As Summer gives way to Autumn it is a lovely time of the year. The days are growing shorter and cooler, the brightness of the summer sun is mellowing, there is a nip in the evening air, apples and pears are fast ripening: it is the time of harvest.
As we write, Yom Kippur is just hours away (the Day of Atonement, the most holy day in the Jewish calendar, the one day in the year when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on behalf of the people of Israel: a clear type of Christ).
The Autumnal Equinox marks the beginning of Fall and reminds us of the many significant things that have happened in Church history at this time of year, like Moroni's annual visits to Joseph and the removing from the Cumorah earth of the gold plates, precious for what they contain and teach, not for their considerable karat value.
This year, October 1st is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, or of Ingathering, called by the New Testament Jews simply, "the Feast, and reckoned by them to be the greatest and most joyful of all" (see the LDS Bible Dictionary, page 673).
With this as an introduction, we think there is a quiet power in the following extract. See if you agree:--
"I remember the night in the second week of October when we danced with the Torah scrolls in our little synagogue. It was the night of Simchat Torah, the festival that celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. The last portion of the Five Books of Moses would be read the next morning.
"The little synagogue was crowded and tumultuous with joy. I remember the white-bearded Torah reader dancing with one of the heavy scrolls as if he had miraculously shed his years. My father and uncle danced for what seemed to me to be an interminable length of time, circling about one another with their Torah scrolls, advancing upon one another, backing off, singing.
"Saul and Alex and I danced too. I relinquished my Torah to someone in the crowd, then stood around watching and dancing. It grew warm inside the small room and I went through the crowd and out the rear door to the back porch. I stood in the darkness and let the air cool my face.
"I could feel the floor of the porch vibrating to the dancing inside the synagogue. It was a windy fall night, the air clean, the sky vast and filled with stars. The noise of the singing and dancing came clearly through the open window of the synagogue. An old cycle ending; a new cycle beginning. Tomorrow morning Moses would die, and the old man would read the words recounting his death; a few minutes later he would read the first chapter and the beginning three verses of the second chapter of Genesis. Death and birth without separation. Endings leading to beginnings.
"And then, on Shabbat, he would read all of the first portion of the Book of Genesis: the Creation, Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel. And the following Shabbat he would read the story of Noah and the Flood. And then Abraham and Sarah and the Covenant and Isaac and the sacrifice and Rebecca and Jacob and Esau and Joseph and . . . .
"The noise inside the synagogue poured out into the night, an undulating, swelling and receding and thinning and growing sound. The joy of dancing with the Torah, holding it close to you, the words of God to Moses at Sinai. I wondered if Gentiles ever danced with their Bible. Hey, Tony. Do you ever dance with your Bible?
"I had actually spoken the question. I heard the words in the cool dark air. I had not thought to do that. I had not even thought of Tony---yes, I remembered his name: Tony Savanola. I had not thought of him in years. Where was he now? Fighting in the war probably. Or studying for the priesthood and deferred from the draft as I was. Hey, Tony. Do you ever read your Bible? Do you ever hold it to you and know how much you love it? Do Christian Bible scholars write about Jesus the same way they write about Abraham? Do they say it's all only stories? Hey, Tony?"
(Chaim Potok, In the Beginning, pp. 382--83, and with thanks to Dean.)
Monday, September 24, 2012
GIFTS: Are You Ready for General Conference?
President George Q. Cannon said :
"I have noticed . . . that where the people of God pay attention to the written word, and cherish and observe the written word, they are always better prepared to hear the oral instructions of the servants of God. . . . They have greater interest in seeking to obtain oral instructions, than they have when they are careless about the written word of God" (Conference Report, Oct. 1897, p. 38).
Semiannual general conference is on the first weekend in October. How appropriate to honor the Lord Jesus Christ by giving close attention to His servants the prophets. He said, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself . . . my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
Notice President Cannon's choice of words : "pay attention to the written word . . . cherish and observe" it. There is always a price to pay. And in thus paying it, we show Whom we really cherish, Whom we really worship and reverence, where our priorities and loyalties really lie. Think too of the price He paid to make the gospel of redemption available to us. The least we can do is pay close attention to His word. Those who pay this price in the scriptures between conferences will be rewarded with a feast at conference. It's the Law of the Harvest.
