No Coincidences

Tag: spirit

Discussion Before I Came to Earth
“Now, you’re going to get a lot of attention. A LOT. You will be the center of their world for years. This will give you a huge advantage in life. That early love will carry you for your entire mortal experience.”

My upcoming birth and place in life were being discussed.

“But, there is a downside. Your parents are young, inexperienced. They can barely take care of themselves. Now they’ll have to take care of you. They will make mistakes. Every mistake they make will be made up for by the outpouring of love you receive, but there will still be mistakes. You will have to grow up as they learn to take care of a child.

“Also, being the first-born will be a huge responsibility. If things go according to plan, and they always do, you will be the first of many children. Your younger siblings will be as much your responsibility in life as your parents. You will have to answer to how you treated them, how you watched over them, how you protected them, how you supported them. It will start at a young age, but it will be for your entire mortal life. You will have to watch over them.”

I loved each of them so much already. Of course, I would do that.

“Being the oldest will provide many unique opportunities. Sometimes you will be a bully. This will be to teach you something later in life and to teach your siblings. Over time your relationship with them will grow and develop. You all will mature mortally and spiritually.

“It won’t be easy. But being the first-born child will set you up to achieve your highest potential. It’s what He has in store for you. It will help you become who you can become.”

This is how I imagine the conversation in heaven was before I came here. It would continue,

“You will have a bumpy path. You’ve always had to learn things through trial and error. You will taste much of the bitter to realize how sweet obedience is.

“Eventually we believe you will come back. Of course, that will be up to you. But Father doesn’t misread these things. When you come back you will find a companion from the devoted women of the kingdom. You know her already.

“When the time is right, we will send you His choicest spirit. She will enter in much the same position you entered this world. Your wife and you will have much to learn, and she will teach you. You will be sent a strong, powerful, spiritual, kind, gentle, intelligent spirit to be a cornerstone of your family. She will be followed by another choice spirit, one who even now can’t wait for her experience to start. She will bring a spark and a light to your family. Your family will be stronger for the two pillars sent to expand it. You will be greatly blessed by your daughters.”
Doesn’t this bring so much meaning to life? The truth of premortal existence speaks to my soul. I know it to be a fact. It is too sweet for my spirit to deny. I know its truth. I knew where I was coming, I knew who I was joining, I knew my wife and daughters before I came here. I was guided and trained for my time here on earth. I was sent for a purpose. I believe I’m still learning that purpose. Every mortal experience I’ve had has led me to the purposes I’m finding in life.

“Your purpose will be to come to Him. Because you will taste so much bitter, you will be able to help others find Him. This will be your purpose.”

I’m grateful for this truth of premortality. I know it’s true. I feel it. I know there’s a reason I’m here. I’m grateful for that.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/premortality?lang=eng
August 31, 2023
Suzerain and Vassal: The Father and the Son

Mosiah 15:1-2 reads:

1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.

2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son…

How can Christ be both the father and the son? It’s a question that has troubled Christianity since before it was called Christianity. How can there be the one true God (Jehovah) and yet Jesus Christ (Jehovah) pray to His father who is in heaven?

How can Christ be both the father and the son? Well, how are you, reading this a father (or mother) and a son (or daughter)? Sometimes we might overcomplicate the simplest things.

In the ancient near east there existed a system wherein covenants could be made. That system could be described as a Suzerain Vassal covenant or treaty. In this sort of agreement one of the parties would be greater or more powerful than the other. The suzerain would be the powerful entity. The vassal would be the subservient, or lesser, or learning entity. In this sort of treaty, the vassal would pay tribute or show some form of loyalty to its suzerain. In return, the suzerain would provide protection or some other sort of benefit to its vassal. There could only be one suzerain/vassal connection. Meaning, a vassal couldn’t have two suzerains. This would basically be treason. You can only serve one lord.

From this article on the suzerain/vassal covenant relationship:

“The covenant Yahweh established with Israel at Mount Sinai exhibits striking parallels with Hittite suzerain/vassal treaties, which had six basic features: 1) a preamble that identifies the suzerain; 2) a historical prologue that recounts the previous relationship between the parties; 3) covenant stipulations to which the vassal must agree; 4) provisions for periodic reading and safekeeping of the covenant; 5) witnesses to the covenant; and 6) blessings and curses should the vassal either keep or fail to keep the covenant. The Sinaitic covenant contains all six of these characteristics.”

