OUR PROMISED LAND

 

 We are about to study the book of Joshua this week. Joshua is one of those Old Testament figures we don’t talk about much yet there is so much to admire about the man. I feel he is overlooked to our detriment because he too, like Moses, was a prototype of Christ:

“Joshua, the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, was first called Oshea or Hoshea,….[Numbers 13:16], which signifies saved, a saviour, or salvation; but afterwards Moses, guided no doubt by a prophetic spirit, changed his name into….Yehoshua or Joshua, which signifies he shall save or salvation of Jehovah; referring, no doubt, to his being God’s instrument in saving the people from the hands of their enemies, and leading them from victory to victory over the different Canaanitish nations, till he put them in possession of the promised land…in the New Testament he is expressly called….Jesus [see Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8].” (Clarke, Bible Commentary, 2:3). In other words, in the original Hebrew both Joshua and Jesus were the same name.” (see Old Testament Student Manual Book 1 p 236)

As a preface to the Ten Commandments which Jehovah gave to Moses he made it clear why they were given: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of BONDAGE.” (Exodus 20:2). The operative word here is ‘bondage’. It has reference to the Ten Commandments which are meant to give Israel freedom. If Israel cleaved to obedience of the Law, they would never again be in bondage, physical or most importantly, spiritual. 

Thereafter, Moses made it a point to define the deliverance from Egypt as deliverance from ‘bondage’ (Det 6:12; 8:14; 13:5). After Jehovah confirmed to Joshua that he is to take charge of the Tribes and lead them to the promised land, He charged him to make the law the basis of all he did. He was not to vary from it or depart from it, all that he spoke was to conform to it, and he was to meditate upon it constantly (Joshua 1:5-8). Joshua followed these rules to the letter and like Moses, reminded Israel that they had been delivered from ‘the house of bondage’ in the land of Egypt (Joshua 24:17). He understood clearly what the God of Israel had done which made him a spiritual leader of God’s people as well as the physical one.

At the onset of conquest of the promised land, the mighty Jehovah spoke to Joshua and told him he is to conquer all the land from Lebanon to the river Euphrates (Joshua 1:4). In actuality, this meant the region south and southwest of the Lebanon mountains, north and east of Egypt, east of the Mediterranean coastal plain and west of the Arabian desert (OT Student Manual 1, p 236). In other words, the land that lay before Joshua was massive. Overwhelming, isn’t it? But Jehovah issued an admonition to Joshua to ‘be strong and of good courage’ three times (Joshua 1:6,7,9) assuring him: ‘I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee….be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest’ (vs 5,9).

And then the promise: Joshua was told that he must adhere strictly to the law of Moses and he shall have success (v 8) but not just any success, he was promised that his success would be so great that there shall not any man be able to stand before him all the days of his life (v 5). This Joshua did, obeying all of the Lord’s instructions with exactness (fascinating examples of this to look out for in his story). The result of his meticulous obedience?  A success unsurpassed:  the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country’ (Joshua 6:27).

We, of the House of Israel, are standing on the earth which is our ultimate promised land. This earth will one day be redeemed and sanctified from all unrighteousness that it may be prepared for the celestial glory, that the bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever and ever (D&C 88:17-20). This is our promised land. This is our ultimate forever home. 

Before each of us is the vastness of our mortal probation fraught with challenges and trials to conquer and overcome. It is also the ‘house of bondage’ from which the Saviour has delivered us through His atoning sacrifice if we will but obey the commandments, the path to unsurpassed freedom.....

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)

THE CITY OF ENOCH

 

“One of the most outstanding features of the society which Enoch established was the manner in which the Lord instructed him to combine the religious ideals of the people with certain divinely inspired economic principles. The successful practice of these principles resulted in a golden age of prosperity which continued throughout the earthly existence of this community – a total of three hundred and sixty-five years (Moses 7:68).” (W. Cleon Skousen, “The First Two Thousand Years”, p 173)

This golden age of the City of Enoch is the blueprint of New Jerusalem, the modern day Millenial Zion upon the American continent. Enoch’s city had another name: the City of Holiness, even Zion (Moses 7:19). There is only one reason why this city was called the City of Holiness and that’s because ‘the Lord came and dwelt with his people’ and ‘dwelt in the midst of Zion  (Moses 7:16;69). It was He who was the embodiment of holiness and not its people. Much like He will be in New Jerusalem.

