So, first off, I believe God created the Earth and animals and man... BUT, there are signs in science and other things that make me think about this matter more in detail. My sister once was in a science class where they were teaching evolution as if it was fact and not just a very plausible scientific theory. My sister got a little frustrated and finally said, "If God wanted it to look like evolution then that's why evolution can be explained!"
I believe that God follows the laws of science for the most part. I can't explain miracles scientifically, so I believe those times are NOT explained by any science, but maybe there's some higher law of science that is still being followed that either I don't understand or the whole human race is unaware of. So I believe that evolution is possible- not that it happened per se, just that it's possible. The Bible is very clear on one thing though- from the dust, God made man- I'm not sure if that's figurative or literal, but it doesn't say anything like He took a rib from a monkey and made Adam. But what about the rest of the animals? Did He physically create each and every one? Or just make it possible for all of the different types to be created? Did He set things in motion? Or did He take particles from creatures already made and slightly modify them, building his way up (line by line, precept upon precept so to speak..) so it looks like evolution, both in how long traces of certain animals can be found and in similarities?
I'm definitely open to comments on this one- so feel free to share your opinion. The scripture that led to this post is in The Pearl of Great Price- it's talking about the creation, and the wording is slightly different than that in the Bible- just SLIGHTLY, I found it interesting and it got me thinking about evolution and the possibility of God using this theory in the creation of the Earth. Abraham 4:20-21 "And the Gods said: Let us prepare the waters to bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have life; and the fowl, that they may fly above the earth in the open expanse of heaven. And the Gods prepared the waters that they might bring forth great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters were to bring forth abundantly after their kind; and every winged fowl after their kind. And the Gods saw that they would be obeyed, and that their plan was good." It says something very similar for the rest of the animals in verses 24-25 "And the Gods prepared the earth to bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind; and it was so, as they had said. And the Gods organized the earth to bring forth the beasts after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after its kind; and the Gods saw they would obey." For man it doesn't say anything about preparing the waters that they might bring forth whales and fill the oceans, or preparing the earth, that it might bring forth living creatures, it says "the Gods went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the Gods to form they him, male and female to form they them." (verse 27)
Anyways, share your thoughts, opinions and any other scriptures you may have come across.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Blacks and the Priesthood
The other day I wrote a post based on women I think are worthy of emulation. Those women were of a lineage that preserved a curse, "Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partkaer of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land." (Abraham 1:21-22) The important thing here is that it's talking about the blood of the Canaanites being passed down through the descendants of Ham. Verse 23 talks about Egypt being discovered by a woman, and then in verse 24 it continues, "When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land." So here it says the curse was preserved- the curse of the Canaanites. It says it was preserved in the land.
The footnote for the Canaanites in the first few verses takes us back to Moses 7:6-8. There it talks about what this curse is. "...and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan; For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people." Here is where people say the blacks couldn't have the Priesthood because of this curse. This curse says nothing about the Priesthood. Neither does the scripture in Abraham. The curse in their blood passed down a color of skin maybe. And the curse was preserved in the land- Africa is still often thought of as barren and having "much heat". I know there are different parts of Africa, but the association with the greatest desert is there. Nowhere does it say that their skin color was a curse. It says it happened. Period. I don't know if it made them better suited to endure the heat- but I know for me personally, I would likely complain, or burn (and yes I know black people can burn too).
So now for the Priesthood part- Abraham 1 continues in verses 25-27, "Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal. Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. Now Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry;" Here is where it mentions no Priesthood based on lineage. A few other things I want to point out first. Pharaoh was blessed in the earth- the first leader of Egypt. And we know from history that Egypt became very fruitful and prominent and wealthy. Despite the curse of the land, the Egyptians and others in that continent that we do not have record of were blessed in the land despite the curse OF the land.
