I looked up to You
When in my beginning.
I saw Your strength,
Your care, Your undying love,
And I knew only You
Could make up for what
I alone could not do.
You are my Shepherd,
You are my King,
You are my Holy Grail,
You are my everything.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
I wrote yesterday about God’s admonition to ancient
Israel to remember their deliverance from ‘the house of bondage’. This practice
was so ingrained in them that they took it to the new promised land in ancient
America. Some notable references to this important part of
their history in the Book of Mormon are: 1 Nephi 4:2,3; 17:23-42; Mosiah 7:19;
Alma 36:28-29.
Remembering became a
legacy amongst God’s people. King Benjamin spoke of ‘remembering’ 15 times in
his farewell speech to motivate his people to obedience to God (Mosiah
1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3).
As I was reading Alma’s instructions to Helaman one
day, I expected to come across this familiar scripture: “O
remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the
Son of God, that ye must build your foundation….…” I was convinced it was the
advice that Alma gave to his sons. However, this scripture was nowhere to be
found in the book of Alma.
I eventually found it in Helaman 5:12, and to my
surprise I discovered this advice was given by Helaman to his sons Nephi and
Lehi and not Alma to his sons. I then realized why I got that wrong. When Alma
spoke to Helaman he also, at one time, began with, “O remember, remember…..”
(Alma 37:13). Like father, like son…… The legacy of remembrance passed on from
Alma to Helaman was so strong that Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi for
this very purpose (Helaman 5:6).
Alma used the verb ‘remember’ 6 times in speaking to
his sons (Alma 37:13,14,32,35; 42:11). Helaman used it 11 times in speaking to
his sons in Helaman 5. Why did Alma put such importance on remembering? This is
why: As he lay unconscious he ‘remembered’
his father’s prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and when he pleaded
with Christ to have mercy on him, he could not ‘remember’ his pains anymore
(Alma 36:17, 19). Remembrance played a crucial part in his conversion. I guess
you could say he too was delivered from ‘the house of bondage’…..
When we pass on from this life, we hope we will be
remembered for ‘something’. None of us want to be forgotten. Nephi is
remembered for his obedience, Alma for his repentance, Helaman for his
strategic warfare, Captain Moroni for his passionate patriotism, Mormon for his
discipleship, Moroni for his endurance, but one thing they all had in common
was a firm foundation in Christ.
Our testimony of Him and what we accomplish because of
it is the greatest legacy we can leave to our posterity and to the world…..because
the memories we leave behind of ourselves help others to ‘remember’ and that
remembrance will lead them to courage, good works, endurance and ultimately to
eternal life. This is the power of the Book of Mormon and all holy writ…..it
makes us remember Christ.
The testimony we bear, as His disciples, can ensure
the world remembers Him…and now more than ever, to prepare to meet Him. Because
He remembers us, and He will never forget…” Can a woman forget her sucking
child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they
may forget, yet will I not forget thee. I have graven thee upon the palms of my
hands; thy walls are continually before me….” (Isaiah 49:15-16)
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Walk by Faith by Chris Brazelton)
I
love the fact that the scriptures are a bridge across time and testify of the
one and only truth in different dispensations. What Abraham was given to know almost
2,000 years B.C. about “the intelligences that were organised before the world
was”, President Joseph Fielding Smith was also told in the year 1918 A.D.
during his vision of the spirit world where he witnessed the presence of the
‘noble and great intelligences’ who were chosen as leaders in Christ’s Church
(Abraham 3:22,23). After seeing the early leaders of this dispensation, his
vision was expanded to others:
“I
observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in
the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before they were born,
they, with MANY OTHERS, received their first lessons in the world of spirits
and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his
vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.” (D&C 138:55,56)
It
is worthy to notice that the noble and great ones were not only the leaders but
‘many others’ who have been called to labour for the salvation of God’s
children, whether in this life or the spirit world. Many of these spirits were
faithful daughters of Mother Eve ‘who had lived through the ages and worshiped
the true and living God’ (D&C 138:39). This is us.
No
doubt our preparation was based on our commitment, our intelligence, our
talents and the growth we had already acquired. Of this preparation, President
Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “During the ages in which we dwelt in the
pre-mortal state, we not only developed our various characteristics and showed
our worthiness and ability, or the lack of it, but we were also where such
progress could be observed.
