No Coincidences

Tag: service

Prodigal Son

The story of the Prodigal Son is well known. For those who have not read it before or haven’t read it recently it can be found in Luke 15:11-32.

The story of the Prodigal Son has always hit close to home for me. Obviously, it’s easy for me to relate to the younger son. You should read Luke chapter 15 above but a quick summary: there were two sons. They will be referred to as the elder/older son and the younger son as I write. The two sons were given their inheritances. The younger son left his home and went to a faraway city. There he squandered his inheritance on “riotous living.” When he hit the lowest of lows, the younger son returned home to beg his father to allow him to be a servant. The father, instead of showing anger, welcomed his son home, killed the fatted calf, put a robe on his son, gave him a ring, put shoes on his feet, and threw a huge party in celebration of his return.

The older son, upon hearing of his brother’s return and the subsequent party, was angry.

This story is often told in such a way that the primary lesson is about the Prodigal Son and his father’s reaction to his return. The story is called “the prodigal son” after all. That lesson being that no matter how we stray, how far gone are, and how many mistakes we make our Heavenly Father (the father in the story) will always welcome us back. In fact, Heavenly Father rejoices at our repentance:

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7

All Prodigal Sons like myself rejoice at this story.

I once heard a different perspective on this story, and I’d like to share it. There is a great lesson to be learned in the story of the Prodigal Son by looking at a secondary character: the older brother.

A great question to ask yourself before reading any of Christ’s parables is “who was He speaking to?” Another good question is “What was He trying to teach?” If you look at the parable from the perspective of the Prodigal Son, you can say Christ was teaching those who have sinned that they can always repent and return to the light of their Heavenly Father’s love.

Who was Christ speaking to when he gave this parable? He was speaking to those looking for the message of God. He was speaking to the listeners. These were the ones looking for the message of God. When giving this parable Christ was speaking to the saints.

Consider what can be learned from the older brother. The older brother never left. The older brother never sinned. The older brother respected and worked for his father. Many say, and I always thought, he was justified in his reaction. His exact words in verses 29 and 30:

“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid (fatted calf), that I might make merry with my friends:

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.”

This appears to be a natural reaction. He had always been there. He had always done right. Only for his corrupt brother to return and receive honor.

Why did the older son stay and work hard for his father? Why did he keep his commandments? Was he simply looking forward to the inheritance he was to receive?

Why do you serve God and keep his commandments? Are you looking forward to your mansion? Do you serve God so you can inherit His glory? Are you serving Him for YOUR benefit?

We should serve God because we love God. We should serve God because we love those around us. Our service to God shouldn’t be for the blessings and honors He can give us. Our hearts should serve for love and not for our inheritances.

Jesus didn’t tell this story only to get sinners to repent. He also told this story to get the saints to repent. The Prodigal Son went out to experience life and disregarded his father’s possessions. The older son on the other hand stuck around, but he was working to please his father. He looked at himself as moral and worthy. He was after his father’s possessions. That’s what he concerned himself with. The elder son was keeping score. He was trying to earn his father’s love and inheritance.

Sometimes we are like the Prodigal Son: sinning and needing to return home. Sometimes we are like the older brother: serving for the glory of the world.

Often we are like the older son in our envy and jealousy. When someone returns to the fold do we judge them for their past? Or, like the father in the parable and our Heavenly Father, do we rejoice at someone’s return?

Elder Holland in his talk, The Other Prodigal, said:

“I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us-insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our profession or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, “robes…made…white in the blood of the Lamb.” May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize is my earnest prayer.”

Let us not compare our blessings to the blessings of others, what we have to the possessions of others. Let us support and help each other to all return to our Heavenly Father. Jealousy is of Satan. We should never look down on somebody who made mistakes and is trying to return to God, because then we are the sinner. We can learn from every character in Christ’s great parable. Be like the Prodigal Son and repent, humble ourselves, and return home. Be like the elder son and don’t envy but welcome our wayward brothers and sisters back home with joy and love. And be like the father, loving all those around us, embracing the sinner and the saint alike. I believe this is God’s hope for us and what Christ was teaching us through this story.

