Fifth Article of Faith

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

This Article of Faith is about priesthood authority.  This is a major difference between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other Christian religions.

We know that the priesthood -- the authority to act in God's name -- was taken from the earth during the great apostasy (dark ages).  During this time -- from the time Jesus and His apostles died until the restoration of the priesthood through the prophet Joseph Smith in 1829 -- there was no priesthood on the earth.  No one had the authority to act in God's name.

Here it is how Elder L. Tom Perry explained it:

"What a glorious day it was for Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in May 1829 when they went into the woods to pray about the doctrine of baptism for the remission of sins that they had read about while translating the Book of Mormon. There were many teachings about baptism being taught by different churches in the early 1800s, and Joseph and Oliver knew they could not all be true. They wanted to know about the correct manner of baptism and also who had the authority to baptize.

"In answer to their petitions to the Lord, a messenger from heaven, John the Baptist, appeared to them. He placed his hands on their heads and conferred upon them the authority to baptize with these words: “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron” (D&C 13:1).

"What a marvelous day in the history of the world! The priesthood was restored to the earth.

"When we receive the priesthood, we receive the authority to act in the name of God and lead in ways of truth and righteousness. This authority is a vital source of righteous power and influence for the benefit of God’s children on earth and will last beyond the veil. It was necessary for the priesthood to be restored before the true Church of Jesus Christ could be organized." -- Elder L. Tom Perry, "The Doctrine of Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith", October 2013 General Conference

The priesthood was restored to the earth.  We now have the authority to act in God's name once again.  Only those priesthood holders who have been ordained to an office in the priesthood have that authority. To be ordained to an office in the priesthood -- to become a priesthood holder -- one must be worthy by striving to live the Commandments.  He must also have someone who already holds the priesthood lay their hands on his head and confer the priesthood on him.

Also in the Church, we must be called to certain positions by those in authority, namely the Bishop.  We can't just decide we want to be the Relief Society President or a Young Men's adviser etc.  We must be called by the Bishop of our Ward in which we reside who has the authority to extend that calling.  The Lord runs a house of order.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the face of the earth that has the restored Priesthood -- the authority to act in God's name.

Fourth Article of Faith

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For some reason this is the easiest Article of Faith for me to remember.  Perhaps it's because I memorized it when I was eight, before I was baptized.  Whatever the reason, this is an Article of Faith that has stuck with me through the years.

This Article of Faith mentions the first two principles of the Gospel which are: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Repentance.

The very core of our beliefs and testimony should be based on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Everything else should be built on that.

Repentance is the second principle of the Gospel.  Since none of us are perfect and are always making mistakes, we are constantly needing to repent.  Faith and repentance should both come before baptism.

Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel.  Joseph Smith clarified that baptism must be done by immersion.  He further clarified that with baptism, we receive a remission of our sins.  Jesus taught the Nephites in the Book of Mormon about the proper manner of baptism.

3 Nephi 11:23-26

23 Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

24 And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

25 Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

26 And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.

 When we are baptized our sins are washed away and we begin anew.  When we are baptized we covenant to keep the Lord's commandments and to take upon us His name.  We renew these baptismal covenants every week when we take the sacrament.

After we are baptized we received the second ordinance of the Gospel, the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Hands are laid on our head by priesthood holders who have the authority to perform the ordinance.  During this ordinance we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This is a gift that the Holy Ghost will be with us always to comfort, guide, and bless our lives as long as we are worthy to receive that gift.  We must always be striving to do what's right and keep the commandments in order to be worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  To have a member of the Godhead as a constant companion is truly a remarkable and unspeakable gift.

Third Article of Faith

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

First of all, I think I need to explain the Atonement.  We use this term a lot in the Church but I think it may be somewhat foreign to others.

The prophet Alma explained the Atonement of Christ very well in the Book of Mormon.

Alma 7: 11-13

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

The Atonement of Christ encompasses all of His sufferings in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary.  Also because Christ overcame death through His resurrection, we will all be resurrected and receive perfect immortal bodies someday.

The Savior himself said this about His Atonement:

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

LDS.org explains the Atonement this way:

"As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God."

Joseph Smith states in the third Article of Faith that through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved. But then he clarifies it with "by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel."

We know that all of us, regardless of how we live our lives, will be resurrected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  But to be saved in terms of living with God for eternity we know we must obey the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

What are the laws and ordinances of the Gospel?  The laws of the Gospel are the Commandments.  To obey the laws of the Gospel we must keep the commandments.  That's fairly straightforward.  But what about the ordinances of the Gospel?  Ordinances are things like baptism, sacrament, and temple ordinances such as sealings of families together for eternity.