“It
was natural for our Father to discern and choose those who were most worthy and
evaluate the talents of each individual. He knew not only what each of us COULD
do, but also what each of us WOULD do when put to the test and when
responsibility was given us”. (“The Way to Perfection” [1970], 50-51).
If
you ever feel that you have nothing to offer to the Church, your circle of
family and friends or even the world, don’t. We are a chain of humanity. Each
of us contributes in different ways. Even if it is just to increase light in
the world of darkness, by our goodness, our testimony, our service, our love.
The Father places each one of His children in time and place where they can be
of advantage and where their spirit can shine to be ‘the light of the world’ in
whatever capacity is theirs (Matthew 5:14-16).
Elder
Bruce R. McConkie taught that “the greatest and most important talent or
capacity that any of the spirit children of the Father could gain is the talent
of spirituality” (“A New Witness for the Articles of Faith” [1985] p 512). Why
is this talent the most important? Because we need it to testify of God the
Father and His Son and to labour for the salvation of souls.
If you love God and accept His Beloved Son as your Saviour, you are one of the
noble and great ones…..your love for Him will spread throughout the world and
touch people you might never even get to know.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Christ by Farid Fadel)
Section
133 of the Doctrine and Covenants was received by revelation on 3rd
November 1831 and called the Appendix (“History of the Church”, 1:229). Elder
John A. Widtsoe explained that this section was named such because it
supplements the introduction to the Doctrine and Covenants in Section 1 identifying
the book as a voice of warning to the world.
This
Section affirms the Second Coming of the Lord who “shall come to recompense
unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the
measure which he has measured to his fellow man” (D&C 1:10).
The
Appendix reiterates the warning to ready ourselves in three parts: prepare,
sanctify, and gather.
PREPARATION:
President Harold B. Lee defined preparation as coming to know the Saviour Jesus
Christ first and foremost: “…How can one meet a person whose identity is
unknown? How can one be prepared to meet a person about whom he has no
knowledge? How can one be prepared to meet a being whose personality he cannot
comprehend?....to receive the Lord at the beginning of the Millenium reign
demands that the people be taught to accept the divinity of the mission of
Jesus as the Saviour of the world (see Alma 11:37,40).” (In Conference Report,
Oct. 1956)
Recognising
the Saviour as He appears in the clouds of heaven will, I believe, be an
automatic thing for everyone when He comes. To me it seems that the whole world
has heard of Him in some way but mostly I believe it will be a thing of
intuition that will cause everyone to recognise Him as every ‘knee shall bend
and every tongue confess’ that He is the Christ (D&C 88:104).
There
is, however, for us, members of His Church, more to ‘knowing’ Him. Accepting
the divinity of His mission as the Saviour of the world depends also on our
testimony of its process:
“We
must accept the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith as the
instrumentality through which the restoration of the gospel and the
organisation of the Church of Jesus Christ was accomplished. Each member of the
Church, to be prepared for the millennial reign, must receive a testimony, each
for himself, of the divinity of the work established by Joseph Smith.” (Harold B. Lee, in CR Oct 1956)
If
we cannot accept Joseph as the Prophet of this Dispensation, we cannot accept
the priesthood ordinances and the organisation of the Church which will be the
administrative force of the theocratic government of the Millenium.
This
made me reflect on those who have left the Church because they have been
sidetracked by false accusations to consider Joseph a fallen prophet. I know a
few members who do so. I agonise over them when I read the consequences of
their rejection of someone the Saviour himself had chosen to bring the world
His truth (see D&C 121-16-22).
I
believe each one of us who belongs to the Church will meet Joseph one day and
we will see for ourselves the goodness of his heart and we will be grateful.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: The Bridegroom by LDS Book Store)
I imagined
this morning during my reverie, how I would feel seeing the Saviour at the
completion of my earthly life. I saw myself bowing before Him in my mind and an
immense magnitude of His Atonement flooded my soul. I wept with gratitude at
the understanding that I did not really know the impact this life would have on
me before I was born, even though I was so supportive of The Plan…..but now I
understand.
I have been
what you would call a ‘good girl’ my whole life. I have never committed a ‘big’
sin of any kind but I am very aware of my ‘lesser’ sins, of every unworthy
thought, feeling and action that might have been offensive to God. In other
words, the natural man I am experiencing here.
