Urim and Thummim

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

2012-01-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Several years ago I was introduced to an idea through astatement made by a man named John Thompson. This idea serves as a wonderfulcorrelating testimony between the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the OldTestament regarding the Tree of Life. Let me mention first several connectedpieces of the puzzle:

Nephi saw two fountains in his vision, each onopposite ends of the path. He learned that one of these fountains brought forthliving water¹, while the other brought forth filthy water².One brought life, the other brought death and fed the muddy river whichrepresented the depths of hell. He referred to the fountain of living water andtree of life as being synonymous of one another.
Nephi also described the strait and narrow path³that his father saw which led between them and the rod of iron whichrepresented the word of God.⁴
The word of God (i.e. truth) is also representedseveral times in scripture as a sword.⁵
In the Garden of Eden account God placedCherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way of the Tree of Life.⁶Note that there was a sword (truth) and way (path) and a tree which gave life.It is important also to note that there was a tree in this garden opposite tothat of the Tree of Life, which brought death.⁷ One brought life,the other brought death and fed our carnal, devilish and sensual appetites.
The Last gem was the statement made by theSavior to Thomas, “I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life: no man cometh untothe Father, but by me.”⁸

When we step back from all three to draw the correlation,something wonderful happens… we realize that Jesus is the path towardexaltation. We realize that he is also the Word of God as testified by John.⁹He is also the Love of God sent to mankind that whosoever should believe in himmight have LIFE.¹⁰ He is the path, the rod, and the Tree or fountainwhich gives life. He is the way, the truth and the life.

The repercussions of this comparison are wonderful when weevaluate what took place in the Garden of Eden. While Adam and Eve DID partakeof REAL fruit from a REAL tree, there was a spiritual parallel that took placethat relates to every member of God’s family. Drawing upon these comparisons I feelI can safely say that the Tree of Life represented the Truths God taught toAdam and Eve in the garden of Eden, centering on all of the Doctrines of Christand his role in the eternities. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil thenrepresented the philosophies of Satan intended to blind us to the consequencesof our actions, or teach us to believe and accept that there were noconsequences. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of his tree a physicalchange took place in them making them mortal. But, more importantly, when theygave their allegiance to the philosophies of Satan they found they could nolonger stay in God’s presence and were cast out (Just as those who embraced hisphilosophies in the premortal realm were eventually cast out of his presence). Godthen placed Cherubim (Angels) and a flaming sword (sanctifying truth) to guardthe path that led back to the Doctrines of Christ (Tree of Life). As long asthey were unrepentant they had NO ACCESS to it. BUT, they quickly recognizedLucifer for who he was, and repented of their allegiance to his philosophies.It is interesting to note that as soon as they were penitent, God began to sendANGELS bringing TRUTH to minister unto them and teach them line upon line theDoctrines of Christ.¹¹That which was previously a GUARD againstthe Tree of Life, was now serving as a GUIDE to the Source of Life. Repentanceand Faith in Christ was the key that changed everything. In the premortal realm, Michael knew thephilosophies of Lucifer well and cast him out, but in a veiled state he partookof them. I believe it was at this point that God knew this mortal part of ourprogression was ready to begin, for if Adam would partake of Satan’sphilosophies, then everybody else would as well. Thereafter the test would notbe so much who did the best job of avoiding sin, but rather, when recognized whoREPENTED of their sin and turned back to God. Repentance and the Healing Powerof the Atonement become absolutely CENTRAL to the Garden of Eden experience,¹²and now in a more Cosmic Sense, we are all experiencing our own Garden of Eden.Will we do as our father and mother of old did and turn back toward God, Followthe Way, Hold to the Rod, and Partake of the Love of God? Here is where ouragency means everything.

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

1. 1 Nephi11:25 - I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the wordof God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life;which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld thatthe tree of life was a representation of the love of God.

2. 1 Nephi12:16 - the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the riverof which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell.

3. 1 Nephi 8:20- And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod ofiron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of thefountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

4. 1 Nephi 15:23-24- And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw,that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; andwhoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, theywould never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversaryoverpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

5. Ephesians6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, whichis the word of God | Hebrews 4:12 - Forthe word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints andmarrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | DC6:2 - Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick andpowerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of bothjoints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words. | Helaman3:29 - Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God,which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and thesnares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait andnarrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared toengulf the wicked—

6. Genesis3:24 - So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden ofEden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way ofthe tree of life.

7. Genesis 2:9,16 - And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that ispleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst ofthe garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. | 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of thegarden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge ofgood and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatestthereof thou shalt surely die.

8. John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comethunto the Father, but by me.

9. John 1:1- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

10. John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, thatwhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

11. Moses 5:58 - And thus the Gospel began to be preached,from the beginning, being declared by holy angels sent forth from the presenceof God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost.

12. Moses 5:4-15 - 4 And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon thename of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward theGarden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shutout from his presence. 5 And he gaveunto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and shouldoffer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adamwas obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. 6 And after many days an angel of the Lordappeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? AndAdam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 7 And then theangel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the OnlyBegotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. 8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doestin the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name ofthe Son forevermore. 9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which bearethrecord of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Fatherfrom the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thoumayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will. 10 And in that dayAdam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all thefamilies of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgressionmy eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh Ishall see God. 11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad,saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, andnever should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and theeternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient. 12 And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God,and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. 13 And Satancame among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying:Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God.And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish. 14 Andthe Lord God called upon men by the Holy Ghost everywhere and commanded themthat they should repent; 15 And as many as believed in the Son, and repented oftheir sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not,should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firmdecree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.

Grace and Gardening

2011-11-17T14:32:00.001-08:00

This past summer my children attended a daily Bible campwith the local Calvary Chapel where they were given a direct opportunity toexperience another perspective on Christianity. It was fun and very basic forthem and each night we had many good things to discuss as the childrenrecognized for themselves deep similarities and significant differences in themanner in which we worship our Heavenly Father and teach about the gift of hisSon, Jesus Christ. After the third day, when gathered around the dinner tablethe children began to explain that they had learned much about grace and thatby accepting Jesus we can be saved. This sparked an important discussion aroundthe table that led to an interesting metaphor about gardening that helped meexplain to my children that we are saved by grace after all we can do. It is important in this discussion to pointout that the Grace of Jesus Christ really is the most important component ofour salvation, but it is not the only component. As self-governing agents whoare endowed with the capacity to act and not just be acted upon, our own willand actions play a tremendously important role in our salvation.

Grace is the MostImportant Component…

We are utterly lost without a Savior. Furthermore, theblessings of the infinite atonement are gifts that enable us in this lifebringing blessings of peace, comfort, understanding, and strength to repent andlive after the manner of happiness. This is why we give ourselves to theservice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are nothing without the Lord, period.

The priceless atonement brings profound blessings in thislife and will eventually draw us back into the presence of the Father. It providesus with an immortal body in the next life and gives us an opportunity to repentof our sins in this one. Having said this, our progress toward exaltation requiresimportant personal components such as good works and covenants. Thisis the part WE are responsible for. There will be no grand checklist at thegreat judgment day that the Master will go down and measure everyone againstwith blind judgment. We will see how strikingly like or dislike the Lord we haveBECOME through the application of the atonement, good works and covenant livingand our judgment will be straightforward and prefect (for light cleaveth untolight). The whole point of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it makesomething of us. Not simply give us something to do.

Gifts of Grace asCompared to the Sun, Water, Soil , and Breath of Life

Consider the garden I helped plant this past summer. With a goodneighbor, Bro. Harper, we cleared land of junk, stones, debris, stones, wood, stones,bricks, more stones, and even more stones. Then we tilled the land and clearedaway another fresh batch of stones. We mixed sand and mulch into the rock andclay and fertilized the soil for optimal growth. We cleared rows and plantedseeds all with the hopes that our garden would someday become somethingbeautiful. Having done all this we both understand that without the gift ofthe sun (Son), access to water, soil and the breath of life given the seeds bya God in the heavens our attempts at a garden would be futile. All of thesethings have been provided by the grace of a beneficent Father. The sun, inparticular, is given freely as a gift to all of us, bond or free, male orfemale, rich or poor, black or white, old or young and serves as a componentthat all gardeners depend upon for a healthy harvest. It would not matter how many good works ourgarden received if there were no sun shining down upon it, enabling it to grow.

Other Gifts Offered

While not offered freely to all, like the sun, the othernecessary foundational components of gardening are accessible. We must have soiland water. Wemust nourish the soil and take advantage of that water supply orour poor garden will dry up and wither to nothingness. I compare these to theblessings of the gospel and covenants. Once these are secured, then it falls toour own efforts to maintain, nourish, weed, and protect our garden that it maybecome fruitful.

With All the Gifts WeHave Been Offered...

The Lord asks us to make something of our existence. Hecommands us to be perfect even as he and our Father in Heaven are perfect. Heasks us to work hard and do much good. He offers to us the enabling gift of theatonement (sun). He grants us access to the truth, essential covenants andordinances required for eternal growth unto godhood (soil and water). He offersus the fertilizing gift of the Holy Ghost. He gives us time and offers uscorrection and repentance. The rest is up to us. We determine which vegetablesare grown by the seeds we sow (influences we willingly let into our life). Wedetermine whether our life is a bounteous garden or a weed patch by how well wenurture godly habits or let the natural man overrun us. When all is said anddone we will be judged by what we have BECOME. Becoming great requireshabits of holiness. Without the gifts of the atonement wrought by the Son, theempowering assistance of the Holy Ghost, truth, or covenants made available bythe Father we would be left to our own devices without sun, soil, water, orfertilizing nutrients and all our work would be for naught. But glory be to theFather above, for he has provided the means whereby we may be saved and exaltedin courts on high for we ARE saved by grace... after all we can do.

Only a Lovely Song

2011-10-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

20 years ago, when I was an unruly teenager, my mother sat me down after church and asked me what I had learned the prior week in class. She was the teacher of my class at the time and had noticed that only a few in the class actually participated. I told her the things that I remembered and then she taught me something that I have tested in many venues for the last 20 years.

She said, “The reason you remember what was taught to you is because you participated in the instruction. If you had remained quiet, you likely wouldn’t be able to recall anything.” While a simple lesson at the time, over that last 2 decades I have come to realize how instrumental this principle has been to my growth in the gospel.

If I want to grow in the gospel, I cannot treat church like my television set waiting for it to teach or entertain me. I must actively participate if I am to see growth within myself.

1) I can listen passively to the lesson being taught and I may remember what was taught for that day. When the day has passed my chances of remembering are very limited as my week will be full of things to remember.

2) I can listen actively to the lesson and comment when impressions come and I may remember what was taught for a week or a month, furthermore, I will likely remember the principle I commented on much longer as it is locked into my mind.

3) I can listen actively and participate at church and when I return home visit with someone (family, friend, or others) about what impressed me and I will likely retain the principles taught for the rest of my life. I have then locked them into my mind and heart.

I now try to implement step three in my gospel learning. I don’t feel the need to comment in every class, but I understand the need to actively participate in the lesson and then later relate what I have learned to my kids, my wife and/or my neighbors. If I am to relate it later, then I must know what has been taught.

I am reminded of a verse from Ezekiel, where the Israelites have gathered to the prophets to learn, but then when they leave they are unchanged… the have gained nothing. The Lord says:

They [the people] come unto thee [the prophets]… and they sit before thee… and they hear thy words, but they will not do them… And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (Excerpt from Ezekiel 33:30-32)

Many times we will listen to our prophets, our ward leaders or our teachers and think, “My what a good teacher they are!” or “That was a beautiful lesson!” but then walk away unchanged. We treat their words like they are a “Lovely Song” but depart with no additional light.

Light does not take hold in us just because we have heard it. We must COMPREHEND it! We must EMBRACE it, and we must LET IT GOVERN our thoughts and actions and only then will LIGHT find place within us.

May we all be more avid “Learners” within the gospel that light may forever find place within us.

Passing on Light and Truth

2011-05-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Truth and Light… Light and Truth

These two principles interwoven comprise Intelligence and are the very principles that give one glory and power in the eternities.

In this article I will be discussing the divine roles of parents. To do so I will focus on the eternally significant transfer of Light and Truth from one generation to the next. I will take as my highest role model, my prime exemplar and chief archetype our Heavenly Father, God, the Father of us all.

God’s work is to help us become as he is: Immortal, glorified, and good; that we might return and live in His presence to enjoy life eternal.

Joseph F. Smith, like Abraham of old, learned in his great vision that noble and great ones were chosen in the beginning… He taught, “Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.” (D&C 138:55-56)

What Lesson? What would we have learned that would prepare us to labor in this vineyard? Do you suppose that we learned how to build a successful investment portfolio? Or how to be a good sales manager? A therapist, or CEO?
No. We DID learn that we were not all the same, that if two spirits existed one would be greater or more intelligent than the other, and there would always be another more intelligent than they until we reach God the Father who declares, “I am more intelligent than they all”. (Abraham 3:19)

“The Glory of God is intelligence or, in other words, light and truth” (D&C 93:36). So now we come back to them again “Light and Truth”, the two eternal principles that have exalted God.

TRUTH:
Pilate asked the famous question of Christ, “What is Truth” (John 18:38) and the resurrected Christ gave the answer in our dispensation saying, “truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24)
Of course, knowing truth is more than knowing the proper way to make a recipe or memorizing all of the books in the New Testament… TRUTH comprises those principles which bring LIFE, UNITY and POWER in the eternities. Furthermore TRUTH does not take hold in us just because we have heard it. How many times have we heard of the healing power of repentance, or of the empowering principle of fasting (and I might name any number of principles of the gospel) and yet somehow we struggle to fully embrace such principles, allowing them to flourish in our lives. We must UNDERSTAND it! We must ACCEPT it, and we must LET IT GOVERN our actions and then TRUTH will find place within us. Truth empowers us.

Truth, alone however is not sufficient to give intelligence and thereby produce power and glory within us unto godhood. Indeed the scriptures warn us that “Knowledge puffeth up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) And the Lord laments, “O the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.” (2 Nephi 9:28)

Dieter Uchtdorf discussed how “A sure testimony of Jesus Christ and of His restored gospel takes more than knowledge—it requires personal revelation (TRUTH), confirmed through honest and dedicated application of gospel principles. (LIGHT)”

In some ways, our testimony is like a snowball that grows larger with every turn. We start out with a small amount of light... Gradually, “light cleaveth unto light,” 11 and “he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day,”

LIGHT:
The key to gaining intelligence is LIGHT! Light is a measure of our goodness. The scriptures recount that “whatsoever is light, is good” (Alma 32:35) and the Lord commands us to let our light shine that others may see our good works. (Matthew 5:16). Furthermore, “That which is of God is light” (D&C 50:24) God being the source of all that is good. For “behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually;” (Moroni 7:13)

To grow in light we must give of ourselves. We must do the works of Him that sent us. We must “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5) We must be willing to “mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). We must be willing to suffer long and be kind, to be not easily provoked, I could go on and on and on, for the scriptures are full of the words of life, the principles that give us light now and in the eternities. They teach us all things that we should do and prepare us to “live by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God”. LIGHT empowers us.

The best way however to grow in light or truth is to pass them on to others.

DISSEMINATION:
I said earlier that I would focus my talk on the eternally significant transfer of Light and Truth from one generation to the next.

The Lord has established his Church once more upon the earth and has called an army of Relief Society Sisters, Missionaries, Elders, High Priests, Bishops, Stake Presidents, Seventy, Apostles and Prophets to spread light and truth over the earth. Yet as effective as they are in magnifying their callings they pale in comparison to the work being done by mothers and fathers. There is no way for them to compete.
The Lord knows that if we “Train up a child in the way he should go: … he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

But who is to train up these children in Light and Truth? Yes they can learn reading, writing and arithmetic from their school teachers. But who is to train them in the way of Light and Truth. They see their Sunday school teachers once a week. Their opportunities to learn from the Bishop, Stake Presidency or prophets come only a few time each year.

