THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

 

There is a place in Daviess county, Missouri, which is called Spring Hill. This place “was named by the mouth of the Lord, Adam-Ondi-Ahman”, literal translation being “Where Adam-having taken-God” (Ahman being the name of God in pure language) (“History of the Church”, 3:34-35). This is the place where one of the most tender events occurred on the American continent, the knowledge of which we owe to modern-day revelation through the modern-day prophet Joseph Smith.

This is where Adam, the Ancient of Days, bestowed his last blessing upon the patriarchs and his righteous posterity three years prior to his death (D&C 107:53-56). When the Saviour appeared to this congregation, Adam’s posterity “rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel”. The Lord then administered comfort unto Adam and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.” (D&C 107:54-55).

After the Lord administered to him, Adam stood up even though he was ‘bowed down with age, and being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation’ (v 56). When Joseph Smith visited Spring Hill in 1876 he was privileged to see Adam, the Ancient of Days, in a vision of this momentous meeting (“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” p 158).

Adam lived 930 years according to Genesis 5:5 and Moses 6:12 but died in the ‘same day’ he partook of the fruit as the promise of death was spoken by God when the earth was still subject to the Lord’s time which was after the time of Kolob (Abraham 5:13). Imagine living and enduring that long…..

There will come a time when Adam will return to Adam-Ondi-Ahman: “He will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man”…..The Son of Man will stand before him, and there will be given Him glory and dominion. Adam will deliver up his stewardship to Christ, who holds the keys of the universe, but will retain his standing as the head of the human family (“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” p 157).

This is the great Council of which neither the Church members nor the world will know about which will take place prior to the Saviour’s Second appearing as a ‘thief in the night’ (D&C 106:4) (Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, “Way to Perfection” pp 290-91; also D&C Student Manual p 288)

There is no greater summation of the Plan of Salvation that is as emotionally touching as this.  Adam, the head of the human family, having fulfilled his role so righteously as the father of all living, delivers his stewardship to the Saviour, the executor of the Plan of Salvation, at the winding up scenes of this earth. Promises kept, mission completed, humanity reared and saved.

Whereas Adam is the prince over us ‘forever’, the Saviour is the King. If not for Him, we would not be. And if not for continuous revelation we would not have glimpses of momentous occasions like this which bring to life the truth of our existence and which light the fire of our testimonies.

Every time I read the Doctrine and Covenants, my testimony of Joseph as the revelator and prophet increases. There is not one verse in that book of scripture that can convince me that Joseph had the intelligence and seership to produce such of himself.

The Saviour lives and guides His Church through living prophets. May our testimonies be such that we will bear witness of this when one day we kneel at Jesus’ feet.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

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

 

A TEMPLE APPEARING

 

I was very familiar with scriptures in Malachi which say that the Saviour will come suddenly to his temple and He shall purify the sons of Levi to offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness (Malachi 3:1-3). This is obviously a reference to the temple in Jerusalem. I was not aware however, that this prophecy had a dual meaning.

Section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants mentions again that the Lord will suddenly come to His temple before He pours out judgment upon the wicked (v 2) but no mention of the sons of Levi. This apparently is a reference to one of the latter-day temples. This prediction was partly fulfilled when the Saviour appeared in the Kirtland Temple in 1836 but there is apparently a broader meaning to this: “….the Lord shall come, without a doubt, to His Temple, where He will sit as ‘a refiner and purifier of silver’, purging the house of Israel and ministering to His people. This coming will be for the blessing and benefit of the most faithful of His saints. (Smith and Sjodahl, “Commentary”, p 840 and Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 335-6)

There is a parable of a woman who wanted to understand the process of refining silver in relation to Malachi’s prophecy. She visited a silversmith and watched the process of refining silver.

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered “Yes”, and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”

If it is true that the Saviour will meet His most faithful in His temple, the purification will be one of sanctification by the Holy Ghost. The symbolism of fire is only ever used for the purging effect of this member of the Godhead. What this suggests is that all those in Christ’s presence when He comes to His Temple will be so purified they will have Christ’s image in their countenance.

