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?
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).
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.
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?
Teach what faith is.
Teach how to obtain faith.
What happens if you obtain faith?
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).
Let’s take a quick trip through history. Bear with me on the history recap, I swear it will be brief.
The Revolutionary War started in 1775.
Some rag-tag colonists decided to stand up to and fight for independence from the greatest power in the world. I’ll say that again, a group of mostly untrained men decided to take on the greatest military force on earth at that time. Louder for those in the back, a group of settlers stood up to THE world superpower.
Can you believe how truly insane that was? Just that they revolted was crazy. Surely that got smashed into submission…right? WRONG!
They won! Independence. How? Tons of stories from that time point to divine intervention. We can save those for another day.
244 years ago, July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed.
1777 The Articles of Confederation were written. This would be the first constitution of the United States.
1787 The Constitution we have today was written.
1791 the Bill of Rights was written for the United States.
Amendment I of that Bill of Rights:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
1805 The Prophet Joseph Smith was born.
1820 God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith.
1827 Joseph Smith received the golden plates.
1830 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ’s restored church was re-established on the earth.
Fourteen short years after the Bill of Rights was established and set forth the freedom of religion in this choice nation a prophet was born. 29 years after the established freedom of religion Heavenly Father appeared to His prophet. Four short decades after the Bill of Rights was ratified Christ’s Church was restored.
Think about that for a moment. Human history spanning thousands of years. Yet, somehow, within 15 years of a free nation set forth the guidelines for free religion, a boy was born who 15 years later would claim visitation from God the Father. He would establish a church from meager means. Within 200 years that church would have millions of members across the globe.
Talk about all the coincidences.
It was less than 40 years after freedom of religion was established in the United States of America that the Church of Jesus Christ was organized.
What spectacular timing.
I know there aren’t coincidences in God’s plan. I know he reared up and prepared inspired, God-loving, intelligent men to establish this great nation. Men who desired freedom above all else. I know that soon after they did their part in establishing this free country it was finally time in God’s plan to establish His Church. There had to be a place for the Church to be restored first. There was nowhere else in the world the Church of Jesus Christ could have been established.
God works in miraculous and spectacular ways for His purposes.
I know the exact timing of Joseph Smith’s birth and the exact timing of the freedom of the United States were no coincidence. They were planned out long ago.
On this Fourth of July I’m grateful to our founding fathers.
I’m grateful to Joseph Smith.
More than anything I’m grateful to God for His perfect plan.
I’m grateful for a country where I can worship whom, how, and where I please. I’m grateful that I can pray in private or public. I’m grateful to be born in a country free. I’m grateful that I’ve never been truly persecuted for my religious beliefs. We live in a special country. We live in a country founded on true principles: freedom, liberty, and equality. I know it took some time for those principles to be truly established and I know we’re still working on some of those principles. But the principles are there. There are still parts of the world, many parts of the world, where freedom, liberty, and equality are not even considered.
The most important principle of all that this nation was founded on: faith and belief in God.
I know right now America is in a predicament. We have turned from God. God gave us this great nation and helped its establishment. Now we spit on Him and marvel at our own great strength and power. We’re American! THE Global Superpower. Doesn’t that sound familiar. We know what happens to global superpowers that rely on their own strength.
If we don’t humble ourselves and confess to whom we owe all, God in Heaven, He will take back His land. We are only as strong and powerful as our faith in God allows. Like England during the Revolutionary War we will fall if our pride is not removed. We must return to God. He founded this country and it will continue to degrade until we return to the source of all strength. It’s time to repent.
I love this country. I hope we can return to our principles and be better. I hope we can love God and keep Him here with us.
I don’t know exactly what I want to say on this topic because I still feel like it’s something I’m learning more about every single day. Of course, I do have some thoughts. Though, since it’s still something I’m always trying to understand better, these thoughts may be seemingly random with no organization whatsoever. I know, you’re probably thinking, “uhm……. What else is new.” My response, “be quiet and just keep reading.”
Christ taught to pray always. He taught to have a prayer in our hearts. He gave parables for us to understand. One parable is of the unjust judge who didn’t care about anyone or anything. But, because a woman bothered him he decided to help her simply because he didn’t want to be bothered by her. Christ’s point with that parable was that, since a man who didn’t care about anybody gave in to being bothered, why wouldn’t God? I agree with what you’re thinking, I find the story kind of… interesting as well. Like God is this person being pestered to the point of answering. I don’t think that’s what Christ meant at all. He meant that our Father is all loving. So, how much more is He likely and willing to help us simply if we ask?