Here though it says he was of a lineage that could not have the Priesthood. In Old Testament times the Priesthood WAS by lineage. At the time of Noah they had the Melchizedek Priesthood (the Lord created a lesser Priesthood- the Aaronic "when the children of Israel failed to live up to the privileges and covenants of the Melchizedek Priesthood" (BD Melchizedek Priesthood)). "The Melchizedek Priesthood was first made known to Adam, and the patriarchs and prophets in every dispensation had this authority." (BD- Melchizedek Priesthood). Ham was not the patriarch, so it could be said that Ham, nor his sons, were of the birthright/lineage to randomly be selected as the patriarch and therefore were cursed as to the Priesthood, and were of "that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood".
Regardless of what the curse ACTUALLY means there's a scripture in Abraham 2:9-10, where the Lord is blessing Abraham: "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father...and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, they Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee" (emphasis added). Here, regardless of whatever the curse was it says that through Abraham's seed that the Gospel will spread and also the Priesthood. That anyone who receives the Gospel will become part of Abraham's seed. Therefore, anyone today can hold the Priesthood.
So why did it take so long? I don't know. But I do know that "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things"(2 Ne 2:24) Why did God wait til 1820 to restore His Church? (There is a great talk by Hyrum W. Smith called "Why 1820?" on that topic). Anyways, there is a reason- whether we see it or not. If the blood was cursed, it should still be cursed, logically, so I don't know why they had to wait- I just know there must have been a reason for it. I've heard speculations about how maybe it was because there was enough persecution with the early Church, and the United States was still in controversy about blacks gaining their freedom. Whatever the reason, God had one. Every worthy male can hold the Priesthood. Not any worthy white male, ANY worthy male. And I'm glad that for whatever the reason for the wait, the wait is over.
The footnote for the Canaanites in the first few verses takes us back to Moses 7:6-8. There it talks about what this curse is. "...and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan; For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people." Here is where people say the blacks couldn't have the Priesthood because of this curse. This curse says nothing about the Priesthood. Neither does the scripture in Abraham. The curse in their blood passed down a color of skin maybe. And the curse was preserved in the land- Africa is still often thought of as barren and having "much heat". I know there are different parts of Africa, but the association with the greatest desert is there. Nowhere does it say that their skin color was a curse. It says it happened. Period. I don't know if it made them better suited to endure the heat- but I know for me personally, I would likely complain, or burn (and yes I know black people can burn too).
So now for the Priesthood part- Abraham 1 continues in verses 25-27, "Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal. Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood. Now Pharaoh being of that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood, notwithstanding the Pharaohs would fain claim it from Noah, through Ham, therefore my father was led away by their idolatry;" Here is where it mentions no Priesthood based on lineage. A few other things I want to point out first. Pharaoh was blessed in the earth- the first leader of Egypt. And we know from history that Egypt became very fruitful and prominent and wealthy. Despite the curse of the land, the Egyptians and others in that continent that we do not have record of were blessed in the land despite the curse OF the land.
Here though it says he was of a lineage that could not have the Priesthood. In Old Testament times the Priesthood WAS by lineage. At the time of Noah they had the Melchizedek Priesthood (the Lord created a lesser Priesthood- the Aaronic "when the children of Israel failed to live up to the privileges and covenants of the Melchizedek Priesthood" (BD Melchizedek Priesthood)). "The Melchizedek Priesthood was first made known to Adam, and the patriarchs and prophets in every dispensation had this authority." (BD- Melchizedek Priesthood). Ham was not the patriarch, so it could be said that Ham, nor his sons, were of the birthright/lineage to randomly be selected as the patriarch and therefore were cursed as to the Priesthood, and were of "that lineage by which he could not have the right of Priesthood".
Regardless of what the curse ACTUALLY means there's a scripture in Abraham 2:9-10, where the Lord is blessing Abraham: "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations; And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father...and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, they Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee" (emphasis added). Here, regardless of whatever the curse was it says that through Abraham's seed that the Gospel will spread and also the Priesthood. That anyone who receives the Gospel will become part of Abraham's seed. Therefore, anyone today can hold the Priesthood.
