Pondering On Pedestals

Thank you Lord for all great things;
The Earth, the sky, the stars up high.
I wonder sometimes am I worthy to be here,
On a beautiful earth with so many wonders.

Thank you so much Lord for all the great things,

It's beyond my comprehension.

I'm grateful to Kevin and his desire to help us know more of who and what a prophet is. I think it is summed up quite nicely in Amos 3:7 from the Old Testament, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants the prophets".

If Jesus Christ is the "same yesterday, and to day, and for ever", as spoken of in Hebrews 13:8, and speaks to "His servants the prophets", then He would indeed do so now, and He surely does.

I felt confirmation through the Holy Ghost as I heard our current Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, speak last weekend at General Conference - he is the Lord's servant on the earth today and God who is "the same yesterday, today, and for ever," does reveal His secrets unto His servant Thomas S. Monson.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, spoke last April in General Conference. He said, "This gospel does not come from man. The doctrine of the church is not someone's best guess as to the meaning of ancient scripture. It is the truth of heaven revealed by God Himself. I have witnessed with my own and joyfully testify in our day, God speaks through His prophet,seer,and revelator, even Thomas S. Monson" (we are doing a great work and cannot come down,general conference april 2009)

We were told a story in sunday school of a pathologist by the name of John B. Andelin. John Andelin, born in 1951, is a self taught sculptor specializing in realistic figurative works. He began woodcarving as a hobby at the age of 15.

Later he developed a passion for woodworking which he pursued for many years. In 1993 he began to develop a serious interest in wood sculpture and progressed rapidly.  In 1995 he carved his first marble figure. He is self-taught because the art of realistic marble sculpture has largely been lost.

There is little room for error. Thus, the art of realistic classical stone sculpture has dwindled in popularity over the years.He believes that his training in science and anatomy has added a unique perspective to his art.

In this story the first marble figure this remarkable man sculpted was a larger than life size bust of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Unknown to him, John's friends submitted pictures of this statue to an LDS church art organization. Sometime later he received a call from Elder Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Packer asked John to meet with him in his office. So John flew from North Dakota to Salt Lake City to meet with this apostle and prophet of the Lord.

When finally he sat down in Elder Packer's office, Elder Packer pulled out a folder. Inside the folder were pictures of the statue they submitted. Elder Packer told John that his statue was the closest anyone had gotten to Christ's true likeness. That statue was purchased from John and placed in a hallway on the floor where the first presidency and the twelve meet each week.

You can look at more work of John B. Andelin at Heroic Marble

Now, how do you think Elder Packer knew that statue was the closest anyone had gotten to what Jesus Christ really looked like? I think the answer is quite clear.

I want to close with my testimony that Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God and that there is a living prophet at the head of the church today. God does speak to His servants today for the benefit of man. I echo the words of Alma, "is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of His coming, or- as after the time of His coming" Alma 38:17,18.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Picture borrowed from http://www.heroicmarble.com/BC2.html

The last time I spoke on missionary principles we talked about how God reveals His Gospel in every dispensation through prophets and since then we have talked about other things but I was thinking that there is a chance that somebody is reading  our discussions and doesn't understand what a prophet is.

There is a good chance I don't fully understand what a prophet is and so maybe some readers can send links to articles and scriptures to put more of a definition on prophet.

Currently we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sustain 15 prophets, seers, and revelators. Mosiah 8:13-18 gives a good explanation of a seer and therefore explains prophets and revelators.

We can learn from Acts 10:34-43 that prophets are witnesses of Christ and are commanded to preach unto the people.

Jacob 4:4, 6 teaches us that prophets know of Christ, have the Spirit of Prophecy, and have the power and authority to act (or command) in the name of Christ.

That last part is important - having the power (the Priesthood) and authority to act in the name of Christ. There are millions of Priesthood holders on the face of the earth (not an actual count but with 13 million members of the church I figured it was a safe bet) but only one with all the authority on earth today.

Thomas S. Monson is that person, the President of the Church, given the authority to speak for the Church on behalf of the Lord.

I give you my testimony that God is alive and that He speaks to us through the prophets - the world has had its famine of the word of God and now is a time to feast. The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a blessing because no longer do we need to guess and stumble in our understanding. God loves us.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.

So what are your thoughts? Did I leave out a crucial parts? Tonight was intended as a launch pad for others to go learn more about prophets but we can always add it right here or to another post later in time.

Last week, I was reading my scriptures and thinking about different things - mainly about Christ, the Atonement, and peoples reactions to the Atonement - and for one reason or another got hung up on the words redeeming, redemption, redeem, and then finally redeemer. I realized I had never read the definition of these words and while I knew what they meant in a general sense I wanted to make sure I understood them completely.

Today, I was looking for something to talk about - lots of things to say but not one stuck in my mind - and then I noticed my little yellow notepad, where I wrote the definitions to three of those words.

I'd like to share those with you so you can remember these words and hold them fast in your minds and maybe understand a little more of the Atonement.

I can see a correlation of this definition and the Atonement, repentance, and  the resurrection.

Another way of saying that would be, "to counterbalance a shortcoming," or, "to satisfy a lack or want." 

Doesn't Christ, our Redeemer, do this very thing? What was the ransom paid? How are we released from blame or debt? To whom did we owe and to who do we now belong? How distressing and harmul was our situation, if it were not for that Great Redeemer?

I like how the scriptures say we are bought with a price and not, "you will be bought with a price when you accept Jesus Christ as your Redeemer." We are bought with a price; whether we believe in Christ or not, whether we think it is fair or not, we have been purchased and and we are not our own.

What redemption occurs if we are simply removed from our awful situation, if we don't learn and become something better?

No, I didn't do much straightforward speaking tonight and maybe I should of but I think this was appropriate and I hope it got you thinking - I hope you'll share with us your thoughts in the comments.

I would like to say something to those of us -to all of us, really- who would not take a part of the Grace and Mercies of our God, those who try and run from the Atonement, saying that it is a hard thing, or an unfair thing, required of our Elder Brother: the price has been paid, that work is done, and there is no return receipt.

We should rejoice and accept this marvelous gift with thankful hearts and not throw it in our Savior's face because of the cost of the gift. I hope we can and will resolve today to stop living in guilt and instead live our lives to show our appreciation.

We do not earn God's love, God's love earns us.

I testify that God does love us and shows us that love constantly, I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer - and for all mankind. He is the only way a man can pass through the gate, He is our king, our advocate, and our judge. We are loved. A way has been provided - the road is narrow but it is also strait and plain.

I leave these things with you, in the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.