THE KEY

 

 

Joseph Smith called the Book of Mormon the keystone of our religion (Introduction, The Book of Mormon). Bruce R. McConkie taught that Joseph's expression that "'the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion' means precisely what it says. The keystone is the central stone in the top of the arch. If that stone is removed, then the arch crumbles, which, in effect, means that Mormonism so-called -- which actually is the gospel of Christ, restored anew in this day -- stands or falls with the truth or the falsity of the Book of Mormon" (Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, April 1961, pp.38-39).

Personally, if I take the 'stone' out of it, I end up with the 'key' to all that the Book of Mormon represents to me: the key to my salvation which is in Christ, in His doctrine and in my testimony of same.

On the last leaf of the golden record, Moroni explained the purpose of the Book of Mormon. This explanation is found on the very first page of the book as we have it today. It can be summarized in three words: show, know and convince. To elaborate, it is to show the remnant of the house of Israel (Lamanites) what great things God had done for them; so that they may know the covenants and one day be converted; and it is to convince the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ.

When Joseph Smith called the Book of Mormon the keystone of our religion he also said that 'a man would get nearer to God by abiding its precepts, than by any other book' (Introduction, The Book of Mormon). This promise has been repeated by many other prophets since Joseph. In 1963, Spencer W. Kimball said this: "But after all, it is not the book's dramatic crisis, its history, its narrative that are so important, but its power to transform men into Christlike beings worthy of exaltation" (Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, April 1963, p. 6).

I have read and studied the Book of Mormon many times and I still continue to be mesmerised by the clarifications and purity which it contains of the doctrine of Christ. I love the Bible. I love the Old Testament which to me is the root of the covenant. I love the New Testament because it is the most spiritually charged book of scripture which brings the Saviour to reality but I am very passionate about TRUE doctrine and do not tolerate well hearing the doctrine of the gospel convoluted or misrepresented or diluted. The Book of Mormon excels in the verity of the doctrine. To me it is the KEY to the truth. It is my key to understanding Christ, His Atonement, His teachings, His saving grace.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Moroni Burying the Plates by Katie Payne)

THE FINAL HARVEST

 

 

“Therefore, when ye shall receive this record ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land.”  (Ether 4:17)

Chapter 23 of Leviticus contains a series of holy days that the Lord commanded all Israel to observe. Three of the most important are: 1. The Feast of Trumpets; 2. The Day of the Atonement and; 3. The Feast of the Tabernacles. The Feast of Trumpets in particular signifies: 1. The beginning of Israel’s final harvest; 2. The day God had set to remember His ancient promises to regather Israel; 3. A time for new revelation that would lead to a new covenant with Israel and; 4. A time to prepare for the Millenium.

I am in awe of the fact that we hold in our hands the very book which began the final harvest for on 22 September 1827, the very day Israel celebrated the Feast of Trumpets, Moroni gave the golden plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The timing of its deliverance was not coincidental. This was a carefully orchestrated and rehearsed event for four years prior. It sends shivers up my spine to picture Joseph receiving the golden plates from Moroni whilst trumpets blew in Israel. The God of Israel responded and He began His ‘marvelous work and a wonder’ for He remembers His promises to His people Israel. (see The Golden Plates and the Feast of Trumpets by Lenet Hadley Read, Ensign 2000)

We know that many truths have been lost and taken away from the Bible, but none more significant that the prophecies of the restoration of the gospel in the latter days missing from Isaiah 29 and which Nephi quoted in its completion in 2 Nephi 27 as were contained on the brass plates: 1. Letter-day context of the prophecy (2 Nephi 27:1); 2. A ‘book’ that Isaiah prophesied would come forth in the last days (verse 6); 3. The book would be ‘sealed’ (verses 7-8); 4. Roles of Moroni and Joseph Smith in bringing forth the Book of Mormon (verses 9-10); 5. ‘Three witnesses’ who would behold the ‘book’ and testify ‘to the truth of the things therein’ (verses 12-13)

Is it hard to see the importance of the Book of Mormon when we consider that these prophecies of the coming Restoration were removed from the Bible??? I stand in awe of God who orchestrates His work with such perfect precision to fulfil His purposes which cannot fail. The adversary might be working hard to ‘pervert the right ways of the Lord that he might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men’ (1 Nephi 13:27) but he cannot win. God’s plan for our salvation runs like clock-work with every step put into place long before its’ reality. So ordered are the events that will transpire upon this earth that they cannot possibly fail, because ‘God created all things spiritually before they were naturally upon the face of the earth’ (Moses 3:5). Everything was designed, proven and tested before it came into being. Does this not give us ability to trust that God has us in the palm of His hand???

The Final Harvest has begun. The Book of Mormon is its’ proof. The sacredness of it leaves me in awe. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Preserved by the Hand of God by Simon Dewey)

HE WILL COME

 

The prophecies of Christ portray the expected Messiah in a dualistic manner. At His first coming, He was to be the ‘suffering servant’ as prophesied in Isaiah 53 who would be a ‘man of sorrows’ (v3); one who stands ‘as a sheep before her shearers’ (v7); and one who takes our transgressions upon Himself. The other picture of the Messiah paints Him as the “King of Glory”. This title promises deliverance, political power, and the destruction of Israel’s enemies. Of course, the “suffering servant” foretells His mortal life and spiritual deliverance of His people. The “King of Glory” prophecies foretell His second coming when He will subdue all Israel’s 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).