__________________________

Here is a link to Jeffery R. Holland’s talk, The Other Prodigal:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/04/the-other-prodigal?lang=eng

April 8, 2021
Miracle Baptisms

My favorite calling I’ve ever had was Ward Mission Leader. For those who don’t know, I basically helped the full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in any way I could. Getting to be around missionaries has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. There’s something powerful about being around young men and women that have sacrificed two years in the prime of their life to serve and share about Jesus Christ.

I’ve always loved stories of faith; stories of miracles that occur when full faith and devotion is given to something important. I want to share one of my favorite stories from my time as Ward Mission Leader.

Missionaries do a lot of amazing things; a lot more than just baptize. Simply teaching others about Christ is important. Serving and loving others is important. Being a representative of Jesus Christ is important.

That said, the reason missionaries devote two full years to a mission is the hope to share with someone the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have it touch that person’s heart, see that person change their life for Christ, and ultimately that person making the decision to be baptized. Like I said, many amazing things can happen before a baptism. But, the decision to be baptized and the blessings that come after are the ultimate goal.

It was for that reason that I decided to set a high bar on a goal as my time as Ward Mission Leader was coming to an end. I was marrying Beth on 6/1/19. At that point I would change wards, the building and group I’d been going to since returning to church, and no longer have the calling of Ward Mission Leader. My greatest hope was that the missionary efforts we had developed as a ward could be continued after I left.

I set a goal in May for there to be three baptisms in the ward in the month of June. For some perspective, in the previous year our ward had two baptisms.

I started fasting and praying. I announced in a stake missionary correlation meeting that the Scottsdale YSA Ward would have 3 baptisms in June.

“That’s awesome! You have three people on date to be baptized?” I was asked.

My response, “No, we don’t have anybody on date.”

The goal was set nonetheless. I had faith that if the missionaries and myself fasted and prayed our hearts out, and did our part, a miracle would happen.

As the month of May progressed things started happening. There were some individuals the missionaries had been meeting with and teaching about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were two in particular that had been meeting with the missionaries regularly.

As we continued to pray with this singular focus in our hearts, one of those individuals committed to being baptized on 6/29. This was amazing!

There was a second person who wanted to be baptized but there was something getting in the way. It was a frustration of mine at the time because that person was worthy to be baptized but a technical requirement wasn’t met. Her living situation caused a problem. Again, fully worthy, but unable to get baptized until her living situation was changed.

On 5/25 it was time to call in faith reinforcements. Up to that point it had been the missionaries, Beth, a couple others, and myself committing our faith to this goal.

I wrote this as a reminder for myself on 5/25:

“I sent a text to ward missionary committee asking them to join fast for miracle three baptisms in June. It was kind of hard to send the text. There were moments that I wondered if I should send it and if sending it was right, if I was saying the right thing. I ended up being somewhat bold saying, “The missionaries and a few of us have been praying for something very specific: 3 individuals to be baptized into the Scottsdale ward in June. There’s a lot of faith in this as when we started there wasn’t a single person on date to be baptized. There is now one person who plans to be baptized on June 29^th. The missionaries and I are going to fast and pray for these three individuals to be led to us and for our ward to act when the opportunity comes. I invite each of you, if you’d like, to join us in fasting and praying for this tomorrow. I know that there are three people out there that need the gospel of Jesus Christ and are ready to be baptized. With faith, God will lead these people to us if we are ready to act, and if it’s His will and His plan. Thanks everybody! Love each of you.” Four minutes after sending the text, the missionaries texted me and said that the individual whose living situation was in the way had that issue resolved and just set their date to be baptized for June 8th. So much joy.

What was hard about sending that text was I wasn’t sure if what I was asking for was right. I always wanted to ask things of God only if it was His will. While I know God’s children coming closer to Him is His greatest joy, I worried that my intentions weren’t perfectly aligned with his. That was the doubt that came before I sent the text. I decided to send the text because I wanted to faith away my doubts. That is why I was bold. That is why the immediate text from the missionaries brought me instantly to the most profound joy, followed by tears.

It was a miracle.

I won’t go into details about how the miracle for this person took place. What I will say is this. It was a major frustration for me for some time that this person couldn’t be baptized despite having a sincere desire to do so, and being worthy to do so. A sequence of events took place that led to there being no issue with the baptism taking place. I was so grateful that a worthy individual could enter the waters of baptism and align themselves with Jesus Christ.