Whilst
bowing before the Saviour in my mind, all the earthly scars of my experience
flooded me and I really and truly understood the impact the Atonement will have
on my life on Judgment Day….how it will cover all my un-godlike behaviours and
wipe away all my embarrassments and godly sorrow I have because of them.
I
understood so well the blessing of the sanctification process I will go
through. And all because of the suffering of one man who will step before me on
Judgment Day to answer for my sins. This is the power of mediation, the power
of intercession, the power of advocacy of a God who volunteered to save my soul.
I bow now
and will bow always before the magnitude of such power and love…..all glory be
His now and forever and ever…..
With what heavy steps
You approached the garden’s gate!
You suffered, You atoned,
You hung lifeless on the cross,
As you met Your appointed fate.
I waited for my turn on earth
And watched with angels
Your rise from the darkened tomb
That could not contain
The magnitude of You.
I saw Your glory that shone so bright
Defeating death and making all anew
And I wept for the greatness of hope
That rose with You.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Encircled In The Arms of His Love by Eva Koleva Timothy)
“It will be
observed that the testimonies concerning the birth of the Messiah are from two
extremes, the lowly shepherds in the Judean field, and the learned magi from
the far east. We cannot think this is the result of mere chance, but that in it
may be discerned the purpose and wisdom of God.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ,
108)
And so to
the populace of Israel that was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah,
as prophesied, God sent the witness of shepherds who watched over their flock
when the hope of Israel entered the world.
“And it
came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds
said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing
which is come to pass….and when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning the child” (Luke 2:15,17)
“But there
were classes of people among the Jews whom these lowly shepherd witnesses could
not reach….and had they been able to reach them, the story of the angel’s
visit, and the concourse of angels singing…would doubtless have been accounted as
an idle tale of superstitious folk….Hence God raised up another class of
witnesses – the wise men from the east – witnesses that could enter the royal
palace of proud King Herod and proud priests of Judea (Talmage, Jesus the
Christ, 109).
When
apostle Paul defended his testimony of Christ, he said to King Agrippa that he
only witnessed to ‘both small and great, saying none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come’. And then he reiterated that
these things that were prophesied of Christ were not ‘done in a corner’. In
other words, all that was prophesied of Him came true and are known because
they were not hidden (Acts 26:22-26).
Such is the
importance of witnesses. God does not do anything in secret. Neither is He
oblivious to the fact that mere mortals cannot exercise such exceeding faith
that prophecies, warnings and witnesses would not be needed and so he provides
it all and we fail to believe often even with all three. Such has been the
disbelief in the resurrection of Christ despite many witnesses who were
resurrected after Him (Matthew 27:51-53).
When Jesus
prayed for His apostles during the intercessory prayer, He said: “Neither pray
I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their
word….that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20,21). This
is us, we are those who believe through the testimony of the prophets, old and
new.
“And many
other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not
written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His
name” (John 20:30,31). And so the scriptures become the greatest witness to the
world of the reality of Christ.
Every act of faith, every moment of trust, every revelation, every answer to prayer, every knowledge of truth we acquire, every good thing that builds our testimony in Christ is propelled into the world to open the eyes of some unbeliever.
We too
are witnesses…..
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Tender Shepherd by Eva Koleva Timothy)
There are
two prophets in the Book of Mormon who I admire for one specific thing: they
valued being saved in the kingdom of God more than they valued their lives.
As you will recall, Abinadi, was a prophet sent to the descendants of
Zeniff with a grim prediction of bondage and destruction if they did not
turn away from their sins. The king who sat on the throne governing this people
was Zeniff's son Noah. Unlike his father before him who led the people in
righteousness, Noah was the opposite.
Abinadi's message was not well received to say the least. In fact, King
Noah sought to put him to death. Abinadi escaped only to resurface two years
later not caring much for his life. This time King Noah succeeded in turning
Abinadi into one of the great Christian martyrs.
The scriptures say Abinadi 'suffered death by fire' (Mosiah 17:20). Our
modern-day supposition of this would be being burned at stake, however, the
description of his death never mentions that this was the case. Instead, it
states that Abinadi was 'scourged with faggots'...'until the flames began to
scorch him' (Mosiah 17:13,14).