Fathers and Mothers have a divine role in passing on Light and Truth to the rising generation in a more effective, more intimate way, than any other institution created by God or man… and Fathers, as you preside in the home, you will one day return and report on this charge.

“Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). They are given as a loan to us.

We are clearly instructed in the Family Proclamation, “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God.

The Lord warns “that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in Light and Truth (D&C 93:39-40)

Now once our children reach the age of young men and young women then all of the systems the Lord has created begin to really have a strong influence on our children. I say this because some of you dear ones here tonight have already raised your children, your call to pass on Light and Truth stands unchanged. Some of you have been denied the opportunity to raise children, The Lord loves you and so do we, your call to pass on Light and Truth stands unchanged. Some of you are picking up the pieces of a broken family or have denied yourself opportunities to raise children through your life choices. We love you and seek to bring healing to your hearts and to your homes. You are still called to pass on Light and Truth. Do not forsake your commission. As we pass on light through our service and truth through our teachings we grow in the very things we are giving.

Listen to these quotes from our most recent conference:

Jean A. Stevens - Our Heavenly Father knows children are a key to helping us become like Him. There is so much we can learn from children.

Quentin L Cook - …no [one] should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that [their] contribution is less significant because [they are] devoting [their]… efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven’s plan.

Henry B. Eyring - The parents blessed our family by their generous service. By their choice to let their children participate in the giving, they extended blessings to their future grandchildren… Draw your family into the work with you so that they can learn to care for each other as they care for others. Your sons and daughters who work with you to serve others in need will be more likely to help each other when they are in need.

Russell M. Nelson - Start with your children. You parents bear the primary responsibility to strengthen their faith. Let them feel your faith, even when sore trials come upon you.

I have an invitation I would like to extend to men.

Fathers of Children – each morning and each night gather your children, sing a song with them, read from the scriptures or a talk from General Conference, and pray together as a family. No other single practice has blessed our family as greatly as this one. We call it family circle.

The Rest of my Brothers – If children are in your future, plan carefully and do whatever is necessary to create a home where such an inheritance from the Lord might thrive. If children our now behind you or out of your reach, then seek a calling, magnify that calling and serve our Heavenly Father valiantly that you may find other children of our Heavenly Father to whom you can begin to pass Light and Truth on to. Every drop given brings an hundredfold in return. Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify our father which is in Heaven.

There is a particular scripture that I would like to end with. It speaks of planets but impressed me greatly with regard to this topic:

DC88:42 [God] hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;
DC88:44And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years

We each have received our first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.” I pray the Lords blessing might be with each of us as pass Light and Truth to the next generation.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The One Being Sweet

2011-01-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter. (2 Nephi 2:15)

I find this verse interesting that it seems to paint the forbidden fruit as being the one that is sweet and the tree of life as producing fruit that is bitter… but then again, see how completely consistent it is with doctrine and life experience. In the Genesis account the scriptures record, “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired” (Genesis 3).

Similarly Isaiah compares the wickedness of the children of men to that of a pleasant plant that will produce much fruit… but that fruit is a heap in a day of grief and desperate sorrow. Isaiah records the following (italics added):

Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. (Isaiah 17:10-11)

It is interesting how the philosophies of Satan are compared to a pleasant plant, or something sweet but that is calculated to have us cast from God's presence. Hedonism is a philosophy that makes the world and the pleasures of this world to our physical senses treasures. Yet our spirit yearns for the treasures of Heaven, namely Light and Truth. In Ancient Jewish tradition the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was a grape vine with fruit that was sweet to the taste and most desirable, with a juice that was by tradition called blood, (Gen 49:11, Deut 32:14) while the tree of Life was an olive tree: bitter to taste, but nourishing, healing and renewing to our life, also producing light and used to anoint and set one apart as sacred, for God’s use. It is interesting to note that when we are baptized and participate in the initiatory covenant we are washed from the blood and sins of this generation, from the ways of this world. Ezekiel shares a metaphor with Israel in which he says, “Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. (Ezekiel 16:9).

Metaphorically speaking after we put away the grape, and only then are we granted access once again to the nourishing olive. Only then do we see its value... and only then does the bitter become sweet to our soul.

What This Work Is All About

2011-01-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of quotes from one of those talks years ago that has in many respects changed my whole perspective on my purpose in life and the work of the Master.

The whole talk can be read by clicking on the following link. http://lds.org/ensign/2002/08/what-this-work-is-all-about?lang=eng

Gordon B. Hinckley, "What This Work Is All About", Ensign, Aug. 2002, 2–7

Our Responsibility
Under the sacred and compelling trust we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, ours is a work of redemption, of lifting and saving those who need help. Ours is a task of raising the sights of those of our people who fail to realize the great potential that lies within them. Ours is the responsibility of building self-reliance, of encouraging and cultivating happy homes where fathers and mothers love and respect one another and children grow in an atmosphere of peace and affection and appreciation.
Is not this what the work is all about? Said the Savior, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Without great abundance of the things of the world, these, my friends, live abundantly. People such as they are the strength of the Church. In their hearts is a quiet and solid conviction that God lives and that we are accountable to Him; that Jesus is the Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life (see John 14:6); that this work is Their work; that it is true; and that gladness and peace and healing come in walking in obedience to the commandments of God (see D&C 89:18), as set forth in the teachings of the Church.
This work of ours is a great work of redemption. All of us must do more because the consequences can be so remarkable and everlasting. This is our Father’s work, and He has laid upon us a divine injunction to seek out and strengthen those in need and those who are weak. As we do so, the homes of our people will be filled with an increased measure of love; the nation, whatever nation it be, will be strengthened by reason of the virtue of such people; and the Church and kingdom of God will roll forward in majesty and power on its divinely appointed mission.

Before this article I found myself complaining about those who didn't seem to catch the same vision I did of cooperation with and participation in the Kingdom of God. I realize now my arrogance, but it took this article to stifle my frustrations and remind me that lifting my neighbor, whether member or not, is what this work is all about. We are all inadequate in some part of our spirituality and one of the great gifts of the gospel is that we have each other to keep pushing and prodding, lifting and building.

I am renewed in my determination to be less frustrated, and seek to build myself, and others, toward Christ, whatever their state may be.

My Reply to David Eccles Hardy

2010-12-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

James says: Dear Brother Hardy, I am writing this letter not knowing if you will ever receive it. My intent is not to disparage or harm you in any way, but rather to critique your manner, your methods, and the principles by which you have drafted this letter to Elder Packer. I hope that my comments will be of help in some way to you, not so much as a direct response, but as an outsider looking in upon your dialogue with Elder Packer. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and know that he leads this work and will seek the Spirit of God as I respond to your letter.

Dear Elder Packer:
Although we have met briefly before, it is through the context of my family that you would be able to place me. I am the younger brother of Ralph W. Hardy, Jr. and Clare Hardy Johnson, and the son of Ralph W. Hardy, Sr. and Maren Eccles Hardy. I most recently served as bishop of the Salt Lake University 29th Ward, Salt Lake University 5th Stake. My wife, Carlie, is the granddaughter of the late Elder Franklin D. Richards, and the great-granddaughter of President Heber J. Grant. I provide the context of our families and heritage for no purpose other than establishing the solid upbringing in the Gospel and the Church that my wife and I have both had. If you know the devotion to the Church of my brother Ralph and my late sister Clare, you know mine.

James says: I sense what you are doing here but fear that it does more harm than good for two reasons. Typically when someone begins to drop names in a conversation it is to elevate themselves or their position to a self-proclaimed position of prominence or authority but does not make the words they speak more or less true because of who they know. It hints at pride when humility in a religious discussion is by far the more effective route to take. Bearing simple testimony of what you know to be true in a religious setting is far more powerful as it brings the Spirit into the discussion. If you don't want the Spirit in the discussion then that is a different matter altogether. The second part of this equation is that you have shown through your connections that you are tied squarely to the Church as a social organization and perhaps in a political sense whereas showing that you are a devout disciple of Jesus Christ is what you should be aiming at. Over the years there have been many saints dedicated to the Church or the prophets who have cut their strings and gone away in times of difficulty because they lifted their eyes no higher than the Church authorities and the representatives of Christ rather than to Christ himself. But in each case those who appealed to God and His Son for understanding and who received the answer through the Spirit secondarily found themselves more devoted to the Church and dedicated to following the leaders of it. Do you see this pattern? It is evident in both ancient times as well as throughout modern Church history. I bring this up because your focus on familial connections and prominence and then your stated "devotion to the Church" hints of the former group rather than the truly dedicated latter.

I write this letter out of the realization that to maintain my own personal integrity, I need to inform you of the personal heartache and damage you have to some degree been responsible for visiting upon my immediate family as the author of To the One. Although originally delivered by you as an address in 1978, the pamphlet To The One remains to this day the Church's most current and definitive written statement by a General Authority on the issue of homosexuality. It is available to the general Church membership and the public, and my wife and I have been referred to it numerous times as we have come to grips with this issue over the past few years. As one who has always been mindful of my Temple covenants, an unwavering believer, and a follower of my Priesthood leaders…

James says: Here we are again...devotion to the church but nothing about the true leader of it, Jesus Christ.

…this is not an easy letter to write. For me it represents an anguished "Crossing of the Rubicon." I hope you will take the time to read it, for in it I have invested my very soul.
Early on a Saturday morning six weeks ago, I watched as our car pulled away with my wife driving our eldest son to a new city, a new community, and a new school to complete his senior year of high school. Ever since that morning, I have grown progressively angrier that to protect our son's life and sense of self worth, we are compelled to send him away from our home and family. You see, this community of "Saints" we live in is so steeped in ignorance, fear, loathing, judgment and qualified "love" towards our son and those who like him face the challenge of homosexuality…

James says: Here you are making blind blanket judgments about others in the same manner you fear they are making misinformed judgments about your son. Remember to judge righteous judgment that with the judgment you judge you shall be judged again. I am sorry for the way others have seemingly mistreated and misjudged your son and for the hurt he has felt. This letter makes it apparent that you are reacting emotionally instead of by principle or reason. This doesn't make the problem any less real but it does cause the reader to give less heed to your rhetoric. Don't misjudge others in your attempt to illuminate their misjudgments. Secondly, I would hope that you don't blame Elder Packer for the way others are behaving. He has always taught tolerance and acceptance, even in "To The One".

… he twice arrived at the point where he was devoid of hope and felt he had no alternative but to take his own life. Fortunately, he did not succeed. My son is not manic-depressive, nor was he ever before suicidal. He simply understands too well the Gospel and believed what his Seminary teachers and Priesthood leaders taught him about homosexuality, based upon the doctrine set forth in To The One.
My wife and I are the parents of six children - two daughters and four sons - ranging in age from twenty-three to eight. Our oldest son at age thirteen had the courage to come to us with his growing fear that he had no attraction whatsoever to girls…

James says: Notice the age at which your son approached you about this growing fear. I am not yet convinced that homosexuality is anything more or less than what Elder Packer taught it was in "To the One". This is the same age at which Satan begins to work on boys for other deviate behavior and urges including masturbation and indulgence in pornography. We could cry that they are “natural inclinations” and that “we never had before shown any desire toward such inclinations” but to what end? The natural self in our theology is to be "put off" not embraced.

… - the thought in fact disgusted him - but that he was very attracted to those of his same sex. That he would come to us without fear or shame, confide in us, and seek our counsel attests to the strong relationship my wife and I have both always had with our son. (This is ironic in light of the "parental causation" theories routinely hauled-out by the Church's LDS Social Services counselors and Evergreen as the primary cause of homosexuality.)

James says: This tangent is completely unrelated to your argument and misleading in that an uninformed reader at attribute “parental causation” theories to Boyd K. Packer or other Church leadership when you know clearly that the studies being used by LDS Social Services to support these theories are derived from neither source. Also, remember that just because LDS Social Services is a faith-based organization managed by members and supported by the Church, it is not an arm of the priesthood, nor is it staffed with individuals set apart by God to run it by his authority. Rather it is staffed with qualified professionals who draw upon their faith, experience, education, and the latest studies in human behavior to help them in the services they provide to the less fortunate.
This brings me to my next point. You have just used anecdotal evidence of a single case (your own life experiences) against a tested (and most likely) statistically significant qualified sample used in a study that has been peer reviewed and held to a high standard of academic evaluation. I am not saying that the study is right, since I also disagree with parental causation theories if applied generally. But just because my life experience doesn’t fit the mold created by the study doesn’t make the study less valid. It just shows that I am an exception, of which there always exists a certain percentage in every study. In my experience, studies of this nature show trends in human behavior and seek to establish causation for these trends (or at the minimum correlation) through statistical means. If you want to undo the study then conduct a counter study of your own using the same standard of rigor, validity, and reliability used to create the studies being referenced by LDS Social Services

This son was always spiritually mature for his age. He is the finest young man I have ever known - giving, loving, supportive, honest, reliable. Most definitely unselfish…

James says: Just because someone has a weakness does not require that they are ONLY weak. All people have both strengths and weaknesses to wrestle with and try to balance. All have inherited a natural self that in some way needs to be put off if we are to inherit the glory of the Father. Celebrate his strengths as you do here, but be careful not to let strengths blind you to existing weaknesses.

… A leader among his peers in his school and primary classes and in his Priesthood quorums. Since he was old enough to talk and walk, we were very much aware of certain differences that concerned us. He carried himself differently, walking and running. When we could get him to pick up a ball, he threw it differently. He spoke differently. He was not in the least interested in sports (in spite of countless practices and Saturdays we spent supporting him in sporting events that utterly disinterested him). He loved dolls and playing house. He loved music, literature, drama and poetry. He made friends easily with girls, but very rarely with boys…

James says: You are leaning way too heavily on stereotypes assuming that only girls exhibit these traits while experience shows that many boys exhibit such traits unless taught to think otherwise. None of these traits mean anything explicitly homosexual. From my youth I have loved music, literature, drama, art and poetry, have always made friends easily with girls and yet I have never had the slightest inkling of a homosexual tendency. That is not my cross to bear. Please be careful with your use of stereotypes.

…Carlie and I listened with hope to LDS counselors and leaders who dismissed or downplayed all of this as merely a "phase." We believed in and relied on them.

James says: Again be careful not to blame Elder Packer for your experiences with LDS Social Services. It would be like your congregation for whom you had been given stewardship as bishop blaming the General Leadership or the Church in general every time you made a judgment as a judge in Israel that they felt was incompatible with their lives. Take care to direct responsibility to the right decision makers.

The years passed, but the "phase" didn't - this in spite of our doing everything recommended to us by LDS counselors, Priesthood leaders and, of course, the teachings of the General Authorities such as you (scarce as they are is on this subject). While we were assured by LDS counselors that this was little more than a correctable Pavlovian response and that "nothing could be easier to cure," and took hope in your confident statement in To The One: "When we understand fundamental moral law better than we do, we will be able to correct this condition routinely. . . ," matters went from bad to worse. One evening in 1997, while I was out of town and my wife was being assured by our well-meaning Stake President at his office that "if we just keep it quiet - the same as if someone in your family had committed adultery [our son had done nothing]- it will all be just fine, trust me . . . ," our son slit his wrists in his room at home. Earlier in the day, it had been the " Sodom and Gomorrah" lesson in Seminary.