The prophet and man of God, Job, said, "I have esteemed the words of his [the Lord's] mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). This has something to do with ". . . hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 12:6). A good teacher will urge the students to have their glasses turned up the right way in order to receive the living water of the gospel in the class instruction. You can't get water into a glass or cup that is turned upside down.
President Brigham Young used to counsel the Saints to be sure to have their minds present in the meeting as they were taught by the servants of the Lord --- to focus, to concentrate, to pay the price mentally. That is one way we can worship and love the Lord our God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. And there is no better way to make that preparation than to "cherish and observe the written word" in readiness for feasting on the word of God as delivered by His servants live and in person. This will stir the promptings of the Holy Ghost within us.
All of this will have a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon us, and will keep us unspotted from the world, as we seek to be healed from the earth stains we discussed last week.
This doctrine is known as the doctrine of personal revelation. And it is a three-legged stool : the holy prophets, the holy scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. Have you ever tried to sit on a two-legged stool? Hard or nearly impossible to balance. A one-legged stool? We need to hear and be fed by those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators as well as we need to be nourished by the words of Christ in the scriptures, all of it sanctioned and brought to us by the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 32:1--7). These three sources --- the prophets, the scriptures, the Spirit of the Lord.
Elder Boyd K. Packer was asked, "How do you know when you are getting revelation through the Holy Ghost, and it is not just you making it up?" Elder Packer, himself a prophet, seer, and revelator, answered with one word, "Practice." Practice indeed! Even prophets have never found it easy to draw down inspiration and revelation. They too have to pay an ongoing price in diligent searching, feasting, obedience and focus. Ask them, they will tell you this is so. They serve as models and examples of all we can and should be. Even now they will be wrestling and striving to get in tune and in unity with Him, that they might deliver in a few days' time. The scriptures and serious prayer will be a central part of their preparation. We might do well to pray for them in their preparation, and pay a similar price ourselves so that we can meet together --- we three --- the prophets, the Holy Ghost, and we --- on equal terms next weekend at general conference.
"I have noticed . . . that where the people of God pay attention to the written word, and cherish and observe the written word, they are always better prepared to hear the oral instructions of the servants of God. . . . They have greater interest in seeking to obtain oral instructions, than they have when they are careless about the written word of God" (Conference Report, Oct. 1897, p. 38).
Semiannual general conference is on the first weekend in October. How appropriate to honor the Lord Jesus Christ by giving close attention to His servants the prophets. He said, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself . . . my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."
Notice President Cannon's choice of words : "pay attention to the written word . . . cherish and observe" it. There is always a price to pay. And in thus paying it, we show Whom we really cherish, Whom we really worship and reverence, where our priorities and loyalties really lie. Think too of the price He paid to make the gospel of redemption available to us. The least we can do is pay close attention to His word. Those who pay this price in the scriptures between conferences will be rewarded with a feast at conference. It's the Law of the Harvest.
The prophet and man of God, Job, said, "I have esteemed the words of his [the Lord's] mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). This has something to do with ". . . hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 12:6). A good teacher will urge the students to have their glasses turned up the right way in order to receive the living water of the gospel in the class instruction. You can't get water into a glass or cup that is turned upside down.
President Brigham Young used to counsel the Saints to be sure to have their minds present in the meeting as they were taught by the servants of the Lord --- to focus, to concentrate, to pay the price mentally. That is one way we can worship and love the Lord our God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. And there is no better way to make that preparation than to "cherish and observe the written word" in readiness for feasting on the word of God as delivered by His servants live and in person. This will stir the promptings of the Holy Ghost within us.
All of this will have a sanctifying, cleansing effect upon us, and will keep us unspotted from the world, as we seek to be healed from the earth stains we discussed last week.
This doctrine is known as the doctrine of personal revelation. And it is a three-legged stool : the holy prophets, the holy scriptures, and the Holy Ghost. Have you ever tried to sit on a two-legged stool? Hard or nearly impossible to balance. A one-legged stool? We need to hear and be fed by those we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators as well as we need to be nourished by the words of Christ in the scriptures, all of it sanctioned and brought to us by the Holy Ghost (see 2 Nephi 32:1--7). These three sources --- the prophets, the scriptures, the Spirit of the Lord.
