A GLORIOUS SPIRITUAL DIMENSION

 

“I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church ‘live far beneath our privileges’ with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out his influence, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. This is a noisy and busy world that we live in. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.

“Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of their choices to commit sin. Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the Infinite. If they would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light.

“Their eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable. They could know for themselves things of the Spirit that are choice, precious, and capable of enlarging the soul, expanding the mind, and filling the heart with inexpressible joy.”

-        Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Unspeakable Gift” GC April 2003

From time to time, I get amazed at how many of us in the Church really do live far beneath our privileges. The wealth of knowledge we are given is endless, the opportunities to spiritually advance ourselves equally so. In our busy day and age spiritual complacency is alive and well and things of greater worth are slipping through our fingers.

A lot of us expect the Church to spiritually feed us. Perhaps it used to more in the past than it does now that attendance has been narrowed down significantly. The onus now is on individual testimony building. The “Come Follow Me” programme was introduced for this reason.

I cannot help but think of the incredible promise the Lord made to us in Doctrine and Covenants that would elevate us to the ‘vista of a glorious new spiritual dimension’ that Elder Wirthlin spoke of. We are told in Section 76 that the Lord honours those who serve Him in righteousness and truth and that to them He will reveal all the hidden mysteries of His kingdom:

”Even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them….And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven, and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish……for by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will – yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man” (D&C 76:5-10)

Do you know of any other group of people on this earth who have been given such a privilege????

I cannot fathom

The greatness of Thy Godhood.

I can scarce contain who You are

In the hollow of my lacking heart.

I am so small

And You are so vast;

Endow me with wisdom,

Endow me with might,

Help me to comprehend

Beyond the ages of the wise. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Liz Lemon Swindle)

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

 

 

In one of my recent posts I wrote about the law of tithing. I would like to offer here my experience with living this law because I learnt from it that the Saviour’s focus is always on the one.

I never had a problem paying tithing until I became a single mother with two young children. All of a sudden money became a challenge I lived with every day. Nevertheless, I continued to pay tithing because of my commitment to it before I was even baptized. That story is in my previous post.

I would like to share just three of the miracles I received where the Lord showed me that He watches over His faithful children, especially mothers without husbands.

The first was my lack of funds one week to put gas in my car. One day before I left for work, I prayed and I asked for $20 for this purpose. I left that request in God’s hands not knowing how promptly that prayer would be answered.

At lunch time my co-worker came to my desk and put $20 on it. I was surprised to say the least and asked him why he was giving me this money. He answered he was returning back from lunch and saw this $20 note on the pavement. He said he picked it up and as he wondered what to do with it, I came into his mind. Upon returning to work, he immediately came to my desk and delivered the pennies from heaven.

The second time I was faced with mounting bills to the value of $1,000. I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. I prayed again and expressed that concern. Two days later a friend and her business partner knocked on my door. They said they had just been over their books and discovered they had $1,000 to spare and I can have it if I needed it.

The third time, I did not have adequate amount of money to cover my car registration. I was short $350. This time I was embarrassed to go to the Lord asking for money again but He was one step ahead of me and proved to me that He knew my life and was aware of me.

I decided to ask my friend for a loan. I suspected she and her husband were having struggles themselves but they were the only couple I was comfortable asking. When they came back to me they said yes they can help because the husband had a strong feeling some months before that he should save all his spare change. When they went to count the money he had been putting away, they discovered they had the exact amount I needed. They said the money was not from them but from Him who is the source of all blessings and there was no need to repay it.

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury; and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor window, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

“And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:41-44)

When you have nothing, cast in all that you have and in Moses’ words regarding this law of return: “then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God: Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel…..” (Deut 26:12-15)

 

You flowed like a river through my heart

Showing me the wonder of You;

You lifted me to see the majestic view.

You parted the heavens for me

And showered me with Your love;

Oh the love divine! 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Widow's Mites by Liz Lemon Swindle)

OF GREAT WORTH

 

“I remember once a seven or eight year old son of ours jumping on his bed hard enough that I thought it might break. I felt a flash of frustration, and I moved quickly to set my house in order. I grabbed my son by his little shoulders and lifted him up to where our eyes met.

“The Spirit put words into my mind. It seemed a quite voice, but it pierced my heart: “You are holding a great person.” I gently set him back on the bed and apologized. Now he has become the great man the Holy Ghost let me see 40 years ago. I am eternally grateful that the Lord rescued me from my unkind feelings by sending the Holy Ghost to let me see a child of God as He saw him.”

