A LIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS

 

This was Abraham wherever he went. He was 62 when he arrived into the land of Canaan that the Lord promised him as an inheritance, but also ‘to make of him a minister to bear His name in a strange land’ (Abraham 2:6;14). And bear His name he did for the famine in Canaan necessitated Abraham and all who came with him to end up in Egypt on a prolonged mission, possibly as long as 13 years.  

The land of Canaan was overrun by the idol worshipping descendants of Cain. Going to Egypt would have been like going from a frying pain into a fire. It was by the hand of an Egyptian priest that Abraham nearly lost his life in the land of Ur. Egypt was the hotbed of human sacrifice to false gods.

The famine of Canaan proved to be a blessing in disguise because at the end Abraham returned to Canaan richer than he was before he left on account of Sarah whom the Pharoah desired to take for his wife. Abraham’s sojourn in Egypt reads like Arabian nights. It’s a fascinating story.

What is of most importance of this part of Abraham’s life is the light that he was in this evil infested land where idolatry was blinding the children of men and the truth was obscured from their understanding.

Before Abraham left for Egypt, he had an encounter with the Lord who told him: “Abraham, I show these things unto thee before ye go into Egypt, that ye may declare all these words” (Abraham 3:15). Thus proceeded a revelation which enriched Abraham’s personal knowledge of the field of science: astronomy, the plan of salvation and organization of the world for human habitation.

“The great truths shown to Abraham were not for him alone. He was to declare “all these words” to the Egyptians. The Lord knew that some of the learning of the Egyptians would be passed on to the Greeks and that the Greeks in turn would teach the Romans. He also knew that through Rome this knowledge would spread to other parts of the world as a blessing to humanity. During these transitions many precious truths were lost but some of them survived and became the foundation for modern science.”  (W. Cleon Skousen, The First 2,000 Years, p 285)

“In the Egyptian Alphabet compiled by Joseph Smith at the time he translated the Book of Abraham, we are given the added information that Abraham was called as a missionary of Christ to go into Egypt and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Egyptians.” (Clark, James R., “Before Ye Go Into Egypt”, Vol 2, p 2)

I think of the recent mandate of the leaders to the membership of the Church to flood the earth with the gospel. We need to be well informed of the doctrine, convinced of its efficacy, bold and unafraid of the opposition. The light needs to shine from us as bright as the sun.  

I stand in awe of Abraham and his fortitude in spreading the light in a darkened world. He is the prototype of Christ who came to enlighten our understanding of the truth. Without His light we would be lost in this world of darkness which seeks to engulf us in its misery and woe. He is the light that shines, the light we must follow. He is the light of the world, the only light…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: A Light in the Wilderness by Rose Datoc Dall)

THE WAYWARD PATH

I have wondered if Adam and Eve ever felt guilty about their transgression in the Garden of Eden. Life in the lone and dreary world was no doubt beyond tough and capable of inducing such guilt. Imagine the relief and joy when they were taught the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation was explained to them, when they understood the role they played in what was meant to be. Their joyful remarks echoes one thing: the excitement of being reunited with God again (Moses 5:10,11)

In eagerness they shared the glad news of the Gospel with their children, and their children, who had multiplied and replenished the earth (Moses 5:2,3). Imagine their dismay when their children and grandchildren didn’t share in their excitement but instead chose to listen to Satan who came among them and told them: “Believe it not” (v 13). And they believed and loved Satan more than God.

When Adam and Eve were blessed with another son their hope revived believing he will not reject God’s words (v 16). He was the son who showed great promise and was even ordained to the Priesthood of Adam (“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” p 169). Imagine the blow to his parents when Cain responded to their teachings: “Who is the Lord that I should know him?” (v 16). With such arrogance and pride Cain put himself on the slippery slope to becoming Master Mahan and Lucifer’s partner in instituting the first murder cult in the world (v 31).

Adam and Eve’s sorrow was doubly multiplied when they lost both Cain and his righteous brother Abel. After finally getting a good son who worshipped God and then losing him in such a horrific manner would have been unbearable (Moses 5:32).

I have often wondered about the Proverbs scripture that claims if you “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). I have a child that I trained up in the right way, a child who showed incredible spiritual promise in childhood but is far from that promise now. I see other friends in the Church with the same dilemma and heartache.

My consolation is that after all I could do, my daughter is now in God’s hands. I am assured by Church leaders that the Lord will reach out to the wandering sheep and call them home. I am also certain that He will on judgment day take into consideration the many obstacles and challenges not known before that our children have had to deal with, rampant mental health being just one of them.

And lastly….If you tend to feel guilty about your wayward children, just remember that our heavenly parents gave birth and raised children that became sons of perdition. They could not have had a more perfect upbringing and tutoring in righteousness. Such is the power of free agency…..but in the end His mercy has prepared kingdoms of glory for most…..through His Beloved Son…..

Will the sinner for whom you suffered,

Who rejected and reviled Thee

Weep in the end for Thy pain and Thy sorrow?

Will his heart understand

When he kneels before Thee

The debt he owes for the existence

Of his merciful tomorrow?

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Rescue by Nathan Greene)