When the Saviour comes and resides in New Jerusalem, “the need will disappear for the sun and the moon to give light to God’s covenant people. The Lord Himself will be an everlasting light…and all the city will be lighted up by the glory of His presence….” (Orson Pratt, in “Journal of Discourses”, 14:355-56; see also D&C 133:57-58)

Because the Saviour was there with the people of Enoch, they ‘were of one heart and one mind and dwelt in righteousness and there was no poor among them’ (v 18). This description tells us one thing: because the citizens of Zion were true followers of Christ, they were endowed with His pure love.

Without the pure love of Christ we can never become citizens of Celestial Kingdom. A Zion life-style prepares us for this eventuality. And here is something we need to know. This pure love is unique only to Christ. It is solely His kind of love. We do not possess it and neither are we capable of developing it. His pure love is an endowment on those who love Him and follow Him (Moroni 7:48). That’s the good news.

I am guessing that it took Enoch’s city 365 years of ‘walking with the Saviour’ to reach the state of holiness which ‘lifted them up, even into the bosom of the Father and of the Son of Man’ (Moses 7:24,69). Much like 1,000 Millenial years will prepare us for the same.

When the Saviour returns, those who are spared will be those who are only ‘more’ righteous than those who will not be spared, like the Nephites of old when he appeared to them after His resurrection (3 Nephi 9:13). There will be no perfect people on earth when He comes. Perfection only comes in and through Him. The Saviour will live with His saints upon this earth for a thousand years to perfect them through His grace and endow them with His pure love in preparation for the celestial realm.

When the Saviour returns, Enoch’s city will return with Him to live with Zion, the New Jerusalem (Moses 7:62). This is us. They will meet us there and “we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other” (Moses 7:63)….it will be a meeting of hearts knit together with the pure love of Christ. The Saviour is at the door….the Millennium imminent. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Divine Companion by Yongsung Kim)

THREE PILLARS OF ETERNITY: THE ATONEMENT

 

“You shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7). It is a pure gift – we have no right to it: we have proved our helplessness to achieve it and our unworthiness to possess it. Jesus Christ bought it for us: He paid the ransom price, He redeemed us when we could not redeem ourselves, and He gave us eternal life as a free gift. He has taught us how to qualify for the gift, but the gift itself we could never earn by our own efforts.” (Hugh Nibley, “Approaching Zion” p 137)

The above quote is the greatest understanding that I have received regarding the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the study of which can be overwhelming.  I don’t think we will ever come to understand how it was executed, in this life or even the next. It’s an experience exclusive to one person and to fully understand someone’s experience one has to be a partaker of it to some degree.

The best we can do is understand the three principal purposes of the Atonement:

1.      To restore all that was lost by the Fall of Adam which brought about physical death (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

2.      To overcome the first spiritual death by bringing us back into God’s presence to be judged and the second spiritual death for those who will repent (Helaman 14:16-18).

3.      To provide the power necessary to exalt us to the status of a god (D&C 76:69).

Much can be said about all three of these reasons but I would like to expound a little on the third one as I feel that exaltation is the main purpose of the Plan of Salvation. The role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ plus our own efforts of repentance is meant to produce one thing and that is not only to live with God the Father, but to become like Him. God the Father is not only a perfect, resurrected being but an exalted one, meaning He is God, therefore our goal is exaltation:

“To live with God does not assure us we will be like Him. All who live in the celestial kingdom dwell with God, but only those who are exalted become as He is. The objective of the Atonement is not just to cleanse us, but to so transform our lives and our way of thinking and acting that we become like God.” (Tad Callister, “The Infinite Atonement”, p 27)

What is the life of God the Father like? It is one of eternal joy in a marital capacity that never ends, being a co-creator of posterity and worlds without end with someone who loves you with a perfect love, a love that lasts forever and ever. This is the crowning blessing and the perfect state of a God. This is where we hail from and this is where the Atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ can take us to.