-        President Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You”, GC April 2017

Wouldn’t it be something if we could see the spiritual stature of babies, children and adults we do not know? I wager there would be no contention, hate, mistreatment, abuse, crime or war. If we could see each other as God the Father sees us, we would understand who we truly are. Abraham gave us a glimpse of our eternal greatness when he spoke about all the great and noble intelligences that were organized before the world was (Abraham 3:22-23).

We are told we are here to progress and improve upon ourselves. This progression began before we were even born: “In the prior life, we developed various capacities and talents. Some developed them in one field and some in another. The most important of all fields was the field of spirituality, the ability, the talent, the capacity to recognise truth” (Bruce R. McConkie, When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, A Study Guide for the Priesthood Quorums of the Church, 1974-75, pp 8-9).

Our individual efforts were not all, however. God told Enoch that man was the ‘workmanship of His hands’ (Moses 7:32). The dictionary defines ‘workmanship’ as ‘the product or result of labour and skill, or work executed’.

To arrive at the estimate of what we are worth, consider all the possible ‘work’ that went into the making of YOU: 1. Your spiritual creation which depended on the Father’s rise to Godhood; 2. Your spiritual tutoring for eons of time; 3. The creation of the earth for your mortality; 4. Overseeing of your earthly progress and protection; 5. Preparation of kingdoms for your eternal destination.

Now think of the scale of guidance, protection, care, overseeing, anguish and sorrow of your Heavenly Parents, the Holy Ghost, your guardian angels, your ancestors, your departed loved ones and all the hosts of heaven who know you. This is true for each one of us who grace this earth.

Obviously, we achieved a lot before we were even born into mortality. What price would you put to all the work that you put into you and the investment of others into you??? I know three things:  the price would be higher than we can possibly imagine; I know who paid it and I know why.

Surely Christ’s supreme sacrifice for all mankind is the crescendo of all the work invested into each soul ever born on this earth, of every creed, of every colour, of every nation. The Atonement is the crowning glory of the work that has gone into you and me. It is the ultimate proof that the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10).

All the prior work that had been put into us would be in vain if there was no Atonement, and even more importantly, there would be no future for any of us, and the future is what counts, because it ensures our rightful place in the eternal scheme of things. It completes the Plan, it ensures the success of the Plan, it validates the ‘workmanship’ and preserves its value.

Next time we confront somebody, may we remember we are at eye level with ‘a great person’………

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: I Am A Child of God by Howard Lyon)

ONENESS

 

“It should be clear what kind of ‘oneness’ is meant by the Atonement – it is being received in a close embrace of the prodigal son, expressing not only forgiveness but oneness of heart and mind that amounts to identity, like a literal family identity…...”  (Hugh Nibley, ‘Approaching Zion’, 567-68)

Elder Orson V. Whitney experienced such an embrace in his dream: “I ran to meet Him….fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him. I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped, raised me up, and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real. I felt the very warmth of His body, as He held me in His arms.” (Whitney, “Through Memory’s Halls”, 83)

“If there is any imagery upon which I would focus…it is two scriptures from the Book of Mormon. The one in which we are reminded that Jesus himself is the gatekeeper and that ‘He employeth no servant there’. (2 Nephi 9:41)

“I will tell you ….out of the conviction of my soul…what I think the major reason is why ‘He employeth no servant there’, as contained in another Book of Mormon scripture which says He waits for you ‘with open arms’ (Mormon 6:17). That’s why He’s there! He waits for you ‘with open arms’……It is imagery that should work itself into the very center core of one’s mind – a rendezvous impending, a moment in time and space, the likes of which there is none other.”  (Neal A. Maxwell, “But a Few Days”, 7)

I stood at the veil

As You were about to leave

Sorrowing that not all would believe.

 

I prayed for Father’s power

To protect Your gentle heart

From the blow that might tear You apart.

 

I knew my soul You would save

And all Your promises You would fulfil;

I stood at the veil, unable to leave,

Holding Your crown for You to receive.

 

I stood and I waited that fateful day

In awe of what You did to pave the way.

I could scarcely comprehend Your godly might,

I stood at the veil and gave You my heart.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(ART: Come and See by Tyler Anderson)

WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

 

There is a principle of the Gospel that paved the way to my Church membership. I have had a very strong testimony of this principle ever since.