Another note to myself that I wrote that day so I wouldn’t forget:

Thinking back on (the issue), I was pretty worked up about it but somehow just moved on. I came to a feeling of peace about it that I didn’t even know was happening. But then it worked itself out, or God worked it out, and I look back and realize He spoke peace to my soul. I can almost hear Him, “Peace, my son. Don’t you know my hand is in these things? Don’t you know I will care for my children? Have faith.”

For those anticipating the miracle third baptism in June- it didn’t happen. In fact, the second one was delayed to July 13^th. I think that’s wonderful. I think of it as God’s way of reminding me that my faith is far from perfect. I set an arbitrary goal of June and to keep me humble He had the second baptism occur in July and the third didn’t happen. I’m far from truly aligned with His will. We’re far from being able to work all miracles. But God does watch. He does hear. He does care. In that ward, we had two baptisms the previous 12 months. In the 35 days after I left my favorite calling ever, the ward that saved my life, baptized two new members.

One of those members was recently sealed in the temple.

The first person I had the pleasure of seeing baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while I was Ward Mission Leader got married in the temple 5 months after his baptism.

Casper’s Baptism

Beth and I had the greatest pleasure of hosting 3 former missionaries in our home so we could all go to the wedding together. I remember sitting in the temple, waiting for the sealing. Waiting for Casper and Ashlee, two people that had greatly impacted and strengthened my faith, to be sealed to each other for time and all eternity. I was sitting and thinking.

Elder Dotson, one of the missionaries who had the honor of teaching Casper the Gospel, came and sat by me. He told me, “This is why we baptize people. Baptisms and endowments and all the covenants made are important. But this is what it’s all about. Two people getting sealed in the temple. Starting a family that will be together for eternity. This is why we do what we do. This is what it’s all about.”

I wish everyone could know the joy I’ve felt helping someone find what I’ve found. I wish I could share the joy of seeing two people sealed together for eternity. A love never to be separated. It’s the great plan of our loving Heavenly Father and what we’re here to do. Develop faith. Obtain and nurture an eternal family. Return to Him.

I’m so grateful for His Plan and the small part I get to play in it. There is no greater joy.

March 18, 2021
Rameumptom

It’s amazing to read the Book of Mormon and compare those people to our day. One story from the Book of Mormon that recently stood out to me was the story of the Zoramites and the rameumptom.

The Zoramites were a people who corrupted religion in many ways. They built a large tower. This tower was called a rameumptom and it was used for prayer. People would go to the top of the tower and loudly proclaim a rehearsed prayer. In the prayer they would thank God that He chose them. They would thank God that He had enlightened them and saved them while He would damn all the others to hell for their false beliefs. They would say their prayer, leave the tower, and go about their week without another thought towards God. They would use their week to serve no one but themselves.

Let’s compare the many false beliefs of the Zoramites to our society today.

First, praying on the rameumptom. What good deed is done today without proclaiming it to the world? We’re all guilty of it. Social media is our modern day rameumptom. It is where we proudly shout our greatest deeds for the world to see. Prayer and good deeds should be done in private. Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.

Second, the Zoramites had a temple that only the rich were able to go to. Churches today have become much more about prestige and power than about humility and kindness.

Third, rehearsed prayer. The Zoramites used a rehearsed, scripted prayer to talk to God. There are many problems with this. It takes any effort from the procedure. The prayer has no thought or feeling to it, it’s like reading in class. There’s no genuine questions, no genuine requests, no genuine gratitude. It is a script. We see this in many churches today.

Fourth, prayer without action. This is a byproduct of rehearsed prayer. What does prayer without effort lead to? Life without effort. The Zoramites loudly spoke their prayers from their tower, stepped down, and that was the extent of their worship. They wouldn’t speak to God again until the next week when they would give their five minute rehearsed prayer and move on with their life. This is the worship of our society today. With all God has given us we can’t even give Him a day of worship in return. Most don’t go to church at all. Many who do go, go on Sunday, listen for an hour, and the rest of the week don’t do a selfless act. Christ was our example. He taught us to pray always, serve others, and love others. If we aren’t doing that, we aren’t of Him, no matter how loud our prayer.