In the words of Bruce R. McConkie: “He came once – born in a stable, cradled in a manger – to redeem his people; to restore his everlasting gospel; to work out the infinite and eternal atonement; to bring salvation.

He shall come again – with ten thousands of his saints, in all the glory of his Father’s kingdom – to slay the wicked by the breath of his lips; to cleanse the vineyard of corruption; to ransom those who love his appearing: to bring salvation.”  

(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p 1)

We are now at the point in time when we are awaiting the King of Glory who shall come again to bring salvation. So close is the Second Coming, that the Saviour said in His revelation to the Church in 1831: “Behold, now it is called TODAY until the coming of the Son of Man…..” (D&C 64:23).  A reiteration of its closeness is expressed in the scriptures with a phrase “even at the doors” (D&C 110:16; Mark 13:29; Matthew 24:33; JST Matthew 1:39. We, of the twelfth hour, are witnessing the scriptures being fulfilled and await with eagerness.

When His apostles asked the Saviour, pre-resurrection, when He will return, He answered: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). But now, post-resurrection, one other knows…..the Saviour,  speaking on behalf of the Father, said this in modern day revelation: “For I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world……and [he] now reigneth in the heavens and will reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet, which time is nigh at hand….I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes” (D&C 49:5-7). There was no confirmation that the Father only knows, hence the proposition that the Son now knows also.

The Saviour knows when He will return. He knows everything, even as His Father knows. He will come as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come and rule and reign with righteousness and obliterate all oppression, sickness, death, misery and sorrow. He will come.

 

When amidst the clouds of glory

You appear on your trusted steed,

Our heads will bow,

Our knees will bend,

Our tongues be loosed to confess:

Your Sonship and Your Kingship,

Worlds without end.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Second Coming by John McNaughton)

THE LESSON IN OBEDIENCE

 

 

The mission I served in, back in the 80s, was very statistically oriented. It was drummed into us missionaries that obedience would yield baptisms. We were expected to baptise someone every month, to teach 15 discussions a week, place at least 1 Book of Mormon a day and make incredible sacrifices such as 100 hour weeks, not open our mail until our preparation day, and even occasionally give up those free days to prepare for the week, bring someone to Church every week and we were not allowed to listen to any music whatsoever, not even Mormon Tabernacle Choir. So high was the expectation placed on us that despite my nice tally of baptisms, I went home feeling like a failure because I had not brought anyone to the waters of baptism for the last seven months of my mission. I worried that all my district leaders I had to report our statistics to, suspected that I was not being obedient in all our missionary rituals and rules. My idealistic self thought I had not done enough.  

 

Abinadi went to his death not knowing that he had 1 convert but knowing he had done enough. He persisted against all odds until he had delivered the message God sent him to deliver and which cost him his life. Through Abinadi’s one convert came the next several generations of prophets who prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ among them. Abinadi’s only convert was a man called Alma, who believed all Abinadi testified against his people (Mosiah 17:2).

 

Alma wrote down Abinadi’s extensive preaching and taught it to his followers in secret (Mosiah 17:4; 18:1). Severe persecution from King Noah necessitated this group of faithful followers to flee to safer pastures (Mosiah 18:34). Following their departure, God's prophecies to King Noah and his unrepentant people began to be fulfilled. King Noah suffered death by fire and his people, under the new leadership of his son, Limhi, were taken into bondage by their enemies, the Lamanites.  Alma and his followers, through intricate circumstances, fell into bondage also. The lesson lies in these two groups of people and their respective conversions. The people of Alma repented of their sins when the call to repentance came. As the result of their conversion they covenanted with God through baptism to keep His commandments. The other group who were led by Noah's son Limhi repented out of necessity. Just as Abinadi prophesied, they were 'afflicted, smitten, driven to and fro and burdened according to the desires of their enemies' (Mosiah 21:13). And so the humility came in realising that only God could deliver them from their afflictions (Mosiah 21:4, 14).

 

Herein lies a great lesson. We often think that repentance will be a smooth road and the Lord will jump to rescue us the minute we ask. When Limhi's people could no longer bear the afflictions of their bondage, they began to 'cry mightily to God'....'all day long' begging to be delivered (Mosiah 21:5,14), but God was 'slow to hear their cry' (v 15). Why? Because the Lord can deliver but He cannot erase the consequences of our choices. It is the experience of those consequences that make us think twice about repeating the sin. What He did do was soften the hearts of the Lamanites so that 'they began to ease their burdens' (Mosiah 21:15). In other words, the Lord, because of His mercy, 'softened the blow'.

 

When in bondage, the path to freedom is laced with mercy. The mercy that He extends, however, will not be given at the cost of the lessons we need to learn first. When I left my mission feeling like I failure, I did not realise that I, a young convert to the Church, took home with me the best lesson I could possibly learn, that of obedience. 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: His Mighty Hand by Yongsung Kim)

COURAGEOUS ABINADI

 

 

Herein is Christ’s mercy to the descendants of Zeniff who had become idolatrous people under the reign of his son Noah (Mosiah 11:7). Whenever God needs to call people to repentance He sends a prophet. Noah got one of the most valiant ones that ever lived: Abinadi.

