28.6.10

Love vs Lust

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland recently spoke about pornography and how it affects us. He told a story of a conversation he had with some members of the church and said "In a conversation we hadn’t expected, we soon learned through their tears that all three of these women were recently divorced, that in each case their husbands had been unfaithful to them, and in each case the seeds of alienation and transgression had begun with an attraction to pornography."

He went on to say "Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. Lust, on the other hand, is anything but godly and celebrates self-indulgence. Love comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite."

Another thing he said that I liked was "I think it is a sin because it defiles the highest and holiest relationship God gives us in mortality—the love that a man and a woman have for each other and the desire that couple has to bring children into a family intended to be forever. Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures. "

In reverse to the idea that "True love endures" we can conclude that Lust doesn't endure. Mostly, this is the teaching of Jesus Christ- love endures, lust does not. "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 6:20). "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. " (John 6:35). The Savior gave us a view of the big picture thats often easy to overlook in this world of seeking instant gratification. He showed us how to live immortally in a mortal world by living morally in an immoral world.

Its often the case that we're too easily satisfied to settle for something less, a lesser god in the form of lust and thereby forsaking the God of love. We are so easily satisfied to be as the scribes who sought their reward by doing their "alms before men, to be seen of them" and such have "no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." What a poor substitute for a reward! Glory of men instead of the glory of God.

The prophet David O'Mckay said that we are to live the gospel "to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today... today is part of eternity." If today is part of eternity and we are stuck in the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity, it is because we are not living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing but Jesus Christ can give us the satisfaction we seek in our spirits of being one with God.

Often the chains of lust and self indulgence are seen in hindsight, the smoker who finds all the money and health that was costed his life for his temporary satisfaction when feeding his addiction. The temporary relief becomes our goal and god. The addiction is never satisfied, its a continuous growing problem that takes over our freedom. Its as Jacob spoke about in chapter 6, verse 10; "And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment." If you are addicted to a temporal satisfaction but are an immortal being then you are in a conflict and thus confined to a state of endless torment.

Love on the other hand, is freeing by its precepts of needing to give rather than take, you are completely satisfied by satisfying others and helping them feel whole. By giving you are receiving something greater than you could ever take from someone, you are receiving someone. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God and every person is precious to our Heavenly Father. By keeping that in mind we are able to look past our own futile attempts at satisfaction through self indulgence and seek the well being in others, which in turn gives us that feeling called "pure love of Christ" which is Charity and with that we become closer to our Heavenly Father. Without Charity we are nothing, as Christ said "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." What good are we, if we do not have love? If we only seek our own satisfaction we are only good for ourselves and useless to others.

Here is the talk from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on Lust-
http://combatingpornography.org/cp/eng/individuals/prevent/article/place-no-more-for-the-enemy-of-my-soul

24.6.10

Before the Deliverance there is Comfort in Trials

The Lord comforts in trials, but doesn’t always take away the trials (especially when they’re important to growth and development). Countless times the Lord has healed the sick and caused the burden of sin and grief to be lifted from our hearts and that is why He is our Savior. As He said "My burden is light and my yoke is easy" (Matthew 11:30 ). There are also times when the Lord tries us. One thing I noticed by my study on these incidents is that the Lord doesn't always take away the trial but will always comfort us in our trials.


Adam and Eve were cast out into a “dark and dreary world” out of Eden, but were visited by angels (Moses 5:6–8.) and were comforted in their new world even though they had to eat by the sweat of their brow, instead of just chowing down on the tree of life.


Heavenly Father sent an angel to Jesus Christ in His darkest hour of the atonement at the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43–44).


The Nephites while in bondage to the Lamanites had to learn humility and to remember God and then the Lord didn’t immediately take away their burdens but eased their burdens (Mosiah 23–24).


Joseph Smith suffering the persecutions and trials that were persistent for him and the early saints was crying to the Lord from a jail cell-
O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us. Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs. Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6)

And the Lord replied:
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–10) and then the Lord continued on saying "Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed."

The Lord hears our cries and helps us but doesn’t always remove the burden. By doing this we are given an opportunity to more fully align ourselves with the Lord's will so that we can develop spiritual strength. Once we prove our willingness to “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:1) then we are blessed and delivered.