How do we obey the ordinances of the Gospel?  First of all we must do them.  We must be baptized, we must take the sacrament every week, we must do temple ordinances.  Then we must keep the covenants associated with those ordinances.

It is only through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ that we may be saved.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to live in the presence of God for eternity if we are obedient to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.  Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ we would all be doomed.

Second Article of Faith

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve we all live in a fallen state, separated from God and subject to physical death. The fall of Adam is part of God's plan.  Without the fall, we would not be here.  Because of the fall of Adam we are able to come to earth, gain a body and experience mortality.

Some churches teach the concept of "original sin" stemming from Adam's transgression.  We know that all people are only held accountable for their own actions, thoughts and words. We will not be held accountable nor punished for anyone else's sins or transgressions, including Adam's.

We can be negatively affected as a consequence of someone else's sins.  But it is not a punishment from God.  It is merely a ripple effect consequence of someone else's bad choices. For instance, when a spouse/parent chooses to walk out on their family, their remaining family members suffer dire consequences of that spouse/parent's choice.  When someone steals from someone else, the victim suffers the consequences of the thief's choice.  When someone is born with a mental or physical disability because their mother chose to put harmful substances into their body, the baby suffers the consequences of his mother's poor choices.  These are not punishments, they are the consequences of people exercising their agency.

Let's not confuse our trials with punishment.  We are here in mortality to be tried and tested and sometimes our trials are the consequences of someone else's poor choices.  But let's be clear that we will never be punished for someone else's sins or transgressions.  We will only be punished for our own sins, if we choose not to repent.

"Original sin" is a false doctrine.  We are not punished for Adam's transgression.  We are only responsible for our own sins. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, the Savior paid the price for the transgression in the Garden of Eden. Through the atonement of our Savior we are given the blessing of repentance, and promised that, through our faithfulness, we can return to the presence of our Heavenly Father to live with Him forever.

First Article of Faith

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

What is the very first thing Joseph Smith wanted people to know about the doctrine of the Church?

Elder Perry summed it up better than I could:

"The first article anchors our belief in God, our Eternal Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. How grateful we are for a knowledge of Supreme Beings that rule and govern this world. Our belief does not come from the speculations of men about the existence and nature of God, but from firsthand experience from the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. His experience clarified for mankind the existence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Thus to the world came the vision that three personages comprise this great presiding council of the universe and have revealed themselves to mankind as three separate beings, physically distinct from each other as demonstrated by the accepted records of their divine dealings with mankind. We know the occasions where they have been in evidence to mankind as three distinct personages. It is clear that the Father is a personal being possessing a definite form of body, parts, and spiritual passions, that Jesus Christ was with the Father in spirit before coming to dwell in the flesh, and through whom worlds were made. He lived among men as a man, with all of the physical characteristics of a human being. After His Resurrection He appeared in that same form. The Holy Ghost, also called Spirit or Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of God, Comforter, or the Spirit of the Truth, is not tabernacled in a body of flesh and bones but is a personage of spirit. The Holy Ghost is a witness of the Father and of the Son declaring to man their attributes, bearing record of the other personages of the Godhead." -- Elder L. Tom Perry, April 1998 General Conference

One of the main differences between the restored Church of our Savior and a lot of other Christian religions is what we believe about the Trinity or the Godhead.

We know that Our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and individual beings.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ having bodies of flesh and bone as tangible as ours and the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit.

"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us."  -- Doctrine and Covenants 130:22 

This simple knowledge about the Godhead is much different than most of our other Christian friends.  They simply don't have the modern-day revelation to clarify this doctrine.

The Articles of Faith

A lot of people are curious as to the basic doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Many of them are either misinformed or ignorant of our basic beliefs because they haven't been taught.

So I decide that I would post the Articles of Faith on my blog.  Then I decide to take it a step farther and elaborate on each one a little bit each day.  As there are 13 Articles of Faith I will be posting each one everyday for the next 13 days.

What exactly are the Articles of Faith?  Elder L. Tom Perry explained it succinctly in a past General Conference talk:

"Let us review for a moment how the Articles of Faith came to be. The Prophet was often asked to explain the teachings and practices of Mormonism. “John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, asked Joseph Smith to provide him with a sketch of ‘the rise, progress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-Day Saints.’” Mr. Wentworth, originally from New Hampshire, desired this information to help a friend compile a history of his native state. “Joseph complied with this request and sent Wentworth a multi-page document containing an account of many of the early events in the history of the Restoration, including the First Vision and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. The document also contained thirteen statements outlining Latter-day Saint beliefs, which have come to be known as the Articles of Faith.” The information sent to Wentworth was not published in the Chicago Democrat, but in the Church newspaper, Times and Seasons, published in March of 1842. “In 1851 the Articles of Faith were included in the first edition of the Pearl of Great Price published in the British Mission. After the Pearl of Great Price was revised in 1878 and canonized in 1880, the Articles of Faith became official doctrine of the Church” (see Church History in the Fulness of Times [Church Educational System Manual, 1993], 256–57)." -- Elder L. Tom Perry, "The Articles of Faith", April 1998 General Conference

