Apostasy

This is almost too weird.  I was studying from Preach my Gospel about Apostasy.  The first scripture was 2 Timony 4:3-4.  However, as I turned to it, I tripped over 2 Timothy 3 first, which was highlighted very vigorously with red in the first seven verses.  Of course, it caught my attention and I read it.  It described perfectly what a person who has defected from the teachings of their youth in the gospel looks like.  It’s almost eerie.

• Perilous times will come.  There is no doubt we are in perilous times.
• Men (and women) shall be lovers of themselves
• Covetous
• Boasters
• Proud
• Blasphemers (irreverent towards sacred things)
• Disobedient to parents
• Unthankful
• Unholy
• Without natural affection
• Trucebreakers
• False accusers
• Incontinent (I wrote in my margin: lacking self restraint)
• Fierce (hostile)
• Despisers of those that are good
• Traitors
• Heady (rude, proud and opinionated)
• Highminded (Would this be another way of say puffed up?)
• Lovers of pleasers more than lovers of God
• Having a form of godliness, but denying the power of God

That’s quite a list, and I was tempted to forego any other references and focus on these verses I tripped over.  I looked at 2 Timothy 4:3-4 that says basically that people will make up their own belief system and turn their ears away from truth.  This is called APOSTASY. 

The second scripture footnoted 2 Tim 3:1, the very scripture I “tripped over”.  Also, Helaman 13:28 is footnoted.  As I read that, I saw it in a bit of a political frame given the fact I’m still recovering from a disappointing election result.  I read from verses 27 through 30.  I see some real relationship in these verses to the leaders of our country currently.  Many in this nation look to our president as a savior.  He speaks flattering words.  I won’t quote the entire thing, but suggest you read it with your political eyes. 

I find the list of traits of an apostate very sobering.  My time of inactivity was not an apostasy but rather a weakening in spiritual strength.  However, as I have observed what appears to me to be someone apostatize, I see this list fulfilled almost to the letter.  It is most frightening to me.  I don’t know where I’m headed with this information other than to say it is a slippery slope.  Once you start shaking your fist at God because things aren’t happening as you believe you were taught they would or should happen, you are headed in this direction.  Not only is it slippery, but also it is swift!  It is shocking to witness this in loved ones whom you thought you knew so well. 

Follow the counsel of our leaders.  Do not get discouraged at life.  The Lord has a plan and we are part of that plan.  Be on the safe side of his commandments and you will enjoy the safety that comes from keeping the commandments.  This is a truth that is as plain as day to me.  I believe having eyes to see makes it so.

Jesus’ Special Love for Women

You’ll think I study all over the place, and some days I feel I do.  I read from the Book of Mormon, then Elder Cristensen’s conference talk on the Holy Ghost.  I’ve determined to read “Daughters of My Kingdom” again, this time trying harder to digest it by reading footnotes, etc.  And that’s where my short comment comes from this morning.

“. . . the Savior showed special love and concern for women”.  Elder Talmage said “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ.”  This explains what has been happening in my world the last two and a half years.  (How silly of me!  It's been the last 33 years - since I met my husband.)  I’ve been serving in the Stake Relief Society presidency – first as secretary, and the last 16 months as president.  I’ve marveled every time we’ve met with our stake president at how kind, understanding and respectful he has treated me.  And now I get it.  He is following the Savior’s example.  Both presidents have been so kind and made me feel so important – a real part of their team.  This is a gift Heavenly Father has given me, but it is a gift they have both developed. 

I’m thankful for the Savior’s example and love for women.  I’m thankful these examples were left in the Bible for those seeking to know how to live.  I’m thankful for wise men who follow this example.  I’m thankful for a husband who does this as well.  He’s always been much kinder to me than I ever felt I deserved.  I wondered where this kindness came from.  He was not taught by the example of his father.  And now I know.  He has been taught by the example of our Savior as well.  There are so many good men in this world who “get it”. 

