No Coincidences

Tag: restoration of the gospel

  • Be Ye Therefore Perfect

    Be Ye Therefore Perfect

    There is a message recently brought to my attention in Matthew chapters 5-7. We all know the sermon on the mount. Don’t just not kill, also don’t even be angry. Don’t just not commit adultery, don’t even lust. Be ye therefore perfect.

    What comes next though? I haven’t before considered how the next chapters lead to a great message, a culmination of how we should behave and how we should try to be.

    What does the Sermon on the Mount transition into? What is the theme of chapter 6?

    Matthew 6:1 –

    “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”

    Matthew 6:20 –

    “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”

    Matthew 6:38 (JST) –

    “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness”

    Matthew 6 is all about our motives. In chapter 5 you seek to be perfect by your behavior. Chapter 6 asks, “why are you seeking to be perfect?” Is it for the glory of the world? Is it for more temporal possessions and blessings? Chapter 6 looks at your heart and asks your intention. We should want to be perfect because we love God and we love others. We should want to be perfect because it’s right. Perfection shouldn’t be about us or what it does for us. We should want to be perfect because Christ was perfect, perfect love, and our example. Chapter 6 tells us to look heavenward in all things.

    Which leads us to chapter 7. What does chapter 7 teach us?

    The message of chapter 7 is summed up by verse 1 (JST) –

    “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgement.”

    You’ve worked hard to fix your bad habits, to be loving, to treat others as you want to be treated. You’ve then addressed why you’re doing these things. Your heart is pure, you love others because it’s the right thing to do you. You look heavenward. Chapter 7 is about understanding that not everyone is at the same point on their own journey to perfection. Just because someone is working along their path, and in your mortal eyes may seem to be “behind” you, they’re not. Judge not others. They’re working their way down the path of perfection just as you are.

    That said, we still judge others righteously. Righteous judgement is loving judgement.

    Matthew 7:9 (JST) –

    “Go ye into the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you.”

    D&C 6:9 –

    “Say nothing but repentance unto this generation.”

    D&C 15:6 –

    “the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people.”

    D&C 16:6 –

    “the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people.”

    D&C 14:8 –

    “And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.”

    What Christ’s apostles at the meridian of time were told to preach was the same thing those who were instrumental in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were told to preach. It’s the same thing we’re supposed to preach today.

    Repentance.

    That’s what brings us and those around us closer to Christ.

    So, work on yourself first, Matthew chapter 5. Work on your motives second, Matthew chapter 6. Then, preach repentance to those on a different part of the path than you. Preach repentance with love and understanding. Never forgetting that you’re on the path too, trying to be your best. That’s all we can ask of each other. Do your best.

    From the book 40 Years And Marching On, an article by John W. Welch (p. 228) he says:

    “First is the acknowledgment that all people are at different stages in the eternal journey toward the glory of God, which is intelligence.”

    This is the message of the Sermon on the Mount. It’s not a one-part lesson, it’s 3 parts. Be perfect – be perfect for the right reasons – accept that others are not perfect (yet).

  • Bold Testimonies

    Bold Testimonies

    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.

  • Book Review: The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

    Book Review: The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

    The Joseph Smith Translation.  Precious Truths Restored

    by W. Jeffrey Marsh

    Copyright 2002

    ______________________

    There are multiple ways I judge a book.  It can be so entertaining I can’t put it down.  I can feel enlightened by it, like I’m learning constantly through its pages.  Ideally a book does both.  I think this book more was on the enlightened, learning something from it category.

    I realize most people aren’t going to enjoy the books I’m enjoying.  Few people get excited about learning about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is a book I wish every active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would read.  It did so many things for me: taught gospel truths, built my testimony of Joseph Smith and his divine call, and probably the biggest thing I took away from it, better understanding of the Bible. 

    A statement from the summary on the back of the book states it:

    “will guide you through the history, significance, and insights found in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible.”

    The biggest takeaway I got from this book was the knowledge of how blessed I am to have the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible and the fact that I’ve never once doubted its truthfulness and divine nature.  The book goes a lot into the history of the JST.  I didn’t know there were many years that the JST was regarded skeptically by members of the Church.

    I am truly grateful to be living while I’m living, with so much truth and light surrounding me.  This book helped me appreciate how lucky I am.  There was a part of the book where the author talked about how there would one day be a generation that never doubted the divine nature of the Joseph Smith Translation.  He talked about how that generation will know the scriptures better than any prior generation.  That generation will know Jesus Christ better than any prior generation, due to the truths restored by Joseph Smith.  He talked about this generation that will have more fullness of scriptures than any generation ever had.  Truly the fullness of times.

    This made me appreciate my place in time, my place in history, my place in the fullness of times more than ever.  It’s never been a doubt to me that the Joseph Smith Translation is holy scripture and worth studying.  It helps me trust Joseph Smith as a prophet and teaches me more about Jesus Christ. 

    I know these things aren’t to be taken for granted.  Our generation isn’t gifted greater scriptural knowledge simply by living now.  We must study and learn.  If we devote ourselves to the Word of God, there is more out there for us to devour and grow from than any people on this earth has ever had the opportunity to know.

    I’m so grateful to be alive today and I’m so grateful to Joseph Smith for the truths he restored.

    ____________________________

    To learn more about the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible go here:

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/joseph-smiths-bible-translation?lang=eng

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-translation-of-the-bible?lang=eng

  • Book Review: They Knew the Prophet

    Book Review: They Knew the Prophet

    Book review:  They Knew the Prophet compiled by Hyrum L. and Helen Mae Andrus Copyright 1974

    I just finished a book I really enjoyed called They Knew the Prophet. 