 My heart is full of love for Thee,

As I stand in awe of Thy Godly majesty,

The magnitude of worlds

And the stars of heaven

That roll upon their wings praising Thee.

The creation of man, a crowning glory

To Thy priesthood and Thy throne,

In endless praise of Thy name

In the splendour of Thy celestial home.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Worlds Without Number by Rose Datoc Dall) 

THE ADVOCATE

 

“We must always seek to be on the Lord’s side; but what good news it is to know that HE IS ON OUR SIDE.

“His powerful advocacy in our behalf is not limited to pleading our case before the Father, for “your advocate…knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted” (D&C 62:1).  It is the advocate’s role to present our case in its most favourable light, refuting the challenges of the adversary who opposes us and who presents our case in its worst possible light.

“Even in our thoughts about ourselves, we must resist the adversary’s attempts to convince us of our worthlessness by interpreting our life circumstances in a negative light; rather let us listen to him who knows our weaknesses fully yet believes in us more than we may believe in ourselves. What glorious news, not only that the greatest advocate of all is willing to represent those who are guilty, but also that he will take OUR case!

“I am the first and the last; I am your advocate with the Father….Therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice….Let the hearts of all my people rejoice.”  (D&C 110:4-6)”

-          Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Belonging Heart”, p 155

This should be the most comforting knowledge we could possibly have, especially for those of us who are hard on ourselves; and on those who have been damaged by life in some way and cannot lift their view of themselves onto higher ground. Know that, if not in this life, then in the next, we will be cleansed of all our sorrows and all the damage we have suffered at the hands of others will be washed away to make room for our eternal joy.

“And I John saw the holy city…and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new……I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:2-6)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Our Advocate by Jay Bryant Ward)

THE LINK

 

I wrote recently on how important the Church is in our preparation for Zion. The Church as an administrative institution is vital but the members of it even more so. If there were no members, there would be no Church.

There was a time when I was saved by two Wards I belonged to. The first was in my youth when I walked away from my family to be baptised and the second was following my divorce. I had never felt more loved and valued as I had in those two wards. I survived both crisis of enormous loss because of Church members who embraced me and would not let me become lost.

One of the greatest lessons I learnt from the Old Testament is the importance of belonging to a body of saints. Some of you will remember, when the children of Israel conquered the promised land following their captivity in Egypt, they were divided geographically by the River Jordan. The inhabitants of Canaan were ripe in iniquity and idol worship, and as a thorough and complete cleansing of the land was not achieved, they presented a very real threat to the covenant people (Joshua 23:11-16).

Among the first to receive land were the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Mannesah. They settled in the land of Gilead which divided them from the rest of Israel by the river Jordan (Numbers 34:14,15; Deuteronomy 3:12,13; Joshua 22:9). When these tribes settled they built an altar by that river.

When the rest of Israel heard of it they were outraged presuming the altar was built for idol worship. They sent Phineas, the son of Eleazor the priest, with the heads of the remaining tribes, to call these two and a half tribes to repentance. In their defense, these tribes explained that the altar was not made for any worship but was meant to stand as a witness to the rest of Israel that the tribe of Reuben, Gad and Mannesah were united with them in the worship of one true and living God.

These three tribes recognised that even though they were geographically divided from the rest, they were still a link in the chain. They knew that if they turned to the worship of other gods, the ripple effect would be detrimental to the whole House of Israel. They recognised the importance of unity in their righteousness.

Today the chain, being the Church of Jesus Christ, spreads across the globe. It unites me, who am an Australian, with you who are an American, European or African. It unites us through our faith in Him who is the Saviour of all, regardless of nationality, colour or culture.

