No Coincidences

Tag: religion

  • What to do with all the Love

    What to do with all the Love

    I was meditating and thanking God for all He has given me in this life.  It was the day after Thanksgiving.  I had just watched Ivy with so much love around her, as detailed in Love has Afforded Me Much.  Ivy was surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, second cousins, great uncles, great aunts and the list goes on.  She was receiving so much love.

    That visual again brought me to realizing and remembering that was me 30 years ago.  I was the one having love poured out on me.  It brought me to a repeated thought: what did I do to deserve this?

    What did I do to deserve the family I was born into?  Now, how lucky I am to be one half of the uniting of two families – the Quackenbushes and the Cannons.  How blessed will Ivy be from a life of love from those two extended families she’s been born into? 

    How blessed have I been from being born into the Leaches and the Quackenbushes? An un-quantifiable amount of blessed.

    Where does that blessing come from?  Where does it stem from?  What was the catalyst of this blessed, love-filled life I’ve been given?  The catalyst, the starting point, is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Three of my four grandparents converted to the church.  My fourth grandparent came from a faithful family back to the days of Joseph Smith.  I am forever grateful for my grandparents and the generations of love and family they’ve created.

    A similar story can be said from Beth’s side of the family, the Cannons and Vauterlauses.

    The thought that occurred to me while meditating, to add to how Love has Afforded me Much, was this: I started to pray to God to please bless all those who didn’t have all the love Ivy had on Thanksgiving Day.  All those who don’t have great family dynamics, who feel lonely, who feel lost, who feel afraid; I asked God to let them feel His love.  I asked Him to spare no angels in pouring out blessings on those who don’t feel loved in this world.

    Then it occurred to me.  Love has Afforded me Much.  God has given me a surplus of love.  A love I can’t quantify.  It’s my responsibility to share that excess of love I’ve been blessed with, with God’s children, my brothers and sisters across the globe.  I pray that I can share the love that’s been given to me with those around me.

    I believe the greatest thing I can do to share that love, the greatest thing any one of us can do that have been given (Luke 12:48) so (D&C 82:3) much (Boyd K. Packer), is to share the source of that love.  The source of that love is Jesus Christ, His Gospel, His Church.  It is our responsibility to share with others what has blessed us so.

    Love is important.  Supporting someone, listening to someone, loving someone, these are all noble.  But what of generational love?  What of the love that permeates through families – of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren?  That’s what my grandparents created.  That love started with missionaries sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with three of my grandparents, and with the gospel being shared to one of my Great Great Grandparents by Joseph Smith.

    I am grateful for this Church.  I am grateful for the blessing it has been to me and my family.  I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me this greatest of all blessings.  I feel a noble responsibility, a beautiful weight to share it with others.  My wish is that the world can accept Jesus Christ and experience the love he has to share. 

    I love Jesus Christ, and I am forever grateful to Him. 

  • You are Loved, You are Worthy

    You are Loved, You are Worthy

    “When you get to a place where you understand that love and belonging, your worthiness, is a birthright and not something you have to earn, anything is possible.”

    Think about that statement for a moment. 

    I heard this quote in a recent meditation I did.  The meditation guided this visual exercise:  Picture yourself as a child, truly picture it.  Picture yourself as a baby.  Picture yourself on someone’s lap.  Picture yourself being held, comforted, and played with.  Picture yourself laughing joyfully as someone makes a funny face at you.  Picture yourself young and innocent. 

    You don’t have to earn worthiness; you don’t have to earn love.  You are loved because you are.

    The next time you don’t feel worthy, picture yourself as a child.  You are worthy.

    This exercise led me to an even more powerful thought.  One that speaks not only to our worthiness here, but to our birthright and our eternal potential. 

    Consider Adam for a moment, the first man. When he came to this earth, we are told he was as a child. Adam came to earth meek and humble, a child-like individual. He had forgotten who he was. Who he was in reality was Michael the archangel, the chief angel. Adam was Michael, the angel second in authority. His authority was only exceeded by Jesus Christ Himself (and God, of course). In Hebrew the name Michael means “Who is like God.” This Michael came to earth with his mind wiped clean, with no recollection of his prior authority, no memory of his prior self.

    What about us?  What don’t we remember about ourselves?

    The next time you are insecure, unsure, or afraid, remember that you are a child of divine inheritance.  You are a prince or princess of the most High God.  Consider that for a moment.

    Not only are you loved and worthy of love, you are loved by the God of the universe.  You are in line to inherit all He has to offer (D&C 84:38).  Remember that, and don’t forget it.  Hold to it.

    We are as children here.  We don’t remember our past.  For all we know, we were spiritual giants.  We are spiritual giants.  We can be spiritual giants.  Embrace that identity.  Remember who you might be.  Remember who it is you have been tutored by.  The God of Heaven and Earth.  When we embrace this way of thinking and embrace this possibility, the difficult things of this earth become so inconsequential.  Our true potential is greatness.  May we never forget it.

  • Faith of an Atheist

    Faith of an Atheist

    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?

    You know where I stand on this.

    No Coincidences. 