As we have been visiting the Elder’s Quorums the past two months, and leaving a message with them, so many of the young men have come up to me and thanked me for my message.  I’m beginning to see that they get it as well.  We are taught to follow the example of our Savior.  This is what they are doing.

Men are wonderful!  Men who follow the Savior’s example are the most amazing gift of all.  I’ve seen it in my sons in law as well and I’m so grateful for their goodness to my daughters.  I pray earnestly for two more just like them.  

Purpose of Prophets

Prophets

Today my comments come from studying Preach my Gospel.  It was a search through the scriptures on the things of prophets.

1. First and foremost is the scripture from Amos 3:7 in the Old Testament.  “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” 
2. Jacob 4:4-6, The calling of a prophet is to testify of the reality of Christ and our hope in him.  This assignment is the same for those prophets who came before the Savior’s birth as well as after and today.
3. A prophet has all the gifts afforded to the children of men. D&C 107:91-92
4. A prophet testifies of the Savior Jesus Christ. Mosiah 13:33-35
5. The true church is built upon the foundation of prophets and apostles. Ephesians 2:19-20
6. 1 Nephi 22:2  All things are made known to prophets by the voice of the Spirit. 
7. 1 Nephi 19:20 The things shown to prophets keep them from perishing as well as the rest of us.

 In these troubled times, it is no wonder we have been told to listen carefully to the words of our prophet.  What can I learn from watching Pres. Monson, who is a prophet of the Lord? 

The voice of the spirit is speaking to him.  I was listening to a podcast – it may have been conference.  The speaker said he sees the prophet daily and there is no doubt in his mind he is conversing with the Lord. 

All gifts afforded to the children of men are Pres. Monson’s.  I think the best place to find out what gifts we are talking about would be in the scriptures.  These gifts are for the profit of men.  Moroni 10:9-15:

• To teach the word of wisdom
• Teach the word of knowledge
• Great faith
• Gift of healing
• Work mighty miracles
• Prophesy concerning all things
• Behold angels and ministering spirits.
• All kinds of tongues
• Interpretation of languages

Pres. Monson testifies of Christ at every turn.  The things he is shown by the spirit are to keep us from perishing.

I’m grateful for the knowledge I have of a prophet.  I’m also grateful to be able to say I know Pres. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of our God.  I know he speaks with him, that angels attend him, and that I will be served/saved by obeying his counsel.  I know he speaks for God, and the things he says are as if the Lord himself were speaking them to me.  I love this man and am so grateful for this knowledge that comes to me by the Spirit. 

So my marching orders for today?  Seek the prophet's current counsel.  I received my Ensign this week.  So I’ll read (or listen) to at least one talk.

The Prophets - AKA Scriptures

In 3 Nephi 23 Jesus is talking to the people about scripture.  He asked Nephi to bring his record forth and asked if Samuel the Lamanite had come among the people.  Nephi said he had, and then got a little, (and gentle) reprimand from the Savior.  Why had he not written of the marvelous things that happened when the people came from the grave and ministered to the people?  So we have the record of the fulfillment of the prophecies of Samuel because Christ told Nephi to include it.

We read in Amos 3:7 that the Lord does nothing save he reveals it unto his servants, the prophets.  Why would that be?  The Lord doesn’t single out one person (a prophet) to be saved.  Notice he said “servant”.  He calls a prophet to serve.  Who is he serving?  We, the followers of Christ, are the ones who benefit from the words of the prophets, aka the scriptures.  We are being served. 

In Jacob 4:4-6 (from the Book of Mormon) we are told why the scriptures exist – “. . . that they may know that we knew of Christ. . .”  We are told to search the scriptures that we might obtain a hope and our faith be increased. 

