HOLY GHOST

 

Receiving the Spirit by Danny Hahlbohm

“I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church live far beneath their privileges with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. This is a  noisy and busy world that we live in. Remember that being busy is not necessarily being spiritual. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.

“Some are spiritually deadened and past feeling because of their choices to commit sin. Others simply hover in spiritual complacency with no desire to rise above themselves and commune with the Infinite. If they would open their hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light.

“Their eyes would gaze upon a vista scarcely imaginable. They could know for themselves things of the Spirit that are choice, precious, and capable of enlarging the soul, expanding the mind, and filling the heart with inexpressible joy.”

-          Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin  (1917-2008), The Unspeakable Gift, GC April 2003

 

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

 

OF GREAT WORTH

 

“I remember once a seven or eight year old son of ours jumping on his bed hard enough that I thought it might break. I felt a flash of frustration, and I moved quickly to set my house in order. I grabbed my son by his little shoulders and lifted him up to where our eyes met.

“The Spirit put words into my mind. It seemed a quite voice, but it pierced my heart: “You are holding a great person.” I gently set him back on the bed and apologized. Now he has become the great man the Holy Ghost let me see 40 years ago. I am eternally grateful that the Lord rescued me from my unkind feelings by sending the Holy Ghost to let me see a child of God as He saw him.”

-        President Henry B. Eyring, “My Peace I Leave with You”, GC April 2017

Wouldn’t it be something if we could see the spiritual stature of babies, children and adults we do not know? I wager there would be no contention, hate, mistreatment, abuse, crime or war. If we could see each other as God the Father sees us, we would understand who we truly are. Abraham gave us a glimpse of our eternal greatness when he spoke about all the great and noble intelligences that were organized before the world was (Abraham 3:22-23).

We are told we are here to progress and improve upon ourselves. This progression began before we were even born: “In the prior life, we developed various capacities and talents. Some developed them in one field and some in another. The most important of all fields was the field of spirituality, the ability, the talent, the capacity to recognise truth” (Bruce R. McConkie, When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, A Study Guide for the Priesthood Quorums of the Church, 1974-75, pp 8-9).

Our individual efforts were not all, however. God told Enoch that man was the ‘workmanship of His hands’ (Moses 7:32). The dictionary defines ‘workmanship’ as ‘the product or result of labour and skill, or work executed’.

To arrive at the estimate of what we are worth, consider all the possible ‘work’ that went into the making of YOU: 1. Your spiritual creation which depended on the Father’s rise to Godhood; 2. Your spiritual tutoring for eons of time; 3. The creation of the earth for your mortality; 4. Overseeing of your earthly progress and protection; 5. Preparation of kingdoms for your eternal destination.

Now think of the scale of guidance, protection, care, overseeing, anguish and sorrow of your Heavenly Parents, the Holy Ghost, your guardian angels, your ancestors, your departed loved ones and all the hosts of heaven who know you. This is true for each one of us who grace this earth.

Obviously, we achieved a lot before we were even born into mortality. What price would you put to all the work that you put into you and the investment of others into you??? I know three things:  the price would be higher than we can possibly imagine; I know who paid it and I know why.

Surely Christ’s supreme sacrifice for all mankind is the crescendo of all the work invested into each soul ever born on this earth, of every creed, of every colour, of every nation. The Atonement is the crowning glory of the work that has gone into you and me. It is the ultimate proof that the worth of a soul is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10).

All the prior work that had been put into us would be in vain if there was no Atonement, and even more importantly, there would be no future for any of us, and the future is what counts, because it ensures our rightful place in the eternal scheme of things. It completes the Plan, it ensures the success of the Plan, it validates the ‘workmanship’ and preserves its value.

Next time we confront somebody, may we remember we are at eye level with ‘a great person’………

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: I Am A Child of God by Howard Lyon)

THE PATH TO PERFECTION

 

A friend suggested to me that the Saviour’s admonition to be 'perfect' is a verb as it was originally written, that it virtually means to be ‘perfecting’. She also said, ‘that feels totally doable’ and it certainly does because it suggests that perfection is a life long journey.

I don’t have a reference to back up that the Saviour said ‘perfecting’ as in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon it says ‘perfect’ but I have something else to offer which might support this theory. It is interesting to note that when Jesus commanded us to be perfect (Matt 5:48), He did not say ‘sinless’. For us to be sinless living by faith in this telestial mortality is an impossibility. However, what is more interesting in His statement is this: The Greek word for sinless is ANAMARTETOS. The Greek text, however, does not use this word but rather it says ‘be ye therefore TELIOS’. ‘Telios’ means to be brought to its’ end, finished, fully developed, having fulfilled one’s purpose or having fulfilled the measure of one’s creation. What is our purpose? To be tried and tested without forsaking God. This can be proved by the Saviour’s example. He said to the Jews ‘be ye therefore perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect’ (Matt 5:48) but to the Nephites He included himself in that statement (3 Nephi 12:48). Why? Because he had by then finished His purpose and endured to the end.

When it comes to perfection our focus should be first and foremost in surviving our trials without losing faith and trust in God and secondly, it is the striving to become that is the process of perfection. This is our path for now more than anything but when we are sanctified (cleansed) and justified (brought back in alignment with God), our faithfulness to Him will complete the circle of perfection.