James says: It is a human tendency to place blame on others for happenings of such gravity as we all want to look to external sources for our frustrations when typically our frustrations derive from a complex mixture of both internal and external forces. There are many forces that work in our lives to influence our attitudes, perceptions, feelings, actions, and ongoing behavior and to simplify it to "the lesson," or "the kids at school," or "statements made by the brethren" may be comforting but such oversimplification is inaccurate. It would be similarly inaccurate to simplify the situation to isolated internal forces though they are also at play. We might as easily say that "he is just prone to depression," or "he is just selfish" (since suicide, at its root often is), but this would be equally simplistic and misleading. The forces that influence us are both external and internal and weave together into a highly complex force. There is nothing wrong with identifying some of these forces as contributing influences but be careful not to over-simplify.

As bishop of a student Ward at the University of Utah working with homosexual returned missionaries, I came to the painful realization that the "reparative therapy" practiced by LDS Social Services and organizations such as Evergreen (whose board of directors I then served on) was not merely ineffective, it was terribly damaging. In every instance I found that this "therapy" accomplished little more than driving these earnest brothers and sisters, desperate to believe that they would "change," deeper into self-loathing and despondency.

James says: Shouldn’t this letter be rather directed toward LDS Social Services and not Elder Packer? It all seems misdirected. I think that you may be right that the manner in which we deal with these issues as a culture need be updated, but why are you telling this the Elder Packer?

Their failure to "change" as promised them by you and other Priesthood leaders - a failure ultimately arrived at by each and every one of these young men and women who were honest with his or her situation - left only three realistic alternatives: (1) practice deceit as long as possible to remain in good standing with Church and family,

James says: Nothing deceitful need be done to remain in good standing, (otherwise it is quite the paradox). There are no consequences for feelings or temptations—only behavior. Your son need only live honorably despite his inclinations and he will remain in good standing. None of us need be loyal or true to our fallen, natural feelings. If he need practice deceit, then let him deceive the devil and thereby reap a great reward.

(2) give up completely, abandon Church and family, and turn to the only community that will accept you - the gay community,

James says: These options are so extreme and black and white allowing for no middle ground. Who is to say that no other community would accept him or that the gay community would accept him? You forgo many realistic options.

or (3) commit suicide.

James says: Or take the fourth option of seeking to change a weakness into strength by giving one's life over to God and submitting to him as a child doth submit to his father. As a bishop why would you omit this option? And why is suicide one of the "realistic" options? There is nothing realistic about that option.

By your own admission, it is obvious that neither you nor the Church as a whole has yet arrived at "a better understanding of the fundamental moral law," because your understanding of it is leading and guiding the Church in this matter, and this "condition" is anything but "routinely corrected." In To The One you make the summary statement that "some forms of these treatments [reparative therapy] are of substantial help in about 25 percent of the cases"…

James says: Elder Packer’s talk does not mention or specify “reparative therapy.” You would be better not to mislead your readers into thinking that is what Elder Packer was referring to.

…without offering any authority for this statistic. Where did this amazing (though still disheartening) statistic come from? Undoubtedly it came from the experts at LDS Social Services…

James says: Why do you speak so coarsely of the individuals who try their best at LDS Social Services? Can you produce any counter studies? Are you more qualified than they? In every instance the primary responsibility for the teaching and nurturing of children is in the parents. Only secondarily can we then point to outside institutions whether school, church, or LDS Social Services. We cannot safely blame any of these institutions for failing unless we first point the finger through the parents. I am not saying that you are bad parents (because I don't know), but I see no justification for your bitter treatment of LDS Social Services since such institutions are there to pick up the pieces of broken lives.

… Unfortunately, however, LDS Social Services must not follow-up on their patients over any extended period of time. My experience as bishop of a student Ward, the father of a homosexual son, and a friend and confidant to the many LDS homosexuals I have since become acquainted with, would indicate to me that in some few cases, the terrible guilt associated with reparative therapy and the strong desire to remain in good standing with the Church and one's family has brought about an ability to repress one's homosexual desires - for a season. Usually just long enough to get married and ruin a family. Perhaps this is the 25% you spoke of. The current publication for ecclesiastical leaders Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems seems to recognize the realistic lack of curability in its statement:
"Marriage should not viewed as a way to resolve homosexual problems. The lives of others should not be damaged by entering a marriage where such concerns exist. Encouraging members to cultivate heterosexual feelings as a way to resolve homosexual problems generally leads them to frustration and discouragement."
However, the Church's confusion and struggle to make sense of this issue,…

James says: The Church is not confused about this issue as you suggest here. There simply exists an infinite number of ways we can transgress the way of truth and light. The Church plays a different role than you seem to be suggesting her. They are and have been very clear on espousing homosexuality as an inclination and practice that brings much sorrow and frustrates our personal progress (something you have just poignantly illustrated with your manifold examples). The Church gives a clear voice of warning and points the direction we should go. It is then our responsibility to seek, through the Spirit, means by which we can accomplish the will of God in our lives as dictated by the Leaders of the Church. This is so, for every type of possible transgression. In some cases the Church joins with, or sponsors outside organizations to help with certain issues. This is the case with LDS Social Services. LDSSS is not the Church and the Church is not LDSSS. The Church's (and thereby the Lord's) greatest tool is THE FAMILY where righteous parents rely upon the Spirit to guide their children aright in the specifics. Where they are unsuccessful, Bishops occupy a position of assistance and stewardship where they, by relying on the Spirit, might pick up the pieces dropped in the family and help in the specifics. Both parents and Bishops must rely on the Spirit to help in any and all situations. Surely you have learned the importance of relying on the Spirit as both a parent and a Bishop... yet there is no mention. Start there before you blame the Church for failure to fulfill a responsibility that is only secondarily or thirdly the Church's stewardship. They are a voice of warning to the world, NOT the parents of your children.

…and its tendency to downplay the lack of any real answers with a summary "and they all lived happily ever after" is apparent in the publication's utterly conflicting closing sentence:
"In some cases, heterosexual feelings emerge leading to happy, eternal marriage relationships."
Which is a Bishop or Stake President to do?

James says: This is precisely why the Spirit is vital in this equation. Every case is unique and needs unique care and attention and guidance. In my opinion they should not marry unless such inclinations have been overcome. They will know when that is.

Discourage cultivation of heterosexual feelings and marriage, or lend encouragement to and sign the Temple marriage recommend for the "cured" homosexual that is entering a happy, eternal marriage relationship? While I know from experience that much is left to the discretion and inspiration of the ecclesiastical leader, I also know that they are to look to an official publication specifically directed to them such as this for direction and guidance and give it much weight. But what is the counsel being given in this publication? Isn't it a bit confusing?
At the crux of the issue of homosexuality and the Church are the three great interrelated beliefs: (1) there is an element of choice involved in becoming and remaining homosexual, (2) it can be cured, and (3) our children and youth can be recruited or enticed into homosexuality. Every time we have sought out help for our son and family on this issue from Priesthood leaders or General Authorities we have been summarily referred to the experts at LDS Social Services. Because the lives and well-being of so many trusting individuals and family members are at stake here, it would seem that much stock is put in the expertise of LDS Social Services in this matter. Isn't it fairly obvious, though, that the "experts" you rely on at LDS Social Services to professionally corroborate and support the doctrine and policy of the Church would support whatever position you have mandated to be the only correct one? Such is the level of respect for and faith in the office you hold. In all honesty, to disagree with a member of the Twelve on a matter of doctrine is tantamount to heresy…

James says: There are no heretical beliefs in this Church, only heretical teachings. In other words, you can believe what you want, just don't teach all that you believe especially if it is unsupported or contradictory to established and plain doctrines available for anyone to read in the standard works. Let's also remember that not every word out of the mouth of a prophet is doctrine. They are as entitled to opinions as we are.

… I'm sure you are aware that the American Psychiatric Association has denounced "reparative therapy" for treating homosexuals as both ineffective and damaging.

James says: Elder Packer has never even mentioned Reparative therapy in "To The One". He only states that one can recover. I have personally heard testimony from some who have recovered. Am I therefore to deny the possibility of recovery because the ASA says recovery is impossible? What are you trying to say here?

I find it ironic that when a fundamentalist religious group shuns sound medical intervention as a doctrine we find it appalling and backwards - yet when that same sound medical advice denounces the practice of "reparative therapy" we call it "worldly" false doctrine. I guess it all depends on just whose ox is being gored.

James says: Welcome to the world of many voices... all seeking attention. At some point we all must choose which voices we will give heed to.

In To The One you preach that homosexuality is not innate, but is a curable condition. Your fundamental proof: God wouldn't make a mistake like this.

James says: This statement does not occur in “To The One,” so what exactly are you referencing? Are you suggesting that he is implying this? Your letter has been updated to coincide with Elder Packer's October 2010 conference address whether by you or someone else remains to be seen. This brings up another interesting point. The fact that this letter is posted online for the world to read gives light to our motivations. If you truly wanted Elder Packer to take it seriously then why did you post it so publicly? Posting it publicly makes your efforts here seem as though you are simply being influenced by the homosexual movement... making it no longer a personal issue.

By preaching this, you set the impossible goal of "cure"

James says: With God nothing is impossible, but we now know where you stand. We can choose now to give heed to your voice (with its faith-destroying seeds of doubt and disbelief) or a voice that speaks words of life. I choose faith and life. According to your words here you explicitly indicate that you don't believe that Jesus Christ can heal your son, that he can "cure" him, that he has no power to save. Your words bury any belief you may have in the atonement. The very faith you desire as a cure for your son is trampled by your words here.

as the standard to which my son must hold himself responsible, as must his family and all other Church members. Until he chooses to do what he must to be "cured," he hasn't done enough…

James says: We are saved by grace after all we can do

…He will never have done enough. He will always come up failing in the most fundamental aspect of his entire existence as a child of his Heavenly Father. He is a pervert, an aberration, and an abomination ...

James says: You are the one projecting this, not Boyd K. Packer. There is nothing of this sort in the teachings or attitude of the Brethren.

… There is nothing left in this life or the next...

James says: Despair cometh of iniquity. These are dark words that the adversary would have you cling to so that you may never know the light and peace and life that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His disciples speak words like "our very natures can change," and "if you can see with your eyes, hear with your ears, feel with your heart, and be converted then he can heal you." Remember that man is only an enemy to God if he holds to his nature. If he will let that die through genuine submission to the will of the Father then he can be counted a friend unto God. These are words of LIFE and this is what the Church offers you and your son.

…How would you deal with this if you were him? Homosexuality is not a "condition" that can be "cured." My proof: I have yet to meet even one venerable grandfather with a fine posterity (or anyone else for that matter) who says he was once homosexual but was long ago cured - and my experience as a father observing my son from birth.

James says: Again anecdotal and despairing

Perhaps the most hurtful aspect of To The One is your revelation that the fundamental reason why my son has not been "cured" is because of his selfishness. When I inform other people that this is actually what you preach in To The One, they are incredulous (members included)...

James says: Your heart has not been prepared to receive this word. You are taking the truth to be hard because it hits home. President Packer was VERY careful and sensitive in the manner in which he explained his use of the word "selfishness" and you misrepresent his teachings when you fling it around casually without seeking to illuminate the context in which he chose that word. Selfishness, whether conscious or subconscious, is at the root of every natural tendency. Why do you sense anything different?

…They respond "Obviously you have misread or misconstrued what Elder Packer said." You are well aware that this is precisely what is said. As one who knows my son and his heart better than you, your doctrine that my son's selfishness is at the core of his ability or inability to be cured of his homosexuality is offensive in the extreme,…

James says: 1 Nephi 16:1-3

…and evidences the lack of any meaningful inquiry into this issue…

James says: First, It is easy to tell someone their idea is a bad idea but unless you can offer a counter argument that actually shows the errors of their argument you have no case. If you disagree with his use of the word selfishness, then carefully construct an argument that proves otherwise.
You will recall how Elder Packer began his talk by rejecting the word homosexual as a noun. He was very clear that he was speaking of it purely as an adjective and any attempt to construe his words to reflect homosexual as a noun is futile. Having said this, he speaks of a behavior, tendency and temptations. All of our behaviors fall into one of two broad categories: selfish or selfless. We behave either to satisfy our own needs, lusts, desires, wants, and passions in such a way as to bring us advantage OR we behave to satisfy the same for others to their advantage. Some behavior is selfish but harmless while other behavior is selfish and profoundly harmful. Please explain for me how in all eternity homosexual behaviors and tendencies can be called selfless. Everything about the behavior screams “Self gratification” and “self satisfaction.” It carries with it the pleasure of intimate relations without producing anything other than pleasure for the parties involved. (of course we could add that it produces guilt, shame, and self-loathing which is always the result of selfish behavior. But it often seems more natural to blame such feelings solely on external forces and never internal ones.) So I ask again, "How might homosexual behavior be construed as selfless behaviors?

…beyond the application of pure dogma…

James says: Why is it that you keep employing words like dogma and heresy. These words are not even part of the Latter-day Saint experience. We accept truth from whatever source it springs and reject error from whatever source. Truth is truth because it is true not because someone said it and argues that it is true. Truth is not dogma and we seek truth, not dogma. The utility behind God's calling prophets in our day is the more current the revelation the more useful and pertinent the information and thereby less dogmatic because we need not rely on the wisdom of men only. There is nothing inherently wrong with dogma unless it binds freedom of conscience which does not happen in the kingdom of God. God will force no one to heaven. Please therefore refrain from using vocabulary you know misconstrues the truth.

… In saying this it is not my intent to offend you. It is, simply, incredible that you could hit upon anything quite so insensitive and ignorant of the facts. Indeed, my son is the most unselfish and Christ-like person I know. This holds true for most of the LDS homosexuals I know well. They have to be to keep trying.

James says: He is saying nothing about your son being selfish. He is pointing out that homosexual BEHAVIOR is a selfish behavior. As long as your son abstains from the behavior he proves himself to be unselfish.

Your doctrine of "choice" and "curability" is also at the core of why the Church and its members in reality view my son and those like him as latter-day lepers. If homosexuality (1) is not inborn, (2) has an element of choice, and (3) can be cured - then it must be able to be taught or suggested. Others must also be susceptible to being enticed or recruited…

James says: Are you suggesting that it can't be taught? This would be a highly speculative assertion without heavy data to back you up. Any behavior can be taught. But it need not be. There is an adversary who can teach us things even without man's assistance. You may recall the secret combinations of 3 Nephi and Ether.

…Our children are capable of being infected by these people and not becoming mothers and fathers. It is, therefore, a frontal assault on the family.

James says: The sin itself is not an attack on the family so much as it is on the individual. So is it with any sin. It is the movement and campaigning for the free license of it that is an attack on the family.

The "hate the sin but love the sinner" platitude cannot disguise the fact that in reality the members of the Church are taught to loathe and fear our son and those like him...

James says: By whom do you suppose they are being taught this? If saints are explicitly taught to "hate the sin but love the sinner" then who, besides themselves, is to be blamed for them acting contrary to that counsel?

…This qualified and synthetic "love" is nothing more than the few alms hurriedly and begrudgingly parted with to salve the Christian conscience, while never once entertaining the idea of actually descending into the leper pit…

James says: Why are these comments directed at Elder Packer? You are fully aware of that we as a people are taught directly from the scriptures. All the saints are taught correct principles according to the standard works and priesthood revelation and then are left to govern themselves. The prophets and apostles have often lamented the difficulty of getting the saints to adhere to the words of scripture. Indeed your rejection of their words on this matter is undoubtedly cause for lamentations, since you know the scriptures as well as anyone.

…We would never expose our children to this for it might infect them. If sexual orientation is a matter of choice, when exactly did you choose to be heterosexual? When and how often did you reaffirm your choice to stay that way? Why aren't my other children, who idolize their brother, even the slightest bit interested in adopting a homosexual "lifestyle" or in homosexual experimentation?