Our faith in Christ and our commitment to that faith is our commonality. It creates a spiritual umbilical cord between us that tells us we are one. It tells us to be united in spirit, in love, in care, because you don’t know who you can one day save.

Next time you take the sacrament, think about every member in every ward in every stake in the world doing the same and that by it we are, like the Israelites of old "witnessing between us that the Lord is God" (Joshua 22:34) and thereby keeping the chain unbroken because one day this chain will bring us together to live with Him in Zion in preparation for the celestial kingdom of our eternal home.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Sacrament Meeting by Doc Christensen)

THE DESTINY OF ZION

 

When Elder Bruce C. Hafen was the Area President here in Australia he shared with me that the goal of the Church was at that time to prepare the members for Zion. That was some 25 years ago.

I learnt something important this year from Section 105 of the Doctrine and Covenants. I was reminded of Elder Hafen and I came to see how important the Church is as an organisation of the body of saints because of its leaders who are implementing this preparation.

We are told certain conditions need to be met before Zion can be established as ‘the bridge between the world as it is and the world as God designed it and meant it to be’ (Hugh Nibley, “Approaching Zion” p 4).

Firstly, the elders of the Church are to be endowed with power from on high that we the members might be taught more perfectly in order to develop more experience concerning our duties and what God requires of us (v 10,11).

There are some who believe they can be inactive in the Church and in the end show up at New Jerusalem’s gate expecting to live a Zion life. Imagine arriving to Zion without any experience behind you that would have taught you to be obedient to the leaders’ instructions and to be  united with other members of the Church community.

Zion can only be built ‘according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom’  (v 3-5). It is this law and this only that enables men to obey the law of consecration whereby they impart of their ‘substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and the afflicted’ (v 3). This was the success of the city of Enoch. Because they were of one heart and one mind they willingly met each other’s needs so there was no poor among them (Moses 7:18).

If God’s goal for the human family is unity, you can be assured that Satan’s is division. I don’t know how much progress we have made in the last 25 years since Elder Hafen was here. Right now the world is divided into left and right and contention and disunity is rife. President Nelson is constantly warning us against this because our destiny as the Church of Jesus Christ is great.

The celestial law that will get us to Zion is not just about obedience but also love. Love leads to unity. The Lord called the city of Enoch, Zion the Pure in Heart. The people of this city ‘walked’ with God (Moses 7:69) which means they were ‘true’ followers of Jesus Christ and as true followers of Jesus Christ they were endowed with the ‘pure’ love of Christ (Moroni 7:48).

This is the key: He leads and we follow. We follow His example of love, compassion, understanding, tolerance, respect, giving and ministering……today obedience, tomorrow Zion, the day after Celestial Kingdom. In Joseph’s words: “We are on the pathway to eternal fame, and immortal glory.” 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: As I Have Loved You by B. Laura Wilson)

THE PROMISE OF ZION

 

When the early saints were driven from their homes in Jackson Country, Missouri, in November 1833, they were reduced to the lowest poverty and they were grief stricken because they had lost their homes in Zion.

The failed protection by the Lord against the mobs was the result of one reason: they did not ‘hearken altogether unto the precepts and commandments’ which He had given them (D&C 103:4).

Even though the establishment of Zion failed in the early Church history, the promise of its inheritance stands and Zion’s restoration is still to come.  The Lord has promised this will happen ‘in time’ (v 20) and it will happen under one condition:

“….that day will not come until the members of the Church are willing to keep their covenants and walk unitedly, for until the members of the Church learn to walk in full accord and in obedience with all of the commandments, this day cannot come.