This is what will forever be recorded in the annals of history about this man:  His unwavering testimony of Christ. When questioned by the priests of Noah, Abinadi recited Isaiah 53 in its perfection and entirety. I am sure he didn’t carry scriptures around and most certainly didn’t have them handy when handcuffed standing in front of his accusers. How many of us could memorise Isaiah, recite it word for word and then explain it? This is chapter 53: “….surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows….he was wounded for our transgressions…he was oppressed and afflicted….”. the prophecy of Messiah and the foundation of Abinadi’s testimony. There is something else very interesting about Chapter 53. Abinadi quoted that Christ would, because of His death, divide His eternal reward ‘with the strong’ (Mosiah 14:12).  Well, you can’t get stronger than Abinadi who knew he was going to meet his death but who wouldn’t abstain from finishing his message. Take note why: “I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.” (Mosiah 13:9). Never a more poignant statement has been made…..in the end, all that mattered was that he fulfilled his purpose.

Abinadi's call to repentance was not well received to say the least. In fact, King Noah sought to put him to death (Mosiah 11:28). Abinadi escaped only to resurface two years later. The interesting thing about his return is that he did not reappear at just any time.  Abinadi's discourse with Noah's priests on the law of Moses, and his jail confinement of three days suggests that Abinadi came back during the Israelite festival of Pentecost (John W Welch, "Abinadi and Pentecost", ScripturePlus). Pentecost was a three-day festival which celebrated Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the receipt of the Mosaic Law.  So Abinadi reappeared during a busy time hoping to find a larger audience, not caring that there is a warrant out for his arrest. In fact, he ensured that he would be arrested because the first thing he did was speak against King Noah pronouncing a death sentence on his life, which he said would be 'valued even as a garment in a hot furnace' (Mosiah 12:3). This, he was sure, would bring him to King Noah himself because one thing he knew for sure, he had to deliver the words which God had commanded him to deliver (Mosiah 13:4), even at the peril of his life.

Abinadi did get to see King Noah and as a result he became one of the great Christian martyrs.  The scriptures say Abinadi 'suffered death by fire' (Mosiah 17:20). Our modern day supposition of this would be being burned at the stake, however, the description of his death never mentions that this was the case. Instead, it states that Abinadi was 'scourged with faggots'...'until the flames began to scorch him' (Mosiah 17:13,14). Such a death is almost too much for our modern-day sensibilities to contemplate, however, history speaks of the ancient method of burning bundles of sticks (faggots) with which they poked and burnt the victim's skin until he died. Sometimes this process was dragged out for days or weeks to maximise the extent of the agony (see Ethnohistorical Sources and the Death of Abinadi, BYU Religious Studies Center). This is most likely the death that Abinadi suffered. The amazing thing is that he anticipated he would meet such a death when he proclaimed without fear that King Noah would also meet a death by fire, which he did (Mosiah 19:20). Have you ever heard of such courage?

ODE TO ABINADI: 

How beautiful were your feet

As you published peace

And brought Christ as an offering

To the proud and the unbelieving.

You stood without flinching

As the flames licked your body

And defiant spirit without yielding.

With courage you proclaimed His Sonship

And His godly might;

With righteous devotion

You earned entrance to His holy heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Abinadi by Briana Shawcroft)

COUNSELS AND MERCY

 

It is amazing to me how much damage one person can create by discounting God’s counsel. You will gather from this that I am not a fan of Zeniff who led a colony of his followers to a down-right mess by taking them away from Zarahemla and into the clutches of Nephite arch enemy, the Lamanites. In his record, Zeniff recounts that he ‘had knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of their father’s first inheritance’ (Mosiah 9:1) and that he desired to return there to live in peace with the Lamanites. One would have to presume that with this knowledge also came the awareness of the Lord’s counsel to Nephi to depart from that land because of his brothers who sought to kill him; that they and their posterity were cursed so that Nephi and his posterity would not mix with them; and this, the most important part, that the Lamanites would be a scourge unto Nephites to stir them up in remembrance of God and that they would even scourge them unto destruction ( 2 Nephi 5:2,5,14, 21-25)

A question begs to be asked why Zeniff would ignore the Lord’s counsel not to mix with the Lamanites when he himself was a man of God. Zeniff did discover the reason for the Lord’s warning whilst living with the Lamanites and this reason was ‘the traditions of the fathers’ (Mosiah 10:13-18). These traditions were encased in untruth and hatred and passed onto children and their children. The lesson?  Never underestimate the Lord’s foreknowledge and wisdom.

Zeniff’s decision to disregard the Lord’s counsel caused utter mayhem causing his people to live in constant fear which resulted in many wars with the Lamanites and slaughter of many men. One war alone cost the lives of 3,043 of Lamanites and 279 of Zeniff’s people (Mosiah 9:18,19). A record of another battle claims there was such a great slaughter that they did not even number them (Mosiah 10:20). If you think this is bad enough, there is something worse……before Zeniff died he conferred his kingdom upon his worst son, Noah. So he left his people in constant fear of the Lamanites, in the hands of the worst king in the history of The Book of Mormon (Mosiah 11:1).