In his book, The Last Days: Types and Shadows from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, Avraham Gileadi states:

“the idea of Israel’s suzerain or Lord [Jehovah] assuming vassal or servant status in order to answer to his suzerain [God the Father] for his people’s rebelliousness introduces the concept of a God higher than Israel’s God. That is, Jehovah, the God of Israel, is a “Son” to God the “Father” (3 Nephi 11:7,11,32; compare 15:4-5). That concept does not appear explicitly in the Old Testament. Many Jews, therefore, insist that God is but “one” (Hebrew ehad; Deuteronomy 6:4); other than the Lord, they assume, no God exists (see Isaiah 44:6,8; 45:21-22). However, the idea of “the Father” and “the Son” makes perfect sense in light of ancient Near Eastern suzerain (Lord)–vassal (servant) covenant relationships.

     “Abinadi (and every prophet who teaches God’s redemption of humanity) here enlightens us. Abinadi says that God, who redeems his people, is both “the Father and the Son” (Mosiah 15:1-3; compare Alma 11;38-39; Ether 3:14). That abstruse statement seems at first glance to contradict the careful distinction between the Father and the Son that other scriptures teach. But when viewed from the ancient Near Eastern suzerain (lord)–vassal (servant) covenant relationship, we gain insight on how the Lord can serve as a suzerain or Father to his people Israel, but also can serve as a vassal or Son to his Father or suzerain. To Israel, the Lord is Father, and they become his sons or vassals. To God the Father, the Lord is the Son, subjecting his will to the Father in order to merit Israel’s salvation (Mosiah 15:2,7).

     “Moreover, as the literal and loyal Son of a divine Father–as the Son of a righteous [covenant suzerain “Father”]–the Lord is not subject to death unless he himself consents to die (See the type of Isaac’s consenting to let Abraham sacrifice him–Genesis 22:9) Even if he does die, the Father must come to the aid of his vassal and deliver his Son from death. In ancient Near Eastern literatures there is the concept of the god who dies only to revive and assume the throne of a senior deity. Thus “God breaketh he bands of death . . . giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men” (Mosiah 15:8). What the Father does for the Son, the Son does for his sons and daughters: when “the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead . . . he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead” (Mosiah 15:20).

     “Moreover, the moment one introduces the idea of the Father and the Son, one also introduces the concept of spiritual progression. That constitutes as much a part of the “good news,” or gospel, as does redemption from death itself (see Mosiah 15:10-19). Inherent in a Father/suzerain–Son/vassal relationship with God is the assuming of divine attributes–becoming God-like…”

So we see that this Near Eastern tradition of suzerain and vassal treaties and covenants perfectly aligns with how we relate to Jesus Christ. He is our suzerain, making us His children. God is His suzerain. Through our covenant relationship with Christ, we receive protection from both Christ and His Father and our Father, God the Father.

Another interesting thought from that note is how Christ conquered death. It was by His relationship with the Father that He was able to conquer death. He in turn allows us the same opportunity when we link ourselves to His will and power. Christ received His divine identity from His Father. We can receive our divine identity through Jesus Christ’s Atonement and conquering of death. This is why we only come to the Father through the Son. Christ is our protector, our Suzerain. As we serve Him, we receive that protection as His vassals.

In addition, another way that Christ is our father is through the resurrection. It is due to Christ’s atonement and resurrection that we are able to be resurrected. This makes Christ the father of our bodies. For we wouldn’t have our bodies without His resurrection and the gift that we can be resurrected into our bodies. God the Father is still the father of our spirits. Whether that be through adoption, some measure of creation, or some other way, we’ll one day know.

A last note I wanted to make that I liked from this article:

“The basis of the covenant was Yahweh’s gracious acts toward Israel, not their obedience to him.”

Our covenant relationship with Christ is a reminder that His grace saves us. It doesn’t matter how obedient we are. We needed His grace to save us. As our Suzerain, His covenant with us is based so much more on how He loves us and all He is willing to do for us than anything we can do for Him. We can never properly repay Christ for all He’s done for us. He is the Suzerain. He has the power to save us.

This is the good news of the Gospel. Because Christ conquered all, we can become like Him, and in turn, become like our Father in Heaven.

November 10, 2022
The Life Beyond
The Life Beyond by Robert L. Millett and Joseph Fielding McConkie Copyright 1986.

I recently was asked by two friends who have different religious beliefs from me, what do you believe happens to a person when they die?

This is the great question right? One of the 3 great questions.
1. Where did I come from?
2. Why I am I here?
3. Where am I going?
What a world we’d live in if every conversation we ever had started with that question:

Hi, my name is Brayden. Say, what do you think happens to us when we die?