The Jews with Moses were delivered after going through the trial of being in bondage to the Egyptians. After that trial, they had the trial of being the desert 40 years and having to trust in the Lord during that time for their sustenance by literally receiving their food from Heaven. Whenever the people turn to the Lord, He comforts them in their trials and then eventually they are delivered.

This idea of trials and deliverance reminds me of the debate sometimes entertained in politics with regards to welfare, of helping someone versus enabling someone. When are we helping and when are we just hurting? Surely, all are deserving of our assistance and charity. But, giving charity doesn't always mean giving someone a free pass. Everybody needs help sometimes and sometimes that help is through not comforting or condoning their wrongdoings. We are hurting people when we are feeding their sins, but we are also hurting people by withholding when others are in need. The Spirit will tell you the truth of all things, especially when the questions is whether something is to the edifcation or destruction of a beloved son or daughter of God.

A great example of enabling someone in their wrong doing is the story of King Noah and his "new priests" who "were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity. " (Mosiah 11: 6). The kingdom fell and the people were in bondage because of this iniquity that prevailed.

The Lord is always trying to help us up and will give us every needful thing to accomplish this objective, even if that means a trial or tribulation. As Nephi said “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). We have commandments to be like God and through Christ we can accomplish this, we have trials and through Christ we can get through them. Christ is "the way" thats prepared for us to walk (John 14: 4-6).

There is an accountability of us doing our part versus God doing His part. We have to step towards Him and then He will welcome us because "the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him" (1 Nephi 10:18). But, that means we have to keep going or we’ll fall behind- the stairway to heaven is a declining escalator. We have to keep up and keep striving.

It might sound like a terrible experience to be walking up a declining spiritual escalator, but that’s how the Lord strengthens us. We need to either resolve to “lengthen our stride” or to fall behind. Sometimes we need to hit that low before we can see that we need to keep keeping the commandments and striving. This isn’t a dreadful thing, it’s part of the experience we signed up for in the premortal existence.

We cheered when Adam and Eve finally used that crucial gift of agency because it meant that development towards God would be enabled and men would finally be able to come into the world to gain that development. “Adam fell that men might be; and man are, that they might have joy.” (2 Ne. 2: 25).

Our trials suck, but we have to keep in mind that its all for our good. Like working out, studying or resolving to do anything, it takes work, sacrifice, patience, willingness, faith, and hope. We must rejoice in the commandments of God, knowing that the trials we face will "work together for thy good." We are on a path to becoming like Christ, if we not only endure trials but endure them well (D&C 121:8). We must have a good attitude and be of good cheer, just as we did in the premortal existence. As Peter said "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:13 )

I highly recommend reading this great talk on the ministry of angels by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland- http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=4bf5a0ad4843d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

As well as this talk called "Enduring Well" by Neal A. Maxwell- http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=fc1555c49e0eb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

16.6.10

A Testimony of Jesus Christ

Moroni 7

5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.

6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.

9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with areal intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.

10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift.

11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.


There is a difference in the way we keep the commandments to gain a testimony. One way is trying the Lord and the other is tempting the Lord. Can you see the difference of perspective? Trying the Lord is how you know the Lord, letting Him in your heart and life. The other way is almost like inviting the Lord into your life but locking the door and then getting mad when He doesn't open the door. He won't break down the door, He will just knock and you have to let Him in. One way brings forth a testimony and the other an indictment of the Lord. If your heart is disbelieving, prideful, and without love of God then you'll not receive a testimony by your obedience. Your indictment against God will grow.

If you obey the commandments with real intent then you're offering a true gift to God, your heart. If you obey without offering your heart then you will get back what you offer, which is nothing but more darkness and confusion. No obedience will yield a testimony unless it is complete with the real intent of your heart. Just as a life is incomplete living alone.

Notice in verse 7 of Moroni 7, it says that an offering won't be counted as righteousness if offered without real intent. This means that no matter how obedient someone is, if they don't do it with their heart then it profiteth them nothing! Real intent means love for God, faith in God and humility towards God. As it says later in Moroni 7, in verse 44-

For none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

There isn't a scoreboard of all the righteous things you've done, but there is a scale of how loving and true you are to God and His children, how much faith, love and humility you have. Mormon the author of Moroni also says in 7:47 that Charity is "the pure love of Christ."