There is something positive in this sad story. Zeniff points out three times in his short narrative, that he and his people fought the Lamanites ‘in the strength of the Lord’ (Mosiah 9:17,18; 10:10). I see the Saviour and His great mercy in the story of Zeniff for He did hear their cries and did answer their prayers (Mosiah 9:18). It never fails to amaze me how merciful He is to us mortal creatures who disregard His wisdom and counsel and bring upon ourselves misery and destruction. Such stark injustice for His merciful death!

When You stood in Heaven’s Council,

Did you know that we would not heed?

That we would fail to see

You would know our every need?

Yes, You knew, and still….

Long before creation claimed us

You climbed Your way to Calvary.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Whispers of Grace by Ivan Guaderrama)

ON GOING BACKWARDS

 

I could not help but see something significant as I started to read about the people of Limhi this morning. Limhi was the son of Noah who was the son of Zeniff who foolishly decided to abandon the land of Zarahemla and return to the land of Lehi-Nephi, the land of ‘their fathers’ (Mosiah 9:3). This was the land from which Nephi fled and separated himself and his followers from his murderous brothers (2 Nephi 5:57). At the time of Zeniff, the land was populated by the Lamanites.

When Zeniff was first sent as a spy to the land of Lehi-Nephi, it was to check out the Lamanites’ forces so that the Nephite army could come and destroy them (Mosiah 9:1). Something interesting happened to Zeniff on this expedition. He saw the good that was among the Lamanites and he was seduced (v 1). Perhaps Lamanites were not so bad after all….Herein lies the lesson. You should never go backwards. The Lamanites were welcoming at first and vacated lands for Zeniff and his people to occupy. The king even covenanted with Zeniff granting him the land but Zeniff did not foresee  ‘the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman’ who yielded up the land to bring his people into bondage (v 9). Zeniff saw the good of the Lamanites on the surface but in reality they were ‘a lazy and idolatrous people’ who put others in bondage to provide for them (v 12). After twelve years of being settled in the land, the glitter wore off and the bondage set in (v 11).

I could not help but see how this story relates to us who have abandoned a company they should not keep seeing the dangers of sin they were falling into, or have even fallen into such a life. Once removed, don’t look back because Satan works overtime to make appealing that sinful life or that company you have abandoned. Once the re-acquaintances have been made or sin revisited even once, the bondage begins.

When we are baptized we are baptized for ‘remission’ of our sins. This means our sins are simply put in remission until the day of forgiveness. If we commit that sin that is lying in remission, it will return. It is like a cancer, which is put into remission through treatment, but it can always come back. Our sins are the same, they lie in wait to return should we fail to be diligent in cultivating our spiritual strength. If we fail to do so and the mistake is repeated, always remember there is a way out. King Limhi understood the lesson and himself recognized the way to deliverance out of bondage is by ‘turning to the Lord with full purpose of heart, putting your trust in Him, and serving Him with all diligence of mind’. Then he says something interesting. If you do all this, the Lord will  ‘according to his own will and pleasure deliver you out of bondage’ (Mosiah 7:33). Be warned, the deliverance might mean a rough road of repentance and forgiveness….as in many cases,  groups of people in the Book of Mormon proved this to be true.

The real danger of going backwards is this…..you might never return. And what a loss that would be to your soul, your family, your loved ones, to the Saviour who suffered for you and to the Father who eagerly awaits you. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet by Greg Olsen)

IN REMEMBRANCE

 

Have you noticed how often ‘remembrance’ is used in the scriptures? Remembering the history of ‘the fathers’ seemed to have been an ancient method of motivating people to obedience. Nephites were often prompted to remember not only the children of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt but also of Lehi’s journey to the promised land. Both of these events are depicted in the account of King Benjamin’s farewell speech where the people ‘sat in their tents’ during the renewal of their covenants to help them remember Israelites’ living in tents for 40 years and Lehi’s 8 years of tent living in the wilderness. Remembering was anciently the key factor in covenant renewal. King Benjamin speaks of ‘remembering’ 15 times in his speech to his sons and to the people gathered to hear him (Mosiah 1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3).

What stood out to me this morning, as I read about the end of King Benjamin’s life, is that prior to his death, he appointed priests to teach the people ‘that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made’  (Mosiah 6:3). The oath, of course, was the covenant which they had made ‘to take upon them the name of Christ and that they should be obedient unto the end of their lives’ (Mosiah 5:8).

When I was growing up in the Catholic community of Croatia, I was stirred into remembrance of Christ constantly as every home, including my own, had pictures of Him in every room. I am not exaggerating here. I now paste pictures of Him in my journal and my planner constantly. I have done this for years. I think I have subconsciously wanted to continue that habit of visual remembrance.

There are of course many ways we can remember the covenants we have made here, the most obvious being temple attendance and weekly sacrament. More extensive ones are: reading the scriptures daily, daily consecration during prayer, and simple gratitude in recounting your blessings and God’s goodness to you. In that vein, of late I have acquired a daily habit upon rising. My first thought is: How can I honour the Saviour today?

I pledged my life into Thy hands

When by example You showed me how;

I promised my trials to endure

When I was with You and do so even now.

