OUR PURPOSE

 

Jehovah Creates the Earth by Walter Rane

All suffering and all endurance of this life denotes the very purpose of God, to exalt his children. All that is asked of us, our sacrifices, our suffering, our difficulties, our development and our progression is God’s work and His glory, “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:7). The next level of our purpose in life is to become gods ourselves.

This is a hard doctrine for many people to believe that mere man can rise to such stature. I once wrote on Facebook that God’s purpose is to exalt His children to godhood and enraged one reader who claimed there is only one God and ever will be and therefore we are a Church of blasphemy. The funny thing is, deep down in us are seeds of the very idea. I have been watching a lot of AI generated historical periods. The Roman Empire in particular is a very interesting time. Everybody it seemed was vying for the position of pharaoh even though the risk of being murdered was exceptionally high. The most interesting thing is that many pharaohs proclaimed themselves to be gods.

When Moses encountered God on Mt Sinai, God showed him all the worlds He had made and Moses was astonished and proclaimed: “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed” (Moses 1:10). Having been raised in an Egyptian court, Moses was trained to believe there is none greater than the Pharoah….until he saw God and what He can do and by this he concluded that man is nothing. God then repeated the vision of all His works to ensure that Moses understood the purpose of all His creations was to exalt His children (Moses 1:7).

To rise to such heights as godhood, the price has to be paid. The Saviour has paved the way but He could not make us godly. Only we can do that by accepting all the tutoring that God will give and all that we will give in return.

We are told that: 1. we must be chastened and tried, even as Abraham was, who was commanded to offer up his only son and if we will not endure chastening but deny God, we cannot be sanctified (D&C 101:4-5); and 2. We will be proven in all things even unto death by abiding in His covenant (D&C 98:12-15).

“This seems like such a high standard. Why must one be tested and chastened before he can be sanctified? Why can a person not be worthy of God unless he is willing to abide in the covenant even to death? To understand these questions and to gain greater insight into why Abraham had to prove himself, think in the eternal perspective for a moment. Imagine the disastrous consequences of making a person a god who was not perfect in every respect.

“How would the universe survive if it were controlled by a god who could not withstand even intense pressure? Where would we be now if our God had not been disposed to endure the suffering of seeing His Only Begotten Son go to the cross? If Abraham had failed his test, he would have lost his position.

“If God the Father had failed the same test there would have been no Atonement and all mankind would have “become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil….And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils….to be shut out from the presence of our God.” (2 Nephi 9:8-9)

-          (Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis – 2 Samuel, p 79)

In other words, we must give our all for God to give His all…..the bar is high but help is near and the eternal in us yearns to be more than this mortal sphere can give us. The Saviour made sure our purpose has an eternal destination.

 

If not for You,

Where would I be?

I would belong to the enemy.

 

If not for You,

Where would I be?

I would be lost in obscurity.

 

If not for You,

Where would I be?

As death would claim me for eternity.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

ON SACRIFICE

 

"The World" by LDS Bookstore

“For a man to lay down his all, his (1) character and reputation, his honour, and applause, his good name among men, (2) houses, his lands, his (3) brothers and sisters, his wife and children and even his (4) own life also….requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that, when these sufferings are ended; he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God” (Jerry A. Wilson, Lecture 6:5, The Great Plan of Happiness, Insights From the Lectures on Faith, p 68)

Just as the Saviour paid an enormous price for the gift of eternal life that is on offer to all of us, we are asked to sacrifice our all here in mortality, to basically become like Him and be worthy of such a gift.

Paul called all things that he sacrificed and walked away from ‘but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ’. A real Jew, circumcised, of the stock of Israel, a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, as he called himself (Philippians 3:5,8; Romans 11:1), walked away from his Jewish upbringing, family, lucrative career, and social standing amongst the Romans, and chose to believe in the gifts of eternity.

As well defined as the path of sacrifice is in the above quote, I wish to write about another form of sacrifice and that is the sacrifice of ego and self-importance because I believe this is the power base of all other forms of sacrifice. This is the root out of which all forms of sacrifice can grow.

