A CLEAR VIEW

 

My greatest point of gratitude as a member of the Church is my access to the true doctrine and in turn, the ultimate truth. I don’t know of any other Church that has the amount of scripture that we do. I am surprised though that not everyone in the Church takes advantage of this.

We have The Book of Mormon, The Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price to correlate between to get a clear view of the doctrine of Christ and in turn the mysteries of His kingdom.

I love the Bible because it speaks to my Israelite roots. Having been raised in Croatia, I relate to the pastoral way of life. I know what harvests are and what seasonal festivals are and what shepherds are. And I understand many spiritual truths that were taught by the Saviour using the metaphors that related to the agrarian way of life.

My favourite book of scripture is the Old Testament. I love history and historically and spiritually speaking, it covers amazing events and people. Most importantly, it is the root of the covenant that we as the House of Israel live by. It is the place I go to meet father Abraham for an example of righteousness and devotion to Jehovah.

The New Testament is to me the most spiritually charged book of scripture because it is about Christ and His mortal life and His supreme sacrifice.

I understand the importance of the Book of Mormon as the second witness of Jesus Christ and I understand why the members of the Church read this book the most. It is so much easier to understand than the challenging texts of the Bible. I love the way it clarifies a lot of Christ’s doctrine.

I say the Bible texts are challenging because as Joseph said, “certain errors had crept into the Bible through ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests” (Joseph Smith Teachings, p 327). Joseph understood this so well that he invested himself into correcting, under inspiration, a lot of incorrect translations contained therein. There is a scripture, in my opinion, that is primarily the reason he saw fit to do this.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Joseph corrected this scripture to read: “And all scripture given by inspiration of God……” (JST 2 Timothy 3:16a). A huge difference in just one simple word such as ‘is’.  Such a subtle correction but it completely alters the meaning and proves Joseph’s theory. I revel in studying the Bible and finding new gems such as this.

And this might blow your socks off. Joseph also said that the book of Revelation is ‘one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written’ (in “History of the Church”, 5:342). There is only one explanation for this belief which comes from Bruce R. McConkie:

“…only those enlightened by the power of the Holy Ghost gain the full meaning and intent of the written word, for scripture is both given and understood by the same holy power, the power that comes from the Lord through his Spirit.” (“Mortal Messiah 2”, 267-8). This is the ultimate way of being taught.

The second is the prophets. If we truly believe that Joseph Smith was the prophet of this dispensation, we will retreat to his translation of the Bible more often for greater understanding. And Doctrine and Covenants testifies that he was…..

The Saviour would have us know and understand His doctrine of salvation. His word is not an important word, His word is the ONLY word….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Master Blueprint by Mindi Oaten)

THE LIVING WORD

 

I did some research on why the scriptures are called ‘the living word of God’ and here is what I have found: they are given by revelation and understood by revelation and revelation cannot be dead for as long as God lives; they are given to men by a living God; they possess a dynamic and the transformative power that continues to speak to men from every time and culture to convince, inspire and guide; they possess a power to penetrate to the core of a person’s being to induce personal transformation.

I have a close friend who has told me more than once that if it wasn’t for the Book of Mormon, she would no longer be alive. I assume the Book of Mormon gave her the will to live in her darkest moments. I can relate to this and I can testify of the power of the entire sacred canon of scripture to help us survive the darkness. This is what the living word of God means to me.

There was a time 30 years ago when I thought my life was over. I was in the darkest abyss and wanted to end it. Then I made a decision that liberated me from the most painful situation I have ever been in and I turned to the scriptures to understand how to come to God who could deliver me from the excruciating pain I was in.

In my searching of the scriptures, I found the Christ, of whom they testify, at a much deeper level than ever before (John 5:39; 3 Nephi 23:5). I learnt who He really is as the Saviour of our souls and what power He has to restore us to life. I learnt all about the Atonement and how it can save us from adverse situations in mortality and how through it we can be raised to immortality through the power of the resurrection.  I learnt that my life was not over but that it was just beginning. The scriptures gave me life.

The more I studied, the more I craved the power to live that it gave me. It is a life line I still cannot do without. Not only did it give me a desire to live but it brought me to one person I now cannot live without. In my 30 years of scripture study, I have seen the Saviour on every page. I have seen who He is and what He is like.