 

You dried my tears when I barely coped

And carried me when I could walk no more;

You fed me truths I needed to know

And nurtured my flight into the unknown.

 

As I promised to obey,

You promised we’d never part;

I remember, I remember

And carry it all

In the shadow of my heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Lamb of God by Greg Olsen)

MIGHTY MEN

 

 

As I course through the pages of the Book of Mormon, I delight in the men who recorded the history of ancient America, but more importantly who recorded their understanding of eternal life, the doctrine of Christ, the prophecies, their struggles, their teachings, their repentance, their humanity, their worthiness. I see their strength and recognize their imprints on history and their contributions to the salvation of humanity. I love their examples and their power. I will forever cherish the strength of these men who fought for religious rights and their freedom.  

One cannot read the Book of Mormon and not notice the effect the righteous fathers have on their children. The records were generally passed from father to son so it is easy to pick this up. I am always deeply touched when I read: “I am Helaman, the son of Alma” (Alma 58:41). It brings to my mind who Alma was, his admirable process of repentance and conversion stands next to Paul’s in my mind. There is only one more touching statement in the Book of Mormon for me and it is this: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (3 Nephi 9:15). And this is what the Saviour said about His sonship: “….I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me….The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do” (John 8:28; 5:19). Is there a greater example than this?

Take heed fathers, you have more influence on your children than you can imagine. I am not saying here that all sons of righteous fathers will be faithful, but they stand a better chance if they have the righteous example before them. I watched an endearing video recently of a little boy and his father purchasing flowers for Mothers’ Day. He was not older than 4. He had a younger sister at home and a baby sister. The boy chose three bouquets. As he looked around for appropriate flowers, he ran to his father and said: “I love you Dad”. You could tell, in that moment, the boy was emulating his father. He was there because of him and he was honoring his mother and his sisters because of him. It brought tears to my eyes and such great admiration for this man who was a valiant father to his son.

Men, you are important….so very important! Not just to be good fathers but good sons, good husbands, good brothers….to be the protectors of women you were born to be. Don’t let the world tell you that you are not needed or appreciated. If you walk up to the stature of your creation, the women around you will love you and appreciate you. And if you emulate the greatest Son of all, you will bring blessings upon your children’s heads such as you had not imagined before.

Your fatherly love,

And the flame of your sacrifices

Burns bright with all its might;

Your legacy, your love,

Your fatherly alms:

Forever etched

In the hollow of my heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Father and Son by Danny Hahlbohm)

FOR THE JOY

 

 

I write a lot of posts about Christ and post a lot of pictures of Him. I have noticed more and more people reacting favourably to pictures of a happy Christ. It seems we don’t like to see Him unhappy or somber or suffering. I guess we have had those pictures for too long. One of my readers commented recently: “It’s good to see Him smiling. Gives hope”. The inference is, if He could be happy after all He endured, there is hope for us too. I loved it because It made me think of the following scripture:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Yes, Christ endured unfathomable suffering focusing on the joy that would come following: the joy of His triumph and the eternal reward that awaited Him, but not only that….He did it for the joy that awaited all of us who believe in Him and accept Him. He knew so well what was at stake if He failed, and He knew really well the joy that would be ours if death was overcome, immortality granted and eternal life made possible. This was His focus and this was His joy…..to give us what we could not give ourselves. The love supreme, the mercy unfathomable.

Perhaps we need to remember more often where the Saviour is now that the crucible of His life is over. And this is where we will be if we carry our cross and endure in faith to the end. When you confront your own suffering, remember, the joy will come in the morning. Even if your battle spans the entirety of your life, it will not be forever…….but the joy will be. Remember the suffering Christ and have hope. He is where you can be……..and He is happy knowing the joy that awaits you.

Teach me dear God to look upward

And hope for the glories

That will one day be mine.

Help me to rise on wings of faith;

Lift me above valleys,

Mountains and seas

That I might forsake this world of suffering

And fly with haste to Thee.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Radiant Saviour by Chris Brazelton)

A SACRED GIFT

 

 

Have you ever heard someone say: “It’s my life and my body and I’ll do with it as I please”??? Never a bigger falsehood has been said than this. In his efforts to impress upon his people their indebtedness to God for all that they owned and were, King Benjamin expressed it this way:  “Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you” (Mosiah 2:25). The truth is, this mortal life is a gift of grace and our mortal bodies are not our own but are on loan from God (Elder David A. Bednar, Ye Are the Temple of God, Ensign Sept 2001, p 18).

The sad thing is that most of us very seldom view our bodies as sacred or special. We are either in a tug-o-war with it, abuse it, let us serve us or seduce us. Here is the stark truth: “In my practice as a psychologist, I have seen talented, righteous Latter-day Saint women who despise themselves because their bodies do not look like what they see in movies or magazines. Many say they are no good unless they look good. Other clients have been so seduced by pornography that they view the body as a thing to be consumed and exploited. Often, they eventually feel duped, trapped, and degraded themselves, since along with a loss of respect for the body and for others comes an inevitable loss of respect for oneself” (Diane, L. Spangler, The Body, A Sacred Gift, Ensign July 2005, p 14-18)

Diane Spangler goes on to say that ‘one foundational gospel truth about the body is the principle that having a physical body is a godlike attribute, that we are more like God with a body than without’ and the ‘second truth the scriptures offer about the body is the clarification of its nature as a sacred gift from God’ with ‘the purpose of the body to help us learn, progress, serve, and glorify the Giver of the gift who is God’. It can be an overwhelming thought considering we are so utterly subject to the ‘natural man’ which King Benjamin called ‘an enemy to God’ (Mosiah 3:19). Consider what Elder Bednar says about the natural man: “We live in a fallen world. The very elements out of which our bodies were created are by nature fallen and ever subject to the pull of sin, corruption, and death. Thus, the Fall of Adam and its consequences affect us most directly through our physical bodies”.