This holy occasion for the most privileged of Christ’s Church makes this prophecy by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone a reality, which he spoke during the centennial of the Manti Temple dedication in April of 1987:

 

"Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time when even the elect will lose hope if they do not come to the temples. The world will be so filled with evil that the righteous will only feel secure within these walls. When the Saviour comes He will honour His people. Those who are spared and prepared will be a temple-loving people. They will know Him.

 

“Our children will bow down at His feet and worship Him as the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. They will bathe His feet with their tears and He will weep, and bless them for having suffered through the greatest trials known to man.”

 

When the Saviour comes, we will want to be in possession of a temple recommend….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

Artist Unknown

THE PRIVILEGED CHURCH

 

With General Conference behind us I have reflected on the divine structure of our Church which is like no other on the earth today and this is why. Our Church is founded on something no other Church has. It goes back to the meridian of time when Jesus acknowledged ‘the rock of revelation’ through which Peter, the first President of His Church, received a witness of Jesus’ divinity (Matthew 16:13-18).

This privilege of revelation the Church is founded on continues with every new President that is sustained by the entire congregation of the Church. Having the God ordained structure of the Church with prophets, seers and revelators, offers the Church membership security against the deceptions of the world. This is a privilege like no other.

The latter-day prophets are here to guide, warn and direct us as the need of these last days dictate but the core of our doctrine is in Doctrine and Covenants as given by revelation to the prophet of this dispensation. We cannot go past the elemental knowledge concerning the nature of the Godhead that we owe to Joseph beginning with the First Vision and added upon by so much more:

“While visiting with brother Joseph in Philadelphia, a very large church was opened for him to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him. Brother Rigdon spoke first, and dwelt on the Gospel, illustrating his doctrine by the Bible. When he was through, brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God.” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p 260)

The legacy of revelation this Church is built upon is indeed a ‘marvellous work and a wonder’: “I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith Jun, and spoke unto him from heaven….to bring forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only TRUE and LIVING church upon the face of the whole earth….” (D&C 1:17,30)

What makes the Church the true Church? The correctness of the organisation as established by Christ himself when upon the earth. There is, however, only one thing that makes it a living Church and that is continuous revelation from heaven. This is the privilege. This is the saving grace…..because God is not dead. He lives and He cares….as much as He ever did.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Radiance of Divine Revelation by Ivan Guaderrama)

THE CROWNING BLESSING

 

If ever there was a book for our time, it is the Doctrine and Covenants: a warning to the world and a concise compilation of prophecies, revelations and direct instructions and commandments to Christ’s Church. When I read this book I hear the voice of God.

Every time I study the Doctrine and Covenants, my testimony of Joseph as a prophet grows. No mortal man could come up with anything to rival or match any revelation contained therein that fell from the lips of our exalted, glorified and beloved Saviour.

Consider if anyone bar Christ himself could possibly make the promise He made at the very start of Section 93. The promise to the faithful members of His Church is beyond our wildest imagination:

“It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.”  (v1)

It is the same promise He gave to His Church in the meridian of time:

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”  (John 14:23)

Could there be a greater promise than to see His face??? Elder Bruce R. McConkie called this “the crowning blessing of mortality”:

“We have the power – and it is our privilege – so to live, that becoming pure in heart, we shall see the face of God while we yet dwell as mortals in a world of sin and sorrow. This is the crowning blessing of mortality. It is offered by that God who is no respecter of persons to ALL the faithful in his kingdom. (In CR, Oct 1977, p 52, or Ensign Nov 1977, p 34)

President Spencer W. Kimball confirmed this privilege is available to all the members of the Church:

“I have learnt that where there is hungering after righteousness, forsaking of sins and obedience to the commandments of God, the Lord pours out more and more light until there is finally power to pierce the heavenly veil and to know more than man knows. A person of such righteousness has the priceless promise that one day he shall see the Lord’s face and know that he is.”  (“Give the Lord Your Loyalty”, Ensign March 1980, p 4)

“Sanctify yourselves that your mind become single to God, and the day will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you….”  (D&C 88:68)

“Verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that inasmuch as you …..humble yourselves before me….the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am….” (67:10)

I sometimes wonder if it is our lack of worthiness or our lack of belief in the promise that keeps Him away…..