In my quest for perfection I have found this: the closer I get to my Father in heaven, the less appealing my weaknesses and sins become because a desire to please Him has taken over the ‘I should’ mentality. It is always easier when you tackle something out of desire rather than compulsion. I spoke of this in my last post. If you gain a genuine desire to please God, your inclination to engage in your sins and weaknesses will gradually dissipate. When our desire to bring honour and glory to the Father is genuine in our hearts, our focus on self diminishes and our journey to perfection is assured. This is the path that the Saviour travelled from beginning to the end. May we follow in every footstep He left behind that we may return into the loving arms of the Father who is patiently waiting…..

I long for God’s acceptance

Of the paltry offering of my heart;

Never seeing His approval

Manifested plainly in mortal sight.

Yet crafted with the heaven’s pen,

Given through the heaven’s door,

Sealed with love and sent direct

From the seat of His eternal throne.

• CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(ART: God Calling by Youngsung Kim)

THE CASE OF THE SPECKLED COWS

There is an interesting story in the Bible that is never spoken of. It is the story of speckled cows. You will recall that patriarch Jacob, committed himself to serve his uncle Laban for 14 years for his wives Leah and Rachael. After twenty long years of service Jacob expressed to Laban his desire to return to his own country. Laban was reluctant to let him go admitting that the Lord had prospered him because of Jacob, nevertheless, he asked him what wages can he give him for his service (Genesis 30:27,28). Anticipating this question, Jacob devised a marvelous plan, one that would recompense him for years of Laban's treachery (Genesis 31:6,7). He told Laban that all he wanted were the speckled and spotted cows out of the flocks of cattle that he tended for Laban. And here unfolds Jacob's clever and miraculous plan. The plan was to make rods out of the green branches of hazel and chestnut trees and carve them randomly so that they appeared speckled. Jacob then placed the rods in the watering troughs so when the flocks come to drink, the speckles would be constantly before their eyes. He did this especially with stronger cows. When the cows conceived, they conceived and gave birth to speckled calves. When Jacob's time came to leave he was far richer than Laban had ever been. I don't know anyone who would think of such a clever plan or have the foresight and faith that this would work but this was Jacob, the believer. Obviously Jacob understood that what we consistently see and focus on, we become. There is a lesson in this story for us.

When the Saviour spoke of Himself, He referred to Himself, among other names, as "the bread of life (John 6:35), "the true vine" (John 15:1), "the light of the world" (John 8:12) and "the stone of Israel" (D&C 50:44).  Consider the fact that we eat bread on daily basis and disperse darkness in our homes with the flick of a light switch. How easily can that action remind us of  "the light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (D&C 6:21)? These are very visually compelling  objects but none more so than the bread and water that is set before our eyes each Sunday. Mirrored in the sacramental emblems is "the bread of life" (John 6:35) and "the fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 17:13), which is Christ.  I feel that these emblems are not only meant to represent the renewal of our baptismal covenants but have a higher purpose - to make us like Him. Like the cows who came to drink of the "speckled" water, we come to the sacramental table to figuratively eat Christ's body and drink his blood. In His own words, the Saviour confirmed this when He said: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world....verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whose eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." And then this promise: "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him...he that eateth me, even he shall live by me...he that eateth of this bread shall live forever." (John 6:51-58). What an amazing promise.

Why would the Saviour want us to dwell in Him and He in us? Obviously, so we can become like Him. Like speckled calves that were the product of speckled water, we are products of the living water that we consistently partake as His disciples. But not only His disciples, but His spiritually begotten children. Unlike speckled cows, however, we are born blemish and spot free.

THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

My favourite book of scripture is The Old Testament. It is a book that highlights God's infinite patience, mercy and love like no other. This might sound strange as on the surface, the God of the Old Testament appears severe, harsh and vengeful. This book of scripture mainly deals with the history of the House of Israel who repeatedly sinned, failed to carry out instructions and became misguided regarding their devotion to the one true and living God. Despite it all we see Jehovah forever standing in the shadows of their mortal stumblings waiting for them to accept Him as their God. His constant pleas for them to return to Him and the extended never ending second chances pervade this book of scripture.

As we study the Old Testament it is imperative that we remember that Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus of the New Testament, who comes across as nothing but loving, merciful and kind. The name Jehovah means "Unchangeable One".  He is unchangeable in His character, purpose and in His dealings with us, His spiritually begotten children. If we see Him different in the Old Testament to the New Testament, it is because we are not looking at the whole picture of the events presented and are not looking at finer details. For example, many people consider Miriam's punishment of leprosy for challenging her brother Moses' leadership in Numbers 12 as extremely dramatic and severe. What tends to be overlooked however, is the fact that Miriam repented quickly and God forgave quickly. Her leprosy lasted only one week. This story should give us an insight into God's willingness to forgive as quickly as we repent. It tells us He does not hold grudges and takes no delight in punishing us.

A story of greater proportion proves this point even more so. That story belongs to Noah and the flood which destroyed everyone on the face of the earth but 8 people ( Peter 3:20). The destruction was of enormous proportions but the mercy and long-suffering even greater. God gave the wicked in Noah's time 120 years to repent. During that time all the righteous were taken up 'by the powers of heaven into Zion' (Moses 7:27). When God showed Enoch the days of Noah He wept and Enoch marveled that a God of such power could weep. And so because of the love that caused the weeping, the story did not end with the flood. When the Saviour died upon the cross, He visited the spirit world and there organised forces to preach repentance to those in the spirit prison, starting with the people who died in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:18-20, D&C 138:9,28). A second chance? Considering that Noah preached for 120 years, it is more like an infinite number of chances. This alone tells us how long-suffering the Saviour is towards us sinners.