“It may be necessary in order to bring this to pass for the Lord to use drastic measures and cleanse the Church from everything that offends. This he has promised to do when He is ready to redeem Zion (See Matt 13:41).” (President Joseph Fielding Smith, “Church History and Modern Revelation”, 1:484; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 251)

This I believe, is the crowning glory of Zion’s redemption:

“….when we go back there will be a very large organization consisting of thousands, and tens of thousands, that will march forward and the glory of God overshadowing their camp by day in the form of a cloud, and a pillar of flaming fire by night, the Lord’s voice being uttered forth before His army…..and His people will go forth and build up Zion according to celestial law.

“The Lord says the banners of Zion shall be terrible….When the Lord’s presence is there…and the Lord’s angels go before the camp, it will be telegraphed to the uttermost parts of the earth and the fear will seize all people…..” (Elder Orson Pratt, “Journal of Discourses, 15:364)…..but the armies of heaven will be protecting the Saints in their return to Zion.”  (“History of the Church”, 2:381; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual P 250). Can you imagine it?

This return to Missouri to build Zion will be akin to Moses leading the children of Israel to their promised land (v 16). This will be an amazing sight to see but unlike Moses’ expedition which was not selective, the group returning to Missouri will be only those who live the law of the celestial kingdom because only they will be prepared to be led by the presence of the Lord (D&C 105:5)…..because how can you abide the presence of a celestial being if you are not one yourself?

He is our Shepherd of Israel

Who would not see us lost,

Who rescued our souls

Never counting the cost.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In His Keeping by Yongsung Kim)

A WITNESS

 

Perhaps the most known name for the Holy Ghost is The Comforter. He testifies and he comforts but did you know that he has another name that is perhaps the most important? This name is the Holy Spirit of Promise.

The Holy Ghost plays a more crucial part in our lives than we think. His role as the Holy Spirit of Promise means that we do not bypass him on our way to eternal glory…..Without his approval we, the covenant people, do not walk into celestial kingdom. His report to the Father of our individual obedience to the saving ordinances we have had performed for us is crucial. It makes me think of how Heavenly Father’s house is a house of order. All things are done to perfection and complete accuracy.

Here is the doctrinal role of the Holy Spirit of Promise:

“The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise (Acts 2:33). He confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts, ordinances, and covenants of men. The Holy Spirit of Promise witnesses to the Father than the saving ordinances have been performed properly and that the covenants associated with  them have been kept.

“They who are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise receive all that the Father has (D&C 76:51-60; Eph. 1:13-14). All covenants and performances must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to have force after this life (D&C 132:7,18-19,26)”  (Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Library)

And this is something that should interest us greatly:

“When Paul wrote that the Saints had been “sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise” (Ephesians 1:13), he meant that they had been promised eternal life even though they were still living in mortality. When people are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, the Holy Ghost ratifies (approves) them as celestial inheritors even though they are mortal.

“This doctrine is sometimes referred to as having one’s calling and election made sure or receiving the Second Comforter (see 2 Peter 1:4-19; D&C 132:6-7). (Bruce R. McConkie, “Doctrinal New Testament Commentary” 2:493-95; “History of the Church” 3:379-80)

The Godhead works in complete harmony to ensure the success of the Plan of Salvation and exaltation of the Father’s children. No mistakes can be made and justice is carried out perfectly. How incredibly reassuring it is to have the Holy Ghost as a witness of our good deeds and our righteousness. I am amazed how valuable he is and how undervalued to some of us. We should want him for our best friend: to enlighten us, to guide us, to comfort us and to lead us to life eternal.

 

ODE TO THE HOLY GHOST:

How silently, how diligently

You work for the salvation of men.

Your witness of my life

Written in your heart as with a holy pen.

When face to face one day we meet

I will kneel at your holy feet.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Beloved Son by Danny Hahlbohm)

STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS

 

I have come to see what an advantage it is to live on this planet of suffering. The worse it gets, the more uncomfortable we should feel. The more unhappiness we experience here, the more we will long for our true home.

If this life was a life of ease, plenty, and perfection, we would be quite satisfied to live in the telestial world forever and would not yearn for things of a better. We would not seek God and we would not make an effort to return to Him.