When I was looking into the Church I was only 17. I obtained information about it from my local library. Everything I read seared my soul and I knew I had to be a member of such an amazing community of saints. I knew the Church was true and longed to be a part of it.

One Sunday I arrived at the nearest chapel to see the Church for myself. What I saw was the saints coming in and out of the building and I longed to be one of them but presumed that I couldn’t because I wasn’t a member.

What came into my mind as I looked on longingly was the principle of tithing. I thought to myself, I would gladly give the Church my entire pay if I could just sit in that building. I was working full time by then and earning my own money. I was at the threshold of becoming my own person but it would seem what I wanted more was God and His Church.

At the time I didn’t realise the significance of this but now, years after obeying the law of tithing, I do. Money is a tangible symbol of the world we live in and on that fateful Sunday, God was calling me out of the world.

Besides opening the windows of heaven, our commitment to live this commandment, takes us out of Babylon. It is the beginning of our faith in God rather than the mortal world we are placed temporarily into. It is the deciding factor of our path to either God or Mammon (Matthew 6:24). Mammon being an Aramaic word for riches (Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Library)

I am sure we are all familiar with the scripture that says: “He that is tithed shall not be burned at His coming” (D&C 64:23). This is how failure to pay tithing becomes a slippery slide to this demise: “This is what it means…when a man who ignores the express command of the Lord, by failing to pay his tithing, the Spirit of the Lord will withdraw from him; it means that the power of the priesthood will withdraw from that man…..He will drift away into darkness, gradually but surely, until finally he will lift up his eyes among the wicked.

“That is where he will finally land; and then when the destruction comes and when the burning comes he will be among the wicked and will be destroyed; while those who observe the law will be found among the righteous, and they will be preserved…..” (Elder Rudger Clawson, In CR Oct 1913, p 59, Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 138)

That we may know that our faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death (D&C 121:44), the Lord requires ‘the hearts of the children of men’ (D&C 64:22) because ‘where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matt 6:21; Luke 12:34). We cannot possibly love God and love the world at the same time. We either obey one or the other.

In all our earthly sojourn we are deciding between God and the world. One has the power to lift us to eternity, the other leads to corruption of both body and spirit: “….for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon” (D&C 64:24)

The Saviour died that He might save us from the world. If we are of the world, we give the world more power than we give Him. This is a mockery of Him who descended into the pit of agony that He might rescue us from the clutches of evil and death. No such sacrifice has been offered by the God of Mammon.

Remember what Jesus said about the rich young ruler who rejected Christ by choosing to hold onto his wealth: “….how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! With men that trust in riches, it is impossible but not impossible with men who trust in God and leave all for my sake for with such all these things are possible.” (Mark 10:17-24; JST 27a)

Tithing is one mortal journey worth taking. It's a journey that will in the end help you discover the real treasure…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Rich Young Ruler) 

ABSENCE OF FEAR

 

“A monk was confronted by an angry warrior who said: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can cut off your head and not bat an eye!”  The little monk looked him in the eyes and calmly replied: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can have you cut off my head….and not bat an eye!”  (Author Unknown)

Right now, we are witnessing the unfolding of the Lord’s prophecy that He shall decree wars upon the face of the earth before His coming (D&C 63:33). Many of us are in fear. The Lord also predicted this fear (v33). My way to cope without the fear is to look at the overall picture rather than look at the politics. I feel peace knowing that the Saviour is ultimately in control.

I am looking past the political manouvers and can see how Christ’s arch enemy is trying his hardest to destroy Israel and America and thereby foil the Millenial plans. These two countries will be the Saviour’s governing seats when He comes.

The adversary is seeking to bring in globalism so he can prevent this and control the world but I know He can never win and this is why: “I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all….and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.” (D&C 63:58-60). To mock the Saviour means not believing that He is yet to come to reign and subject all things under His feet (D&C 58:22). We should be looking forward to that.

In my mind, there are two things for us the saints of these last days to consider. The Lord has warned us that before He comes, things will get so bad with wars that even ‘the saints shall hardly escape’(v34). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained ‘that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer…..still many Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith; yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, the pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God.” (“History of the Church”, 4:11)

Why do you think that cute little monk could have his head cut off without batting an eye? I would wager that he looked past this life and saw the vista of eternity before him. We, the saints know that vista…..it should be spread before us constantly…..therefore there is no need to fear….anything! Whether in life or in death, our destiny is assured if we are righteous. Being saved in the Kingdom of God is all that should matter.