As we consider these two stories, what kind of a God do we see, merciless or merciful? In The Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith maintains that a person cannot exercise 'faith in God unto life and salvation' if he does not have a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes (Lecture 3). The scriptures provide this knowledge, and none better than The Old Testament: the beginning of time, the root of our history, the manifestation of our God.

Credit: "Keys to Making the Old Testament a Powerful Force in Your Life" by Kerry Muhlestein

AN INCREASE OF FAITH

"My ring finger and my middle finger were completely cut off when I was a baby. A nursery attendant rocked over them while I was crawling around. The top plastic surgeon in Louisiana put them in a jar and threw them away saying they could not be re-attached and I would never have fingers or finger nails but my parents got a hold of the word of God and refused to believe the professional medical opinion. Instead they chose to believe God's word: ".....all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). They consumed their lives with the word of God and would not allow negative, unbelieving people speak over their 'faith project' (me). Weeks later, when the doctor removed the bandages, I not only had fingers but finger nails! Whatever you're believing for, God specializes in doing what man says is impossible. Only believe! Every time I get a manicure I can't help but thank the Lord that my parents had the faith to believe God could heal and restore my fingers." - Terri Savelle Foy

Believe that He is and believe that He can. The brother of Jared moved mount Zerin (Ether 12:30). Are we any less than him? Can we not through our faith in the Holy One of Israel heal our sickness, calm our troubled minds or overcome our sins? Now more than ever we need to believe and seek an increase of faith. The time since His birth is getting longer but the time of His second coming is getting shorter. The 'Bridegroom cometh' (D&C 133:10) not tomorrow but today. Only believe.

A GOD OF MIRACLES PART 2

During his mortal ministry, Jesus performed many miracles. He healed the sick, gave vision to the blind, turned water into wine, fed the hungry masses, raised the dead, walked on water and calmed the troubled seas. These miracles He did not do just out of compassion but to show people who He was and what He could do. The physical nature of these miracles stood as the mirror image of the spiritual miracles that Christ could perform. Healing physical ailments typified His ability to heal spiritual ones. Christ's greatest miracle is His ability 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man' (Moses 1:39). This He achieves in two ways: immortality comes to us through the miracle of His resurrection, and eternal life, meaning life with God, through the miracle of making us holy.

Many spiritualists in the world today are pushing the theory that we are good enough as we are. Whereas it is admirable to teach people that they should love themselves on all levels of self-improvement, this theory can also be damaging. It stands in stark contrast to the scriptures which repeatedly tell us to 'consider our unworthiness' (Alma 38:14, Ether 3:2, Mosiah 4:11). Because of this repeated mandate many people abandon religion feeling guilty and lacking faith that they cannot live up to godly standards. In their efforts to remain connected to deity they tend to gravitate towards theologies which expect very little of their followers. For instance many people forsake Christianity in favour of Buddism. Dalai Lama declares the simplicity of his religion thus: "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." As needed as kindness is in our world today, this is not, however, the only virtue that will lead us to eternal life. This philosophy overlooks virtues such as honesty, integrity, sexual purity, obedience, faith; not to mention the very first commandment, to love God and not have any other gods before Him.

Those of us who find it hard to accept scriptural references to our unworthiness tend to  miss an important mark. They miss the Saviour amidst the scriptures. When the scriptures speak of our unworthiness it is always in conjunction with Christ's power to save. Reflecting upon our imperfections therefore should bring us to Christ rather than push us away from Him. We were given imperfections and weaknesses for this very purpose (see Ether 12:27) with the promise that He will make us mighty to overcome. Why is it important to be harnessed with Christ on our journey to perfection and improvement? Because it is motivating to know that we do not need to do the work of changing alone and because no matter what we do, we can never secure salvation by our merits alone. Eternal life, being the greatest gift of God (D&C 4:7), can only be given to us through the grace of Christ, after all we can do (2 Nephi 25:23); Christ's grace being power to overcome. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour outweighs any virtue we could possibly live up to for His greatest miracle is what He can do with what is within us. Thus coming to Christ serves the purpose of giving us hope of eternal life rather than cause to lose it. Coming to Christ means faith in His ability to make of us more than we can make of ourselves. Is this not His greatest miracle?

"Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going, we can talk about where YOU are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness. I will give you answers to yours prayers. I will give you rest to your souls."

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Broken Things to Mend", Ensign May 2006

BEAUTY UPON THE MOUNTAINS

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"   (Isaiah 52:7)


Imagine a world without telephones, email, internet and postal service. How would you feel if an event of huge importance happened and you were eager to relay such to those you knew who were in places afar? This is exactly what the world used to be like. Anciently messages were always delivered on foot by runners. There was great honour associated with carrying good news as the following example shows:

"In 490 BC the Athenians had miraculously defeated a much stronger force of invading Persians on the Plains of Marathon. Pheidippides was selected to carry the good news back to Athens. The fleet runner ran the grueling 25 miles as fast as he could. Upon reaching the walls of Acropolis, Pheidippides cried out, 'Rejoice, we conquer!' and promptly fell dead." (Webster's Word Histories, p. 291)

No need to further speculate where the term 'marathon runner' comes from. Isaiah considered those privileged to carry the most meaningful messages to have beautiful feet and none were more beautiful than the feet of the Saviour who indeed brought good tidings and published salvation, who proclaimed to Zion, 'They God reigneth'.