Fifth, the Zoramites thanked God that they were chosen by Him. They thanked Him for enlightening them and turning them away from the foolish traditions of their fathers and neighbors. They were selected by God and would be saved. All others were fools who would burn in hell. Sound familiar? Many churches today believe you will only be saved if you follow their beliefs or belong to their church. What kind of selective God is this? It spits in the face of a loving, caring Heavenly Father who is no respecter of persons. This is a blasphemous and poisonous teaching that goes back to the pride and selective nature of churches. God loves all His children and will provide a way for all of them to attain as much glory as they desire. The doctrine of Jesus Christ taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that there are many mansions in heaven and God’s wonderful plan has provided a way for a vast majority, almost all of His children to go to Heaven. All that repent, follow His commandments, and believe in His Son will find a place worthy of their righteous hearts. This is truth.

I have a close friend of a different Christian faith. We have many good religious conversations. One day the topic of heaven came up. He told me that surely I didn’t believe he would go to heaven as he wasn’t a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my church. This made me so sad. I told him with complete sincerity and 100% certainty that I knew he was going to heaven. Whether he joined the Church (my church) or not, I knew he was a good person. I knew he loved Jesus Christ. I knew he tried every day to seek Christ and to do good. I knew he sought God with all his heart. I knew he was kind and liked to help people. I know, without a doubt in my mind, that there is a place in heaven for him. I know this because I know God. I know he loves all of us. I told this to my friend, and I’ll never forget the look on his face. A little shock, a little awe. I know that he believes I am going to hell, he has told me so. He believes I have been fooled and I will have to pay for my ignorance.

I know that God loves him, and I know that God loves me. I know that Jesus Christ is the perfect judge. We will be judged perfectly. Even those who are fooled will be given mercy and love from God. That’s the God I know. I feel sad for those who don’t know that same God.

False teachings have corrupted and destroyed religion. False teachings have turned many away from the truth and light that religion should provide.

I have an invitation to anyone who read this and thought “I do hate how churches say everyone who doesn’t do this or that is going to hell,” or “I’ve never understood rehearsed prayers,” or “I can’t stand the hypocritical church goers who are the meanest people during the week.” My invitation is to come and see. Come and learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come and learn what Christ intended for us. Come and learn true principles and ordinances of Christ’s gospel. Come serve with us, come worship with us, come pray with us, come be with us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not perfect, not yet. Not until Christ returns. We can still be hypocrites but we’re trying. Christ’s Gospel is perfect and we’re working toward it. Come and see.

January 14, 2021
The Chance of Faith

One Sunday I was in my car with a friend, CJ Matthews. We were driving after church to go do something. I can’t remember what it was. Visit someone or give a blessing or something that like.

A few minutes into the drive I realized I was out of gas. I remembered I’d been out of gas since I left my home that morning to drive to church. It was 20 minutes to our location. It would be 20 minutes there, 20 minutes back to CJ’s car. Then the drive home. No way I could make it without getting gas.

Not me on a Sunday unless CJ is in the car.

I informed CJ of our dilemma. I let him know I wouldn’t be getting gas on a Sunday. God would get us there and get us back. If you could see the look on CJ’s face! It was great. His response, “Is God going to turn air into gasoline for you to return? Pull over and get gas. I’m not walking to a gas station.”

I eventually complied with his request, though begrudgingly. I had the faith that God would help us accomplish what we needed to accomplish without having to stop for gas.

This is a topic my wife and I playfully debate often. I try to say that I have no concern about my life or well-being. If I’m meant to die, I will die when God needs me back and not a second sooner. I joke often that the best way to die would be by lightning at the top of a mountain. That would clearly indicate an urgent need God had for me to return and start serving Him on the other side.

My wife is in the other school of thought. She agrees with CJ. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Don’t put yourself at risk. Don’t be stupid. Boring! I’m inclined to be stupid. Sometimes I consider it my way of showing God I have faith. I know, my wife has already told me I’m stupid.

Anyways.

I’ve made this a joking introduction but it’s something I truly struggle with.

Where does faith end and wise action start?

The principle is told in a story that I love and think about often. The story goes like this, I’ll tell my version.

A great flood comes, and a man gets on top of the roof of his house. A man comes by in a canoe. “Hop in!” he yells. The man on the roof calmly tells him no thanks. The water gets higher. A couple in a boat comes by. “Get in! The water is rising!” The man on the roof calmly denies the gesture and stays on his roof. The water gets higher. The man on the roof is close to being overtaken by the water. A helicopter comes by and throws a rope down. The man on the roof waves it away.

The man on the roof is finally overtaken by the water and drowns.

