Desperately Seeking the Holy Ghost

Posted on by Jared

In the Bloggernacle a writer needs to have a good title to get noticed in the aggregators. It’s also a good idea to have something worthwhile to say. I think I’ve got both. I hope you’ll hang in there for a few minutes and read what I’ve have to say. There is a 1 to 5 star rating system at the end. After reading this, please rate how meaningful of a read it was to you.

For this post I’ve decided to be less formal. I’m going use my experiences in life to illustrate the workings of the Spirit. I’d like to discuss sacred things with you, like I would with a loved one.

As the title says, I am writing about the Holy Ghost. Obtaining the Holy Ghost is where it’s at, at least that what we’re told by church leaders. They tell us there is nothing more important we can do. I agree with that counsel. Not just because church leaders teach it, but because of what I’ve experienced.

As a young man I lost interest in the church and one day just stopped going.  I was about 15 years old. No one in my family was active so it wasn’t a big deal. One of the reasons I left was I got tired of hearing about how wonderful it was to be born in the covenant and how we must have been among the great and noble spirits in the preexistence. Problem was, I wasn’t born in the covenant. My father wasn’t even a member. So the message turned out to be, “you’re a second class spirit”. I agreed and left church thinking I’d never return.

I really did feel second class because of what I had been taught at church. The church and its leaders didn’t provide what I needed at that time in my life. When the family is breaking down like mine was, the church can’t always make up the difference. I needed a strong male influence and it wasn’t available to me.

It was easy to find friends who liked to party and have a good time. I spent a lot of time at keg parties and driving around with my buddies. I dropped out of school too, so I had a lot of free time, no money but a lot of time. I got a job at a car dealership and made a little money. Things weren’t going well for my family, it was a tough time.

With that background I want to point out something about the Spirit that I learned in those days. It was there for me in spite of how I was living my life. I didn’t understand doctrine in those days, but I did know something was with me, and I knew it was “the spirit”. In fact, I told it to get lost on more than one occasion. I did this when I felt like doing something wrong and then this “inner voice” would nag at me to stop. I would successfully ignore it, it would go away for while, only to return. I did a lot of wrong things in those days, but it was there in the background and didn’t give up on me. When I needed something or was afraid I would pray silently, never on my knees, but in my heart. I knew someone was listening.

Now some may want to argue with this, but I testify that Heaven Father was there for me. I have no doubt He is there for many others like me. You may know someone who fits this description, possibly a loved one. Don’t give up on them! That’s part of my message today. Please don’t make a final judgment on anyone; the Lord hasn’t given us the ability to do that. Pray for them, don’t judge them!

Lost Souls

I was a lost soul, plain and simple; a lost soul of the teenage variety. For reasons I don’t entirely understand the Lord in His condescensions decided to provide me with a miraculous experience to bring me back to the fold. He left the ninety and nine and came for me. I’m not going to relate this experience now, but I’ll provide a link later in this post for those interested.

Lost souls come in many varieties. Teenagers, adults, seniors can all be as I was, a lost soul. My definition of a lost soul is anyone who is without Holy Ghost in their lives. This is especially true for those who have been baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost but haven’t fulfilled this covenant yet.

Surprisingly, many members of the church who are active, good people can be in this dilemma. This is a true paradox. How can someone who is an active Latter Day Saint be without God? I’ve been active in the Lord’s church for over forty years and based on my observation and experience, I believe there are many members who enjoy the culture of the church but don’t diligently seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost. They do many things in the church, even hold leadership positions. They speak the language of the church and the scriptures, but haven’t done what it takes to acquire the Spirit as promised when they were baptized.

Do you agree or are you ready to give me a 1 star rating?  Bear with me a little longer before you make up your mind.

Consider what the scriptures and the modern day prophets have to say on the subject. First consider the state of the church at the time of the Savior. How did it get that way? The Lord called prophets–Moses and other mighty prophets to bless the children of Israel but the church arrived at a point where they crucified their God.

