Recently I was trying to do something I had no idea how to do. Let’s call it HTML coding. The point I need to stress here is I was starting at point 0. I’d done little to no coding and didn’t understand HTML, and still don’t.
It’s not my job to know HTML so it was fine, it was just something I had to figure out.
I was doing some research and trying to understand the format needed for what I was trying to create. Looking at the code I made some assumptions. For example, I thought a symbol at the beginning indicated “this is the start” and a symbol at the end indicated “this is the end.”
I spent a lot of time struggling with this. As I thought I was figuring something out, I’d test it, and realize I was getting farther away. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.
I finally engaged someone I worked with. This person knew almost nothing about HTML. If I was a 0 this person was a 1. He also knew very little about HTML but he immediately recognized something. The part at the beginning that I thought indicated the start wasn’t needed at all. It could be removed.
I removed the beginning and it looked exactly how I needed it to.
He knew little, but the little he knew made a huge difference.
I realized something from this. I saw how devastating ignorance can be. If I knew just a little, I could have completed this task very quickly. Instead, I spent a lot of time going in circles.
Why is knowledge so important? Because ignorance kills.
I think we see this principle amplified in our society today. We are surrounded by misinformation and while we’re in the age of technology and information is at our fingertips, false information is as easily accessible as true information.
What this makes me appreciate is the truth and knowledge of God. There is no misinformation with Him. There is no ignorance. God knows our yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is all truth.
I’m glad that what we learn here goes with us. I’m glad the knowledge we gain here stays with us and helps us. This is one of my favorite principles of the gospel.
I recently heard something I found interesting. “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.”
This statement came from a religious person who was speaking with a person who said they were an atheist.
The religious person asked, “Do you hope you’re wrong?”
The atheist replied, “Yes, I do.”
The religious person replied, “Good, otherwise you would be hoping for something that is inherently bad, so that’s good, your hope is for something good.”
Hope.
Can we hope for something bad?
The atheist went on to say that he used to be “very Christian.” But he just doesn’t believe it anymore. He doesn’t believe there is any life after this. But he hopes there is. I find that sad.
What’s the evidence he relies upon to have a belief that nothing exists after this life? He couldn’t say. Just a feeling. He just didn’t believe it anymore.
I find that extraordinarily sad.
Why would we believe one thing and hope for another?
I’d love for an atheist to have this discussion with me. Not to argue. For me to try to understand.
The religious individual went on to say he didn’t have enough faith to be an atheist. He didn’t have enough faith to believe that the infinite amount of coincidences that needed to happen for this earth to be formed and for life to flourish on it, he didn’t have that faith. It was much easier for him to have faith in a supreme creator that built and made this all work.
I found that to be an interesting point. Is it easier to believe there was a BANG and the jigsaw puzzle fell together? Or is it easier to believe there is One God?
Someone close to me once said, “I hope you never lose your testimony. I’ve lost almost everything in life. I’ve lost a wife, jobs, money, houses, cars, friends; but none of it, none of it, compares to losing my testimony. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy.”
This person, I’m very close with, I love him very much. This person has completely “fallen away” from the Church, as we say.
He is a great person.
I could have been him.
I could have gotten confused by doctrine, church history, and the plethora of other things to get confused by. I could have lost sight of the most important thing – Jesus Christ. It could happen to any of us.
I’ve long thought and pondered to myself ‘how can I help him return?’ Maybe I’m starting to learn I can maybe help him return, but I won’t be able to make him return. I’ve thought about lectures on DNA, elephants, steel, and horses. I’m prepared to discuss it all. But in the end that doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. The Book of Mormon will have its day. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ.
Getting into the discussions that led him away from the church – DNA, horses, elephants – that’s not going to help him return. Only the spirit, which I know he once felt, can help him return.
So, here is my letter to you. This is to a particular person in my life, but I think it can apply to so many people, to so many lives.
Thank you. Thank you for that quote you told me once above. I think about it often. Thank you for your kind heart, thank you for being an example to me. Thank you for reminding me that Christ’s Church is sometimes only as good as we make it. Thank you for encouraging me to read, and study, and KNOW it’s true. Your study of the gospel is legendary. I’ve heard of it not just from others. I know you studied. At some point you were deceived. No more flattering words or trying to softly deliver this message to your ego. You were deceived.