Elder Boyd K. Packer was asked, "How do you know when you are getting revelation through the Holy Ghost, and it is not just you making it up?" Elder Packer, himself a prophet, seer, and revelator, answered with one word, "Practice." Practice indeed! Even prophets have never found it easy to draw down inspiration and revelation. They too have to pay an ongoing price in diligent searching, feasting, obedience and focus. Ask them, they will tell you this is so. They serve as models and examples of all we can and should be. Even now they will be wrestling and striving to get in tune and in unity with Him, that they might deliver in a few days' time. The scriptures and serious prayer will be a central part of their preparation. We might do well to pray for them in their preparation, and pay a similar price ourselves so that we can meet together --- we three --- the prophets, the Holy Ghost, and we --- on equal terms next weekend at general conference.
Sabbathought: He Who Chops His Own Wood Is Twice Warmed, so he won't end up stupid and cold
In the 1960s Elder Harold B. Lee spoke to a group of priesthood
leaders in Salt Lake City. He told of a Bishop on his way home from a
meeting who got a flat tire (tyre for readers in Britain!)). As he took
off the wheel to replace the flat with the spare, he accidentally
kicked the hub cap where he had put the four lug nuts and they were
lost in the snow at the side of the road. A man happened along who
suggested he simply use one lug nut from each of the other three wheels
and attach the spare that way. "That is a brilliant idea," said the
bishop to the stranger, "thank you."
The stranger replied, "You're welcome. . . . By the way, my name is Ben, and I live in the insane asylum down the road. . . . But I want you to know that I'm there because I'm insane, not because I'm stupid." (Chuckles from the priesthood audience.)
Brother Lee then said to the assembled gathering, "Brethren, I want you to know we called you to this special meeting, not because you're insane. . . !" (More chuckles from the audience; they got the point!)
Have you wondered why we are studying basic Gospel Principles this year, from a manual that used to be for investigators and new members? President Monson has often said, "A frequent return to basics is essential to perpetuity [progress]." That is clearly one reason. Another reason may be that we are not insane. . . !
The Brethren have tried for many years to get the Saints to understand the deep things of God, by revelation and from the Bible and the scriptures of the Restoration, but still it is apparent today that this is not a doctrinal era in the Church, and that good gospel doctrine is the best-kept secret in the Church. And yet it is the source of truth and light and power for the struggles we each experience here in mortality.
Why would the Lord send a "telegram answer" to our urgent prayers if we have neglected or ignored the letters He has sent to us while we are away from Home? It is wise to think of prayer as our means of speaking with Father. It is equally wise to think of the scriptures as the source when we want to hear Him speaking to us.
The theme on the cover of the Gospel Principles manual is from 1 Nephi 15:14 and reinforces all we are saying here. There is an urgent need to "come to the knowledge of [our] Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that [we] may know how to come unto him. . . ."
Another six or seven passages in the revelations of the Restoration speak of "points of doctrine" and their import. (The phrase is not found in the Bible.) . . . What is a "very point" of doctrine? . . . Will approximate doctrine be enough?
Robert J. Matthews taught: "The dictionary defines a 'point' as: a penetrating detail, a precise concept; a prominent or important item; the 'telling part' of an argument or discussion; the salient feature; the precise thing; the 'turning point'" (17 February 1989).
When we see that the word "repent" in scripture (Hebrew or Greek or English) means "turn" or "change" (see, for example, Matthew 3:2, footnote a), as in "turn your heart to God", it becomes clear that there is a depth of understanding about the wonderful doctrine of repentance that likely eludes us unless and until we go deep to the "very point" and purpose of repentance. Most of us see repentance as a negative word, to be avoided, instead of as the wonderful gift that has been made available to us in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Indeed, as Paul wrote, there is a repentance that is "not to be repented of", which has its origin in "godly sorrow" not in the "sorrow of the world" (see 2 Corinthians 7:9--10).