If God be for us, who can be against us??? (Romans 8:31)

Thou art our everlasting God

Jehovah, our King,

Who has loved us and chosen us as Thine own;

Keep us as the apple of Thine eye,

Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings

That we might never stray

And cause Thee sorrow;

And help us wait for Thee

In the dawning of tomorrow. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Second Coming by Jon McNaughton)

ULTIMATE JOY

 

“For behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore He suffered the pain of all men that all men might repent and come unto Him…..and how great is His joy in the soul that repenteth!” D&C 18: 11,13)

I am sure we are all familiar with what comes next…..’how great will be your joy if you should bring souls unto me into the kingdom of my Father’ (v 15, 16).

The Saviour’s sacrifice for us was borne out of love (John 15:13) therefore it goes without saying that He would be overjoyed to have us with Him after this life. After all, Celestial Kingdom would be a lonely place if there was only one person there….

Even though, we the believers, have not died for anyone’s soul like the Saviour has, we nevertheless become saviours by proxy as we bring others to repentance. By this we become more like the Saviour than any other way because we develop love for our fellowmen and we become more sanctified and this is why:

“Missionary work has a redemptive effect for the missionary as well as the convert. The Apostle James wrote, “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

“Elder Bruce R. McConkie elaborated on this: “By reclaiming an erring brother, we save both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the Kingdom.

“In principle this special reward for Christ’s ministers applies also to those who preach the gospel and bring souls into the Kingdom. The minister is rewarded with salvation and, of necessity, in the process, is freed from his own sins (D&C 41:1-4).” (“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary”, 3:279, Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 132)

I think how wonderful it would be to have a Christ-like love for everyone. Then I think of those who we already love and who have gone astray and have their salvation in peril…..our children over whom we sorrow and labour in faith that we can in some way bring them back.

I think of people we have loved in pre-mortal life and have asked to have them on our earthly path so that we can increase their faith in Christ unto salvation. I think of all that love and how great would be the joy if we could bring them into God’s Kingdom that we might enjoy eternal life together. I think of Joseph’s advice that we should wear out our lives in such a pursuit and I tend to agree (D&C 123:12-17).

I cherished the truth locked firmly in my heart

But it became too heavy for me to bear.

I scattered the seeds of faith

Along humanity’s path

To feed the hungry souls for many years

Until each cared for soul

Paved the trail of my happy tears.

-  CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Remain in Love by Chris Brazelton)

THE PATH TO DIVINITY

 

“The greater definition of ‘the pure love of Christ’, is not what we as Christians try but largely fail to demonstrate toward others but rather what Christ totally succeeded in demonstrating toward us. True charity has been known only once.

“It is shown perfectly and purely in Christ’s unfailing, ultimate and atoning love for us. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not’. It is his love for us that is not ‘puffed up…., not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’. It is Christ’s love for us that ‘beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things’.

“It is as demonstrated in Christ that ‘charity never faileth’. It is that charity – His pure love for us – without which we would be nothing, hopeless, of all men and women most miserable. Truly, those found possessed of the blessings of His love at the last day – the Atonement, the Resurrection, eternal life, eternal promise – surely it shall be well with them…”  (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Christ and the New Covenant”[1997], 336-37)

Charity or the pure love of Christ is unique to the Saviour. It is called ‘pure’ because this kind of love has no ulterior motive of self-interest. It is pure because it is selfless. Cast your mind on the Saviour’s mortal life and His atoning sacrifice. None of it was about Him but all about saving us and bringing glory to the Father.

This kind of love cannot be developed but can only be bestowed on the true followers of Christ so that they can become sons of God and be like Him when He returns. Why do we need to be like Him? So ‘that we may be purified even as He is pure’ (Moroni 7:47,48). Without this purity we cannot be where God is.

I have been thinking a lot about the Second Coming lately and I have written somewhat about the parable of the Ten Virgins. The more I contemplate this parable the more I can see what the Saviour meant by saying to the unprepared Five that they didn’t know Him (JST Matthew 25:11 or Matt 25:12a). Consequently, they never became like Him, a requirement Moroni spoke of.

I rather think that the prepared Virgins were His true followers who were endowed with His pure love and this is why I think that. In 1 Peter 4:8, it says that ‘charity covers a multitude of sins’ but JST says ‘charity PREVENTETH a multitude of sins’ (JST 1 Pet 4:8a). Think about it, the Saviour was sinless because He possessed this pure love. Speaking of the Father, He said: “I do ALWAYS those things that please Him” (John 8:29). Why? Because He loved the Father.