So why did it take so long? I don't know. But I do know that "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things"(2 Ne 2:24) Why did God wait til 1820 to restore His Church? (There is a great talk by Hyrum W. Smith called "Why 1820?" on that topic). Anyways, there is a reason- whether we see it or not. If the blood was cursed, it should still be cursed, logically, so I don't know why they had to wait- I just know there must have been a reason for it. I've heard speculations about how maybe it was because there was enough persecution with the early Church, and the United States was still in controversy about blacks gaining their freedom. Whatever the reason, God had one. Every worthy male can hold the Priesthood. Not any worthy white male, ANY worthy male. And I'm glad that for whatever the reason for the wait, the wait is over.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Eminent Women from History
I would like to share a video- and honestly I didn't recognize all the names. The video tells about the signers of the Declaration and many other eminant men that came to Wilford Woodruff in the St. George temple just after it was dedicated and wanted to have their temple work done. This I had heard about, but Wilford also said that there were also many women from history that had their temple work done. Wilford Woodruff's record does not say that the women appeared to him (like the men did), but whether they did or by revelation he picked these women from the whole lot of influential women in history, I still thought it was interesting. The person who put together the video has been researching these women and has started to do individual videos of them, feel free to explore his other videos as well.
Daughters of Onitah and the wife of Ham
There is only one verse on the daughters of Onitah, but I find their lineage interesting to their story as well, of which we can find more scriptures.
Abraham 1:11 "Now, this priest had offered upon this altar [the one Abraham was also offered upon, though Abraham was saved] three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians."
They were of royal birth, and direct descendants of Ham. The descendents of Ham- it talks more about them in Abraham 1: 21-22 and even a little in verse 23. "Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the poins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land." (Abr. 1:21-22) The footnote for Canaanites is given in both verses, one footnote being the same in both- Moses 7:6-8 which tells us who the Canaanites were, for their blood to be passed down, or in other words, the people of Egypt were related to the Canaanites. "... and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan; For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people." (Moses 7:7-8) So these were the same people that were initially cursed because of their wickedness, now to take it down to Noah's time...
Moses 8:28-30, "The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence, and behold I will destroy all flesh from off the earth." EVERYONE was wicked. There was not one nation that was righteous- cursed or not cursed. And then back to Moses 8:27 "And thus Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; for Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation; and he walked with God, as did also his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." (emphasis added) Back briefly to Abraham 1:23 "The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden". Many people say this shows that Ham's wife was forbidden. That's what it seems her name means, and regardless we know she was of the lineage of the people of Canaan. BUT, (here's a shout out for the wife of Ham) a man, Ham, who walked with God, chose to marry her when all the world around him was becoming more and more wicked. ALL the wicked were destroyed and his wife was not. "Cursed" or not, she was a righteous woman, otherwise she would not have survived the floods.
Now back to the book of Abraham 1:24-25, "...from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, [I'm unsure as to whether there are two Egyptus's or if it is the same that was mentioned in verse 23] the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal." So we have the beginnings of the royal line in Egypt from which the daughters of Onitah came. Now verse 26, "Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom..." The beginnings of the leadership in Egypt was righteous- its people were righteous and over time people began to turn from the Lord and worship idols instead. The people of Egypt may have carried the result of the curse in their blood, but as we can see here, it has nothing to do with their ability to be righteous and to be chosen. The wife of Ham was chosen to survive the flood because of her righteousness, even above those of lineages which were not cursed. The daughters of Onitah were faithful, even unto death, refusing to worship idols and are noted for their virtue. It reminds me of Daniel who refused to worship idols and was thrown into a lion's den, but these three women went to meet their God a little sooner. These women practiced virtue and were faithful. They along with the wife of Ham, are women worthy of emulation.
Abraham 1:11 "Now, this priest had offered upon this altar [the one Abraham was also offered upon, though Abraham was saved] three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians."