When we reach the point where we feel that we do not belong here, we are in good company. We are, like the ancients who feared and loved God, strangers and pilgrims on this earth (D&C 45:11-13; Jacob 7:26; Hebrews 11:4-13). A clear reminder to us that we should not get too comfortable here because we do not belong here.

To be cut off from the presence of God is the greatest tragedy there is. Cain considered his banishment from His presence more than he could bear (Genesis 4:13,14).

I think the Saviour knew in the beginning what it means to be cut off from Father’s presence forever. This is why He yearned to save us from this devastation, hence so much emphasis on the sheep that are ‘lost’.

How many tears will be shed on judgment day by ‘the lost’ when God’s presence is denied to them forever? Imagine how joyful will be some who enter His presence, to finally be home once again.

When the world gets you down, look up.

 

Some days You seem so near

And some days so far.

I long to see Your face,

To walk the clouds with You

With poise and godly grace.

 

I know You are there

Keeping at bay the darkness of despair

And gifting me memories of You

To fill the loneliness that I tearfully bear.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Artist Unknown)

THE ELECT

 

Joseph received the golden plates from Moroni eight months after he and Emma were married. From that moment on their lives were punctuated with persecution and trial.

Emma traveled with Joseph on many of his missionary journeys and shared with him the joy and sorrow that came with preaching of the gospel. The joy must have outranked the sorrow for Emma showed incredible strength during her trying life with Joseph. The Prophet’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, said this of her:

“I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal and patience, which she has ever done, for I know that which she has had to endure….she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils…which would have borne down almost any other woman.”  (History of Joseph Smith, pp 190-91)

In July of 1830, Joseph received a revelation for Emma known as section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants in which He called her ‘an elect lady’ (v 3). When Joseph organized the Relief Society on 17 March 1842, he appointed Emma as its first President and explained that to be ‘elect’ means to be elected to a certain work (History of the Church, 4:552-53).

When President Joseph F. Smith received his vision of the spirit world in 1918, he observed that many of the ‘noble and great ones were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God’ and that they ‘with many others  received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labour in His vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men’ (D&C 138:55-56). I believe this is when Emma was elected.

What a worthy woman Emma she must have been long before this world began to head the female contribution to the ‘wonderful work and a wonder’. Besides her work in the Church, her support to Joseph in his calling was equal in part to his accomplishments. She was there body and soul and did not shirk to give anything that was asked of her. She stands at the head of all the valiant women of this Church who have laboured for the salvation of the human race.

This is what I see in Emma: when the Saviour opened this last dispensation, He did not forget His valiant sisters. He enlisted us to work alongside the priesthood in establishing His Church to make available the priesthood ordinances of salvation. What a privilege it is to be harnessed with Him in this important work of salvation for the human family.

We, the sisters, will stand as a symbol of righteousness and spiritual endeavour of Zion when the King of Kings returns to reign. And long after this earth is rolled together as a scroll, we will stand as queens and priestesses in the celestial kingdom of our God forever.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Emma's Hymns by Liz Lemon Swindle)

 

 

 

HOLY WITHOUT SPOT

 

 

As the Saints of the Most High through baptism and spiritual re-birth, we have two destinies.

The first is the New Jerusalem where we can enjoy the peaceful fruits of the Millenium and the second is our ultimate destiny in the celestial kingdom of our God. It would seem that both of these have a condition upon which we can arrive at both.

The Prophet Ether spoke at great length about the destiny of America and the New Jerusalem that will be built upon it. And this is the condition: “”…..and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the Lamb….(Ether 13:10).

John the Revelator spoke of the ultimate destiny, the celestial kingdom, which he saw in a vision, populated with ‘a great multitude, clothed with white robes, who came out of great tribulation and had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’ (Revelation 7:9,14).

This washing of our garments is a figure of speech representing sanctification for forgiveness of sins. According to Moroni, sanctification is a process that looks like this: come unto Christ, deny yourself of all ungodliness, love God to receive His grace, seek forgiveness, recognize His power, receive remission of your sins, become holy without spot (Moroni 10:32-33).