In the Old Testament I see the merciful Jehovah; in the New Testament I see the loving Saviour; in the Book of Mormon I see the promised Messiah; in the Doctrine and Covenants I see the powerful God and in the Pearl of Great Price I see the dutiful Son and Redeemer of all mankind. And in all this I see life……given by the living Christ.

 

I stand in awe of Your sacrifice

And Your soul’s pain;

The body freely given

For nothing of You to remain.

 

I ache, I ache,

Knowing the cost;

Then I hear Your living word

And I am comforted

Knowing nothing is lost. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Living Word by Danny Hahlbohm)

A LAMP UNTO OUR FEET

 

There are two valuable privileges that we have in the Church that go together as well as bacon and eggs. I speak of the scriptures and revelation. This is my favourite subject and this is why, they both involve the heart to be understood. I have a personal testimony of this because I understand the scriptures more emotionally than intellectually.

I always thought we are all wired differently so my understanding comes differently to others but it would seem the operative word in the scriptures and revelation is ‘the heart’, which we all have:

“Revelation comes as words we FEEL more than HEAR. Nephi told his wayward brothers, who were visited by an angel, “Ye were past feeling, that ye could not FEEL his words” (1 Nephi 17:45). The scriptures are full of such expressions as: “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart” (D&C 8:2), or “Speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts” (D&C 100:5). There are hundreds of verses which teach thus of revelation.”  (Boyd K. Packer, in CR Oct 1994, p 77, Ensign Nov 1994, p 60)

But this is not all, something is needed of us who are listening: “Nephi teaches us, “When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost, the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth [the message] unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Please notice how the power of the spirit carries the message UNTO but not necessarily INTO the heart.

“A teacher can explain, demonstrate, persuade, and testify, and do so with great spiritual power and effectiveness. Ultimately, however, the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if the receiver allows them to enter. (Elder David A. Bednar, “Seek Learning by Faith” [An Evening with Elder David A. Bednar], Feb 3, 2006] www.ldsces.org

It is obvious from these two quotes that we ultimately receive the most knowledge and understanding from the scriptures and revelation combined together with our willingness to receive and incorporate into our lives the truth that is given.

When Jesus taught the people of Capernaum, He taught them in parables. The Gospel of Mark says: “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.” (Mark 4:33) Joseph Smith changed the word ‘hear’ in the Inspired Version to “bear’ ( v 33a). To bear something involves the mind and the heart.

What we are given in the scriptures is meant for all of us. In fact the Lord confirms this several times in the Doctrine and Covenants by saying: “This is my voice unto all” (25:16) and “I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all” (D&C 61:18; 82:5; 92:1; 93:49. The revelation that we receive though whilst hearing what He tells us adapts the needful application to each of us as we need it and tells us how we can utilize it. Unless we are open to the revelation that follows, we are missing out on the real purpose of the scriptures.

I see your eternal flame

in the deepest caverns of my heart.

Your words are a lamp unto my feet;

The pillar of fire that keeps me warm

The beacon of light that will lead me home.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art:  Light of the World by Douglas Bentley)

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)

A CLEAR VIEW

 

Over the years as I have studied the scriptures, I have become extremely grateful for the spiritual gift of translation that was given to Joseph, the Prophet of the Restoration. As much as I love the Old Testament and the Bible in its entirety, I am more than grateful for the brilliance of the Book of Mormon because of its singular process of translation.

This is something Joseph said that I have come to have a testimony of: “Certain errors had crept into the Bible through ‘ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests” (Joseph Smith Teachings, p 327). For this reason, I have been very invested in Joseph’s translation of the Bible passages that have given me a much clearer view.

Sometimes it is just a word that has been corrected that has made so much difference to my understanding. Consider these few:

-        Speaking of Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, who introduced the worst form of idol worship and caused the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel, Revelation 2:22 says: I will cast her into a bed….the JST corrects that to read, I will cast her into a HELL.

-        In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable….” Joseph’s translation takes just one word out and totally alters the meaning. The JST reads: “And all scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable”.

Here are a couple of examples with much weightier matters:

-        “God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). JST: For unto such hath God promised his spirit. And they who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth.

-        This is my favourite and one which has almost evolved into a doctrinal theory in the Church. It actually enrages me. In Mark 14:33 we read that the Saviour was sore amazed at the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. This has caused some prolific writers in the Church to elaborate on how the Saviour knew cognitively what He must do but not experientially. The theory is that He had no idea how bad it was going to be. I would like to challenge this belief.