That is a perfect example of a very point of His doctrine, "as contrasted to a teaching that is vague, undefined, ambiguous, uncertain, fuzzy, foggy, obscure, and unfocused" (Brother Matthews). Surely the Lord expects us to learn the very points of His doctrine, and, as Brother Matthews points out, "the Book of Mormon is the principal means that he has provided to accomplish it." With a firm and sound understanding from the Book of Mormon (Sunday School course of study for 2008 and 2012), it will be possible for us to see the very points of His doctrine in the Old Testament (the Sunday School course of study for this year, 2010, and for 2014), as we use the Book of Mormon as a lens---or as a Urim and Thummim---through which to see the doctrine in the Old Testament more clearly. And that the doctrine of the Old Testament is the doctrine of Christ.
We seem a bit suspicious of the word "doctrine". My son-in-law, Barry, some years ago said to me, "Steve, when you speak of doctrine the Saints think you are speaking of some obscure passage back in Leviticus!" But the word "doctrine" is the right word. It evokes "the doctrine of Christ" as we see in the Book of Mormon, a book of plainness, and is the means of our learning of Him and coming unto Him. . . . There is no other way, for the Lord "doth not walk in crooked paths" and "it must needs be done in mine own way", for, He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life". Why do you suppose it is called "the doctrine of Christ"?
If an engineer planned and built a bridge on the assumption that pi is 3.0, instead of 3.14159265, the bridge would not hold. The illustration holds true for the doctrines of the kingdom of God. It is a very point of true engineering to get the construction plan right. It is a very point of true doctrine to do the same with the gospel plan. . . . The word "sin" in Greek (New Testament)---hamartano---literally means "to miss the mark". . . . To miss the point, when it is given unto us, in scripture, in plainness, even as plain as word can be. But it has to be dug out, for it is deep, and the word "read" is in the same family as the word "riddle".
There is much to say to illustrate this important point. For now, it is worth considering that the truths of the scriptures are not easily available, that a price has to be paid, even by prophets, to get the truths of the gospel---the doctrines of the kingdom---so deep into our souls that they come out in our character, and in our countenances, and in our teaching. It is all a part of working out our salvation (see Philippians 2:12; also Alma 34:37), while relying wholly on the merits of Him who is mighty to save.
We have to pay the price to study and learn these things; none of them come to us automatically. For he who chops his own wood is twice warmed. And we don't want to end up stupid and cold, deprived of the fire of His Spirit.
More on this later.
The stranger replied, "You're welcome. . . . By the way, my name is Ben, and I live in the insane asylum down the road. . . . But I want you to know that I'm there because I'm insane, not because I'm stupid." (Chuckles from the priesthood audience.)
Brother Lee then said to the assembled gathering, "Brethren, I want you to know we called you to this special meeting, not because you're insane. . . !" (More chuckles from the audience; they got the point!)
Have you wondered why we are studying basic Gospel Principles this year, from a manual that used to be for investigators and new members? President Monson has often said, "A frequent return to basics is essential to perpetuity [progress]." That is clearly one reason. Another reason may be that we are not insane. . . !
The Brethren have tried for many years to get the Saints to understand the deep things of God, by revelation and from the Bible and the scriptures of the Restoration, but still it is apparent today that this is not a doctrinal era in the Church, and that good gospel doctrine is the best-kept secret in the Church. And yet it is the source of truth and light and power for the struggles we each experience here in mortality.
Why would the Lord send a "telegram answer" to our urgent prayers if we have neglected or ignored the letters He has sent to us while we are away from Home? It is wise to think of prayer as our means of speaking with Father. It is equally wise to think of the scriptures as the source when we want to hear Him speaking to us.
The theme on the cover of the Gospel Principles manual is from 1 Nephi 15:14 and reinforces all we are saying here. There is an urgent need to "come to the knowledge of [our] Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that [we] may know how to come unto him. . . ."
Another six or seven passages in the revelations of the Restoration speak of "points of doctrine" and their import. (The phrase is not found in the Bible.) . . . What is a "very point" of doctrine? . . . Will approximate doctrine be enough?
Robert J. Matthews taught: "The dictionary defines a 'point' as: a penetrating detail, a precise concept; a prominent or important item; the 'telling part' of an argument or discussion; the salient feature; the precise thing; the 'turning point'" (17 February 1989).