But here is a twofold hope: 1. “And yet, we are dual creatures, for at the same time that we inhabit a physical body that is subject to the Fall, we also have a spirit that represents the eternal part of us” (Elder Bednar, p 17 of abovementioned article) and; 2. President Brigham Young said that even though the body is of the earth and is subject to the power of the devil, “the spirit is pure, and under the special control and influence of the Lord” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widstoe [1941], 70). This should give us hope that we can rise to the responsibility of being responsible…..

We are not only indebted to God for His grace of creation but because we are a purchased people: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).  Our agency was exercised when we upheld and supported the Plan of Salvation in pre-existence and when the Saviour hung on the cross for it. This is the price that was paid for the sacred gift that is our body. It’s a body we will possess forever. If we are not viewing it this way now, maybe we need to begin for we are valued by the highest price that was ever paid…

A life laid bare in selfless giving

For man’s purpose of salvation

Crimson drops were spilt like roses

On the hill of His creation. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Rose of Sharon by Yongsung Kim)

BY HIS NAME

 

Imagine if we had no names. Imagine if we were known only by our physical description. What a chaotic world that would be. Being known by a name keeps order in our society. Names are very significant in many cultures and naming a child upon birth is a matter worthy of thoughtful consideration. The hope is that the child will grow up to fill the stature of its given name. Both Mary and Joseph were instructed to give the Saviour the name of ‘Jesus’ (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31) which is the Greek form of the Hebrew and Aramaic name of Yeshua which means ‘the Lord is Salvation’. But this is just one of the names He is known by. I am always on the look-out for His names when I am reading the scriptures. So far I have recorded 51 but I am sure there is more.

When we are born into this world, we take upon ourselves our father’s name. When we are spiritually born through baptism, we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. We become CHRISTians. King Benjamin explained this means that we become ‘the children of Christ’. He mentions the importance of having Christ’s name 11 times in 6 verses of Mosiah 5 (V 7-12). Why is this important? Because, just as we are genetically predisposed to inherit physical and mental traits of our earthly fathers, so we, when we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and live his teachings, inherit His spiritual qualities. In other words, we become like Him by the virtue of our newly acquired parental bond (Moroni 7:48). This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘you’re just like your father’, does it not???

King Benjamin closes his address admonishing his people to be steadfast and immovable and always abounding in good works for the greatest of all blessings depends on this: "....that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life..." (Mosiah 5:15)  The Saviour will hold us responsible for His name when we face Him at the judgment bar.  As his children, it is our duty to bring honour and glory to his name through the life that we live.  For this He will exalt us so that we can have all that He has and be all that He is. Alma spoke of being spiritually born and thereby receiving His image in our countenance (Alma 5:14).  Let us live so that this image will be recognized by all we associate with and that we will be known by His name more readily than by our own. What we do with Christ's name speaks volumes about our integrity and character. Being Christian means being like Christ and behaving as He would behave. It reminds me of that saying:  "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" 

When through the water’s gate

I was given the Saviour’s name,

His law was written in my heart

Forever there to remain.

 

I offered love, I obeyed,

I followed the paths He had me take;

I’ve endured all my trials

For His name’s sake.

 

And when in clouds of heaven He appears

And I stand in the shadow of His frame,

I want to hear the Saviour say:

I love what you have done with my name!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Greg Olsen)

HUMILITY AMIDST GREATNESS

 

Mormon called King Benjamin 'a holy man' (Words of Mormon 1:6). It is not hard to perceive what a good and humble king he was when one reads his monumental address to his people on the temple grounds of Zarahemla. The setting of King Benjamin’s speech was the occasion of his son Mosiah's succession to the throne. This was however, a coronation with a difference. 

It was common practice anciently for a new king ascending the throne to be given as many as five names or titles by which he was distinguished among the people; to acknowledge his greatness and his achievements; and to establish him as the link between the people and the divine.  (See Scripture Central Post of October 17, 2019, KnoWhy 536). King Benjamin, however, did something extraordinary at his son's coronation. Instead of using this occasion to bring prominence to his son, he mentions Mosiah only twice. Once to announce him as the new king and once again to affirm that he will act under the direction of God for the benefit of the people (Mosiah 2:30,31).

Rather than proclaiming his son as the divine king as was expected anciently, King Benjamin solidified his people's reliance on The Heavenly King (Mosiah 2:19) by enumerating His endless goodness and honouring Him with names worthy of His station as the promised Messiah, such as: Jesus Christ, The Son of God, The Father of Heaven and Earth, The Lord Omnipotent and The Creator of all things from the beginning. But King Benjamin didn't stop there. He bestowed upon his people a new name that would bind them to the Heavenly King forever. He proclaimed that they be known by the name of Christ rather than by his son's name which would have been the usual protocol. Thus the subjects of Mosiah became known as 'the children of Christ' (Mosiah 5:7). What profound effect his coronation would have had on Mosiah, the new king who ruled and reigned in righteousness all his days!