When in heaven he looks to God and asks, “I prayed the whole time I was on the roof. Why didn’t you help me?”

God replies, “I sent you a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter! What else did you want from me?”

I know what the scriptures tell us. I know God wants wise servants. I know he wants us to be prepared. I know He wants us to work problems out in our minds and learn to problem solve. I know we’re here to learn to make good choices.

But I also know we’re here to learn faith. We’re here to learn obedience. We’re here to learn to trust God.

I hope I live my life with a firm belief that God will guide me wherever He needs me as long as I do my part. I often joke about how God holds my hand and guides me to places, decisions, people. I often joke how God has been there with me every step of the way. He has blessed me in so many profound ways I can’t deny His loving guidance in every moment of my life.

I know that God still wants me to do my part.

So, I put my faith forward. God will get me there! Or does God put a gas station directly on my journey so I can get gas? How often is God up there, exasperated, “I put the gas station right along the way!” Or even better, “I put CJ and Beth around you to balance out your silly refusal to take care of yourself!”

I wonder how often I’m turning away the canoe, boat, and helicopter. I only hope I’m ultimately doing what God wants me to do. I think that’s the best any of us can do.

November 26, 2020
Paul’s Life and Letters

Book Review: Paul’s Life and Letters

By Dr. Sidney B. Sperry

Copyright 1955

__________________

This book was a breakdown of Paul’s life and everything he ever wrote – thus the title. I haven’t read the New Testament beginning to end. I want to finish the Old Testament first. This book helped me get a better understanding of Paul’s writings. His writing was deep and powerful. I also think his writings have always been and are increasingly misunderstood.

Paul was such a fascinating figure. I’ve long wondered what it would have been like to be alongside him. Everything he did he did with such zeal. Reading and learning about him, I’m awed by his work ethic. He’s somebody to be admired for his hard work. The fervor with which he did whatever he put his mind to. It’s motivating on one hand and terrifying on the other. Few can live up to the devotion Paul had to what he was passionate for. We are lucky his passion turned towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ and worship of God as we’ve seen how his efforts against the early saints caused much pain and suffering.

The book starts with a history of Paul. Where he was from, who he was, how he became who he became. The beginning was basically a historical biography of who Paul was. As Paul got into the portion of his life where he was writing so much, the book transitions.

This book is one I will refer back to often as I continue to study scripture. It had a great breakdown of Paul’s individual epistles and when they were estimated to be written. For example, chapter 13 was “Paul’s third missionary journey (continued).” It gave a detailed breakdown of the epistle to the Galatians including everything Paul said, the authenticity, importance, style, and doctrine from that epistle. I would find myself marking entire pages during these chapters.

There were many notable things I learned about Paul from this book. One was that he worked throughout his missionary ministry. Despite travelling all over the ancient world and spending many, many years as a full-time missionary, it never appears that Paul was paid for his ministry. He was given “gifts” from church members from time to time. But it seems very clear that Paul always worked. The predominant theory is that he was a tent builder. I found this very interesting given that many modern-day ministers point to Paul’s writings as proof that Paul advocated a paid ministry.

One amazing thing about this book was the feeling I had while reading it. Especially while reading the breakdown of Paul’s letters. There were moments where I’d pause and ask myself what I was feeling. This isn’t normally something I do, but I was aware I was feeling something. It was joy. It was a feeling like, ‘what is this earth and what does it really matter but to be a test for something greater? Live righteously and prepare to live with Christ and God forever.’ While reading his writings everything seemed so clear and simple. It was a feeling in my chest while reading his messages. Pure joy. Pure peace. Pure comfort in the future if I am faithful. Motivation to be faithful. As long as I am obedient and keep faith, I truly have nothing to fear. It’s a similar feeling to what I get when I read the Book of Mormon. That testified and made it so clear to me that what I was reading was the word of God, meant to lift up and inspire.

I’m grateful for this book and the understanding it gave me of Paul and his writings. As I mentioned, I know I’ll be using this book often as I continue to read scripture and one day study Paul’s writings more intently. The principles Paul taught were pure. He was called by Jesus Christ Himself which tells us of the importance of Paul’s work. The missionary effort Paul put forth and his contribution to building God’s kingdom is inspiring. He has the greatest conversion story of all time. We could all be better if we spent more time aspiring to be like Paul the Apostle.

October 22, 2020