"The Spirit of the Lord...hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;...to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives...to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion.....beauty for ashes." (Isaiah 61:1,3)

There are no 'good tidings' that surpass those that Isaiah proclaimed in above-mentioned scripture. Why? Because this life is a vale of sorrow that we all must pass through but there is a power that can bind the brokenhearted and 'appoint unto them that mourn...beauty for ashes'. This is the greatest message Isaiah gives on behalf of Him who has cried our tears and known our sorrows. In today's world where we are buffeted by so much evil, sorrow and pain, the Saviour's message brings immeasurable hope for those weighed down beyond the breaking point with self-doubt, broken heart and spiritual fatigue.

The Saviour's mortality of pain and sorrow qualified Him experientially to understand the brokenhearted but the power of His Atonement qualified Him to bind the brokenhearted: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3,4).

Imagine what it was like for Jesus to go through this mortal life with the responsibility of establishing Himself as the promised Messiah and Saviour of the world. What mockery and ridicule He would have suffered as a man born in a stable to a woman who was pregnant before she was wed, a carpenter and a man of no educational and political significance and notoriety. The derision He suffered led to severe persecution and ultimate rejection: "Jesus experienced tragedy and sorrow throughout his life. Member of his own family did not accept him as the Messiah at first (John 7:5). People in his home town sought to kill Him (Luke 4:16-30). His countrymen, the Jews, rejected his messianic calling (John 1:11). One friend betrayed Him; another denied knowing Him (Luke 22:48, 54-62). In the end, 'all disciples forsook Him, and fled' (Matthew 26:56) and His enemies demanded His crucifixion (Matthew 27:22-23)" (Old Testament Student Manual, 1 Kings-Malachi)

Aside from the pain and sorrow of His personal life, the Saviour experienced and suffered every sorrow, pain and anguish of not just each of us on this earth but of all his creations of all the worlds He has created: "His Atonement is infinite...in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. It was infinite in scope - it was to be done once for all. And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him. It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension. (Russell M. Nelson, "The Atonement", Ensign, Nov. 1996, p. 35)

Is it any wonder that an angel attended Him to strengthen Him as He carried our every burden and every sorrow? Elder Merrill J. Bateman described the heaviness of 'carrying of sorrows' it would have been for Him in the fated garden of Gethsemane: "For many years I thought of the Saviour's experience in the garden and on the cross as places where a large mass of sin was heaped upon Him. Through the words of Alma, Abinadi, Isaiah, and other prophets, however, my view has changed. Instead of an impersonal mass of sin, there was a long line of people, as Jesus felt 'our infirmities', bore our griefs....carried our sorrows...and was bruised for our iniquities....He learned about your weaknesses and mine. He experienced your pains and sufferings. He experienced mine. I testify that He knows us. He understand the way in which we deal with temptations. He knows our weaknesses, But more than that, more than just knowing us, He knows how to help us if we come to Him in faith." (Merrill J. Bateman, "A Pattern for All", Ensign, Nov. 2005, p 74)

Should we hesitate to seek the healing power of Him who experienced our pains and sorrows that come from sin, inadequacy, weakness, addiction, mental illness, affliction from others, physical illness, handicaps, poverty, divorce, death and every other painful condition of mortal life? He who has known and felt every feeling of our hearts has the power to make us whole. He is the Balm of Gilead, the only one who pleads our cause before the Father, who desires to save us and exalt us to eternal glory that awaits the faithful: "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him - Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life" (D&C 45:3-5). The Saviour pleads with the Father for us on the basis of His righteousness, not ours, but we have claim on His righteousness because of our faith in Him. The power to save is all His and the power to heal is also His. Is this not the greatest news and the greatest message that should be carried to all the ends of the earth?

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that th everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth...giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eages; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faith." (Isaiah 40:28-29,31)

WISDOM OR FOLLY

When Adam and Eve came to be in the Garden of Eden they were commanded to eat the fruit of every tree of the garden freely except of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  They lived in the garden as one with the animals because there was no enmity between them.  Adam and Eve's ideal diet consisted of 'the fruit of the vine', meaning whatever came from the ground. There was no killing in the Garden of Eden, therefore, Adam and Eve ate no animal flesh. When Jesus comes again the enmity between man and animals that came into the world with the fall will be taken away and we will once again live in a paradisiacal state, this time for a thousand years.  In Isaiah chapter 65 we read:

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 65:25)
"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6)

The Millenium will be a time of peace, no crime and no killing.  The carnivorous animals will cease to be carnivorous and will become herbivorous. The lion who now kills his prey, will no longer kill and will eat 'straw like the bullock'.  This also means there will be no meat for us to eat because humans will not kill animals either.  We will return to our original plant based diet for which we were biologically created.

This is my take on the health code we have in the Church called the Word of Wisdom.  I fear we have become so proficient at killing in this fallen world that we have saturated this planet with suffering of innocent animals and in the process we have endangered our health with over-consumption of animal products.  I think most of the Church membership pays very little heed to the dietary guidelines of the Word of Wisdom and consider themselves obedient to this law just because they abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes.  Yes, the onus in the Church is on coffee, tea, alcohol and cigarettes, however, the observance of the total Word of Wisdom indicates the level of one's commitment to living the Gospel fully and taking advantage of all the counsel the Lord has given us.