Wouldn’t that be great! Less discussion about politics, sports, and tv. What amazing conversations could come about from that question.

It amazes me how many people in the world float through life without knowing any sort of answer to these questions. It’s no wonder we’re in a world that seems untethered from any understanding, sense of reality, or sense of meaning. What’s worse than all those who don’t know the answer to these questions is those that don’t even ask the question. It baffles my mind that so many live on this earth, day by day, moment by moment, without daily stopping to ponder: why am I here?

I believe the reason for this attitude by many people and much of society is due to a feeling that there is no answer. No one can know so why ask? I believe every person has asked these questions at some point. They eventually determine it’s unknowable and move on. I believe this cuts us off from growth. How can we grow to our full potential if we have no understanding of our true potential? How can we reach our true potential if we believe this whole life is for no purpose or reason? How can we reach our full potential if we don’t even know if there’s something after all this? In that case, what’s the point?

That’s why when this question comes up I internally jump for joy. I know many skeptics, doubters – ye with little faith – still say, “you can’t really know.” I don’t care. I know! I know where I come from. I know why I’m here. I know where I’m going.

It’s one of my greatest wishes that every person on this earth knew the same. I believe it would make people happier. I believe it would make the world a better place. It’s why I’m writing this. To share what I know.

The Life Beyond is a book I recently finished by one of my favorite scholars. Robert Millet was a panelist on the youtube video series I’ve used to study the lectures on faith. I’ve seen Joseph Fielding McConkie on many of the books I intend to read.

This book details everything we know about The Life Beyond. Through scripture, modern revelation, prophets, and all other light and knowledge we’ve received, they go into great detail about what happens after we die.

Could there be a more important book?

Can you believe this book exists? Can you believe you’re not reading it right now?

Hundreds of millions stumble around in darkness, with fear of death and wonderment about life. Here is scripture, from God, light and knowledge, revelation, that answers the most important questions in this life.

For those with little understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this book would be like feeding a steak to a newborn. Milk before meat. I understand that. Still, why isn’t everyone reading it? If anyone reading this has ever asked, why am I here? I invite you to read this book. Then ask questions. It can change your life.

To conclude I’ll share one excerpt from the book that I enjoyed.

“The Family Unit Beyond the Veil

Paul said, ‘I bow my knees,’ as do we all, ‘unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14-15). In a manifestation to Brigham Young after his death, Joseph Smith told his successor to be sure to instruct the Saints to keep the Spirit of the Lord, promising that if they would do so, ‘they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in confusion.’ Brigham also said that Joseph showed him the pattern, ‘how they were in the beginning.’ He said that he could not describe it but that there must yet be ‘a perfect chain from Father Adam to his latest posterity.’

During an illness, Jedediah M. Grant visited the spirit world two nights in succession. He reported a perfect order and government that existed there, saying that the ‘righteous gathered together,’ that there were ‘no wicked spirits among them,’ and that they were ‘organized in family capacities.’ ‘To my astonishment,’ he said, ‘when I looked at families, there was a deficiency in some, there was a lack, for I saw families that would not be permitted to come and dwell together, because they had not honored their calling here.’” (Emphasis added)

What a marvel it is we have these truths and how lucky we are. May we all fulfill our callings here, and start by asking, why am I here?
June 30, 2022
Black and White and Adam and Eve
In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were given two commandments.
1. Multiply and replenish the earth.
2. Do not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
In the church we are familiar with this dichotomy. Commandment one could not be completed without disobeying commandment two. What were Adam and Eve to do?

I recently read a classic short story called The Invisible Collection from Out of the Best Books Volume 1 (p. 329). This short story was in a section titled “Good Versus Evil.”

In this short story, an art shop owner/dealer learns of a patron of his art shop, which his father and grandfather ran before him, that had been a client for nearly 60 years. He decides to go visit this client to see his collection and see if he might be able to purchase some of it back from him. The client had been collecting for 6 decades and the pieces he bought for cents were now worth a fortune. This story was set in Germany after the war. Inflation was ravaging the country.

The art dealer visited the modest home of this art collector, only to learn that the art collector that had purchased hundreds of paintings, drawings, and art pieces from his shop was blind. This art collector hadn’t always been blind, he had become blind after the war. Our main character, the art shop owner, learned that this now very old man still daily pulled out the many portfolios he had collected and went through each piece one by one. He used his memory to see every detail he had spent countless hours admiring when he still had his vision. His art collection, even blind, was his greatest treasure.