They were of royal birth, and direct descendants of Ham. The descendents of Ham- it talks more about them in Abraham 1: 21-22 and even a little in verse 23. "Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the poins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land." (Abr. 1:21-22) The footnote for Canaanites is given in both verses, one footnote being the same in both- Moses 7:6-8 which tells us who the Canaanites were, for their blood to be passed down, or in other words, the people of Egypt were related to the Canaanites. "... and the people of Canaan shall divide themselves in the land, and the land shall be barren and unfruitful, and none other people shall dwell there but the people of Canaan; For behold, the Lord shall curse the land with much heat, and the barrenness thereof shall go forth forever; and there was a blackness came upon all the children of Canaan, that they were despised among all people." (Moses 7:7-8) So these were the same people that were initially cursed because of their wickedness, now to take it down to Noah's time...
Moses 8:28-30, "The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence, and behold I will destroy all flesh from off the earth." EVERYONE was wicked. There was not one nation that was righteous- cursed or not cursed. And then back to Moses 8:27 "And thus Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; for Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation; and he walked with God, as did also his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth." (emphasis added) Back briefly to Abraham 1:23 "The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden". Many people say this shows that Ham's wife was forbidden. That's what it seems her name means, and regardless we know she was of the lineage of the people of Canaan. BUT, (here's a shout out for the wife of Ham) a man, Ham, who walked with God, chose to marry her when all the world around him was becoming more and more wicked. ALL the wicked were destroyed and his wife was not. "Cursed" or not, she was a righteous woman, otherwise she would not have survived the floods.
Now back to the book of Abraham 1:24-25, "...from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. Now the first government of Egypt was established by Pharaoh, the eldest son of Egyptus, [I'm unsure as to whether there are two Egyptus's or if it is the same that was mentioned in verse 23] the daughter of Ham, and it was after the manner of the government of Ham, which was patriarchal." So we have the beginnings of the royal line in Egypt from which the daughters of Onitah came. Now verse 26, "Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom..." The beginnings of the leadership in Egypt was righteous- its people were righteous and over time people began to turn from the Lord and worship idols instead. The people of Egypt may have carried the result of the curse in their blood, but as we can see here, it has nothing to do with their ability to be righteous and to be chosen. The wife of Ham was chosen to survive the flood because of her righteousness, even above those of lineages which were not cursed. The daughters of Onitah were faithful, even unto death, refusing to worship idols and are noted for their virtue. It reminds me of Daniel who refused to worship idols and was thrown into a lion's den, but these three women went to meet their God a little sooner. These women practiced virtue and were faithful. They along with the wife of Ham, are women worthy of emulation.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Commandments
Today, with the help of the topic in Sunday School, I began to reflect on commandments. There are many commandments- but most people when they think of commandments think of the big 10- the ones given to Moses in the Old Testament. No idols. No other gods before Him (God). Don't take (say) the Lord's name in vain. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Honour thy father and thy mother. Don't steal. Don't kill. Don't bear false witness. Do not commit adultery. Do not covet. But really a commandment is anything the Lord tells us to do, either personally or through his chosen mouthpiece- the prophet.
In the first scripture, the man loved his worldly belongings and wealth more than God. He chose to spend his life with temporary riches instead of following the counsel of the Savior. It is possible that had he shown that he was humble and willing to give all up that the Savior would've counseled him to merely help those around him with his riches- to use his life for good. It is not bad to have wealth, or even to seek after it. What is wrong, is if we put it above God, or if we let it distract us from doing what the Savior would wish us to do. If we grow to love it, if we choose not to thank the Lord for the help He has given us in achieving that goal.
Another point made concerning this story was that of sins of commission and sins of omission. It is not merely enough to keep the 10 commandments. We also need to go about doing good. As D&C 58: 26-27 reads,
There is a scripture in 2 Chronicles 25:2, "And he [Amaziah] did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart." This tells us that it is more than doing what is right, but our attitude behind it. To go along with this is the story of Laman and Lemuel which a great friend of mine helped me understand more. Those familiar with the Book of Mormon know that everyone considers Laman and Lemuel to be wicked. But why? Their father asked them to leave Jerusalem. They did. They were asked to return for the plates. They did. They were asked to go back to get wives. They did. They were asked to build a boat. They did. They were asked to get on the boat and head to a strange promised land. They did. So WHY are they wicked? Because they did everything grudgingly, reluctantly and murmuring the whole way. It was their attitude that made the difference in the end.