In JST Mark 14:36, we read: “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden, and THE DISCIPLES began to be sore amazed….” Yes, He admitted He wished the cup to be removed because it was so bad but He never said He was caught unawares (D&C 19:18-19).

This is why I discredit this theory of Him not knowing. When did we start to believe that a God didn’t know something??? When the pre-mortal Christ introduced himself to Abraham He said: “I am Jehovah and I know the end from the beginning….” (Abraham 2:8). A god who creates worlds without number cannot possibly be lacking in something. It’s unfathomable to me.

I also believe that Jesus was apprised of the exact torture of the Atonement during his 40 days of fasting at the onset of His ministry. Scripturally, “number 40 represents a period of trial, testing, probation, or mourning” (Gaskill, “The Lost Language of Symbolism”, 137). Think about that.

The Saviour was a God before His mortal life. He was not someone who got caught up in the enthusiasm of the Plan of Salvation so He volunteered! Saying that He didn’t understand something until He experienced it is like bringing Him down to humanity’s level. This is just an earthly view that excludes godly capability. His godly knowledge in pre-mortal life makes His voluntary suffering and death even more worthy or our gratitude, adoration and worship. I bow before such a God….the lover of my soul…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In Him Is All Wisdom and Knowledge by Greg Collins)

A LIFELINE OF GRACE

I was looking at my missionary photos yesterday and I got in touch with who I was back then. So young, so naïve, so inexperienced, so hopeful for the future. Life tends to knock that eagerness out of you, however, as you get older and live through heartache, hardship, trials, loss, sacrifice. I do love that clueless, inexperienced, young missionary I once was though. She made right choices even back then which brought me to this place I am in now.

There was a time in my life when I felt I had nothing to live for. It was thirty years ago. I had just divorced and I was hanging by a thread. I felt my life was in ruins. The emotional pain I was in was excruciating. I knew God was my only answer for survival. This is when the scriptures became my saving grace. I began to study them in depth, for hours at a time.

They who testified of Christ gave me strength to rise above the ashes of my life. I began to recover and to hope for 'life eternal because of my faith in him according to the promise' (Moroni 7:41). They renewed me because of Him who brings life to all that is dead and recovers all that is lost.

The more I studied the scriptures, the more my testimony of Christ grew because I was seeing Him on every page. In the Old Testament, I could see the merciful Jehovah who put up with the backsliding Israel; in the New Testament I could see a loving Saviour who gave all of himself to the undeserving; in the Book of Mormon, I saw the caring, resurrected Christ who never forgets His people; in the Doctrine and Covenants, I saw the majestic exalted God who prepares us for His return; in the Pearl of Great Price, I saw the pre-mortal Christ, the hope of all creation.

Seeing the Saviour so clearly in the scriptures gave me faith that He could restore me to wholeness. I began to see that my life was not over, that with Him by my side, I would survive and I would flourish.

God began to speak to me through the scriptures all those years ago. When I needed to hear Him loud and clear, I would allow the scriptures in my hands to open at a random page and see there exactly what I needed to know. To this day this is my favourite way of receiving answers.

Here is a story that proves my point:

“A man whose business was failing terribly and who was so deep in trouble was contemplating suicide. As a last resort he went to a priest who advised him to take a beach chair and a Bible to the water's edge, put the Bible on his lap, to open it and let the wind rifle the pages and when it rests on a page he should read the first words he sees. He assured him this will be his answer that will tell him what to do.

“A year later this same businessman went back to the priest in apparent affluence and success. The priest asked him if he did what he instructed him to do. The man assured him he did.

"You sat on a beach chair with the Bible in your lap?"

"Absolutely"

"You let the pages rifle until they stopped?"

"Absolutely"

"And what were the first words you saw?"

"Chapter II"

 

(Author Unknown)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Liz Lemon Swindle)

 

 

 

 

BURNING HEARTS

 

“Did not our hearts burn within us…….while he opened to us the scriptures?” was the heartfelt reflection of two believers who enjoyed the company of the resurrected Christ on the road to a village called Emmaus (Luke 24:32). Some historians believe one of these travelers was Luke himself who recounted the story in such amazing detail.

