FEARLESS

 

In my last post where I wrote about the privilege we can have to see the face of Christ, I mentioned a scripture that supported that doctrine which reads like this: “….inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me….the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am….” (D&C 67:10)

I understood jealousies and lack of humility to be the stumbling block because they allude to attributes of righteousness but I wondered why the Lord included ‘fears’ in the list of the prerequisites. After a few days of pondering I understood why. Fear is inverted faith. Fear and faith cannot co-exist. You either have one or the other. You cannot hold onto fears produced by mortality and say you have faith in God and His providence.

This led me to ask what fears the early saints had that would impede their faith. This is actually easy to understand when you consider the hardships, sacrifices and persecutions that confronted them. Nevertheless, the fears they had regarding their condition would have negated the faith they should have had in the Saviour as their support, their caregiver and deliverer from difficulties they were called upon to bear. This is not a judgmental observation but an attempt to highlight the power of faith.

And this is to highlight the power of fear. The revelation of Section 67 was concerning a special conference of the Elders in regards to the printing of 65 revelations received by Joseph up to that time. In verse 3 of this Section, the Lord tells these Elders that they believed that they should receive the blessing which was offered to them but that they didn’t receive it because of the ‘fears in their hearts’.

It is not clear what blessing these fears were responsible for but considering that William W. Phelps was one of the Elders involved in the conference and the printing of the ‘Book of Commandments’, this offers some clarity regarding the fears. Not only did he question the language of the revelations, because he was a ‘learned man’ and an educator, he also attempted to write one himself and failed miserably (Doctrine & Covenants Student Manual p 142).

William W. Phelps was Joseph’s close associate who left the Church for a time with Oliver Cowdery. He became fiercely anti and wrote an incriminating affidavit which landed Joseph and Sidney Rigdon in jail and wreaked deadly havoc on the Church community. He later repented and admitted he had been under immense pressure and persecution from the opposing forces to the Church. Phelps stands as a good example of the fears that would have plagued the early saints.

Very often we miss out on the greatest blessings because we don’t focus on what we want but instead we focus on what we don’t want to happen to us. This creates a very powerful tool that brings that unwanted thing upon us, the tool called FEAR. This tool often directs the paths we take in life and dictates how productive we are. It cripples our self-confidence, it prevents happiness by projecting outcomes that might never happen, and at times it manifests that which we don’t want. In Job’s words: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me” (Job 3:25)

The worst of all, it destroys our faith in God who heralds: “Fear thou not, for I am with thee….” (Isaiah 41:10)

I kept my fears so close to my heart,

They hid so well not wanting to depart.

They pulled the strings

And bade me where to go;

They owned my soul

More than I wanted to know.

You took possession of the inner me

And replaced those fears with tranquility.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Tranquil Grace by Ivan Guaderrama)

OPPOSITION

 

 

If you are doing well, especially spiritually, there will always be someone who will in some way try to pull you down or destroy your relationship with God and the Church that you hold dear to your heart. The adversary will use others to accomplish this. He never sleeps. I have just been through an experience of such nature myself. It left me reflecting on the Saviour and how He endured so much opposition in his earthly life, especially during his three years of ministry.

There are also people who will uphold you, believe in you, and build you up. It’s a gift from above. These are angels sent to ensure your endurance. It always gives me comfort to reflect on the people who loved the Saviour too.

This is what I see in the Gospel of John. The most endearing is his account of events prior to Christ’s death. John records that six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany (John 12:1-3).  Why Bethany? Because in Bethany lived Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. This is where Jesus was loved, comforted, accepted and believed so Bethany was his place of refuge. The Passover was imminent and it heralded the beginning of the end. 

Imagine with what heavy heart Jesus came to Lazarus' house for the last time. And imagine what solace He felt as the woman who anointed Him was Mary, who sat at His feet and hungered for His words of eternal life. It makes sense that Mary would be the woman who would anoint Him for his burial (John 12:7). Mary anointed not only his feet but his head also (Mark 14:3), 'an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings' (James Talmage, "Jesus The Christ", p 512 ). 

Mary spared no expense for the one she loved for she anointed Him with the costly ointment of spikenard. Lazarus' family was wealthy and well known to all the Jews in Jerusalem, especially to the Jewish Council who sought to kill him because Christ raised him from the dead which caused many of the Jews to believe on Him (John 12:10-11).

And did Lazarus withdraw his hospitality and shun Jesus because his life was in jeopardy? No, because he loved Him.  So, you see He was in a house of love before He began His journey to His death. John is the only one who made detailed mention of this trip to Bethany because I believe it was important to him to record that even though Christ was despised, bruised and rejected, He was also loved.

The very jaws of hell were wide open ready to swallow the Christ and prevent Him from fulfilling His purpose but He never faltered believing in His ability to see it to the end. What in my mind sealed His determination and commitment was His unwavering relationship with the Father. He promised and He desired to bring Him glory.

Remember, when the devil sends his mighty winds and storms to beat upon you, he shall have no power to drag you down to the gulf of misery, if you are built upon the rock which is the Redeemer of your soul (Helaman 5:12). He will ensure you will have His strength to survive and He will send you His love to protect you.  

Your arms are my shelter,

Your heart is my home,

My only hope

For protection from the storm.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Light of the World by Howard Lyon)

THE VOICE AT THE GATE

 

“Each evening at sundown, the shepherds bring their small flocks of sheep to a common enclosure where they are secured against the wolves that roam the deserts of Morocco. A single shepherd then is employed to guard the gate until morning. Then the shepherds come to the enclosure one by one, enter therein, and call forth their sheep – by name. The sheep will not hearken unto the voice of a stranger but will leave the enclosure only in the care of their true shepherd, confident and secure because the shepherd knows their names and they know his voice.”

-        Elder John R. Lasater, “Shepherds of Israel”, Ensign, May 1988, p 74)

 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

“But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

“And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

-        John 10:2-5

 

“Take heed that no man deceive you; For many shall come in my name, saying – I am Christ – and shall deceive many…” (JS Matthew 1:6)

 

How grateful to know Your voice

In this world of utter despair

And hear it echo 

in Your loving tender care.

 

How fiercely You watch,

How tenderly You care,

How safe You make me feel

Knowing You are ever there.

 

How grateful I am to be in Your flock,

How grateful to be in Your keep;

You are my shepherd

And I am Your sheep.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Gate by Jenedy Paige)