I have a friend currently on vacation in Bali. She has been very impressed with the people’s kindness and helpfulness. She has learnt a lot of their customs, among which is the traditional responsibility among Balinese people to care for their aging parents. She found it amazing that ‘the poorer they are, the more caring and loving they are.

I replied to her that it is a proven truth that when you are not spoilt and encumbered by the comforts and luxuries of the world, you care about things that truly matter much easier and better. I also pointed out that we are so intent on ‘having things’ and we do not realize how that pursuit encourages and motivates self-importance to the detriment of the important things like giving of yourself to others which is one of the sacrifices we are asked to make.

We live in a world of ego called “me, myself and I”. Somehow, we have lost the sight of sacrifice as we seek to elevate ourselves instead. The nature of our world is undergirded by possession of worldly things, of houses and lands, of honour and applause. We cannot survive without two incomes, professional unfulfillment, a house in a well to do neighbourhood, private schools, latest cars…..and so called holidays essential for our mental health.

While Balinese people live on scooters from the age of 17 and care for their aging family members, a lot of us are relying on aged care homes to care for our parents and grandparents so we can ‘get on with our lives’.  

If we are to secure that gift of eternal life by emulating the life of Him who can give it to us, we need to place the self on the altar of sacrifice more often that we do as sacrifice of self reveals the face of eternity and the view is glorious because of the greatest sacrifice there ever was:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

ETERNAL JOY

 

He Lifts Me Up by Danny Hahlbohm

When my days on earth are done

I'll be lifted above the world below

And I will seek the gilded gate

To welcome me to my eternal home.

 

I will approach the foot of Father’s throne,

I will kneel and I will weep

When in hope I give Him joy

For eternity to keep.

 

-       Cathryne Allen 

HOPE OF HAPPINESS

 

I CAME INTO THE WORLD:

To give peace to the suffering

To give hope to the down-trodden

To strenghten the weak

To lighten your burdens

To lift the downtrodden

To give sight to the blind

To give power to the faint

To give might to the weary

To comfort those who mourn

To bind up the broken-hearted

To show mercy to the penitent

To give you living water

To free the captive

To be a refuge from the storm

And a shadow from the heat

To give you rest from sorrow and fear

To break the bands of bondage

To empower the powerless

To conquer the sting of death

To be a light unto the world

To establish truth

To atone for you

To love you 

To help you

To save you.

 

I WILL RETURN: 

To conquer the enemy

To destroy the wicked

To govern in righteousness

To unite the nations

To gather my people Israel

To establish peace

To take away the sorrow

To make all things known

To flood the earth with truth

To resurrect you

To judge in righteousness

To give mercy to the penitent

To take you to the Father

To give you eternal life

To exalt you.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus the Symbol of Hope by Ivan Guaderrama)

ALIGNMENT WITH GOD

 

Jesus Christ’s primary purpose is to bring us to the Father. This achievement comes in two parts: His Atonement and His advocacy that would eventually, through our repentance and acceptance of His sacrifice, align us again with the Father, to last for eternity.

For many years after my baptism, I could only see the Saviour. I prayed to the Father but the Saviour was the one I saw in the scriptures and the one I got to know through my personal understanding of the living word and my revelations from the Holy Ghost. Then, after many years, all of a sudden the Father came into my life so clearly and the Saviour took the back seat. Ever since then, the Father became more real to my mind than ever before. I gained an incredible desire to return to His presence and to bring Him joy through the life that I live.

Since this has happened, I have been given the privilege of having a few ‘discussions’ with Him, mind to mind, spirit to spirit. I wrote about my latest one in a recent blog. It helped me understand His power of discernment and intuition to such a degree that I understood perfectly there is nothing He does not know about His children. It’s almost like we are transparent and He can see into our very souls. I was amazed by this. When I shared this experience on social media, one of my readers asked me if I felt love in His presence.

This made me reflect on the other occasions I was privileged to hear Him speak to me. I realized that I did not feel the love…..not because He doesn’t love me or I was preventing the feeling of it, but because of something very logical that I believe to be true.