The health advice in Section 89 is prefaced with a warning 'of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of the conspiring men in the last days'. The last days are the days that we live in. What are these evils and designs that comprise conspiracy which we should be aware of?  One well known that has been discovered in recent times has to do with cigarettes which was revealed do not only contain tobacco but many chemicals which make cigarettes so very addictive.  Why would anyone want to make them addictive? To generate sales which fill the pockets of the conspiring men.  It is plausible that the conspiracy might well and truly run beyond the cigarette manufacturers to pharmaceutical companies which produce drugs to supposedly 'cure' cancer and other ailments that smoking produces.

Lucky for us who have been commanded not to smoke and have taken that commandment to heart, we have not fallen prey to the cigarette conspiracy.  But what of the dietary guidelines we have been given in the Word of Wisdom which are not enforced as a commandment to the body of the saints?  Here is what the Lord has to say regarding that:

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." (D&C 58:26)

My daughter is a vegan.  She has received many health benefits from not eating animal products.  She is very passionate about it and wants others to know that this lifestyle could bring them happiness. She also loves animals and routinely posts information on social networks about inhumane treatment of farmed animals and the horror of slaughter houses.  She seeks to inspire others to seek better health and not to be supporters of cruelty through ignorance.  For this she is constantly attacked by her meat eating friends who feel it their duty to defend their eating habits.  They accuse her of being narrow minded yet they refuse to think 'outside the box' to entertain the idea that there might be a better way.  People are jumping down her throat regarding this issue unceasingly.

The scriptures tell us that we have dominion over all the creatures on this earth (Genesis 1:28).  It does not, however, tell us outright that we should not abuse the animals in our stewardship but, honestly, does it need to?  Any man who is born with the light of Christ, which means all of us, would know that this would be wrong.  The Mosaic law included treatment of animals and decreed that animals were to be spared labour on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10).   A proverb observed that 'a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast....' (Prov. 12:10)

In March 1831, it was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that even though we are not commanded to eat only a plant based diet, men are still responsible for their killing of animals.  I am afraid we have overlooked this responsibility and taken liberty with the fact that we are not 'commanded' to abstain from eating meat. We have allowed the meat and dairy industries to brainwash us to believe that we would die without the 'essential protein' we derive from animal products.

"For behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need." (D&C 49:18-19,21)

Many people reading this scripture would focus on the first verse and conveniently disregard the second. They would argue that we humans have a need for animal protein, every day, sometimes each meal of the day.  This is total nonsense.  The Lord himself proclaimed what this need is:

"Yea, flesh also of the beasts of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly.
And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."
(D&C 89:12, 13)

It is very obvious that animals are to be used as the last resort to sustain human life.  For this reason the Lord has also decreed that 'whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God' (D&C 49:18).  We know full well that there are religious groups in the world who would not eat the flesh of animals even at the point of death.  In other words, when there is a need to save human life and there is no other food to do so, we are commanded to consider human life before the life of an animal.  This is in accordance with the plan of salvation and the order of this telestial world we live in.

Most of us do not live in such cold climates that necessitate eating meat on regular basis.  None of us in the western world where animals are raised for mass consumption have ever seen or experienced a famine. Our stores are laden with colourful, fresh produce and many nutritious alternatives.  There is no lack of food that would necessitate such high consumption of meat.  We have gone from the directive of 'eating meat sparingly' to eating it on most days,  three times a day.

One of my daughter's missionary friends was outraged by her veganism.  He felt it his duty to point out to her that he cooks for one of the restaurants in Salt Lake City where President Monson eats regularly and that his favourite meal is meatloaf.  For this reason, the young man declared, we should not even question our consumption of animal products.  This is a perfect theory of following like sheep.

The natural resources of this planet are being depleted at dangerous levels because of the high rate at which we raise cattle for human consumption.  The gasses emitted into the atmosphere by this cattle cause more damage to the ozone layer than any carbon dioxide produced by humans.  If that isn't enough, the cruelty which is inflicted on these animals is staggering.  From cows that are artificially and constantly impregnated and milked just as constantly to animals that spend their entire lives in incredibly confined spaces and the atrocious ways they are killed in slaughterhouses makes this a horrific and shameful facet of our civilized society.  We are the only species on earth that drink the milk of another species beyond the time of our weaning.  We insist that we must have protein from the flesh of animals that eat grass for their protein. Well, we think they eat grass.  I once saw an American farmer on a TV programme who was feeding his cattle a mixture of cement and sawdust.  So much for high quality protein on our plates, not to mention the abuse of a vegetarian cow that is forced to eat cement.  And we pride ourselves on thinking with reason.  Do we know what goes on in the food industry?  If we don't, we should find out and we should live according to the dictates of our conscience.

