TO SERVE GOD 2

 

Whereas ancient Israel’s conquest was a physical one, ours is a spiritual one. Israel’s charge was to conquer land for the temporal and eternal possession, our charge is to create a Zion society of God’s chosen people. Both responsibilities rested on one commandment, to serve God but in two different ways.

Ancient Israel was to serve God through obedience to His commandments and worship through the law of Moses, we are to serve God by our obedience to His commandments and to serve one another to prepare us for Zion. Consider these two commandments that came long after the conquest of Canaan:

-          Matt 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me……and: Matt 25:45 – when we don’t do it for “the least of these”, we don’t do it for Him;

-          Mosiah 2:17: “….when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

Our societal structure is more different from the ancient one which depended so much on possession of land and as a result was more used to physical warfare. We, however, fight a spiritual battle with the prince of darkness who seeks to destroy us spiritually in diving us to the point where our hearts have turned cold one towards another (D&C 45:26,27). This is not to overlook the increase of wars and rumours of wars in these latter-days as prophesied (Mark 13:7)

This is why the spiritual battle is more devastating to God’s people today. Zion can only be built in preparation for the Saviour’s return ‘according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom’ (D&C 105:3-5). It is this union that enables men to obey the law of consecration whereby they impart of their ‘substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and the afflicted’ (v 3). This was the success of the city of Enoch. Because they were of one heart and one mind they willingly met each other’s needs so there was no poor among them (Moses 7:18).

If God’s goal for the human family is unity, you can be assured that Satan’s is division. Right now the world is divided into left and right and contention and disunity is rife. The Church leaders are constantly warning us against this because our destiny as the Church of Jesus Christ is great.

The celestial law that will get us to Zion is not just about obedience but also love. Love leads to unity. The Lord called the city of Enoch, Zion the Pure in Heart. The people of this city ‘walked’ with God (Moses 7:69) which means they were ‘true’ followers of Jesus Christ and as true followers of Jesus Christ they were endowed with the ‘pure love' of Christ (Moroni 7:48).

This is the key: He leads and we follow. We follow His example of love, compassion, understanding, tolerance, respect, giving and ministering……today obedience, tomorrow Zion, the day after, Celestial Kingdom. In Joseph’s words: “We are on the pathway to eternal fame, and immortal glory.”

I knelt before the throne of God

And asked of Him today:

Lord, when will I become like Thee?

To my feeble self He answered:

When you start to walk with me.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Come Follow Me by Gabriel Heaton)

THE DESTINY OF ZION

 

When Elder Bruce C. Hafen was the Area President here in Australia he shared with me that the goal of the Church was at that time to prepare the members for Zion. That was some 25 years ago.

I learnt something important this year from Section 105 of the Doctrine and Covenants. I was reminded of Elder Hafen and I came to see how important the Church is as an organisation of the body of saints because of its leaders who are implementing this preparation.

We are told certain conditions need to be met before Zion can be established as ‘the bridge between the world as it is and the world as God designed it and meant it to be’ (Hugh Nibley, “Approaching Zion” p 4).

Firstly, the elders of the Church are to be endowed with power from on high that we the members might be taught more perfectly in order to develop more experience concerning our duties and what God requires of us (v 10,11).

There are some who believe they can be inactive in the Church and in the end show up at New Jerusalem’s gate expecting to live a Zion life. Imagine arriving to Zion without any experience behind you that would have taught you to be obedient to the leaders’ instructions and to be  united with other members of the Church community.

Zion can only be built ‘according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom’  (v 3-5). It is this law and this only that enables men to obey the law of consecration whereby they impart of their ‘substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and the afflicted’ (v 3). This was the success of the city of Enoch. Because they were of one heart and one mind they willingly met each other’s needs so there was no poor among them (Moses 7:18).

If God’s goal for the human family is unity, you can be assured that Satan’s is division. I don’t know how much progress we have made in the last 25 years since Elder Hafen was here. Right now the world is divided into left and right and contention and disunity is rife. President Nelson is constantly warning us against this because our destiny as the Church of Jesus Christ is great.

The celestial law that will get us to Zion is not just about obedience but also love. Love leads to unity. The Lord called the city of Enoch, Zion the Pure in Heart. The people of this city ‘walked’ with God (Moses 7:69) which means they were ‘true’ followers of Jesus Christ and as true followers of Jesus Christ they were endowed with the ‘pure’ love of Christ (Moroni 7:48).

This is the key: He leads and we follow. We follow His example of love, compassion, understanding, tolerance, respect, giving and ministering……today obedience, tomorrow Zion, the day after Celestial Kingdom. In Joseph’s words: “We are on the pathway to eternal fame, and immortal glory.” 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: As I Have Loved You by B. Laura Wilson)

LOVE UNFEIGNED

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Prince of Peace by Danny Hahlbohm)

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

 

I was going to write my assessment of why Oliver Cowdery missed out on translating scriptural records, as he at one stage desired, but I saw more value in this.