How many times has the gospel been restored to the earth from the days of Adam to our day? Why did it fail each time? Are we so different today? Given enough time would our generation do the same as past generations? I think we would, but the Lord has told us He will not allow that to happen in this last dispensation.

What about the awful arithmetic found in the parable of the Ten Virgins?  Fifty percent of the membership fails! We’re told that the fact their called virgins means they were active in the church, worthy in many ways, but lacking the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Those without the Holy Ghost were not admitted to the wedding even when they plead with the Lord to be admitted. Remember, the parable refers to the ten virgins as being wise and unwise, not righteous and wicked. They all had testimonies of Jesus, but only five were valiant in that testimony. The difference between them was having the Holy Ghost or not.

The Key to Obtaining the Holy Ghost is in the Sacrament

In my opinion the key to obtaining the Holy Ghost is found in the Sacrament. Each week active members take the sacrament. It is the main reason we go to church. The sacrament prayer teaches us what we need to know about obtaining the Holy Ghost.  We’re taught to remember the Savior and His experience in mortality. In the two prayers the word remember is used four times. We’re instructed twice to take upon us His name, and twice to keep His commandments.  If we will do this then we’re promised two times that we can have His Spirit to be with us.

The Doctrine of Christ

If we follow the instruction in the sacrament prayer we will come to know and understand, and then experience the Doctrine of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ is contained in the Scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon. The Doctrine of Christ teaches us that we need to be baptized with water and with the Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit is referred to in the scriptures as the baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost.

Lastly, each of us need to make sure we are learning the Doctrine of Christ at Church? For those who frequent the Bloggernacle, how often do you find the Doctrine of Christ being addressed by those who blog or comment? Go to the aggregators and the titles of the post will give you an idea.

Summary

I feel all of us need to be desperately seeking the Holy Ghost. If  the Doctrine of Christ isn’t being taught at church or in the Bloggernacle then we can conclude  we’re experiencing a spiritual famine. Spiritually starving LDS are those who are walking in a field ripe with spiritual nourishment but lack the knowledge to harvest the bounty. We need to obtain the knowledge of how to harvest the necessary nourishment. This knowledge can be obtained from the scriptures and the words of the modern day prophets. I hope all of us will rivet are attention on the things that matter most and set those things that matter least aside. Acquiring the companionship of the Holy Ghost is the most important thing we can be found doing.

Do you believe this true?

Here is the link I mentioned above.

I hope you will rate how you feel about this post. Click on one of the stars below. Thanks


Posted in Doctrine of Christ, Holy Ghost | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Crisis in President Monson’s Family

Posted on by Jared

I just finished reading a devotional address given at BYU Idaho by President Monson’s daughter, Ann M. Dibb. It was given shortly after President Hinckley died. It is titled, My Father Is a Prophet, given in Feb 2008.

As many of us already know by experience, when we’re visited by a crisis, faith can be found, lost, increased, or decreased. If we’ve lived a life more of form than substance, then a crisis will reveal this for all to behold. On the other hand, if we’re the real thing, then that will be revealed as well.

For the men who lead this church–how they handle a crisis is more revealing than anything they might have said or written.

To those who frequent the Bloggernacle with the intention of thumbing their nose at the church by dredging up this or that tidbit of church history or doctrine, I suggest the lives of church leaders will tell those who are quick to observe more about the truthfulness of the gospel than any half-baked criticism currently being tossed about.

With that said I’ll quote from President Monson’s daughters talk:

A powerful example of my father’s faith took place after my mother experienced a severe injury.  She had fallen, hit her head, and was in a coma for three weeks.  My father was very concerned and prayed continually.  He was given a small room at the hospital, called a Comfort Room, and had all of his work sent to him.  He visited my mother every hour and spoke to her.  His faith and prayers were answered.  She awoke from the coma.

Not long afterwards, her doctor started explaining to my father and me what we could expect in terms of a recovery.  He was not very optimistic.  My father interrupted the doctor in mid-sentence and asked, “Doctor, do you have faith?  Do you believe in miracles?”  The doctor stammered and did not know how to respond.  Then my father continued, “Well, I do.  We’re going to continue in our faith.  We are going to pray.  Frances will be in the Lord’s hands, and along with all of the capable medical help, we believe the Lord will help her recover.”

With diligent care, therapy and time, my mother did make a remarkable recovery.  Seeing this, several medical professionals acknowledged that my mother’s recovery was a miracle.  My father has great faith.

To find more examples of faith click here.

For those who want to read or listen to the entire talk can click here.

Posted in Example of Faith | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Order Mormons-A Path of Deception

Posted on by Jared

While surfing the Bloggernacle I came across a blog with a post that I would like to review. The author of the post shared his “testimony”. He started out by stating that he was born and raised in the church, served on a mission, and cherishes the church, and then added that he did not believe in the spiritual claims of the church and never really had. This includes foundational things like the first vision, coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the priesthood by angelic messengers. In other words, all claim of the “supernatural” (his choice of words) never happened.

To him, the church is just an organization of men doing good things based on a whopper of a story. But, that is all right with him because there are many practical aspects of the church that are good, he writes.

Following is a list of a few of the practical aspects of the church that keep him coming back:

It’s good to grow up giving prayers, memorizing talks, and learning songs in Primary.

It’s good to have to sit still in Sacrament Meeting for an hour every week as a kid.

It’s good to have the self-esteem and motivation that comes with considering yourself a Child of God.

It’s good to be reminded on a weekly (if not daily) basis to cultivate Christ like attitudes and behaviors toward others.

It’s good to be taught to be self-reliant, prepared for emergencies, and to live within your means.

It’s good to learn to part with a double-digit percentage of your income and a significant portion of your free time -it makes you a more generous person.

It’s good to not use tobacco or to abuse alcohol or other potentially addictive substances.

New Order Mormons Choose the Third Leg of Three Options

New Order Mormons are those who no longer believe some (or much) of the dogma or doctrines of the church. Instead of leaving the church they choose to stay, choosing, what they call-the third option. The third option is to stay associated with the church but learn to cope with “believers”, and then embrace the practical things the church offers and utilize these things for their own gain. The list above is an example.  The first option is to believe and conform, the second option is to disbelieve and leave.

A Little Mind Boggling

I have to admit this is a little mind boggling. It reminds me of an account in the Book of Mormon. Alma and his brethren were “astonished beyond all measure” by a group of Nephites who started what amounted to a new religious movement, a splinter Nephite group known as the Zoramites. At this point in time, The New Order Mormons don’t appear to be starting a new religious movement, but they do appear to be forming a secretive shadow church, within the LDS church.

Deception and Love

New Order Mormons (NOM) are beginning to gather together via the internet, forming support groups to help one another with the goal of staying in a church whose claims they no longer accept. Remember, the three options NOM are discussing among themselves:

1.  Stay in the church and “believe”.

2.  Leave the church.

3.  Stay in the church as a non-believer and learn “coping” skills.

The underlying premise of Option Three is to preserve the family by staying in the church. “Family and other loved ones are more important than most other considerations,” says one NOM writer.

But I ask, can deception and love be lasting companions? Is deceiving your loved ones and friends the best solution? Are you really comfortable attending your son or daughter’s temple marriage by deceiving a Bishop and Stake President to obtain a temple recommend? I think most NOM want to be honest with those they love, but some are buying into the idea of deception and secrecy because of the NOM philosophy.

I believe there is another option. It is a better option because it doesn’t require any form of deception. It’s a fourth option.