The things God asks us to do are to help our hearts grow in faith, humility and love for God, not just to have some task accomplished. He wants us to keep the commandments so we can receive blessings and we can only receive a blessing after our heart is ready for it. He wants all to receive blessings and will bless us either in this life or the next, that is His promise. There is only one way we can receive all that Heavenly Father has, through His son Jesus Christ. Living a life based on His teachings and love as much as possible. He taught us to lift others up by service, by charity, by love for God.

Through our growing faith, humility and love for God are more people blessed. He told Peter repeatedly to feed His sheep right after asking Peter "Do you love me?" This leaves me to conclude that when Christ knocks on the door He isn't alone. He has many poor, lost, and hungry souls with Him that need your warmth and love. You cannot let Christ in without letting in His sheep. We must feed them. It is our duty to the God we love. We will truly see them at our door as we would Christ, with unconditional love and support. The Lord said "If ye have done it onto the least of these, ye have done it unto me." He also said "The fields are white and already to harvest." Bring them into your home. Feed His sheep. They are hungry, cold, and scattered. By doing this, it yields the fruits of life and gives blessings "as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

All the prophets that were truly converted and had testimonies of Jesus Christ "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Phillip 3:8. These were true testimonies that weren't hinged on fragile inclinations of selfish desires wanting to be fulfilled, they were losing their lives for God. They as the Lord says, are like the man finding the "pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matt 13:46. Those that receive this pearl of great price find everything else of no value. The pride, the lofty desires, the vanity of life all lose their appeal and the work of the Lord takes center stage. The prophets served others and counted His sheep as the most important task at hand because that is what the Lord was primarily concerned with.

The purpose of a testimony of Jesus Christ is to feed His sheep. Keep your heart open by faith, humility and love so that you can accomplish this and the Lord will bless you, raise you up and make you like Him, full of love, light, truth and grace.


I'd like to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives. He is full of mercy and answers our prayers. He's the great Master of the vineyard that works daily in our lives to help us grow good fruit. He wants us to be happy, healthy, and pure so that we can have all that God offers us, His kingdom, His joy, His love. We are His and its an amazing experience to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ's divinity and love. Its such a simple concept that its often missed but there is no fulfillment or happiness in disobeying the Lord and when we give of ourselves to God we receive great things. The Gospel is designed to be Win Win because God doesn't just help them that help themselves but He helps them that help others. Our lives are supposed to be the building up of others and in that process building up of ourselves. We cannot serve others and lose, we can only gain from giving and serving others. Love is eternal and there is no shortage of supply and if you give more love then you'll have more love and that is the greatest test of God that you have to try. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

14.6.10

How Merciful of a God, He is!

There are many gods to worship. Whichever thing you choose to be your god will have you sacrifice, obey, and prioritize your life for it, whether its a person, attitude, attribute, ideal, monetary gains, social status, a car or a musical group. Anything can become a god if we place them above all else. Even atheists that don't believe in God or any form of worship are still worshipping something by the way they conduct their lives.

With so many possible gods to choose from its no wonder that Heavenly Father is a jealous God and repeatedly explains to us how straight and narrow His path is so that we don't get distracted by the decoys Satan employs. Because it is Satan that entices us to follow ANYTHING but God.

As the Savior says "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Whichever thing that we set our heart on will be our treasure. Any god will have a reward and sacrifice system set up automatically. For example; the crack addict has that high as their reward and their sacrifice is health, just like the person addicted to food or idleness. For the workoholic, nothing comes before getting the job done and so his personal relationships will suffer but his reward may be his promotion.

To worship anything other than God is to make an offering to that god. The problem is that no other god can fulfill or sustain you eternally. They are momentary and temporal but we are not so the by that fact we find a problem of being satisified and filled eternally. Just as the Savior explained to the woman by the well; "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." -John 4:10. Later, Christ went on to explain more about this concept- "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." -John 6:35

Shall never hunger and never thirst? He is talking about an eternal satisfaction and fulfillment that temporal things just cannot do. Satan doesn't offer that, he offers the momentary bliss for an eternal incarceration. This isn't the only difference between what God offers for worshipping Him, He also offers us forgiveness.