It’s a matter of something inherent in us that this story is a good example of. Some years ago, my then bishop in his talk told us how his young son came to him with skinned knees. He assessed the damage, told his son it wasn’t that bad and that he’ll be ok. The son went on his way. A few minutes later, the bishop’s wife appeared with their son in tow alarmed demanding that they take him to the hospital because he had skinned both his knees. We all laughed because we could see the difference in the gender response.

Women are by nature emotional and subjective and men are pragmatic and objective. Because of their inherent nature, men’s judgment is not clouded by emotion. God the Father is a man, He assesses the skinned knees and can cope with our sorrow and this is why….. He is a God whose primary objective is eternal salvation of His children. He is not interested in rescuing us from life’s difficulties at the cost of our eternal progression. He instructs, He disciplines and He chastens those He loves to bring them to higher ground. He wants us to learn from our falls and to get tough enough to soldier on. In every instance I heard Him, I was corrected, I was instructed and He kept me in line. This is love, perhaps the best love there is.

I learnt how important this is when I was a single mother raising my two daughters. I am an emotional female and a self-sacrificing one at that. I did everything I could to protect my children from any pain or discomfort. I realized later they were ill equipped to handle the harsh realities of life because they had no father’s influence in the home to toughen them up. From this experience I also understood why Heavenly Mother is not in charge of our earthly probation. I am convinced she would sabotage our growth left, right, and center. I know I would, because I am a woman and a mother who cannot bear the suffering of my children.

God the Father looks at the overall picture….from a different vantage point than we do. He looks ahead to see how we will ‘grow up’. This is love. And it might not be felt until Judgment Day when our Advocate will step forward and reveal our difficulties that need mercy applied to. This is the partnership: the Father is justice and the Son is mercy.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Father and Son by Danny Hahlbohm)

LIFE

 

“’Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matt 5:48). Now, that is an attainable goal. We will not be exalted, we shall not reach our destination, unless we are perfect, and now is the best time in the world to start toward that perfection. I have little patience with people who say, ‘Oh, nobody is perfect’, the implication being: ‘so why try? Of course no one is wholly perfect, but we find some who are a long way up the ladder.”

-          President Spencer W. Kimball, “Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball” p 165

I have been very introspective on this the last leg of my earthly journey. I think illness has a great way of forcing us to confront our mortality. Recognizing that life is a sum of one’s choices, I have been re-hashing my life to discover if there is something I should have done better: did I follow all the teachings of the Gospel as I should, did I rely on God enough to follow my life’s plan, did I allow my fears to control me, did  my decisions make my life better or worse, did I suffer more than I should have, did I try hard enough to be Christ-like?

So much of what comes upon us is self-inflicted. Even Job admitted that what he feared had come upon him (Job 3:25).  I discovered a person can easily run the risk of spending their entire old age beating themselves up over the past. Seeing clearly you are not perfect can be a terrible blow to the ego….

I have looked back on the lessons I have learnt during my life and have reasoned they are wasted if they are not acted upon but some things cannot be re-visited. Somehow I think nothing gained here was ever meant to be wasted. There is another life to be lived….a better life….the real life….the never ending life…..because the spirit of man lives on and ‘becoming’ is a process.

One day we will see the beauty in all our earthly experiences and all our learning as we kneel before the King of Kings and acknowledge His priceless part in our eternal journey. One day I know, when I am sanctified, He will consecrate ‘the sum of me’.

The lessons of my life flowed like a river

Winding through days, months and years;

I rescued a few but missed so many

From the currents as I saw them passing;

They drowned in a daze of my ignorance,

Unwanted and ignored but yet abiding.

I fish them now from the pool of my memory

And give them life everlasting.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Jesus Prince of Peace by Danny Hahlbohm)

THE GLORY OF YOUR SPIRIT

 

The more I study the Plan of Salvation, the more amazed I am at what a system of precision and intricate planning it took for us to evolve into a peopled planet with a view of eternal destination, the success of which we very much owe to two people.

There were two things in the Garden of Eden that hung in balance and could have arrested the Plan of Salvation and they were in the form of two trees.