  • Satan’s Story Continued: What I learned from the Qur’an

    Satan’s Story Continued: What I learned from the Qur’an

    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).

  • Lectures on Faith

    Lectures on Faith

    Lectures on Faith – Introduction and Lecture 1: Faith Defined.

    I’ve been watching a series of videos on the Lectures on Faith as supplemental material to my study of the Lectures.

    If you’re not familiar with the lectures on faith, you can read them all here:

    https://lecturesonfaith.com/

    It’s unclear who officially wrote the Lectures on Faith, though they were approved of and taught by Joseph Smith.  At a minimum, the concepts and theology of them comes from revelation given to Joseph Smith.  Yet another example and evidence of his calling as a prophet.

    I write here my notes and thoughts on these videos and the lectures.  There are seven Lectures.  The 10 video series I’ve been watching spans almost 5 hours and reviews each of the Lectures.  In writing this it will help me put together my thoughts and understanding on what Joseph Smith tried to teach us about faith.  Through this process I know my faith will grow by studying these principles.  What Joseph Smith taught about faith is beyond profound, it is revelatory. I will need to study his words and all supplemental material for the rest of my life to get a grasp of the profound and eternal nature of faith.  I look forward to reading over my notes here many times to refresh my mind and expand my knowledge on the subject.

    Video 1 was an introduction to the Lectures.  Video 2 was all about Lecture 1 – Faith Defined. 

    First, what are the Lectures on Faith?  They are principles put together by Joseph Smith to help early elders to share the gospel.

    What do the seven lectures cover? (from Video 1)

    Lecture 1 What is faith?

    Lecture 2 Links the principles of faith and the doctrine of revelation.  The power of human testimony is the medium with which the gospel is passed from generation to generation.

    Lectures 3 and 4 The character and attributes of God.  If we don’t understand the attributes of God, we can’t have confidence to exercise proper faith in Him.

    Lecture 5 The Godhead, nature of the members of the Godhead.

    Lecture 6 The Law of Sacrifice.

    Lecture 7 The fruits of faith.

    What is the plan for the Lectures on Faith?

    1. Teach what faith is.
    2. Teach how to obtain faith.
    3. What happens if you obtain faith?
    Lectures on Faith: The Exalted Nature of the Godhead (Part ...
    Bob Millet

    My favorite part from the first video was this suggestion from Bob Millet, one of the panelists. His suggestion was this: read the Lectures on Faith 20 times then you can start to study them.

    Now that I have an overview on what all 7 lectures will cover and teach, I can get into Lecture 1.

    Lecture 1: Faith Defined

    Obvious question to start, what is faith?

    Faith is the first principle in revealed religion and the foundation of righteousness.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for but not seen (Hebrews 11:1).  The lecture starts broad – faith is the belief that something will come to pass.  Then it gets more religious in tone: “the principle of action in all intelligent beings.”

    Faith is a principle of action.  Faith implies works, it implies activity, both physical and mental.  Just as faith is the moving action in all things temporal, so it is with spiritual (paragraph 12). 

    By faith God formed the earth.  I think this is the most profound point from Lecture 1.  That it is God’s faith that is His power.  Take faith from God and He would cease to exist (paragraph 16).  I know to many this seems like outright blasphemy.  But before rejecting the idea without thought, consider what is being said.  Faith is a principle of power.  It is the power by which God formed the earth.  Take away His faith, take away His power, He ceases to be God.  Luckily for us God’s power cannot be taken away.

    God’s faith and knowledge are equivalent.  It is God’s perfect faith that allows His perfect knowledge.  Consider: faith is believing in something that you haven’t yet seen.  Since God’s faith is perfect what He has faith in will be, it will exist.  We mortals look at faith as weak, unproven, unscientific.  It is God’s trust in the Plan of Salvation that makes Him create worlds. It is God’s perfect faith that created those worlds. It is God’s perfect faith that makes Him the Almighty.

    Again, faith is the power of God.  If faith is that important, it adds a whole new meaning, explanation, and understanding to this life.  Why do we move through life as if through a misty darkness, unsure of everything?  Why the veil that covers our eyes and fogs our minds to so much that we used to know?  Why don’t we know where we come from?  Why don’t we know where we’re going?  Why doesn’t God send angels down to tell us which church is true?  Why doesn’t God allow profound miracles to occur before unbelievers’ eyes so they can KNOW that He exists?  The reason God doesn’t do these things is due to the importance of faith.  We are here to learn faith, develop faith, grow faith; because it is that important.  God does not want to take that opportunity of growth and development away from us.  He won’t.  He knows how critical it is.

    Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things: by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeably to the will of God.  Without it, there is no power, and without power there could be no creation, nor existence!” (Paragraph 24).

    Link to Lecture 1: https://lecturesonfaith.com/1/

    Link to Video 1 An Introduction on the Lectures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiV4dCY9OEA&list=PLc5yYrpPFm2umksQf3jgULxoV4YIXTd2h&index=1

    Link to Video 2 What is faith?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_EXFQK-KJE&list=PLc5yYrpPFm2umksQf3jgULxoV4YIXTd2h&index=2