Such a death is almost too much for our modern sensibilities to
contemplate because history speaks of the ancient method of burning bundles of
sticks (faggots) with which they poked and burnt the victim's skin until he
died. Sometimes this process was dragged out for days or weeks to maximise the
extent of the agony. This is most likely the death that Abinadi suffered.
Abinadi testified of Christ, spoke at length about resurrection
and expounded on Isaiah but the greatest words he uttered were these:
"....I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so
be that I am saved." (Mosiah 13:9)
Ether was banished by the Jaredites who rejected his ‘great and
marvellous prophecies’ and ‘esteemed him as naught, and cast him out’ (Ether
13:13). He was reduced to living in a cavity of a rock where he lived during
the day recording the sad tale of the destruction of his people, the results of
which he viewed by night (v 14).
Ether spent six years in the cavity of the rock because people
sought to kill him (Ether 13:22;14:3;15:14). There was no mention of any
friends or family. He lived in such a manner for this long to bear witness of
the total destruction of the Jaredites. After their last and fatal battle, the
Lord instructed Ether to view the carnage and record that all the words of the
Lord had been fulfilled (Ether 15:33).
We don’t know what happened to Ether, whether he was translated or
whether he died but he didn’t much care according to the very last words he
wrote : ‘it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God’
(Ether 15:33,34).
An iron-clad testimony of Christ would mean that you would not only live for it but die for it too. When I read Nephi’s vision of us and the
persecution that awaits us before the Saviour comes (1 Nephi 14:12-14), I
wonder how many of us would say that it doesn’t matter what happens to us if we
are saved in the kingdom of God. I only hope that I am one of them.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Ether by James H Fullmer)
Alma
delivered an amazing discourse on faith when teaching the Zoromites, which is found
in Alma 32. Most of us are familiar with this chapter as it is always referred
to when we talk about faith. However, this discourse is not just about the
principle of faith. This chapter is about faith in Christ.
Alma
compared faith to a seed, which, when nourished, grows into a tree and
eventually produces fruit. And not just faith in anything but in the word of
God (v 28). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explains what that word really is: “In the
brilliant discourse of Alma 32, Alma moves the reader from a general commentary
on faith in the seedlike word of God to a focused discourse on faith in Christ
as the Word of God, grown to a fruit-bearing tree, a tree whose fruit is
exactly that of Lehi’s earlier perception of Christ’s love….” (Christ and
the New Covenant [1997], 169). See John 1:1 for clarification of the Word
of God being Christ.
Alma
compares faith to a seed because in the beginning it is something small, and
really only just a belief, but this seed has the ability to produce something
great, a fruit that becomes knowledge. Alma identifies this fruit as ‘most
precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet’ and those who have nourished
the tree will eat of it and they shall not ‘hunger’ and also not ‘thirst’ (Alma
32:42). This is clear reference to Christ being ‘the fruit’ because Jesus is
‘the bread of life’ (John 6:31,51) which takes away hunger and He is ‘the
living water’ which takes away the thirst (John 4:6-15; 7:37).
Again, in
the words of Elder Holland: “Christ is the bread of life, the living water, the
true vine. Christ is the seed, the tree, and the fruit of eternal life”. Elder
Holland continues to say that “the profound and central Tree of Life imagery in
this discourse is lost, or at least greatly diminished, if the reader does not
follow it on into the next two chapters of the Book of Mormon” (Christ and
the New Covenant [1997], 169). Alma mentions the Son of God 7 times in
chapter 33 and Amulek speaks of Him 11 times in chapter 34, which makes it
plain to see that Alma 32 is a discourse on faith in Christ.
When our
faith bears fruit, our belief in Christ becomes knowledge through the power of
the Holy Ghost. We then have a sure witness of the spirit and not tangible
proof of His existence. How many of us ‘know’ that He lives? Everyone in the
Church who has a testimony. I hear it across the pulpit on Fast Sundays. This ‘knowing’
is acknowledged because of the spiritual witness of those who bear testimony. I
have never heard anyone say, ‘I know Jesus Christ lives because I’ve seen Him’.
That is not to say that nobody has, but we bear testimony because of the
spiritual witness we have received. This
is knowledge that Alma spoke of.