Not partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil would have been devastating to the Plan as Adam and Eve could not have had children and thus could not bring about the human family. Partaking of that fruit planted seeds of mortality within them and thus it brought about The Fall. That was the right choice we all expected but partaking the fruit of the second tree, the tree of life, would have been such a dangerous act that God the Father positioned a cherubim with a flaming sword to prevent that from happening (Moses 4:28-31).

Had Adam and Eve partaken of the fruit of the second tree, they would have been doomed forever by becoming immortal prematurely. Had this happened this too would have annihilated the whole Plan of Salvation. Had it happened there would have been no repentance, no redemption, no advancement, no probation, no children, no exaltation. They would have become immortal in their fallen state and been forever miserable (Alma 12:26)

And one other very important thing – no death.

And this is why death is important. Death purifies the physical body, which is a temporal mass of atoms, in preparation for the resurrection (President Joseph Fielding Smith, “Answers to Gospel Questions”, 5 vols [1957-66], 4:185).  The spirit, however, is an eternal matter made of light that goes through refinement, improvement and progress which adds to its glory (B. Grant Bishop, M.D., “The LDS Gospel of Light”, p 106). The spirit is the pilot, the body is the vehicle .

“When the spirit leaves the body and passes into the spirit world, it is entering a kingdom specifically organized to prepare each spirit for the resurrection. Alma had a revelation concerning it and said: “now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of resurrection” (Alma 40:6).

“This space of time is used for the cleansing, redemption and education of the spirit. The spirit is prepared for as high a degree of glory as it is capable of receiving. How the individual conducted himself during mortality determines, to a very large extent, what that degree of glory shall be.” (Clean Skousen, “The First Two Thousand Years” p 70).

Without death there is no resurrection and without resurrection there is no immortality and eternal life. And this is resurrection: “They who are of a celestial SPIRIT shall receive the same body which was a natural body….and YOUR glory (the glory of one’s spirit) shall be the GLORY by which your bodies are quickened.” (D&C 88:28)

A personal view. The most enlightened prayers I have had in my life have been the ones where I had asked for the Holy Ghost to give me the words of my prayer. Some years ago I was given to say that I will “rise to be the glorious being I was before the earth began”. Never before then have I ever entertained the idea that my spirit possessed any glory in any degree. If we could all see ourselves without this body of clay, we would see ourselves in a very different light indeed.

In the end, the real success of our story belongs to only one person, The Saviour Jesus Christ….the Creation, the Redemption, the Resurrection, the Exaltation……all glory be to His holy name!!!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Soul's Surrender by Greg Collins)

DIVINE INTEGRITY

 

“Over long eons of time in the premortal realm he [Christ] proved faithful and dependable and honorable in every commitment, every responsibility, and every charge. The scriptures tell us that “from eternity to eternity he is the same” (D&C 76:4). He never deviated from the mark, never slacked in his performance, never shrank from his word.

“He kept every command with exactness; he discharged every duty with precision; he was “not slack concerning his promise” (2 Peter 3:9). His promises were “immutable and unchangeable” (D&C 104:2). As a result, his spiritual credit was rapidly escalating until it was pure gold, even infinite in value. That is why the laws of justice could recognize the benefits of the Atonement BEFORE the purchase price was ever paid, because his promise, his pledge, his credit was “good for it”, and everyone who honored their first estate knew it.

“In the premortal council the Saviour covenanted with the Father to perform the Atonement. John Taylor wrote, “A covenant was entered into between Him and His Father, in which He agreed to atone for the sins of the world,” and hence he became known as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8; see also Moses 7:47). The Gospel of Philip, one of the Nag Hammadi books, suggests similarly:

“It was not only when he appeared that he voluntarily laid down his life, but he voluntarily laid down his life from the very day the world came into being. Then he came forth in order to take it, since it had been given as a pledge.”

“Based on that pledge or covenant we had faith in him. Based on that covenant the Father could promise remission of sins prior to the atoning sacrifice because he “knew” his Son would not fail. The issue was not that he could not break his covenant, but rather, THAT HE WOULD NOT.”