King Benjamin’s words had such an impact on his people that they fell to the earth with fear and ‘viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth’ (Mosiah 4:1,2). Viewing yourself less than the dust of the earth is a humbling exercise which acknowledges your imperfection and rebellion before God. In the words of President Joseph Fielding Smith: “….the dust of the earth is obedient. It moveth hither and thither at the command of the Lord. All things are in harmony with his laws. Everything in the universe obeys the law given unto it, so far as I know, except man. Everywhere you look you find law and order, the elements obeying the law given to them, true to their calling. But man rebels, and in this thing man is less than the dust of the earth because he rejects the counsels of the Lord” (In Conference Report April 1929, 55). (see also Helaman 12:7,8)

The humility of King Benjamin’s people led them to accept his teaching that there is no other name given whereby salvation comes than the name of Christ (Mosiah 3:17). Viewing themselves as less than the dust of the earth brought acknowledgement of their sins which made them seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mosiah 4:2). This is the hope, the only hope. When you can see your nothingness and come to believe that there is a way to be lifted above hopelessness. This is what the Saviour offers us. We might be made of dust but we were conceived in God’s glory and within us are planted seeds of godhood.

“An old rabbi once said that every man ought to carry two pieces of paper in his pocket. In times of self-satisfaction and complacency he should read the one that says: “I am dust and ashes”. When dejected and dispirited he should read the other that says: “For my sake was the world created”. And at all times he should remember: “I am made from the dust but it is in God’s image I am made”. (Author Unknown)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: El Rey Benjamin by Jorge Cocco)

LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE

 

The eight article of faith states: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly” (Article of Faith 1:8)

The most significant revelation given to Joseph Smith in relation to this Article of Faith is found in 2 Timothy which reads: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. The JST corrects this scripture to read: “And all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable….” (2 Timothy 3:16). It’s a matter of one very small word that should not be there that makes all the difference. Joseph Smith described his textual translation of passages in the King James Version of the Bible as a “branch of my calling” (History of the Church, 1:238)…..and I will forever be grateful for that. His translation of many passages has aided greatly my understanding of the Bible.

The most significant light of knowledge regarding Christ has come to me through the JST of the Garden of Gethsemane. The King James Version states that the Saviour took with him Peter, James and John to the Garden and ‘began to be sore amazed’ (Mark 14:33). I have heard much speculation regarding the suffering of Christ and how the intensity of it amazed even Him. The speculation is that Jesus knew cognitively what He was going to do but not experientially until He was faced with the ordeal. I fully believed this also but here is where the JST restored my belief that there is nothing that Jehovah, a God, does not understand, know or cannot do. The JST states: “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, which was a garden; and the DISCIPLES began to be sore amazed….” (JST Mark 14:36-38).

This is how I know that the Saviour understood fully, with His unique intellect, the process of the Atonement and was never amazed at the severity of it:

-        At twelve years of age Jesus was found in the Temple with doctors of religion who were ‘hearing Him and asking Him questions’ (JST Luke 2:46, note c). The KJV of the Bible says that He was ‘hearing’ and ‘asking’  THEM questions. Here is what Joseph Smith had to say about that: “When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed…..” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p 392)

-        Jesus went into the wilderness following His baptism to commune with God and not to be tempted of the devil as the KJV of the Bible suggests (Matthew 4:1, note b; 4:2, note c; Mark 1:12, note a). Enoch was ‘lifted up’ and saw marvelous visions beyond anything that the mind can conceive (Moses 6 and 7); Brother Of Jared learned wonders of eternity when he talked with the Lord for three hours, which are so far beyond our mortal comprehension that the Lord has not permitted them to be translated in our day (Ether 2-4); Paul was caught up into the third heaven and saw wondrous things, and heard unspeakable words which are not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:1-4); Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son and the vision of the degrees of glory (JS-H 1: D&C 76:137) (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah Book 1, p 401).  Imagine the light of knowledge and truth and instruction the Son of God was given during His 40 days of communion with the Father. In my mind, He knew and understood the process of the Atonement inside and out and He was never ‘sore amazed’.

I am grateful for a God who understood and accepted and fulfilled His promise to save my soul. All He said of His suffering is that ‘He trembled because of pain and bled at every pore, nevertheless, He partook and finished His preparations unto the children of men’ (D&C 19:16-19). This is the God of integrity, strength and might that I imagine Him to be……the God of Heaven and Earth, the King of Glory, forever and ever……

(I give credit to Jay M. Todd’s article, “Our New Light on Jesus’ Mortal Life and Teachings”, for my understanding of the importance of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: AI Generated)

KING OF MERCY

 

“The Saviour suffered for our sins, and sickness, in part to perfect his mercy. We are indebted to the prophet Alma for our knowledge of the full measure of His suffering: “He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people, and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities (Alma 7:11-12)….. He suffered these afflictions as we suffer them, according to the flesh. He suffered them all. He did this to perfect his mercy and his ability to lift us above every earthly trial.” (Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p 7).