Possessing the pure love of Christ means possessing a love for God which means much greater obedience than we are capable of on our own. Possessing the pure love of Christ also means no trespass against our neighbour and greater charity toward our fellowman. It means no contention, no hate, no wars……it means a perfect society…..like the one He will bring with Him.

The arrival of the Bridegroom will not be “a scrutiny of churches, but of individuals in the Church” (James Talmage, Marriage Feast, the Called and the Chosen, “Jesus the Christ”, p 543). Only half of us will be at the Marriage Feast and the path to it is paved with love…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)

HURRAH HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

 

There is one phrase that is firmly etched in my mind from all the years I have studied the scriptures and that is, “my people Israel”. I searched this phrase in the Gospel Library this morning and pages and pages of scriptures came up. I could not possibly get through them all. I realized Israel is central to the Saviour’s Gospel.

The Saviour was sent exclusively to the House of Israel (Matthew 15:24). The Gospel was not taken to the Gentiles until after His death. The restoration of His Church is predicated on the gathering of Israel hence the importance of the Book of Mormon. The early members of the Church grasped this importance from the beginning and made many sacrifices to this end.

In 1839 Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball set off as missionaries to the British Isles. They were both ill and their families were left sick and destitute, “nevertheless, the two climbed into a wagon, and while still in sight of their loved ones, Heber said, “Let’s rise up and give them a cheer.” The two struggled to their feet and shouted, “Hurrah, hurrah for Israel!” (Ronald A. Rasband, “Right Before Our Eyes”, GC April 2025)

I quoted scriptures in my post yesterday of the Saviour’s abiding love for the House of Israel and how  we are referred to as ‘the apple of His eye’ (Det 32:9,10; Zechariah 2:8; Psalm 17:8). There is something else that has remained etched in my mind from studying the Old Testament.

When Moses’ brother Aaron was appointed the head priest, the Saviour gave instructions that among his priestly garments, he should wear a breastplate with four rows of stones set in it. The first row was set with sardius, a topaz and a carbuncle (smaragdus); the second with emerald, a sapphire and a diamond; the third with ligure, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth with a beryl, an onyx and a jasper. These stones were gems and jewels and they had an inscription on them representing each tribe of the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21).

This is the worth and value that the Saviour places on ‘His people Israel’. And the most significant thing? The breastplate with the gems had to be worn ‘upon Aaron’s heart before the Lord continually’ (Exodus 28:29,30). Can you see the significance of this?

How much are you worth to Christ as a member of ‘His people Israel’?

·        “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels” (Malachi 3:17)

·        “For I the Lord, rule in the heavens above….and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God” (D&C 60:4)

·        “Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels (D&C 101:3)

We are not gathering Israel…..we are collecting jewels……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Jesus of Nazareth by Greg Olsen)

THE GOD OF THE COVENANT

 

This painting brought tears to my eyes when I saw it. The Saviour’s apparent power in it is breathtaking. The scene depicts the parting of the Red Sea with Moses on one side and the Saviour on the other. It is titled “I was there” by Danny Hahlbohm.

Besides the Saviour’s power, I see something else in this picture. I see the strength of will of a God who will move heaven and earth for His covenant people Israel. This is a God who has throughout history led them in mercy through the valley of shadow of death and has preserved them to be a favoured people.

Who are these favoured people? They are the Twelve Tribes of Israel, their posterity, and the adopted believing Gentiles who have accepted Christ through baptism. They are God’s people, a ‘peculiar people’ (Exodus 19:5), meaning ‘valued treasure’, ‘made or selected by God’. (Russell M. Nelson, “Children of the Covenant”, Ensign May 1995, 34)

And this is why they are peculiar:  “…….the house of Israel is composed of spirits from pre-existence who there developed a talent for spirituality, and who are therefore entitled to the blessings of heaven in this life on a preferential basis” (McConkie, “Mortal Messiah 3, p 11).”

Not only are these people favoured but they are also important. The House of Israel is the guardian of the Abrahamic covenant. This is the covenant between Jehovah and Abraham through which the House of Israel carries its priesthood blessings to the inhabitants of the world. This is the covenant that the Saviour has foresworn He will never, ever break or forget. It will stand forever (Deuternonomy 4:31; Leviticus 26:44,46; Isaiah 49:15,16; 2 Kings 13:23).