-          Tad R. Callister, “The Infinite Atonement, p 80-81

 

When You stood in Heaven’s Council,

Did You know we would not heed?

That we would fail to see

You could meet our every need?

Yes, You knew, and still….

Long before creation be,

You climbed Your way to Calvary.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Divine Redeemer by Simon Dewey)

THE ADVOCATE

 

“We must always seek to be on the Lord’s side; but what good news it is to know that HE IS ON OUR SIDE.

“His powerful advocacy in our behalf is not limited to pleading our case before the Father, for “your advocate…knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted” (D&C 62:1).  It is the advocate’s role to present our case in its most favourable light, refuting the challenges of the adversary who opposes us and who presents our case in its worst possible light.

“Even in our thoughts about ourselves, we must resist the adversary’s attempts to convince us of our worthlessness by interpreting our life circumstances in a negative light; rather let us listen to him who knows our weaknesses fully yet believes in us more than we may believe in ourselves. What glorious news, not only that the greatest advocate of all is willing to represent those who are guilty, but also that he will take OUR case!

“I am the first and the last; I am your advocate with the Father….Therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice….Let the hearts of all my people rejoice.”  (D&C 110:4-6)”

-          Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Belonging Heart”, p 155

This should be the most comforting knowledge we could possibly have, especially for those of us who are hard on ourselves; and on those who have been damaged by life in some way and cannot lift their view of themselves onto higher ground. Know that, if not in this life, then in the next, we will be cleansed of all our sorrows and all the damage we have suffered at the hands of others will be washed away to make room for our eternal joy.

“And I John saw the holy city…and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new……I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:2-6)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Our Advocate by Jay Bryant Ward)

ASHES OF LIFE

 

"Each of us will taste the bitter ashes of life, from sin and neglect to sorrow and disappointment. But the Atonement of Christ can lift us up in beauty, not only from our own ashes but also from the ashes of Him who fathers the rebirth of our spirits.

"We then soar toward the sun on the wings of a sure promise of immortality and eternal life. Thus may we be lifted up, not only at the end of life but in each day of our lives."

- Elder Bruce C. Hafen, "The Broken Heart" p 22

Your tender mercies
So graciously given
Sail me across my turbulent seas
As with love You speak: Peace, be still.

The waves obey,
The deep whispers Your name,
I am saved yet another day.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Reflections of Grace by Ivan Guaderrama)

A MEANINGFUL LIFE

 

“Adam and Eve must at times felt like lost sheep. They were originally in God’s presence, then left him through an act we sometimes call a sin, but which might also be called an ‘act of independence’. They were cast out of their garden of innocence into the lone and dreary world. They began to suffer pain as a consequence of their independent action.

“In humility and childlike faith they called upon God for help. They offered sacrifices as instructed by an angel….through the symbol of sacrifice they were taught about the Saviour and were shown how they could return to God’s presence through His Atonement.

“What did Adam and Eve know after they returned to God’s presence that they hadn’t known when they were originally with Him in the Garden? What can WE know after our own return to God that we didn’t know in our premortal life?

“The scriptures explain that God expected and desired that Adam and Eve’s children would have the same kind of mortal experiences as their first parents had, which suggests that the redemption of Adam and Eve was not just a convenient way to erase the effect of an unfortunate error.

“Rather, it was an intentional element in a course of instruction designed by God himself for the preparation, if they freely chose to accept it. Without that course of instruction, they could not have developed the capacity to live a ‘meaningful’ celestial life.

“So it is with our experience as their children. Mortality is not mere estrangement from God – it is the crucible through which the possibility of truly meaningful life becomes real.”

-          Bruce C. Hafen, “The Broken Heart” p 38-9

 

You tell me I must stay and conquer

Like You conquered Your turbulent sea;

I understand, but oh how I long to see

The shore of eternity!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Deep Calls to Deep by Aeron Brown)

AS PURE AS HE IS PURE

 

I have of late been studying about the nature of God which has led me to deeper understanding of the principle of sanctification. It came through doctrinal study and a personal lesson.