The Fourth Option

The underlying premise of the Fourth Option is honesty. There are many ways to be honest and at the same time preserve your relationship with your family and friends. Here is a straight forward, honest approach; the Fourth Option:

1. Tell someone you respect about your NOM leanings. This could be a church leader, family member, or even someone you don’t know personally. You could even remain anonymous, if you want. It may require talking with more than one individual before you find the right person. When you do, you will know because ideas will come forth that you’ll be comfortable with.

2. Are you willing to discuss your reasons for doubting or not believing? If yes, begin there. Many members find if they will discuss their concerns they can find answers to the most perplexing questions, and in the process reacquire faith. Go here and here for more information.

If you’re not willing to discuss your concerns then make that clear from the start.

3. A key question that needs to be settled is:  how can I attend church with integrity? There are many members of the church who struggle with faith, but have found church activity rewarding so they continue going, and do so honestly by accepting their feelings and honestly dealing with them by working with the Fourth Option.

Concluding Thoughts

I think the bottom line issue for anyone entertaining the idea of adopting the NOM philosophy is honesty. Can you truly say that you’re not troubled by using deception as a tool to manipulate your loved ones? If you’re troubled, I hope you will immediately find a better way. Deception and love don’t make good companions. You can do better!

Posted in Doubt | 6 Comments

Serendipitous Answers to Prayer

Posted on by Jared

I think everyone has experienced serendipity. Serendipitous blessings come about in many ways. It can happen in a chance meeting with someone. Sometimes very important things transpire through chance meetings.

For several months I have been praying about a concern I have and last week I received a serendipitous answer from Heavenly Father. As I’ve ponder the details of this experience I am grateful that God hears and answers prayer this way.

Serendipitous blessings do not usually have a “feeling” associated with them. They can be thought of as “packets of help” from Heavenly Father. Someone else is generally involved, but typically they are unaware of it.

I’ll give an example of something that happened to me a few years ago to illustrate this form of answer to prayer. For many years I’ve experienced a ongoing health problem that doctors are unable to help with. The symptoms are with me almost daily and at times can be severe. To find relief, I’ve been prayerfully using alternative medical remedies, usually found on the internet. The problem with this approach is that there are so many things that claim to be helpful, but lack evidence, that if one is not careful they can make their condition worse or go broke hoping to find an effective remedy.

A friend, knowing my situation, told me about a device they had purchased and found useful for their particular health problem and wondered if it might also help me. I read the fact sheet they provided me and thought to myself, “This is probably an overpriced piece of junk with a good story.”

I prayed about it, as I have done with other such things, and was neither hot nor cold, but decidedly lukewarm, which usually means nothing will be done about it unless something comes about to tip the scale.

The answer to my prayers regarding this medical device came while my wife and I were out of town on vacation. On our return trip home we pulled off the freeway at a convenience store we usually don’t stop at. When we went inside to our surprise we ran into the couple who recommended we purchase the medical device several months earlier. We had a long discussion about it and they told us how it had been helpful to them. Based on this serendipitous meeting  I decided to try it out. That was over two years ago. My health condition has steadily improved, and I believe the medical device has helped.  I believe Heavenly Father was involved in this chance meeting in answer to my prayers.

Heavenly Father answers our prayers in many ways. Serendipitous answers are one way he uses. We can take advantage of these kinds of experiences and thank God for them. As we do we will find ourselves opening the channels of communication with Heaven Father and will grow in our ability to recognize His hand in our life.

Posted in Prayer | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Is America on the Cusp of Economic Chaos? A Voice of Warning, Are We Listening?

Posted on by Jared

I don’t know the answer to this question, but sentences beginning with economic, and ending with assorted descriptive terms like depression and collapse are being heard among those who are in the know about things financial. I think Jim Rogers was the first market maven I heard sound the alarm about the seriousness of the sub-prime problem in late 2007. More recently he told CNBC that the US government’s approach to the “bailout” will create an “inflation holocaust”.

In a now famous talk given by President Hinckley in Oct 1998 Priesthood Meeting, our optimistic prophet struck a surprisingly pessimistic tone when he said:

“There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed. I hope with all my heart that we shall never slip into a depression. I am a child of the Great Depression of the thirties. I finished the university in 1932, when unemployment in this area exceeded 33 percent… We are carrying a message of self-reliance throughout the Church. Self-reliance cannot obtain when there is serious debt hanging over a household… I urge you, brethren, to look to the condition of your finances. I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.”


An Astonishing Prophecy

Recently I came across a prophecy reportedly given in 1989 by Iohani Wolfgramm. Brother Wolfgramm, I’ve learned, is a Tongan brother known for his spiritual gifts. Elder Oaks referred to him in a talk entitled, “Miracles”, published in June 2001 Ensign. It is a word of mouth, fragmented pronouncement without a source. I would normally file it under the heading of unreliable prophecy, but I decided to keep it for further evaluation. Following is part of what he is reported to have said regarding an economic collapse:

“The Big economic collapse which leads to chaos will occur in the last year of the 2nd term of the son of George Bush who will become president.”

Someone commenting that the patriarch must mean that President Bush (the 1st Pres. Bush) would be re-elected. Patriarch Wolfgramm then replied (remember, this is 1989) that it wasn’t that Pres. Bush, but that it was the son of Pres. Bush who would become president that he was referring to.

I’ve been able to trace discussion on this prophecy as far back as 2003 on the internet. Does anyone know more? I hesitate to pass this kind of thing on, but I want to learn more about this prophecy. Do any of you reading this have more information?

Summary

I feel to echo the words of President Hinckley, and say it is important for all of those who follow the prophets to double, and redouble our efforts to be prepared as church leaders have told us for these many years.

I’ll close this post with the words of another prophet, Ezra Taft Benson who said:

“The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah” (”Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, 69).

Posted in Preparedness | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Doctrine of Premortality (Pre-existence)

Posted on by Jared

Understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ is made easier if we believe and understand the doctrine that we lived before we were born. I’ve found that most people find it easy to accept this idea because of their faith in life after death. Life before birth, and life after death are companion doctrines. To my knowledge LDS are the only Christian church to teach the doctrine of premortality.

The doctrine of premortality teaches that we were born as spirit children to heavenly parents. In the premortal world of spirits we grew into adult spirits. We experienced many things there that prepared us to come to this life where a veil of forgetfulness is placed over our memory so we can learn to walk by faith while in mortal life.

Following are a few key points related to this doctrine:

1. Mankind are the sons and daughters of God (D&C 76:24).

2. Jesus Christ is the first born of God’s spirit children (1 Colossians 1:13-19, D&C 93:21).

3. We were instructed and prepared for life on earth while in premortality (D&C 138:56).

4. There was a “war” in heaven over the plan of salvation. Lucifer sought to take away the agency of man. (Revelation 12:7, Moses 4:3).

5. Those who followed Lucifer (satan) became evil spirits and will never have a body. (Moses 4:3, Mosiah 3:6).

6. Some were foreordained to be God’s prophets and leaders (Abraham 3:22-23).

7. “Privileges” in this life result from our faithfulness in premortality (Alma 13:3-5).

8. Life on earth is designed to accomplish two things: 1) give us experience, 2) try us to determine our future reward (D&C 76:43).

9. Everyone born into earth-life is innocent (D&C 93:38).

10. God’s purpose is to help each of His children become perfect, even as He is (Moses 1:39, Matt 5:48).

Adam, our progenitor, “the first man,” was, like Christ, a preexistent spirit, and like Christ he took upon him an appropriate body, the body of a man, and so became a “living soul.” The doctrine of the pre-existence revealed so plainly, particularly in latter days-pours a wonderful flood of light upon the otherwise mysterious problem of man’s origin. It shows that man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal body to undergo an experience in mortality. It teaches that all men existed in the spirit before any man existed in the flesh, and that all who have inhabited the earth since Adam have taken bodies and become souls in like manner.

