Pondering On Pedestals

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.

Something that has affected me lately is the need to remember to be patient in trials. In such a fast passed, greedy world, we have learned to want things right then and there. However, the Lord does not work that way. The Lord works on a different time table than the rest of us do. As is found in Isaiah 55: 8-9:

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

He gives us trials to test us, and part of that trial is endurance. Sometimes we feel like these trials become too much and we might become upset, angry and unsure of where to turn. At times, life just seems to be a never ending mind field of tribulation and despair.

Of course, we must then remember that even Christ our Lord, the most perfect and special of us all, was forced to endure unimaginable suffering. If he endured such trials, why should we expect to be free of them? Furthermore, not only did he simply endure them, he endured them with a perfect patience and understanding.

During our times of adversity and stress, patience can be a helpful companion to those who “feel abandoned by the caravan of life as it moves relentlessly onward and then disappears beyond the sight of those who ponder, who wonder, and who sometimes question as they are left alone with their thoughts” (Thomas S. Monson, “Patience, a Heavenly Virtue,” Ensign, Sep 2002, 2–7).

We have all felt this way at some time. Just this past week I myself was caught up in personal adversity and stress while lacking patience, and as a result peace and understanding. When we are patient in our adversities and have a desire to understand how they are to benefit our lives, we find ourselves able to be at peace because we are putting ourselves in the Lord’s hands instead of denying him.

If the way be full of trial; Weary not!
If it’s one of sore denial, Weary not!
If it now be one of weeping,
There will come a joyous greeting,
When the harvest we are reaping—Weary not!

Do not weary by the way,
Whatever be thy lot;
There awaits a brighter day
To all, to all who weary not!

(“If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not,” Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909), no. 158)

We must trust in God to not submit us to more than we can possibly handle. When things get too hard we must remember to have the humility to submit ourselves to the Lord for guidance and direction, and then endure the trial with the proper patience and faith knowing our obstacle is just part of the path he has for us. He wants us to stop, listen, and turn to him. The Lord is always there for us, and invites us to: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28)

The Savior was the perfect example of patience who

“… bore the sorrows of the world, who patiently suffered excruciating pain and disappointment, but who, with silent step of His sandaled feet, passed by a man who was blind from birth, restoring his sight. He approached the grieving widow of Nain and raised her son from the dead. He trudged up Calvary’s steep slope, carrying His own cruel cross, undistracted by the constant jeers and taunting that accompanied His every step. For He had an appointment with divine destiny…”

“His life is the flawless example of one afflicted with sorrows and disappointments, who nonetheless provided the example of forgetting self and serving others.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Patience, a Heavenly Virtue,” Ensign, Sep 2002, 2–7)

Paul declared to the Hebrews, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”(Hebrews 12:1)

Joseph Smith as well is an example of patience. He endured criticism for his beliefs for three years after the Father and the Son appeared to him before he saw Moroni, and even then had to be patient and faithful to what he knew was true before he could begin to complete the work which was prepared for him to do. Even before he organized the Latter-Day church, Joseph Smith had to endure great adversity and exercise great faith and patience in order to remain faithful to the Lord. Without his faith and patience we could have all been lost in the latter-days before we’d even begun to be saved.

The scriptures are also our guide when we are lost and our constant reminder of God’s love for us and that he is always there for us no matter what. These precious words may sometimes be our only solace when we begin to feel ourselves traveling down an unknown, unending road of tribulation. There is always an answer. Even in the darkest gloom, if you simply have the patience and the humility to put yourself in God’s hand and follow his plan for you then you will find some solution somehow.

It may not be immediate, but it will occur. I’ve seen this in my own life and so can testify of this. God loves us all and would not lead us astray to fend for ourselves with no hope of getting back on the path. We need merely seek him out diligently and devotedly. Patience will bring the Saints their reward.