Heavenly Father is the only God that has sent a Savior to pay for the sins of disobedience and flailing faith. All other gods offer no such savior or way of forgiveness, they just demand more and more devotion, attention and sacrifice, but offer no salvation, just momentary shallow recompense which is designed to further enslave. Through Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, freed of bondage and made perfect by His atonement, then be given complete satisfaction of the soul through our connection to others and God himself. No other god can even compare with the reward we get for His sacrifice.

Bob Dylan was to apt to say "You gotta serve somebody" and serving somebody isn't bad, but the Lord requires that we serve Him above all other gods and that we love Him with all our heart, might, mind and strength. He has shown us how to worship Him through the perfect example of Jesus Christ. Christ's life and mission was of service to God and as King Benjamin explained "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are in the service of your God." -Mosiah 2:17.

Through complete obedience to the commandments of God, we show our love and devotion. By having Christ like attributes of humilty, forgiveness, charity, patience, faith, and hope, we are making our offering to the true and everlasting God. No one is, of course, perfect in following Christ, but then He offers us a way to come unto Him anyway, by a broken heart and contrite spirit. How merciful of a God, He is!

13.6.10

More on Offerings and Deals with the Devil

The pun of "Moron Offerings" was sort of intended.

Saul was called to be a king by God through Samuel the prophet. Saul had some problems with offerings. He didn't have the priesthood authority to offer a sacrifice to the Lord but he did it anyway. Samuel the prophet was the only one who was to offer the sacrifice but Saul didn't have the patience to wait for him to arrive. On that day, the prophet Samuel recognized a critical weakness in Saul’s character. When pressured by outside influences, Saul did not have the self-discipline to stay on course, trust the Lord and His prophet, and follow the pattern God had established. Saul's kingdom came to an end.

Another example of an offering rejected was by Judas Iscariot. While visiting Mary and Martha, Martha had served a meal to Jesus and his disciples, Mary anointed His feet with spikenard, an expensive ointment. Then, showing her great love for Him, she used her long hair to wipe His feet clean. Judas Iscariot, seeing this, complained that such costly ointment should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But, the Lord rebuked him; “For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.”

I can recall a time in my mission when some of the elders would use the mission cars to bring people to church. This was not allowed. The intention was good, bring people to church. But, the priority was wrong, the method was wrong, the timing was wrong, and the Lord doesn't accept offerings that are not done His way.

It is of no value to us if the Lord doesn't accept our offering. Why do it? The end doesn't justify the means. Especially, when it comes to God, our view is so limited and yet we think we are justified in bending the rules for our good intentions. This is a false justification and very offensive to God.

Our vision is very short sighted, especially if we're so results driven. Overlooking those necessary steps that the Lord dictates brings about great disasters. Just as a railroad thats set a few degrees to the left on the track, setting the train to a completely different location that its original designation. The path is straight and narrow. Its not wide and broad. We can't afford to do things outside of the order God dictates or we'll slowly but surely end up in the wrong.

The prize is through obedience. Obedience means sacrificing your will for the will of the Father. No matter what good intentions we have, if we don't trust in God's will then it is open rebellion towards God.

Often we make deals, thinking the corner cut will be justified because it will be faster or easier. We say "A little sin here or there, its fine because its for the greater good" but this is wrong. A little sin here or there doesn't lead to a greater good. Breaking the missionary rules for one person to attend one meeting is like saying "I'll smoke these cigarettes so no one else will. My sin will take away their sin." This is impossible and sounds ridiculous, but we do it so often.

We tolerate a little here and there for the sake of not offending someone or for the sake of someone else. While doing this we are making an offering to that person. A deal with the devil is just that, giving up a little for Satan, so that we can have comfort in our sins. This obviously displeases the Lord because He is the only God that can give mercy unto salvation for our offerings, none else. By no other name are men saved than Jesus Christ.

Reminds me of this scripture "But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man" - Doctrine and Covenants 60:2. We are told in Doctrine and Covenants 3:7 to not fear man more than God. Fearing men more than God means we respect them more than God and are making an offering unto them but faith in God means not fearing what men can do.