We
can have faith in many things but the ultimate faith is in the Lord Jesus
Christ. This is the very first principle of the gospel. Why? Because He is the foundation
of this Church, of the Gospel, of mortality, of eternal life, of all. Without
Him we would not be. At what stage is your faith? Is it a seed, a tree or are
you feasting on the fruit that is most desirable and delicious above all?
The
fruit, so precious and sweet,
The
Father laid at our feet.
No
greater gift He had to offer
The
broken, the lost and the weary
Than
the tree springing into life,
Yielding
fruit with endless supply.
He
gathers the fruit spilt on the ground
That
multiplies with each harvest of
penitent
hearts.
The
fruit, so precious and sweet,
Grows
on the cross at Father’s feet.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: The Tree of Life by Annie Henrie Nader)
Herein is Christ’s
mercy to the descendants of Zeniff who had become idolatrous people under the
reign of his son Noah (Mosiah 11:7). Whenever God needs to call people to
repentance He sends a prophet. Noah got one of the most valiant ones that ever
lived: Abinadi.
This is what
will forever be recorded in the annals of history about this man: His unwavering testimony of Christ. When
questioned by the priests of Noah, Abinadi recited Isaiah 53 in its perfection
and entirety. I am sure he didn’t carry scriptures around and most certainly
didn’t have them handy when handcuffed standing in front of his accusers. How
many of us could memorise Isaiah, recite it word for word and then explain it? This
is chapter 53: “….surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows….he
was wounded for our transgressions…he was oppressed and afflicted….”. the
prophecy of Messiah and the foundation of Abinadi’s testimony. There is
something else very interesting about Chapter 53. Abinadi quoted that Christ
would, because of His death, divide His eternal reward ‘with the strong’
(Mosiah 14:12). Well, you can’t get
stronger than Abinadi who knew he was going to meet his death but who wouldn’t
abstain from finishing his message. Take note why: “I finish my message; and
then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved.” (Mosiah 13:9).
Never a more poignant statement has been made…..in the end, all that mattered was that he fulfilled his purpose.
Abinadi's call to repentance was not well received to say the least. In fact,
King Noah sought to put him to death (Mosiah 11:28). Abinadi escaped only to
resurface two years later. The interesting thing about his return is that he
did not reappear at just any time. Abinadi's discourse with Noah's
priests on the law of Moses, and his jail confinement of three days suggests that
Abinadi came back during the Israelite festival of Pentecost (John W Welch,
"Abinadi and Pentecost", ScripturePlus). Pentecost was a three-day
festival which celebrated Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the receipt of
the Mosaic Law. So Abinadi reappeared during a busy time hoping to find a
larger audience, not caring that there is a warrant out for his arrest. In
fact, he ensured that he would be arrested because the first thing he did was
speak against King Noah pronouncing a death sentence on his life, which he said
would be 'valued even as a garment in a hot furnace' (Mosiah 12:3). This, he
was sure, would bring him to King Noah himself because one thing he knew for
sure, he had to deliver the words which God had commanded him to deliver
(Mosiah 13:4), even at the peril of his life.
Abinadi did get to see King Noah and as a result he became one of the great
Christian martyrs. The scriptures say Abinadi 'suffered death by fire'
(Mosiah 17:20). Our modern day supposition of this would be being burned at the stake, however, the description of his death never mentions that this was the
case. Instead, it states that Abinadi was 'scourged with faggots'...'until the
flames began to scorch him' (Mosiah 17:13,14). Such a death is almost too much for
our modern-day sensibilities to contemplate, however, history speaks of the
ancient method of burning bundles of sticks (faggots) with which they poked and
burnt the victim's skin until he died. Sometimes this process was dragged out
for days or weeks to maximise the extent of the agony (see Ethnohistorical
Sources and the Death of Abinadi, BYU Religious Studies Center). This is
most likely the death that Abinadi suffered. The amazing thing is that he
anticipated he would meet such a death when he proclaimed without fear that
King Noah would also meet a death by fire, which he did (Mosiah 19:20). Have
you ever heard of such courage?
ODE TO ABINADI:
How beautiful were your feet
As you published peace
And brought Christ as an offering
To the proud and the unbelieving.
You stood without flinching
As the flames licked your body
And defiant spirit without yielding.