It’s not too late. It’s not too late to remember. It’s not too late to regain your testimony. You talk as if a testimony, once lost, can never return. As if you know too much and you can’t go back. I’m here to remind you, as I know God has over the past decades, that you know nothing. Try to read again, please. That’s all I ask. If only to prove me wrong. I know where peace comes from, and I want to remind you.
I know maybe The Church isn’t for everybody in this life. Or maybe that’s something I think so I don’t feel as bad when I can’t help someone see what I see and find the peace I’ve found. I know you’re happy. I know you’re OK. But I also know you can come back to so much more.
Finally, you were and are a good dad. You made mistakes. Your children love you immensely, I know that. Don’t ever confuse your mistakes to be unforgivable. I know life as a father isn’t always perfect. You have children as stubborn and as difficult as you are (I’m looking at all of you). Another thing you said about my dad has stuck with me since you said it roughly 9 years ago. I am lucky to have him, but I want to remind you that your family is lucky to have you too. We’re all lucky to have you.
In Satan’s Story, I explored the origins of Satan before we came to earth. This was back when we knew Satan, in the premortal existence. This was when he was attempting to (mis)lead us. It was an interesting revelation for me to learn what led to Satan’s revolt.
If you haven’t read that post, you can click the link (Satan’s Story) above to read it. It’s not required to understand this post.
In this post I’d like to explore a little more about the Father of all Lies (John 8:44).
I’d like to give the same sort of disclaimer I gave in the first post. My interest in studying Satan is to further my testimony of One person. That is Jesus Christ. By studying Satan, I am studying the exact opposite of all that Jesus Christ is. By studying Satan, I hope to understand him better only to avoid the same traps he is laying today that he laid in the premortal existence. Those traps led to 1/3 of our brothers and sisters coming out in full rebellion to the light and love that created us.
First, an update. After I finished writing and had posted Satan’s Story (part 1), I started a book called Islam by John Alden Williams. This book contains a quick historical overview of the beginning, development, growth, laws, and customs of Islam.
The book started with reviewing portions of the Qur’an (Koran? Quaran?). While reading, I came across some interesting text about Satan.
I’ve found there are many translations of the Qur’an, similar to our modern day Bible. This was the text provided in the book (my own emphasis and commentary in parentheses added):
“We created you, then we shaped you,
then we said to the angels: ‘Bow yourselves
to Adam’; so they bowed themselves,
save Iblis (Iblis = Satan)-he was not of those
that bowed themselves.
Said He (God), ‘What prevented thee to
Bow thyself, when I commanded thee?’
Said he (Satan), ‘I am better than he; Thou
createdst me of fire, and him Thou
Createdst of clay.’ (God created Adam out of clay)
Said He (God), ‘Get thee down out of it;
It is not for thee to wax proud here,
So go forth; surely thou art
Among the humbled.’
It goes on to provide other interesting details about Satan being cast out of heaven. I find it interesting that so many of the world’s religions and especially the many sects of Christianity have such unique views on Satan’s story. I think the mythology and legend of Satan in all cultures goes to show the significance of Satan on all of us here.
Another noteworthy item from the above, notice the first two lines. We created you. We said to the angels. Who are we? If it is only God, why is he referring to we? Joseph Smith taught and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints theology teaches us that we is referring to Jesus Christ and God.
That portion of Satan speaking in the Qur‘an I found to add somewhat to the idea that Satan ultimately revolted because he was jealous of Adam and prideful, feeling he deserved the honor that Adam received. We see that pride is the great detriment to all souls. Pride took Satan from “an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God” to one called Perdition, who fell, who the heavens wept over. (Doctrine and Covenants 76:25-27)
The book goes on to say that Adam inherited the earth with his wife. While there “Satan whispered to them…And he swore to them, Truly, I am for you a sincere adviser.”
So, we see that Satan was a liar and has always been a liar, “from the beginning” (D&C 93:25, John 8:44).
Nearly everything I write is a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today I had a thought that I wanted to write a particular testimony.
As I read church history, which I’m doing a lot of at the moment, I’m often inspired by the testimonies borne by the early adopters of the faith. People like Orson and Parley Pratt, Brigham Young, Sydney Rigdon, Orson F. Whitney, and Heber C. Kimball come to mind. Of course, there are countless others. Early men and women of the church were not only of devout faith, but of great courage in proclaiming the gospel.
Parley P. Pratt
Times have changed. But have they changed so much that we can’t powerfully declare the truth of the restored Gospel to all the world? Missionaries are throughout the world, in every corner. They proclaim the truth of the gospel. Christ’s Church has always been a missionary church.