The Articles of Faith have been around almost as long as the Church has.  As Elder Perry stated, they were written by the Prophet Joseph Smith to explain the doctrine of the Church.  As Elder Perry also stated, the Articles of Faith are now official Church doctrine as they are contained in Scripture.  You can find the Articles of Faith at the end of The Pearl of Great Price which is one of four Official sets of Scripture recognized by the Church.  The other three being the King James version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and The Doctrine and Covenants.

Most members of the Church memorize the 13 Articles of Faith as children in the Primary program.  Not only does it help the children understand simple doctrine, but it's also very useful in missionary work.  If people want to know what we believe as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Articles of Faith are a great way to start.

Now that I whetted your appetite by explaining what the 13 Articles of Faith are, you will be excited everyday to see a new post from me with each of the Articles of Faith.

I will start tomorrow with the first one.  If any questions arise, leave me a comment or e-mail me.

I will leave you with another quote from Elder L. Tom Perry from his April 1998 General Conference address:

"The Articles of Faith were not the work of a team of scholars but were authored by a single, inspired man who declared comprehensively and concisely the essential doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They contain direct and simple statements of the principles of our religion, and they constitute strong evidence of the divine inspiration that rested upon the Prophet Joseph Smith."

"What a great blessing it would be if every member of the Church memorized the Articles of Faith and became knowledgeable about the principles contained in each. We would be better prepared to share the gospel with others."

See you tomorrow with the first Article of Faith.  :-)

That's my two cents.

Homecoming Silver Anniversary!

Today is my Silver Anniversary!

25 years ago today I returned from serving a full time 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Wow!  It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since I came home.

Serving a mission was the best decision of my life.

I decide to post a picture of me in the MTC (Missionary Training Center).  This is where I spent the first three weeks of my mission learning how to be a missionary.  It was a very intense learning experience.

This is me in the laundry room of the MTC.  January 1992.

Now some pictures from the middle of my mission:

 You're all familiar with this picture as it is the background of my blog.  This is me with Sister Vega at a Zone Development Meeting (ZDM).  Probably around August 1992.

Same ZDM with some of the Elders from the Fort Myers Zone In the great Florida Tampa Mission.

This was a special ZDM focused on baptism.  We were specifically asked to wear white.  Of course this is where Sister Vega and I did our famous presentation entitled "Tract Tract Baby".  :-)

Pday in Punta Gorda.  I know it's P-day (preparation day) because I've got a letter in hand.  And we aren't working. Obviously I was an obedient missionary.  Wearing my missionary attire in public on Pday.

Same dress as above.  But obviously we were working.  Notice the copies of the Book of Mormon in my hand?  Looks like we were out tracting late. Yes, I was a hard-working missionary.  :-) No regrets.

 Now a few pictures from the end of my mission:

Do I look much wiser and seasoned than I do in the first picture?  My hair is certainly blonder.  :-) That's what 18 months in the Florida sun can do (with a little help from some sun in) :-)

Love that Florida sun!

1993

One of my last Zone meetings.  Seminole Florida Chapel.  Probably May or June 1993. 

Another Zone meeting in Seminole.  This happened to be our building we went to-- Sister Erickson and I served in the Seminole Ward.  Luckily we didn't have to travel far for this Zone meeting.  If I remember correctly this was the St. Petersburg Zone.  I loved being the only Sisters in our zone.  :-) It was that way my entire mission. Things are a lot more balanced now as more Sisters are serving missions.

I don't have any pictures of my actual homecoming.  I know we have a video of it.  So this'll have to do.  I loved being a missionary.  It was a lot of hard work but also very rewarding.  I consider it a sacred privilege I was blessed with to be called to serve a full-time mission.  Greatest experience of my life!

Happy Silver Anniversary to me!

Leave the Nest And Fly

I do a lot of thinking when I'm outside.  The other day I was down at the dog tree and I started thinking about people who spend their entire lives in the same place.  Those who have never lived anywhere outside of the city or county they were born in and where they grew up.

Then I started thinking about my own life and how many different places I have lived.  So I began counting.  If my memory serves me correctly, I have lived in six different states and 17 different cities -- sometimes even living in different places within a city.  I don't even know how many times I've moved in my life.  I know from kindergarten to third grade I had been enrolled in five different schools.  Even as a young adult I moved a lot.  Between serving a mission and obtaining higher education I moved at least ten times and lived in nine different cities in four different states.