With courage you proclaimed His Sonship
And His godly might;
With righteous devotion
You earned entrance to His holy heart.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Abinadi by Briana Shawcroft)
The never
ending lessons of Nephi, the man whose soul delighted in prophesying about
Christ (2 Nephi 13)….who delighted in teaching people in plainness that they
may learn (2 Nephi 25:5)…..who had the spirit with him constantly (2 Nephi
28:1; 1 Nephi 4:6; 2 Nephi 25:5; 1 Nephi 11:1,11; 1 Nephi 15:1), but most of
all this: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we
prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that OUR CHILDREN
may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi
25:26).
Nephi
mentioned several times in his record that he wanted to teach his children
about Christ (2 Nephi 11:2,3; 25:6,23,26). This I think was the dearest task to
his heart because no doubt ‘his children’ would have included his entire
posterity. His faith in Christ would have been his greatest legacy to them who
came after him.
I think of
many influential fathers from the Book of Mormon and the way they taught their
children and passed onto them their testimonies of Christ. I think of Enos and his
remembrance of the teachings of his father concerning eternal life which enlarged
his soul to yearn for the salvation of the Lamanites (Enos 1:2, 13-16). I think of Alma the Younger who remembered his father's preaching of Jesus Christ who would atone for the sins of the world, and because of which he called upon Christ's mercy during his crucible of repentance (Alma 36:17,18). I think of him
becoming a good parent who taught his son Shiblon that Christ is ‘the life and
the light of the world’ (Alma 38:9) and who taught his son Corianton the
seriousness of sexual sin which led to his son’s repentance (Alma 39). I think
of Alma’s son Helaman who affirmed to his father that he believed in Jesus
Christ who should come and promised his father he will keep the commandments
with ‘all his heart’ (Alma 45:3-7). Helaman passed his testimony of Christ onto
his son, 2nd Nephi, who passed it onto his son, 3rd Nephi,
who passed it onto his son, 4th Nephi. And who could forget Moroni
whose father’s teachings permeate most of his record, namely chapters 7, 8 and
9 of his book.
Our
children will not forget our examples and our testimonies of Christ and they will
one day seek salvation at His hand. This is our greatest legacy. This is our
greatest joy. This is our greatest responsibility. This is our greatest gift.
I will spread the word
Your gift of salvation to honour
And satisfy my children’s hidden
hunger.
I will help them know
Your arms are their shelter,
Your heart is their home,
Their only hope
For protection from the storm.
A friend who was
distancing herself from the Church asked
me: "why would Moroni lug around heavy gold plates for 20 years, hide them
in the earth and have them discovered when they were hardly necessary?" I
was shocked by this question because I presumed that everyone in the Church
understood just how necessary the gold plates were that Joseph translated into
the Book of Mormon.
One has only to read the book of Enos to understand the 'why'. Enos prayed
earnestly for preservation of the records that were handed down to him by his
father Jacob (Jacob 7:27). So much did he cry to God about it that God
COVENANTED with him that He would bring them forth in His own due time (Enos
1:16). Not only did Enos ask this of the Lord but his fathers also (Enos 1:18).
So it goes without saying that everyone who wrote on the plates was desperate
to have them preserved. Now this is the interesting bit. The Lamanites knew of
these records and swore that they would destroy them and "all the
traditions of the fathers" (Enos 1:14). And what were these traditions? In
Nephi's words: "...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of
Christ, we prophesy of Christ.."(2 Nephi 25:26). So what then was the
purpose of the preservation? Jacob says so that their posterity would know that
they believed in Christ (Jacob 4:1-5). Enos went one step further and pleaded
with the Lord to preserve the records so that the Lamanites would one day,
because of them, be brought unto salvation (Enos 1:13). Why? Because they
testify of Christ.