I lift and I float in this vast

Universal space,

Seeking and hoping to see Your face.

Angels are near me,

They beckon and call

Ensuring I find a soft place to fall.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Bridegroom by LDS Art)

 

A SAVING WORD

 

“A 1986 “Guideposts” magazine contains the story of a woman who discovered what she called “the nevertheless principle”. She had been facing a difficult experience with her husband’s having a malignant brain tumour. She said that in the midst of the experience, at a moment of her greatest pleading, God granted her a word in a moment of inspiration. This single word was NEVERTHELESS. She said:

“I knew it had to be a special word, though I didn’t yet know it would become a life-style. I was sure only that it was a kind of promise. It was even a powerful little phrase: never the less.

“Never the less with God, no matter what. Always the most. Though I was alone in this automobile, nevertheless God Himself was right here beside me. Though doctors pronounced Jerry incurable, nevertheless he would be gloriously healed. Perhaps not here on earth as we had prayed. If Jerry’s physical body should die, nevertheless he would go on living in another, greater dimension.” (Marion Bond West, “One Simple Word from God”, p 12)

-       (Jerry A. Wilson, “The Great Plan of Happiness” p 40)”

This woman researched the word ‘nevertheless’ in her Bible and found it 90 times. There is a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants which uses this word to its biggest potential to teach us of Christ’s character:

“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; NEVERTHELESS, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven” (D&C 1:31-32).

Imagine if that word was not there. Imagine if instead of a semicolon there was a fullstop. Instead this one simple word introduces not only three doctrinal principles but the Saviour’s attribute which makes salvation possible: repentance>obedience>forgiveness…..born out of mercy.

If there was no mercy, we would all be lost. If He was not, we would not be, silence would have wept at Calvary!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Land of Dreams)

THE WORD

 

Some years ago I fell into following a lovely lady on YouTube who had her own ministry in America.  She was inspirational and called herself ‘the cheerleader of your dreams’. She quoted a lot of scriptures but took many out of context and adapted them to her premise of ‘living your dreams’ and getting everything you wanted.

With time I realized her understanding of the scriptures was rather limited and even shallow because she did not understand the connection of most of them to the House of Israel concept, Christ’s Church or the Plan of Salvation. In other words, she didn’t understand them deeply enough. She presumed the scriptures were tailored to the individual and missed the bigger picture.

In the end her scripture quoting frustrated me because I knew better what those scriptures meant, not because I was smarter but because I had been exposed to additional scriptures we have in the Church which give us the complete truth. I became so grateful for the treasure trove of scriptures we have and the continuous revelation we believe in.

I reflected on all the people in Christendom who believe that the Bible is complete and who cry: “A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible” (2 Nephi 29:3). Christ called such people fools who supposed that the Bible contains all His words. Those who reject so thoughtlessly more of His words, reject Him.  

Just recently I read an absolutely excellent article printed in the January 1995 Ensign titled “Scripture Reading and Revelation” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I could not possibly summarise here the wealth of knowledge and instruction given by Elder Oaks but there is something that stood out to me that I would like to share.

The premise of the article was gaining understanding of scriptures with what he called ‘open canon’, meaning the scriptures are open to greater understanding through revelation by the Holy Ghost and the living prophets, just to name a couple. I highly recommend you read this article.

The greatest proof of revelations of the living prophets comes to us through Joseph Smith. The Church has adopted these revelations into our theology and compiled them into Doctrine and Covenants. This set of scripture is actually an ‘open canon’ in a very important way because it continues to incorporate additional revelations as they come from the living prophets.

One example of this is one of my favourite sections in the entire Doctrine and Covenants, Section 138, which records the vision President Joseph F. Smith had of the Saviour’s visit to the spirit world during the three days His body lay in the tomb. This Section records the most powerful moment in time when the Saviour, having completed His crucible, came to the faithful in the world of spirits who awaited Him anxiously ‘rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death’ (v18).