I’m fascinated at how my reading currently is going hand-in-hand with my study of the Preach my Gospel.  The Lord gives us evidence every day of the truth of his existence, if we will search for them.  We need to study the scriptures diligently to see these things.  And we are to testify of these truths.  I guess that’s why I do this blog.  Most days it is the only way I get to testify.  But I know the scriptures are true.  I know the things prophesied will come to pass.  I see the Lord’s hand in the things happening in our world today, and I’m grateful for the faith I have, because surely these are the times that try men's soul.  If reading the scriptures isn’t your daily practice, and you want to feel the Lord’s love in your life, I would recommend you begin reading from them today – both the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible.  They both testify of Christ.  They testify of his love for us and His Plan whereby we can return to our Heavenly Father.  Of this I have no doubt.

I Testify

In my Preach My Gospel study, I was guided to read from the Book of Mormon the reasons why prophets wrote.  Ultimately, it is for us as the House of Israel is gathered in.  The Book of Mormon will condemn those who have it and choose to ignore its teachings.  It persuades us to Come Unto Christ numerous times.  It is to give us hope like that of the Nephites.  Hope in what?  We have hope in the knowledge that the war has already been fought and we know who won.  What we don’t know is which team we will be on.  We can have hope in our own salvation.  The Book of Mormon tells us of the Lord’s plan, the great plan of happiness, aka The Plan of Salvation.  It also exhorts us to believe in Christ and to come unto Him.

I know the Book of Mormon is God’s word to us.  I read it many times knowing this, but not understanding all that it contained.  As the years have gone on, I’ve come to understand it more and more and realize what a blessing it is in my own life.  I have seen it change lives.  One life in particular was my daughter’s – one who has such a hard time believing.  She was challenged to read it from cover to cover with the assignment to mark wherever the word “love” appeared.  She did, and as she did, she began to enjoy its message and a softening of her heart.  However, one needs to continue to enjoy.  It is our continued effort to read daily that puts the drops of oil in our lamps that we will have light until the Savior comes again.  I know this is a truth and that we cannot afford to let a day go by without reading from its pages.  I know our Savior loves me because the spirit bears witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon and the evidence of his love for the Nephites is written throughout the book.  I know Heavenly Father has a plan, and I am very much a part of that plan.  What a blessing to know I’m involved in that Plan! 

I read 3 Nephi 21 this morning where the Savior is still amongst the Nephites after his resurrection.  He told them (us) to watch for a sign of his coming.  That sign was the Book of Mormon.  Its coming forth is a sign of the beginning of the gathering of Israel.  The fact that the minimum age for our missionaries has been changed to 18 for men and 19 for sisters is evidence to me that the gathering is being hastened.  We are sending out valiant young men and young women to share this wonderful book with the world.  I’m so grateful to know many of these young people as they are preparing.  They will be amazing, and I can see the Lord working in their lives as well.

I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon.  It gives me hope in the sadness of our lives both politically and personally.  It allows me to feel the love Heavenly Father has for his people and me.  It calls me to Come Unto Christ and I’m able to do that by keeping his commandments and feasting daily from this amazing book. 

My marching orders this day are to ponder the many blessings I enjoy because I have the knowledge of this book at my disposal.  What a blessing it is!

If the Savior stood beside me . . .

As I read 3 Nephi 18 this morning, one verse stood out.  The Savior is with the people and he tells them he must return to the Father for their sakes.  Why would that be?  To what advantage is it to be without the Savior in our presence? 

In answer to that thought/question, I reflected on the song “If the Savior Stood Beside Me”.  Would I do the things I do?  Would I say the things I say?  Would I be kinder; more thoughtful of others?  Would I serve more?  Although I try ever so hard to do these things, I really believe if I saw the Savior next to me, I would probably step it up a little.  I know when I’m driving, if I’m getting irritated at someone or a situation, and I think about who it is I’m trying to emulate, I kick back and try a little harder to be Christ like.  I yield more readily.  I smile and wave more sincerely.  That said, how could I be judged for my works if the Savior were right here with me?  Probably it wouldn’t be an accurate assessment of my character.

So why did the prophets of the Book of Mormon write?  This is the question posed in Preach My Gospel.  I read the first column of scriptures.  I won’t give the references, but they are on p.105 of Preach My Gospel. 