Mormon was 10 years old when he was
told of the plates by Ammaron (Mormon 1:1-3). Imagine being 10 years old and
given such a charge to preserve the second testament of Christ that would
prepare the world for the Second Coming. I am thinking that both Mormon and
Moroni understood Jacob's admonition that all who reject Christ and the power
of His redemption would one day 'stand with shame and awful guilt before the
bar of God' (Jacob 6:8-10). I am convinced both of these men read this and took
it to heart. Being men of God who themselves testified of Christ and
having seen our day in visions, it was imperative to them that the Book of
Mormon saw the light of day, at all cost. And I'm thinking this is why
Moroni lugged the gold plates around for 20 years. Did he care how heavy they
were? Did he care how long he had to do it? I am convinced his testimony of
Christ far outweighed the gold that was in his hands:
"Behold.....I
am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have
no friends nor whither to go...therefore I will write and hide up the records
in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not." (Mormon 8:4,5)
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Moroni Travels by Katie Payne)
There is a certain phrase I have noticed in the scriptures where the Lord bears witness of His existence. This phrase is: “AS I LIVE”. It is mostly used in conjunction with His promises to carry out judgment on rebellious Israel, or blessings in time of gathering. To me, the Lord is simply bearing witness of Himself. This phrase can be found in Ezekiel 11 times: 5:11; 14:16; 16:6,48; 17:16,19; 18:3; 20:3; 33:11; 34:8; 35:6.
There is another phrase in Ezekiel that the Saviour uses often that He will affirm His existence to us either through His just punishment or His saving grace and that phrase is: “YE SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD”. It can be found in Ezekiel 21 times: 6:7,14; 7:4,9; 11:10,12; 12:20; 13:9,14,21,23; 14:8; 15:7; 16:62; 17:21; 24:24,27; 25:5,7; 36:11; 37:6. This phrase is also used in conjunction with His promise to carry out His judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth where He proclaims: “and they shall know that I am the Lord” (6:14; 30:19,26; 32:15; 35:4,9,15; 38:23; 39:6) thus flooding the earth with knowledge and proof of His existence.
I can bear witness to the ‘saving grace’ nature of the second phrase. Some time ago, I took a certain petition to God in prayer and, as is my custom, I retreated to the scriptures afterwards to see if He would give me an answer through His written word. The scriptures opened to a page with only one phrase highlighted: “Ye shall know that I am the Lord”……I knew in that instant that the Saviour lived, that He had heard my prayer, and that He would grant me my heart’s desire. I knew that I was kneeling in front of Him who has all power, might, mercy, wisdom and love. I knew the Lord that day because He bore witness to me of His reality.
How great Thy wisdom,
How great Thy mercy,
How great Thy love
That fills my joyful heart;
How very great Thou art!
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Artist Unknown)
I have one thing to say about brilliant Isaiah, a statesman, a prophet, a poet, a psalmist, a visionary, the mighty seer…..it is impossible not to feel the strength of his testimony of the God he called the Holy One of Israel. Consider verses such as these:
Isaiah’s testimony permeates his entire book and references to it are too many to mention here. Why is this important? Because the words of Isaiah are plain ‘unto those who are filled with the spirit of prophecy (2 Nephi 25:4) and the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10). Many of us are reluctant to study Isaiah because of his reputation that he is hard to understand. It is true that knowing the historical background and the manner of prophesying amongst the Jews is most helpful in this endeavour but the depth of our understanding of Isaiah comes from the depth of our testimony of Jesus.
Listen to the Saviour’s invitation: “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord……the people in whose heart is my law: Great are the words of Isaiah….search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Isaiah 51:1,7; 3 Nephi 23:1; John 5:39). When we reach the depth of understanding concerning prophecies of Christ, we will become like Nephites of old and be able to say: “…we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ….” (2 Nephi 25:26). And may we also LOVE CHRIST.
How much You must love those
Who proclaim Thy holy name.
Thy prophets, Thine everlasting friends,
Thine angels who herald
Thy gospel and Thy name;
To the ends of the earth they speak
And their words forever remain.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: Road to Emmaus by Liz Lemon Swindle)
I was filled with His majesty and my spirit soared as I read His words through the penmanship of Isaiah this morning. This, after a week littered with lowly moments.....a testimony of His power and His presence in my life was unmistakable as I read His testimony of Himself:
How can I tell you
What my mortal lips cannot say?
How can I show you
What my mortal heart cannot hold?
All that I feel
And all that I am
I owe to you.
I give you my all
Because a heart can give no more.
You have fed me from the banquet of your love;
Your arms have cradled me
in the eye of the heaviest storm;
You have led me to reach the heights of faith
to me unknown.
You are my Sovereign,
My wings of protection from the cold,
My eagle in flight
To pilot me home.
(ART: Come Unto Me by Yongsung Kim)