When He appeared “….they bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer….the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them and they sang praises unto His holy name.” (v 23, 24)

This vision was accepted as scripture and added to the Doctrine and Covenants in 1918. The point is this. If our present prophet had a vision that the Council of the Twelve accepted as scripture and they added it to the Doctrine and Covenants, how would each of us feel about ‘open canon’? How we would feel would be a sure indication of how strong our testimony is of our present prophet.

When I study Doctrine and Covenants I know the icing on the cake is coming at the end. I know I will meet the Saviour there in Section 138 and I will cry tears of joy for the life He laid on the sacrificial table for all the faithful who love Him and accept His word.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art by Land of Dreams)

THE OLIVE TREE

 

I cannot even begin to explain the deep affinity I feel with the House of Israel. Perhaps because my patriarchal blessing tells me that I am a true Israelite, ‘being of the seed of Abraham’.  I want to be a part of God’s chosen covenant people and I want the righteous Abraham as my father. I consider this my greatest earthly blessing. Being of the House of Israel reminds me of my spiritual identity and a responsibility I have as a link in the chain which is to bless the nations of the earth.

The world would have us be encumbered by political and social strife that would incite fear and unrest. It would have us be devoid of peace without a positive future. We the covenant people are an ensign of hope for a better world and this is why:

“And in that day…..all mine Israel shall be saved. And they that have been scattered shall be gathered. And all they who have mourned shall be comforted. And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned. Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion, for all flesh in in mine hands; BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.”   (D&C 101:12-16)

The Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon contains a chapter outlining the whole history of the House of Israel and its divine destiny. It is called the Allegory of the Olive Tree by prophet Zenos. Jacob 5 is in my mind the greatest proof of Joseph’s prophetic calling. No man without the mantle of a prophet could possibly outline such an intricate history of a group of people spanning more than two thousand years: before the time of Christ (vs 3-14); the time of Christ (vs 15-28); the great apostasy (vs 29-49); restoration of the Gospel going to the world (vs 50-76); Second Coming (v 77).

The emblem of the House of Israel is the olive tree. The emblem includes two olive branches flanking a temple menorah which the prophet Zechariah saw in a vision (Zechariah 4). The olive branch is a long-standing symbol of peace, reconciliation and hope, with roots in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. This symbol has been carried throughout history and is still recognized today.

Have you ever wondered why the olive tree? The research on this subject is extensive but here is a summary: the olive tree is a symbol of longevity, prosperity, indestructibility and generosity (relative to the fact that it produces abundant fruit even when it is over a thousand years old. It is a living testament to resilience, generosity and ancient wisdom. The other day I saw a picture of an olive tree which was over 2,000 years old and I understood its significance that is relative to the House of Israel.

This, however, is what intrigues me the most, the spiritual symbol. The olive tree is a symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, power and purity. This is us, the House of Israel. This is what we stand for and this is the advantage of being of the House of Israel: through the Atonement of the Son of God, we become reconciled with the Father and that reconciliation brings with it peace through forgiveness of sins. This is what it means to be still and to know He is God.

Here is a deeper thought. Israel is to bless the nations of the earth with the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. When we take the gospel message to the world and the world comes into the household of faith, it receives the olive branch of peace through the reconciliation the Gospel gives. It’s a beautiful symbolism……the one the world needs more than any other……

We are Israel, Thy chosen seed;

We bear Thy holy name

And proclaim Thy salvation

To the ends of the earth.

We are Thy servant in power and might,

We are Israel, children of light.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Peace I Give by Greg Sargent)

WILLINGNESS TO OBEY

 

There is a rather sad story in Doctrine and Covenants involving a man called James Covill who was a minister for forty years.

In short, James Covill came to Joseph Smith, like many others, wanting a revelation from God as to what God wanted him to do. By this action alone, he affirmed he believed Joseph to be a servant of God. In fact, he believed so strongly that he made a covenant with God that he would obey whatever he was told to do.

Unfortunately, James Covill had done this before ‘many times’ but because of pride and cares of the world he never followed through but kept pursuing a path that would give him acceptance of the world (v 9).