I’ve thought a lot about how Christ prayed. How powerful those prayers must have been. We see mention in the scriptures of the power of His prayers. It was often said that the words couldn’t be repeated for they were so powerful. My favorite is Third Nephi 17: 15-17 which reads
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Gives me goosebumps.
Just think about that. Christ’s prayer was so powerful that it brought joy to those who just listened. What love must have been expressed.
There are also many examples of Christ going off on His own to pray in the New Testament. Many times He’d be gone for hours praying. I won’t list these scriptural examples but there are plenty. What does this tell us? Even Christ prayed, how much more need we to pray?
I’ve seen many miracles come about from prayer but maybe the most amazing thing about those miracles is that they don’t quickly come to mind. I’ve felt the power of prayer and yet often forget when I have had a prayer answered. I try to record them, so I don’t forget. One small example happened once at work. I was at work and really overwhelmed. Many requests were coming in for things I needed to help with. I had a meeting coming up that I wasn’t prepared for. I really needed to take some time to gather some information for this meeting. Otherwise I’d be going in and possibly make a fool of myself from being so unprepared. I was getting more overwhelmed by the moment.
As I started to panic I remembered, like a slap to the face, to pray. Sitting at someone’s computer trying to fix a problem for them, I silently prayed for help, patience, and peace. I immediately felt better. Within a couple minutes the person whom I had my meeting with walked by and said they had something come up and we’d have to delay our meeting. This gave me time to go and gather all the information I needed.
This happened years ago but it’s an experience I’ve held to, to remember the power of prayer. These experiences happen daily. I know they do. I also know we often don’t notice them. If we constantly have a prayer in our heart, God is constantly looking to show us how much He loves us.
I try to remember this story especially when I feel I’m not receiving answers to prayers. In church many people tell stories of receiving their powerful answer. Many people talk about the warm feeling in their chest. I don’t know how much I’ve experienced those feelings. I do know I’ve felt peace. I do know I’ve received answers. Often though, they don’t come. My faith is that I can develop my skills in prayer and be better at receiving the answers God has for me and accepting when He doesn’t have an answer to give me at that moment.
I think one day we’ll learn of the profound nature of prayer. It likely won’t be until the next life. I believe when we pray spectacular things happen around us that we don’t see. The book, Visions of Glory talks about how when we’re feeling temptation or we’re in a negative environment, just a thought of prayer allows angels to surround and protect us. I believe we are blind to the constant influences of good and evil around us. I mean literal beings of light and darkness that want to influence us. I think when we pray the heavens are moved and we are given protection. Think about that. If you knew that a prayer brought an angel to be by your side and watch and protect you, would you ever stop praying?
She Will Find What is Lost by Brian Kershisni
My last thought I want to mention is that, for me, I’ve learned my life is better when I pray better. It’s not something we notice unless we really, really stop and think about it. But I’ve come to realize it’s true. Stop and think about your day then think back on your prayers. Did you have an amazing day? Maybe an awesome conversation came about. Maybe, if you’re a member of the church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…or any church for that matter), you had a great opportunity to share something about church or the gospel. Maybe you just had a clarity of mind, a focus at work. Maybe you had a productive day and just felt good. How was your prayer that day? How about days that you feel like you’re drudging along, impatient, short with people, not interested in talking or being friendly? How was your prayer that day? I think if we inventory our prayers and compare it to our resultant day, we’d be blown away by the correlation. Our prayers bring power, it’s something I’ve learned.
The funny (or sad) thing, even with this “understanding” I claim to have, I still fall into mundane prayers. Repetitive, mindless prayers. When I do, I see my days suffer. For some reason it’s hard. We fall into a rut. We can’t focus on what we’re saying. I sometimes even feel like He’s not there. Then I have to remember He’s always there. If someone is lacking in the partnership between myself and God, it is definitely me. I have to be vigilant and strive to pray with focus and intent. I have to express gratitude and actually mean it. I have to thank Heavenly Father for His plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ and actually think about it and mean it. I have to consider what I would be without repentance. When I do these things, my life is better.
When I have a prayer in my heart constantly, I am happier. I feel light. I feel love. I’m more willing to serve and I’m more patient. I’m more aware of opportunities to do good. I’m not special in this regard, in fact there are so many out there saying their prayers the right way. I think as we pray better, we can be better, and we can help each other. I believe this world would be a much better place if we all kept a prayer in our hearts.
_____________________
To learn more about prayer please check out these links:
No Coincidences 