In Section 8 of Doctrine and Covenants we read the Lord telling Oliver Cowdery he had a special gift, the gift of Aaron (v 6). This in my mind was of more importance to Oliver’s eternal progression than the gift of translation. And here is why:

“Aaron was the elder brother of Moses. Being prompted by the Spirit of the Lord, he met his younger brother in the wilderness and accompanied him to Egypt. He introduced him to the children of Israel in the land of Goshen. He was his spokesman before Pharaoh, and he assisted him in opening up the dispensation which Moses was commissioned to proclaim (Exodus 4:27-31). This was the gift of Aaron.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p 44, Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, p 19). Aaron was a forerunner……

I have always thought it admirable that Aaron, though older accepted so readily that his younger brother was chosen to be Israel’s prophet and law giver. I imagine that would have been of immense support and comfort to Moses who carried such a heavy burden and responsibility.

I will not go into detailed history of Aaron who had his own faults but will say this…..he fulfilled his purpose and was granted the greatest honour in Israel by becoming the first high priest and having the lesser priesthood named after him.

In some respects, Oliver Cowdery was the Aaron of the new and last dispensation. He served prominently as the Second Elder, the Assistant President of the Church, and an assistant counselor to the First Presidency. In other words, never the leader at the helm but always the support. This to me means he helped built people up to fulfil their purpose. He was the backbone of the success of others, not to mention the source of comfort and strength to Joseph who went through hell to accomplish what was given to him to accomplish.

Oliver was blessed with immense spiritual privileges as the bearer of the gift of Aaron: he was one of the three witnesses of the golden plates as shown by the hand of an angel; he had the Aaronic priesthood conferred upon him by John the Baptist and he witnessed the appearance of Jesus Christ and angelic ministers in the Kirtland temple a week after the dedication.

Sometimes we feel overlooked because we are not in the front trenches. The Saviour certainly wasn’t when He was here. He was here to build others, to show them the way, to unite them through fellowship and brotherly love.

In today’s world we need to push back against the things that divide us. This is Satan’s greatest tool. If he can succeed, then we will tear each other down and not build each other up. He has dedicated himself to prevent us from becoming a Zion people. We mustn’t allow it. We must be an ensign to the world.

We must rise and become each other’s greatest ally…..we must be our brother’s keeper. We must lift each other to higher ground. We must strive to be Aarons of this world because Aarons get to see Christ too.

 

I helped a few along the way

And kept my love close to my heart

Until it became too heavy to bear.

 

It overflowed my weakened arms

And scattered along humanity’s path.

Like crumbs from the table it fed a few,

The lonely, the weak and the weary.

 

I spread my arms wide

And fed a throng for many years

Until each cared for soul

Paved the trail of my happy tears.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: I Am He Who Liveth by Eva Koleva Timothy)

HOLY COMMUNION

 

Because the Saviour instituted the Sacrament following the Last Supper, the early members of the Church maintained a practice of having a meal together followed by the Sacrament. Paul advised the Corinthians against this practice, however, as the meals were sometimes consumed before all saints arrived, resulting in discord among them (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). This was contrary to the culture of the Near East where dining together was an expression of unity, peace and friendship. It was during a meal together that any problems and disagreements were resolved and all parties were reconciled.  Paul referred to the sacrament as ‘communion’ not just between individuals and Christ but also between fellow saints (1 Corinthians 10:17). Since we collectively, by baptism, become the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and since the sacrament is a renewal of our baptismal covenants, each time we partake of the sacrament, we affirm our communion with one another and with the Saviour, and thus become one. We partake together á meal’ of unity, peace and friendship.  So united, we enjoy greater communion with Him who has brought us together by virtue of His sacrifice. (See the New Testament Institute Manual for above scripture references and their explanations)

 

Until now, I have always considered the Sacrament a very individual and personal ordinance between me and the Lord. The greatest spiritual connection I have felt during the sacrament ordinance was during the pandemic lockdowns when I was fortunate enough to sit at my daughter’s kitchen table and partake of the sacrament with her, her husband and my grandchildren. Each time, my emotions would surge to the point of tears. I didn’t understand it at the time but now when I reflect on it, I am certain it is the unity I felt with those I love during my most sacred moment when I felt united in spirit with Christ. This is His power….to unite us through His sacrifice with a bond that can never be broken. This is what it means to be together forever. I will think about that next time I see a deacon approaching me with bread and water and I am certain I will weep…..

 

To my lips I press the cup

With bitter taste I drink it up;

In remembrance of blood spilt

My sins increase the bitter still.

 

The sorrow rends my weeping heart

The contrite spirit hope imparts.

You reach for me with tender touch:

Weep not, I wept for you so much!

The price was paid, your souls were won

All our hearts now beat as one.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Greg Olsen)