Herein enters the Saviour’s mercy. He gives James Covill another chance. In fact, he calls it ‘his deliverance’ from his lack of weakness to obey (v 10). He tells him to be baptized and move to Ohio to build up the Church there. In return, the Lord promised him ‘a blessing such as is not known among the children of men’, twice (vs 10,15).

James Covill rejected the revelation given and returned to his former principles and people. One wonders what kind of a blessing he missed out on. Whatever it was, it was conditional. President Harold B. Lee related this to us in his conference talk of October 1972:

“I sat in a class in Sunday School in my own ward one day, and the teacher was the son of a patriarch. He said he used to take down the blessings of his father, and he noticed that his father gave what he called ‘iffy’ blessings. He would give a blessing, but it was predicated on…..’if you will cease doing that’. And he said, ‘I watched these men to whom my father gave the ‘iffy’ blessings, and I saw that many of them did not heed the warning that my father as a patriarch had given them, and the blessings were never received because they did not comply’.”

President Lee continued saying that he took notice of warnings that Joseph had given through revelations to men like “Thomas B. Marsh, Martin Harris, some of the Whitmer brothers, William E. McLellin, warnings which, had they heeded, some would not have fallen by the wayside…and some had to be dropped from the membership of the Church.”  (Ensign Jan 1973, p 107-8)

The Saviour explained that James Covill “received the word with gladness, but straightway Satan tempted him; and the fear of persecution and the cares of the world caused him to reject the word” (D&C 40:2).

If only James Covill had remembered this and had pondered its warning and its promise: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).

Rejecting blessings is bad enough but rejecting deliverance at the Lord’s hand is worse. One shudders to think what his outcome was when you read this: “Wherefore he broke my covenant, and it remaineth with me to do with him as seemeth me good” ( D&C 40:3).

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Time to Ponder by Greg Collins)

HIS WORK WILL GO FORTH

 

 

This is a condensed version of how the Book of Mormon would read if Dr. Seuss wrote it…..

 

NEPHI:

Of goodly parents I was born

I’ve never drunk, I’ve never sworn

This is Lehi, he’s my dad

Laman, Lemuel, they are bad

And who is this?  Why this is Sam.

SAM:

In a tent my father dwelt.

LAMAN:

And it’s so hot, I think I’ll melt.

LEMUEL:

Our father’s brain is out of whack.

LAMAN:

Yeah, it’s too hot, I’m going back.

LEHI:

Then go and get the plates my dear.

NEPHI:

I will go and I will do

There’s the angel, that’s my cue

Laban’s had too much to drink

Now he’ll lose his head, I think.

LAMAN:

Our gold and silver we have spent

I do not like it in this tent

LEMUEL:

I cannot read the Liahona

I must have drunk too much Corona

LAMAN:

We hate it here, we have no lives.

LEHI:

Then go back to the city and get some wives.

LEHI:

A tree, a tree, I see a tree!!

The fruit is white, the fruit is free!

A floating building, could it be?

Why do they laugh and stare at me?

Laman, Lemuel, come and see!

LAMAN:

We will not eat your precious fruit

LEMUEL:

We will not eat your fruit I say

LAMAN:

We will not eat it on a tray

LEMUEL:

And we won’t eat it in a tent

Not even if your clothes you’ve rent

LAMAN:

We’d rather have a can of spam

LAMAN & LEMUEL:

We will not eat it, Sam I am

SAM:

You do not like it, so you say

Try it, try it, and you may

Try it and you may, I say

LAMAN & LAMUEL:

Say, we like this fruit of life

Sorry that we caused such strife

You’ve saved us from an awful jam

Thank you, thank you, Sam I am!

 

I don’t know who wrote this but the style certainly has a Dr. Seuss signature: it’s funny, it’s entertaining and has a cheery ending, like all his books. But if Dr. Seuss wrote the Book of Mormon, there would be no American Indian today.