Jesus, however, is the firstborn among all the sons of God-the first begotten in the spirit, and the only begotten in the flesh. He is our elder brother, and we, like Him, are in the image of God. All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.

Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund,
First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (As quoted in Encyclopedia of Mormonism [Macmillan, 1992], vol. 4, pp. 1668, 1670).

Since “all men and women are in [that] similitude,” obviously there were both male and female spirits in heaven. Elder James E. Talmage wrote:

We affirm as reasonable, scriptural, and true, the eternity of sex among the children of God. The distinction between male and female is no condition peculiar to the relatively brief period of mortal life. It was an essential characteristic of our pre-existent condition, even as it shall continue after death, in both disembodied and resurrected states… (”The Eternity of Sex,” Millennial Star, 24 August 1922, p. 530.)

 

Posted in Premortality | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Was I Prompted by the Spirit? What Should I do if I’m not Certain?

Posted on by Jared

I have experienced many answers to prayer. I know the Lord hears my prayers, He is my friend.

Nevertheless, I am currently trying to determine if an “impression” I received a few days ago, is from the Lord, or the workings of my mind.

I have been researching and praying about a particular business pursuit I have been involved with for years. Something I’ve been doing on the side from my main business, but would like to spend more time doing. So far, I haven’t been successful at this endeavor even though I have invested considerable time and money.

A few months ago I went to the temple with the express purpose of receiving help regarding this business endeavor. I left the temple with the conviction that I should continue my research and investigation, in other words, intensify my effort.

I did this and the results were expensive and discouraging. As I reviewed my results, I ask myself, why in the world am I wasting my effort on this losing endeavor?

While in this frame of mind, I felt “enlightenment” come to me, so every delicate in its influence, and lasting only a few moments, encouraging me to continue with the endeavor.

As I write this I am torn between the rational and the spiritual—mixed emotions. Was I prompted by the Spirit? I’m not certain, but I know what I’m going to do. I am going to trust my prompting, take another step in this endeavor, and then wait on the Lord. I always consult with my wife in these matters, she feels the same way.

I have faith that the Lord will lead me to the next step if He is the author of the prompting. If not, then I will abandon this endeavor with a clear conscience. I already have another business endeavor I am ready to move on to.

The Words of the Prophets

I like to review the words of the prophets when I am seeking help from the Lord. Following are two quotes that I am currently focusing my attention on.

“Seldom will you receive a complete response all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father’s capacity to respond.” Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer, Elder Richard G. Scott, March 31, 2007

“…promptings of the Spirit are so subtle and so quiet that sometimes it is very, very difficult to know whether an answer is “yes” or “no.” Sometimes it’s very difficult to know whether you have been spoken to by the Spirit or not….the Spirit usually speaks in feelings, thoughts, ideas, and impressions. The voice of the Spirit is still and small, and if we’re looking for something more, or if we’re not being very quiet and attentive, we’ll likely miss the answer when it comes.” Receiving Answers to Our Prayers, Gene R. Cook, P. 94.<–>

Posted in Prayer | Tagged , | 1 Comment

This is the Testimony Which is in Me

Posted on by Jared

Those who have a testimony possess power. I think it can be compared to the power that a gifted artist possesses. In my 7th grade class there was a fellow student who could play the piano with unusual skill. He had only been playing for a few years, but he knew all kinds of music by heart, and could play with a dexterity that summoned your attention—even for non musical types. He must have been born with power in music.

In whatever endeavor mankind participates in, there are those who possess a natural power for that endeavor. We like to use the term gifted to describe them. I think those who are gifted in music, athletes, math, science, and etc., first become aware of their power through their “feelings”.