James says: Because they have different lusts and challenges to confront. Why am I not obsessed with ice cream and chocolate but know plenty of people who are? Are they doomed to obesity because of their lusts or is this something they can learn to control and live with?

Why would anyone choose to be an abomination and an outcast? It defies reason.

James says: Why would anyone choose drugs? to be a pedophile? to obsess with the fantasies of pornography addiction? to lose everything to a gambling habit? to abuse the very ones they love through uncontrollable fits of anger? To choose misery over peace? Every day millions of our brothers and sisters defy reason and choose such misery over peace and bondage over freedom. We choose misery because we are weak and sinful and require the atonement in our lives... your son is not alone. He only chooses to be an outcast if he decides to practice homosexuality. He will suffer none of these consequences because of feelings, inclinations or temptations. We have little control over our feelings but we CAN have complete mastery over what we emote or how we behave? (for example if someone swears at us we may not be able to control if our heart is hurt, but we can control whether or not we lash back at them or forgive them.) This is not easy, but very doable.

Last week a dear friend (formerly a bishop) reassured us that he still loved our son "even if he has made a choice to be this way." My son did not choose to be this way. This type of "love" born of duty and pity for his abominable choice acts like a slow but virulent cancer on our son's self-esteem. It is for this reason we have found it necessary to send our son away from the community of the "Saints."
As the Church "progresses" on this issue, what we are hearing more and more from Priesthood leaders today is the idea that our son is acceptable so long as he practices life-long chastity. That is, of course, actually called celibacy, and while it's a convenient idea to advance, in practice it is virtually impossible to live.

James says: You betray yourself to your opinion leaders. I hope for your sake that this statement was made in a moment of high emotion and not an idea that you actually embrace. While tremendously pleasurable, intimacy is far from vital to our meaningful existence. Let me be clear that it is chief among the sacraments by which we may participate with God in the act of creation. But we can (and millions have done and do now) live peaceably and happily without it. It is a trademarked arch-argument of the homosexual movement to place sexuality as the most defining characteristic of our existence and therefore impossible to live without. This is a lie. Please see it for what it is.

The distinction between chastity and celibacy seems always to be overlooked by Church leaders. You may recall that in his somewhat recent newspaper interview in California, President Hinkley compared the plight of homosexuals to that of the single sisters in the Church. To paraphrase, he said that the Church doesn't ask homosexuals to do anything it doesn't also ask of its other single adult members - to live chaste lives. But this simply isn't true. As a former bishop I have firsthand experience. We openly love and support our single brothers and sisters. We give them important callings - especially with out youth and children. We urge them to date, to flirt, to get crushes, to fall in love, to marry. We sponsor Ward and Stake activities and dances to get them together to accomplish this. We ask them to be chaste - until they find someone to share their life and intimacy with…

James says: You seem to be confusing feelings and inclinations with behavior. All of these services are offered to your son as he fits the description of "single adult member." If we sub-categorized all of the single adult members by their feelings or temptations then we would be able to do nothing for them. Try to refrain from defining your son by his feelings. He is a man, a son, a friend, he has talents and abilities, and he makes meaningful contributions. Define your son by these not by his feelings and inclinations. I find your constant focus on his feelings and inclinations more disabling and offensive to your son's sense of worth than anything said in Elder Packer's talk. Imagine if you were chiefly defined by your feelings and inclinations instead of your contributions. Pay your son the same respect and help him define himself by contributions and not feelings or inclinations.

…We go out of our way to give them something of immeasurable value in the struggle to keep the law of chastity - hope - hope that no matter how difficult this emotional and physical loneliness is, it is temporary. For those with the least control over their situation, our single sisters, we give special encouragement and hope that they will find love, emotional intimacy and fulfillment in this life - and if not, certainly in the next.
We do not knowingly give homosexuals important callings…

James says: You are here describing culture, not doctrine or even policy. Callings are given to anyone who shows virtue in their lifestyle and behavior. The leaders of each ward do not make judgments about the feelings, inclinations or temptations the members experience... only their faith, virtue and behavior. Furthermore, if done appropriately, callings are extended after careful prayer and pondering so that such callings are confirmed by the Lord before they are ever extended. Surely you experienced this during your stewardship as bishop.

- especially not with our youth or children who would be at risk of being infected and recruited. We forbid them ever to flirt, to date, to get crushes, to fall in love, to have a legally-recognized monogamous relationship. The image of a Tri-Stake Gay and Lesbian Gold-and-Green Ball is amusing.

James says: You imply that we should accept and support practices that go contrary to the will of God as substantiated in the Bible, one of our standard works. God has been very clear in the old and New Testaments on this subject. And even more clear in the inspired and highly relevant proclamation to the world on the family. You are seeking to counsel God when you ask his servants to support such behaviors. Would you ask God to make the sky green and the grass blue? The Church is never going to encourage dating, flirting, and monogamous relationships between two people of the same gender... all the while supporting such activities in heterosexual relationships. You know very well the doctrinally foundational reasons why. Start with Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 or perhaps Romans 1:27 or 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

We ask them to be chaste – forever...

James says: This is asked of everyone... forever, married or not.

… No hope at all. The question of sexual intimacy aside - can you imagine having being denied the ability to become attracted to, flirt with, get a crush on, hold hands with, steal a kiss from, or fall in love with you wife? With all trace of romantic love and emotional intimacy denied you, with what would you fill the void to hold at bay a life of loneliness, emptiness, and despair?

James says: How about selfless devotion to God and his children? You have gone to no small trouble to illustrate your son's selfless nature. Let his selflessness bear fruit. Consider in this example Matthew 19:8-12 and 1 Corinthian 7.

We do have at least one historic example to look to. The Catholic Church has attempted to enforce celibacy on its clergy throughout the ages with success at some level (although we will never know what level). With what did they replace the emotional void? They had the love and adulation of the church membership, and authority and power. They were, in fact, the Bishops, Stake Presidents, and General Authorities. They were held next to deity - and their record is less than stellar. Imagine the celibacy success rate of a group defined by a loathsome and abominable "condition."

James says: Your words seem to be soliciting pity to accept a behavior directly contrary to foundational LDS doctrines based on our views of eternal truths. Doing so would require neither you nor your son have to take up your crosses and deny the lusts of the flesh. While that would be tremendously convenient for you, what good could come from embracing a natural tendency that shows no signs of constructive contribution to any size of community.

Imagine also, for a moment, if you were to stand up in front of the freshman class at BYU and announce that everyone present was being given a special calling to live a celibate life from then on. How many do you think would really be able to do it?

James says: This is a needless and vain example based on no principle beyond speculation. Please keep your examples relevant and plausible.

How many empty and guilty lives and suicides would result? The Church has never taught the principle of celibacy. As a parent, I don't have the slightest idea how to begin teaching it. There are no manuals, no courses, no "For the Strength of Celibate Youth" cards to carry. There are no Priesthood, Relief Society, Sunday School, or Primary lessons on celibacy.

James says: You have still looked no higher than the Church and its manuals. What about the Lord? You make no mention of an appeal to Him. Perhaps it is because we all know His answer already as recorded in both modern and ancient scripture.

On the other hand, following the teachings of the Church, we have raised our children in a home filled with open love, intimacy, loyalty and commitment between a couple. Our children know Carlie and I adore each other, and they want and need the same thing in their lives.
I never thought I would say this, but as a father given the choice between (a) my son's suicide, (b) his complete abandonment of the Church and embracing of the extreme gay culture with its emotionally debilitating and physically dangerous practice of anonymous casual sex, or (c) living in a committed, monogamous relationship for the rest of his life practicing the Gospel virtues of love, commitment, and fidelity we have taught in our home, I would have to pick the latter. The Church, however, is now doing all in its power to prevent that. Presumably, it has a better alternative - one that works on something other than a dogmatic and theoretical level.
Then again, perhaps my son is simply a casualty of war - acceptable "collateral damage" in an eternal plan and struggle in which by the luck of the draw he has no relevance or place. The Gospel has always been easy to have faith in and follow because it made real sense and worked in our lives. This would make no sense. And the current doctrine, as set forth in To The One is not working for our family.

James says: Are there not exceptions to every general principle given?

I can't tell you how strange and difficult this is. It's like we woke up one morning on a different planet. In our greatest time of need as a family, the Church has failed us and abandoned us –

James says: Where is your bill of divorcement? The Lord has not turned from you. Isaiah 50:1

…and through the convenient but hurtful doctrine of parental causation,

James says: NOT A DOCTRINE. Be careful not to cast a false light. Doing so will only undo your argument in the end.

…complicity and guilt it directly promotes (evidence the article in September's Ensign), it kicks us while we are down! I know this is only one of many issues that the Brethren deal with, and certainly not at the top of their list, but for us it has become our universe. We live in this issue twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and must raise our children through it by our best lights. And there are many more like us in the Church. Parents like us are ultimately forced to make a hopeless decision: abandon our homosexual children, or turn from the Church. "Not so," you say. You would never know unless you walked in our shoes.

James says: True. and I am so sorry for your struggle.

My brother, Ralph, asked me at one point "What would you have the General Authorities do about this issue?"
I wish that someone in authority would have the compassion and the courage simply to own up publicly to the fact that this is a difficult issue about which we just don't have many answers.
I wish someone in authority would publicly urge the members to withhold their judgment and condemnation, accept those like my son into their midst, and have true compassion and love for those who through no choice of their own will deal with the issue of homosexuality all of their lives.

James says: I think these are very reasonable requests...up to this point.

I wish someone in authority would publicly assure the members that by withholding their judgment and condemnation and showing acceptance and real love, they won't get leprosy, nor will their children be at risk - that the divine concept of Family will not be compromised or weakened, but that real families with real issues will in fact be strengthened.

James says: This one is a little trickier as it is asking the Church to walk a tightrope. Like in the word of wisdom many of the teachings of this Church are required by everyone but given for the weakest of the weak. We cannot predict how the weakest of Saints, or those who could be called saints might behave with this assurance you request. I therefore find it unreasonable.

I wish that someone in authority would recognize that To The One was an effort twenty years ago by a very good man to address a difficult issue in the context of the time in which it was written, and pull it from circulation.

James says: After another careful review, I don't believe this talk has lost any of its relevance. Your issues seem to be more with the foundational studies used by LDSSS. Perhaps that is where you should be directing your requests.

Elder Packer, I have never been one to question, demand, or "kick against the pricks." I am a follower, a believer, an obeyer. But I can no longer wait patiently while the Brethren try to figure this issue out at the cost of my son's life, and the lives of others like him.

James says: I note that you have since left the Church and do currently kick against the pricks. I am sorry for your many losses. May God bless you. Respectfully, James Arrington.

Respectfully,

David Eccles Hardy

Building Schools for Mali

2010-08-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Best Mother's Day Gift - Virtue

2010-05-11T11:26:00.001-07:00

How We Honor
Roughly 2000 years before his coming as Jesus the Christ, Jehovah thundered the 10 commandments down from Mt. Sinai. Among these was the injunction to Honor thy Father and Thy Mother that thy days may be long in the land. From my youth I have been taught by my own parents that the best way for me to honor them is to “bring honor to them by the way that I live my life.” On this Mother’s day I would like to talk about how we all can “bring honor to” the women and girls in our lives by the way that we live.

In his confirming vision of the tree of life Nephi saw two trees or fountains in opposition to one another one giving life and the other death… In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were presented with two trees… one promising life and the other administering death.

All things have their likeness.

Two Trees From Which to Partake
Quoting Jeffrey R. Holland, “Most days we all find ourselves assaulted by immoral messages of some kind flooding in on us from every angle. The darker sides of the movie, television, and music industry step further and further into offensive language and sexual misconduct… [we have easy] access to a global cesspool of perceptions”

He continues to explain how, “Immoral activity is not just a man’s problem, and husbands aren’t the only ones offending. The compromise available at the click of a mouse—including what can happen in a chat room’s virtual encounter—is no respecter of persons, male or female, young or old, married or single. And just to make sure that temptation is ever more accessible, the adversary is busy extending his coverage, as they say in the industry, to cell phones, video games, and MP3 players.”

If we stop chopping at the branches of this problem and strike more directly at the root of the tree, not surprisingly we find lust lurking furtively there.

The Very Different Characteristics of the Two Trees Love and Lust:

TRUE LOVE: Endures and is loyal / LUST: Changes as quickly as it can turn a pornographic page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by, male or female. Gives all it affections to the latest romance novel or the latest popular movie.

TRUE LOVE: Open, Honest, Transparent and Happy to be so. / LUST: Characterized by shame, stealth, and dark secretiveness. No one should know that lust has come to play.

TRUE LOVE: Makes us instinctively reach out. / LUST: Anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence.

TRUE LOVE: Comes with open hands and open heart. / LUST: Comes with only an open appetite.

TRUE LOVE: Builds a solid foundation for families to endure eternally. / LUST: Shakes the pillars of trust upon which present— or future—love is built

Lust is a tree that we cannot afford to bask under. If we are to endure it must be cut from our garden.

How To Cut Down the Tree of Lust
• We can prune the outer branches by separating ourselves from people, materials, and circumstances that kindle our lusts. We can place controls and filters on our TVs and Computers… but this will only stay the fruits for a season.

• We can lop of big core branches by acknowledging that we are bound by the chains of lust and accept help openly. Seek that help and welcome it. Talk to your family. Devise a plan. Talk to your bishop. Follow his counsel. Ask for a priesthood blessing. Use the Church’s Family Services offerings or seek other suitable professional help. Pray without ceasing. Ask for angels to help you. All of this will help.

• We can kill the trunk of the tree by stopping lusts at the level of Thought. Replace lewd thoughts with hopeful images and joyful memories; We can cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is including our homes or apartments, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature we keep there. Temple Attendance, Regular Church Attendance, Quorum and Relief Society Assignments, Callings, Activities… Wasting and wearing out our lives in service to God and his children.

• The only way for us to completely uproot the natural lusts within us is to take full advantage of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. By him only can our very natures be changed.

Passing the Saving on to the Next of Kin
Our children are all confronted with the same opportunities to partake of the fruits of these two trees. They will follow our examples. If we spend our idle time partaking of the fruits of the adversary and basking under a tree that brings death, we can rest assured that our children will also be comfortable there.

The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith in D&C123:11 that we have “an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation” What is our duty?

As Elder Robert D Hales just recounted in conference, “Doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence.

For youth, there is no substitute for seeing the gospel lived in our daily lives. [Elder Hales has] a grandson who once asked [him] to go with him to a popular but inappropriate movie. He recounts, “I told him I wasn’t old enough to see that film. He was puzzled until his grandmother explained to him that the rating system by age didn’t apply to Grandpa. He came back to me and said, “I get it now, Grandpa. You’re never going to be old enough to see that movie, are you?” And he was right!
Let us all strive to be too young for the media of our day and age. By their fruits ye shall know them.

“To truly understand their hearts, we must do more than just be in the same room or attend the same family and Church activities.”

We must do more than simply live next to our children and occasionally grace their presence. We must become a part of their lives, communing with them regularly, building a lasting relationship. This doesn’t happen just because you are proximate to someone.

“We must plan and take advantage of teaching moments that make a deep and lasting impression upon their minds and hearts.”

“Mothers and fathers, as you drive or walk children to school or their various activities, do you use the time to talk with them about their hopes and dreams and fears and joys?”

It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children. Research shows that during the most important transitions of life—including those periods when youth are most likely to drift away from the Church—the greatest influence does not come from an interview with the bishop or some other leader but from the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents.

For our interactions with youth to truly touch their hearts, we have to pay attention to them just as we would pay attention to a trusted adult colleague or close friend. Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears! Several years ago I was reading the newspaper when one of my young grandsons snuggled up to me. As I read, I was delighted to hear his sweet voice chattering on in the background. Imagine my surprise when, a few moments later, he pushed himself between me and the paper. Taking my face in his hands and pressing his nose up to mine, he asked, “Grandpa! Are you in there?”