When we see that the word "repent" in scripture (Hebrew or Greek or English) means "turn" or "change" (see, for example, Matthew 3:2, footnote a), as in "turn your heart to God", it becomes clear that there is a depth of understanding about the wonderful doctrine of repentance that likely eludes us unless and until we go deep to the "very point" and purpose of repentance. Most of us see repentance as a negative word, to be avoided, instead of as the wonderful gift that has been made available to us in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Indeed, as Paul wrote, there is a repentance that is "not to be repented of", which has its origin in "godly sorrow" not in the "sorrow of the world" (see 2 Corinthians 7:9--10).
That is a perfect example of a very point of His doctrine, "as contrasted to a teaching that is vague, undefined, ambiguous, uncertain, fuzzy, foggy, obscure, and unfocused" (Brother Matthews). Surely the Lord expects us to learn the very points of His doctrine, and, as Brother Matthews points out, "the Book of Mormon is the principal means that he has provided to accomplish it." With a firm and sound understanding from the Book of Mormon (Sunday School course of study for 2008 and 2012), it will be possible for us to see the very points of His doctrine in the Old Testament (the Sunday School course of study for this year, 2010, and for 2014), as we use the Book of Mormon as a lens---or as a Urim and Thummim---through which to see the doctrine in the Old Testament more clearly. And that the doctrine of the Old Testament is the doctrine of Christ.
We seem a bit suspicious of the word "doctrine". My son-in-law, Barry, some years ago said to me, "Steve, when you speak of doctrine the Saints think you are speaking of some obscure passage back in Leviticus!" But the word "doctrine" is the right word. It evokes "the doctrine of Christ" as we see in the Book of Mormon, a book of plainness, and is the means of our learning of Him and coming unto Him. . . . There is no other way, for the Lord "doth not walk in crooked paths" and "it must needs be done in mine own way", for, He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life". Why do you suppose it is called "the doctrine of Christ"?
If an engineer planned and built a bridge on the assumption that pi is 3.0, instead of 3.14159265, the bridge would not hold. The illustration holds true for the doctrines of the kingdom of God. It is a very point of true engineering to get the construction plan right. It is a very point of true doctrine to do the same with the gospel plan. . . . The word "sin" in Greek (New Testament)---hamartano---literally means "to miss the mark". . . . To miss the point, when it is given unto us, in scripture, in plainness, even as plain as word can be. But it has to be dug out, for it is deep, and the word "read" is in the same family as the word "riddle".
There is much to say to illustrate this important point. For now, it is worth considering that the truths of the scriptures are not easily available, that a price has to be paid, even by prophets, to get the truths of the gospel---the doctrines of the kingdom---so deep into our souls that they come out in our character, and in our countenances, and in our teaching. It is all a part of working out our salvation (see Philippians 2:12; also Alma 34:37), while relying wholly on the merits of Him who is mighty to save.
We have to pay the price to study and learn these things; none of them come to us automatically. For he who chops his own wood is twice warmed. And we don't want to end up stupid and cold, deprived of the fire of His Spirit.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
GIFTS: Undisputable evidence that we are in the Last Days . . .
. . . and that the scriptures are our only safety.
Some years ago (1977) Elder Boyd K. Packer (who turned 88 on Monday) spoke to seminary teachers about the origins of the seminary and institute programs of the Church.
President Wilford Woodruff in the 1890s had spoken of the need for such programs "to counter the effects of a Godless education."
Can you imagine him saying that in 1895!!!
Elder Packer: "These programs were started [in 1912] when they were nice but were not critically needed. They were granted a season to flourish and grow into a bulwark for the Church. They now become a godsend for the salvation of modern Israel in a most challenging hour. [Remember this is being spoken over a generation ago---1977.]
"We are now encircled. Our youth are in desperate jeopardy. These are the last days foreseen by prophets in ancient times.
"I will read one clear, descriptive, accurate prophecy, so old as to be ancient but so timely that evidence of every statement can be seen in today's news releases.