Our feelings are an important part of who we are. I think there are other words that help us understand “feelings”. Sometimes we hear people refer to their feelings by using words like appetite and passion. I can remember “first experiences” with my feelings. I remember being in the 4th grade and seeing a pretty girl by the name of Shelly. I went home and told my mother about her. I wanted to be with her because I felt something drawing me to her. That was my first encounter with attraction to the opposite sex.

One of my early remembered experience with things of the Spirit took place in my deacon’s class. After class, I mentioned it to my friends. I wondered out loud why I would feel so good after listening to a dumb lesson. I noticed that the feeling would leave me only to return again the next week in class.

Our feelings are open to the things of the spirit, the Spirit of God and the spirit of satan. The prophets have warned us that the natural man or woman is an enemy to God—unless he/she yields to the enticing of the Spirit. Those who have power in the things of the Spirit become aware of both influences.

The power of our testimony can ebb and flow. We can yield to the power of the Spirit of the Lord or we can resist it. I’ve done both. In my youth I resisted the Spirit of the Lord and unknowingly invited the company of evil spirits by the choices I made. At a critical time in my life I decided to learn for myself if God was really there. I decided to read the Book of Mormon. In prayer, I asked the Lord to show me if it was true. Soon after that prayer the Lord provided me with an experience that forever taught me that there are two powers in the universe, the power of God and the power of satan. From that day, to this day, now over forty years, there is a heighten testimony which is in me about the reality of God and satan, and the truthfulness of the calling of the prophet Joseph Smith, and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I also know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and died for our sins. I learned this by sacred experience as I sought forgiveness of my sins.

Summary

As we follow our God inspired feelings the power of our testimony will be manifest. Testimonies come to the sons and daughters of God in different ways and vary in power and intensity. The reasons for this are not as important as using what we’ve been given to help build up the Kingdom of God on the earth. Our testimony is a sacred gift from God. I’m thankful for my testimony Click here.

Posted in Testimony | Leave a comment

Are You Puffed Up or Humble?

Posted on by Jared

Moving quickly about the internet is easy to take for granted. At least I have, until recently, that is. The broadband that runs my home computer is being upgraded and I’m without the internet for a week or so—what a pain. I now realize just how much I rely on various internet sites.

A few days ago I noted a reduction in the speed internet pages were loading on my computer. It would take minutes instead of seconds to move from site to site. It reminded me of the days when I relied on “dial up” internet.

This experience got me thinking about access to the Lord. The prophet Nephi said:

…whoso knocketh, to him will he open…

This is a universal invitation to all of mankind to seek the Lord, but then this scripture adds some detail that helps us understand how the Lord thinks:

And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them. 2 Nephi 9:42

Whoa, that’s blunt. This scripture is directed to a certain group of people, those who are puffed up because of their success. Am I saying that successful people can’t have access to the Lord? Only those who are puffed up because of their success, not all successful people are puffed up, but all who are puffed up are successful.

To have access to God one needs to have humility. One needs to become as a child when he approaches the Lord (Mosiah 3:19). Those who are learned and puffed up can learn humility from children.

As a church member and bloggernacist you might be asking yourself if you are puffed up or humble. You might conclude that it depends on the day of the week, because you suspect that you’re both, after all, bloggernaclist are a talented lot. I’d like to suggest there is an acid test for church members to determine if they possess some humility. The Lord has said if you are humble he will answer your prayers (D&C 112:10). If our spiritual internet access is adequate then you will admit that the Lord has heard and answered some of your prayers, if not, then I hope there is adequate humility to repent, and come down in the depths of humility.

I’d like to close this post by acknowledging the Lord left the ninety and nine and brought me back home. I was lost and He found me.

Lastly, please click here to read about a learned man who humbled himself before the Lord at a critical time in his life.

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

We are All Obedient. It is Simply a Matter of Whom We Obey

Posted on by Jared

We are All Obedient. It is Simply a Matter of Whom We Obey

I read this statement recently and found it full of meaning (it would make a good bumper sticker).