“Joseph Smith, along with Oliver Cowdery, saw God and declared, “his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun” (D&C 110:3). In January 1836 Joseph Smith and others saw “the celestial kingdom of God and the glory thereof…the transcendent beauty of the gate….like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.” (“History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” edited by B.H. Roberts, 2:380)

These accounts, along with others such as Moses’ encounter with God in the Pearl of Great Price (Moses 1), help us to understand that the Father is an exalted being made entirely of light of truth (see also D&C 50:24). Because of this ‘no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God’ (1 Nephi 15:34). We cannot live with God in Celestial Kingdom if we are not sanctified.

Firstly, because God cannot abide the least degree of darkness. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Hence the need for sanctification which purges all darkness from us due to our fallen state and sinful nature.

Secondly, because God is pure and His light is brighter than the sun, it would consume anything that is not pure in His presence. It consumes every corruption, the same as the light of Christ will consume all corruptible beings when He returns to earth (Malachi 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; D&C 5:19; 29:9; 63:34; 133:4-49)

Sanctification comes in two stages. The first stage happens in this life and is very much connected to remission of sins (D&C 43:11). Repentance is cessation of sin while sanctification is purging of its resultant darkness. It’s only a remission because we are still exposed to temptations of this life and are liable to sin again (D&C 43:11; see also Daniel H. Ludlow, “A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, 2:248-49)

The second stage happens following judgment which will be permanent and will afford exaltation to those who are deemed worthy. Both stages of sanctification are exacted through the power of the Holy Ghost.

In one of my recent posts I wrote how I have in recent years come to form a connection with each member of the Godhead separately. This has afforded me immense closeness with the Father like I had not known before. This closeness, however, developed something in me I didn’t expect, a fear that I might be spiritually lost one day.

I couldn’t understand this for a long time. I had never had this fear before. Recent clarity, however, helped me see that once I had revived in my heart the closeness I once had with the Father, I started to fear that I would miss out on this for all eternity if I didn’t make it. As I could plainly see this reason, I was given confirmation that the Father acknowledges our bond and the fear I had lost its power.

I know my need and desire for sanctification will be honoured one day when I stand before God to be judged of all the offences I have committed against Him, no matter how small or great. Every bit of darkness will be expunged from my soul and forgiveness through the grace of the Son will make me pure as He is pure so that I can be numbered in The Book of the Names of the Sanctified and be in Father’s presence forever (D&C 35:21; 88:2; Malachi 3:16). My gratitude knows no bounds.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Father by FluxPro.art)

THE VASTNESS OF US

 

I shed many tears yesterday as I came to the end of a particularly difficult week with my physical suffering. I expected some sort of comfort from above but I did not expect what I was given.

Surprisingly, my mind opened and I was given to comprehend through my tears, as much as I could comprehend, my significance in the Plan of Salvation and at the same time my significance as a single entity outside of  the vast overall picture of the process of that Plan.

I came to understand that there is something so much bigger than me and my experience no matter how painful it might be but at the same time, that pain was not without its importance to God.

The comprehension of the Plan which enlarges the Father’s glory through the salvation of us, eternal intelligences flooded my soul to the point that I could not verbalise it. I find it difficult even now to find the words. I understood the Saviour’s frustration in trying to describe to our limited mortal minds the kingdoms in existence beyond the planet we are for the time confined to when He said: “Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand????” (D&C 88:46)

This lack of perfect comprehension made me see how important is our faith and our trust. One day we will plainly see how our lives, our sufferings and our sacrifices were a part of something significant with eternal consequences that is now beyond us to even imagine. We will understand our role in this universe and beyond. Intelligences we might be but the eternal in us is withheld for now from our grasp by the physical realm we are confined to.

This experience did not really bring me comfort but it surprised me that God can teach us something so vast in our most dire moments if we always have our hearts open with a willingness to receive answers greater than we can ourselves supply.

In all that I received yesterday, my dire moment presented to me the unfairness of the Saviour’s life and His unfathomable sacrifice for others. The scope of that sacrifice is also beyond my understanding as is the resultant splendour of His glory He now has.