I was somewhat perplexed when I read this quote not quite understanding what President Hunter meant by the Saviour suffering in order to ‘perfect His mercy’. Scripturally, to be perfect means to be brought to its’ end, to be finished, to be fully developed, having accomplished one’s purpose (M. Nelson, Perfection Pending, Ensign Nov 1995, p 86,88).  In that respect, this statement makes sense. Christ’s mercy began in pre-existence when He volunteered to save us, but the perfection of it was achieved in His mortal life.

When we think of mercy, forgiveness of our sins comes to mind, first and foremost. However, mercy is a multi-faceted attribute. Aside from forgiveness, Christ’s mercy extends to help or succor, as President Hunter pointed out. His mercy also comes in not so obvious ways but ways which lead to ultimate end for human kind, as in mercy in establishing His Church and saving ordinances which lead us to eternal life. That’s also mercy.

Consider the ordinance of baptism. Without it there is no entrance to Celestial Kingdom. The Book of Mormon highlights its importance so well. When Alma, who had fled from King Noah with a small band of followers, preached to them the covenant of obedience by the waters of Mormon, the people were so overcome with joy that they committed to baptism there and then (Mosiah 18:10,11). Alma's first baptism was a man called Helam. His words to him took the baptismal covenant to a new level. He said: Helam, I baptise thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead...." (Mosiah 18:13). This is serious stuff. Especially considering that anciently covenants were not broken even at the point of death. This is not just about obedience but also endurance.

The best way to endure something to the end is by constant remembrance….hence the sacrament. Each Sunday we have the privilege of taking the sacrament to keep in remembrance our baptismal covenant of obedience, but not only that. It also promises Christ’s spirit will be with us if we keep the covenant. How is His spirit administered to us? Through the medium of the Holy Ghost. And what is the Holy Ghost’s primary function? Sanctification. Every time we take the sacrament  AND repent of our wrong doings, the Holy Ghost sanctifies us and preserves the remission of our sins which we were mercifully granted at the time of our baptism. Remission leads to eventual forgiveness.

I have often thought Christ’s tolerance and mercy towards us is excessive but as I reflected on it a thought came to me that He could have never subjected himself to such an unjust life, and indeed most unjust  death, if He was any other way. When He said in pre-existence, “I will save them”, He meant it and He implemented every possible way to safeguard that salvation. This is ultimate mercy. This is who Jesus Christ is.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Portrait of Christ by Chris Brazelton) 

A SINLESS LIFE

 

“Christ was perfect because he wanted to be. It is important to remember that Jesus was capable of sinning, that he could have succumbed, that the plan of life and salvation could have been foiled, but that he remained true. Had there been no possibility of his yielding to the enticement of Satan, there would have been no real test, no genuine victory in the result. If he had been stripped of the faculty to sin, he would have been stripped of his very agency. It was he who had come to safeguard and ensure the agency of man [hence] He had to retain the capacity and ability to sin had he willed so to do…..He was perfect and sinless, not because he had to be, but rather because he clearly and determinedly wanted to be. As the Doctrine and Covenants records, “He suffered temptations but gave no need heed unto them (D&C 20:22).”  (Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p 4; see also Jesus the Christ, p 134)

I am constantly amazed by the difficulty of Christ’s life long before the cross and the garden’s gate. Here is the reality of that: “He was called upon to choose the right in the hardest and most difficult situations ever imposed upon mortals…..That His temptations were over and above those of any other person is shown from the Messianic prophecy: “Lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death” (Mosiah 3:7). (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, p 418).

We might argue that because of His divine nature it was easy for Him to resist His temptations but that is not so. Every temptation has to equal the spiritual stature of the man, otherwise it is not a temptation. It has no substance if it does not carry with it potential power. The Saviour’s three greatest  temptations are proof of this.

At the onset of Christ’s ministry, during His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness, the Saviour enjoyed intense communion with His Father which confirmed His Messianic role (JST Matthew 4:1,2; Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p 128,9). Each of the Temptations of Christ, were tailored as a challenge to His divinity. Satan tempted Him with each one to prove that He really was the Son of God, and disprove the Father’s confirmation of the same during His wilderness experience. The second temptation is the one that, in my mind, proves this the most. When the spirit took Him to the pinnacle of the temple (JST Matthew 4:5a), Satan tempted Him to cast himself down in the midst of the worshippers below and fulfil the Messianic prophecy that angels would ‘bear him up’. What a beginning to His ministry that would have been! It would have insured public recognition of Jesus being superior to mortals, “the fame of which would have spread as fire in the dry grass; and all Jewry would have been aflame with excitement and interest in the Christ” (Jesus the Christ, p 131). This would have been His great hour! (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, p 414-5).

The restraint that the Saviour exercised not to use His godly powers whilst in mortality deserves our greatest admiration. His determination and resistance to sin of any proportion that He might fulfil His responsibility to save us, deserves our utmost gratitude. He accepted it all and suffered it all that He might succor us in our extremities (Hebrews 2:17,18) and pave our way to salvation and eternal life.

I gave you my all:

My heart, my body, my soul.

I paved the way

And conquered death.

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 

(Art: Wounded for our Transgressions by Greg Collins)