You wouldn't know it by how many places I've lived but I don't really like change.  Yet with every move and every different place of residence, I gained different experiences from which I learned and grew.

I think it's good to spread your wings and venture out.  I know there are some parents who don't want their kids to ever move very far from them.  I guess that's a natural feeling to want to keep your kids close.  But a good parent realizes that it's good for their children to venture out into the world and spread their wings and fly.  It's a disservice to your children to keep them tied to the apron strings. And selfish.

It's natural progression for children to leave the nest as they reach adulthood.  It's natural to want to go out in the world and experience new things.  A young bird learning how to fly may fail a few times but will eventually get the hang of it.  A bird who doesn't leave the nest might avoid the failure but will never learn to fly.

I'm thankful for parents who never held me back from chasing my dreams and goals.  I'm thankful for parents who encouraged me to spread my wings and fly. I'm thankful for all the different places I've lived and all the experiences I've gained by venturing out and soaring.

A bird who learns how to fly can return to the nest anytime.  A bird who doesn't leave the nest, never learns to fly.

That's my two cents.

Scripture of the Day

Moroni 10:20-23

20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.

21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.

22 And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.

23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.

Compelled to Be Humble

A very important truth is taught in the following Scripture. Just a quick background, this is the prophet Alma speaking to people who were compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

Alma 32:13-16

13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?

15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

The truth taught in this Scripture is universal.  It doesn't just apply to humility.  There are many types of people in the world and in the Church.  Our attitude has a lot to do with our level of spirituality.

For example, do we pay tithing willingly with a glad heart or grudgingly?  Are we compelled to pay tithing?  Do we live the Word of Wisdom willingly with a glad heart or grudgingly?  Are we compelled to live the Word of Wisdom?  Do we keep the Sabbath day holy willingly with a glad heart or grudgingly? Are we compelled to keep the Sabbath day holy?  Do we fast willingly with a glad heart or grudgingly with a sad countenance?  Are we compelled to fast?  Do we willingly serve our fellow man with a glad heart when we see a need or do we only serve grudgingly when someone asks us?  Are we compelled to serve?

Those are only a few examples of Commandments that we may keep.  But what is our attitude?  Do we willingly keep the commandments with a glad heart?  Or do we grudgingly keep the commandments because we feel compelled to?

Do we serve in our callings grudgingly out of a sense of duty?  Or do we serve willingly with a glad heart because we want to serve the Lord and help our fellow man?

Obviously if we are serving at all it is better than not serving.  Obviously if we are keeping the commandments at all, it is better than not keeping them.  Regardless of our motivation or attitude.  But, as the prophet Alma stated in the above scripture "Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble".

Anyone who serves the Lord and his fellow man will be blessed.  Anyone who keeps the commandments will be blessed.  But those who do so without being compelled to, those who serve willingly with a glad heart out of pure love for the Lord and their fellow man, will be "much more blessed".

That's my two cents.

Scripture of the Day

I just listened to this.  Brings back memories of being a missionary.  I quoted this scripture countless times as a missionary while teaching about the necessity of baptism. Simple doctrine taught plainly in The Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 31:5-7

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?

7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

Rush Limbaugh Quote on Christianity

It's no secret that the American left/Democrats are anti-religion.  They've made that very clear.  Rush Limbaugh mentioned that a new study by Harvard University found that Christianity is not shrinking in America and is in fact growing stronger.  Much to the chagrin of the American left/Democrat Party.

Despite many weak people yielding to Satan and dropping like flies.  Apparently there are still a lot of smart people in America who are turning to Christianity or staying strong in their beliefs.

Here's a taste of what Rush Limbaugh had to say about it:

"Of course, the forces of anti-religion — which is the American left — are famous for pushing this. They want you to lose faith. They want you to be laughed at if you’re religious. They promote you feeling degraded and marginalized, because your faith is a competitor to theirs, and yours is much stronger and much more real, and they’re threatened by it. Plus, your faith helps to define morality and virtue and holdings on to certain traditions and institutions that have defined this country and its greatness — all of which they are trying to tear down.

"Their failing to do it. ...But this is why they continue to laugh at you and make fun of Christians and Christianity and religious devotion, and it’s always going to happen.

"They’re not gonna let up on it because you are competitors." -- Rush Limbaugh.com, July 9, 2018

As a Christian I can attest to the persecution I have experienced personally.  I thought Rush Limbaugh's take on it was very interesting.  And very true.  It really is a good versus evil, right versus wrong (left).  As Rush pointed out, the left (anti-religion forces) are threatened by our faith and the power we wield because of our faith and religious devotion.