"'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
"'For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents [can you imagine that being prophesied?], unthankful, unholy,
"'Without natural affection [we see a tidal wave of sexual perversion now sweeping in around us, to say nothing of the hideous specter of child abuse that now is becoming common even among our people], truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
"'Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
"'Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.
"[When you think of what is happening in society today, the next verse has tremendous meaning.]
"'For of this sort are they which creep into houses [even the White House in the 1990s---and beyond?], and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
"'Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 3:1--7, emphasis added).
Elder Packer continued:
"That prophetic description of our day is accurate. The evil circumstances it describes encircle every student you teach.
"While studying one day, I read to that point and sat pondering about all the evidence that now confirms every element in that prophecy. [See the link to the online Drudge Report back in the e-mail introducing this post.] There was a mood of very deep gloom and foreboding, a very ominous feeling of frustration, almost futility. I glanced down the page, and one word stood out, not accidently I think. I read it eagerly and then discovered that the apostle who had prophesied all of that trouble had included in the same discourse the immunization against all of it. Skipping a few verses, I will continue from the same chapter.
"'But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
"'But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
"'And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to . . . .'"
Able to what? What are the scriptures able to do --- with surety and certainty, that no other source is able to do?
This has become a lengthy post. We'll end it here. Search 2 Timothy chapter 3 to finish the story and to find the true power in the scriptures, as testified by Paul to Timothy, and by Boyd, and by me.
Paul was Timothy's great mentor, almost as a father to him. That is clear from "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned . . . knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
We all need a mentor. A teacher, one on whom we can rely, and whom we can trust (see Mosiah 23:14). One of my main mentors and teachers has been Elder Packer himself. And Alison and I have both told him so in personal correspondence, to which he graciously replied, being the man of God that he is.
The point of all this: the Lord Jesus as found in the scriptures, not the Jesus of folklore and of our own invention, is the only answer to all the filth and nonsense encircling our youth and us today.
The link to today's Drudge Report is meant to confirm these references to news releases and prove Paul's --- and Boyd's --- point. . . .
God bless.
Steve
Some years ago (1977) Elder Boyd K. Packer (who turned 88 on Monday) spoke to seminary teachers about the origins of the seminary and institute programs of the Church.
President Wilford Woodruff in the 1890s had spoken of the need for such programs "to counter the effects of a Godless education."
Can you imagine him saying that in 1895!!!
Elder Packer: "These programs were started [in 1912] when they were nice but were not critically needed. They were granted a season to flourish and grow into a bulwark for the Church. They now become a godsend for the salvation of modern Israel in a most challenging hour. [Remember this is being spoken over a generation ago---1977.]
"We are now encircled. Our youth are in desperate jeopardy. These are the last days foreseen by prophets in ancient times.
"I will read one clear, descriptive, accurate prophecy, so old as to be ancient but so timely that evidence of every statement can be seen in today's news releases.
"'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
"'For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents [can you imagine that being prophesied?], unthankful, unholy,
"'Without natural affection [we see a tidal wave of sexual perversion now sweeping in around us, to say nothing of the hideous specter of child abuse that now is becoming common even among our people], truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
"'Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
"'Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.
"[When you think of what is happening in society today, the next verse has tremendous meaning.]
"'For of this sort are they which creep into houses [even the White House in the 1990s---and beyond?], and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
"'Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 3:1--7, emphasis added).
Elder Packer continued:
"That prophetic description of our day is accurate. The evil circumstances it describes encircle every student you teach.
"While studying one day, I read to that point and sat pondering about all the evidence that now confirms every element in that prophecy. [See the link to the online Drudge Report back in the e-mail introducing this post.] There was a mood of very deep gloom and foreboding, a very ominous feeling of frustration, almost futility. I glanced down the page, and one word stood out, not accidently I think. I read it eagerly and then discovered that the apostle who had prophesied all of that trouble had included in the same discourse the immunization against all of it. Skipping a few verses, I will continue from the same chapter.
"'But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
"'But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
"'And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to . . . .'"
Able to what? What are the scriptures able to do --- with surety and certainty, that no other source is able to do?
This has become a lengthy post. We'll end it here. Search 2 Timothy chapter 3 to finish the story and to find the true power in the scriptures, as testified by Paul to Timothy, and by Boyd, and by me.