In Section 3 of the Doctrine and Covenants, we read the Lord’s declaration that His work shall go forth, no matter what, so that the purposes of the Book of Mormon shall be fulfilled (vs 16-20). President Joseph Fielding Smith had this to say regarding this, which stands to me as the greatest proof of Joseph’s sacred calling:

“If Joseph Smith had been guilty of practicing a fraud, if he had endeavoured to palm off the Book of Mormon on this hostile and unbelieving world, he would have never dared to say that it would go forth to the convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ. Even if he had been foolish enough to make such a declaration and the work being fake, it would have come to a speedy and ridiculous end. It would have never survived the first year of its existence. It would have been full of flaws and scrutinizing gaze of the world would have exposed it in all its folly.”  (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:28-29)

And imagine if Joseph was an educated and popular writer of his time and he sat down to write the history of the American Indian claiming it’s a translation of an ancient historical record. Would not the critics have recognized his literary style in the fake Book of Mormon and discredited his claims?

Hence the uneducated farmer…..oh the great wisdom and foresight of our God!!!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Translation Process by LDS ART)

GODLY SUFFERING

 

 

In Section 19 of Doctrine and Covenants, the Saviour revealed the most personal details of His suffering during the Atonement. Here He dismissed the insinuation that His sweat was ‘like’ drops of blood, as mentioned by Luke in his Gospel, and confirmed that indeed His agony was so great that He sweat actual blood from His pores (v 18; Luke 22:44).

I have been in pain in my life but I cannot fathom such exquisite form of it. This is how Elder James E. Talmage described it:

“Christ’s agony in the garden is unfathomable by the finite mind, both as to intensity and cause….He struggled and groaned under a burden such as no other who has lived on earth might even conceive as possible. It was not physical pain, nor mental anguish alone, that caused Him to suffer such torture as to produce an extrusion of blood from every pore; but a spiritual agony of soul such as only God was capable of experiencing.

“No other man, however great his powers of physical or mental endurance, could have suffered so; for his human organism would have succumbed, and syncope would have produced unconsciousness and welcome oblivion. In that hour of anguish Christ met and overcame all the horrors that Satan, ‘the prince of this world’ could inflict….. (Jesus the Christ, p 613)

There is another scripture in this Section which I find most alarming. In His vehement command to us to repent, the Saviour explained that if we would not repent, we must suffer even as He suffered, to pay for our own sins (v 17). This drives fear into me. I have suffered in my life and the last thing I would want is to undergo suffering at such great scale as I have never experienced before.

Herein enters Christ’s unfathomable mercy. Verses 4-12 offer great insight into God’s punishment. Here we are told that the punishment given from God’s hand is ‘eternal and endless punishment’ because Eternal and Endless are two of His names. It does not mean that a sinner is to be eternally and endlessly made to suffer.

I want to end with this thought however….that might propel us all to repentance this day:

“Prophet Joseph Smith has said: ‘David sought repentance at the hand of God carefully with tears, for the murder of Uriah; but he could only get it through hell: he got a promise that his soul should not be left in hell.’ Again we ask: who wishes to spend a term in hell with the devil before being cleansed from sin???” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:74).

Funny and yet NOT….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Abide With Me by Greg Sargent)

A STEP CLOSER TO GOD PART 2

 

 

The bestowal of the priesthood of the Great High Priest who is Christ the King to men of this earth would have to be the greatest gift He could possibly give us for our earthly sojourn, for “without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (D&C 84:22) It is a huge step that brings us closer to His Godhood and ultimately, ours.

My understanding of the priesthood is pretty basic. I haven’t been schooled in it like the men in the Church have so my offering here will be more of a personal one as opposed to a doctrinal one.

I wrote a couple of days ago about my gratitude for the Aaronic priesthood being the gate to salvation through baptism. This priesthood is the beginning of our path to God and our experience with ‘the power of godliness’ (D&C 84:20)

I have been very fascinated with the promise of this power that is given us through the priesthood ordinances, and this is why. In his vision of us, Nephi indicated that in the last days ‘the power of the Lamb descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord….and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory’ (1 Nephi 14:14).

This has been one of my favourite scriptures for a long time. It gives me hope that I, as one of the covenant people, can overcome the influence of Satan in my life and conquer the enemy of all righteousness (Moroni 9:6)

Here are some benefits I have notice in my life that fulfil the promise of ‘the power of godliness’ through the priesthood ordinances:

1.      The Sacrament: my focus on the Saviour in remembrance of Him has invited His spirit into my life daily. It wasn’t always so but it’s been cumulative over the years.