Good and Evil

In Mormon theology we learn that all things good come from God, and all things evil come from satan . As members of the church we should be interested in determining what is good and what is evil, then choose the good. We’re taught, if we faithfully do this,  we’ll inherit a place in the celestial kingdom.

Determining Good from Evil Isn’t Always Easy

Determining good and evil is easy according to Moroni. I’ve struggled to understand this teaching and have found it hard to apply as I’ve tried to determine good from evil in various situations. Sometimes good and evil can not be discerned. The prophet Joseph Smith learned this lesson when the Lord said,

…you cannot always judge the righteous…you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous...D&C 10:37

Detractors have used the Mark Hofmann episode to cast doubt on the brethren’s inspiration because they didn’t detect Hofmann evil agenda when they met with him. Those who are students of the scriptures didn’t buy into this criticism. The Lord also said,

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

It’s possible the Lord wanted to deal with Hofmann in His own way instead of inspiring church leaders to avoid him.

I’ve learned to never read a scripture in isolation. I always try to find a companion scripture to balance understanding.

Most Things are a Mixture of Good and Evil or are Neither

Good and evil are before us everyday. Those who keep up on local, national, and international news can be overwhelmed with the evil reported. However, there is good all around us but isn’t reported by the news as often. Be assured the good in the world far exceeds the evil.

I like to go to movies; however I never watch R rated movies. I figure most movies are a mixture of good and evil because the writers and producers of movies intentionally portray their ideals of good versus evil. In recent years my wife and I have walked out of a few movies because they were offensive. The most recent was, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. It seems humor contains the most offensive material nowadays. The current Batman serial is typical of our entertainment having a strong message about good and evil, where good always prevails after an epic struggle.

The discussion about movies could serve as a metaphor for business, politics, and other aspects of each of our lives.

Good and evil choices don’t exist in everything. Some areas of our lives are free of decisions regarding good and evil; what model of car to buy or style of home to live in, are examples.

That Which Persuadeth

I think Moroni‘s (Moroni 7) main message to followers of Christ pertains to good and evil that has power to persuade. He defines good, as that which persuades men to believe in Christ. And he defines evil as that which persuades men to disbelieve in Christ. It’s the power to persuade that we can judge with a “perfect knowledge“. We know when we’re being persuaded. Observing good and evil as portrayed in a movie may or may not have persuasive power, it depends on the person. If it persuades you towards evil then you know what to do–walk out. If, on the other hand, it persuades you towards good, it is edifying. What’s true for a movie can be true in other areas of our life. We can embrace those things that are edifying and walk out on those things that are not.

Summary

The title of this post, We are All Obedient. It is Simply a Matter of Whom We Obey, conveys the idea of obedience to either God or satan. We have all been obedient to both at one time or another. Church members have been given the opportunity to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When this gift is received we have heightened capacity to see and participate in good, and eschew evil.

Elder Ballard asked church members to have a presence on the internet that persuaded men to believe in Christ. How are we doing? I think we have come a long way, but there is room for improvement. In my opinion too much time is spent exploring topics that make me think we are looking beyond the mark. Elder Quentin L. Cook put it much better than I can:

Today there is a tendency among some of us to “look beyond the mark” rather than to maintain a testimony of gospel basics. We do this when we substitute the philosophies of men for gospel truths….

Some people seem to be embarrassed by the simplicity of the Savior’s message. They want to add complexity and even obscurity to the truth to make it more intellectually challenging or more compatible with current academic trends…. Some in their spiritual immaturity attempt to appear sophisticated and intellectual. Instead of accepting revelation, they want to dissect it and add dimensions and variations of meaning that distort its beautiful truths. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has pointed out, “The Jewish people … rejected the gospel, in part because it lacked adequate intellectual embroidery.” We look beyond the mark when we refuse to accept simple gospel truths for what they are.

For additional information this topic go here and here

Posted in Good and Evil | Leave a comment