But like Rush said, they are failing.  And they're not happy about it.  It is prophesied that good will eventually prevail against evil.  They may win a few battles, but we will most certainly win the war. There's no doubt whatsoever that despite his best efforts, Satan will be defeated.  At the end of the war I hope you are on the right side.  Because the winner is already predetermined.  Christ will prevail.  Be a winner, be on Christ's side.

That's my two cents.

FHE Lesson -- Grace and Repentance

Tammy’s Family Home Evening lesson

July 8, 2018

Grace and Repentance

Opening hymn: As Now We Take the Sacrament, hymn number 169

Opening prayer: by invitation

His Grace Is Sufficient

By Brad Wilcox

September 2013 Ensign

From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University on July 12, 2011. For the full address, visit speeches.byu.edu.

"A young woman once came to me and asked if we could talk. I said, “Of course. How can I help you?”

"She said, “I just don’t get grace.”

"I responded, “What is it that you don’t understand?”

"She said, “I know I need to do my best, and then Jesus does the rest, but I can’t even do my best.”

"I said, “The truth is, Jesus paid our debt in full. He didn’t pay it all except for a few coins. He paid it all. It is finished.”

"She said, “Right! Like I don’t have to do anything?”

“"Oh, no,” I said, “you have plenty to do, but it is not to pay that debt. We will all be resurrected. We will all go back to God’s presence to be judged. What is left to be determined by our obedience is how comfortable we plan to be in God’s presence and what degree of glory we plan on receiving.”

"Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice—not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His. Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us now with His own set of requirements (see 3 Nephi 28:35)."

Grace Transforms Us

"Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.

"If the child sees Mom’s requirement of practice as being too overbearing (“Gosh, Mom, why do I need to practice? None of the other kids have to practice! I’m just going to be a professional baseball player anyway!”), perhaps it is because he doesn’t yet see with Mom’s eyes. He doesn’t see how much better his life could be if he would choose to live on a higher plane.

"In the same way, because Jesus has paid justice, He can now turn to us and say: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19); “Keep my commandments” (John 14:15). If we see His requirements as being way too much to ask, maybe it is because we do not yet see through Christ’s eyes. We have not yet comprehended what He is trying to make of us.

"Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “The repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change” (The Lord’s Way [1991], 223; emphasis in original). Let’s put that in terms of the child pianist: The child must practice the piano, but this practice has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change.

"The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can live after we die but that we can live more abundantly (see John 10:10). The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can be cleansed and consoled but that we can be transformed (see Romans 8). Scriptures make it clear that no unclean thing can dwell with God (see Alma 40:26), but no unchanged thing will even want to.

"The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that—miraculously—we can feel at home there. If Heavenly Father and His Son did not require faith and repentance, then there would be no desire to change. Think of your friends and family members who have chosen to live without faith and without repentance. They don’t want to change. They are not trying to abandon sin and become comfortable with God. Rather, they are trying to abandon God and become comfortable with sin. If the Father and the Son did not require covenants and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, then there would be no way to change. We would be left forever with only willpower, with no access to His power. If Heavenly Father and His Son did not require endurance to the end, then there would be no internalization of those changes over time. They would forever be surface and cosmetic rather than sinking inside us and becoming part of us—part of who we are. Put simply, if Jesus didn’t require practice, then we would never become Saints.

Grace Helps Us

“"But don’t you realize how hard it is to practice? I’m just not very good at the piano. I hit a lot of wrong notes. It takes me forever to get it right.” Now wait. Isn’t that all part of the learning process? When a young pianist hits a wrong note, we don’t say he is not worthy to keep practicing. We don’t expect him to be flawless. We just expect him to keep trying. Perfection may be his ultimate goal, but for now we can be content with progress in the right direction. Why is this perspective so easy to see in the context of learning piano but so hard to see in the context of learning heaven?

"Too many are giving up on the Church because they are tired of constantly feeling like they are falling short. They have tried in the past, but they continually feel like they are just not good enough. They don’t understand grace.

"There should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. When learning the piano, are the only options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting? No. Growth and development take time. Learning takes time. When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives. When we understand grace, we understand that the blessings of Christ’s Atonement are continuous and His strength is perfect in our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). When we understand grace, we can, as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants, “continue in patience until [we] are perfected” (D&C 67:13).

"Grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted. Rather, it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light that moves us through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road. It is received right here and right now."

Grace Is Sufficient

"The grace of Christ is sufficient (see Ether 12:27; D&C 17:8)—sufficient to cover our debt, sufficient to transform us, and sufficient to help us for as long as that transformation process takes. The Book of Mormon teaches us to rely solely on “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). As we do, we do not discover—as some Christians believe—that Christ requires nothing of us. Rather, we discover the reason He requires so much and find the strength to do all He asks (see Philippians 4:13). Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations. Grace is the presence of God’s power (see Luke 1:37).