Animals are God's creatures too and as such they should be given respect and human kindness that they deserve. Prophet Joseph Smith explained that John the Revelator "probably saw beings in heaven of a 'thousand forms' that were 'strange beasts of which we have no conception', and that all animals 'might be seen in heaven'.  He also stated: 'John learned that God glorified Himself by saving all that His hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men...." (DHC, vol. 5, p. 343)
"John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them.  God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them.  The beasts were four of the most noble animals that filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect.  They were like angels in their sphere.  We are not told where they came from, and I do not know, but they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God." (DHC, vol. 5. pp 343-44)
(Gerald E. Jones, The Gospel and Animals, Ensign Aug. 1972)

Why am I jumping on this bandwagon?  For one, I recognise my need to change and; two, I firmly believe that the state of our bodies affects our spirituality.  Our connection to God should matter to us the most. Everything is energy, even food.  We absorb the energy from the food we eat.  Consuming animal flesh means consuming all the vibrational energy from the animal that was once alive.  In Roman times, soldiers were fed stressed out chickens before battle to increase the adrenalin and make them more aggressive. Could it be that our consumption of animal products is responsible for many mental disorders our society suffers from?  Matt Monarch, a raw foodist who has subsisted on raw fruits, vegetables and nuts for 15 years, claims his spiritual energy is beyond what he ever dared imagine.  Could we improve our spiritual channels if our bodies were purer and cleaner and not so burdened with dead and unhealthy food that affects us mentally, emotionally and physically? President Packer seems to think so:

"Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit.  In that marvelous revelation the Word of Wisdom we are told how to keep our bodies free from impurities which might dull, even destroy, those delicate physical senses which have to do with spiritual communication."  (Boyd K. Packer, Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled, p. 211)

Information about bad effects of animal consumption on health are plentiful for anyone who wishes to research a healthier way of eating.  We are all responsible to seek things out for ourselves that will improve the quality of our lives.  We do not need to be commanded in this.  We will, however, be held accountable for stewardship of our bodies because our bodies are not our own. Paul taught this principle to the Corinthians:

"Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
"For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
(1Cor 6:19-20)

And again in Corinthians chapter 3:

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."  (1 Cor 3:16-17)

Clearly our bodies belong to God and are conduits for the Holy Ghost who administers the truth of all things and delivers personal revelation.

The children of Israel told Moses they would have been better off staying in servitude with their 'flesh pots of Egypt' than risk death being free in the wilderness.  Such is the nature of mortal appetite.  When the Saviour comes and we find ourselves vegan, will we reflect longingly on our 'flesh pots of Egypt' or will we live in gratitude for a society that will make us free from effects of crime, sin and wickedness? Preparation is everything.

THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM

How would you feel if you were told that through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed?  Would it make a difference in how you view yourself, how you live your life and how you parent your children?  How much would such a promise strengthen your commitment to God and to living righteously?  This promise was given to Father Abraham after he had passed the ultimate test of being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham's whole life was a life of righteousness and perfect example to us, his posterity. In his First Presidency Message in 1975,  President Kimball claimed that Abraham was such a model of righteousness that following his example will lead us to eternal life:

"As we follow Abraham's example, we will grow from grace to grace, we will find greater happiness and peace and rest, we will find favour with God and with man.  As we follow his example, we will confirm upon ourselves and our families joy and fulfillment in this life and for all eternity." (President Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, June 1975, p 7)

From the very beginning of his life, Abraham had an acute spiritual sensitivity to the reality of the one true and living God.  Consider these insights from his early life:

"At just three years of age, as one source has it, the boy already 'began to understand the nature of God', so that the next year he resisted when his grandfather tried to teach him to worship idols.  Nor could Abraham's father, despite long and persistent effort, persuade his son to revere the statues.  Young Abraham 'was all alone with God', says Hugh Nibley, 'dependent on no man and no tradition, beginning as it were from scratch .... Having no human teachers, he must think things out for himself, until he receives light from above'."
(E. Douglas Clark, The Blessings of Abraham, Becoming A Zion People, p. 40)

"An ancient and widespread legend tells of bold action taken by the young Abraham.  The story is not found in the Bible, but it is the most oft-repeated Abrahamic narrative in the Qur'an, is found in numerous ancient Jewish sources, and was repeated by Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.  As recounted by Jewish sources, it began when the young Abraham found himself alone in a room full of idols.  But one important source, the Maaseh Avraham Avinu, specifies that this was not just any occasion and not just any room full of idols.  The event was a major religious festival called by King Nimrod himself and was centered at Nimrod's pagan temple.  Abraham had been urged to attend by his father but declined to go and was instructed to stay behind to guard the idols.

When Abraham was all alone, he acted boldly and decisively.  Some sources report that 'the Spirit of God came upon him'.  As recounted by the Maaseh Avraham Avinu, 'He took an axe in his hand, and as he saw the idols of the king sitting, he said, 'The Eternal, He is God', and he 'pushed them off their thrones to the ground, and he smote them mightily.  With the large ones he began, and with the small ones he finished.  He lopped off this one's hands, he cut off this one's head and blinded this one's eyes, and he broke that one's legs' until 'all of them were broken'.  Then, placing 'the axe in the hand of the largest idol', Abraham left.

When his father and the king returned and discovered the wreckage, they were wroth.  'The king commanded that Abraham be brought before him.  And they brought him.  The king and his ministers said to him, 'Why did you shatter our gods?'  He said to them, 'I didn't break them, no.  Rather, the large one of them smashed them.  Don't you see that the axe is in his hand? And if you won't believe it, ask him and he will tell'.  And as the king heard his words, he became angry to the point of killing him."  (E. Douglas Clark, The Blessings of Abraham, Becoming A Zion People, p. 47)

How appropriate then that the Lord would hear Abraham's cries for help whilst under the knife of the priest of Elkenah and honour Abraham's fortitude in destroying Nimrod's dumb idols.  Abraham had two admirable desires which God honoured by rescuing him from human sacrifice:  he desired to change his world by removing himself from a family and society that sought 'to do evil' (Abraham 1:6); and he sought for the blessings of the priesthood.  There would have been no more righteous desire than this that was in the heart of Abraham:

"......I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God...." (Abraham 1:2)

Not only did Abraham desire to be a father of many nations but he ensured he was a father that could be followed in righteousness and example in all things.  One Jewish tradition records that Abraham's deliverance from human sacrifice was so marvelous that many onlookers who witnessed it came to believe in God and bore witness to others of God's power and that Abraham was his servant (Gorion, Mimekor Yisrael, 1:45-46).  In addition, 'many followed Abraham home, and brought their children to him, and said, 'Now we see that the God in whom thou trustest, is the only true God: teach our children the truth, that they may serve Him in righteousness (Baring-Gould, Legends of the Patriarchs, 160). (E. Douglas Clark, The Blessings of Abraham, p. 58

Abraham was all a good father should be.  The available Jewish writings portray him as a man full of loving-kindness, humility, submission and gentleness.  A man who loved righteousness, was clean of heart and pure from sin and who sought to establish Zion wherever he went.  He is remembered among his Jewish descendants as 'the embodiment of hesed (loving-kindness), 'for the decisive factor in Abraham's personality was the unceasing urge to help others'.  It is remarkable to note that the three messengers who came to announce the promise of a long awaited son, were 'found' by Abraham whilst he was searching for someone who might be in need of help.

"....Abraham 'was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot' (JPST Gen 18:2).  It was the hottest part of a very hot day, say the rabbis, with the sun beating down mercilessly.  As one writer recounts, 'Abraham sits in his tent door enjoying its grateful shade, and looking out on the plain of Mamre, from which the sun's fiery beams have driven men, birds and panting beasts to such shelter as rocks and trees and tents can afford'.

Abraham, however, was not focused on himself and his discomfort, compounded by his recent circumcision, but was worrying for travelers who might need assistance on a day like that.  'Notwithstanding the intense heat and his own sickness he still sat there to invite any stray passer-by'.  When no one came, he sent his servant to go in search of anyone needing help, even though Abraham had planted trees for the benefit of travelers - rest stops along the way.  When the servant returned without success, Abraham determined to go himself.  It was then, says rabbinic tradition, that Abraham discovered the three travelers.

Abraham might easily have remained seated, and simply directed a servant or subordinate to attend to these travelers. Or, says one writers, 'he may wait their approach, leaving them to solicit his hospitality.  Not he - Abraham arose and despite the scorching heat, and 'although he was in great pain from his wound, ran forward to meet them'.  Genesis tells that upon reaching them he 'bowed himself towards the ground' (Gen. 18:2)." (E. Douglas Clark, The Blessings of Abraham, p. 172)

It is then that he received the promise of Isaac.

The sacrifice the Lord asked of him which followed some years later is just unimaginable in my mind. Through his willingness to offer this sacrifice Abraham proved that he loved God above all else.  Is it any wonder then that the Lord was willing to make a covenant with him that would grant him the blessings he most desired?  This covenant is known to us as the Abrahamic Covenant, a covenant with which we should make ourselves very familiar because by virtue of being of Abraham's seed, we are entitled to every blessing that comes under its' promise.  Not only are direct descendants of Abraham counted as his seed but all who accept Christ's gospel and are baptised into his Church become his 'adopted' children.  Looking at the diversity of the members of the Church, we can easily see how Abraham becomes 'a father of many nations'.

"The covenant that the Lord first made with Abraham and reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance.  It contained several promises:

• Abraham's posterity would be numerous,
• and will bear the priesthood;
• He would become a father of many nations;
• Christ and kings would come through Abraham's lineage;
• Certain lands would be inherited;
• All nations of the earth would be blessed by his seed.

That covenant would be everlasting - even through 'a thousand generations."

(Elder Russell M Nelson, Ensign, May 1995, p 33)

These promises came to Abraham only after he married Sarah for without her he could not obtain them.  The blessings promised could not be obtained unless Abraham entered into the 'Order of the Priesthood' and this order could not be entered into without a legal wife. But not just any wife.  Sarah was in every way Abraham's equal.  She was devoted, righteous and submissive.  Together they were a perfect example of what a marriage union should be; he lead in righteousness and she followed in righteousness. "Together Abraham and Sarah were, in the words of Erastus Snow, 'models of noble character, purity of purpose' and 'superior integrity to God', whom they 'hesitated not to obey....at all hazards even to the sacrifice of that which was nearest and dearest unto them". (E. Douglas Clark, The Blessings of Abraham, Becoming a Zion People, p. 107)

We cannot have ancestral parents of more noble character than Sarah and Abraham.  Because of their exceedingly righteous example, God commands us to look to them for understanding of our origin and our destiny.  In Isaiah chapter 51, we read:

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence ye are digged.  Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.  For the Lord shall comfort Zion. (Isaiah 51:1-3)

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

My patriarchal blessing cites two significant blessings connected with my name. In the first instance it says my children will grow up to bless and honour my name and in the second it says that my name will always be known among the faithful.  These two blessings are of course predicated upon my faithfulness.  I desperately want both of them.  The first one because it means my faithfulness will have an influence on my children and in some way be instrumental in their salvation and the second because I do truly desire to be known as a faithful follower of Christ.  When I read The Book of Mormon and come across Mormon boldly proclaiming, "Behold I am Mormon and I am a disciple of Jesus Christ...", my heart yearns to say this of myself with the same confidence and boldness with which Mormon did.  So when my patriarchal blessing tells me that I will be known as one of the 'faithful' I know that there will be evidence enough to that fact otherwise I would not be numbered among them.  