God's plan is for the individual to choose the right, thats it. Its actually Satan's plan that we don't be tested, or that we give up our agency to appease others. We don't need to compromises our morals, values, and beliefs for the appeasement of any friends, fashion trends, cultural fads, political points, or any other demeaning thing that may seem okay at the time.

I think this is detailed in Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.

22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

We must resist the urge to be ashamed of the Lord because of our pride. As it says in
2 Timothy 1:8, "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God."

In 2 Nephi 6:7, the Lord says "they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."

11.6.10

My Great Hurdle

I think of the amazing things that the Mormons have accomplished since the beginning. Our building of temples under so much adversity. From the persecution to the 50 years it took to finish the gorgeous Salt Lake Temple. We are a committed people. We help all over the world, both spiritually as well as temporally. We are quick and mobilized, willing and able. The Lord commands and we do.

I have so much faith in our ability to accomplish. I think its because we believe in work as a virtue. The Book of Mormon always talks about how industrious the righteous are. Work is a fundamental prerequisite to following the Lord. The prophets and apostles face hell and damnation but they don't give up because the Lord has overcome the world, its in His power.

While we do the work of the Lord, He works on us. He desires us to be free from sin, which requires work. We have to sacrifice things that are comforting to our lives for that which will bring us the comfort of the Spirit. He desires that we be wise and studious of all truth. We often are commanded to study the scriptures but the prophets often emphasize the importance of studying out of the best books, learning skills, gaining development in various degrees. The Lord wants to give us knowledge but we have to unlock it with our diligence.

My great hurdle is not understanding this but following through with going after the greater part. Often its easy to give up when given a comfortable part. I'm easily appeased at times and feel satisfied too easily which disrupts me from continuing down the path. I think there are many things going on that could attribute to the loss of doing greater things.

First, there is fear. Fear of greatness, sometimes unconsciously. This means we feel burdened by the responsibility of having done something great.

Second, laziness. A great deal of work and sacrifice is required to build a great thing. Nothing easy is ever good.

Third, I think pride has a lot to do with it. We don't want to do something great because it will be subject to criticism or could even fail terribly. In which case we might feel very embarrassed or humbled. Everybody has to go through it. Some better than others but slowly its good to realize that it doesn't really matter, its just part of the ride.

10.6.10

The Whole World Lieth in Sin

And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin. And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin. - Doctrine and Covenants 84:49-51

I debate a lot in my mind over the virtues of the current system we have in society. I see that many are poor, many are lost, and few are rich. I see animals in bondage and hunted for sport. I see the objectification of people and affection for the inanimate. I see pollution and oil covering the land. I see many angry and contentious. I see many wars and rumours of wars. I see many hypocrisies and liars. I see greed and pride. I see slavery.

I realize that much of what I see is with my spiritual discernment while others is outright disregard for the Lord and His commandments. There are so few people that want a better world or even believe that one be possible. Just as many don't know if a better life is even plausible. While those few with so much have so little charity, those with an abundance of need have little help.

Do you blame the system? I saw a sign that said "Each people deserve the government they get" which I can see the point but there are many that don't. We don't deserve this. Many of us are wronged and wrong others with a different wrong and then everyone is victimized until its a dog eat dog world filled with cut throat, merciless individuals.

Capitalism is probably the best system that society employs currently but obviously theres a better way. Communism is not better because certain freedoms are lost, but there are certain freedoms lost with Capitalism as well. The laborer doesn't always get his fair share and sometimes the privileged are unworthy of their inheritance. But, the fundamental flaw I see is that we are working for the money.

How many verses in the scriptures talk about money in a good light? It is the fastest way to the corruption of the soul because it gives men power over other men. DC 49:20 says "it is not given that one man shall possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin." How stark! You won't hear this scripture quoted much. Its hardly irresistible to men, like Gollom in Lord of the Rings. Power is the usual aim of man. Power over the world. But, there is none who is more powerful than He that created the world.

No life or society can be built on any foundation stronger than the Lord's. He is the Rock, the Light, the Way and our Savior. Money cannot save.

In 4th Nephi its very explicit in what a society built on the Lord's looks like. My recent post examines that a bit more.

Lets examine money a bit more. Its not evil. Its an object. It is when it is given the position of being worshiped that it angers the Lord and puts people in bondage. The Lord desires the freedom of all His children but it is up to us to come unto Christ to be free. We cannot be free if we are not His because nothing else can liberate us from the dominion of Satan.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
-Matthew 6:21

2nd Nephi 26: 31 says "if laborers in Zion labor for money, they shall perish."

Isaiah 52:3 says "And ye shall be redeemed without money."

This is good news. We have hope! We have a way out of this mess. We have a way to gain in abundance both temporal and spiritual. The Book of Mormon hardly goes a chapter without mentioning these truths and thus they are a warning and a declaration that we must be diligent in keeping the commandments of God and then He will prosper us. He has enough for everybody to "buy milk and honey without money" (2 Ne. 26: 25). "He that hath no money, come buy and eat." (2 Ne. 9: 50, Isa. 55: 1).

"All they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword" which I take to mean that whichever weapon you choose is the one to be your own demise. Whichever thing you look as a source of life is also your source of death. This is why it is to the utter most importance that we serve the Lord because He is the only one that can save us. All other things shall fail us. They will not last for they are not God and won't support us in our trials. Only Christ can redeem us and give us what we need. Money cannot fill that void. Its like trying to be healthy while eating junk food and not exercising. Its impossible to do the wrong thing and expect it to help you.

Alma 41:10-15

10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.

12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?

13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.

14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.

15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.

7.6.10

Barriers


The first barrier we face in mortality is that veil between earth and heaven. The second barrier we face is sin. Of course, I mean the barriers that keep us from God. There are plenty. The Tower of Babel was made to reach Heaven and that didn't please the Lord. We can't get to heaven by any means but Jesus Christ.

Many of us have barriers in the realms of sin that don't permit us to reach closer to God. Many things in the world have convinced us that they are necessary to our survival when in fact they are undermining our desires for true fulfillment and closeness to God. Material things as well as things we've grown an emotional attachment that takes priority in our lives like street racing or smoking or golf. There are plenty of things which could become barriers between ourselves and God.

The scientific world is relentless in trying to discover the new frontier, the next step, a new world, a bigger piece to the puzzle. Its great. We've been able to land a man on the moon and heal diseases. We've got some of the most amazing things the world has ever seen in our generation.

The wars are different, the work is different, and the mindset is different but the Gospel has remained the same because God is never changing. What He asks of us is the same as what He asked of Moses or Abraham, to let our hearts be His and our minds be steadfast in approaching His greatness and glory. He asks us undeviating commitment and in return we break through those barriers and progress into heavenly beings. Of course, the way to the Lord is not through our genius but our charity. He is no respector of persons and by small and simple things, brings to pass great things. The world will little note of some small expression of love but at the same time congratulate a small step in technology.

I'm not saying that education and advancements in society are barriers to God. In fact, Doctrine and Covenants proclaims that the glory of God is intelligence. He is the light that inspires our minds and brings us the abilities to bring to pass some amazing acccomplisments. Brigham Young believed as should all Mormons that the improvement of the mind, pleases the Lord. Education is even a form of worship. How much the advantage one has when He is intelligent? Nobody can be saved in their ignorance.

No, of course, the great barrier in our path to God is our pride. Priding ourselves on futile accomplishments while ignoring the great masses of the poor and the needy. Right now there are 27 million slaves in the world. Here are some more startling statistics, click to enlarge:


Now, how great of an accomplishment is it to have a man land on the Moon when so meny men and women and children can't land a meal? How great is our military technology when it hasn't granted anything but war? Its like Martin Luther King Jr. said "We have guided missiles and misguided men."

I'm speaking mostly in society terms but really are we so different individually? We spend much time securing our lives from a poor, dark and dangerous world while some are left out there. We spend more time worrying about our things than about people. Which is bizarre considering 99% of all things manufactured ends up in a dump 6 months later.

Its time to break down some barriers. The barrier that is trust in the system, securities, ourselves and monetaries that we have at the expense of our trust in God. These very things that promise us good lives are what keep us from experience joyful lives in God.