When our shop owner arrived at the home, he was immediately pulled aside by the wife and daughter of this old man. They told him the truth before he could cry out in astonishment in front of the old man. In order to survie they had been selling the art pieces for years. The husband of a second daughter of the old art collector had been killed in the war and she was left with 4 young children to feed. The family was barely getting by, barely surviving. They sold these priceless art items to survive. They replaced the real art with papers to fool the old man. They never told the old man because, understandably, they didn’t want to break his heart.

This story really made me think.

Lying is bad, right? And yet, in this story, the family of the old man had to lie, didn’t they? Or did they?

Multiply and replenish the earth, but don’t eat from that tree. Many things in this life are not black and white. There isn’t a “right” or “wrong” answer to every question. There’s a lot of gray area in this life. That’s the point, though. God wants us to learn in this life to be wise stewards. He wants us to learn to make decisions for ourselves, to learn and grow from our choices.

“nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee”
Moses 3:17

God is teaching us to be rulers in this life. God wants us to learn good from evil. He wants us to learn to follow the promptings of the Spirit (truth) and learn to follow that guidance. He wants us to take many options and make the best choice. He wants us to learn how to evaluate what is best to do, then do it.

Being worthy is receiving something, putting it into your life, and acting upon it. As we prove ourselves worthy God gives us bit by bit more, and we grow step by step. That is what God is teaching us in this life. Worthiness, righteousness, freedom of choice, and stewardship.

So, in this light, that we’re daily being tutored by God for greater purposes, how are our daily choices?
June 16, 2022
He Hears your Prayers

When I go through difficult times, for whatever reason that might be, I often find myself thinking to myself a lyric from the song “A Child’s Prayer.”

“Heavenly Father, are you really there?”

I was recently having one of those difficult times and was thinking this phrase.

I went to church that Sunday and said a prayer asking that if there was some guidance I could receive, that I’d hear it. It was a particularly distracted day with Ivy in church. Quick side note, it’s amazing how distracting a toddler can be in church. Ivy is really good in church, and yet I still find it so difficult to focus on the speakers while also making sure she’s ok and entertained.

Despite the normal distractions, I caught a speaker mentioning, “Heavenly Father, are you really there?” I can’t remember in what context. I believe it might have been the youth speaker. I perked up, but that was it, the moment passed.

It was a thoroughly uplifting Sunday that day and I found myself feeling in much better spirits. Still, there were those lingering “difficulties” in the background.

The next day I was with Ivy in her room. I am more and more convinced that Ivy, and probably all children, are still at least 50% angel. The coincidences Ivy causes in my life are too perfect.

I was in her rocking chair on my computer reading and doing stuff while she played. Suddenly she came over to me which isn’t unusual. I put my computer away and pulled out my phone instead. I wanted to look up the songs we had in church the previous day because I had a song stuck in my head but didn’t know it’s name. I pulled up Youtube to play the sacrament song and confirm it was the one stuck in my head.

We listened to the song and then Ivy reached for the phone, again, not something out of the ordinary by any means. She started tapping it with her finger. I saw her click a couple recommended videos that were on the side of the screen and then she pulled her hand away. A video started playing. I didn’t recognize the song (at first). It had a long introduction and then there were images of children with their parents. Children praying with their parents, being tucked in, coloring, playing.

Suddenly it started.

Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child’s prayer?
Some say that Heaven is far away
But I feel it close around me as I pray

“I feel it close around me as I pray” is the part, during times of difficulty, that I struggle with. Because in those times I don’t always feel heaven close around me as I pray.

I started to cry.

The song continued.

Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago
“Suffer the children to come to me”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee

I looked at Ivy.

Then the song continued.

Pray, He is there
Speak, He is listening
You are His child
His love now surrounds you
He hears your prayer
He loves the children
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of Heaven

It had been so long since I’d heard the full song I truly didn’t remember that part. And when I heard it, it was so clear. It was so clear. In moments of challenge I remember the part, “Heavenly Father, are you really there?” But I’d forgotten the part, “He is there. Speak, He is listening. You are His child. His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer.”

I remembered.

Sometimes it’s so hard to hear Him. Sometimes it’s so hard to remember He is there.

Then He reminds you.

I want to remind everyone reading. He is there. Speak, He is listening.

The world can yell at me that it was a complete coincidence that Ivy somehow brought up that song that I’ve never listened to before on Youtube. I say, that’s ridiculous. I needed to be reminded that my Father was there and listening, and so he reminded me. Through my angel.

I’m grateful for Him. I’m grateful for all my angels.

I know He is there.

March 31, 2022