The reward of the process of sanctification through which we wash our garments pure through the blood of Christ is without price. The alternative doesn’t bear thinking and the alternative is this. If we do not sanctify ourselves through Christ’s redemptive power, we are destined to spiritual suffering beyond our comprehension by paying for our sins ourselves (D&C 19:4,15-18; Mosiah 2:38).

Understanding suffering has been a quest of mine for some years. I’ve tried to understand why suffering is so encapsulated in mortality and why it is so necessary for salvation. Through the Inspired Version of Hebrews 11:40a, we learn that without sufferings we cannot be made perfect.

Over the years I have gleaned some of the reasons for this necessity for perfection from my personal life and from the scriptures: suffering is a great teacher which refines our character developing in us attributes such as patience and tolerance; suffering teaches us to reflect on Christ’s suffering for us; suffering can prove our character and faith in God through trials as in Job; suffering can foster our faith in God and the power of His deliverance.

The greatest lesson I have learnt however, was the one I received through revelation. It was given me to understand that suffering in this life gives us a glimpse into spiritual suffering and anguish of soul we would have to bear if we did not repent of our sins and take advantage of Christ’s power of redemption…..hence the necessity to wash our garments in the blood of Christ.

The avoidance of spiritual suffering should not be our only motivation but THIS should be: “……the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

When He comes, we will be His when He makes up His jewels (Malachi 3:17) and we will shine forth as fair as the sun having been washed clean to dwell in the Kingdom of our God, now and forever.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Washed by the Blood by Danny Hahlbohm)

 

 

INHERITANCE

 

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  (3 Nephi 12:5)

“As things are now constituted, the meek do not inherit the earth; even He who said of himself, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt 11:29) had in fact no place of his own to lay his head. This world’s goods were of little moment to him, and he had neither gold nor silver nor houses nor lands, nor kingdoms……The meek – those who are the God-fearing and the righteous – seldom hold title to much of that which appertains to this present world.

“But there will be a day when the Lord shall come to make up his jewels; there will be a day when Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the faithful of ancient Israel shall dwell again in old Canaan; and there will be also an eventual celestial day when ‘the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.” (D&C 88:17)

There are some of us, if not many of us who do not own a house and therefore not an inch of this earth is ours. As much as some of us try to cling to our earthly abode and our possessions, we are all, regardless of our possessions, just passing through. We are like the people of Enoch’s city who felt like strangers and pilgrims on this earth (D&C 45:11-13). Jacob described the early Nephites as ‘a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem and born in tribulation and wilderness (Jacob 7:26), and Paul described the faithful ancients who ‘died in faith, not having received the promises…and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth’ (Hebrews 11:13).

This is not our true home but there will come a day when all that will change. In the Millenial reign for one, there will be no poor among us and we will all own something of this earth. But that is just the beginning, when the Millenium ends, this earth will be sanctified and celestialized and ‘crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father….that bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it forever….(D&C 88:18-20). I want to own a parcel of that earth.

I have not owned a home for the past 30 years. Some years ago when I was drowning in self-pity trying to figure out where I could live next, I remembered the Saviour and His lustre-lack earthly life. It gave me so much comfort to know that I was not less because I had no home of my own. I wrote the following poem in gratitude of His loving care of me for He has provided for me better than I could ever have done on my own. Until I kneel at His feet on the celestialized earth, I will wander….

 

You send me wherever You want me to go;

Over plains, seas and roughest roads.

I am dismayed I have

To wander in search of my bed;

Then I remember foxes had holes

And the birds of the air had nests

But You had nowhere to lay down Your head.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Joseph Brickey)

A CALL TO RISE

 

Many of us are wondering how much more wicked does the world have to become before the Saviour makes His appearance. The thing is, it's not the state of the world that will determine that but the state of us, His people. Not until Zion can be established among us will the Saviour be able to come. And since the Lord works through us and He honours our free agency, our wickedness or righteousness can impede or accelerate His work (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, p 258).

Section 105 of Doctrine and Covenants tells us that the early Saints failed to establish Zion and were driven from their inheritances in Missouri because they failed to comply with the order of consecration. In other words, their hearts were not right to live the principles of the Celestial Kingdom. Since Zion is THE PURE IN HEART, there is no Zion where there is no purity of heart. What does being pure in heart mean? Elder McConkie taught that living by the principles of the Celestial Kingdom means living by the law of the gospel because through it men are sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, thus becoming clean, pure, and spotless (Mormon Doctrine, p 117). But there is more....being pure in heart means having the pure love of Christ within you.

This is the pure love of Christ: It means having no motive for self-advancement. Think for a moment of the Saviour and what He volunteered to do. There was no self-advancement in His sacrifice, He didn't need it, He was already a God. We were the only ones who received advancement through His sacrifice. Until we come to the point where we can be selfless like He is and care about others as much as we care about ourselves, we will not be fit enough to live a Zion life in the Millenium. Zion cannot be redeemed, meaning we cannot expect to live there, until such a time as this and until this can happen, the Saviour cannot come. So you see it is up to us to make this happen.

It is time for us to stop worrying about the state of the world and start focusing on our state of being and on our worthiness. Now is the time for us, the House of Israel, to walk the path the Saviour has paved; to become as He is; to seek the purity of heart that He has; to become a Zion people. It is time for us to RISE.

I gave you my all;

My heart, my body, my soul,

Your salvation to ensure.

I paved the way and opened the gate,

Come and take my hand;

Eat and do not hunger,

Drink and do not thirst.

I am in your midst;

I am the only,

I am the last,

And I am the first.

• Cathryne Allen

(Art: Dr. Ashraf Fekry)

ENCIRCLED IN THE ARMS OF HIS LOVE

This week we have witnessed the unthinkable happen in our midst - a mother had discarded her newborn baby and committed him to the depths of the city drain to suffer the inevitable fate which she had decided upon. Whether the mother was of a sound mind or not is irrelevant to this here insight. Those of us who have been privileged to become mothers are all too familiar with the strong emotional bond and love a mother feels for her helpless newborn baby. Equally strong is the driving force within a mother to nurture her infant so that it might continue to have life. It is not surprising therefore that the Saviour of all mankind would use the metaphor of motherhood to impress upon us His enduring compulsion to save us unto Himself. I think the Saviour foresaw our day and this incident with the discarded infant and He spoke to us who live here and now though this scripture so that we may ever understand His commitment to us, His children:

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yeah, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, they walls are continually before me." (Isaiah 49:15-16)

What was the Saviour saying? That it is more likely for a mother to forsake her newborn child, as unthinkable as that is, than for Him to forsake us; that we will never be discarded; that we will never not be wanted; that we alone remove ourselves from His presence. Other than to obtain a body, Christ did not need the experience of mortality. Through His perfect obedience to the Father He was exalted and became a God in His own right whilst in His First Estate. As the firstborn of the Father He stood to inherit all that the Father hath but Celestial Kingdom can be a lonely place without those that you love and He had loved us. And so His infallible love for us, his siblings, produced another reason for Him to enter mortality and thereby become the author of our salvation.

The Saviour longs for the lowliest of us, to make us His own. He longs to encircle us in the arms of His love, to take us home, to have us with Him forever. To this end was He born. To this end came He into the world, to save the world. Do you know how priceless you are? Do you know how beloved you are? Your destiny does not lie in the sewers of this telestial world but in celestial realms above. Your destiny lies in the inheritance of thrones, principalities and dominions in the Celestial Kingdom of our Father. The Saviour lives and He will return and when He does the obedient will become jewels in His crown and will be "...crowned with honour, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life" (D&C 75:5). For this purpose were we born, for this purpose was He lifted. For this purpose He seeks us from all corners of the earth and beckons us with this promise:

"Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." (D&C 6:20)