The story goes that the Saviour joined two men, post resurrection, travelling to Emmaus, who were discussing the hottest topic of the day, His possible resurrection. The travelers told Him they ‘trusted’ the Galilean was the Messiah who would redeem Israel but were now sceptical because He had died (v 21). It would seem that nobody besides Isaiah understood the necessity of His death.

The Saviour was gracious even though He chided them for their disbelief (v 25). He then expounded to them all that was prophesied of Him ‘beginning at Moses and all the prophets’ (v27). His point was, ‘how is it that you know the scriptures but you don’t believe them’???

Perhaps the disbelief came from the lack of understanding that the Messiah would be a ‘suffering servant’ before He is the King of Glory (Isaiah 53; 9:6,7)

This lack of understanding and ensuing confusion about His death would explain why their eyes were restrained from recognising the resurrected Christ (Luke 24:16a). It was not until the Saviour administered the sacrament to them that they fully understood who He was (v 35). It was then that they reflected on their burning hearts as they listened to Him expound the scriptures. The lesson is this: the ‘burn’ comes from only one place: The Holy Ghost.

The lesson is also this: the Holy Ghost is with us still. It is he who can open our eyes and our hearts so that we will not only believe but KNOW Christ. And where is Christ most if not in the scriptures? If we study the scriptures without the presence of the Holy Ghost we are just building upon our knowledge and not our testimony. We need to feel ‘the burn’ to know.

As you travel on your personal road to Emmaus may the scriptures be burnt upon the tablets of your heart and may you know, and not just believe, that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He is the Resurrection and the life. He is the Redeemer of your soul. He is the sacred road to your burning heart…..

I gave you My all:

My heart, my body, my soul.

I paved the way

And conquered death.

I am in your midst;

I am the only,

I am the last,

And I am the first.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Road to Emmaus by Liz Lemon Swindle)

MINISTERING ANGEL

 

 

When the Saviour granted John’s wish to remain on earth until the Second Coming, He said He would make him ‘a ministering angel’ for the heirs of salvation who live on the earth (D&C 7:6).

I have often wondered what form of service that ministering would take and then I discovered something which has had a far wider influence in the world than anything else The Beloved could have done in person:

“Five of the books of the Bible were written by John: the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. The world’s most widely distributed book is the Bible, portions of which have been translated into 2,233 languages as of 2000. It has been estimated that between 1815 and 1999 some 3.88 billion Bibles were printed (see Guinness World Records 2002, p 138). Certainly, John’s written prophecy has gone forth among the nations” (Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual, p 17).

The Bible is the best-selling book in the world, with an estimated 5 billion copies sold so far. Imagine what John the Beloved has done and continues to do for Christianity throughout the world. His writing continues to influence, uplift, inspire and teach Christians everywhere.

A couple of years ago I had a sister in the Church comment on one of my posts telling me that I should stop preaching to the choir and get out to teach the unconverted. I reminded her that even the choir needs converting from time to time.

It gives me comfort that John’s writing ministers for ‘the heirs of salvation’. I consider myself one of those heirs having accepted Christ as my Saviour and Redeemer. I can tell you that I need to be comforted, inspired and taught by the word of God just as much as those who are yet not converted.

The word of God does not discriminate between the children of God. We are all equally in need of spiritual nourishment. I find that in the scriptures. I don’t know where I would be if the prophets and scribes of old did not keep records of prophecies and accounts of inspiring events and men and women of valour.

I could go on and on about the importance and purpose of scriptures. They that are given by inspiration from God make us wise unto salvation, they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:15,16, JST 16a). But I suspect you know all this because you are the converted……

This, however, is what I consider John’s ministering amounting to: “…..the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in my own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect. For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep; and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.” (D&C 35:20,21).

Who are the elect? They are the heirs of salvation, they are those who know Christ, they are those who love Him and obey Him, they are the ones who will be saved and they are the ones who are preparing for His appearing.

I am certain this was the Beloved’s intent every time he sat down to write. I am certain he wanted to bring to us the Christ that he knew and loved…..to bolster our faith, to keep us believing and hoping, to help us look forward to that day when He shall come in His glory to gather us in the arms of His love….to save us….to take us home.

Cherish the scriptures, feast upon the words of Christ and feel ministered to……

Daily I stand in my holy place

As I feast upon Thy word,

Ever hopeful I will meet You there,

Thy Spirit to embrace

And the cares of this world to arrest.