And this is the power of commitment and this is the strength of His love for His chosen people:

·        Thou art my chosen servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified (Isaiah 49:3; Abraham 2:11)

·        I will write my law into your hearts and I will be your God and you shall be my people and your sins I will remember no more (Hebrews 8:10, 12)

·        I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a God (Exodus 6:7; Jeremiah 10:4)

·        I have redeemed thee, thou art mine, I will be with thee, I am the holy one of Israel, I will sacrifice others for thee (Isaiah 43:1-7)

·        Thou art the everlasting bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-8; 21:2,9)

·        I have chosen thee to be a special people unto me, above all people that are upon the face of the earth (Deuteronomy 7:6)

·        O Israel thou art ‘the apple of His eye’: Deuteronomy 32:9,10; Zechariah 2:8; Psalm 17:8

In today’s day of ‘inclusion’, it would appear unthinkable that God would love and consider His children on preferential basis. However, because of their righteousness, collectively and not individually, and as descendants of righteous Abraham, The House of Israel was ‘chosen’ to be favoured of God. After all, He attests to the fact that there has to be a reward for being good: “….he that is righteous is favored of God” (1 Nephi 17:35).

Thy love for Thy people is beyond compare,

Thy mercy affixed forever more.

Thy power delivers us and

Thy loving kindness gathers us;

We are restored by Thy merciful might,

We are Israel, children of light.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: I Was There by Danny Hahlbohm)

BUILT ON LOVE

 

I awoke early this morning with thoughts of the Second Coming. I reflected on how much warning to prepare we are getting from the Church leaders.  It occurred to me that some of us are prepared even now and are anxious to meet the Saviour while some of us will be desperately rushing about to ‘take up our cross and follow Him’ in hopes that our ‘death-bed repentance’ will consider us prepared.

To take up one’s cross means to forsake the world, deny yourself all ungodliness and every worldly lust and to keep His commandments (JST Matthew 16:25-29). I wonder if this can be done effectively in one day, one week, one year even. It’s like that silly question we are asked in Sunday School sometimes: “If you knew that Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do today?” 

What could you do today??? Nothing!!! What could you possibly accomplish in one day that would make up for years of not doing it??? It takes time for a man to evolve into who he should be and even longer to become like Christ….and this is what the aim is, that ‘when He appears we shall be like Him’ (Moroni 7:48).

To become like the Saviour, it is imperative that we get to know Him. Consider the parable of the Ten Virgins. The five foolish virgins ran off to buy oil for their lamps at the very last minute before the bridegroom came. They considered that only the oil was needed for entrance to the feast. In reality, there was much more….. they were meeting the bridegroom who said to them: “Ye know me not” (JST Matthew 25:11 or Matthew 25:12, footnote a)….and if you don’t know me, how can you be with me???

Elder Bednar outlined what is needful for us to come to know the Saviour: 1. Exercising Faith In Him; 2. Following Him; 3. Serving Him; 4. Believing Him (“If Ye Had Known Me” October GC 2016)

I have pondered on the requirements for the entrance to the wedding feast and wondered what would be at the root of them. I think it has to do with the Saviour comparing His coming to  marriage. What is marriage built upon? Love.

“He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…..if a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:21-23)

Everything Elder Bednar suggested would develop in us love for Christ. How long do you think it would take us to accomplish that? A week, a month, a year? How about one day???

He will come and He will expect the bride to be ready….and He will know who loves Him…..for God will not be mocked…..

I would gladly give you some oil

Your empty lamp to fill,

If you could glean the sweat

From my furrowed brow

As I worked on the oil press

So diligently until now.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Filling Her Lamp by Dan Burr)

THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

 

In Section 64 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord gives us some very valuable advice about forgiveness: “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” (v 9).  

Forgiveness can be quite complex because it can involve so many issues such as wanting justice but not receive it and feelings of worthlessness that can accompany that void. Feelings of injustice can canker your soul. This I believe is what the Lord meant by the sin being greater in him who does not forgive. This is also the condemnation: you condemn yourself to ongoing damage to your self-worth and the Lord condemns you for stagnation of your spiritual progress.

Forgiveness is central to Christ’s character. It is the divine attribute through which He became the Saviour of our souls. And it is important for us because through it we become like Him. This is the path of forgiveness that leads us to possession of Christ-like nature: Forgiveness equals compassion, mercy and love which ultimately might bring the offender to Christ and therefore to the saving of his soul. If it doesn’t, it will still lead to the saving of your soul.