Mother, Father, are you in there? Grandpa, Grandma, are you there? Being there means understanding the hearts of our youth and connecting with them. And connecting with them means not just conversing with them but doing things with them too.

Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever, to indeed be an eternal family.

The greatest missionary work we will ever do… The greatest family history work, The greatest rescue, activation or reactivation work will be done in our homes. The greatest faith experiences should be shared within our homes. The greatest love and the greatest teachings should be in our homes.

This mother’s day let us take time to evaluate ourselves so that we might be able to give to those women in our lives our best selves. A self that is clean virtuous and willing to stand for all that is wholesome. Let us give to them a self that is not only willing to bask under a tree of life and love, but also willing to cultivate such for the next generation.

Italics Text is Quoted from Jeffrey R. Holland and Robert D. Hales – General Conference Address – April 2010

Help for Haiti - Everybody Hurts

2010-02-09T07:31:00.000-08:00

Worth every second.

2010-01-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

The Gospel of Jesus Christ...

2009-12-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

...is encapsulated most perfectly in a handful of scriptures from the old world and from the new. Over the centuries the “Good News” has been unsuccessfully altered and adjusted, expanded and deconstructed. Hundreds of churches and false christs have risen bringing many variations of the gospel of the Son of God. The focus has changed at times to someone or something other than the savior, but never to stand the test of time or scriptural backing.

The apostle John succinctly said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is the essence of the good news that we are to spread to the world for we are disciples of none other than Jesus Christ. Because of contention over this subject in the new world, the savior explained to his disciples in plain language his gospel saying, “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.” (3 Nephi 27: 13). Simply put, the true Christ’s descent to this world from our Father’s presence to become the “Way, the Truth and the Life” whereby nobody can come back to the Father but by Him; THAT is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ continued in the Americas to say, “my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. (3 Nephi 27: 14). The scriptures are full of history, guidance, and lessons on morality which lift us and bring us closer to our Father in Heaven and help us to avoid pain and misery in this life, but let us not forget at this special time of year, that all the scriptures and prophets are undone if not for the atoning sacrifice made by the Son of God who condescended to make known God’s love unto us. All the philosophies of men as recorded in books throughout the ages are unable to bridge the gap between our mortal weakness and God’s glory. Therefore, “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. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do. (3 Nep 27: 20-21).

Like unto the holy temples of God, may we focus our temples more intently on the Savior Jesus Christ and thank God for the glorious gift of his Son. Merry Christmas.

First we make our habits, then our habits make us.

2009-10-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

I recently heard this quote in a business setting and was moved by the depth in which it applies to all of our life decisions (spiritual or otherwise).

First we make our habits.

Much of our life is spent developing habits for better or worse. Our agency is key in many respects to the food we eat, the entertainment we seek, and the manner in which we spend our time. As we mature we have opportunities for higher education and employment and, for the most part, we get to choose the trade, profession or field of interest in which we will spend much of our adult time. We may choose to be homemakers, or seek employment outside the home. Regardless of the paths that we choose our choices build within us habits that make us who we are.
If we immerse ourselves in vain and destructive influences such as immoral and violent entertainment (movies, music, and games), addictive substances and practices (drugs, energy drinks, gambling, pornography), or faith destroying ideas (materials antagonistic to our history, faith or culture) then regardless of our perceived invincibility we develop within ourselves tolerance, lack of sensitivity and even interest in these vain and destructive influences.
If we however immerse ourselves in wholesome, productive, lifting influences that encourage us to think, move and act like God and his servants then we build a different sort of tolerance… a tolerance for sacrifice, service, and sanctity.

Then our habits make us.

Once our tolerance for these influences is set we become altogether a product of our habits. The individual immersed in immoral, crude, or violent movies eventually thinks about, reacts, and behaves like the material being consumed. One doesn’t develop a crude vocabulary by hanging around others who possess the tongue of virtue. Nor does one commit acts of infidelity without first having developed habits which lead him or her down that path.
Alternatively, the way to become like God is painted all throughout the scriptures. We are asked to obtain faith and then add to that faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. (2Pet 1:5-7) We are told elsewhere that those favored of God are those who are humble, repentant, submissive, inclined toward righteousness, merciful, pure, missionary minded, willing to suffer persecution and ultimately desirous for perfection. (Matthew 5:3-12, 48; 3 Nep 12:1-12,48)

Immersing ourselves in the scriptures, developing within ourselves habits of sacrifice and service and seeking to stand in holy places at all times are righteous habits which will make of us righteous and joy-filled servants of our Heavenly Father.

Turning and Returning

2009-07-27T08:03:00.001-07:00

Turning is a metaphor used commonly throughout the scriptures describing the nature of our relationship with the Lord. There are numerous accounts of the wicked turning from the Lord to their wickedness and reaping the consequences of their choices. Just as many are the accounts of the righteous repenting and returning or turning back unto the Lord and subsequently gaining his favor once more. Most of us, I am sure, have found that it is not too difficult to turn away from the Lord as we embrace worldliness. More difficult, we have found, is turning back to the Lord in humility that through his patient love we might be healed and changed in our natures. I want to share a handful of scriptures that have impressed me over the years that use the metaphor of turning.

Isaiah explained to the children of Israel that God was perfectly capable of saving them, but they had chosen to reject his hand decreed, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). Notice how the sins of the people have caused the Lord’s face to be hidden, as if he has turned his back on them. Note that he has not left them, but rather, being unable to look upon sin with the least degree of allowance has turned away (D&C 1:31). I have found time and again this to be true in my own life… that when, in my own pride, I rejected the Lord and his help, He seemed distant and unreachable, but upon repentance he was right there again, as if he had never left. The words of Ezekiel penetrated my heart when he urged, “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions… and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die…? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye (Ezekiel 18: 30-32). There are few examples so beautiful in the old testament that show the Lord’s genuine pleading concern as Ezekiel 18. He pleads with us to turn away from transgression and make a new heart and new spirit. This is the character change that can and must take place in us that we might gain favor with God. Jesus Christ clearly demonstrated his desire to help and heal us saying to the people of Nephi “will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? (3 Nephi 9:13). If we would but return (repent) he would heal us. Then last of all he spoke through Malachi calling the people once again to repentance and making one final promise, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:7). What more could we ask for? To gain the Lord’s favor is worth all costs, for it brings ultimately a joint inheritance of all that the Father hath (John 16: 15, Rom. 8: 17). Agency requires that we make the choice, for God has already chosen that if we would return unto Him, then He would return unto us… and heal us.

Whatever our relationship with the Lord may be, I pray that we may strengthen one another, that as we turn from the Lord in weakness, that we may return unto him in humility and once again find favor with him. I am confident He waits anxiously to heal.

Teach Me to Walk in the Light of His Love

2009-07-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been thrust from a well lit room into complete darkness? Isn’t it interesting how after a few moments what was complete and utter darkness gives way as our eyes become accustomed to the dark? We begin to notice shapes and find that we can make our way okay in the dark.
Similarly, in the middle of the night, to have someone turn the lights on is almost painful, for our eyes, having been accustomed to the darkness can no longer take in even small amounts of light. We must wait as they slowly adjust and become accustomed to the light.
In matters spiritual we are faced with the same dilemma… and this really becomes the driving force behind why we strive so hard to eliminate evil and pernicious influences from our lives. At the end of the day our souls will be either accustomed to the Light, or to the darkness. We will either find ourselves longing for the darkness to escape the pain of the light before us, or we will be reaching anxiously for the light to escape the ominous dark. Light cleaveth unto light and darkness cleaveth unto darkness. (D&C 88: 40)
I am grateful for all of the influences in my life that continually help me to make hundreds of thousands of little decisions each week that point me towards the light and away from the darkness. At times all of the filtering, service, avoiding, and preparation may become tiresome… but all will be worth it when we are brought into the glorious light of our Heavenly Father’s throne.
May we all strive harder for the true Light, and may He receive us as He has promised.

To Know

2009-05-15T23:55:00.001-07:00

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

I have watched my children develop and grow over the last decade and recently had an interesting insight about what it is to know God.

There was a day when my children did not know what a peach was. This happens to be my favorite fruit. A freshly picked, juicy peach is something I treasure. I am very happy to report that Shelby just purchased a Lemon Elberta Peach tree and planted it in our back yard. We both look forward to the day that we will benefit from its fruits. Yum.

Still my children, in the beginning, did not know the peach, so I taught them.
Somewhere in their development they learned its shape and color and could pick it out in a book. They could read the letters P E A C H and an image would pop into their mind. But they did not know the peach as I do. They didn’t know the tart, savory taste, the juiciness, the squishy manner in which it gushes flavor with each bite. They had more yet to learn.

Sometime later they were given many opportunities to try peaches out of a can. While this may be rewarding for a child, anyone who has tasted the freshly picked, large juicy ripe peach knows that there is little to no comparison. They did not know the peach as I do.

Then one day they got to taste it… right off the tree. Big, plump, juicy, and ripe. Just the way a peach should be. They really enjoyed it, but it did not stir in them the way it stirred in me. I realized that I had many, many memories attached to these juicy peaches. I had tasted tasteless, sandy types. I had tasted crunchy sour, not-quite-ripe types (the preferred mode in Korea). I had even tasted the plump, juicy, sweet type that still somehow fell short of the peach I have in my memory right now. On occasion, however, I find that peach… and I savor it. I know it when I have it.

It is in just such a situation that I realize that there is necessarily more to knowing a real peach than just knowing how to spell it, spot it out, recognize it’s texture or its flavor. I realize that my knowledge of the peach is limited compared to the farmer who harvests them annually, or the genetic engineer that seeks to create new, better varieties. I know the peach only at one level.

I have reflected at times about what it is to know God. I conclude that, like the peach, we may know him at varying levels of intimacy. I believe His hope is that we partake of his goodness in a very real and personal way. Far from just knowing about him (as anyone who reads the scriptures can), we must strive to really know Him… to have a daily, personal relationship with him. I pity those who stop seeking Him when they have only scratched the surface, for they do not yet know the full flavor. I admittedly have much yet to learn, in truth being as one who knows the flavor of the peach, but little more. I am newly inspired to know my God and His Son Jesus Christ at an ever more intimate level.

HE LIVES!

2009-04-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Gift of Witnesses (Luke 24:36-43)
What a profound gift the Lord gave humanity when, after his ordeal in the garden and on the cross, he rose again and came in person to witness to the early apostles of the verity of His resurrection. No man had ever done this before. Even when he told the Apostles and disciples plainly that he would die and rise again, they did not understand. While scriptures testify of individuals being raised from the dead, none had ever raised themselves. Nor had they been raised to a glorified, immortal body that could no more die. There was no precedence to look to in comparison.
The gift that I speak of was given during his visit to the apostles behind closed doors. Upon seeing him they were scared speechless for they supposed a ghost had entered their midst. Understanding their troubled hearts, Christ commanded them to look at the wounds which remained upon his hands and feet. For he had fulfilled the words of Isaiah who said, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16). The witness of their eyes, however, was insufficient.
He commanded them to “handle” him saying, “a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.” But they still “believed not for joy, and wondered”. Perhaps they thought they were dreaming or experiencing a collective vision. Surely this was too good to be true… they still couldn’t fully believe what they were experiencing. The witness of touch was yet insufficient.
Then he said unto them, “Have ye any meat?” They did. They brought forth broiled fish and honeycomb… and then the gift of a third witness was given. “He took it, and did eat before them.” He planted in their minds that this experience was truly happening. They could now look at the empty dish, or partially eaten food and see, this was no apparition.
Still, in spite of these three witnesses, false doctrines perpetuated through the centuries that the risen Lord had no physical body to tabernacle his perfect spirit, but was a spirit without form, parts or passions. What a stubborn lot we are! What more could have been done to testify of this?
Then in the dawn of the 19th Century our Heavenly Father, and our risen Lord visited Joseph Smith several times and gave another tremendous witness, a witness to cap all other witnesses. Joseph would later say, “after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: THAT HE LIVES! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father. (D&C 76:22-23)
And that is my testimony also. Happy Easter.

Let Them Come

2009-03-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

This post will likely spark some disagreement. I think it is pertinent regarding the immigration debates that are going on lately. While I believe in upholding and sustaining the law, you will all find that I may not agree with you regarding immigration laws. I have a strictly "Let Them Come!" philosophy and to date have found no argument save one to convince me otherwise. I can find no justification for selfishly holding this land to myself. Instead I find examples from the scriptures that make me question where America or Americans are heading spiritually.

Regardless of which side of the issue you sit on, please consider the following scriptures with an open heart.

From Ezek. 16: 49 I pulled this scripture that talks about the sin of Sodom right before its destruction. Interestingly enough Sexual sins (which are also abundantly debated at this time) were only one of their grievous sins. The other was the selfishness of those with money and education. The Lord commands Ezekiel to explain the Jerusalem that they are going to be destroyed because they have become like Sodom. Then he describes in what way. He says, "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

Pride? Fulness of Bread? Abundance of Idleness? and Not Strengthening those in need? Sounds a lot like this debate raging about immigrants and where they belong.

Interesting to note that right before the destruction of the America's preceding Christ's coming it describes a great division in that people as well. It says in 3 Nephi 6:12, "And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.

I see in America right now a completely underprivileged class trying to make ends meet. If I personally push them away then how am I any different than the Nephites and Lamanites who were ripe for destruction? It is easy for us to mock because we are the ones with the upper hand. We are the ones who have received great learning because of our riches... and we turn them away.

Please consider an alternative perspective on the immigration issue. Yes, it must be legal... but we are not the ones who enforce the law. As disciples of Christ we are to be the ones visiting those in prison (Matthew 25: 31-46), or rather comforting the immigrants as they feel our heavy hand come down upon them.

31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his aright hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Love you all.

When Life Has You By The Ears

2009-01-11T10:40:00.000-08:00

When life has you by the ears and comes at you hard from every direction you may feel overwhelmed by the pressures of work, education, family responsibilities, personal weakness, or religious duties. Whether rich or poor, old or young, healthy or unhealthy there are enough problems in life to overwhelm any of us. This is one of many reasons why the Lord has blessed us with His word. Please consider the following instruction from our Savior:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30).

God is the giver of all things and the scriptures record account after account of the Lord blessing the faithful, and withholding from those who ignore his will or reject him. Whatever your problems may be in this life we encourage you to…

1. Establish a relationship with the Lord through prayer
2. Come to know his will through a study of the scriptures
3. Call down his blessings upon you by participating in sacred covenants and ordinances
4. Enable the laws of justice by being faithful to all of your covenants and the commandments of the Lord.

There are many Saints who have learned that the great secret to temporal and spiritual fulfillment lies in doing the Lord’s will. Forget yourself and seek His glory. By doing so you will find the troubles of this world begin to work themselves out.

If you are unemployed or unhappy with your circumstances attend the temple and serve your neighbor. If you are floundering in your education then be more diligent in your scripture study. If you have a personal weakness that seems impossible to overcome, take it daily to the Lord in personal prayer. If your family seems to be falling apart, make and keep sacred covenants… more often. The last thing you will want to do in trying times is distance yourself from the Lord's blessings. As you do the right things the Lord is “bound” to bless you by the eternal laws of Justice… and there is nothing He wants more than to bless you for your faithfulness.