I reach for You in darkness

And step up to heaven’s door;

I am bathed in light

And am granted entrance to Your heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Uplift the World by Eva Koleva Timothy)

HEAVEN'S VOICE

 

 

Since God loves all His children and wants them all saved, the very first chapter of the Doctrine and Covenants indicates that this book of scripture is a voice of warning to the entire inhabitants of the earth, that God will not be mocked and judgment awaits us all.

The major theme of this book is to prepare for that judgment. The word ‘prepare’ is mentioned over 90 times throughout this book of scripture.  

The message to the world is this:

1.      In this day and age where people at large, even in most corners of Christendom, believe that revelation has ceased, the Lord has parted the heavens once again and continues to commune with humanity. In verse 30, the Lord describes His Church as ‘the only true and living Church’. The Church has a life, because it has living prophets to administer to it through revelation. It does not operate on dead doctrine.

2.      It is an offer of sanctuary to anyone who will come out of the world, repent and enter into the covenants of salvation. Doctrine and Covenants basically says this to the world: I will return; these are the signs of my return; if you will repent and come into my kingdom and make covenants with me, they will lead you to salvation and life eternal. If not, you will reap the rewards of your deeds. The warnings and promises are the same for Church members.

It is amazing to me that a book which contains such strong warnings for our day and contains such important doctrine is judged and rejected so readily, and for one reason: it encompasses the history of the Church. This is a thorn in the flesh of non-members and inactive members alike.

When I was doing my University degree, I studied a lot of history subjects. One of my history professors told us one day to be careful about judging history. He said even though history is factual it is in reality subjective because it is written by humans from humans’ perspective.

Very often we tend to judge people and past events by today’s standards and we readily disparage those who are dead because they are not here to defend themselves. We have no idea what it was like to live 1,000 or even 100 years ago.

We don’t understand the cultural differences, limitations and difficulties people lived with and what impact that all had on their mentality and understanding of the human experience, just as they could not relate to the liberties and privileges of our society today.

When it comes to the Church, we cannot understand the cultural, religious or socio-economic impact of the 1800s on the society of its day.

We cannot relate to being tarred and feathered today where human rights are the rule of the day. We cannot relate to pushing a cart across our continent and leaving our dead children in the frozen ground along the way in a day where airplanes, trains and cars take us wherever we want to go. We cannot relate to not having supermarkets full of food and having to till the ground for our survival.

We do not know what went on in the hearts and minds of people who went before us. We only know what others could see of them and write about them. That’s history. Highly subjective. When I think of Joseph and all he went through from the age of 14 and now see what is written about him, it makes me want to weep.

Imagine the disbelief, the mockery, the aversion towards Joseph when he dared to tell others of his experience. God had parted the heavens and chose him to speak to! Not a professor, not a doctor, not anyone educated and on the pillar of society, but just a man, a humble man, a teachable man, a willing man. “Fools mock, but they shall mourn……” (Ether 12:26)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Joseph Smith at Saviour's Feet by Liz Lemon Swindle)

CHRIST IN PROPHECY

 

We are in the currents of celebrating the first fulfilment of the Messianic Prophecy. Isaiah’s prophecy of Christ foretold of ‘the suffering servant’ who would be a ‘man of sorrows’, one who stands ‘as a sheep before his shearers, and one who takes our transgressions upon Himself (Isaiah 53). This ‘suffering servant’ was the babe in the manger, of lowly birth, yet of godly descent, the Christ child whom the angels heralded into this fallen world.

The second part of the Prophecy speaks of the Messiah as the “King of Glory”. This prophecy foretells His Second Coming when He will subdue all enemies under His feet; put down all kingdoms, will sit on the throne of David, and ‘the government shall be upon his shoulder’ (Isaiah 9:6). This is yet to come.

When we think of the ‘Messianic prophecies’, we usually think of the prophets and the scriptures, but in truth, every believer in Christ has a part in these prophecies.

“Every proper and perfect prayer uttered by a righteous man, woman, or child, from the day Adam stepped through Eden’s portals into his lone and dreary habitation, to the day the angelic hosts acclaimed the birth of God’s own Son, was in fact a Messianic prophecy.

“The mere saying, with sincerity and understanding, of the words of the prayer itself constituted a Messianic affirmation…..thus witnessing that they knew that salvation came through Him and His atoning blood.

“Similarly, every true prayer today is a reaffirmation that Jesus is the Lord and that through His blood the believing saints are redeemed.

