THE VEIL

 

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 waited that fateful day

In awe of what You did to pave the way.

I could scarcely comprehend

Your godly enduring might

I stood at the veil and gave You my heart.

 

-      CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Artist Unknown)

A MARVELLOUS WORK AND A WONDER

 

Moroni Burying the Plates by Katie Payne

It should be exhilarating for every member of the Church to read of Isaiah’s prophecy of the gathering of the House of Israel in the last days. Chapter 29 of Isaiah in particular, because it authenticates the greatest treasure in our possession which is the key component of this gathering, the Book of Mormon.

Modern day historians are yet to discover the meaning of the ‘sealed’ book that Isaiah spoke of in verses 11-12 which was to begin a ‘marvellous work and a wonder’  (v 14) being the restoration of the priesthood, Christ’s Church, the ordinances and the gospel truths (see also The Old Testament Student Manual Book 2 p 165).

It is a wonder why the Lord used an uneducated man such as Joseph Smith to translate the Book of Mormon rather than an educated one who would no doubt have had more clout amongst the academia of the world and would successfully validate the translation of the plates as an authentic record of an American civilisation that once was.

I strongly suspect if this was the case, the world would not recognise the Lord as the one to who was responsible for this “marvellous work and a wonder” but would lay the credit to the intellect of man instead. Joseph’s education was very ordinary attained in the country schools in the vicinity in which he had lived. He could read and write a little yet he did not, like Professor Anthon of New York City, refuse to read a ‘sealed book’. When the book was delivered to him and he was requested to read it, he replied: “ I am not learned” yet that did not stop him from being a willing instrument in God’s hands to translate the record.

I am astounded that anyone could read the Book of Mormon that was translated by an uneducated man and not believe in its authenticity and the power of God that made it so.

Isaiah spoke of the spiritual blindness being lifted from the people who will come to ‘hear’ the words of ‘a sacred book’ before Lebanon shall be turned into a ‘fruitful field’ (vs 17-19):

“Where is that book? It is one of the signs of the times. Not only did the prophets predict its appearance, but Isaiah set a limit on the time of its publication. That time limit was related to the period when fertility would return to Palestine. Isaiah said that the book would come forth first, and then added that in ‘a very little while….Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest’ (v 17).

“The time has expired. This new volume of scripture must have come forth before now or Isaiah was not a true prophet, for Palestine is fruitful again.” (Elder Mark E. Petersen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1965, p 61)

And here is the proof that the Book of Mormon is indeed the book Isaiah spoke of. Isaiah did not only see the destruction of Jerusalem (vs 1-3), he also saw the destruction of a people on the American continent whose speech ‘shall be low out of the dust’  through the words of the book that was brought forth ‘out of the ground’ (v 4).

American prophet Nephi spoke of the destruction of his people when he said that they shall write the things which shall be done among them, ‘and they shall be written and sealed up in a book’ and yet they shall be brought down low in the dust and they shall speak out of the ground (2 Nephi 26:15-17).

“How could Joseph Smith have known these things when the Book of Mormon was published even before this Church was organized, except for the fact that the Book of Mormon is the promised record that God said he would bring forth and join to the record of Judah. How could anyone understand this prophecy of Isaiah without the explanation contained in the Book of Mormon?” (Elder LeGrand Richards, in Conference Report April 1963, p 118)

The book Isaiah spoke of was taken from the ground, just as Isaiah prophesied, by the hand of the angel Moroni and delivered to Joseph Smith on 22 September 1827. The book stands as a second witness of Jesus Christ, that He lived, was crucified and that He was resurrected. It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:8-12; 42:12), is the keystone of our religion and is central to the Gathering of Israel.

“The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob….the Book of Mormon is central to this work. It declares the doctrine of the gathering. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur.”  (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon, the Gathering of Israel, and the Second Coming”, Ensign, November 2006, 80).

The publication of the Book of Mormon has topped 200 million copies worldwide according to the official Church news release in April 2024.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

ANGELS

 

Angels by Wendy Keller

Angels are you near me

To catch me if I fall?