The Temple is a sacred place. Theres no other place on earth like it. Its all done to unifying people to each other and God. We make eternal promises to do so. We escape the throngs of worry and technology that has our lives for a time of peace and connection to the Holy Spirit. We leave behind the materialism and vainity of everyday life, for the spiritual and thats how we break through the barriers.

4.6.10

The Darkness of Self Justification

It is often the work of the adversary to tempt us into that realm of self justification. He is relentlessly trying to make us feel better without being better because its through these justifications that we become less and less able to take the Lord's counsel. Without the Lord, there is darkness. In the darkness the self justifcation is complete for there is nothing to expose the evil deeds and errors. In the dark and without hope is in the power of Satan.

Darkness is at the command of light. Where there is light, darkness cannot overtake it but by the will of the light stopping, it gives way for darkness to take over.

As Elder Uchtdorf said in the last General Conference "it appears that those who receive the Savior’s strongest reproach are often those who hold themselves in high esteem because of their wealth, influence, or perceived righteousness."

It was Abinadi the prophet who came as an exposing light to the errors of King Noah and his false priests. They're self justification came through the idea that they were prosperous and thus righteous. But, soon after Abinadi delivered his powerful message, King Noah and his false priests fell into destruction and were hunted like animals in the wilderness.

The Lord will warn the darkness to disperse or it will be forced to. Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets". He warns us through prophets to prepare the way of the Lord and if they people don't repent then they will be destroyed. As the scriptures say in 3 Nephi 20:20 a sword of justice hangs over us if we do not repent.

It doesn't please the Lord to lose us. Thats why He calls us to repent. To forsake our deeds and come into the light. When we justify ourselves we are calling God a liar because we are proposing that what is evil is okay and what is good doesn't matter. What audacity to say to He that created the Heavens and the Earth that we know better than He does. Depending on what we love, we will serve, and it is through prophets of God that we know Him and light.

As it says in Doctrine and Covenants-
For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh;

And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth.

And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people;

For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;


By calling a prophet and giving commandments, the Lord is revealing His mercy. He is giving light again to our darkness, showing us how we should be to please the Lord. After hearing the voice of the Lord calling you, you are then in the position to accept and reject His light. If you reject the light then you will face the consequences of that sword of justice, for you have rejected mercy.

The Lord is light and is the path of safety and happiness.

1.6.10

4 Nephi: The Secret to a Happy Society, A Warning of Destruction

This book is only one chapter long but covers the course of a few hundred years, it has almost a complete summary of the Book of Mormon, in the respects of how a great people fell into destruction. Thats the great lesson we get from the Book of Mormon; a warning of how to not fall into destruction as these people did.

4th Nephi shows us some tips and amazing facts about the people. In verse 2 it says "the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." The whole land was converted! Thats happened so few times in history.

Verse 3 says "And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor...but they were all made free and partakers of the heavenly gift." What another amazing statement. This also hasn't happened very often for it seems there is always poor in the land but everybody was rich.

The point here is the Lord is showing us that we can live happier His way than by our own ways. Men without the influence of the Lord, begin to set their hearts on money or things of the world rather than God and His people, and then there are classes, covetousness, pride, lust, and oppression (much like today).

Verses 5,7-10 explains how the people had many miracles wrought and began to build up those cities that were destroyed earlier.

A common theme running in the chapter (and the Book of Mormon) shows that the people had "no contentions", it says that 4 times through out the chapter, in verses 2, 13, 15, and 18. No contentions. How did they avoid their contentions? Verse 15 says "because of the love of God."

Verse 16 says "And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God"
The people were happy because of their unity and love of God.

They were so prosperous because of their righteousness. They had everything they could ever want or need because they put the Lord first.

But now the fall.

Verse 24 says they began to be prideful due to their "costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world."

Verse 25 says "And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them"

Verse 26 says "And they began to be divided into classes."

Now, they're not about the love of God but the love of "the fine things of the world." Sadly, how often does this happen in societies today! How common a mistake we make. Just like today and just like the whole Book of Mormon; this is a recipe for destruction. The rest of the chapter explains how there were many churches built up, the people began to be completely divided again, the children were taught to hate, their pride grew and the secret works of mafia like people were rampant through out the land.

Let this chapter be a warning to us.