“And so with every baptism, every priesthood ordination, every patriarchal blessing, every act of administering to the sick, every divine ordinance or performance ordained of God, every sacrifice, symbolism, and similitude; all that God ever gave to His people – all was ordained and established in such a way as to testify of His Son and center the faith of believing people in Him and in the redemption He was foreordained to make.

“The words of those who have spoken of Christ since He lived upon this earth, and believed in His coming, are ‘Messianic testimonies’……in fulfilment of the prophecies of His birth and His Second Coming..”  (Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, 26,27

Every testimony we bear of Christ, every prayer we utter, and every act done in His name, affirms that Christ lived and that He will return. Each time we do so, we confirm the fulfilment of the Messianic Prophecy of His birth and the Messianic Hope of His Second Coming. Every man, woman and child who believes and lives with expectation of salvation through His name, has the power of prophecy.

I worshipped You in heaven

As my Saviour and my King.

I knew Your holy suffering

Would pay for everything.

 

I rejoiced when I heard Your sweet cry

In the warmth of the stable,

The beginning of Your journey

To the sacrificial table.

 

I awaited anxiously to see all

That You would do,

And I wept bitterly

When the cross claimed You.

 

But when You returned in triumph

With trumps echoing Your fame

I was amazed at the price You paid

For the value of my name!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art by ZENART07)

A WITNESS OF HIS NAME

 

“It will be observed that the testimonies concerning the birth of the Messiah are from two extremes, the lowly shepherds in the Judean field, and the learned magi from the far east. We cannot think this is the result of mere chance, but that in it may be discerned the purpose and wisdom of God.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 108)

And so to the populace of Israel that was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, as prophesied, God sent the witness of shepherds who watched over their flock when the hope of Israel entered the world.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass….and when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child” (Luke 2:15,17)

“But there were classes of people among the Jews whom these lowly shepherd witnesses could not reach….and had they been able to reach them, the story of the angel’s visit, and the concourse of angels singing…would doubtless have been accounted as an idle tale of superstitious folk….Hence God raised up another class of witnesses – the wise men from the east – witnesses that could enter the royal palace of proud King Herod and proud priests of Judea (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 109).

When apostle Paul defended his testimony of Christ, he said to King Agrippa that he only witnessed to ‘both small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come’. And then he reiterated that these things that were prophesied of Christ were not ‘done in a corner’. In other words, all that was prophesied of Him came true and are known because they were not hidden (Acts 26:22-26).

Such is the importance of witnesses. God does not do anything in secret. Neither is He oblivious to the fact that mere mortals cannot exercise such exceeding faith that prophecies, warnings and witnesses would not be needed and so he provides it all and we fail to believe often even with all three. Such has been the disbelief in the resurrection of Christ despite many witnesses who were resurrected after Him (Matthew 27:51-53).

When Jesus prayed for His apostles during the intercessory prayer, He said: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word….that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20,21). This is us, we are those who believe through the testimony of the prophets, old and new.

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:30,31). And so the scriptures become the greatest witness to the world of the reality of Christ.

Every act of faith, every moment of trust, every revelation, every answer to prayer, every knowledge of truth we acquire, every good thing that builds our testimony in Christ is propelled into the world to open the eyes of some unbeliever. 

We too are witnesses…..

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Tender Shepherd by Eva Koleva Timothy)

THE ROAD

 

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart, mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel.”

-        President Spencer W. Kimball (as quoted from Seek The Spirit of the Lord by Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign April 1988, p 2)

Nothing testifies to me more of the importance of scriptures than the story of the Saviour meeting two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus post resurrection. The travellers told Him they ‘trusted’ the Galilean was the Messiah who would redeem Israel but were now sceptical because He had died (Luke 24:21).

The Saviour was gracious even though He chided them for their unbelief (v 25). He then expounded to them all that was prophesied of Him ‘beginning at Moses and all the prophets’ (v27). His point was, ‘how is it that you know the scriptures but you don’t believe them’?

These two disciples indeed came to believe. Upon heartfelt reflection they identified how: “Did not our hearts burn within us….while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

Luke tells us that these disciples’ eyes were restrained from knowing Him (v 16a). Could it be that it was more important for Jesus that they believed on Him through the scriptures than through showing them His resurrected body because the lesson is this: the ‘burn’ comes from only one place: The Holy Ghost.