2.      The Temple: I have noticed that the stricter my obedience to the covenants I have made in the Temple, the greater my desire for righteousness and the more refined my spiritual nature gets.

3.      Priesthood Blessings: This is my favourite priesthood ordinance. It has been many a time that I have wept through a priesthood blessing because I could hear God’s voice just for me. He has told me things that would apply to only me, personal things that only He knows about. It has many times affirmed to me the fact that God knows me, loves me, and is heavily invested in my spiritual progression and my struggles in this life.

This, however, is my greatest appreciation for the Melchizedek Priesthood. This Holy Priesthood is “the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God” (v19). It has been my greatest desire for many years to come to ‘know’ God…..as much as a person can get to know Him in this life. I thirst for this……

My second desire has been to know the ‘mysteries of the kingdom’. Mysteries are, of course, the aspects of Christ’s kingdom we do not yet understand…..and they are available to all worthy saints (D&C 76:5-10).  I thirst for this also…….

Such wonders and blessings overwhelm me. And I owe it to Joseph, the prophet of this dispensation who under the hands of Peter, James and John received the restored Holy Priesthood ‘after the order of the Son of God’ to bless my existence now and forever…… 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Restoration by Liz Lemon Swindle)

A FORGIVING HEART PART 1

 

 

Losing support of someone close to you and suffering betrayal at their hands is a terrible experience. Even though the Saviour was fully in control of His death (John 10:17-18), that betrayal sealed with a kiss in the Garden must have stung bitterly (Luke 22:27,28; Mark 14:44,45).

 

Considering the persecution and betrayal that came to Joseph from within the Church and the men he associated with closely, I conclude that he would have been very familiar with such a sting. Two in particular were W.W. Phelps and Oliver Cowdery. I am always amazed about Oliver because he was a scribe, an Elder, and a witness. He and Joseph shared sacred privileges together which would have created a strong bond between them.

 

Oliver Cowdery received priesthood authority from angelic ministers, was one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon plates, helped supervise the publication of the Book of Mormon, was a founding member of the Church on April 6, 1830, led a group on a mission to American Indian settlements, served as the Assistant President of the Church and an Assistant Counselor to the First Presidency, assisted in the publication of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, and witnessed the appearance of Jesus Christ and angelic ministers in the Kirtland Temple.

 

It would seem that Oliver had suffered some terrible blows in life. His mother died before his third birthday and he lived for long periods of time with his relatives. After he obtained his education, he came to western New York on a teaching post near Palmyra. There he met the Smith family and was spiritually guided to become Joseph’s scribe.

 

Oliver also married and had six children out of which only one survived past early childhood. His wife Elizabeth and the daughter Maria Louise died two days apart and were buried together in 1892. He had no other descendants.

 

A year after the Kirtland Temple opening, the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank dealt a crushing blow to Oliver’s finances and he reacted by pursuing his own enterprise rather than continuing to consecrate his property to the Church. From there it was all downhill. He accused the leaders of the Church of mismanaging funds and he spread rumours that Joseph had committed adultery. The High Council investigated his allegations, and charges that were made against him and ultimately excommunicated him.

 

It would have been a terrible blow to Joseph to be betrayed by such a close friend. Nevertheless, he saw Oliver as a prodigal son and was anxious that he repent and return. At one stage he instructed his clerk: 'I wish you would write to Oliver Cowdery and ask him if he hasn't eaten husks long enough'." (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Doctrines of Salvation", 1:227)

 

Some seven years later, Oliver admitted his disaffection had resulted mostly from aggressive Latter-Day Saints in Missouri who were threatening him and not from any personal misgivings with the leaders of the Church. He had had enough of eating husks of the world and wanted to return to the fellowship of the Church.

 

Joseph received a letter from Oliver Cowdery in Carthage Jail just hours before he was killed. He encouraged the Quorum of the Twelve to re-admit him into the Church and Oliver was re-baptised. He made plans to be re-united with the Saints in Utah but he never made it. His health declined and he died in 1850 before he could travel west. He was 44 years old.