    The book is a collection of first-hand accounts of people’s interactions with the Prophet, Joseph Smith.  I think this book could be of interest to anyone, whether a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not.  Even if you know nothing about the Church, you get a grasp of how respected and revered Joseph Smith was by his followers. This man with zero education started a religion.  In 1830, less than 200 years ago, six people gathered together to formally organize the church. That group of six has turned into over 16 million. For this reason, even people not of the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ could be fascinated by and should be interested in the historical character that Joseph Smith was.

    If you are a member of the Church, I highly recommend this book.  It was an easy read. Each first-hand account is brief. The longest individual account was 10 pages but that was an outlier.  The book is 193 pages long and there are a total of 98 unique accounts. Fun fact—the 10-page account was from my great-great grandfather, Benjamin F. Johnson.  The book is organized so you move through the prophet’s life. It starts from the beginning with someone who lived near his family and hired young Joseph to help on his farm.  It moves slowly until the end where first-hand accounts are given of his death. I’ve previously read a decent amount on the death of the Prophet and some of what I read at the end was still new to me.

    It’s interesting to see the progression from people describing Joseph Smith early on as ineloquent to later in the book people describing him as the most powerful man and speaker they ever encountered.  It’s truly fascinating to see that progression through the eyes of those who knew him.

    I will avoid giving away too much and thus ruining the book for anyone that may want to read it.  I will share an excerpt from my favorite account. It was written by Howard Coray. He was speaking about all the learned men that would come and try to contend with and confound Joseph.  He wrote:

    “Among other great men who called to see him was Cyrus Walker, a lawyer of much note.  He tried to sound the Prophet, and see how deep he was. Well, it was with Walker as it had been with all the others.  He soon got enough, found Joseph too deep for his lead and line, and gave up the enterprise. Thus it was in every instance that came under my observation.  How could we expect it to be otherwise-for any man who had never peered into heaven and seen heavenly things to be a match for one who had had a half score or more heavenly messengers for teachers.”

    That passage made me think of Joseph Smith in a new way.  Thinking about myself, in the last four years since coming back to Church and actively studying the gospel, I’ve felt I’ve grown so much.  The knowledge and understanding I have today is so far from where I was just four years ago. Joseph was being visited, tutored, and taught by the leaders of past dispensations.  He was being taught by Jesus Christ Himself. His progression from an un-learned farm hand to eloquent orator of gospel principles was at such an accelerated pace. I love that story and it perfectly illustrates what I enjoyed about this book.

    It did get a bit repetitive near the very end and I found myself having a hard time finishing it.  Until the conclusion came. Reading of the end of the Prophet’s life is always emotional and gives me an appreciation for Joseph Smith and what he was willing to give for his testimony:  everything. 

    You can find a copy of the book online for ~$28.  If anyone is interested in borrowing my copy, just let me know!  

    I highly recommend this book.  As the inside cover said, “more than any other book it will make the reader feel that (they) too knew the prophet.”  He was the Moses of our dispensation. There’s no better way to try to understand who he was than through the eyes of those who knew him.

  • General Conference April 2020

    Remember the theme.  No coincidences.

    In October of 2018, less than two years ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a huge change; the switch to two-hour church with an emphasis on having a church and Christ-centered home.  How amazing that within two years we are in a position where we are unable to gather together at church.

    Coincidence?

    Because we haven’t been able to gather for church, you might think we are unable to partake of the sacrament.  How grateful I am to have the priesthood authority of God and to have a bishop with the keys to authorize me to bless the sacrament in my home.  I was given that opportunity the last two weeks, since we haven’t been able to go to church.

    I am so grateful for the organization of the church.  I’m grateful for the authority to bless and pass the sacrament in my home.  There is no confusion.  My bishop gives that authority and I can act on it.  Without my bishop’s permission, I could do no such thing, for Christ’s Church is a church of order.

    God is planning ahead for us and we are in His hands.  This becomes extraordinarily evident when we consider the revelations delivered to us by Russell M. Nelson in the last couple years.

    Let’s look at October 2019. God’s Prophet made an interesting statement at this time.  We should read it very closely given the current state of our world: 

    “Thus, the year 2020 will be designated as a bicentennial year. General conference next April will be different from any previous conference. In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel.”

    He continues,

    “Select your own questions. Design your own plan. Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable.”

    How prophetic.  As my former roommate (not a member of my church) noted, “I think that’s a weird coincidence.”  Yeah, I’d agree, if I believed in coincidences. 

    Our Prophet asked us to ponder two questions in order to make this upcoming general conference special.  His questions were:

    1. “How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?”
    2. “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?”

    I hope we are all considering these questions thoughtfully and prayerfully. 

    I don’t know what’s coming on April 4 and 5.  There may not be any grand announcement; there may be no huge changes.  I know it will be a great spiritual growing experience.  I know I will come out of this upcoming conference different than I am right now.

    And if a great announcement or great change comes, that is wonderful.  A living Prophet leads this Church.  I believe he is in close communication with Heavenly Father.  I know that the direction he sends us will be another step towards God’s great purposes.  I can’t wait. 

    Members of the Church:  I hope we don’t forget what our Prophet has said and I hope we’re listening.  Look at the world around us.  It is a critical time to be listening to the Prophet and heeding the advice he delivers to us.

    Here is President Nelson’s concluding statement from last conference:

    “Now in closing, I leave with you my love and my blessing that each of you may become happier and holier with each passing day. Meanwhile, please be assured that revelation continues in the Church and will continue under the Lord’s direction until ‘the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done’.

    I so bless you, reaffirming my love for you, with my testimony that God lives! Jesus is the Christ! This is His Church and we are His people. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

    …

    Leave a comment on how you’re preparing for conference.