Whilst attending our new ward recently, my daughter was introduced on a number of occasions with significant reference to her grandparents who are well known far and wide for their faithfulness and Church service. Her grandmother, who has passed away,  is highly regarded in the Church in Sydney by many saints who knew her. I have heard her name mentioned often in different wards I have attended since her death. It makes me so grateful that my children are associated with her good name. I believe this is the greatest legacy she has left to her grandchildren.  It is my desire that I will leave a good name to my children also.   Adversely, I would be devastated if my name was an embarrassment to them in any way.  So much is associated with the name we bear: our reputation, what kind of life we created, the caliber of the person we have been, our good works, people's perception of us, how loved we are, how much we have helped others and how well we have treated them.  The influence, whether bad or good, is far reaching.

As Church members we are largely known by two significant names: Mormons and Christians.  Some members of the Church resent being called Mormons because more often than not, this name overshadows the fact that we are Christians to the rest of the world.  However, the rest of the world doesn't know Mormon like we know him.  Mormon is my favourite prophet of the Book of Mormon. The obvious reason being is that he is a writer. The other reason is that in my opinion Mormon was one of the most Christ like people to have ever graced this earth. For that reason, being called Mormon to me is just about the same as being called a Christian.  

Mormon was faithful to the latter in one of the most evil societies that have ever existed. A people who were so wicked that the Holy Ghost was entirely withheld from them (Mormon 1:14); who 'willfully rebelled against their God' (Mormon 1:16); who, in their extremities 'cursed God and wished to die' (Mormon 2:14); who were consumed with revenge (Mormon 3:9-10); who forcibly deprived women of their virtue, killed them, and 'devoured their flesh like unto wild beasts' (Moroni 9:10).  After much unsuccessful effort to turn the society of such evil doers around to repent and trust in God you would think Mormon would be justified in wishing God's justice to come upon them.  But this was not in Mormon's nature.  Mormon knew God and how merciful He is and therefore he never stopped hoping that his people will repent and once again become a righteous people.  Instead of smugly sitting on his housetop and recording their destruction, punctuated with frequent "I-told-you-so's", Mormon continued to urge the Nephites in their battles  and inspired them to consider their wives and their children and their homes. (Todd A Knowles, Gospel Doctrine Lesson 43, Mormon 1-6,9)  Not only did Mormon continue to love and serve the Nephites despite their lack of willingness to repent, he fought along side them knowing they were doomed and when the Nephites went down to complete destruction, he went down with them.

In writing The Book of Mormon, Mormon's one purpose was to bring us 'unto Christ'.  If you asked a classroom of people who wrote The Book of Mormon, everybody would hesitate to answer trying to figure it out.  This is so because when you read The Book of Mormon, you do not hear Mormon's voice, even though he occasionally offers editorial commentary.  The voice we hear when we read The Book of Mormon, is the voice of God.  Mormon makes himself transparent as the writer of this book and succeeds gloriously in helping us draw closer to God.  (Todd A. Knowles, Gospel Doctrine Lesson 43, Mormon 1-6,9)

Mormon lived by an eternal perspective that enabled his life long service among his fellowmen. : "...for we have a labour to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness...." (Moroni 9:6)  I often quote this scripture during my lessons as a means of inspiration to help us be focused on winning the battle that we began so long ago.  The more I know about Mormon, the more I want to be like him.  It makes me feel good to say that I am a Mormon, to be associated with his name.

In Mosiah 5:7-12, the word 'name' occurs 11 times.  These particular scriptures contain King Benjamin's address to his people who were willing to enter into a covenant with God 'to do his will and to be obedient to his commandments in all things....all the remainder of our days' (Mosiah 5:5).  What is interesting is that King Benjamin responds to their willingness to enter into this covenant by talking about the importance of taking upon ourselves Christ's name.  He specifically says that:

• our hearts are changed through faith on his name (verse 7)
• there is no other name given whereby salvation comes (verse 8)
• whosoever enters into this covenant shall be known and called by the name of Christ (verse 9)
• whosoever is not called by the name of Christ shall be found on the left hand of God (verse 10)
• His name will never be blotted out of our hearts except through transgression (verse 11)

By virtue of our covenant to be obedient to His commandments, we become Christ's, his sons and his daughters and thereby we take upon ourselves His name, much like we take upon ourselves our earthly father's name when we are born into mortality.  In this instance however, Christ becomes our spiritual father and we thereby become Christ-ians. What we do with Christ's name speaks volumes about our integrity and character. Being Christian means being like Christ and behaving as He would behave. It reminds me of that saying:  "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" 

King Benjamin closes his address admonishing his people to be steadfast and immovable and always abounding in good works for the greatest of  all blessings depends on this: "....that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life..." (Mosiah 5:15)  The Saviour will hold us responsible for His name when we face Him at the judgment bar.  As his children, it is our duty to bring honour and glory to his name through the life that we live.  For this He will exalt us so that we can have all that He has and be all that He is. Alma spoke of being spiritually born and thereby receiving His image in our countenance (Alma 5:14).  Let us live so that this image will be recognized by all we associate with and that we will be known by His name more readily than by our own.  Does He not deserve this? 

For "behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands...." (1 Nephi 21:16)