Paul was Timothy's great mentor, almost as a father to him. That is clear from "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned . . . knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
We all need a mentor. A teacher, one on whom we can rely, and whom we can trust (see Mosiah 23:14). One of my main mentors and teachers has been Elder Packer himself. And Alison and I have both told him so in personal correspondence, to which he graciously replied, being the man of God that he is.
The point of all this: the Lord Jesus as found in the scriptures, not the Jesus of folklore and of our own invention, is the only answer to all the filth and nonsense encircling our youth and us today.
The link to today's Drudge Report is meant to confirm these references to news releases and prove Paul's --- and Boyd's --- point. . . .
God bless.
Steve
Thursday, September 6, 2012
GIFTS: The Rest of the Story: "HEAR YE HIM" in 3 Nephi chapter 11
Attending Education Week at BYU in late August 2009 Alison and I chose our lectures carefully. We were eager to learn good doctrine, less eager to hear secondary things. Brother Robert J. Matthews once said: "I do not want to be involved in secondary causes." We are with him, heart, mind, and soul.
It may come as news to many that there are any "secondary causes" in the gospel.
The whole restoration of the gospel is about superlatives --- about things that matter more than other things, indeed about the things that matter most. There is no democracy of truth. Some prophets (we say it respectfully, along with Elder McConkie) know more and have greater insight than others. No one has transcended in our day the Prophet Joseph Smith for doctrine, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and insight. The celestial kingdom is higher and greater and more glorious than the terrestrial and the moon gives more light than the stars. The whole message of the Book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, and His Melchizedek priesthood power, is higher, greater, nobler, better, more glorious than the Aaronic, or any other power. The Lord Jesus Christ is "the greatest of all" in every sense you can conceive.
These facts are not easy to appreciate and receive in our politically correct culture, which maintains---both consciously and inadvertently---that all opinions are of equal worth. Not so, as we have shown here earlier. But even the Saints, you and I, are not immune from such false ideas and thinking.
Anyway, Alison and I were rewarded in our choices, for the most part. Especially in attending Wayne Brickey's presentations on 3 and 4 Nephi, which chapters we shall soon meet in our Sunday school lessons. I'll now share my notes from Brother Brickey. You'll see the point as you read on:
Heroic action in Greek mythology --- heroes return from odysseys, etc, with knowledge that they use to either bless or control others. Mormon does a masterful editing account of the Savior's visit. . . .
God's wrath is not an emotion, but an action. Savior's arrival to the Nephites comes in stages. . . . Keeping our word, our promises, our covenants is very important to God. . . . For Satan, important to exterminate the records as well as defile the people.
President Lorenzo Snow taught: manifold times increase of your power to counsel, teach, influence others in the spirit world --- they'll listen to you over there! . . . .
Cleansing temple "square" --- twice --- at Passover, Jesus essentially removed some 25,000 people from the area (equivalent to general conference crowd in the Conference Center). He had reasons to remove them. Purging is a necessary beginning to something wonderful. A necessary rebuilding of infrastructure --- physically and spiritually --- took place [PROFOUND!], and prepared them for His arrival (in 3 Nephi 11).
The Candle of the Lord, Elder Packer's great address on hearing the voice of the Lord - - - the sound of a candle burning can be heard --- sizzling --- very soft . . . . Howard W. Hunter's three most important words: "HEAR YE HIM!" to a young woman at a Young Adult convention when she asked him for the three most important words (hoping to hear, "I love you").
Later Jesus said to the Nephites: You've already heard more than you can digest --- go home and ponder it in your families. . . . The principle of companion study in Preach My Gospel [missionary prep manual]. . . . Family study is better than individual study. . . "BEHOLD!" = "Hold with your eyes the real picture --- focus --- SEE!"
Those are my notes from Brother Brickey's first lecture.
Do you see the context for "HEAR YE HIM" over "I love you"?
Two last thoughts: To the questioning Pontius Pilate the Lord Jesus said something important and relevant to our discussion here. John the Beloved's account says:
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
"Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this [again, see the footnote, Pilate said it more than once], he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."