So what can we learn? It is not enough to keep the 10 commandments alone. We need to strive to do everything the Lord asks of us. We need to put the Lord first. We need to sometimes check our attitude and make sure we are doing things for the right reasons, that our heart is behind our actions. I'm not saying there won't be days when we fail or it's harder, but that is our goal- to always strive to be better, to put the Lord first, and to do things with a willing heart. Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart.
We read a story in Mark 10:17-22 that reads, "And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest though me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."I found it interesting that the commandment about having other gods before him didn't come up. A god can be anything that you put before God. If God told you to go to Church and you decided you were too tired, then your sleep, that day, is before God. (I'm not condemning anyone who has slept through anything before- just trying to show that another god before him doesn't have to be something physical that we bow down to). A god before Him is anything that places God as less important than whatever else we have decided is more important, in any circumstance. Classic obedience story of testing whether or not God came first was with Abraham and Isaac. What I find interesting is that in Genesis 17:19, after Ishmael is born, Abraham is told that Sarah will bear a son Isaac and the covenant will be fulfilled through Isaac and his seed after him. Then after Isaac is born, but before he has a chance to have any seed, (in Genesis 22) Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son. He is asked to do something that would make it seem impossible for God to follow through on His promise that with Isaac the covenant will be renewed and with his seed after him. Not only that but Abraham has to decide whether his love for God truly does come first, or if the love of his family, and his son comes first. In my opinion there would be no greater test- because families ARE important. As we know, God told Abraham at the last minute that he didn't have to sacrifice his son. I don't think God ever meant for Abraham to sacrifice his son, but we all have to be willing to put the Lord first, no matter what, even if it doesn't seem to make sense to us: for "with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27) When we put the Lord first in all things, He will help make everything else fall into place. We have to trust Him. And in order to trust Him that fully we have to at least believe that He has our best intentions at heart and wants our happiness.
In the first scripture, the man loved his worldly belongings and wealth more than God. He chose to spend his life with temporary riches instead of following the counsel of the Savior. It is possible that had he shown that he was humble and willing to give all up that the Savior would've counseled him to merely help those around him with his riches- to use his life for good. It is not bad to have wealth, or even to seek after it. What is wrong, is if we put it above God, or if we let it distract us from doing what the Savior would wish us to do. If we grow to love it, if we choose not to thank the Lord for the help He has given us in achieving that goal.
Another point made concerning this story was that of sins of commission and sins of omission. It is not merely enough to keep the 10 commandments. We also need to go about doing good. As D&C 58: 26-27 reads,
"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness"The last point made concerning the original passage was that of attitude. This man wanted the reward but wasn't willing to do everything it took. When told he had missed the mark and still had one thing left to do, he gave up (at least as far as this passage is concerned). And I think it ties in with the sins of commission and sins of omission. Had he broken one of the ten commandments (which it could be argued that he did, by not putting God above his love of his worldly possessions) that would have been a sin of commission. But without more, without deciding with our free will to go about doing good we will commit sins of omission. Of failing to do something.
There is a scripture in 2 Chronicles 25:2, "And he [Amaziah] did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart." This tells us that it is more than doing what is right, but our attitude behind it. To go along with this is the story of Laman and Lemuel which a great friend of mine helped me understand more. Those familiar with the Book of Mormon know that everyone considers Laman and Lemuel to be wicked. But why? Their father asked them to leave Jerusalem. They did. They were asked to return for the plates. They did. They were asked to go back to get wives. They did. They were asked to build a boat. They did. They were asked to get on the boat and head to a strange promised land. They did. So WHY are they wicked? Because they did everything grudgingly, reluctantly and murmuring the whole way. It was their attitude that made the difference in the end.