Another Goliath, Another David

2008-09-28T17:59:00.001-07:00

My neighbor and close friend recently shared an insight with me that I felt would be a nice addition to the blog. It has to do with the controversy surrounding Nephi’s killing of Laban in 1 Nephi 4.
Over the last several decades I have met a number of individuals within and without the Church who find it hard to reconcile Nephi’s killing of Laban with what they perceive to be God’s way of dealing with men. Many claim that it is inconsistent with God’s character to command such a thing.
Readers of this story generally understand Laban’s wickedness and the manner in which he trespassed against Nephi and his brothers, they also understand Nephi’s need to acquire the plates, even through intrigue… but they ask “Why did he have to kill Laban?”
To this point I have shared two insights 1) 1 Nephi 4:10-13 and 2) D&C 98:23-32 (both of these are given in full at the bottom of this entry). These two passages explain the Lord’s rationale for requiring Laban’s blood at Nephi’s hands. The insight that my friend shared added upon these two ideas and illustrated just how consistent this experience was with other Old Testament Experiences. Let me share his insights:

Ancient Display of God’s Power
There are a number of times in the Old Testament where, as a testimony to his covenant people, God showed his power by defeating great warriors, armies or nations. This display of power was given each time as a testimony that God was all-powerful and therefore his covenant followers could put their trust in him. Some notable examples include David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Gideon and his 300 against the Midianites (Judges 7), Moses against the hosts of Pharoah (Exodus 7-14), Elisha and the unseen host against Syria (2 Kings 6) and Abraham and his 300 against the Assyrian hosts (Genesis 14). In each of these Old Testament examples the Lord displayed his mighty arm by defeating a seemingly unbeatable foe. Each time the Lord destroyed the enemies of his covenant people. Each time the covenant people turned to the Lord and became more submissive.

Nephi’s Unbeatable Foe
Nephi and his brothers gathered outside of Jerusalem casting lots to see who was going to put their life on the line to get the plates from Laban. The lot fell on Laman who was almost killed in his attempt to request the plates. In a second attempt Nephi and his brothers tried to buy the plates, but the mighty Laban took their riches and then commanded the sons of Lehi to be killed. They barely escaped. Laban could not be negotiated with and his power was so great that the plates couldn’t be taken by force. In a third and final attempt to get the plates an angel instructed them that Laban would be delivered into their hands. With no trust in the Lord, however, Laman and Lemuel saw only impossibility. They came as far as the walls of Jerusalem but would go no further saying, “How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?” (1 Nep 3:31). Laman and Lemuel identified Laban as an unbeatable foe, one who, according to their experience, could not be stopped even by the Lord. 450 years earlier the hosts of Israel similarly cowered at the great Goliath. The record reads, “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” (1 Sam. 17:11)

Another David, Another Goliath
Nephi bears testimony to his brothers much as David did to the Host of Israel. He says, “behold [the Lord] is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?” (1 Nep 4:1). Similarly David asked the Israelites, “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam 17:26). At the famous stand-off the young David said to Goliath, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Sam 17:45). David, Like Nephi, had great faith in the Lord and recognized his all-powerful hand while those of lesser faith did not. Here then was another opportunity for the Lord to increase the faith of a family who would ultimately be at the head of a great nation. They would need to know the power of God in order to pass their testimony on to their descendants.

The record shows the simple means by which the Lord brings to pass his purposes in bringing Laban, who was ripe in iniquity, to a justified end and in showing his great power of deliverance to the sons of Nephi.

Belief and Unbelief
Nephi and Sam were greatly strengthened through the experience of getting the brass plates from Laban. Amazingly Laman and Lemuel continued in their unbelief even after such an amazing display of power by the Lord. Nephi later rebuked them saying, “how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?” (1 Nep 7:11). Each of them at one time knew the impossibility of overcoming Laban. No one knew better than Laman and Lemuel that Nephi surely couldn’t have done it, he had never spilled the blood of anyone, and here he single-handedly destroyed a great captain of the Jewish army. Still they forgot. A man of faith will always see the hand of the Lord, while such power is invisible to one who puts his trust in the arm of the flesh. Such was the case with Nephi, his brothers and Laban.

Scriptures Illustrating the Lord's Reasoning
1 Nephi 4:10-13
10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him.
11 And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had 1) sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he 2) would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he 3) also had taken away our property.
12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;
13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

Doctrine and Covenants 98:23-32
23 Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
24 But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you.
25 And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundredfold.
26 And again, if he shall smite you the third time, and ye bear it patiently, your reward shall be doubled unto you four-fold;
27 And these three testimonies shall stand against your enemy if he repent not, and shall not be blotted out.
28 And now, verily I say unto you, if that enemy shall escape my vengeance, that he be not brought into judgment before me, then ye shall see to it that ye warn him in my name, that he come no more upon you, neither upon your family, even your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
29 And then, if he shall come upon you or your children, or your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation, I have delivered thine enemy into thine hands;
30 And then if thou wilt spare him, thou shalt be rewarded for thy righteousness; and also thy children and thy children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
31 Nevertheless, thine enemy is in thine hands; and if thou rewardest him according to his works thou art justified; if he has sought thy life, and thy life is endangered by him, thine enemy is in thine hands and thou art justified.
32 Behold, this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers, Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles.

Merespective Whatcha-ma-callit????

2008-08-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

I have been engaged in wonderful conversations with numerous individuals from various different faiths regarding a plethora of topics. It has been such a rewarding experience, one that I wholeheartedly wish upon anyone seeking truth. First let me say that there are sooooo many good people out there of many differing faiths.
In my conversations I find the same dilemma surfacing again and again and find myself giving the same explanation over and over to different parties. I therefore, am now putting it on my blog for the sake of reference. You will find this post littered with my personal bias, but hopefully you will see my attempts to convey them responsibly.

Merespective Rhetoric?
Okay, so I made this word up…I created the term merespective because I couldn’t find a word that adequately explained what I was trying to communicate. If you know a better one, I am all ears. This word has its roots in Latin. Mere comes from the Latin “Méros” meaning “partial,” or “part of a whole” and is found in words like merely, meridian, and meristem. Spective comes from the Latin Specere meaning “the look at, view”. Rhetoric means “the ability to use language effectively, especially to persuade or influence people”. I have combined the three to refer to the human tendency for opinion leaders to use language effectively to persuade or influence the audience to see their limited perspective or partial view of any given subject.
Let’s take war reporting, for a hypothetical example. We send two war journalists over to report on what they see. One is positioned with a brigade of soldiers in the south, while the other is positioned with a different brigade in the North. In addition to bringing their own experiences to the table affecting what they choose to report on, both see a completely different side to the war. The one on the south sees very little fighting and sees the soldiers primarily involved in striking alliances with the locals. The reporter in the North has the opposite experience finding himself in the midst of constant gunfire. The war rages, inhumanity is consistently paraded accompanied by atrocity after atrocity, from which the journalist feels he is looking into the very jaws of hell.
When it comes time for reporting, each of the reporters must summarize their entire experience in order to effectively communicate to those removed from the war, what is really happening. Both actually see different sides of what is happening and therefore their reports on the war may paint very different pictures. Both are seasoned journalists, and neither of them are lying, yet they contradict one another on every point and intend to persuade the viewers that their merespective is the accurate one.
This principle happens all the time with anyone who is set as a witness of something. All they can give is a testimony of their partial view. We then can add that to the many testimonies that are given to create a picture for ourselves of what is really happening.
I am always interested (not really) to hear critics of our faith outright reject the testimonies of the leading brethren of the LDS Church who give their personal witnesses of the divine, and then to see them turn around and embrace every wind of rumor, speculation, and even outright lies because it conforms with their own opinions. I have read many critics’ versions of the history of our church, sensing all along their disgust and animosity toward the subjects of the history they are giving and then hear the same history, even the same key parts told by one who champions the very things the former despised. I understand, very well that both accounts are a spin of reality, that the details of history are given in subjective bias. I can understand subjectivity, but I cannot excuse lies, sloppy care of context, or outright irresponsibility. I think there should be more of what I like to call “responsible subjectivity”.

Responsible Subjectivity
I put little faith in the elusive term “objectivity.” I feel that such a trait is spoken of far too often and is completely impossible for humans, (including myself, since I am obviously human). I have listened for years now as journalists, news writers, commentators (religious and otherwise), scientists, politicians and many others seek to convey objectivity in the presentation of their ideas… as if they were somehow detached from the human experience. They try to be neither for, nor against the things they speak of. Needless to say I have found such attempts to be absurd. No matter how we as humans try to divorce ourselves from being “interested observers” we bring to the table emotions, past experiences, ideas, and learning that combine to bias us toward or from a certain perspective of any given scenario. This is why we have opinions.
A friend of mine who is also an outspoken critic of the Church of Jesus Christ has repeatedly rejected the words from the leadership of this church on the premise that they are “bias” in their views, and then in the same breath unquestioningly accept the views and perspectives of others who speak against the Church because they are somehow untainted by association with it. I do not understand his reasoning. He rightly sees the bias of our leaders, yet is somehow blinded to the obvious bias of our critics. I see nothing wrong with bias, as long as it is responsible. Both sides carry biases, as all parties ultimately do. What we need look for is not elusive objectivity, but rather responsible subjectivity. While even my words are biased by my own life experiences, I can seek to be as accurate as possible in the bearing of my own witness of things.
I just finished reading a thesis by a Catholic monk who decided to perform a comparative analysis between the LDS doctrine of Exaltation and the Patristic teachings on Theosis. (For anyone who is interested the thesis is called “Partakers of the Divine” and I highly recommend it). The man writing this thesis came to the table with biases. He was also not a member of our church, yet his writing was so careful and so responsible and so tremendously accurate that upon finishing I felt like applauding him for the responsible manner in which he discussed a faith beyond his own. I have never seen this done with such care. More often I have been disappointed in the sloppy manner in which some discuss about my faith what they know so little about. I would rather a person ask me what I believe than try to tell me. And for you out there who feel compelled to write about the LDS faith from an outsider’s perspective, please take a step back and be a little more responsible, and accurate. Get an insider’s opinion rather than assuming your merespective is representative of the whole. Thank you.

That's a lot of Veils

2008-08-10T16:12:00.001-07:00

I’ve been contemplating a principle of revelation and just came across two metaphors that have proven useful in understanding it. I was seeking to know why the words of revelation all come in the voice of the author/prophet; why Isaiah sounds like Isaiah and Alma sounds like Alma; why Joseph Smith’s revelations sound like Joseph Smith and those that come to me are in a voice that I am familiar with. I ask, “if these are the voice of the Lord, then why are they all different?”

A Perfect Communication
The conclusion to my prayers and reflections was that God’s Spirit communes with our spirits in perfect communication, giving light and truth in purity. It is then the job of our spirits to communicate the new light to our bodies. In this way, God can pour his spirit out upon the earth and give light and truth in great abundance, yet only those who have learned how to hear the internal whisperings of the spirit understand what is being given. I was reminded of the first useful metaphor as found in Alma 12:9-11 where Alma states,

“…It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries…”

In a scripture such as this I think it important to remember that the “heart” being spoken of in a scripture such as this is really our “spirit”. The nature of our heart and therefore the nature of our spirit (whether receptive or not) directly determines whether we receive the greater or lesser portion of the word and ultimately decides whether we gain or lose light.

Each of the prophets therefore might receive the same light from our Heavenly Father but when bearing testimony each does so in the language of his birth, explaining the divine through their own experiential vocabularies, each using unique forms of expressions, metaphors, and symbolism to convey that light to others.

I then came across a second useful metaphor while reading in Islamic commentary. There was a discussion of 70,000 veils being placed between us and the light of God. In this metaphor the more receptive we are to the signs and teachings of God, the more veils are drawn open so that thereby more light from God may penetrate our hearts. The less receptive we are, the more veils are closed distancing us further from, or darkening us to the light of God.

In both cases we are ultimately responsible for the amount of light we receive from God based on a broken heart and a contrite spirit, or rather a spirit that is prepared to receive greater light from above.

Spending Time With Ourselves
Understanding the voice of the spirit does not come automatically. There are so many voices seeking attention in the world. The scriptures demonstrate the importance in such a noisy world of finding time for quiet reflection, pondering, and meditation.
The Lord illustrates for Nicodemus how the spirit is like the wind. We know when it is windy, and which direction it is coming, but we don’t know ultimately where it is coming from (without tools of course), nor can we see it. Nevertheless we know it is there. So is everyone that learns to hear the Spirit. They know when the Spirit is there speaking, though it is hard to explain where it is coming from and of course isn’t seen. John records it in this language, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

It takes effort and grace from above to be able to hear the spirit. One of my favorite examples promoting the idea of spending time in quiet reflection comes from Psalms 2:3-4 where David, speaking of communing with the Lord instructs, “the Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” I don’t know that any scriptures say it better for me. If we are to hear the voice of God in the day of great noise we must spend time communing with our own hearts (away from the radio, the ipod, the tv, the magazine, our friends and spouses). We must spend time with ourselves. We are spirit beings clothed in a weak mortal frame during this period of probation. When, therefore, the Spirit of God speaks to our spirit in perfect communication. Only those who have learned to commune with their own hearts (spirits) will understand what is being said.

Of one thing I am certain… God speaks to us in these latter days, but only some can hear him. I have been blessed from time to time to receive answers to my own prayers, and I thank God for his grace and patience with me.

Joseph Smith vs. James Arlington Bennet

2008-06-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

While doing my Master's program I came across a letter published in the Times and Season's that I felt captured the essence of Joseph Smith's personality so well that I decided I needed to include it as a link on my blog. I have read many people's descriptions of him, including critics, skeptics, and undying friends and supporters. Nothing, in my mind compares to a candid letter straight from the mouth of Joseph Smith to someone who has been trying to use and abuse him.

A little background info on James Arlington Bennet. He was baptized a member of the Church in 1843 (though his baptism by Brigham Young seems to have been purely for political reasons as noted by his mention about a "frolic in the ocean" with B. Young). The Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History says, "When Joseph asked him to be his vice presidential running mate, Bennet declined. After the martyrdom of the Prophet in 1844, he left the Church. A year later, however, he visited Nauvoo and declared his intentions to go west with the Saints. He aspired to be leader of the Nauvoo Legion, but when Brigham Young turned him down, Bennet disassociated himself from the Saints and spent the rest of his life in the eastern United States."

Lyndon W. Cook writes, "An apparent unscrupulous opportunist, Bennet had fantasies which included fame as an author, governor of Illinois, general of the Nauvoo Legion, and successor to Joseph Smith."

Check out the letter by clicking on the following link:

http://www.pukrufus.com/downloads/JABennetLetter.pdf

ENJOY!

Gaining Entrance to the Pearly Gates

2008-05-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

I have been communicating with a newly acquired friend online the past couple of weeks and we have been having a conversation, the contents of which I think worthy of the blog. It all began with my friend asking me “How do you get to heaven? What can you do to get to heaven?”

Knowing this to be a topic of heated debate throughout Christianity, especially between Protestants and Catholics I figured I had better first address the debate

The Great Dichotomy — Works vs. Grace

Like many teachings of the Bible where seemingly contrasting ideas are put forth, Christians can’t seem to agree as to whether works are necessary for admittance into heaven, or if only belief and trust in the grace of Christ is sufficient. Now obviously this wouldn’t be an issue of debate at all if there weren’t scriptures fully supporting both sides of the argument. Believers are therefore divided into three camps:

1. Those like my friend who believe “there is nothing that we can do to go to heaven. Our entrance to heaven has already been paved for us...Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins. The only way our sins can be covered is if we believe and trust that Jesus died for our sins.”,

2. Then there are those who think the Atonement of Christ to be a very important thing but one that only applies to those who diligently perform acts of righteousness, (i.e. feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the widows and orphans, etc.) and receive the proper ordinances mandated by the Lord (i.e. baptism).