I will conclude by bearing my testimony that I know that the Lord is there for us when we need him the most no matter what we may have done, or may be suffering. If we can put off our pride and submit to his will like a child to their father we can know peace and happiness. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart.
Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget

Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional”

(I used President Monson’s “Patience, a Heavenly Virtue,” Ensign, Sep 2002, 2–7 as a resource during the process of writing this blog)

Institute was tonight, with Brother Sullivan, and we were led, by the class and their questions, into an interesting discussion on eternal life and forever families. The main question was in effect, "how will someone's mom and her daughters be sealed without a worthy husband."

The answer was that through the righteousness of that person's mom, herself, and sisters a way would be provided. Now no one could provide a scripture reference that addressed this specific topic; therefore, the answer could not be fully realized at the time, but I am diligently looking to understand as much as I can on the workings of special circumstances.

I know there is a plan for these circumstances because I know my Heavenly Father is perfect and that He created and set into motion a plan for us from before the world was. I do not know the how -still looking, if for nothing else than pure enjoyment- but I do know that the Lord knows.

Another thing I know is, that God has revealed everything to us that is expedient for us to know at this time. We know that we have a work to do, we know how we are to do that work, and we know that we need the Lord, and that He has covenanted with us that if we are true to our covenants a way will be provided.

What don't we know? In some or most of the cases we don't fully understand how the Lord will do what needs doing, but that is where faith steps in - where we need to believe Christ.

To those who might desire to study more on this subject you might find the talk I read by Elder LeGrand Richards, entitled "What After Death," interesting and insightful. It deals with the death of children primarily; however, I found insight into my questions as well.

I thought this post was appropriate to a few of my early discussions where it seems the main theme could be summed up as being "Heavenly Father Loves Us All," and that love is manifested in the fact there is a plan for you and me.

That God knows us by name, He knows our personalities and talents, our quirks and weaknesses and He has provided a way. When i look out on a clear night and see just the limited view of my mortal eyes, it amazes me that He cares for me and knows me. I love Him because He loves me.

My main thought in institute tonight was a scripture and I'm not sure I found the exact one I was looking for, but there many to choose from, I will leave you with a quote from D&C 3:1 -

"The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught."

Photo of family borrowed from http://www.ora.ucr.edu/images/pictures/centers/FamilyStudies.jpg

Yesterday, Anne posted on how to find peace in our lives and the gospel plays a very big role in our inner peace - the world can tumble to the ground, shake with all ferocity and as long as I hold true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ I know that I will have peace and today's General Conference really made me think about that.

There is going to be a lot of good talks for us to examine and I hope myself and the rest of the team will strive to focus on the talks of this General Conference for the next six months, we'll see.

I thought I would post something about my new favorite scripture I found today but have decided I would rather keep my thoughts on this weekend's events.

Something I realized was that I heard a lot of the love word today and then counsel to put away anger. I can't help but wonder what it is the prophets see and why the Spirit directed them to share with us these messages at this time, I also heard a lot about repenting but I guess that is standard.

So, how about you - did you hear any particular topic touched upon that struck a note of pondering? Who's talk did you enjoy most and why?

Well, with so much worry and stress that's in the economy these days, I would like to comment about "peace." They don't talk about it very much on the news, and they don't talk about too much on the radio either.

There are some ways of achieving peace. For example, you could hug a tree, or hold a cat, or talk to a family member who you really trust more than anyone else. But how about achieving everlasting peace that you can have, in your heart.

Some references to Jesus Christ, in the talk by President Monson, brought light to some of the commandments that Jesus meant for all of us. I'll just mention some of them from President Monson's talk.

In the sermon on the mount, the Savior declared "Judge not."

At a later time He admonished, "Cease to find fault one with another."


I believe that Jesus Christ wants for all of us to be saved from the hate and vicious evils that are in this world, and that Thomas S. Monson truly helps us to know what Jesus wants for us in these latter days. I love Jesus, I love the prophet, and I love Jesus Christ's church. May we have courage and strength to establish more peace here on earth, and be true disciples of Jesus Christ. I believe that as we follow the commandments, we can have more peace and more of God's Kingdom here on earth.