So what can we learn? It is not enough to keep the 10 commandments alone. We need to strive to do everything the Lord asks of us. We need to put the Lord first. We need to sometimes check our attitude and make sure we are doing things for the right reasons, that our heart is behind our actions. I'm not saying there won't be days when we fail or it's harder, but that is our goal- to always strive to be better, to put the Lord first, and to do things with a willing heart. Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Hope
Easter Hope
Whether you believe in Christ or not, imagine that you were headed somewhere and couldn't get there on your own. You needed a guide and a friend. Someone to show you the way. Christians believe that we are all trying to get to Heaven and the only way there is through Christ. He has shown the way and made it possible for us to get there. So whether you believe in Christ or not, take a moment on this Christian Easter holiday to think about what keeps you going. What do you hope in? Do you hope that Christ will lead you through this life to a better place? Do you believe in a different God and a heaven or afterlife that you are striving for? Maybe you don't believe in God at all, but you hope that you can make a difference in the world around you, make an impact, through music, words, politics, business, teaching, there are so many ways to help out and make the world a better place. No matter what you hope in, today is the Christian day set aside to celebrate our hope made possible through Christ's resurrection.
Today in my Church we talked about the things Christ did for us (or at least what we believe He did for us). Talking about Christ, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." (Alma 7:11-13, The Book of Mormon)
Christ suffered for us, not only for our sins, but our pains and afflictions and sicknesses, that we would never have to be alone. We would always have a friend who knows what we're going through. He prepared the way for us. Suffered for each one of us, individually, even those who may not believe. He then was put up on the cross and died for us. But the miracle that is celebrated on Easter is His resurrection. He overcame death. No human, no scientist has found a way to escape death. It comes to all of us, rich or poor, famous or unknown. And proven or not I believe Christ overcame death and because He overcame death, we will all live again too. Life as we know it may end with death, but it is not the end. Christ is the symbol of hope for all Christians, so I beg all of you, Christian or not, figure out what you hope in, and remember it today.
As a side note, here's a great Easter video:
Whether you believe in Christ or not, imagine that you were headed somewhere and couldn't get there on your own. You needed a guide and a friend. Someone to show you the way. Christians believe that we are all trying to get to Heaven and the only way there is through Christ. He has shown the way and made it possible for us to get there. So whether you believe in Christ or not, take a moment on this Christian Easter holiday to think about what keeps you going. What do you hope in? Do you hope that Christ will lead you through this life to a better place? Do you believe in a different God and a heaven or afterlife that you are striving for? Maybe you don't believe in God at all, but you hope that you can make a difference in the world around you, make an impact, through music, words, politics, business, teaching, there are so many ways to help out and make the world a better place. No matter what you hope in, today is the Christian day set aside to celebrate our hope made possible through Christ's resurrection.
Today in my Church we talked about the things Christ did for us (or at least what we believe He did for us). Talking about Christ, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." (Alma 7:11-13, The Book of Mormon)
Christ suffered for us, not only for our sins, but our pains and afflictions and sicknesses, that we would never have to be alone. We would always have a friend who knows what we're going through. He prepared the way for us. Suffered for each one of us, individually, even those who may not believe. He then was put up on the cross and died for us. But the miracle that is celebrated on Easter is His resurrection. He overcame death. No human, no scientist has found a way to escape death. It comes to all of us, rich or poor, famous or unknown. And proven or not I believe Christ overcame death and because He overcame death, we will all live again too. Life as we know it may end with death, but it is not the end. Christ is the symbol of hope for all Christians, so I beg all of you, Christian or not, figure out what you hope in, and remember it today.