3. You may ask, “then who belongs to group three?” and here is where the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ are found. We really don’t lean to the left or the right on the issue but hold to a balanced view of the two. We believe at once that there is nothing we can really do to get ourselves into heaven (salvation) and rely wholly upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and then also believe that ordinances and acts of righteousness are necessary for our exaltation. See my analogy at the end of this article.

What does the Bible say:

According to the Bible acceptance into heaven is conditional upon two things: 1) The grace of God through Jesus Christ, and 2) our own righteousness. Both become necessary components. Let me share a couple of the scriptures to clarify. I will quote from the NIV though I prefer the KJV for its eloquence.

Ephesians 2:8 instructs, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that none can boast." I think this scripture makes it clear that the lion's share is due to grace, though we need to consider two things: 1) it is by grace according to our faith, and 2) the works Paul repeatedly speaks against are not works of righteousness, but rather unnecessary works of the Law of Moses.

Titus 2:11 instructs, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope..." the rest of that chapter is excellent and makes clear that the grace of God allows us to then use our agency to act righteously and choose the path leading to heaven. The grace of God overcomes the effects of the fall of Adam which we teach are 1) bodily death and 2) separation from God (or spiritual death). These are overcome unconditionally for all men through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Then it is up to us through righteousness to choose God.

Now that I have shown the importance of Grace I want to highlight a few passages that show the equal necessity of righteousness.

In Matthew 7:19-21 Christ himself says, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone that says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." I draw the same conclusions from the parable of the Sheep and the Goats found in Matthew 25:31-46. (Look this one up, it is important.)

In John 3:3-8 we learn of the necessity of baptism for gaining entrance into the kingdom of God. Baptism is a sign of both our faith in the Lord and willingness to obey him in all things. Christ says to Nicodemus, "no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." When Nicodemus asks him what he means he continues, "No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

I am familiar with the fact that some Christian persuasions interpret this passage to mean only a spiritual rebirth, but we take seriously the water birth as well (water and spirit). The word baptism comes from Greek βάπτισμα, meaning "immersing" and we follow Christ's example of going down into the water as recorded in Matthew 3:13. Mark also records Christ's words in regards to baptism saying, "Whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Baptism would therefore be an example of an act of righteousness necessary for us to enter heaven.

Another solid example would be that found in the book of Revelations 20:12 where John in vision says, "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done."

One common expression we use in our faith comes from the book of 2 Nephi 25:23 in the book of Mormon where the prophet Nephi writes, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." That verse sums it up for me better than any other. It is by Christ's grace that we are saved, but we must not neglect our responsibility to act righteously and follow his teachings.

What the Divergence is Really About

Those in the various Christian persuasions that hold to camps 1 or 2 described above must wonder how Mormons can believe fully in both camps. We hold the same belief in the power of grace and the atonement of Jesus Christ. I believe the difference between Mormons and other persuasions actually lies in our differing understandings of "heaven". Here is where additional scriptures have shed light on the afterworld and the true grace of God. What they see as a contradiction we see simply as statements regarding two very different aspects of the afterlife, viz. Salvation and Exaltation.

According to additional scriptures accepted by members of the Church of Jesus Christ we learn that the afterlife is more complex than a simple dichotomous realm of good and another of seething fire and brimstone. We learn that the afterlife is divided into levels, many levels of glory, as numerous as there are people upon the earth. In a way supporting C.S. Lewis's writings on Heaven and Hell in his book Virtue and Vice. He says, "Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it--made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."

According to the scriptures the levels are divided into three main kingdoms of glory... one represented by the stars and the glory thereof, another by the moon and the greater glory thereof, and another by the sun and the far greater glory thereof. According to our doctrines all mankind (except sons of perdition), because of the atonement of Christ will inherit a kingdom of glory, and will therefore enter "heaven" (Salvation). The amount of glory (Exaltation) we receive in the hereafter, however, is dependent upon our acts of righteousness and state of heart. So technically speaking we believe all mankind will be saved in a kingdom of glory (except sons of perdition, those who knowingly choose Satan over God)... not just Christians.

One Final Analogy:

We believe that Christ's suffering made it possible for all of us to enter heaven. Additional revelations on the issue teach us that how we act in this life then determines where we find ourselves in heaven. So that Mercy need not rob justice whereas both are eternal principles.

If I were to make an analogy it might go as follows: If heaven were a country, and each of us were given a mansion in heaven (thanks to the merits of Jesus Christ) then God would live in the Capital City, in the Governing Palace. We all make it into heaven (the country) but we don't all live on the same lot, or street, or city, or even state. Our acts of righteousness would determine the proximity of our mansion to God's... how close we live to him.

It actually is the complexity and depth of the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ that have made me unable to settle for anything less.

What do you mean by, “I know this church is true”?

2008-04-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

I had a conversation this past week in the Caribbean with some new friends that inspired me to add this posting. Thank you Beu' lah Mary, Zar and Jonathan.

Inerrancy vs. trustworthiness - semantics

Certain Evangelical branches of Christianity claim something that is quite misunderstood by many inside and outside of their specific persuasion in regards to the Bible. It is derived from a statement frequently used which claims the Bible to be “the inerrant word of God”. To anyone who has read the bible in its entirety, this seems an absurd claim whereas there exists a googillian seeming contradictions and inconsistencies throughout the book. So what do they mean?

A careful examination of the claims of inerrancy show that those educated on the subject are not at all claiming the book, in its current state, to be perfect. (See encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties by Gleason L. Archer, 1982) They understand well that the text of the Bible has been transmitted by mortal men for thousands of years, using limited skills, imperfect language, and a host of other limitations to convey the word of God to successive generations. They simply mean that the Bible, as given in its original state, was correct, inerrant, and pure coming from God himself. The Bible is the word of God (as Mormons would say). The next argument is to try and prove why today’s versions are, or are not trustworthy. (Unfortunately we have no single surviving original manuscript)

Similar misunderstandings

My point in sharing this observation is to point out a similarly misunderstood term used commonly by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This phrase is “I know this church is true.” To outsiders this can be a shocking statement as they watch mortal men guide an organization comprised of completely normal people, acting in roles of leadership and trying their best to work out their own salvation and help others along the way. No one can help but notice the weaknesses of men, the inconsistencies in leaders, the completely human part of this organization… and then to hear someone say that it is true? What do they mean? I personally find the term insufficient in describing what we mean. I prefer to say, “I know that this is the true and living church of Jesus Christ.”

I have come to know this statement to be accurate and would like to explain what I mean.

Unity of the Faith

In Ephesians 4 we learn that “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” Here is where much disagreement exists, for anyone looking at Christianity today will notice that according to dogmas, creeds, and doctrines there are many variations of the Spirit, many disagreeing bodies of believers, many differing views of Christ, many forms of baptism, and many diverging teachings of who God is. This is a BIG problem!

We learn just a few verses later that to this end Christ gave gifts unto men… gifts to help us achieve oneness. What are these gifts? They comprise an organization of imperfect men authorized and commissioned to be stewards of truth. He gave to us a church organization comprised of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Then he explains specifically why such an organization is given: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

It seems clear that we are all to hold the same faith, the same knowledge of the Son of God and that the role of Christ’s Church is to maintain the integrity of that church. I have been to LDS worship services all over the world now and am pleased to note that wherever I have attended a service by the Church of Jesus Christ, the doctrines are consistent. There is only one teaching about the Spirit, the Lord, God the Father, baptism, etc. I believe the doctrines of this Church to be consistent with things as they really are, were and will be (i.e. TRUTH).

What it means to be Living

Yes, mere men are in the leading roles of this Church, but Christ is at the Head. Revelation is a correct principle of truth and it is by revelation that our leaders are led, and then by that same revelation that we can receive confirmation that their decisions and teachings are consistent with God’s will. It is modern, current revelation that makes this church LIVING. And it is the fact that it is a living church that makes it “true” for Christ is at its head. Without such a profoundly central detail the Church of Jesus Christ is no different than any other Christian persuasion. Without the direct guidance of the Savior, the church would be dead… and therefore untrue.

The Lord says in section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants that the Church of Jesus Christ is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually”

True… living… as a collective body. All three of these details are imperative. Individually we are all prone to gross error, but collectively we stand a far greater chance of adhering to God’s will. We must be united, something I see within my own faith.

An Authoritative Gift from God

To all who feel threatened by what must appear as an “authoritarian church” I would suggest you reconsider, for none who belong to this church feel threatened by such a prospect, and we prefer the term "authoritative (Thanks Rockwood). Christ is our King, and God is our God and they lead their work as sovereigns. Their Church therefore is truly authoritative, but is governed by their great love, and eternal principles of truth and agency. Such authoritativeness is not to be feared. We see the centralized organization of the Church as a gift to help us on our journey back to God, and not as the only vehicle with heavenly access. The Church is not saved… individuals are, but the Church has been provided as a gift from God to be the custodian of truth, to maintain the integrity of Christ’s teachings and to break the grip of false teachings, so that we don’t have to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. As the Church of Jesus Christ rolls forth to fill the earth all who join will experience the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,” spoken of by Paul, yet unavailable in the largely divisive persuasions of traditional Christianity.

Religious Buffet 2 - a Response

2008-04-01T21:24:00.001-07:00

A trusted friend of mine of the Evangelical persuasion, whom I use as a sounding board, posted a response on his blog http://aletheiaquest.blogspot.com/ "Religious Buffet"

His response was to a question I posed about concerns for a lack of unity in the Christian world. How doctrines become watered down.

In his response he pointed out the weakness of individuals without really addressing the organizational dilemma. He made a few statements about the ways of the Church of Jesus Christ that I would like to address.

Below is an edited quote of his:

"This problem is an inherent weakness in Protestantism in general because it is not, like Mormonism and Roman Catholicism an authoritarian structure. The problems of the very apparent shallow and uncommitted Christianity referenced in the quote (see his blog) are only possible when people have the freedom to choose how and where they worship. Obviously, if one accepts that the LDS prophet and the priesthood are the authority of God on earth, then one has no choice when that authority says he must go to a certain ward at a certain time, give a certain percentage of his money, etc."

My response:

One point seems left undone. How would you suggest this problem relates to the Ephesians 4? One of the advantages I find in the "authoritarian structure" mentioned above is that it satisfies the chaotic dilemma found throughout traditional Christianity while still allowing a person to believe as they wish.

In the Church of Jesus Christ, while accounting for the entire spectrum of faithfulness, or lack thereof, I find there is "one body, and one Spirit,... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, (v.4-6). Wherever I have attended a ward other than my own (anywhere in the world) I find a consistency in our faith and understanding of principles of truth. But as you have illustrated inconsistency in the genuineness of the members' intentions. This brings me to the actual point of the quote that I sent. Further down in chapter 4 we read that Christ, when he ascended up on high, gave gifts unto men... and gave them apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (in our interpretation this would suggest a church organization) for the express purpose of helping with the lack of faithfulness... in v.12 we read that he gave them "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Perfect unity.

The dilemma I see with the "religious buffet" is how it measures up to these scriptures in Ephesians. I understand the protestant perspective on authority, organization, the purpose of a church, etc. But I find that wanting compared to the "authoritarian structure" of Mormonism mentioned above.

One quick comment on your remark that such a structure limits "the freedom to choose how and where they worship". As an outsider I can see how it would appear that way. I would suggest that there is more freedom to be found where laws of truth exist, than in a system where anything goes. It is the truth that sets us free, and living according to principles of truth that allows us the freedom to live a life full of joy and contribution. There is a lot more freedom in our system than would appear to an outsider. The policies you speak of are purely for the sake of organization. I would compare them to a trip to McDonalds. We stand in line to order food because we have learned that it will be easier and faster for everyone if we do so... We are free to leave the line at any time but we may never be served. We can't say that McDonalds is inhibiting our freedom to act because they ask us to stay in line. The same goes with policies of the Church. They facilitate a better structure... and when it comes to beliefs and doctrines, I truly am surprised that there is as much consistency as there is. There is NO official commentary on any of our scriptures. We are taught to individually read and understand them and use them as the measuring stick of our belief. You will never find our leaders forcing a belief, but rather persuading, by use of the scriptures, to see a principle in the light of truth.

The Celestial Law of Marriage

2008-04-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

I promised a friend of mine that I would include an entry on my blog regarding why members of the Church of Jesus Christ accept the doctrine of celestial marriage as requisite to gaining exaltation when he suggests there is no Bible support. The following summarizes my feelings on the issue.

Marriage is Honourable... Adultery is Not.

Critics of the doctrine of celestial marriage frequently and, in my judgment, erroneously site Paul's letters in 1 Cor. 7 as a rejection of the doctrine. Though married themselves many of them ignorantly champion the doctrine of celibacy which I whole-heartedly refute. As a father of 5 who has served full-time for 2 years seeking to convert the godless to the God of Abraham, I have learned first-hand that the most important and effective missionary work happens within the walls of a righteous home where both parents fear God and seek to live in accordance with His will. Furthermore, while Paul has obviously said things that could undermine the institution of marriage, he is also the most quoted champion of it. His words must therefore be read within their specific contexts rather than being taken as statements of general truth. A comprehensive examination of his teachings to the Corinthians illustrate his contempt for fornication and adultery. Contrarily he champions chastity before marriage and complete fidelity within the bonds of marriage. Applying this lens to his lectures to the Corinthians makes the issue plain. He was definitely speaking on behalf of marriage. To review a series of scriptures that show the obvious position of the Lord and the early Apostles in regards to marriage I would first like to cite Gen.1:28 where God gave a commandment to the family of men saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”. The seventh commandment says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14). So we are all commanded to multiply and replenish the earth yet not commit fornication and adultery. This excludes all options save marriage. (Heb. 13:4 - Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.) The second chapter of Genesis backs up to the creation of Eve saying, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (v.24). We were created to marry and multiply. Now obviously modern marriage arrangements are a social construct, but since the beginning of mankind there has been an arrangement that would set a man and woman apart from others to cleave (be united) unto one another. All throughout the Old and New Testaments we learn of God's contempt for the sins of adultery and fornication which become obsolete within a righteous marriage relationship.

Paul was a Proponent of Marriage

A quick run through of the Pauline scriptures that support the institution of marriage include 1 Tim 4:1-3 where Paul gives examples of those who give “heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil” among which are those who forbid to marry (v.3). Self-prescribed celibacy, as he discusses it here, would be considered a doctrine of the devil. In 1 Cor. 7 we find Paul speaking expressly against the sins of adultery and fornication and then saying, “ let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband”. Pay attention in this chapter to what he says is a commandment from the Lord and what he expressly says is NOT a commandment but his own thoughts on the issue. (Read D&C 74, it's short). In vs.8 when he says, “ I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.” I am convinced that Paul is talking about remaining chaste... not unmarried. 1 Cor. 11:11 is probably the most significant of his teachings that relate to an eternal principle of marriage. The KJV says, “neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” Can we get any clearer than that?

Introduction of Ordinances

While I believe that many members of the First Century Church of Jesus Christ accepted and practiced the doctrine of celestial marriage, I understand that there is no solid New Testament proof of this. So I will not seek to prove such through the New Testament. Nevertheless, even if the Lord waited until this the last dispensation to introduce such a critical doctrine I would not be surprised. A parallel ordinance might help to clarify my convictions. In the Old Testament we find no solid proof that baptism was required for salvation, yet Christ is clear that “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16), and “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). While Members of the Church of Jesus Christ have their explanations for this, how does a mainstream protestant explain the perfect Mercy of God in relation to these scriptures and earlier peoples who were more worthy than they for the kingdom of God. Jesus made it clear that there is a covenantal ordinance that must take place. Similarly it is not inconsistent for Christ to reveal another saving ordinance after much of the earth has already come and gone as long as he provides means for past peoples to meet the same requirements. This is the purpose of the Spirit World (see next section), to provide this chance.