"God’s grace is sufficient. Jesus’s grace is sufficient. It is enough. It is all we need. Don’t quit. Keep trying. Don’t look for escapes and excuses. Look for the Lord and His perfect strength. Don’t search for someone to blame. Search for someone to help you. Seek Christ, and, as you do, you will feel the enabling power and divine help we call His amazing grace."  —Brad Wilcox

From Repentance Is Always Positive, Stephen W. Owen, October 2017 General Conference:

"Too often we think of repentance as something miserable and depressing. But God’s plan is the plan of happiness, not the plan of misery! Repentance is uplifting and ennobling. It’s sin that brings unhappiness.  Repentance is our escape route! As Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained: “Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. … Only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation. Repentance … points us to freedom, confidence, and peace.”  My message to all—especially to the youth—is that repentance is always positive.

"When we speak of repentance, we aren’t just talking about self-improvement efforts. True repentance is more than that—it is inspired by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to forgive our sins. As Elder Dale G. Renlund has taught us, “Without the Redeemer, … repentance becomes simply miserable behavior modification.” We can try to change our behavior on our own, but only the Savior can remove our stains and lift our burdens, enabling us to pursue the path of obedience with confidence and strength. The joy of repentance is more than the joy of living a decent life. It’s the joy of forgiveness, of being clean again, and of drawing closer to God. Once you’ve experienced that joy, no lesser substitute will do.

"True repentance inspires us to make our obedience a commitment—a covenant, beginning with baptism and renewed each week at the Lord’s Supper, the sacrament. There we receive the promise that we can “always have his Spirit to be with [us],” with all of the joy and peace that come from His constant companionship. This is the fruit of repentance, and this is what makes repentance joyful!

"We often associate repentance with grievous sins that require “a mighty change.” But repentance is for everyone—those who are wandering in “forbidden paths and [are] lost” as well as those who “have gotten into [the] strait and narrow path” and now need to “press forward.” Repentance both puts us on the right path and keeps us on the right path. It is for those who are just beginning to believe, those who have believed all along, and those who need to begin again to believe. As Elder David A. Bednar taught: “Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and … striving to become better.”

"Recently I visited a missionary training center when a group of brand-new missionaries arrived. I was deeply moved as I watched them and observed the light in their eyes. They seemed so bright and happy and enthusiastic. Then a thought came to me: “They have experienced faith unto repentance. This is why they are filled with joy and hope.”

"To all who seek forgiveness—the youth, young single adults, parents, grandparents, and yes, even great-grandparents—I invite you to come home. Now is the time to begin. Do not procrastinate your day of repentance.

"Then, once you have made that decision, keep following the path. Our Father is waiting, longing to receive you. His arms are outstretched “all the day long” for you.  The reward is worth the effort.

"Remember these words from Nephi: “Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”"  -- Stephen W. Owen

Let us all remember that repentance is a gift given to us by grace through the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Regardless of what path we are currently on, I hope we will use the marvelous gift of repentance through grace to get on the right path and stay on the right path.  As we do so, we will find true happiness not only in this life, but for eternity.  This is my hope and prayer for all of us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Closing hymn: Amazing Grace

Closing prayer: by invitation

My handout (double-sided):

Song lyrics:

Amazing Grace

1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)

that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

was blind, but now I see.

2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved;

how precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed!

3 Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come:

'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me,

his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be

as long as life endures.

5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

and mortal life shall cease:

I shall possess, within the veil,

a life of joy and peace.

As Now We Take the Sacrament

1. As now we take the sacrament,

Our thoughts are turned to thee,

Thou Son of God, who lived for us,

Then died on Calvary.

We contemplate thy lasting grace,

Thy boundless charity;

To us the gift of life was giv’n

For all eternity.

2. As now our minds review the past,

We know we must repent;

The way to thee is righteousness-

The way thy life was spent.

Forgiveness is a gift from thee

We seek with pure intent.

With hands now pledged to do thy work,

We take the sacrament.

3. As now we praise thy name with song,

The blessings of this day

Will linger in our thankful hearts,

And silently we pray

For courage to accept thy will,

To listen and obey.

We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full.

We’ll walk thy chosen way.

Moroni

This morning, Lisa and I were discussing Moroni.  I mentioned that I sometimes feel like Moroni felt.  Moroni is a great example of someone who persevered and endured to the end through all his hardships.

Moroni is the son of Mormon.  After Mormon compiled and abridged the record of the Nephites (The Book of Mormon) he gave the plates to his son Moroni.  This was about 400 years after Christ came.