• They (the prophets) write to persuade us to come unto Christ,
• to record the ministry for those who came after them,
• for the profit of their children,
• so we will know where to look for a remission of our sins,
• so we will know the Law of Moses has been fulfilled and is now dead,
• to clarify and for a witness against the non-believer,
• to teach the right way,
• and to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham concerning his seed.

Does the Book of Mormon persuade me?  Without a doubt.  I feel strongly about reading it daily so I don’t forget this call to come unto Christ.  I’m grateful for its teachings and know they profit me and my family.  I’m ever so grateful for the knowledge that my sins are remitted through the sacrifice of the Savior, and for the teachings in the Book of Mormon which show me the right way. 

They did see and bear record.

This morning I read from 3 Nephi 17.  Jesus teaches some valuable things in this chapter, especially as they pertain to temple worship.  Does He call out temple worship?  Of course not!  This teaching is for all things we are preparing for as they pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  However, he “perceives” they are weak and cannot understand everything he says.  Four things he tells them to do – 4 P’s. 

• Perceive (recognize)
• Ponder
• Pray (ask)
• Prepare 

As it pertains to temple worship, we must take time before going and realize we are being taught more than meets the eyes and ears.  We must recognize that the things of the Spirit are taught by the Spirit and we must ponder what that means in our lives.  Then we need to ask Heavenly Father to show us the mysteries of the temple.  After we have prayed, it’s important that we prepare for this experience.  To just throw on our clothes and race out the door might allow us to feel the spirit, but we must thoughtfully think of where it is we are going, what it is we will be doing, and ask for the blessings we desire before we go. 

I really like the lesson taught by the mission president in the Provo Temple last year as we attended special sessions with the members of the ward for their Ward Conference preparation.  He told us every time he got dressed in the morning, he would say to himself “I am putting on the garment of the Holy Priesthood of God”.  This prepared him for the sacred duty it is to wear this sacred clothing.  

As if in tandem to my Book of Mormon reading, my Preach the Gospel study added further to this by asking the question: How has your study of the Book of Mormon influenced your testimony of Jesus Christ? 

In answer to this question, I will say I always knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true.  I will never forget the first prompting I had with regards to reading it regularly.  It was shortly after General Conference that I was making my bed one morning and said to myself “They’re talking to you, Connie.  You need to be reading the Book of Mormon every day.”  That day began my consistency in reading and I’ve had many opportunities since to learn from others much wiser that I with regards to its teachings.  My testimony has increased and I enjoy studying on my own now.  I have learned to ask myself questions that have brought thought-provoking guidance into my days.

This morning it is one simple verse:  “. . . he wept again;”  Why did Jesus weep for the children?  If anyone in the history of time had a life so full of promise, it was these children.  They had been with the Savior, and he taught them and their parents.  Was he crying for their future?  Didn’t they live in the manner of happiness all their lives?  It was four generations before the people fell totally away from the gospel.  Were they tears of sadness?  Or were they tears of gratitude and joy?  Was he so happy for them he wept?  Have I ever wept from gratitude?  Or joy?  I suppose that is what I’m doing when I bear my testimony and get emotional.  Sometimes I wonder if it is a flaw that I rarely weep.

And where am I going with all this?  I’m not certain.  The Book of Mormon has shaped my life.  I know it is true and I try ever so hard to learn from it so I don’t have to suffer for lack of “knowing”.  It blesses my life as I try to live its principles more fully.  It gives me the rock-solid testimony accompanied by the confirmation of the Holy Ghost, that the Lord is in charge of the details and as long as I live a life worthy of His approval, come what may, my life will be blessed.  

And so the Nephites saw the Savior and did bear record.  So too do I.  I see now many of the mysteries of heaven as they apply to my life.  And this is my testimony:  The things I see I know to be true.  They are not feelings of a frenzied heart, but things the Holy Ghost has made known to me.  It is worth every effort to attain this knowledge and to maintain it by daily studying to grow and understand even more.