

The two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel murmured saying their father was following the “foolish imaginations of his heart”. The record explains why they murmured, “they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them”.

The other sons, Sam and Nephi reacted every differently. Nephi, the youngest is described as “having great desires to know the mysteries of God”. Nephi cried unto the Lord and “he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father”. Nephi told Sam about his answer to prayer and the record states that “he believed in my words”.

Nephi prays unto the Lord for his elder brothers. The Lord answers Nephi’s prayer by speaking to him. The Lord explains that Nephi is blessed because he sought the Lord “diligently, with lowliness of heart”. The Lord then tells Nephi that he will be a ruler and teacher over his brothers. The Lord also reveals that if his brothers rebel against the Lord they will be cursed and their seed will be a scourge unto Nephi’s seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance if they rebel against the Lord.

There is much to learn about the Lords dealings in the first few pages of the Book of Mormon:

1. We need to ask the Lord in prayer for those things we desire.

2. We each have a quality of heart that is the fountain of our desires and our prayers. Lehi prayed with “all his heart” and Nephi had “great desires”, whereas Laman and Lemuel were described as being like those in Jerusalem who sought Lehi’s life.

3. I’m surprised Laman and Lemuel stayed with their family as they traveled into the wilderness. They had many opportunities to stay behind and enjoy their home, land, and other wealth. I’ve also wondered why the Lord permitted the likes of Laman and Lemuel to be part of Lehi’s family. Wouldn’t things have been much better if the Lord sent obedient spirits in their stead?

I think these questions are answered when he taught Nephi that Laman and Lemuel would be a scourge unto Nephi’s seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance. It turns out that their disobedient natures were important to the Lords long term plan, and in the short term its probable that Nephi grew, at least in part, into the mighty prophet he became because of his rebellious brothers. Without their opposition would Nephi been as diligent in seeking the Lord’s help an guidance. 

4. When we liken these things to our lives, to our own situations and circumstance, do we see how the Lord has dealt with us in ways that have stirred us up in the ways of remembrance. Are we closer to the Lord because the trials we’ve experienced and endured?

 

Posted in Book of Mormon, Prayer | 1 Comment

The Book of Mormon on Prayer

Posted on by Jared

The scriptures abound with the promise that God hears and answers prayer. Church members who desire to communicate with God  instinctively know that prayer is one of the keys to opening the channels of communication with Heavenly Father.

I want to focus on those teachings. So I asked myself,  what is the best source I can go to, to learn how to communicate with God, in other words, to “talk with God”?

The prophet Joseph Smith provides some insight into this question. He taught that a man would get nearer to God by following the teachings found in the Book of Mormon than any other book of scripture (TPJS, p. 194). With this declaration in mind, I decided to search the pages of the Book of Mormon on prayer, using a computer search engine.

Early Results

I’m surprised at how many times the Book of Mormon writers address the topic of prayer. For example, the word “prayer”, using all word forms of this spelling, appears 151 times. However, teachings on prayer are found using other words and phrases. For example, the word “cry”, using all word forms, appears 173 times.

I went through each of these verses and found that the word “cry” appeared 89 times in the context of prayer. One more example, using the word “inquire”, I found 17 verses that applied to teachings on prayer.

I’ve invested many hours in this effort.  So far, I developed the following tags. If you can think of some other tags, please let me know. In future posts, I’ll focus on specific teachings found in the Book of Mormon that will help us understand how we can get nearer to God.  

Ask

Ask Not

Call Upon His Holy Name

Call on His Name in Faith

Consecrate My Prayers

Counsel with the Lord

Cried unto the Lord

Given What They Should Pray

Heard My Prayers

Inquire of the Lord

Jesus Prayed

Labored in the Spirit

Mighty Prayer

Must Not Pray

Not Ask Contrary to God’s Will

Pour Out Our Souls in Prayer

Pray

Pray Continually, Always

Pray Unto the Father in Jesus Name

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray and Repent

Pray for Enemies

Pray in Your Families

Prayer

Prayer and Fasting

Prayer for Deliverance

Prayer for Forgiveness

Prayer for Mercy

Prayer from the Heart

Prayer is in Vain

Prayer with Faith

Prayer-Answered

Prayer-Slow to Answer

Prayer-Unacceptable

Prayer-Unanswered

Prayer-Will Not Hear Their Prayers

Prayers of Those Who Have Died

Prayers of the Righteous

Watch and Pray

Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask Which is Right Shall be Given

Wrestle in Prayer

 

Posted in Book of Mormon, Prayer | 3 Comments