As a side note, here's a great Easter video:
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sacrifice
Today in Church we had a lesson on Sacrifice and it led me to a lot of reflection. First off, my favorite story of sacrifice is that of Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 17:15-21,
One example, is that of modesty. I mean some of that makes sense and since this isn't a post on modesty I'm not going to go too much in detail- but part of our "dress code" never made sense to me. I mean to some extent I guess it still doesn't, but I'm endowed and I follow it anyways. The thing that I never fully understood was that of needing sleeves. I mean I understand not seeing bra straps- but surely a thicker strap is fine- I always referred to bathing suits- I don't have to alter my bathing suits to make sleeves for them to be modest- so I didn't see, especially in the summer time, why we were required to have sleeves. But the point is not a matter of sleeves, but are we willing to give up our sleeveless shirts (or cover them so we are modest) to follow what God has asked of us?
There's a story in the Old Testament of a leper named Naaman. I'm just going to briefly relate the story, but the whole story is contained in 2 Kings chapter 5. Naaman wanted to be healed of leprosy and enlisted the help of Elisha the prophet at the time. Elisha sent back a messenger telling him to wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman heard it and started complaining, thinking that it should've been something more miraculous, or at least have been asked to go and wash in a cleaner river. In verse 13 his servants come and say to him, "if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?" So Naaman followed the council of Elisha and was healed. In our lives do we think that the small commandments aren't necessary? Or are we willing to sacrifice the small things and follow anyways- trusting in a prophet's voice who speaks for God himself?
There are many ways we can sacrifice- in doing things for others, in obeying the commandments, no matter what. In ancient times they had animal sacrifices that pointed to the great and "last" sacrifice- that of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was not the last sacrifice, but it was the last human or sacrifice that required blood to be shed. In 3 Nephi 9:19-20 it says, "And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit..." Animal sacrifices were instituted to point to Christ- that through Him we could be saved. They pointed forward to that day. Now the Sacrament has been instituted (the Lord's Supper in some religions) to remind us OF that sacrifice. It is a time to reflect and to offer ourselves up in a sense. To offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Today we discussed what that means exactly. Usually when we think of a broken heart and a contrite spirit we think of repentance. And it reminded me today of a scripture in Alma 22:18, where the Lamanite King is being taught by Aaron and the Lamanite king says, "...I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day..." Our sins and vices we sometimes keep because they bring pleasure, they bring temporary happiness, or we just don't see how we can survive without them. One definition of sacrifice is given as 'Sacrifice is giving up something of value for something of greater value'. In the midst of our sins we hold to them as something we see as valuable, but when we let them go we are able to more fully turn to the Lord and KNOW Him, and when we do that we prepare ourselves to be ready to be saved at the last day. To me this exemplifies a broken heart and a contrite spirit. To be willing, to desire to come closer to Christ, no matter what the cost. And to me that is what sacrifice is, to want to put our trust in God first- willing to sacrifice our time, talents and means to helping Him. Knowing it is for the greater good, knowing that we will be blessed, but WANTING to do it because we love God first. Not simply because we are told, and not even simply because we know it will help us in the end, but because we love God first. Whatever step we are at- whether we are merely obeying, or whether we are doing it for the personal reward, I think we all need to strive to have the attitude where we are doing something because it is what God wants. Knowing we will benefit from it and letting that be our sole motivation needs to eventually be different in our progress towards being better and becoming more like Christ.
So whatever we need to do, sacrifice a little more to come closer to Christ. Whether that is a sacrifice of time of service to do Christ's work, or more personal in repenting and giving away even one sin at a time to come closer to the Savior- let that be our goal.
"And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah they wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year."I find this interesting, because BEFORE Isaac was born the Lord already told Abraham that he would establish His covenant with Isaac and with his seed afterwards. This brings new meaning to the sacrifice that Abraham was asked- to sacrifice Isaac. Just think of the faith that that would require. To be asked to do something that doesn't make sense. The Lord has promised you that you will have a son, his name will be Isaac, and that HIS children will also receive the same covenant. But Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac before he had any children. To have faith that the Lord fulfills all his promises and really does know what is best- in this case- would require a lot of faith in my opinion. For if I were to follow, then how would the Lord fulfill His promise made to me before my son was even born? What was asked of Abraham, doesn't make any sense to me. And then compound that with the fact that in the book of Abraham we learn that Abraham was meant to be sacrificed to Egyptian gods by his father Terah- how appalling human sacrifice must have been to Abraham. Yet through this story we see an example of faith in the Lord to do whatever He asks. Knowing that the Lord will provide a way- even when we don't see how that could be possible. I personally don't think that the Lord intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son- but we are all tested to see if we will put the Lord first and trust in Him who knows more than we do and who is perfect, and perfect in His knowledge of what is best for us. Do we trust in Him? Even when it doesn't make sense?
