SON OF THE MORNING 1

 

Get Thee Hence Satan by Carl Heinrich

Some years ago I wanted to know what the ‘Son of the Morning’ title meant so I elicited the meaning of it from a friend who is well versed in scripture. This was his understanding: “While there is not much written about Lucifer and his being ‘the son of the morning’, it is interesting that in the only two places in the scriptures (at least that I can think of; Isaiah 14:12-20 and D&C 76:25-27) where the name Lucifer is used there is also a reference to him being ‘a son of the morning’.

“My presumption is that the term ‘morning’ refers to the fact that he was born early on as a spirit offspring of the Father. Perhaps he might have even been second born vs his brother who was firstborn. We have so many fascinating stories among the great patriarchs of having two competing sons vying for the firstborn birthright and it almost seems as though these stories are a continuation of that which started in the pre-mortal life with the Saviour and Lucifer.

“You can even get that sense from a statement in D&C 88:115, about Lucifer having as his goal that of displacing of his brother from his throne. It seems likely from the two scriptures above and one in Luke 10:18 that Lucifer (whose name means ‘Light Bearer’ or perhaps a ‘Shining One’ and in the Hebrew Bible could be translated as ‘son of dawn’ or ‘son of morning’) had progressed greatly and was in fact a ruler and had authority of some kind (D&C 76:25-26; Isaiah 14:12-20).” (Larry Keeler, Feb 6, 2023)

The Latin word ‘lucifer’ comes from the Latin words luc-and-fer, which mean ‘light and ‘bearing’ respectively. Lucifer was a sprit son of Heavenly Father and led the rebellion in the pre-mortal life seeking to dethrone the Father and His Christ. He fell and was banished to this earth with his followers (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18; 2 Nephi 24:12; D&C 76:25-29). After his fall, he became Satan and the devil (D&C 76:25-29; Moses 4:1-4).

He is the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus proclaimed him to be a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). In his first epistle Peter warned that we should be sober and vigilant because our adversary the devil was a roaring lion who walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Paul warned that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). This is the way he accomplishes his work:

HIS THREE DOCTRINES:

No punishment for sin

Nothing after death

He does not exist

HIS LIES THROUGH RATIONALISATION:

Just once won’t hurt

No one will know

Everybody is doing it

HIS VALUE SYSTEM:

Selfishness

Self-indulgence

Immediate gratification

HIS SALES TECHNIQUES:

Pacifying

Flattering

Lulling

HIS GOAL:

To steal our spiritual identity

To kill our faith in God

To destroy our commitment to Christ

HIS WORLDLY ENTICEMENTS:

Power

Popularity

Praise

Lucifer, or Perdition as he was also called in pre-mortal life, where he was so mighty he was in authority amongst us, would have to be the biggest tragedy known to man. Such a great tragedy that we wept over him when he was lost. Not only him but also one third of the host of heaven, no doubt siblings we loved and were close to who were overcome with the charm and persuasion of one such powerful liar of influence (D&C 29:36,37; Revelation 12:4,9).

 

He was the Son of the Morning,

His pride yielded irreversible cost

In the beginning we sorely wept

When his soul was forever lost.

 

Like a thief in the night,

He now seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

He is the collector of ruined lives,

The Master of ravaged souls.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

OPPOSITION

 

"Satan would suck the life out of us. He, who cannot have the life that we are promised, would absorb us like a spider sucking the juice out of an insect. But we don't have to give in to any of his tactics. Whether he pretends his aims are noble; whether he tells us to follow him because our faith is just not realistic; whether he tells us our life or cause or hopes are foolish; whether he tries to frighten, pretending he has all the power on his side, he is lying.

"He says, "I have nothing for you but misery, and in exchange I want you to yield to me your peace of mind, your joy, and your inheritance in the kingdom of God."