There are roughly 16 million members across the globe.
Imagine if all 16 million of us were as outspoken about the truth as Parley P. Pratt was. In D&C 49 we see an example of the boldness of Parley P. Pratt. He was sent, by revelation, to the Shaker faith to give them a message. Parley P. Pratt believed, and knew, that this revelation came from Jesus Christ Himself. When he arrived at the Shaker church and learned those that had come ahead of him were passive in their declaring of the message, Parley wasn’t having it. According to Elder Pratt, “they had come with the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the people must hear it.”
Sometimes I think I take for granted, or forget, the veracity of the message I have been sent to this earth to deliver.
Sometimes I’m ashamed of my lack of boldness.
I’ve been meeting with a small group of guys to study the Bible. I have only met with them a couple times but have loved both meetings immensely. These few gentlemen come from different faiths than me. Mostly non-denominational Christianity.
In these discussions so much light, knowledge, and truth is exchanged. I know we are all edified by the discussion. I know that I benefit greatly from the faith and example of these men. Especially as the youngest in the group, I can look to these family men as examples of raising faithful families, striving for truth, and striving to be better. In the couple meetings I’ve had, I’ve come to admire these guys.
I had a thought today that struck me.
So much goodness is happening in these meetings, no doubt. Studying the Bible will seldom lead anyone astray.
My thought recently was this – I’m basically a secret agent in the group. The person who invited me knows I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But does he know what that means? Have I shared with him my testimony that I have what he’s been searching for: the message of his Lord and Savior, the message of Jesus Christ’s restored Church.
Maybe this friend that has invited me has let the others know my faith background. It’s no secret. The “secret agent” part comes from my demeanor. Throughout the discussions I’ll drop things here and there that show I’m peculiar. I have learned different things in my faith journey. I understand different things. Why? Because of revealed truths that prophets in THIS dispensation have revealed. Because a prophet in the 1800s saw Christ on the right hand of the Father and restored Jesus Christ’s Church.
It occurred to me recently what I should do.
At the end of one of these meetings I should thank these men for all they teach me and how I grow by learning from them.
Then I should share what Jesus Christ has commissioned me to share.
Here is the testimony I imagined giving:
“Thank you, guys, for another great meeting. I always learn so much from you. I have something I need to share. What you’re seeking, what you’re studying in the Bible, what we’re studying in the Bible in each of these meetings, the truth you’re seeking, it is here. Christ’s Church, as it was in the meridian of time, has been restored. The principles taught by Christ are here on the earth today: faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists. The Church of Jesus Christ exists today. It is led by a prophet, just as Christ left the Church in the hands of his prophet, Peter, before he ascended to heaven. A man saw God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ’s kingdom exists today, and it is growing. All the ordinances of the gospel are restored. The second coming is upon us, and the long-prophesied gathering of Israel is taking place. Today thousands gain the testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored church and unite themselves with the Saints of the Lord. The gathering is happening as tribulation in the world continues to increase and come upon us. As a member of this church, fully aware of this truth I have been blessed with, I would be a selfish, abominable person, if I didn’t share with truth-seekers like yourselves this great and important message. Christ lives! And He leads His church. The heavens are not sealed and blocked. God has not forsaken us. He is our Father, and He loves us. The time is coming that we all must unite and gather under one banner. The strength of Zion is increasing. It’s my responsibility to share this with you.
You don’t need to take my word for it. A book exists that will testify of this truth. The Book of Mormon is a book inspired of God just as the books of Moses, the Book of Acts, the Book of Revelations, the Book of Isaiah, all the books that were written by men of God and brought forth to help us, these many books are all from the old world, Jerusalem. What of America? History now tells us God had millions of His children on the American continent. Are we to believe Christ was only sent to the old world? Are we to believe that the word of God was never shared with those on another portion of the earth? God loves all His children; how could it be?
Read the book. Please. Don’t take my word for it. Read it. If it doesn’t touch your heart and scream of the power of the spirit of God that you have spent your lives cultivating the ability to hear and feel, if it doesn’t spur your spirit to know that it is true, then set it aside and continue in your faith. But read it. Please. Determine for yourselves.”
Do I have the boldness to say these words?…
I don’t know.
I’ve written them.
Maybe I’ll share it with these men.
For I am on this earth with the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the people must hear it.