Do you stand guard at the entrance

Of my heart

On God’s errand and sentinel’s call?

 

Do you pave the way

And steady my feet,

And ensure my enemy’s defeat?

 

You are unsung heroes

Of every journey’s flight

You are phantoms of love

Concealed from mortal sight.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

THE PRECIOUS CORNER STONE

Christ the Redeemer by Greg Collins

 “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…….”  (Isaiah 28:16)

“The tried and precious cornerstone is Jesus Christ Himself. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: One of Isaiah’s great Messianic prophecies was that the promised Messiah would be “for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.” (Isaiah 8:14-15). Both Paul (Romans 9:33) and Peter (1 Peter 2:7-8) record the fulfillment of this prophecy.” (Mormon Doctrine, p 657)

“Jacob referred to this figure when he said that “by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation” (Jacob 4:15). Paul also used the same imagery when he said the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ was Apostles and prophets, with Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:19-20)” 

-          (Old Testament Student Manual 1 Kings – Malachi p 163)

Just as Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Church, He is also supposed to be the cornerstone of our ‘spiritual house’. Sometimes we might think that being members of His Church is sufficient. The sufficiency happens, however, when we make active His Atonement in our lives. Then our foundation will be sure and we will not be exposed to the risk of falling. Using the familiar and common parts of daily life as object lessons for his teachings, Isaiah teaches us how the Atonement can spiritually cover us:  

“For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” (Isaiah 28:20)

“…..if we are not covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, we will find ourselves like a man in a bed too short for him with a blanket that is too small to cover him. No matter how appealing sin may look at first, it can never satisfy our inner needs. The sinful person will be ever like the man in a short bed with inadequate covers. He will twist and turn and constantly seek comfort, but he cannot find it. The Atonement of Christ for sin covers, or is efficacious for, only those who trust in God with all their hearts and keep His holy commandments.”  (Old Testament Student Manul 1 Kings-Malachi p 163)

I have seen your sins

And the years you have lived with futile pride.

I bore your life with crimson drops

And sought forgiveness on your behalf

To pay the price of justice

And mend your broken heart.

I wait for you to come

Into the shadow of my wings,

I have paid the price,

Come unto Me,

Your God and your King.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

A LIGHT INTO ETERNITY

 

My Guiding Light by Greg Collins

You enliven my spirit;

You bring me to life;

You enrich my impoverished heart.

You are the God of power and might;

You make of me what I alone could never be,

You light my way into eternity.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

SON OF THE MORNING 3

 

In Clouds of Glory by Greg Collins

Chapters 13-23 of the book of Isaiah are known as the “burden” chapters. They contain gloomy pronouncements of judgment upon nations of Isaiah’s time, ancient Babylon in particular. Prophecies about Babylon are of a dualistic nature because ancient Babylon is a shadow and a type of present-day Babylon, or the world.

The burden of ancient Babylon was its curse to extinction. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon became of the most remarkable cities of the ancient world. Isaiah predicted in Chapter 13 its total devastation and desolation (vs 19-22). While some ancient cities such as Jerusalem, Damascus, and Jericho, still exist today, Babylon steadily declined after the conquest by Cyrus and by the first century after Christ it lay deserted and in ruins and has remained so until this day. (see the Old Testament Student Manual Book 2 p 154)

Spiritual Babylon shall likewise become a waste and desolation when the Saviour returns and ushers in the Millennial reign (Revelation 18). Isaiah did not only predict this devastation but also the extinction of the Prince of this world, “Lucifer, Son of the Morning” (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Isaiah predicted that “Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (13:19) and so it was. Nebuchadnezzar, its king,  was certainly buried in great splendour but there is no grave found for him today in the ruins of Babylon.

So likewise will, Satan, Son of the Morning, never have a grave , a tomb or monument of any kind though he is king and ruler of the great world-wise and history-wide empire  of spiritual Babylon. His demise will begin at the beginning of the Millenium when he will be bound and will not have power to tempt any man (D&C 101:28):

“We talk about Satan being bound. Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him. The Lord will not bind him and take his power from the earth while there are men and women willing to be governed by him. That is contrary to the plan of salvation. To deprive men of their agency is contrary to the purposes of our God….