My point is this. There is something far, far bigger than what we can for now see, feel and touch. We might not see it but the spirit in us has the ability to believe it. We are both ants on this planet and also entities so big no space can contain us. It all depends on the perspective of the moment. One day we, the gods in embryo, will understand and rejoice in our being.

How small and insignificant I am 

Among the countless children

Of this earth’s dust and fleeting pace

But of what importance

to my Saviour’s eternal grace!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)

 

A WITNESS

 

Perhaps the most known name for the Holy Ghost is The Comforter. He testifies and he comforts but did you know that he has another name that is perhaps the most important? This name is the Holy Spirit of Promise.

The Holy Ghost plays a more crucial part in our lives than we think. His role as the Holy Spirit of Promise means that we do not bypass him on our way to eternal glory…..Without his approval we, the covenant people, do not walk into celestial kingdom. His report to the Father of our individual obedience to the saving ordinances we have had performed for us is crucial. It makes me think of how Heavenly Father’s house is a house of order. All things are done to perfection and complete accuracy.

Here is the doctrinal role of the Holy Spirit of Promise:

“The Holy Ghost is the Holy Spirit of Promise (Acts 2:33). He confirms as acceptable to God the righteous acts, ordinances, and covenants of men. The Holy Spirit of Promise witnesses to the Father than the saving ordinances have been performed properly and that the covenants associated with  them have been kept.

“They who are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise receive all that the Father has (D&C 76:51-60; Eph. 1:13-14). All covenants and performances must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise to have force after this life (D&C 132:7,18-19,26)”  (Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Library)

And this is something that should interest us greatly:

“When Paul wrote that the Saints had been “sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise” (Ephesians 1:13), he meant that they had been promised eternal life even though they were still living in mortality. When people are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, the Holy Ghost ratifies (approves) them as celestial inheritors even though they are mortal.

“This doctrine is sometimes referred to as having one’s calling and election made sure or receiving the Second Comforter (see 2 Peter 1:4-19; D&C 132:6-7). (Bruce R. McConkie, “Doctrinal New Testament Commentary” 2:493-95; “History of the Church” 3:379-80)

The Godhead works in complete harmony to ensure the success of the Plan of Salvation and exaltation of the Father’s children. No mistakes can be made and justice is carried out perfectly. How incredibly reassuring it is to have the Holy Ghost as a witness of our good deeds and our righteousness. I am amazed how valuable he is and how undervalued to some of us. We should want him for our best friend: to enlighten us, to guide us, to comfort us and to lead us to life eternal.

 

ODE TO THE HOLY GHOST:

How silently, how diligently

You work for the salvation of men.

Your witness of my life

Written in your heart as with a holy pen.

When face to face one day we meet

I will kneel at your holy feet.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Beloved Son by Danny Hahlbohm)

OF SUFFERING AND JOY

 

 

In my quest for deeper understanding of the purpose of suffering, I opened one of my favourite books this morning to glean some wisdom. I will first bear witness that God leads us to understanding when we are ready for it and when we knock on heaven’s door seeking it.

So today I gained the perspective I longed for because up to now all I have known of suffering did not amount to what I feel is completion. I gained this perspective through the most simplest way I did not expect. Here is the story that opened my greater understanding:

“A few years ago our family inherited a dog, a friendly little pup who was all black except for two white paws and a splash of white across his chest. For our three sons he became a real pal. One afternoon I was interrupted at work by a call from home that told a sad story: “Dad! Dad! Our dog is dead!”

“I have seldom seen such looks of gloom as those that met me when I arrived home. A motorcycle had come out of nowhere, nobody really knew how it had happened. We laid the rumpled little body to rest in a corner of our backyard in a ceremony that was brief but mournful. I don’t know when I’ve heard so many questions asked all at once about the meaning of the Resurrection…..the boys were despondent beyond comfort.