 

What fascinates me is Joseph’s forgiving heart. It’s difficult enough to be cut off from someone you were close to but to have that person slander your name is a double blow.

 

Sometime in our life, we might lose trust and support from someone close to us. Our forgiveness, even when not asked for, might be their only path to salvation. Usually, betrayals are born out of personal misfortunes or deep issues we might not even be aware of.

 

We might not know what makes people do what they do, but the Saviour knows and because He knows He can pave the path to forgiveness. We only see the outside while he sees the inside. He understands us completely while still holding us responsible for our actions.

 

The Saviour’s ability to forgive is much greater than ours. It’s a reservoir we can draw from by virtue of our discipleship……but more of that in Part 2.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Joseph and Oliver Pray (D&C 13) by Del Parson)

TWO-EDGED SWORD

 

 

Some of you will be very familiar with the expression of ‘the two-edged sword’. It is used as a metaphor for God’s word. To be precise, the Lord admonishes His people to give heed to His words, ‘which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword’ as an opening to several chapters of the Doctrine & Covenants (6:2; 33:1; 14:2; 11:2).

For most of us in this day and age a sword is not within our frame of reference. Basically, we can only relate to it by way of the movies we have seen. So, what is a two-edged sword? Anciently, swords that were commonly used had only one edge. Obviously, someone with an acumen in warfare invented a two-edge sword which increased the effectiveness of the weapon.

A two-edged sword could cut in any direction, no matter how the blow was struck. When you imagine the physical destruction such a sword can cause you can immediately understand what the Lord means when He says His word can ‘divide asunder both joints and marrow’ (D&C 6:2). Bone marrow is crucial to physical life and I dare say, joints equally so. Thus, we can assume that God’s word being like a two-edged sword, can bring about destruction of the soul. 

Paul told the Hebrews that God’s word is ‘sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit’ because it is a ‘discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart’ (Hebrews 4:12). This means that God’s word has the power to bring about spiritual death. This will be most evident when He returns as John the Revelator saw that out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword (Revelation 1:16) symbolising the destruction of the wicked. 

Besides being a symbol of death, the scriptures say the Lord’s word is also quick and powerful. Scripturally, the word ‘quick’ does not mean swift but rather ‘living’ or ‘alive’, as in ‘quickened by the Spirit’, which means to be given spiritual life (KJV Bible Dictionary, “Quick”, p 756).

Thus, the word of God is quick and powerful because it is a source of life, energy, and power. It is also a part of the armour of God which dispels darkness (Ephesians 6:17; D&C 27:18). Therefore, the word of God not only brings about spiritual death but also gives spiritual life. It all depends on the heed we give to it. 

Nephi and Alma spoke extensively about the word of God and what it can do for us (2 Nephi 32; Alma 32:28-43). References to the eternal rewards are endless but I will tell you what it has done for me personally here and now.

From the time I was a teenager I used to suffer from depression. At age 36 I became a serious student of the scriptures. Even as a single mother who was working full time, I would spend at least one hour a day studying the word of God. The time never seemed enough.

Some months after I started, I noticed I was no longer getting depressed. I was gaining spiritual life.  Every time I studied the scriptures and ‘gave heed to His words’ (D&C 6:2), I gained a portion of His Spirit, which healed my soul. I have not experienced depression for 32 years now. Low moments here and there, yes, but not ongoing depression.

This is the power of words. Even the ones we speak build or destroy. An example: I awoke at midnight last night for a bathroom break and made a crucial mistake of visiting Facebook to find something. I came across a critical comment about one of my recent posts on Joseph Smith.

This Church member told me I write ‘at nauseam’ about Joseph Smith, that this is not the Church of Joseph Smith and that I should put the focus on ‘whose name and personage we follow’ and that because of my writing ‘many members and non-members alike are concerned’. Those of you who are familiar with my posts will understand when I tell you that sleep evaded me for the rest of the night……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: AI Generated)

P.S.  This post does not discredit medical attention deemed necessary by any individual for any physical or mental health issues.

 

This post does not discredit medical attention deemed necessary by any individual for any physical or mental health issues)