Here is part of this story from The Book of Mormon:

Mormon 8: 1-5

1 Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.

3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.

4 Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

5 Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.

Moroni was the last Nephite left and had to continually watch his back lest the Lamanites kill him.  Yet he still managed to abridge the record of the Jaredites.  The Jaredites were a people who left Jerusalem for the promised land much earlier than Lehi and his family. The Jaredites story begins around the time of the Tower of Babel approximately 2000 BC.  Then he also "wrote a few more things" which are recorded in the book of Moroni.

Moroni 1:1-4

1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

I love Moroni.  He said he didn't plan on writing more but he hadn't perished yet so he would write a few more things that perhaps they may be of some worth to his brethren the Lamanites at some future time.  I find it interesting that despite the Lamanites' hatred towards him and desire to kill him that he still was concerned about their welfare.

Moroni epitomizes Christlike charity.  Moroni mentioned that the Lamanites would kill any Nephite who would not deny Christ.  That's a lot of hate for people you don't even know just because they believe in Christ.  That's how wicked the Lamanites had become.  Moroni had to wander whithersoever he could to protect his life from the Lamanites, because he would not deny Christ.  Moroni was all alone.  All of his people, the Nephites, had been killed by Lamanites.  Yet Moroni was still concerned for his "brethren, the Lamanites". Moroni was an amazing man.

After he completed his writings, Moroni buried the golden plates in the Hill Cumorah ~ 421 A.D. where they stayed until Moroni himself appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith as an angel and instructed him to obtain the plates.  The prophet Joseph Smith translated the plates into The Book of Mormon.

The book of Moroni contains doctrine and simple truths not found anywhere else.  Such as explaining about infant baptism not being necessary.  If Moroni hadn't been diligent in following the will of the Lord and keeping the records handed down by his father, Mormon, we wouldn't have the doctrines and truths explained so simply in The Book of Mormon.

I'm thankful for Moroni and his diligence in preserving the record that was written for our day.  The Book of Mormon is a great blessing to us. I'm thankful for Moroni's example of perseverance and enduring to the end despite numerous trials and hardships.

That's my two cents.

Skulls Full of Mush

I've noticed that those who believe the lies that they listen to, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, acquire certain traits nearly universally.  They lose all common sense, they become very angry and hateful, they blame everyone else when they are at fault, their thinking becomes very irrational -- basically their skulls are full of mush.

I can't take credit for that phrase, Rush Limbaugh likes to use it when talking about the snowflakes who are educated in the public school system.  He likes to call them young skulls full of mush.  It basically refers to anyone who has been indoctrinated by the lies of the liberal leftist socialist democrats.  But I'm going to expand the definition to include anyone who believes lies over truth.

Speaking of Rush Limbaugh, I read yesterday on his website that Facebook censored part of the Declaration of Independence and removed it from their website because of "hate speech".  So if I remember correctly the story goes something like this: a newspaper or some kind of news outlet in Texas was posting the Declaration of Independence on their Facebook page in different sections.  I'm sure this had to do with Independence Day a couple of days ago.  Anyway one of the sections they posted was censored by Facebook and removed because of "hate speech".  Apparently the skulls full of mush that run Facebook are censor happy and consider the Declaration of Independence hateful.

Most likely the offensive to skulls full of mush phrase in the Declaration of Independence is "Indian savages".  Now, when the Declaration of Independence was written nearly a quarter of a millennium ago, the natives were considered savages by the early settlers.  At the time, that was an accurate description.  We know from The Book of Mormon, which contains a history of early American civilizations, that the Lamanites (principal ancestors of American Indians) fit the bill of savages to a tee.  Over the roughly thousand years of history of the Lamanites included in The Book of Mormon, almost all of it documents the savage nature of the Lamanites.  Especially at the end when all civilization was lost.

"O my beloved son, how can a people like this, that are without civilization—"  (Moroni 9: 11)

So apparently the skulls full of mush that run Facebook want to censor history because it's offensive to them. Yet, any leftist liberal socialist democrat can profanely spew hatred and anger towards people they don't agree with and that's totally acceptable.

Another example of the hypocrisy and lunacy of the left is their tantrum over children being taken from their lawbreaking criminal parents.  Which by the way is a policy instituted by Democrats.  They will throw a conniption fit over families being broken apart temporarily when they break the law to enter our country illegally.  Pretending they care about families and children.  Yet killing babies is something every good leftist liberal socialist Democrat celebrates.  You can't be a good Democrat without touting the laurels of abortion.  Talk about hypocrisy. In their skulls full of mush somehow killing innocent babies and ripping them out of their mother's wombs is something to be applauded.  But following a law implemented by Democrats and separating children (who are well cared for) from their criminal parents is unjustifiably cruel? Sick and twisted skulls full of mush.