I learnt about this crucially important character trait through my divorce. It was a time when I studied about the Atonement and its power in great depth. I discovered that forgiveness would heal all my hurts and injustices. I invested myself in it and found Christ at the center of it. It wiped away all my pain and restored me to life again. I haven’t looked back since.

In the 30 years I have been divorced, I have sat through many lessons that have talked about the importance of eternal marriage and family.  It used to wreck me back in the beginning. Even though the divorce offered me much needed relief back then, I am and always was deeply passionate about the plan of salvation and the importance of family. 

All I ever wanted in life was to be married and to have children.  And I did get that but I also lost it.  That loss of a dream was excruciating and forced me to re-define my whole standing in the Church and to evaluate the strength of my testimony. 

It is never easy to be alone in the Church. You just have to value yourself enough so that others will too.  I have carved a space for myself in the Church where I believe people see my strengths more than my cracks. I found that space one day on my visit to the temple.  I used to attend with trepidation after my divorce but this one day I noticed something very significant there - men and women sit separately.  They do not sit together like they do at Church projecting a picture of marriage and family. 

I understood then, the temple is as much about individual salvation as it is about marriage and eternity.  The Church is about the individual as much as it is about family.  The gospel is as much about being a disciple of Jesus Christ as it is about finding someone to share your eternal destiny. The Saviour values you because he has died for you personally, irrespective of your marital status. 

When he visited the Americas, He invited the multitude to come to Him one by one to feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet. (3 Nephi 11:14) Why?  Because he wanted them and us to know that the Atonement is personal and that He had atoned for each one of us individually and not for the humanity collectively.  His sheep are numbered and there is not one that is overlooked. We all belong in the fold.  

When I go to Church I know there is a pew with my name on it. I feel good about myself because I know that’s where my spiritual progression began, and where it continues to this day. Forgiveness did that for me. It gave me the freedom to become who I am. There is a pew at Church with your name on it too. Own it. You have the right to sit in it.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: One by One by Walter Rane)

 

LIFE

 

Yesterday as I reflected about life and all it entails, I felt like we have been sent down to hell. I reflected on terrible evils that we live amongst and all the suffering and agony some people go through. Terrible things presented themselves to my mind such as sexual abuse of little children and I was reduced to tears. I couldn’t stop crying.

I thought of the Atonement and I sought to understand why it only covers sins after they have been committed, why it could not have prevented some evils such as abuse of innocent little children so they did not have to suffer. Into my mind came a dimension of the Atonement I did not understand fully before: this life is not a life of prevention.

To my remembrance came a dream I had some years ago. In that dream I saw a newborn baby lying on a table. The baby was a girl and she was only a baby in physical appearance. She was in reality an adult who was speaking to two women that were there reluctant to cut the cord because of the pain it would cause. She was saying: “it’s ok, it will only hurt for a little while and then all will be well”. I knew this baby was me and I knew she was very cognizant of earth life and its purpose.

I knew yesterday as I reflected on that dream that we, who chose this second estate, also chose all the suffering that came with it because we knew it would be temporary and that after all the suffering, the Saviour’s Atonement would make us whole again……that He shall one day ‘wipe away all tears from our eyes and there shall be no more sorrow, nor crying, nor pain’ (Revelation 21:4).

I am amazed at the Saviour’s capacity to take upon himself all the human suffering. I am bewildered by His descent into the bottomless pit of human agony. So excruciating was the suffering He bore that it resonated into another continent causing the physical destruction and upheaval in ancient America.

The prophet Zenos prophesied of this destruction saying that ‘many of the kings of the isles of the sea were wrought upon by the Spirit of God, to exclaim: The God of nature suffers’ (1 Nephi 19:11,12). As I cried for the little children yesterday, I cried for Him too….

Oh the sweet, sweet agony

That tossed You onto the sea of

Merciless pain and suffering!

The nature shook

But silently wept eternity

Cradling in its arms Your glorious destiny.

 

I dreamed that You were waiting

At sweet Garden’s gate;

Your sacrifice complete,

Your promises kept,

I could scarce contain my joy

As in Your arms I wept.

 

You rose to heights unknown

To someone lowly like me.

You are now so high

And I am so low,

Climbing the ladder of my tears

Into Your arms that I will forever know.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Gethsemane by Danny Hahlbohm)