The lesson is also this: the Saviour is in our midst STILL through the medium of The Holy Ghost. It is he who can open our eyes and our hearts so that we will not only believe but KNOW Christ. And where is the Christ most if not in the scriptures? If we study the scriptures without the presence of the Holy Ghost we are just building upon our knowledge and not our testimony.

We need to feel ‘the burn’ to know. We all know what we must do to be worthy of the sacred companionship of the Holy Ghost. As you travel on your personal road to Emmaus may the scriptures be burnt upon the tablets of your heart and may you know, and not just believe, that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He is the Resurrection and the life. He is the Redeemer of your soul. He is the road……

I gave you My all:

My heart, my body, my soul.

I paved the way

And conquered death.

I am in your midst;

I am the only,

I am the last,

And I am the first.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Emmaus by Liz Lemon Swindle)

ALMA, THE GOOD FATHER

 

Some time ago I wrote about the father-son relationships in the Book of Mormon. I find nothing more endearing than a strong father figure. When I read this touching declaration in the Book of Mormon: "I am Helaman, the son of Alma" (Alma 58:41), I go weak at the knees. Alma’s legacy of righteousness and service had no doubt great impact on his sons, but his parenting was not a whit behind. Alma took the command he received to teach his sons with great seriousness (Alma 39:12). His counsel to them reads like personalised scripture sermons.

To Helaman, the heir apparent, Alma entrusted the gold plates and impressed upon his mind the seriousness of his charge and the importance of scripture. He stressed that the record in his possession was sacred because it will be the instrument of salvation for future generations  (Alma 37:18). He impressed upon him that the safety of the record depended upon Helaman’s obedience to the commandments (v 16). And then the warning: if he transgressed the commandments, the plates will be taken away from him ‘by the power of God’ and he shall be delivered up unto Satan, ‘that he may sift him as chaff before the wind’ (v 15). I think you cannot get more serious than this. Considering who Helaman became, we can conclude that he understood that. “I am Helaman, the son of Alma” has more meaning than just a parental lineage, I think it also stands for “I am my father’s son”……..

Whereas Helaman’s counsel consisted of two lengthy chapters, the righteous Shiblon who was chosen for the mission to the Zoromites, only received one relative short one but the emotive tone of this chapter is unmistakable. Shiblon’s faithfulness, patience, diligence and long suffering during his ministry was rewarded with terrible treatment from the Zoromites to the point of stoning (Alma 38:4). It makes one weep to read of it. One cannot fail to feel Alma’s joy about this obedient son. His main counsel to Shiblon was to remember to put his trust in God, always, for his deliverance (v 4). I think Alma felt Shiblon would need that remembrance for future trials he might have to suffer.

Alma recounted his conversion experience to both Helaman and Shiblon but not to Corinaton who engaged in serious sin and abandoned his mission (Alma 39:2-3). His counsel to Corinaton was extensive and covered four chapters during which he called him ‘my son’ 24 times. The anguish and compassion and love is unmistakable in these chapters. It is evident that all three sons received counsel they individually needed. What Alma addressed in his talk with Corinaton was what he ‘perceived’ this son needed to hear (40:1; 42:1). This was obviously needed more than his father’s conversion story because Corianton repented and resumed his missionary labours (Alma 42:31). He remained ‘a just man walking uprightly before God’ like his brother Shiblon (Alma 63:2).

Reading ‘my son’ so many times in four chapters reminded me of someone else who said the same. When Joseph was a prisoner in Liberty jail in 1839 he called upon the ‘Lord God Almighty’ out of his anguish and in response he received: ‘My son, peace be unto thy soul….” (D&C 121:4,7). In 1830 Joseph received a revelation for Emma in which the Lord addressed her as ‘my daughter’ (D&C 25:1). As a side note, this is another proof of Joseph’s validity as a prophet because it would have never occurred to him to call his wife ‘his daughter’.

The Saviour confirmed that ‘all those who receive His gospel are sons and daughters in His kingdom (D&C 25:1), therefore every bit of advice, every bit of counsel, every warning, every expression of love, mercy and tenderness in the scriptures given to us from the Saviour is counsel, guidance and command from a concerned, loving and invested Father. He is the ultimate ‘Alma’. May we view the scriptures we hold in our hands as the fatherly counsel we should cherish all the days of our lives. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Suffer the Children to Come Unto Me by B. Laura Wilson)