Do you see it? Do you see the point? Do you understand that Every one that is of the truth heareth His voice? That "HEAR YE HIM" is a commandment, an invitation, an obligation, a blessing, and a judgment---all at the same time!
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude agathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land bBountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the cgreat and marvelous change which had taken place.
It may come as news to many that there are any "secondary causes" in the gospel.
The whole restoration of the gospel is about superlatives --- about things that matter more than other things, indeed about the things that matter most. There is no democracy of truth. Some prophets (we say it respectfully, along with Elder McConkie) know more and have greater insight than others. No one has transcended in our day the Prophet Joseph Smith for doctrine, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and insight. The celestial kingdom is higher and greater and more glorious than the terrestrial and the moon gives more light than the stars. The whole message of the Book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, and His Melchizedek priesthood power, is higher, greater, nobler, better, more glorious than the Aaronic, or any other power. The Lord Jesus Christ is "the greatest of all" in every sense you can conceive.
These facts are not easy to appreciate and receive in our politically correct culture, which maintains---both consciously and inadvertently---that all opinions are of equal worth. Not so, as we have shown here earlier. But even the Saints, you and I, are not immune from such false ideas and thinking.
Anyway, Alison and I were rewarded in our choices, for the most part. Especially in attending Wayne Brickey's presentations on 3 and 4 Nephi, which chapters we shall soon meet in our Sunday school lessons. I'll now share my notes from Brother Brickey. You'll see the point as you read on:
Heroic action in Greek mythology --- heroes return from odysseys, etc, with knowledge that they use to either bless or control others. Mormon does a masterful editing account of the Savior's visit. . . .
God's wrath is not an emotion, but an action. Savior's arrival to the Nephites comes in stages. . . . Keeping our word, our promises, our covenants is very important to God. . . . For Satan, important to exterminate the records as well as defile the people.
President Lorenzo Snow taught: manifold times increase of your power to counsel, teach, influence others in the spirit world --- they'll listen to you over there! . . . .
Cleansing temple "square" --- twice --- at Passover, Jesus essentially removed some 25,000 people from the area (equivalent to general conference crowd in the Conference Center). He had reasons to remove them. Purging is a necessary beginning to something wonderful. A necessary rebuilding of infrastructure --- physically and spiritually --- took place [PROFOUND!], and prepared them for His arrival (in 3 Nephi 11).
The Candle of the Lord, Elder Packer's great address on hearing the voice of the Lord - - - the sound of a candle burning can be heard --- sizzling --- very soft . . . . Howard W. Hunter's three most important words: "HEAR YE HIM!" to a young woman at a Young Adult convention when she asked him for the three most important words (hoping to hear, "I love you").
Later Jesus said to the Nephites: You've already heard more than you can digest --- go home and ponder it in your families. . . . The principle of companion study in Preach My Gospel [missionary prep manual]. . . . Family study is better than individual study. . . "BEHOLD!" = "Hold with your eyes the real picture --- focus --- SEE!"
Those are my notes from Brother Brickey's first lecture.
Do you see the context for "HEAR YE HIM" over "I love you"?
Two last thoughts: To the questioning Pontius Pilate the Lord Jesus said something important and relevant to our discussion here. John the Beloved's account says:
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
"Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this [again, see the footnote, Pilate said it more than once], he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."
Do you see it? Do you see the point? Do you understand that Every one that is of the truth heareth His voice? That "HEAR YE HIM" is a commandment, an invitation, an obligation, a blessing, and a judgment---all at the same time!
1 And now it came to pass that there were a great multitude agathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land bBountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the cgreat and marvelous change which had taken place.
2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the asign had been given concerning his death.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a avoice
as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for
they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh
voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it
being a bsmall voice it did cpierce
them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of
their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to
the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. [Think of the soft sizzling sound of the candle . . . .]
5 And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did aopen
their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof;
and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound
came.
8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they asaw a Man bdescending
out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and
stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were
turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to
another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel
that had appeared unto them.
11 And behold, I am the alight and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter bcup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in ctaking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the dwill of the Father in all things from the beginning.
12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude afell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been bprophesied among them that Christ should cshow himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.
God bless us to see Him, to behold His voice, to seek after it, to HEAR YE HIM!
Steve
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