Greetings one and all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It has become my honor and privilege to be part of this blog and share some doctrinal truths with you that have been a source of warmth and inspiration in my life.

What I desire to share with you today is taken from a talk that I have read and listened to several times. It was a General Conference address given in October 2003 by one of my favorite living apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland, called "The Grandeur of God." I highly recommend you read or listen to it in its entirety.

I will give credit to Elder Holland's words from his talk by marking them with asterisks. Any additional commentary has been added by yours truly.

* In word and in deed Jesus was trying to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven. He did this at least in part because then and now all of us need to know God more fully in order to love Him more deeply and obey Him more completely.*

* Little wonder then that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: "It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God. I want you all to know Him," he said, "and to be familiar with Him." We must have "a correct idea of His... perfections and attributes," an admiration for "the excellency of [His] character." Thus the first phrase we utter in the declaration of our faith is, "We believe in God, the Eternal Father." *

How utterly necessary it seems that in order to truly know ourselves and catch even a glimpse of the grandeur we are capable of, we must know of a certainty the character of God.

We have been taught through modern day revelation that Heavenly Father and His Son, even Jesus Christ are two separate glorified being sof flesh and bone. We were created after their image, right? Yes, absolutely!

In His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ was trying to show us the love and compassion Heavenly Father had for us as well as His own.

* So, emphatically, did Jesus. Even as He acknowledged His own singular role in the divine plan, the Savior nevertheless insisted on this prayerful preamble: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God." *

* "The Father... doeth the works," He said in earnest. "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever [the Father] doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." John 14:10; 5:19

On another occasion He said: "I speak that which I have seen with my Father." "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me." "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me." John 8:38, 28; 6:38 *

Another question comes to mind that takes us back to Joseph Smith's quote, how can we know of a certainty the character of God? Is this possible? Yes!

It does not come easy but if it is one of the first principles to have a correct idea of His perfections and attributes and admire the excellency of His character then we can't expect to progress further in this gospel without this eternally valuable building block.

We do this through daily personal prayer. How can you know for a certainty who God is if you don't converse with Him constantly and sincerely.

We do this through reading about and emulating the works of Jesus Christ! Remember, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me." "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me."

How can you have a correct idea of His perfections and attributes if you don't do your best to practice them. I believe you will most definitely be able to admire the excellency of His character as it becomes a part of your character.

I challenge you to seek after this talk. Read or listen to it because there is so much in it we could break down, analyze, and talk about but for the sake of my poor hands let me close by sharing part of Elder Holland's testimony as well as my own.

* I bear personal witness this day of a personal, living God, who knows our names, hears and answers prayers, and cherishes us eternally as children of His spirit. I testify that amidst the wondrously complex tasks inherent in the universe, He seek our individual happiness and safety above all other godly concerns. We are created in His very image and likeness, and Jesus of Nazareth, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, came to earth as the perfect mortal manifestation of His grandeur. *

I add my own testimony to that of Elder Holland's. I humbly testify that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I bear witness that in an ever crumbling society that is constantly changing by war, greed, and all manners of iniquity whirling around us -like an all consuming tornado- that God has afforded us a calm and constant protection in the eye of the tornado. That protection is provided to us in the form of our Messiah, Jesus Christ.

He has paid the price for our sins. He is the advocate with the Father and the only way to get back to our Heavenly Father's presence is in and through the merits of Jesus Christ, who is mighty to save!

I am so thankful for the knowledge that even though I'm so very, very weak and make so many mistakes and have fallen down so many times in my life; when I humble myself to the depths of humility and cry out to my Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, I find His hand outstretched ever still.

In the words of that great hymn, "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me..." Oh, it is indeed wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me. There is no greater love. When you have your moments of weakness, picture His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt and I assure you such mercy, such love, and devotion you will not forget.