Salvation vs. Exaltation

There is a fundamental difference in the way Mainstream Protestants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ envision the afterlife as indicative of written teachings. Mormons do not believe in a simple dichotomous afterlife where everyone is divided into two camps: Heaven or Hell (Actually we do, but we call it the Spirit World and see it not as our final resting place but a transitional place where spirits have one final chance to accept or reject the doctrines and ordinances of salvation. (1 Pet. 3:18-20). Following the Spirit World is the Final Judgment as spoken of by John the Revelator (Rev. 20:12). It is after this judgment that all souls who are deserving of salvation shall receive a kingdom of glory perfectly complimentary to the life we lived, the nature of our hearts, and our acceptance of Christ's Atonement. The scriptures speak of three kingdoms of glory that vary in the amount of glory depending on their proximity to God. (D&C 74, 2 Cor. 12:2, 1 Cor. 15:40-42). Each kingdom is divided into a multitude of levels each varying in glory so that each soul receives their perfect due. To make a long explanation short. We believe that salvation will come to all who attain a kingdom of glory, which comes through a combination of the perfect grace of God and our own works of goodness. Exaltation, on the other hand, comes to a select group who inherit the highest level of the highest kingdom. (see D&C 131, 132). Therefore we often agree with other Christians when speaking of salvation, but do not see eye to eye when speaking of exaltation. Celestial marriage relates to exaltation.

Christ Rejects Divorce and Sustains Marriage

Jesus Christ, when confronted by the Pharisees about divorce in Matthew 19:3-9 (and Mark 10:2-12) Jesus responded by explaining that God “made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh'. Here Jesus confirms that Old Testament account. He continues warning, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).” My favorite part of the story actually comes next when the Pharisees defend divorce by saying that Moses commanded it as a prophet. Jesus soundly rebukes them explaining that Moses gave the commandment because of the hardness of the people's hearts. He said, “but from the beginning it was not so.” There we have it. From the beginning we were meant to be together... not separate.

Culture vs. Truth

2008-03-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

In response to an entry on http://aletheiaquest.blogspot.com/ titled "On Priesthood Authority in Mormonism" I have posted the following entry

A Long Overdue Shift in Blame

When Jesus was confronted by Pharisees on the issue of divorce as recorded in Matthew 19:3-11. He explained that from the beginning men and women were meant to be united not divided (which we currently use to support the ideals of marriage) , "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (v.6). So the pharisees then began to ask Jesus why Moses commanded divorce in certain situations. (there is a parallel here to that of the priesthood issue). Christ's response is very telling, and he did not hold the prophet responsible as our critics do. I quote, "Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." (v.8 NIV) He then strongly denounced divorce.

Here Jesus explained how a true prophet of God (Moses) commanded something against God's will... not because of his own biases or misconceptions, but rather because of the hardness of the people's hearts.

I know from their teachings and examples that the leaders of the LDS Church from the early years to the present have always been prayerful followers of the same God worshipped by all of Christianity, espousing the same teachings from the Bible and more. Prayerful, but not infallible. Leader after leader was confronted with the issue of blacks and the priesthood and I am confident they each took the issue to the Lord, just as one would expect any righteous leader to do. I am sure they did. Each received their answer and each were required to wait. The time was not yet. I submit that the blame for the blacks being kept from the priesthood is wrongly placed on the shoulders of the leaders of this church (just as divorce may be wrongly placed on Moses' shoulders). The Lord knows the hearts of all men, and I am confident that because of the hardness of the hearts of the membership of the LDS Church of that time that Lord knew the time was not yet. Our world was still embroiled in racist division and the time was just not yet, and so the Leaders were left to use scripture and logic to support the Lord's decision. Brigham Young and his predecessors confined the priesthood to a small homogenous group because of the hardness of the hearts of the early membership... unfortunately the hatred and division were two-sided and in many places still are. I imagine many of our black brothers and sisters were not yet ready either.

In short, the membership of the LDS Church and all who accepted the prevailing culture were primarily at fault, though the blame is only placed on the Leaders by critics of our faith.

Rising Above Cultural Norms... Since When?

In response to your statement "those outside the Church would naturally expect LDS general authorities to always have the discernment and moral fortitude to rise above the cultural norms (like racism) that are so inconsistent with Christian teaching." I must simply ask why Christ, Paul, and Peter, nor any of the other leaders of the early church (since Adam :)) denounced slavery, nor called an end to it, but rather told slaves to serve their masters well. How does this relate to such an unfair standard of requiring normal men to rise above cultural norms? Was Christ himself subject to a cultural norm (according to the precedence set forth), or were other issues at play? I would suggest the latter. (For the sake of reference: Eph. 6:5, Col 3:22, 1 Pet 2:18, 1 Tim 6:1, Titus 2:9, Matthew 10:24)

I would beware of confusing political correctness with God's standards of righteousness (lest we be caught promoting cultural ideals that are clearly inconsistent with God's such as homosexuality as of late). While in places they cross one another the ways of men are not one and the same with the ideals of God... and maybe in the eternal scheme of things we are really comparing apples with oranges. Most likely God dislikes slavery, but understands that in this world we are all slaves to something, so he teaches how to gain freedom by transcending the cultures of this world. In this way while chained in physical or temporal bondage we can at the same time be spiritually free.

The Priesthood Question

2008-03-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

As is always the case my comments are my own, my personal reflections on topics of importance to me. I welcome your thoughts and challenges to my way of thinking.

God has given the priesthood to man so that His power can be manifested among the children of men in an orderly way—so that His purposes may be fulfilled. God never intended to give the authority to act and administer in his name to all people, but rather a reserved portion that made valiant decisions in this life and perhaps in their previous experience. Evidence for this can easily be found in every book of scripture in every age where the priesthood has been given by God to man. Even still, the priesthood is not solely a mark of personal valiance or honor. It is given to man for God’s purposes to be fulfilled, not man’s. Otherwise we speak of priestcraft, not priesthood. I have come to see great wisdom in God’s giving this priesthood to some and not all, for example His giving it to men and not women. By doing so we must rely upon one another to make it active in family units—the basic unit of the gospel. When the intact family unit is discarded by society the blessings of the priesthood go with it, as it is no longer readily accessible in the home. When families remain worthy and intact, however, the authority to preside and bless are efficacious and contribute to the strength and vitality of that family.

The gift of Christ’s gospel is not the priesthood, which some may have mistaken it to be. The gifts of His gospel include all of the gifts of the Spirit, which are made available to all of His children but are reserved for His faithful, seeking ones.

Unlike the priesthood, which has been reserved for a few, to suit God’s needs, the blessings of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost are made available to all of God’s children, EVERY LAST ONE. We are only made partakers of these great gifts, however, as we humble ourselves before God and are baptized into His church and kingdom. All of those who humble themselves before God and are baptized and receive His word will be blessed by having continual access to the Holy Spirit of Truth. This is the greatest blessing that can come to mankind while in this earthly probation. Far greater blessings lay in the next estate, of course.

Giving the priesthood unto the children of men is God’s way of keeping order and bringing to pass His work in His vast kingdom and is an oath and covenant made to and with the human race. It is not expedient that every person hold the priesthood for it is not the holding of the priesthood that causes conversion in one’s breast. Rather it is an order of service through which God can bless His children, while maximizing the utility of the agency that has been given to mankind. Some must choose to serve, while others must choose to be served, regardless of who holds the priesthood.

Thoughts came to mind of certain metaphors such as the body of Christ where all members are needed, but do not perform the same function or have the same level of utility. I also have considered that while many hold the priesthood some hold the greater (Melchizedek) and some hold the lesser (Aaronic). Furthermore, there are many levels of duty and responsibility within the priesthood organization. There is obviously a need for great variety in this regard. The authority to act in God’s name never has been distributed evenly. It is given according to His wisdom, and His timing.

Any thoughts?

Samson, a story for our day?

2008-02-29T22:57:00.000-08:00

I would like to say something about the story of Samson from the book of Judges. I have had great difficulties with this story for more than a decade until I finally took it to Heavenly Father in prayer. I could not see its relevance as scripture. I was reminded more of the Illiad and the Odyssey and such tales of godless honor and warring.

I tried and tried to resolve the dissonance caused by this story through reason and logic, through study and discussion, but not prayer.

I came to hate the story of Samson and treat it with disgust; using it as an example that the Old Testament has been corrupted by the enemies of righteousness. Why else would such a story exist that seems to champion his wickedness? The way Samson is portrayed in the Old Testament is not unlike the portrayal of modern-day movie stars. Their heroism stems from their large statures, their nice figures, and their ability to fight and get what they want. This is how Samson is treated. But what of the integrity of the heart? What of the desire to act in righteousness before God? This is not a part of the story of Samson as we know it.

Against his parents’ wishes and the Jewish tradition Samson asks for the hand of a woman of Timnath. His pleas are not unlike that of a spoiled child, “Get her for me, daddy! I like her daddy.” (Jud14:3). He fed his parent honey made in the carcass of a lion, surely against the Law of Moses. He rose up and killed 30 men because they discovered the answer to his riddle. (Red Flags going up everywhere). When he was dishonored by losing the hand of the woman from Timnath he turned upon the inhabitants of that land and burned up their fields of corn and vineyards of olives. But that was only the beginning. He then slew them with a great slaughter. Then when the Philistines came with their armies to take him he slew a thousand more men. He later went unto the harlot Delilah who was not only a harlot, but of the Philistines as well. He not only broke principles of the Law of Moses, he consistently broke the BIG commandments. Amidst this sinful saga we get one little glimpse of seeming goodness in Samson. We learn that he judged Israel for 20 years. Now this detail is not a light thing. The Judges of Israel were chosen from the righteous of Israel, at least in theory. What from Samson’s story besides his strength gave him the right to be a judge in Israel?

I argued for some time that such a story could only mean that the bible had been changed from its original state or such wickedness would never have been celebrated. Then I had a shocking and most pleasant revelation that has helped me to see the value of this story more clearly.

As I pondered and prayed about this particular story, my understanding seemed suddenly clearer and I felt impressed that Samson had served the Lord faithfully for many years and was justified in his ways…

but then he fell.

His story is one full of tragedy, for after living a life of faithfulness (20 years as a judge of Israel), and knowing the Lord well and the Lord’s will regarding him, he forsook the covenants he had made and faltered, giving way to his sensual desires. His fall began gradually and because he was a judge of Israel he was not checked for his behavior, but rather he likely used his position of power to satisfy his carnal desires. At such a point the Spirit could no longer be with him.

The idea that has made this story so clearly relevant came next. This was the idea that to the extent that Samson kept his covenants he was protected. He was a Nazarite, so as he forsook strong drink and stayed the razor from his head, for example, he was protected from the cunning designs of men, but as his heart had failed him and was set henceforth on things of the world and no longer on things of heaven, he soon forsook even those covenants. He was blinded by his appetite for power and sensuality and quickly fell from his place. While the Bible only gives account of his head being shaved by Delilah, the Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus discusses how all of the conversations with Delilah, when she convinced him to do so many things, happened while he was drunk! A Nazarite is not supposed to be drunk…which means he forsook even the most basic of the covenants he made with the Lord.

His life is one to be remembered, but not revered or followed. He wasn’t forsaken by the Lord until he had completely forsaken even the outward covenants he had made with the Lord. The thought occurred to me that there are many Christians today who outwardly keep commandments and covenants they have made with the Lord by following codes of health (i.e. Word of Wisdom), for example, and wearing their garments, BUT THEIR HEARTS HAVE ALSO FAILED THEM or have gradually begun to do so as they seek to satisfy their own carnal desires rather than seek the things of heaven. In a very real way Samson is a tale of our day…and a warning.

The story of Samson now has value to me and has become one of my favorites.

My Reading of the Qur'an

2008-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been reading the Qur'an lately because I have several close friends that are or were Muslim. I have found the book to be of the highest quality, and have decided that I believe Muhammad was a prophet...in the sense that I believe he really was visited by an angel and really did a great work for God in converting a godless people back to God. I do not believe however that his prophetic calling was complete because he could not accept the divinity of Jesus Christ. This I attribute to the culture of the day and human weakness.

Muhammad had access to the writings of the New Testament, he was familiar with the state of Christianity in 600 AD, he was protected at times by the Byzantine Christians and saw them as allies (particularly the Christian Ethiopian King). He knew well what had taken place in the debates of the 4th and 5th centuries that led to the many Christian Creeds and he soundly rejected some of their conclusions...particularly the trinity doctrine and the deification of Christ. The Quran states very clearly how the Jews received revelation at one time...but had forsaken them, and then the Christians, they received the revelations of God at one time...but also had forsaken them...something that I believe happened following the death of Christ. The great falling away that Paul speaks of.

This is all very interesting to me because I believe that Christianity and the world at large fell into a period of darkness for many many centuries after the death of Christ. In fact history shows us that it went through several periods of religious decline and then restoration before Christ. Muhammad saw his mission as that of a restorer.

Muhammad taught that Jesus was a great prophet, a perfect man, an apostle of the one true God, but still his servant. He believed in all his signs and miracles and openly taught of his great coming in the end of times, but denied any teaching that made Christ equal to Allah. This flies in the face of the Trinity doctrine as embraced by much of the Christian world which either makes Jesus also the Father, or his equal (depending on which Christian you talk to). I believe they are both wrong.

I believe that Jesus Christ, after accomplishing his mission, received of the Father's fullness and therefore has become a God himself, but in the heavenly hierarchy God the Father is the Greatest of all and all will be less than him in Glory forever since any glory we, His spirit children, attain adds to his. This includes Christ, our brother, as I believe Him to be.

All in all, I am enjoying the Qur'an and trying to understand from their source material the similarities and differences between our faiths. I find no excuse in their teachings for terrorist activities. Not in the Qur'an. Self defense yes, but nothing to justify murderous terrorism.

Some may wonder how I can believe that Muhammad could be a prophet when he rejected Christianity. Firstly I do not believe Christianity then, was what Christianity is now. But how could Muhammad be a prophet and still reject the divinity of Christ? I contribute such a failure to the weakness of men and compare this instance to that of other Bible Prophets. Jonah tried to run away from his calling, but went and preached to the Ninevites and was hailed as a prophet even though he wanted no mercy for them and was rebuked by the Lord. King David is still hailed a prophet king even after he caused the death of Uriah after committing adultery with his wife Bathsheba. Many of the psalms that prophesy of Christ's coming and mission were written in David's old age, after this moral fall. How could he have received such profound revelations quoted to this day by Christians throughout the world, prophesying of the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ in greater plainness than most other Old Testament prophets, after he had committed such wickedness and betrayed the Lord in such a manner. There are many examples of those who were chosen by God to do a work, despite their rejection of critical principles related to God's will.

It is in this light that I see Muhammad as one who was chosen to do a work, however partial it was. After all, he was the instrument through which an entire pagan nation was converted back to the God of Abraham when neither the Jews nor the Christians of the time could do so. Go Muhammad! I bet our Father is proud of what he accomplished and I am sure Muhammad accepts the divinity of Christ now. :)

Introduction to the Urim and Thummim blog

2008-02-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

White seemed to be the appropriate color for this Blog.

My intention here is to have a place to post thoughts of religious nature that are important enough to share with others, yet not so private and personal that I feel anxiety over such postings. I have had experiences in my life that are much too special and much too sacred to share in such a venue as this, and I am grateful to know that the heavens are open. Our Father in Heaven is very much aware of us, and is pouring out light and truth in this great latter day in preparation for the grand return of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is they whom I worship, and to them that I devote this blog.

This blog, however, is not for them . My intentions are to have a place where family and friends may come to know my testimony of the true and living God of this world, a way of seeing what goes through my mind as I study the books of scripture and the books of men, when I compare the ways of the world and the ways of the Lord.