- Maurine Jensen proctor, "On the Morrow I come Into the World", Meridian Magazine

HIS SEVEN LIES:

1. God doesn't want to hear from you. Not after you have ignored Him so long;

2. Because God loves you, your behaviour doesn't matter all that much; 

3. If you can't gain a testimony right away it must not be true;

4. Confessing your sins will only hurt the people you love. To spare them that pain, keep it secret.

5. The Church teachings are outdated.

6. You tried and tried but you are just not good enough. You'll never make it. 

7. God is asking too much of you. 

HIS THREE DOCTRINES:

1. No punishment for sin;

2. Nothing after death;

3. He does not exist.

HIS RATIONALISATIONS:

1. Just once won't hurt;

2. No one will know;

3. Everybody is doing it.

HIS VALUE SYSTEM:

1. Selfishness;

2. Self-indulgence;

3. Immediate gratification.

HIS SALES TECHNIQUES:

1. Pacifying;

2. Flattering;

3. Lullying.

(2 Nephi 28:21-22)

HIS WORLDLY ENTICEMENTS:

1. Power;

2. Popularity;

3. Praise.

HIS GOAL:

1. To steal our spiritual identity;

2. To kill our faith in God

3. To destroy our commitment to Christ

(John 10:10)

"And now....remember, remember, that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

(Helaman 5:12)

"....the enemy is on the alert, and as the Savior said, the prince of this world cometh, but he hath no power over me." D&C 127:11; JST John 14:30

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Whole Armour by Celestial Heritage)

IDOLATRY 2

 

I wrote yesterday about the influences of the world enabled through technology and how they lead us to idolatry.

The greatest shield against the penetrating strength of our modern-day living is strict obedience to the commandments of God. There simply is no better protection and acquisition of strength. I was all the more convinced of this as I read something very interesting about the very last of the Ten Commandments (thou shalt not covet)  which many people would not think was a important as the preceding nine but this illustrates just how all the commandments are so intertwined that none can be broken without weaking all the others:

“He who covets the mere material things of life may have ‘other gods before him’.

“He who covets may desecrate the Sabbath day to get gain.

“He who covets may fail to sustain his father and his mother in their need.

“Some who have coveted have killed to get gain.

“Many who have coveted a ‘neighbour’s wife’ have committed the grievous sin of adultery.

He who covets is more likely to steal (or to swindle or embezzle or engage in sharp practices).

“He who covets may bear false witness to get gain.

“Whenever we ignore any divine counsel or commandment, we can be sure that we weaken ourselves and increase our susceptibility to other sins….The commandment against covetousness does not mean that we should not have a wholesome desire to improve ourselves or our situation….The danger comes when mere ‘things’ begin to matter too much.” (Richard L. Evans, in “The Tenth Commandment”, Part 1, “The Ten Commandments Today”, p 142-44)

“Paul, on two occasions, equated coveting with idolatry (see Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). The implication is that when one sets his heart on things of the world to the point that allegiance to God and His principles no longer matters, then material things become as a god to that person; he follows after them or worships them….Samuel told Saul that sin and iniquity were also idolatry (see 1 Samuel 15:23). (Old Testament Student Manual 1 p 135)

Think of the serious attachments people have in this world that demand their full focus to the point where they become addictions, such as food, drugs, alcohol, sex, even violent crime.  These addictions become gods and they all stem from disobedience to the commandments.

These are flaxen cords which the adversary uses to bind us to him forever (2 Nephi 26:22). This is idolatry….at all times, if we are not following God, we are following the opposition…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Guiding Light by Ivan Guaderrama)

TO KNOW THE ENEMY

 

There is great insight into the adversary, and how he operates, from his interaction with the children of Adam and Eve, and Cain in particular.

Firstly, to draw Cain into his web, Satan observed him closely. When Cain showed openly he was not interested in knowing God and aligned himself with his older brethren who loved Satan more than God, the adversary knew he had the right man (Moses 5:16). He needed someone as arrogant and prideful as himself but who knew the snares of mortality that could defeat God’s plan for humanity. And he was even prepared to sacrifice his position of leadership for such an opportunity. In time Cain became ‘the father of Satan’s lies’ and assumed his name of Perdition (5:24) and this is how it happened.

From his observation of Cain’s relationship with his righteous brother Abel , he knew just how to push the buttons to ignite jealousy and from there to initiate him into secret combinations of gain and murder (Moses 5:18-21). But to bind Cain into his oath, Satan first commanded him to implicate his apostate brothers in the same oath so that they would not reveal the plan to their father (Moses 5:29). Interesting, isn’t it? Why would he worry that Adam would find out?

This is why. Satan knew who Adam was and the coward that he is, he feared him. John the Beloved was shown the war in heaven and he described Satan as the dragon who fought with his angels and the leader who opposed him with his angels and prevailed against him was Michael the Archangel (Revelation 12:7-10)…… the name by which Adam was known in the pre-mortal life (Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Library). Satan feared Adam who cast him and his followers down to this earth (v 11.

Secondly, he made Cain swear ‘by the living God’ that he would not reveal the secret oath by which he was bound. This was a plain admission on his part that there is none greater than God, and that he harbours secret respect for the very enemy he tries to deny and whose kingdom he tries to destroy. Not a very smart move for someone with self- aggrandizing bravado.

This is the most important part of this intriguing story: “During the ‘war in heaven’ shown to John the Beloved on the Isle of Patmos, it does not appear that Elohim interfered in any way even though He was greatly concerned with the outcome. The scripture says that when Satan was ultimately cast out it was Michael and his angels who did it. It even describes HOW they did it: ‘by the word of their testimony’ (Rev 12:11).”  (W. Cleon Skousen, “The First 2,000 Years”, p 101)

The adversary knows us from pre-earth life but he has no power here but what we give him. We have the biggest advantage that he will never have, a body. That in and of itself makes us greater than him, and he knows it. The second biggest advantage is our testimony of ‘the blood of the Lamb’, even the same that we defeated him with in pre-mortal life (v 11). The third biggest advantage is our righteousness. He quivers before it. He kneels before it. It is like an open flame that threatens to destroy.

Satan has no power on his best day to destroy you on your worst day…….fear not. You are one of the angels who fought the greatest war in our history and you prevailed against the greatest enemy….and you still have your sword.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: I Am A Warrior of Light by Greg Collins)

THE TEST

 

“You may wonder why we are not sharing the fun here on earth. That’s because we have been quarantined. We’ve been isolated for a special testing situation. Remember, that’s what the Lord told Enoch when he was talking about the world. He had created “worlds without number” and yet he told Enoch, “Among all the workmanship of my hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.” (Moses 7:36) 

“So, in worlds without number, this is number one, the worst. This means when you are here, you are getting a real test.”   (Hugh Nibley, Old Testament and Related Studies [Deseret Book Co., Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies], 1986, 146)

He was one of us. He was great and mighty. He was in the bosom of the Father and in authority among us (D&C 76:25). He was also a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). And he was full of pride and unrighteous ambition and when he fell the heavens wept over him (D&C 76:26).

He is now cast to this earth, a Thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He seeks to steal our spiritual identity, kill our faith in God and destroy our commitment to Christ, the source of our salvation, and this is his method of destruction:

HIS THREE DOCTRINES are: 1. No punishment for sin; 2. Nothing after death; 3. He does not exist.

HIS LIES THROUGH RATIONALISATION: 1. Just once won’t hurt; 2. No one will know; 3. Everybody is doing it.

HIS VALUE SYSTEM: 1. Selfishness; 2. Self-indulgence; 3. Immediate gratification.

HIS SALES TECHNIQUES: 1. Pacifying; 2. Flattering; 3. Lulling (see 2 Nephi 28:21-22)

HIS WORDLY ENTICEMENTS: 1. Power; 2. Popularity; 3. Praise.

I can see all these playing out in our society but there is something the Thief cannot do….he cannot overcome Him who came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)……the Saviour of all mankind, the Lion of Judah who keeps us in His care.

 

He was the Son of the Morning,

His pride yielded irreversible cost

In the beginning we sorely wept

When his soul was forever lost.

 

Like a thief in the night,

He now seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

He is the collector of ruined lives,

The Master of ravaged souls.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: In God's Care by Greg Collins)

DECEPTION

 

“The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and….fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today.

“God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.” 

-          President Ezra Taft Benson (in CR April 1975, p 94-95)

Twelve years earlier President Benson gave us the formula through which we could identify deception (in CR Oct 1963, p 16-17):

1.     What do the standard works say about it?

2.     What do the latter-day presidents of the Church have to say on the subject… Particularly the living President?

3.     The test of the Holy Ghost…this test can only be fully effective if one’s channels of communication with God are clean and virtuous and uncluttered with sin.

The third reminds me of President Nelson saying that in the last days we will not be able to survive spiritually without the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost.

Nephi went one step further and advised us to feast upon the words of Christ because the words of Christ will tell us all things what we should do because the words of Christ are administered by the power of the Holy Ghost (2 Nephi 32:3).

The Holy Ghost is the most important element of the abovementioned formula. The words of Christ are relative to both the standard works and the prophets of the Church but the Holy Ghost provides the confirmation of these words and testifies of their truth.

The Church has a dual purpose: to administer the saving ordinances of the Gospel and to instruct and protect the elect of God from the ideologies of the world hence the administrative structure of prophets, seers and revelators.

Deception has only one outcome:  spiritual bondage from which we might never recover. Truth offers us freedom here and now and in the world to come. Falsehood enslaves us now and forever. The war continues, the battleground is here, one person offers us captivity and one person offers us freedom. We know who is who.

And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free…… (John 8:32)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Set My Spirit Free by Greg Collins)

LOVE UNFEIGNED

 

I reflected this week on the hardest commandment that Jesus gave us: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”  (Matthew 5:44). Then I was reminded that He was the greatest example of this.

Never has there been a man who has been persecuted and hated more and who suffered greater pain at the hands of His enemies and who died an unjust death.  And all this whilst He possessed the power to defend himself and cause the destruction of those who He suffered for. Imagine the God who created worlds submitting himself to being mocked, spit upon, whipped, smitten, and adorned with a crown of thorns (Luke 22:63-65; Mark 14:65; Matthew 27:26-31)

Over and over the Lord’s own testimony of His subjection to this treatment came into my mind: “I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”  (Isaiah 50:6)

Following this testimony, the Saviour seeks our attention by saying twice: “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord….the people in whose heart is my law” (Isaiah 51:1,7). He not only wants us to take note of the example He set but He then tells us that ‘the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads….” (v 11).

Why do you think the adversary is attacking America and causing so much division there right now? Because that’s where Zion is where ‘the redeemed of the Lord shall return’. We cannot be redeemed if we are not united, if hatred exists amongst us. Zion The Pure In Heart, cannot be pure if we are divided in purpose, in care of each other, in love.

The adversary is driving division amongst us in the best ways possible. He knows if he can divide us, he can destroy us. He doesn’t care who dies, bad or good, as long as it makes us hate one another. If you are posting about this week’s tragedy, even if it is something good, don’t. It just reminds others of the injustice and makes them more angry and more prone to hate. We are emissaries of Christ and not the enemy. Therefore, we are to spread love and not hate.

We are not asked to follow the Prince of Peace in times of peace but in times of turmoil. We the people in whose heart is Christ’s law of love unfeigned, unity and hope of joy, need to stand against the forces of evil that seek to plant hatred in us or we will never make it to Zion. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Prince of Peace by Danny Hahlbohm)

THE POWER OF US

 

When I awoke yesterday morning I thought I would visit YouTube for any world news and was amazed at the mess our world has become. I saw an assassination, hatred, political protests, murders and drug addicted cities of America. Amidst all that chaos I saw one person so prominently that it had an incredible impact on me. I saw the enemy of all humanity.

Lately I have been reluctant to check out the world news because I have realised it has a downing effect on me but this morning it actually did the opposite. It awakened the warrior spirit in me that wants to defeat the enemy. I don’t know that I can change the world, but I can change me. And every soul that changes or remains faithful to God is one soul lost to the enemy.

I am of the opinion that the adversary is exerting his power now more than ever because the Millenium is drawing nigh and he knows this is the time when he will be powerless (D&C 101:28). And why will he be powerless? Because of the righteousness of the people who will be left to enjoy the Millenial era (1 Nephi 22:26).

The adversary has two goals: 1. To make all men miserable like himself (2 Nephi 2:27); and 2. To overthrow Christ who he rebelled against in pre-earth life (D&C 29:36-9). I once asked a friend of mine in Utah who is very well versed in scripture why Satan is called ‘the son of the morning’. Here is what he replied:

“My presumption is that the term ‘morning’ refers to the fact that he was born early on as a spirit offspring of the Father. Perhaps he might have even been second born vs his brother who was firstborn.

“We have so many fascinating stories among the great patriarchs of having two competing sons vying for the firstborn birthright and it almost seems as though these stories are a continuation of that which started in the pre-mortal life with the Saviour and Lucifer. You can even get that sense from a statement in D&C 88:115, about Lucifer having as his goal that of displacing his brother from his throne.” (Larry Keeler, 6 February 2023)

The adversary knows if he gets us, he gets Him….but that will never be. As I said in my recent post, it’s time to dust off our armour…..

There is a desire in my soul

That wants to conquer Goliath

And watch him fall….

This warrior within me never sleeps

And yearns to hear the angels’ call,

A call to battle to make the devil fall.

And when Christ comes in clouds so holy

He will conquer that enemy

And we will confess His glory.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Almost Time by Danny Hahlbohm)

OUR DAY

 

I cannot help but feel that our day very much resembles Charles Dickens’ first famous line of his successful novel titled “The Tale of Two Cities” through which he described France prior to the French Revolution of 1700s:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair….”

The best of our day is the Restoration of the Gospel, the expansion of missionary work, temples dotting the earth, the Millenium imminent. The worst of our day is warfare engulfing us, hatred among people dividing us and evil luring around every corner seeking to destroy us.

Lest we get lulled into complacency thinking there have always been bad times throughout history, it is important for us to remember that our dispensation is different. We have been illuminated by God’s light of truth and this means the adversary is working harder than ever before to spread his darkness. He is no longer hiding in the shadows. His attempts to destroy the two countries that will be Christ’s governmental seats when He comes and thus foil the millennial plans is out in the open.

Things are not going to get any better, only worse. Some of us are eager to embrace all the calamities and the worst that is yet to come because it means the Saviour is closer to coming. That is true but enduring until then will come at price, for us and for our children alike:

"Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time where 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. The Saints will come here not only to do vicarious work, but to find a haven of peace. They will long to bring their children here for safety's sake...”

 

But then the promise and reward of endurance….all that will stand between us and the greatest 1,000 years of this earth is our personal worthiness and this is how we will achieve it:

 

“The covenants and ordinances will fill us with faith as a living fire. In a day of desolating sickness, scorched earth, barren wastes, sickening plagues, disease, destruction, and death, we as a people will rest in the shade of trees, we will drink from the cooling fountains. We will abide in places of refuge from the storm; we will mount up as on eagles' wings; we will be lifted out of an insane and evil world. We will be as fair as the sun and clear as the moon.”

 

This prophecy was given by Elder Vaugn J. Featherstone at the re-dedication of the Manti Temple in April 1987. He went on to say that the Saviour’s people will know Him when He appears. Why is that? Because we will become like Him through the light of the Gospel that has been given us in this dispensation. Because of the saving ordinances which qualify us to be a covenant people. Because we will have strived to spread the light which we have been given to extinguish the darkness which seeks to destroy us.

 

In Elder Featherstone’s words, when the Saviour comes: “Our children will bow down at His feet and worship Him as the Lord of Lords and 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.”

 

We, the children of light and of the everlasting covenant will do this….

-CATHRYNE ALLEN 

Artist Unknown 

 

ABSENCE OF FEAR

 

“A monk was confronted by an angry warrior who said: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can cut off your head and not bat an eye!”  The little monk looked him in the eyes and calmly replied: “Don’t you know who I am? I am someone who can have you cut off my head….and not bat an eye!”  (Author Unknown)

Right now, we are witnessing the unfolding of the Lord’s prophecy that He shall decree wars upon the face of the earth before His coming (D&C 63:33). Many of us are in fear. The Lord also predicted this fear (v33). My way to cope without the fear is to look at the overall picture rather than look at the politics. I feel peace knowing that the Saviour is ultimately in control.

I am looking past the political manouvers and can see how Christ’s arch enemy is trying his hardest to destroy Israel and America and thereby foil the Millenial plans. These two countries will be the Saviour’s governing seats when He comes.

The adversary is seeking to bring in globalism so he can prevent this and control the world but I know He can never win and this is why: “I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all….and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.” (D&C 63:58-60). To mock the Saviour means not believing that He is yet to come to reign and subject all things under His feet (D&C 58:22). We should be looking forward to that.

In my mind, there are two things for us the saints of these last days to consider. The Lord has warned us that before He comes, things will get so bad with wars that even ‘the saints shall hardly escape’(v34). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained ‘that it is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer…..still many Saints will escape, for the just shall live by faith; yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, the pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God.” (“History of the Church”, 4:11)

Why do you think that cute little monk could have his head cut off without batting an eye? I would wager that he looked past this life and saw the vista of eternity before him. We, the saints know that vista…..it should be spread before us constantly…..therefore there is no need to fear….anything! Whether in life or in death, our destiny is assured if we are righteous. Being saved in the Kingdom of God is all that should matter.

If God be for us, who can be against us??? (Romans 8:31)

Thou art our everlasting God

Jehovah, our King,

Who has loved us and chosen us as Thine own;

Keep us as the apple of Thine eye,

Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings

That we might never stray

And cause Thee sorrow;

And help us wait for Thee

In the dawning of tomorrow. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Second Coming by Jon McNaughton)

LOOKING FORWARD

 

I used a scripture in my post yesterday that said, “…..I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”  (John 10:10). Brilliant, isn’t it??? What comes at the beginning of that scripture though is more indicative of this life than any other scripture I know of. It begins like this: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy….” 

The Saviour was, of course, speaking of the adversary and the opposing forces he brings into this life to derail us from the abundance that we can have through following Him. Christ’s adversary is here to steal our spiritual identity, kill our faith in God, and destroy our commitment to Christ, the source of our salvation. His value system is: 1. Selfishness; 2. Self-indulgence; 3. Immediate gratification. Does this not describe so well this mortal life?

The adversary’s value system is his greatest lie. Everything that pleases and gratifies in this life is something he promotes as abundance. In reality, our mortal life is abundant when through faith in God, we have peace in our hearts and love of our families. But there is more. Real abundance comes when we leave this temporary plane of opposition, having conquered all, and return to God.

Elder Bruce C. Hafen has said it well: “Mortality is not mere estrangement from God – it is the crucible through which the possibility of truly meaningful life becomes real” (“Broken Heart” p 39). What meaningful life? Eternal life, that is yet to come.

Nephi tell us that “Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25). I have often wondered how Adam and Eve felt when they left the Garden and found themselves in ‘hell’, so to speak. Adam lived 930 years according to Genesis 5:5 and Moses 6:12. Imagine living for that long in this life. I am certain he could endure it because he came to understand what was yet to come.

“Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden so that ‘they might have joy’. Not nice days. Not yawning and stretching and lounging in front of a cozy television set throughout eternity. AFTER Adam and Eve had been in the lone and dreary world long enough to get some idea of what it meant to ‘eat bread by the sweat of thy face’ and to ‘bring forth children in sorrow’ an angel taught them the plan of salvation.” (Bruce C. Hafen, “Broken Heart” p 75)

It was after they sampled the crucible of this life that they learnt of ‘the joy of redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient’ (Moses 5:11). Imagine experiencing the ease and beauty and peace of the Gaden of Eden, then the barren harshness of this life that only the prince of this world can offer and finally to be given hope that they can return to the bliss of God’s presence, the state of lasting joy and happiness. Imagine the relief and the driving force to endure and to overcome, and to be, in the end, found worthy!

Someone wise once said that Eden was a way-station, not a destination….so it is with this life. The Saviour did not die so that we will have an inferior destination. He died to gather us, to restore us, to give us joy everlasting. Let us not be deceived by the counterfeits of this life but let us ‘look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross….”  (Hebrews 12:2)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: No Greater Joy by Chris Brazelton)

GOD OF GLORY

 

There is an account of an interesting event that occurred in the early Church history. During the absence of the priesthood authorities of the Church, some members fell under the influence of false spirits and had engaged in ‘ridiculous extravagances’ such as ‘pursuing a ball that one member said he saw flying in the air to the edge of a precipice, some had visions and could not tell what they saw, some fancied that they had the sword of Laban and would wield it, some would act like an Indian in the act of scalping, some would slide or scoot on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent and some imagined they were sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel’. (History of the Church, 4:580; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 107)

Out of all the names attributed to the adversary, the most fitting would have to be the Deceiver. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “From the time of the fall of man until now Satan and his followers who were cast out of heaven, have been deceiving men. Some commandments are of men and some are of devils (D&C 46:7).” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:200, Student Manual p 107)

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him what were the signs of His coming, Jesus answered: “Take heed that no man deceive you; For many shall come in my name saying – I am Christ – and shall deceive many….and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. (JS Matthew 1: 5,6,22).

We are the elect according to the covenant and the time of the signs of His coming are upon us. I don’t know what manner of signs and wonders the false Christ’s will perform in an attempt to deceive the elect but I do know that we should be vigilant and that, according to the Saviour’s admonition, ‘we should ask of God, follow the Spirit and walk uprightly before Him that we may not be deceived by evil spirits’ (D&C 46:7).

I am reminded of Moses who had an encounter with the adversary following His experience with God on Mount Sinai. Moses was favoured to see the glory of God in his transfigured state (Moses 1:11) following which Satan attempted to deceive him telling him He is the Only Begotten that should be worshipped but Moses would not be deceived saying: “….where is YOUR glory?” (v 15,16,19)

The adversary will use all sorts of cheap counterfeits attempting to convince people that he is the Son of God. There might be things he can imitate but there is one thing he cannot imitate and that is glory. You cannot be the source of darkness and at the same time possess glory (Moses 1:15).

We might not see it until His coming but I hope we will know the God of glory through the association with His spirit as we live righteously and increase our testimony of His Sonship and that by the time the Second Coming is upon us, I hope we will know Him so intimately that we could never be deceived.

 

There is a desire in my soul

That wants to conquer Goliath

And watch him fall….

This warrior within me never sleeps

And yearns to hear the angels’ call,

A call to battle to make the devil fall.

And when Christ comes in clouds so holy

He will conquer that enemy

And we will confess His glory.

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Second Coming by CraftonArtPrints)

 

A HOLY PLACE

 

 

There is something very personal for us the Saints of the Latter-Days in the Olivet Discourse that the Saviour delivered to His disciples. In outlining the conditions of our day He said that amidst all the wickedness, desolation and commotion, “my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved, but among the wicked men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die” (D&C 45:32).

This scripture has made me reflect on how much the Saviour is depending on us. I reflected on the Church He organized in the meridian of time and how it all fell apart after He was gone. I wondered as He spoke to His disciples, if He was comforted looking forward to the restoration knowing He had special, strong spirits in reserve who will bring His Church “out of the wilderness – clear as the moon and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (D&C 5:14).  

The adversary might have accomplished his purpose by having the early saints killed and the Church disbanded but this time there will be no saints on crucifixes lining the walls of coliseums. I think of Joseph’s death and the persecution of the pioneers which they endured with unfathomable strength. Surely this strength preserved the Church and defeated the adversary’s plan to destroy God’s kingdom on earth the second time around.

I don’t know what awaits us as persecution of Christians escalates in our day. The adversary is employing the loss of national sovereignty and religious and cultural upheaval in the world today which is destroying the brotherhood of man. The hatred is raging in people’s hearts to the point of violence as the Saviour indicated it would (D&C 45:33).

I am hoping the saints who will face the final attempt of destruction of God’s kingdom on earth will be met by the strongest of the strong who have prepared themselves to withstand the destructive forces of the fiends of evil.

The adversary will never give up. He didn’t do so when he failed to abort the Plan of Salvation in the Garden of Eden and he didn’t give up when the Saviour emerged from the tomb. Surely he would have got the message then of ‘game over’ but still he has persisted and one would have to wonder why.

The obvious reason is ‘misery seeks company’ but I think there is more to it than that. I think it is pride which seeks its reward through rebellion, retaliation and revenge. It’s a pride born out of not willing to have been wrong. You can see this same pride in the political arena which is ravaging our world today, whether between individuals or nations.

I dread to think how the Saviour will grieve when He comes and sees that many of us have left our holy places. When the time comes for the grandeur of His Kingdom to be revealed, I hope those who have left will return and come with us to New Jerusalem singing songs of everlasting joy (D&C 45:66-71).

May we find our holy place and not be moved so that we can be the strongest of the strong when we meet our King and be a joy to Him forever.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Saviour by Land of Dreams)

THE BURNING LIGHT

 

“A man travelling through the country came to a large city, very rich and splendid. He looked at it and said to his guide: “This must be a very righteous people, for I can only see one little devil in this great city.

“The guide replied: “You do not understand, Sir. This city is so perfectly given up to wickedness, corruption, degradation and abomination of every kind that it requires but one devil to keep them all in subjection.”

“Travelling on a little further, the man came to a rugged path and saw an old man trying to get up the hillside, surrounded by seven great, big coarse looking devils. “Why”, says the traveler, “this must be a tremendously wicked old man! Only see how many devils there are around him!”

“This”, replied the guide, “is the only righteous man in the country; and there are seven of the biggest devils trying to turn him out of his path, and they all cannot do it.”

-        Chinese Fable

Does it make you wonder what strategies the old man used to make himself impervious to the influence of the adversary? I thought of listing some helpful ways we could do to achieve the same result, such as seeking after righteousness through prayer, scriptures, temple, Church, family home evening, clean and worthy thoughts, service……

As I reflected on these many things, I remembered reading a book years ago by a Christian woman who suggested every Christian should pray daily for a shield of faith to be placed around them to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary. I thought this, for sure, was the best way. Even today I pray for this shield of faith and it has served me well, I am sure.

In the early hours of this morning, something far more powerful came to my mind. The true path to repel the adversary is by his arch enemy, the Christ. The most-sure way is allowing the light of Christ to sear our consciousness and sharpen our focus so that before us is always the one and only path to salvation. Where there is light, there cannot be darkness.

This is the greatest repellant we have against him who cannot generate light and can only turn our lives into ashes.  He cannot stand the light, he cowers in darkness and feeds on the energy it gives him but there will come a day when he will be cast into the pit devoid of any power and be just a shell of his former self (Isaiah 14:12-20).

The imposter can lie, cheat and imitate but he will never be the Christ. He cannot light our path, he can only blind. All the things I listed surely do enable us to keep our focus on the Saviour but they are ‘doing things’ and they can easily fall by the wayside. What is more powerful and lasting is allowing Christ into our hearts. It means to develop a love that burns deep into our soul. A fire that burns, gives light.

The Saviour stands at the gates of heaven with open arms to receive us.

Be the force that the devil can reckon with but can never win…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: The Light of Christ by Douglas Bentley)