“After that experience, my wife and I resisted for a while our children’s repeated requests to get another dog. Among the reasons why we were reluctant was our desire to spare our children the grief of another event like losing the black puppy. But we also found ourselves wondering whether the joy of companionship with a new puppy would not more than offset that risk…..”  (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Broken Heart” p 81-82)

My eyes opened wide as I read this last sentence and I understood what Elder Hafen said next: “The gospel teaches, that the presence of painful experiences is an important element in man’s capacity ultimately to experience joy and not just because it feels good when the pain stops.”

I came to see how essential is the willingness to experience suffering in this life for the joy we will be able to experience eternally. As spirits we would have never been able to gain this ability. What we needed was the suffering of mortality…..the same suffering that we constantly seek to dull, avoid and neutralize to the point of addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, sex and all worldly pleasures.

Imagine if Jesus was drugged or tranquilized on His way to Calvary so He could feel no pain. The Atonement would have been null and void. His suffering was the greatest proof of the principle of needed suffering for the capacity of joy (Hebrews 12:2). This he attested to following His resurrection when He told the Nephites: “My joy is full” (3 Nephi 17:20).

Imagine the scope of His suffering and then the corresponding scope of His joy: “…the fulness of joy for one such as He must be richer, fuller, and more exquisite than we may ever know in mortality….That is worth remembering when our own pain seems sore and exquisite (See Alma 36:21).” (ibid p 86)

Mansions on high and riches of eternity have never really been my motivation to strive for godhood. Things are not so important to me…..but joy is……especially now that I have experienced and endured suffering. Now I understand why the Father wants us to have eternal life….not for the mansions but for the joy. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Forgiven by Thomas Blackshear II)

ETERNAL REWARD

 

“Sometimes the tests and trials of those who have received the gospel far exceed any imposed upon worldly people…..sometimes the Lord’s people are hounded and persecuted. Sometimes He deliberately lets His faithful saints linger and suffer, in both body and spirit, to prove….that they may be found worthy of eternal life.

“But come what may, anything that befalls us here in mortality is but for a small moment, and if we are true and faithful God will eventually exalt us on high. All our losses and sufferings will be made up to us in the resurrection.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, In CR October 1976 or Ensign Nov 1976)

I believe in this promise because some years ago I had a memory from my pre-mortal existence where the Saviour was saying to me: “I will save you and I will make up for everything.” I believed it back then and I believe it now because a God cannot lie.

Section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants begins with such a promise. It tells us that we cannot ‘behold with our natural eyes the design of our God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation’ (v 3).

I know of no one in this dispensation who has suffered more tribulation than Joseph, the Prophet of the Restoration. In comparison, my life is a breeze compared to his. The endurance and faithfulness of this man, despite the jaws of hell that were at his heels is beyond reproach. You would think that he would have been spared the hell he went through in his life considering he was on God’s errand.

Joseph spent the winter of 1838-39 in Liberty Jail where ‘his soul was bowed down and his nerve trembled from long confinement and where pen, or tongue, or angels, could not adequately describe the malice of hell that he suffered there during the coldest winter on record in the state of Missouri’ (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lessons from Liberty Jail”, speeches.byu.edu)

“Every one of us, in one way or another…..is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail – spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not have been our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord.”  (ibid)

I don’t remember what godhood or the mansions on high look like so I am not particularly keeping that in mind. What I am looking forward to is the fulfilment of the promise spoken of by Elder Bruce C. Hafen who has said that “the deep hurt we have experienced here is the mirror image of the deep joy that still awaits us’ because of the Man of Sorrows who has born all our griefs. (The Belonging Heart, p 315). I want that for Joseph.

“When we promise to follow the Saviour, to walk in His footsteps and be His disciples, we are promising to go where that divine path leads us. And the path of salvation has always led one way or another through Gethsemane”.  (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lessons from Liberty Jail”, speeches.byu.edu)

All those who journey, soon or late,

Must pass within the garden’s gate;

Must kneel alone in darkness there,

And battle with some fierce despair.

God pity those who cannot say:

“Not mine, but thine”; who only pray:

“Let this cup pass”, and cannot see

The purpose in Gethsemane.

- (Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artists Unknown)