One example, is that of modesty. I mean some of that makes sense and since this isn't a post on modesty I'm not going to go too much in detail- but part of our "dress code" never made sense to me. I mean to some extent I guess it still doesn't, but I'm endowed and I follow it anyways. The thing that I never fully understood was that of needing sleeves. I mean I understand not seeing bra straps- but surely a thicker strap is fine- I always referred to bathing suits- I don't have to alter my bathing suits to make sleeves for them to be modest- so I didn't see, especially in the summer time, why we were required to have sleeves. But the point is not a matter of sleeves, but are we willing to give up our sleeveless shirts (or cover them so we are modest) to follow what God has asked of us?
There's a story in the Old Testament of a leper named Naaman. I'm just going to briefly relate the story, but the whole story is contained in 2 Kings chapter 5. Naaman wanted to be healed of leprosy and enlisted the help of Elisha the prophet at the time. Elisha sent back a messenger telling him to wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman heard it and started complaining, thinking that it should've been something more miraculous, or at least have been asked to go and wash in a cleaner river. In verse 13 his servants come and say to him, "if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?" So Naaman followed the council of Elisha and was healed. In our lives do we think that the small commandments aren't necessary? Or are we willing to sacrifice the small things and follow anyways- trusting in a prophet's voice who speaks for God himself?
There are many ways we can sacrifice- in doing things for others, in obeying the commandments, no matter what. In ancient times they had animal sacrifices that pointed to the great and "last" sacrifice- that of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was not the last sacrifice, but it was the last human or sacrifice that required blood to be shed. In 3 Nephi 9:19-20 it says, "And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit..." Animal sacrifices were instituted to point to Christ- that through Him we could be saved. They pointed forward to that day. Now the Sacrament has been instituted (the Lord's Supper in some religions) to remind us OF that sacrifice. It is a time to reflect and to offer ourselves up in a sense. To offer up a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Today we discussed what that means exactly. Usually when we think of a broken heart and a contrite spirit we think of repentance. And it reminded me today of a scripture in Alma 22:18, where the Lamanite King is being taught by Aaron and the Lamanite king says, "...I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day..." Our sins and vices we sometimes keep because they bring pleasure, they bring temporary happiness, or we just don't see how we can survive without them. One definition of sacrifice is given as 'Sacrifice is giving up something of value for something of greater value'. In the midst of our sins we hold to them as something we see as valuable, but when we let them go we are able to more fully turn to the Lord and KNOW Him, and when we do that we prepare ourselves to be ready to be saved at the last day. To me this exemplifies a broken heart and a contrite spirit. To be willing, to desire to come closer to Christ, no matter what the cost. And to me that is what sacrifice is, to want to put our trust in God first- willing to sacrifice our time, talents and means to helping Him. Knowing it is for the greater good, knowing that we will be blessed, but WANTING to do it because we love God first. Not simply because we are told, and not even simply because we know it will help us in the end, but because we love God first. Whatever step we are at- whether we are merely obeying, or whether we are doing it for the personal reward, I think we all need to strive to have the attitude where we are doing something because it is what God wants. Knowing we will benefit from it and letting that be our sole motivation needs to eventually be different in our progress towards being better and becoming more like Christ.
So whatever we need to do, sacrifice a little more to come closer to Christ. Whether that is a sacrifice of time of service to do Christ's work, or more personal in repenting and giving away even one sin at a time to come closer to the Savior- let that be our goal.
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