The interesting thing is when people turn from righteousness to wickedness their skulls become full of mush.  When people start believing lies and turn from truth their skulls become full of mush.  When people turn from God and start following Satan's philosophies their skulls become full of mush. Bright righteous people become stupid when they willfully rebel against God and choose to follow the father of lies, Satan.

Unfortunately I've seen it happen first-hand to people very close to me.  As they turn from truth and righteousness, they turn from brilliance to skulls full of mush.  It’s extremely sad, yet it's happening more frequently as people are falling for Satan's deceptive lies and believing lies over truth.

Lies become a lot easier to swallow when they support you in your iniquity.  Truth becomes a bitter pill to swallow.

1 Nephi 16:2-3

2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

 When you're living a life full of iniquity, it's a lot easier to walk around with your skulls full of mush, murmuring against truth, believing lies.  Because the truth is "offensive" and cutteth to the very center.

Life is a lot easier and happier, and your skulls aren't full of mush, when you believe truth rather than lies.

That's my two cents.

God Bless America

Happy Independence Day!  In honor of celebrating our independence and freedoms in this great nation, I thought I would share some scriptures about America.

Ether 2:12

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."

2 Nephi 10:11-12, 19

11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

12 And I will fortify this land against all other nations. 

19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon that they shall worship me, saith God. 

We certainly are blessed to live in a choice land, even a promised land where we enjoy many freedoms that much of the world does not have. America was consecrated long-ago to be a land of liberty.  We are promised that as long as we serve God, our freedoms will be preserved.

Samuel F. Smith penned a beautiful patriotic poem which echoes the above sentiment. Here is the fourth verse:

Our fathers’ God to thee,

Author of liberty,

To thee we sing.

Long may our land be bright

With freedom’s holy light.

Protect us by thy might,

Great God, our King! 

-- Samuel F. Smith, My Country, 'Tis of Thee 

Let us all remember who granted us this wonderful land of freedom and worship and serve Him.

That's my two cents.

Mortality Is a Mess

I just finished watching a series all about the Mormon Pioneer's trek west.  It's called "History of the Saints: Gathering to the West."  I despise history but I actually enjoyed this series.  I would highly recommend it.

Anyway, in watching it yesterday Doctrine and Covenants 136 was mentioned.  A certain Scripture stood out to me.  Just as a background, Doctrine and Covenants 136 is revelation given to the Prophet Brigham Young at Winter Quarters on the banks of the Missouri River near Council Bluffs Iowa.  This is where the Saints set up camp during the winter before they continued on their trek west in the spring.

Here are the words of the Lord, Jesus Christ, given to the Prophet Brigham Young:

Doctrine and Covenants 136:31

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."

I guess that Scripture stood out to me because we've had quite a few trials recently.  Lots of things going wrong around here.  Expensive tractor engines needing to be replaced, my overhead lift for transferring conking out, lawnmower parts falling off needing to be special ordered and replaced, gate clickers and receivers not working, mom's recalcitrant wound -- just to name a few of the more mundane things we've faced recently.

Mortality is a mess.  But that's why we're here.  We are here to progress towards becoming more like our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The way we do that is by learning and growing through our trials.

So when I hear people complaining about why bad things happen to good people -- the answer is easy.  The simple answer is that bad things happen to good people to help them progress.  The Lord himself said, "My people must be tried in all things...".

If life were easy, we would not learn and grow.  We would not progress.  We must be "tried in all things" to progress so that we "may be prepared to receive the glory" that is awaiting us in the Kingdom of God.

Even though trials may be overwhelming and seem unbearable and even unfair at times, just remember "... that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."  (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).

Our time here in this mortal life is extremely short.  The Lord has given us the marvelous opportunity to come to earth, to gain a body, and to learn and grow through our trials.

Alma 12:24

"... therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead."

Yes, mortality is a mess.  Mortality or probation is full of hardships that must be endured.  Most likely we don't understand how we're progressing by enduring our trials.  But if we trust in the Lord and trust in His infinite wisdom and endure to the end without wavering -- we will one day understand it and thank Him for the opportunity to progress.

A word of warning to those who waste their short time in mortality.

2 Nephi 9:27 

"But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!"

Mortality is a mess.  Endure it well.  Trials, as part of our probation, help us prepare to meet God by learning and by growth.  As we learn from our trials, we progress toward becoming more like our Heavenly Father and Savior. Through our trials we are prepared to receive the glory They have for us.

Please don't waste the days of your probation.  Life is too short to throw away eternal happiness!

That's my two cents.

Scripture of the Day

Alma 37:35-37

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.