“The time is not far distant when great judgments will be poured out upon the wicked inhabitants of the earth….and the wicked will be destroyed. Their destruction means the destruction of Satan’s power. The righteous will be left, and because of their righteousness the Lord will have mercy upon them; they, exercising their agency in the right direction, will bring down His blessings upon them to such an extent that Satan will be bound.”  (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, 1:86-87; see also 2 Nephi 30:18; Ether 8:26)

When the thousand years of the Millenial reign are ended, and men again begin to harden their hearts and begin to deny God, Satan will be loosed briefly and will take that opportunity to deceive the nations and gather his forces right before the final battle with Michael and his armies when he will be permanently overcome   (Revelation 20:1-3,7,8; D&C 29:22; 88:111-116)

Isaiah described his fall from the lofty aspirations to be like the most High to being brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit, where all who see him devoid of his power  would marvel at his demise:

“They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof…..?

“All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, everyone in his own house; but thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people; the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.”   (Isaiah 14:14-20)

And Christ shall reign upon His throne forever…..a life well lived, the price willingly paid, a glorious victory at His feet laid.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

SON OF THE MORNING 2

 

He Shall Reign by Susan Edwards

“Satan is not opposed to good morals. He’s opposed to Jesus Christ.

“Read that again because most Christians miss this completely.

“Satan doesn’t care if you’re a “good person”. He doesn’t care if you volunteer at the food bank, recycle your trash, and help old ladies cross the street. He doesn’t care if you’re kind, generous, and well-liked by everyone in your community.

“He cares that you don’t bow the knee to Jesus. Here’s the deception that’s damning millions: Satan has convinced people that morality equals spirituality. That being a “good person” is the same as being a Christian. That if you just live right, treat people well, and avoid the “big sins”, you’re acceptable to God.

“This is a lie straight from the pit of hell. The Pharisees had impeccable morals. They followed the law meticulously. They were respected, disciplined, and religiously devoted yet Jesus called them children of the devil. Why? Not because their morals were bad. Because their morals replaced Christ. Satan’s greatest trick isn’t making bad people worse. It’s making good people think they don’t need a Saviour.

“Think about it: The atheist who feeds the homeless thinks he’s good enough without God. The Buddhist who meditates and practices compassion thinks she’s enlightened without Christ. The Muslim who prays five times daily thinks he’s righteous without Jesus. The moral Christian who goes to church, pays his tithe, and avoids scandal thinks he’s saved without surrender. All of them are headed to the same place: eternal separation from God.

“Because morality doesn’t save. Jesus saves: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“Satan loves moral people who reject Jesus. They’re his best advertisement for the lie that you can earn your way to heaven.  They’re living proof that you can:

·         Be kind without Christ;

·         Be generous without God;

·         Be disciplined without the Holy Spirit;

·         Be respected without redemption.

“And still be lost. The most dangerous people in hell won’t be the murderers and rapists. They’ll be the moral, upstanding citizens who thought their goodness was good enough. Their morals became their idol. Their goodness became their god. And Satan smiled because he’d accomplished his goal: to keep them away from Jesus.

“Your goodness won’t save you. Your works won’t redeem you. Your morality won’t justify you. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can wash away your sins and make you acceptable to a holy God. Everything else is just Satan’s distraction from the one thing that actually matters.”

-          Author Unknown

This piece of writing made me think of the truthfulness of it. President Nelson once said that Lucifer is skilled at distraction, distortion, deception and misdirection. He will employ any tactic to lift us to the level of his pride, even the tactic of ‘goodness’. This is perhaps one of the greatest tools he is using today: to make us think we are good enough as we are, to believe in ‘our truth’, to pursue our importance, to make this world attractive veiled in our self-absorption. He has succeeded creating the ‘me, myself and I world’.

His goal is for us to miss out on Christ’s salvation of grace. Lucifer is the ultimate antithesis of the Saviour of the world who desires our salvation while he desires our destruction. They are polar opposites who have one thing in common: they both desire for us to become as they are.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN